Variety (March 1953)

10 INTERNATIONAL PfiRlEff 'VAKillvt bunMvn vrribr • St. Martin'* Ftaca, Trafalgar Square Fear British Crackdown on Anglo-AM » • Film Deals Seeking Quota Benefits London, March 10. < A government statement is ex- pected shortly to clarify the situa- tion arising from the result of the Board of Trade refusal, subsequent- ly upheld .in the courts, to grant a quota tag to “Monsoon.” Direct representations also have been made to the BOT prexy and ques- tions are to be asked in the House of Commons. The confusion' has developed from the judge’s interpretation of the Films Quota Act in declaring that to' qualify for quota, a film must have been produced by a “British film-maker.” Although the industry ’ itself is quite, confident oh the point; some are wondering whether, by this interpretation, a British subsidiary of an American distributing - producing company coUld bd described as a British Alin maker. ' i In accordance with the Angl(> Americau'ipphetary.pact, most U.S. majors ip Britain in recent years have:been producing locally, and all the films have okayed for quota, In the “Monsoon” case, the, judge implied • that * the small private company; formed to make the film was a device to. evade the purpose of the act. 1 t* It is believed the BOT is now taking a 4ess lenient view on borr der-line ..cases since films regis- tered forj quota automatically qual- ify for Eady coin.. For a time there was uncertainty about.the quota ticket of “Decameron Nights” made by Mikei Frankovich’s Film Loca- tions through Eros. < However, “Decameron” now has been given:a quota label.’ Tom O’Brien, Mi P., foreseeing the possibility that* a misinterpre- tation of the court's , ruling might effect Anglo-American co-proddc^ tion, madfe urgent representations to the BOT, and was assured that nothing will' be done to interfere with genuine . propositions. One probable cause of -confusion may* arise from the Bank of England’s attitude on financing projects in Britain by. American . distribs. Where the company does not have access to f rozen ^sterling, the bank insists upon a substantial dollar contribution before authorizing local bank loans. • i Musicians Union Tries To Stop Brit Legiten London, March 3. In an effort to stop the trend away from -employing betweeh-act orchestras in. the pit .of straight plays, the Musicians Union jumped hard on .the new 1 play, “Westward Journey,” readying for a tryopt' on the road prior Jo London produc- tion. Play is being done by Mordol Productions,.and is due at Brighton Hippodrome late this month. * 1 MU was asked for permission to record some- incidental music for the play with three musicians. The union came, back with a condition that , the di$ks so made were not to be used at- any theatre where live musicians were not employed in the pit. .Show backers have re- fused, and the matter is now dead- locked. MU spokesman stated that sev- eral managements staging straight plays are' dispensing with little orchestras that used to play in- cidental music in the pit by using records. The union is trying to combat this. New Cuba Toiirist Head Promises Better ; Rules Havana. March 3. President Batista has appointed Orencio Nodarse Zayas,- wealthy businessman, to head the Cuban Tourist Institute, succeeding Mar- tial Facio. Facio resigned as a re- sult of a dispute over his alleged attempt to name a gambling .com- missioner to control gambling .at niteries. After taking office, Nodarse re- vealed several regulations he hopes to carry. out In giving tourists a new deal. These included enlarge- ment of the' Tourist Police .(made up of men who speak two or more languages); vigilance pgainst fare gouging of tourists by taxi drivers; and permission for/tourists to use their foreign driving' licenses so they can drive their - own .autos in Cuba. Vienna’53 Mardi Gras Shows Attendance Hip, Less Overall Spending Vienna, March 3. Balances run up by city of Vien- na as the 1953 Faschlng (Mardi Gras) .season came to ’an eiid show some ' decline in both attendance arid spending for the traditional carnival .season. A total of .1,933 licensed parties of varying si?e sold 420.000 ducats as compared to over 2.000 affairs ■attended by some 550.000 a year ago. Decline; is gen- erally, attributed, to higher. costs of the tickets, taxis, wine and flowers. • . Others point' oqt the increasing distaste of Viennese for the growr ing commercialism of these balls which have changed, from their traditional character of social and fraternal events to money-making affairs often calculated to carry the whole years nut of an organiza- tion like the Jockey Club, Artists Society and Others. Biggest de- clines wei*e noted* in attendance at the smaller affairs. 