Variety (December 1954)

12 INTERNATIONAL <VARIiTY'S' LONDON OPPICB I tt. Martin's Place. Trafalgar Nuart Pre-Xmas Hurts London Film Biz; Thffft’ Smash 8G, ‘Carrington’ Big $6,201), 2d; Christmas’ Sock 7G, 6th London, Dec. 21. The seasonal pre - Christmas slump has had its effect on first-, run situations in the lost week but the downbeat is not as marked as previous years. Some new entries have done surprisingly well. Best result was achieved by “Phffft” which held in second round at the Leicester Souare Theatre with a smash $8,000. The British-made “Carrington, V. C.” looks sturdy $6,200 in its first holdover session at the Warner “Long John Silver,” which opened day-date at Carlton and Odeon, Marble Arch, disappointed, first frame at two theatres being only $10,000 or near. “Creature From Black Lagoon” ■till is fast in third round at Lon- don Pavilion while “White Christ- mas” continues sock in sixth Plaza stanza. Estimates for Last Week Carlton (20th) (1.128; 55-$1.70)— “Long John Silver” (20th>. Be- lows hopes at a lean $5,000. Casino (Indie) <1.337; 70-$2.15) —“Cinerama” (Robin) < 12th wk). Dinped slightly to good $10,500. Empire (M-G) <3.099; 55-$1.70)-r “Make Me an Offer” <BL) and “Under the Caribbean” (BL) (2d wk). Moderate $5,500. Initial frame was light $7,500. "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (M-G) presms Dec. 23. Gaumont (CMA) (1.500; 50-$1.70) —“Sea Shall Not Have Them” (Eros) <?d wk). Steady $5,000. Second frame was brisk $6,200. “Svengali” (Renown) opened Dec." 23. Leicester Square Theatre (CMA) (1,753; 50-$ 1.70) — “Phffft” (Col) and “3 Hours to Kill” (Col) (2d wk). Fine $8,000 or more. First week was great $9,200. London Pavilion <UA) (1.217; 50- $1.70»—“Creature From Black La- goon” (GFD) (3d wk). Fast $5,000 or near. Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA) (2,200; 50-11.70) — “One Good Turn” (GFD) and “Under Southern Cross” (GFD). Climbing to solid $8,000 or near. Odeon, Marble Arch (20th) (2,200; 50-$-1.70)—“Lone John Sil- ver” (20th). Fair $5,000. Plaza. (Par) (1.Q92; 70-$1.70)— “White Christmas” (Par) (6th wk). Sock $7,000 or over. Rialto (LFP) <592; 50-$1.30)— “The Egyptian” (20th) (3d wk). Neat $3,000, same as previous round. Rita (M-G) (432; 50-$1.70)—“Beau BrummeU” (M-G) 2d wk>. Fair $2 300. Warner (WB> (1.735; 50-$1.70)— “Carrington, V. C.” (IFD) (2d wk). Nice $6,200 after sturdy $7,800 opening week. 'CINERAMA' CLICKS AT BANGKOK’S FILM FAIR Washington, Dec. 28. Topped by “This Is Cinerama,” the U. S. exhibit at the Bangkok Fair in Thailand took first prize for originality, the U. S. Informa- tion Agency has announced here. Impact of “Cinerama” was just as great as it had been previously at the Damascus Fair in Syria. Crowds were so big and ticket demand so great that the show is being held over for two additional weeks after the end of the fair. It is being shown in a 2,000-seat auditorium; hence the added time will enable an estimated 56,000 more Siamese to witness “Ciner- ama.” U. S. exhibit also included American fireworks, a see-your- self television show, sale of tv and hi-fi equipment. Honolulu House Sold BBC-TV, Brit Equity Agree ob fre Wares London, Dec. 20. An agreement has beep reached between BBC-TV and British As- tors Equity which will permit re- peat airings of kinescoped pro- grams. Hitherto the ihespers’ union h&d imposed a bar until settlement had been negotiated. ' Under the tdVms of pact the BBC is permitted to repeat a program twice within a year of its original airing. If the repeat is given with- in four weeks, the artists will re- ceive a fee equal to^ their original payment excluding rehearsal fees. 1 If the repeat is given later, the | payment will be 75% of the total paid for rehearsals and first per- formance. ‘Xmas,’‘Obsession,’ Coins Mex Draws Mexico City, Dec. 21. Pix are top draws here more than ever this Yuletide, tradition- ally a long one in Mexico—Dec. 16 to Jan. 6. U’s partly because that’s in tune with the seasonal buying trend this time—the most for the least money. Such strong films as “The Stu- dent Prince” (M-G), “White Christ- mas” (Par), “Three Coins in Foun tain” (20th) and “Magnificent Ob session” (U) are all playing to top biz, with long lines at most