Variety (March 1956)

12 I\TKH\ATIO>AI, ^SfSIEft 'VARIITY'*' LONDON OFFICI f It. Martin'* Flae«, Trafalgar Square London Loaded With H.0.$; Alice’ Sets Pace, Sock 12G, 2d, ‘Tarantula’ Botfo 8G, 1984’ Ditto, Both 2d London, March 13. -f A British picture, "A Town Like Alice,” leads current returns at "West End firstruns. Second week at the Odeon, Leicester Square, looks smash $12,000. Another local entry, "1984,” shapes nice $8,000 or near in second Warner frame. "Cinerama Holiday” is leading the holdovers with a great $17,000 or more in its fifth Casino round. "Richard III” is winding its cur¬ rent run at Leicester Square Thea¬ tre with a great $7,400 in its 13th sesh. Pic transfers to the Gaumont for a m.o. before going into gen¬ eral release. "Tarantula” still is socko $8,000 at London Pavilion in second round. "Quentin Durward” looms fair $10,000 in its second week at the Empire. Estimates for Last Week ‘ Carlton (20th) (1,128; 70-$.1.70)— "Rains of Ranchipur” (20th), (4th wk). Fair $4,000 or near. Last week, $5,000. "Man Who Never Was” (20th) opens with Royal Gala March 14. Casino (Indie) (1,337; 70-$2.15)— "Cinerama Holiday” (Robin) (5th wk). Great $17,000. Holds indef. Empire <M-G) (3,099; 55-$1.70)— “Quentin Durward’ (M-G) 2d wk). Fair $10,600. Last week> $12,000. .. Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$1.70) —"Rose Tattoo” (Par) (4th wk). Big $6,000 or near. “Richard III” (IFD) transfers here March 15. Leicester Square Theatre (MCA) (1,376; 50-$1.70)—"Richard III” (IFD) (13th wk). Sock $7,400. Last week was $7,800. "Black Tent” (Rank) follows March 15, London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 50-$1.70)—"Tarantula" (Rank) (2d wk). Boff $8,100 or close. First was $8,400. Odeon,~ Leicester Square (CMA) (2,200; 50-$1.70)—"A Town Like Alice” (Rank) (2d wk). Heading for great $12,000 or better. Opener was $13,000. Odeon, Marble Arch (CMA) (2,200; 50-$1.70)—"The Conqueror” (RKO) (6th wk). Sturdy $5,000 or near. "Jubal” (Col) preems March 14. Plaza (Par) (1,902; 70-$1.70)— "Court Jester” (Par) (5th wk. Good $7,000 or close. "Extra Day” (BL) bows March 16. Rialto (20th) (592; 50-$J.30)— "Private’s Progress” (BL) (4th wk). Boff $4,100. Third was $4,500. “Beyond tile River” (20th) opens March 15. Ritz (M-G) (432; 50-$1.30)— "Mogamba” (M-G) (2d wk). Solid $2,800. Warner (WB) G.785; 50-$1.70) —"1984” (ABP) (2d wk). Shaping for fine $8,000. First was. $9,500. "One Man Mutiny” (WB) opens March 15. Mex Film Bank Buying Showcases for Native Product in So. America Mexico City, March 13. The film trade’s own bank, the Banco Nacional Cinematografico, is readying a program (to cost a minimum of $6,400,000) to provide Mexican pix with more showcases in Central and South America. There will be ■ 20 of them. Pro¬ gram will take five years to com¬ plete. It is being superintended by Juan Bandera, manager of Pelieulas Mexi'canas, oldline dis¬ tributor of Mexican pix in Latin America outside Mexico. Program will begin before sum-, mer with the simultaneous start of construction on two cinemas, each 2,000-seaters costing $320,000 apiece. Sites are now being de¬ cided upon. Mex-Film, the new distributor of Mexican pix in the U.S., is seeking more showcases for its films. But instead of building, it plans to buy or lease cinemas., Brisbane $tays Strong Brisbane, March 13. End-of-summer heat is not harm¬ ful to biz here. Metro ‘looks like taking -but good returns with "The Cobweb” at’ ; its own showcase. "Daddy Long Legs” (20th) replaced "Helen of .Troy* (WB), non-sqccess, and should reap, a nice harvest.,. Set ‘Diary* Production In Netherlands Locale Amsterdam, March 13. Permission for a Netherlands production of "Diary of. Anne Frank” has been given by Otto Frank, father of the young author¬ ess of the original journal. A translation of the Frances Good- rich-Albert Hackett dramatization of the work will be used, produced by the local group, Theatre, head¬ quartering in Arnhem. The elder Frank, sole member of the family who survived Nazi slaughter, has not seen the origi¬ nal Broadway production of "Diary,’’ and there was understood to be some question whether he would authorize a presentation in the Netherlands, where there might be complications as to authentic¬ ity as well as of a personal emo¬ tional nature. However, rights have been given for production in London by H. M. Tennent, in Switzerland