1Jr The biggest ball, that of. the Vienna Pfillharmopid Orchestra, sold 4,853 tickets at 50 schillings ($2) a throw. Top: price Was that pf the Jockey- Club* 100 schillings | ($4). Minbr parties,-cost as little as 5 schillings • apd averaged' 2Q schillings <75 cents). Despite this decline, the city picked up a 1,250,- 000 schillirigs * in- “pleasure taxes” during the pre-Lenten Season. 1 ‘Madam’On Solid BritTour Edinburgh, March 3. Jack Hyltoh’s “Call Me Madam” is notching up solid biz here on its British tour. Currently in third week at King's Theatre here, pro- duction moves south* on Monday (9) to Newcastle, and then goes to Manchester, Liverpool, Birming- ham and Blackpool. Show stars. Noele Gordon and Frank Leighton. Ferrer Sees Brit. Fix , Welcomed in America LondOn, March 10. ^ Speaking by transatlantic tele- phone from.Philadelphia,‘Jose Fer- rer proposed a toast to the cinema at the annual lunch of the Critics Circle last Friday (6). The speech came through on schedule and was received with fine clarity. ' After referring to the large pro- portion of British nominations for Academy awards, Ferrer said the American people and the U. S. in- dustry welcomed the friendly inva- sion by British films. TV channels, he declared, were carrying hour after hour of British-made product. Stephen Watts, veepee of the Cir- cle, presided because of the sudden death of Hubert Griffith, the presi- dent, who died'^fWG$k> rMriderifu London Legit Bits London, March 3. Alfred Black (George &) said their current West End hit, “For Better, For. Worse,” at the Comedy Theatre, has been sold to 10 coun- tries, including Finland, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and Switzerland, despite show being a typical British domestic comedy. But there’s been no nibble from America . . . H. M. Tennent’s search for the Tom Ewell had role of “Seven Year Itch,” which was ["holding up John Gerstad from go- ing ahead with. the production, is now over. Part has been given to Brian Reece, local radio fave, with show going out at. Easter for a short tour prior to London. Stephen Mitchell & Stewart’ Cruickshanks’ revue, “High Spirit,”* has been booked for the Piccadilly Theatre.. Cast are mostly newcom- ers, with Cyril Ritchard added to make it more West-Endish. Ex- pected to open late April or early May after provincial tryout ; . Jack Waller has acquired new play by Charlotte Haldane, “Age of Consent,” which American ac- tor-producer Robert Henderson will stage'for him as soon as Wal- ler returns from a holiday in Ma- Aussie TV Chief Sets Deal for Ealing Fix Sydney, March 3. C. G. Scrimgeour, chairman of TV, Ltd., back here. from quick Lohdon biz trip, said that he had signatured a deal with Major Reg- inald Baker, Ealing Studios topper, for 150 Ealing pix for use by TV, Ltd., when tele gets under way here in 1955. Bcrirageour pointed out that this was the biggest deal consummated fer TV coverage Down Under. Beaverbroob, U. S. London, March 10. The American film industry boy- cott of the Beaverbrook preps is over. A settlement was reached re- cently and the U: S. major distrib- utors are to trickle back with ads within .-a few weeks,' but not ; en masse. * Settlement was reported as. being negotiated by .the industry with Max Aitken, son of Lord /Beaver- brook. A condition of the . peace was that there should .be no pub- licity arid-that neither side should seek to make capital out, of it. Jjt is understood that the settlement in- cludes a provision for ending smart-alec wisecracks in pix re- views. * The advertising boycott began last December, originally being di- rected at two of the three Beaver* brook papers, the. Sunday Express and the Evening Standard. The third member of, trie group, the Daily Express, decided it ( would be in an untenable position if it re- mained the only one,. o£ the -trio accepting film trade ads, and con- sequently turned down, ad space. The first signs of an, end to tlj$ boycott came several . weeks ago when 20th-Fox resumed its display advertising in the . three papers. London’s Cafe de Paris Dogged by Talent Woes London, March 3. Management of Cafe de Paris is having beaucoup trouble With its actsi Zoe Gail, recently booked for four weeks, suffered a relapse and . stayed only one. George and Bert Bernard helped out for a few days. Then the local act of Jack and