shows. Choice pix only cost 32c. It’s difficult to find good stage fare for less than $1.20. Theatres and nite- ries admit trade is under par. See Spanish-Portaguese Film Co. Prods, in Near Future; Some Deals Set Lisbon, Dec. 21. Producers Anibal Contreiras and Artur Duarte have been busy going between here and Madrid in the last few weeks trying to close deals for production of films in both countries. Contreiras plans to produce Spanish - Portuguese pix here with the cooperation of Sue- via Films-Cesareo Gonzales; pro- ducer Benito Perojo and Espejo Films, all of Madrid. . The Spanish part of the setup will contribute artists and techni- cians while Contreiras will pro- vide necessary facilities and money in Portugal. Contreiras, who is also a distributor and owner of a chain of cinemas, is furnishing a suitable Portuguese market. He also will be very busy next spring because he’s in charge of the or- ganization 'of a Spanish Films Week here, organized by the Span- ish Foreign Ministry and its Em- bassy in Lisbon and by the Ma- drid Film critics circle. Producer Duarte has just fin- , isl^ed his pic, "Zalacain, the Ad- venturer,” in Spain for Espejo | Films. It stars Helenita Espejo, Virgillio Teixcira and Humberto Madeira. He also has signed a pact with Infante Camara. Portuguese manager of Espejo Films, to pro- duce two other pix in collaboration 1 with Portugal. These will be done in Spain with a star coming over from Portugal to work in Madrid. Busy Ramsay Ames Madrid, Dec. 28. * Honolulu, Dec. 28. Sixth interest in the downtown King Theatre purchased by Von Holt Co., estate management con- sultants, from Alice Mary Mackin- tosh. now living in England, for $37,085. House is operated by Royal The- | atres Ltd., playing first-run Para- mount and Republic product. De- spite limited seating capacity, it Is regarded as one of Honolulu's j most profitable operations. Ramsay Ames. American actress who has been living here for some time, has been set for a top role in “Un Hada en la Ciudad” (A Fairy in the City), which is being pro- duced by Altamira & Algraga, with Salvia directing. Miss Ames also is starring in a pic (as yet untitled) which Juan de Ordina (“Locura de Amor”) starts next month. She also is be- ing cgnsidered for “Alexander the Great.” Hans Hoehn from lorfiB fim a clotoap of Show Biz In A Divided Metropolis * * * om of Hm many editorial TfOTurti in jmw 49th Anniversary Number of P'SkIBTy OUT NEXT WEEK Interchange Of - Scot-U.S.-Canada TV films Seen Edinburgh, Dec. 28. An interchange of filmed tv pro- grams between the U. S. A., Canada and Scotland is foresee!) by Rov Thomson, Canadian news- paper boss of Scotsman Publica- tions and of tv stations in Canada. He forecast here the filming of programs dealing with Scot indus- try, life and scenery, and their sale to American and Canadian tv sta- tions. Th ; s would encourage a de- mand for Scot products, and would also boost tourism. “Vice versa, there would be amole room here for interesting and instructive film programs from Canada and America,” added Thomson. He thought it possible that the Canadian tv^ system might be adopted in Scotiand. F’rinstance, in addition to the main national station, there would be local sta- tions in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dun- dee and Aberdeen, plus, possibly, one or two others to cover areas not getting good reception. He said that private tv stations now operating in Canadian cities of a size comparable to Aberdeen and Dundee were now broadcast- ing about eight hours per day. These hours were increasing all the time, and American private stations now largely operated for 16 hours each day. According to Roy Thomson, the advantage in the present Canadian system over BBC monopoly was that there was competiton for the viewer. The Canadian Broadcast- ing Corp. at all times was con- scious of the fact that, if they did not do a good job and give the public interesting programs of good quality, the public would watch the private stations. He warned that advertisements would only be bought if a station had a substantial and approving au- dience for its programs. Stations overloaded with advertising would become offensive to viewers. ‘Piper,’ ‘Holiday’ Preem In Big London Week London, Dec. 28. In a week when seasonal open- i ings normally dominate the West End, a new revue and musical made entries along Shaftesbury Avenue. The revue, “Pay the Piper,” opened at the Saville last Tues. (21), followed the next night by “Happy Holiday” at the Palace. First of the holiday openings last week was the new Bertram Mills Circus at the Olympia, with its familiar VIP audience headed by the Lord Mayor of London, with Lord Montgomery as guest of hon- or. This year’s program, more di- versified than last, has fewer horse parades and more skillful bal- ancing, high wire and trapeze ^cts. ! “Puss in Boots” was staged last Monday (12) by the London’s Chil- drens Theatre at the Fortune. This is a songless adaptation by Charles Perrault, and an adult style of dialog and presentation made an unusual variation to the traditional show. "Pay the Piper,” which Laurier Lister presented at the Saville after a provincial tryout tour, is I notable for the West End return of Elsie and Doris Waters, noted music hall act. The revue lacks the polish, intimacy and piquancy demanded for this type of produc- tion and may have difficulty in I staying the course. Paris Producers Bring Out Legit Big-Guns; Three Plays Look Hits Neagle-Flynn Film To Be Shot in Yugoslavia London, Dec. 21. The second Herbert Wilcox pro- duction to co-star Anna Neagle and Errol Flynn is to be lensed in Yugoslavia. It will be made both in Cinemascope and for the wide- screen ratio of 1.75 to 1. Entitled "King’s Rhapsody,” it,^tarts stu- dio filming at Elstree Studios Jan. 17 after which the unit will go on location. As a result of negotiations made by Wilcox during a recent visit to Belgrade, the Yugoslav au- thorities have arranged special fa- cilities which will include the pro- vision of up to 10,000 extras and grouping of the ballets from the j five states in the Yugoslav Repub- lic with the Folk Ballet Orchestra. “Rhapsody” is based on Ivor Novello’s musical • play of the same name. Wilcox will produce and direct. The initial Neagle- Flynn starrer, “Lilacs in the Spring,” had its West End preem Christmas Eve at the London Pa- vilion. Republic is distributing here and United Artists has Western Hemisphere rights. | . $2,250,000 Spent On Aussie C’Scope Sydney, Dec. 21. • At a film industry luncheon here hosted by Hoyts’ loop to mark first anni of CinemaScope in Aussie, the circuit’s topper, Ernest Turnbull, said hik company had spent $2,250,- 000 so far oh the anamorphic idea here. He added that biz as a con- sequence had been increased at the chain’s theatres. Turnbull claimed that, based on a comparison of 49 weeks of the old order and the first 49 weeks of C’Scope the loops ace Regent the- atres in Sydney, Melbourne, Bris- bane and Adelaide, average at- tendance was up 88% and average gross had jumped by 154%. He said Hoyts would have 100 houses equipped by next week. Turnbull pointed out that his out- fit and. the rival Greater Union had always been the best of friends, and there was nothing unusual in their getting together on a joint application for a tv license in Mel- bourne. GFD, Rank Distrib Co., Got Over $2,000,000 Of Eady Fund’s ’54 Total London, Dec. 28. Of almost $7,000,000 raised by the Eady Fund during the year ended last July 31, the J. Arthur Rank releasing outfit, General Film Distributors, received over - $2,000,000 as its share. British Lion collected mure than $1,000,- 000; Associated British-Pathc netted $6,400,000; Independent Film Distributors, $4,250,000 and Eros, $336,000. The Eady pool, which paid out a distribution of 36% of the dis- tributors gross, was shared be- tween 679 features and 55 dis- tributors. The fund operates to 4he bene- fit of all British quote pictures in- 1 eluding those made and financed i by the American majors. The j U. S. distribs collected from the ifund as follows: United Artists, '$117,000; Metro. $100,000; Repub- lic, $92,000; 20th-Fox, $81,000; Paramount, $52,000; WB, $29,000 | and Columbia, $28,000. U. S. Pix at German Film Week Frankfurt, Dec. 21. The neighboring town of Er- langen, Germany, has set its an- nual International Film Week to ; begin Jan. 15. Schedule includes U. S., French and German pix. ^irst