by Fisch¬ er Verlag, and in Germany and Austria. Thief High On W. German fist Berlin, March 13. The German film, "Three From Filling Station” (Berolina-Herzog), a bit disappointing as a’remake of a once great hit, became top grosser of February in West Ger¬ many’s eight most important key cities. "Love, Dance and 1,000 Songs” (CCC/Gloria), German mu¬ sical, captured second spot. “Die Deutschmeister,” an Austrian fea¬ ture, and "Yes, Yes, the Love in Tyrol” (Berolina/Constantin), two other unimpressive pix, took third and fourth spots. Most successful Hollywood picture of the month wa's “To Catch Thief” (Par) mainly because of the big popularity here of Grace Kelly. Film was last month’s fifth best grosser. In Berlin, seven out of 14 preem houses currently are showing American features, as against two German, two French, one British and two Austrian pix played at the ot^ier eight houses. NewU.S. films include "Mister Roberts” (WB), preemed at Delphi and Titania Polast; "Black Friday” (UA) at Bonbonniere, "Desperate Hours” (Par) at Filmtheater Berlin, while Capitol again had "Kiss Me, Kate” (M-G). “Roberts” was generally rated a good film. "Desperate Hours” found also above-average press appraisal. Both products strongly contribute to prestige, for American films. Very good reviews were given to Carol Reed’s first tinter, "A Kid for Two Farthings,” preemed at the Studio. France’s "Rififi” com¬ pleted an eleven-week run at the Cinema Paris. High Production Costs Italian Headache Too Rome, March 13. -Reduction of production costs in general as well asva/one-third drop in yearly Italian film production were among the important motions voted by the National Producers’ Union at its recent general as¬ sembly. Goffx*edo Lpmbardo, head of Titanus Films, was re-elected • president for the next two years. The union is a subdivision' ot: ANICA. The Union also* voted for tighten¬ ing , controls in- production where fly-by-night production seriously damaged both the film credit sec¬ tor and public opinion -via an- un¬ disciplined rise in costs and a drop in general film .quality. According to the Union, feature production figures fol* : the year should* be revised to total an ap¬ proximately 100, a third of these in co-production with other coun¬ tries, the producer's group consid¬ ering this 'figure ns "better suited to (Italy’s) technical and artistic means under the new regime of lower , costs.” Edith Piaf on Mex TV After Nightclub Hit Mexico City, March 13. Edith Piaf has won Mexico's heart and purse. Originally booked for two weeks at the new high here of $1,000 nightly for two shows by the elite El Patio nitery (plus ‘ traveling costs for herself and 'retinue of 12), the date was expanded to 2 8 nights. Then the French thrush copped $5,000 for rendering two songs in two se¬ quences of the Mexican tinter pic, "Music Today and Always.” Now Miss Piaf is booked by local tv station XEWTV, channel 2, for 13 shows at $1,000 each, scheduled to start tomorrow (14). Like the one at the El Patio, this tv date will be exclusive, since she returns here expressly for. it. British Film Industry Makes Pitch to Govt. For Large Tax Relief London, March 20. The all-industry ; campaign to secure substantial admission tax re¬ lief moved into its final phase last week when a prepared document was sent to every Member of Par¬ liament. A shorter leaflet, embody¬ ing the main heads of the agita¬ tion, also has been sent to every member of the four trade associa¬ tions who are .conducting the fight. The two official documents do not indicate the amount of relief being sought by the industry, but it is known they ask for a substan¬ tial amount, reportedly as much as $50,000,000 a year. This, if. granted, would vitrually halve the present incidence of the duty which takes an annual toll of over $10,000,000 from the boxoffice. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been told that in view of the pressing needs of the industry, it is not intended that any relief ac¬ corded should be passed on to the paying public. It will, instead, be shared among the various sections of the industry, to enable them to meet rising overheads,in a period of diminishing returns. A 13-page statement of case sent out to M.P.’s emphasizes the steady decline in admissions and the losses incurred by a substantial segment of the exhibiting indus¬ tries. About 10% of all cinemas are operating at a loss, and theatres with a weekly net of less than $700 are considered particularly in need of special consideration. The case for giving British pix a better re¬ turn from the domestic boxoffice is summarized in returns from 134 features. They cost over $35,000,- 000 to. produce, earned under $27,- 000,000 in rentals. After allowing for write-offs, etc., these ended up with a deficiency of more than $10,- 000,000. Their combined share from the Eady fund, at around $5,800,000, failed to bridge the gap. The trade case also takes into account rising distribution costs,. which have increased by more than $2,200,000 from 1950 to 1954. Dur¬ ing that same period, however, film rentals, out of which the increased expenses must be met, improved by only $550,000. 5 YANK PIX SET FOR PRODUCTION AT UFA Frankfurt, March 13. The old UFA studios at Geisel- gasteig, which were recently sold to a new German grotlp under the Allied liquidation demand, are already doing big business. With Americans, with five U. S'films set for . their production schedule this year. . . Universal plans to start "Unfin¬ ished Symphony” starring June Allyson and Rossano Brazzi, at the Bavarian studios July 8. Producer Gene Martel begihs work March 19 on "Black Seven.” King Broth¬ ers scheduled the studios* for a pair, of films. First, beginning May; 3, is "Hunt Through Germany,” wjtfh Kurt Neumann directing. Second, directed by John Ford, is ,l The Two-Headed Spy,” to roll July 25. Metro has also boojked tlje ,UJTA studios for June, when they plan to film "Love/' with Leslie Kaldos directing. The Rains Came Sydney, March 13. Hoyts launched "The Rains of Ranchipur” 1 at the Re'gent here three -.weeks afco., It hasn’t. stopped ! .raining' since the film bowed in. British Ire at Ben Hecht Still Boils Sunday Express Suggests Boycott of 4 Not for Money’ —No Legit License for Jennie Hecht -:-:-:-f ' _ ' Hirsch to Pep Up Paris Opera; Ballet to Get Lift Paris, March .13. Georges Hirsch, who has re¬ placed the ailing Jacques Ibert as head of the state-subsidized lyric theatres, the Opera and Opera- Comique, has told the press that his objectives will be to modernize and extend the repertoires of these two houses and also do the same on the ballet side. _ The Opera Ballet will be given a greater share of the budget, to try to regain its former eminence. Hirsch also intends to reinstate the corps de ballet of the Opera- Comique, which was disbanded last year for lack 'of funds. Modern choreographers will be called on to do ballets for both the Opera and O-C. ACT Hits Govt For ‘Inertia’ London, March 13. , "As far as the government is concerned, the past year has been one of inertia.” That’s the opening phrase in a report on production facilities compiled by the Assn, of Cine .Technicians. The union’s 23d annual report complains that the Board of Trade prez has ignored its representa¬ tions to stop the sale of film studios, and did not heed the advice given in a special memo¬ randum to revise the Anglo-Amer¬ ican film agreement by restricting remittances and limiting imports. Another, union beef is directed at- the . British Film Producers Assn., which failed to ratify a tentative agreement for extending the quota arrangements for foreign directors and producers "in view of criticisms expressed by the Ministry of Labor.” The tentative arrangement had been for an um¬ brella scheme covering tlm entire British industry, instead of' apply¬ ing to BFPA members only. Among the 31 resolutions to be debated at the two-day annual meet, is one from the producer- director section on the shrinkage of production facilities as a threat to the maintenance of the quota. Another* criticizes the standard of production by ACT’s own film- making outfit. Aussie Pix B.O. Climbs Pre-Easter; Thief,* ‘Sex’ ‘Goodman,’ ‘Marty’ Aces . Sydney, March 13. Coast-to-coast Aussie cinemas are looking forward to a smash end-of-March boxoffice intake. The current plush bik garnered in the pre-Easter soan points up how big the trade will become when out-of- towners hit town loaded with greenbacks . obtained from wool- and-wheat sales. Surprise hit here presently is "Marty” (UA) at Hoyts’ Esquire, Sydney. Sellout sign goes Up on the’ four sessions daily. Universal likewise is copping major coinage .with "Benny- Goodman Story” at the'2,600-seat £tate, Sydney. "Sec¬ ond Greatest* Sex” also is big at 2,800-seat Capitol, Sydney. • . "To Catch a Thief” (Par) is giv¬ ing 1,400-seat Prince Edward its greatest biz ever. “East of Eden” (WB) is another topper at- the Cen¬ tury. "Seven Year Itch”’ (2Qth) looni^ solid in 10th week at May- fair: ' •‘Sister/ ^Thief’. Melbourne. Hits Melbourne, March .13. "M-y Sistet Eileen’.’