Eddie Eden' was called in. Latest disappointment is Ameri- can 'James McColI, ..who was booked by the. Cafe’s exec Alan Fairley. McColl was slated to play four weeks but failed-to show up. Management again was compelled to seek local fill-in. These-upsets have caused dras- tic program changes. Cafe de Paris now booked Arthur Riscoe, English. revue arid legit comic, who has.. been recuperating in Switzerland after a serious illness. He never played Cabaret .before; He may open next week instead of March 16 as originally, intended.. British Govt Ready to Make Eady Levy Into Law; Film Prod. Sumps Legit Shows Abroad LONDON (Week ending Feb. 28) "Affair* ©# State/' Cambridge (8-21). "Call Ma Madam/ 4 Coliseum (3-15). "Dear Chart an," New (12-18). "Deep Blue Sea," Duchess (3-6). "Dial M Murder," West. <6-19). "Escapade," Strand (1-20). "For Better Worse," Comedy (12-17-52). "Happy Marrlase," Duke York (8-7). "Little Hut," Lyric (8-23-50). • "London Laughs," Adelphi (4-12). "Lava of Colonels," W.Vn. (5-23-51). "Leva from Judy," Savin© (9-25).- "Men," St. Martin's. "Meet Callahan," Garrick (5-27). "Mpusatrap," Ambas. (11-25). "Murder Misflken," Vaudeville (10-4). "Paint Wagon," Her Majesty’s (2-11). "Pari* to Piccadilly," Pr. Wales (4-15). "Quadrille," Phoenix (9-12). "Reluctant Heroes," White. (9-12-50). "Ring Out Bells," Vic. Pal. (11-12). . "Seaoulls Sorrento/' Apollo (6-14-50), "Shrike," Princess (2-13-53). "South Pacific," Drury Lane (11-1-51). "Water of Moon," Hnymdrket (4-19-51). "Wild Horsts," Aldwych (10-6). "Wonderful Time," Hipp, ■ (10-21-52). "Woman Importance," Savage- (2-12-53). > "Young Ell*./' Criterion (4-2) CLOSED LAST WEEK "River. Line," Strand (10-28). SCHEDULED OPENINGS (Figures denote premiere dates) "Goodnight Sweet Prince," Richmond (16). "White Carnation," - Globe (20). AUSTRALIA, (Week ending Feb. 28) "Whit# Horso Inn," Empire, Sydney. "Larger Than Life," Tivoli. Sydney. "Seagulls Over Sorrento," Royal, Sydney. "South Pacific," Majestys, Mel. "Casslno," Comedy, Melbourne. "Follies Bergere," Tivoli. Melbourne. "««5S Me, Kate," Majesty’s, BriS. "WhPe Sheep," Royal, Adelaide, i ‘Iz*® Boheme," Princess, Mel, , * "Take It Off," Royal, Brl*' *1 * Nip Pix Producers Ask Govt to Boost Tinters Tokyo, March 3. Japan’s big three film producing companies have decided to ask the government for assistance in upping production of color film to meet studio demands for tinted footage. Fuji, Konishi and Oriental will ask fop a $700,000 loan to double last year’s production of color stock. Firms also will seek abolition of a 30% commodity tax on their product and various other tax re- lief with a view to fostering color film production in Japan, Fuji Film, operating. for the, last two years under, an $1.8,000 government subsidy, ,h£s- started mass induction ©f enough raw color fUrii for. production of five feature films this year. Scot Exhibs, Worried By Cost of 3-D Pix, Can’t See Them as Biz Cure Edinburgh, March 3. Some Scot exhibitors are wor- ried over the forthcoming arrival of 3-D pix, due here later this month. George Gilchrist, veep of Scot Exhibitors lAssp,, warpejl a meeting here that no British pro- ducer today would feel inclined to launch a. flat film because it might be obsolete before it was ready for showing. He ‘ wondered how exhibs could continue to pay the Eady levy and at same time find enough money to equip their theatres for 3-D. J, K. Stafford Poole, Edinburgh exhib, told his fellow theatre op- erators: “I think we are being panicked into 3-D because Holly- wood has run. out of ideas and is trying to find a reply Jto, TV.” He said’ the answer did not. lie in these novelty angles but in good films. In the initial stages, he feared three - dimensional films would place British fexhibs at the mercy of Yank distributors. : First 3-D pix in Scotland open this month at the Gaumont, Glas- gow, with “fiwana Devil” (UA). • r 9 ‘Pal Joey’ Paris Plans Shelved for Season . Paris, March 3; Archie Thomson-Rita Allen plan to produce Rodgers-Hart-O’Hara musical, ‘‘Pal Joey,” In a French adaptation here this spring, with ballet dancer Roland Petit, ’as Joey, has been shelved fqr'this sea- son. Show for which Jean-Pierre Gredy was writing Gallic version was to follow the engagement of Petit’s Ballets de Paris at the Em- pire early in May. Differences over contracts, arranged with Thomson and Allen op their recent trip here, arose last week arid ’ the Paris “Joey” is off for the time being and perhaps for good. Petit opens at Empire with his' Ballets de Paris March 