screenings will be “Grapes of Wrath,” "Traumulus,” (with Emil Jannings), “The Puritan,” Jean Anouilh’s “Pattes Blanches” and the 1953 version of “Amphi- tryon.” By GENE MOSKOWITZ Paris, Dec. 28. Christinas is traditionally a time of theatregoing here, with legit di- rectors bringing in their big .guns to tap this flow of goodwill and moola. Not less than 17 r f ew plays have been put on the boards, with a clearing of the air showing three real heavyweights that look in for b.o. long after the holidays, and about seven of the remaining en- tries probably in for from fine to fair runs, with the rest to fade as soon as their Xmas funds run out. Of the 17, nine are originals, four reprises, three adaptations of lit- erary works and two are operettas. The big three came in with good publicity, name calibre, and also enough varying levels of good the- atre to warrant the success prob- ably in store. Most.likely to suc- ceed is the Marcel Ayme version of Arthur Miller's “The Crucible” at the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre. Called “I>es Sorcieres De Salem’* (“The Witches of Salem”), this is a first, stagewise, for singer Yves Montand and his film actress wife, Simone Signoret. Their names, plus the sock reviews, should be enough to make this a seasonal tdnant. Raymond Rouleau has given this story of intolerance and ignorance a breadth and substance In staging, and Montand emerges an actor of stature with Mile. Signoret second- ing him in a lesser role. Henri De Montherlant’s “Port- Royal,” at the Comedie-Francaise, I Is announced as his last play about a 17th century convent condemned by the Pope and dispersed by the Archbishop of Baris, done for 2 Vi hours without an intermission. Montherlant has written a pure, crystalline series of episodes huing to the unity of time, space ana action. However, the wordage, beautiful in itself, weighs a literary ton and the scenes of soul search- ing and doubt and grace succeed each other in heavy rhythm, and it is only at times that the breadth of drama sweeps into this heavy- handed piece. Stultifying rather than edifying in effect, this is pri- marily Gallic In appeal, and does not look to be a likely Anglo-Saxon export. Crix have unanimously la- beled this a masterpiece, but It Is of classical, declamatory style and its moments of beauty and revela- tion are not enough to make this transcend the lingo barrier, though it looks like another feather in the C-F cap, which has two hits this year. Massive Malraux Least likely to be a longrange hit is Thierry Maulnier’s adapta- tion of Andre Malraux’s massive novel of revolution and man’s need, “La Condition Humair.c.” Depict- ing an incident from the Chinese Revolution of 1927, this has a group of Communists who have joined •with Chiang Kal»Shek. After the victory they are told to lay down their arms but refuse, and are dropped by Moscow, who feel it is too soon to interfere in China. Staging at the Theatre Hebertot by Marcelle Tassencourt is reminiscent of the agit-prop theatre and is too splintered and sprawling before it gets down to its main theme. For the U. S,-Robert Sherwood is pur- portedly interested in adaptation and there is a possibility in this if the literary-styled dialog of this version is avoided and a more co- herent first half is blended togeth- ed Crix were split here, but the Malraux name and press discus- sions have helped make this a me- dium success which may grow by word-of-mouth. Secondary hits include a well- construcfed Whodunit and a hand- ful of reprises. “Affaire Vous Con- cernant” at the Theatre De Paris, by J. P. Conty, is a neatly con- structed detective play done in the manner of cool logic and sense by a humane inspector, much in the Anglo tradition. Two-sectioned set with the police office in the mid- dle allows for clever staging with flashbacks and sudden disclosures part of the setup to make this en- grossing, and with a chance for possible U. S. import, since this type of play, if well done, can al- ways spell b.o. After her disastrous experience with “The Man Who Came to Din- ner,” Simone Berriau, of the The- atre Antoine, has gone back to safer things in reviving a Georges Feydeau farce, "La Main Passe” (“The Roving Hand”).