.(Col) is.nifty at the 3,400-seat State,, .and is set for a rjun. .‘.‘Man Called Peter” (20th) is pulling solidly in fifth .week *at. 3,300nsea.t Regent.. ^ “To Catch- Thief'’ (Par) opened* briL liantly and- looks'to give Par’s showcase, King’s, a-high- intake. Adelaide) March 13. ‘Itch/ ‘Country’ Adelaide Hits "Scv.en Year Itqh” (20th), "Coun¬ try Girl” (Par) aqd ."Footsteps in Fog” (Col) are. the toppers here. London, March 20. Ben Hecht, who has lately been in. London on a film-writing assign¬ ment, has felt the full brunt of British displeasure. This dates back to his vitriolic pro-Israel pageant in Madison Square Garden ar.d various paid ads in the Ameri¬ can press. Hecht, a mean man with a phrase, succeeded only too well in getting under the British skin. So much so that years, later he is remembered only for his public ex¬ pression that the death of British Tommies in the Near East was a matter of jubiliation. Most of the snubs experienced by Hecht while in London have not been reported here but two facts are known: (1) Attempts of Hecht to get his smali daughter Jennie, a controversial figure in her own right within America’s Actors Equity, licensed for a London legit appearance were spurned with curt brevity, the British having no taste for the progeny of a man they feel went over the line of permissable partisanship. ” More to the point, the editor-in- chief of the important Sunday Ex¬ press, John Gordon, is . leading a campaign to boycott the British- made feature, "Not For Money,” starring Bob Hope and Katherine Hepburn because the script is by Hecht. All Hecht films have been passed up in Britain in recent years but this latest issue differs from other instances in the British ori¬ gin. Recalling Hecht’s "holiday in ,my heart” crack upon the Palestine killings of eight years ago, editor Gordon comments: "Even if this should be the best film Hepburn and Hope ever made, I wouldn’t take a penny out of my pocket to put it in Ben Hecht’s. I hope you feel that way too.” •Express editor suggests there has been a "seductive publicity cam¬ paign” for the film which has taken the form of special interviews for gossip writers with Miss Hepburn and special television dates for Hope. "Why all this buildup?” he asks: "The answer,” he avers, "lies in a little secret which the publicity boys carefully avoid men¬ tioning. This’ is the Ben Hecht film.” MEX PIX EXEC DENIES MEXICAN-RUSSO DEAL Mpxico City, March 13. Any coproduction film between Mexico and Russia, like that re¬ cently made between Mexico and France, is out for the present, an¬ nounced Congressman Jorge Fer- tetis, chairman ofc the National Cinematographic Board. His state¬ ment was prompted* by the report that Emilio (Indio) Fernandez, a top Mexican director, claimed a Russo-Mexican pic pact was in the offing. Ferretis indicated that the Mexi¬ can government is holding off mak¬ ing any pic deal with Russia. He explained that during his recent brief visit here Gregori Alexandrov did nothing about an official film deal and dealt strictly on a com¬ mercial basis with some Mexican producers. Fernandez, who with Maria Felix, top boxoffice Mexican pic actress, is leaving soon fop Russia to make three pix which the Krem¬ lin will finance, .claimed, he was not a Communist. Wm. Faulkner’s Japan Short at Cannes Fete Tokyo, ftiarCh 13. The U.S. Embassy in Japan has announced., that 1 the ’pne-and-a-half reel'documentary, "Impressions of Japan—William 'Faulkner,” will be one of the ,ltS. entries., in the , Cannes Film Festival to be held next month . at Cannes, France. : Short was ,made ; by the Motion Picture Branch of the Tokyo office of USIS during :Faulkner’s visit to Japan iast year: - - * • * -Mosfctof. .the narration; ,based-on Faulkner’s published ‘essay, "Im¬ pressions of , Japan,” and-his "Mes¬ sage to the Youth of Japah',” uses the' author’s 1 own' words. Film was directed by Hal'ry Kieth, chief of the Motion' Picture Branch, USIS, ahd photographed, by Ifunio Mi- npura,' staff, cameraman for, the 1 branch.