Variety (December 1954)

Wednesday, December 1,* 1954 PSSSiEfr PICTURES General overlapping of interests -f afi<J “diversification” in the enter- tainment industry is again pointed up by General Teleradio's activi- ties in behalf of “Gangbusters,” theatrical feature fully financed by thg Mutual network parent com- pany, This is perhaps the first time that a company with a radio- tv background has undertaken not only to produce a theatrical film but also to sell and exploit' it on its own. . Its entry into the theat- rical field was via Its vjdpix sub- sidiary, General Teleradio film di- vision, which actually supervised the production, t The picture, based on the long- time radio series, is slated for a 300-theatre saturation booking in New England and upper New York state on Jan,. 20. These engage- ments, in the nature of a test, are being handled via Joe Levine’s Embassy Pictures, Boston states rights distributor. However, the exploitation is being directed by General Teleradio. To give the picture a big kickoff, General Teleradio yesterday. (Tues.) invited New England area bookers, theatre operators, and managers to a luiicheon meeting at the Bradford Hotel, Boston. A top brass General .Teleradio dele- gation, headed by prexy Tom O’Neil, addressed the assembled exhibitors and outlined the promo- (Continued on page 11) Other Film U*es Washington, Nov. 30. Three-day Convention of the Association of Military Sur- geons here this week empha- sizes the steadily expanding use bf motion pictures to. teach and demonstrate, .phases of medicine and. surgery. Convention, is showing no fewer than 23 sound films, some In. color, to explain; new developments to the military, medics, on Of Permits; Johnston Trying to Kill Idea Japanese move to limit the; life of import licenses, to one or two years is one of the threats Motion Picture Export Assn, prexy Eric Johnston is dealing With on his current visit to Tokyo, where he arrived Monday (29). , In addition there is the danger, of the Japanese attempting a fur- ther cut in U.S. permits and. remit- tances. Latter now run to 20% of the gross or about 50% Of the N;Y. share. Japan’s foreign exchange budget has again been put at $6,000,000 out of which the Amer- icans are eligible for a maximum $4,500,000. Johnston, it’s understood, will make an effort to get the Japanese to divorce the two issues of per- mits and remittances from one- another. He’ll also argue against any arbitrary limitation in the life of the import licenses. It’s pointed out that, particularly with fewer permits, such a moye would seri- ously harm the American compa- res; The Japanese market is a very Important one for; the Americans despite The fact that they garner only 40% of the local, screen time, the rest being mostly taken up by local productions. ^ While in Tokyo, Johnston is ex- pected to settle the status of Irving Maas, MPEA’« Asia expert. Ques- tion is whether Maas will be in- stalled as the MPEA’s Asia rep with headquarters In .Tokyo, or whether he’ll return to his super- visory job at the hOmeoffice with a new man taking over in Japan. Johnston is due back in N. Y., Dec. 8. Terry toon, shorts, which ate turned put for 20th-Fox release by , Paul Terry, may soon go Cinema- scope. Subjects are currently shot in widescreen but with conven- tional lenses, with the figures drawn to conform to the require- ments of C’Scope projection, Terry is now experimenting with actual use of Cinemascope lenses to photograph his cartoons. Shorts of several other companies, notably Walt Disney, Metro and United Productions of America, have al- ready been lensed via Cinema- Scope. Italians Made Best Films When Nobody Looked Trouble with " European pro- ducers is that they tend to overlook the difference between; the Amer- ican and European markets .and that, when they do think of the U. S. in its own terms, they con- fuse New York with the rest of the country. That’s the observation of A. D’Aguiar, a French producer cur- rently visiting in N. Y. to study i - dustry changes and investigate possible coproduction deals. D’Aguiar, whose last film was “Les Enfants de 1-Amour” (Chil- dren of Love),“ said he was mind- ful of the difficulties of successful coproduction. . “It’s enough of a problem to please people in your OWn country. It becomes a lot harder to also satisfy the tastes of another nation.” He added that, haying an American partnec look- ing Over one’s, shoulder and mak- ing bright suggestions also didn’t help any. As D’Aguiar sees it, the French producer is much better off aiming his. film at the, French audience Without worrying about the Amer- ican market, “Once we start get ting away from that idea and try- ing to appeal to foreign require- ments, our films are in danger of losing their spontaneity. Just look at the Italians. They made their must successful pictures right after the war—when no one. was looking and they certainly weren’t con- cerned with such a thing as mar- ket.” D’Aguiar said he wasn’t Informed of reported moves to bring French product into the Italian Films