18 for six week stint. • Ysaye, Empire man- ager, has booked Blevins Pavis- Robert Breen production of “Porgy and Bess” for. a return date in Paris -after the show plays Milan’s Scala in August. Greta Keller here for a quick looksee and back to Austria, where she is readying her German ver- sion of “Pal Joey.” Called “Dar- ling Joey,” it will open In Berlin in April and then play Munich and Vienna. v Willy Dirtl of the Vienna Ballet it to play Joey. ‘Dolls* in London May 28 London, March 3. The London production of “Guys and Dolls” is set to open May 28 at the Coliseum. That theatre is currently housing Jack Hylton’s edition of “Call Me Madam” which celebrates Its first anni on March 14. “Dolls” is being staged in Lon- don by Prince Littler with a 50% financial investment by William- son’s Music, the London music publishing outlet of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Arthur Lewis, who is here to stage the production^ is now auditioning for roles to be • filled by local talent. London, March 10. Peter Thomeycroft, president of the .Board of Trade, advised the film industry and the House of Common today ' (Tues.) that the government is prepared to intro- duce legislation making the Eady levy statutory if the motion picture trade failed to agree to a voluntary prolongation beyond August, 1954, when the current scheme expires. The government would prefers voluntary settlement, but the Eady plan is essential for maintenance of British production. Following this assurance, Thorneycroft an- nounced that British quotas are being maintained at 30% with 25% for supporting' programs. Films Council, incidentally, recently de- clared that it was unable to make any quota recommendations be- cause of the prevailing uncertainty - at British studios. Meantime,, the industry’s failure * to reach an agreement bn the future of the Eady fund is already, having its effect upon production schedules. Froiri the beginning of the year studios'have been curtail-’ ing their film-piaking activities, with the situation becoming more - serious. with each passing week. British producers* have made a, report to the BOT, however, on the effects already being felt within,the’ industry. Contracts of top level per- sonnel are noi being renewed pend- ing a decision, and there is a grow- ing feeling of uncertainty in pro- duction circles. Gonzales to Make 20 Films in ‘Portica’ Under Way * • Madrid, March 3, Cesareo Gonzales, top Spanish . film. producer, will make 20. films in 1953 either, through his own' Madrid company, Svuevia Films, or* via co-productiori in Italy, Mexico and Argentine as well as independ- ent producer of outfits. Already un- . der way is “Portico Gloria,” di- rected by Rafael J. Salvia and’ starring Father Jose Mojicd and-, the Mexican Boys Choir. Earnings of ex-actor Mojica .will go to his' religious order. Another stars Paquita Rico and Otto Sirg(o in- “Alegre Caravana.” . Mexican actress Maria Felix will t star in three pix done in Argentine* and Mexico costarring in turn with Jorge. Mistral, Arturo de Cordova* and Jorge Negrete. The Italo-- Spanish film,. “SiemprC Carmen,”, with Ana Esmeralda and Mario Cabre, froiri Spain, and Italian' FSustb' Tozzi and Mariella Lotti is* being completed in Rome studios, after all location work was done in this country. Carmen Sevilla,-also under con- tract to Gonzales, will do two pix. in Mexico or here with Pedro In- fante, following her appearance, in' niteries and TV in Latino coun- • tries. Bujl fighter Luis Miguel Dominguin, Fernando Feman Go- mez, Argentinian Luis Sandrini, Errol Flynn (in a co-production witfyj Mike Frankovich) directors Juan de Orduna, Ramon Torrado. and Benito Perojo are scheduled to do pix for Svuevia Films here. Stolz Asked to Write Music for Vienna Opera Vienna, March 3. May 30 to June 21 will present a new outdoor ballad opera as its big feature. The opera, “Lieber Augustin,” by Peter preses and Ulrich Becher, is based on the life story of the minstrel Augustus of 1643. The city of Vienna has invited composer Robert Stolz to write the music, considered a high honor here. The show is to be presented an- nually during the festivals, similar to the presentation of “Everyman” at Salzburg. e l« d J Belgium’s King Honors Stolz BrusseTs, March 3/ King Baudoin of Belgium asked composer Robert Stolz for an auto- graphed manuscript of his march, “Salut a la Belgique.” This march was preemed in Bel- gium during Stolz’s last visit to the ! country. He directed it for the ] u National Orchestra of Belgium; -