Ex- port fold, but commented that he was aware of some French pro- ducer unhappiness oyer the Ill'S, indies’ policy of distributing, for- eign pix Via states-righters. “I think there are some of us who feel that this doesn’t leave much revenue: for the JFreiich producer,” he observed. • Regarding the success of French films in the U. S., D’Agular takes a uniquely philosophical view. “Too few of use realize the one hard fact: that, this country is more; or less self-contained.. The blunt truth is that, while there may be an audience for them, there is no absolute necessity for imports. as there is in Europe,” he opined. The producer added that this cir- cumstance, plus the out-of-New York resistance to foreign lingiial- ers, wasn’t generally realized, in France, elsewhere on the Con- tinent for that matter. While he is impressed with Cine- mascope, D’Aguiar said it was too much of a risk for French pro- ducers: to adopt the system due to. the limited outlets in France. He was doubtful that a French C’Scoper‘would gain many added outlets in the U. S. Production costs in France have risen very considerably, partly as the result of the devaluation of the franc over a period of years, he observed. Thanks to government aid, film financing isn’t too much Of a problem “provided one . has a good story,” he stated. Indicative of the upsurge in film business has been the reaffirmation of confidence among exhibitors ex- pressed by a renewed demand for theatre properties. “There are more customers than theatres, 1 * ac- cording to David Berk, %f Berk . & Krumgold, theatre real estate agents. The new interest in the- atre acquisitions started three or four months ago, Berk said, when a steady flow of boxoffice product convinced exhibitors that the pub- lic would turn out for good pier tures. Those seeking theatre leases are not Johnny-come-lateliesi accord- ing to Berk, but experienced the- atremen “who w know what they want” and are desirious. of increas- ing their holdings; The demand for new theatres, however, is spiced with caution since few*are seeking outright buys of theatres, but pre- fer leasing arrangements. ; The caution is most notable in new theatre building. Berk said that banks, loan associations, in- surance companies, and other out- fits which provide mortgage coin are still leery of underwriting a theatre project. “They think, you’re a leper when you ask them for financing for a new theatre,” Berk said. While many of the new subur- ban communities are receiving ( Continued on page 18) “White Xmas’; The Golden 10 1. “.White Christmas” (Par). 2. “Star Is Born” (WB). 3. “Black Widow” (20th). 4. “Cinerama” (Indie). 5. “Sabrina” (Par); 6. “Barefoot Coritessa” (UA). 7. “On Waterfront” (Col). 8. “Drum Beat” (WB). 9. “Suddenly” (UAL 10. “Bengal Brigadp” (U). MIKE TODD’S STATUS Consultant and Board Member Of Magna Theatre Group Stepping 6Ut of art active role in the Magna Theatre setup, Mike Todd is being retained by the out- fit as' a consultant for the next five years. Todd, who has launched his Own Mike Todd Productions and has skedded “80 Days Around the World” as his first indie effort in the Todd-AO medium, retains his .31% interest in Magna and con- tinues on the hoard of the com- pany. Production of “80 Days” is due to get under way in London in mid- December. It’s the first of 10 pix, in the Todd-AO process which Todd has been franchised to pro- duce over the next five years. He’s due to leave for Lotfdon today (Wed,). .Returning from the Coast Mon- day (29), Todd reported that “Oklahoma,” lensed in the Todd- AO process, was completed except for two short retakes. Meet to Plan All-Industry Conference But Bring Up Dat Ole Arbitration The general sales managers of the Motion Picture Assn! of Amer- ica companies, meeting Monday (29) to discuss the proposed indus- try round-table conference between distributors and exhibitors, pulled a surprise switch and talked about arbitration instead.. Although the confab was specifically called to weigh 20th-Fox sales topper* A1 Lichtman’s suggestion of an in- dustry parley, time ran out before full discussion of the subject arid it was tabled to a later date. Since Lichtman will be out of town all of this week, a new session prob- ably won’t be scheduled Until next week. The arbitration chit-chat re- volved around the progress being made in the . negotiations.. Talks started last April and the distrib and exhib conferees are still in disagreement on one particular point—the subject of damages, As a result ,of the difference of opin- ion on. this problem,, the distrib negotiating committee is arrang- ing a meet Monday (6) with exhib group to iron out this point. The drafting of the plan had been en- trusted to Adolph Schimel, Univer- sal’s general counsel, and Herman M. Levy; Theatre Owners of Amer- ica general counsel. The sales manager’s new accent on arbitra- tion is believed to have been prompted by the desire to have it as ope of the subjects of discus- sion at the industry meeting. Dis- tribs, as well as many exhibs, have long felt than arbitration system woUld go A long way toward set- tling many exhib-distrib disputes (Continued on page 11) Usual November upbeat this year is more pronounced than custom- ary, with a semi-holiday, on Elec- tion Day and Veterans Day (Nov.. 11) swelling the totals, according to reports from Variety, corre- spondents. in 25 representative key cities. The showing is all the more remarkable since registered in the middle of some unusually mild weather and a long rainy period. Some idea of how great the up- swing was in shown by the business done by the five biggest grossing pix. These amassed $5,195,000 in the four weeks as against $4,500,- 000 in October for the top five films. Launching of “White (Christmas” (Par) and continued strength by “Star Is Born” (WB) most of the month. accounted for muSh of the high attendance. "Christmas” eas- ily cinched No. 1 Spot by finishing first every week in the month. The Ring Crosby-Danny Kaye star- rer, launching Vista-Vision, was smash to terrific in every key and hung up several highs. Pic was playing in some 20 keys as the month ended, registering $2,336,- 000 fn November for the key spots covered by Variety. “Star,” which was champ in Oc- tober, wound up with $970,000 and second place. With the Judy Gar- land pic now going into more smaller cities; it will have the ed- ited. version which runs about 30 minutes shorter than the original three-hour plus .version. This is counted on to help the turnover, and make the pic more satisfac- tory to exhibs generally. -“Black Widow,” new C’Scoper from 20th-Fox, showed enough strength to-cop third place While (Continued on page 22) Hollywood, Nov. 30. Incensed at refusal of many for- eign countries, particularly Britain, to allow American supporting play- ers to work lri features overseas, the Screen Actors Guild has asked UV S. Immigration Dept, to investi- gate situation which permtis alien actors to enter U; S’. to take sup- porting and minor roles here. Discussions have been held on matter between Guild and H. R. Columbi ;ctur»$' Production Voopoo r» . . Jerry Wald fi of rh* opinion that Good films Pro the Bast Cycle “ for Hollywood But It Sure Looks Like tho Bible Set f or Big Celluloid Revival another editorial feature In tho 49th Anniversary Number of P'ARIETY OUT SOON Landon, district director of the Immigration Service at Los An- geles. Guild stressed it has no complaint regarding foreign ntars Working here, since such stars have appeal for American audiences plus artistic merit and ability. “It’s quite another thing for nonresident alien actors to come into the coun- try and bur industry for the sake of mere supporting salaries rang- ing from medium down to; actual union minimum rites, and. it’s on this aspect we urge stricter appli- cation of law,” Guild informed Landon. Question is highlighted by rea- son of flat prohibition by many for- eign countries; especially Britain, against allowing any American ac- tors other than stars to work in pictures made in those countries; Guild proposes as standards:. (1) Performer must have attained stat- ure lii own country and in U. S. (2) Employer importing alien ac- tor must pay him at least $1,500 weekly, and (3). He . should be starred or featured. It’s argued that alien actor “temporarily” ad- mitted “generally secures subse- quent offers of work “because he’s here” this is . inconsistent with Sup- posed “temporary” nature of visit. Census of Business Includes Films But No Funds for Radio-TV Washington, Nbv. 30. The 1954 Census of Business, which the Federal Government will launch next January, will include motion picture "production, dis- tribution and exhibition, and re- lated services, and also amusements other than motion pictures. However, radio and television will not be covered although they are much bigger business than many types for. which census fig- ures will be gathered. A spokes- man for the Census Bureau ex- plains that the agency will have only limited funds, for its overall job on business and that it is ex- cluding broadcasting because it feels sufficient information can be obtained from the Federal Com- munications Commission which keeps an annual tab on the broad- casters; Among other businesses for which statistics will be gathered will be advertising, night clubs, ho- tels, motels, adult and children’s recreation camps, and the manu- facture of radio, tv and phonograph parts and equipment. Print Lichtman TOA Talk Address of Ai Lichtman, 20th- Fox director of sales, before the Theatre OWners of America con- vention in Chicago Nov. 2 has been reprinted by .20th for circulation to exhibitors. Some 20,000 copies of the speech, in which Lichtman.plugged-for bet- ter cooperation and unity between exhibs and" distribs, are being mailed out to the TOA and Allied membership via 20th branches across the country. Ohip Towns Cut B.0. Tax. Columbus, Nov. 30. Latest in the lengthening list of Ohio cities . to repeal the 3% admissions tax is Springfield which will end the levy on Jan. 1; Celina, meanwhile/ has cut its tax from 3 to 1 Yz%. i