Variety (December 1956)

12 INTERNATIONAL Fund Statutory; Extends NFFC For 10 Yrs., Quota Act As k, To 1968 'VARIITY'S* LONDON OPPICB I St. Martin'* placo, Trafalgar Square Anglo-French Deal Seen Increasing Friction Between U.S. Cos., Brit Prods. By HAROLD MYERS • London, Dee. 11. Issued in advance of expecta¬ tions, presumably to give produc¬ ers time to njan their new sched¬ ules with a foreknowledge of what aid they would be receiving, the government last week nublished an all-embracing Films Bill, which put the Eady Fund on a statutory basis for ten years, it also adds a further 10 years to the life of the National Film Finance Corp. an^ extends the existing Quota Act, with only minor modifications, until 1968. j ^ The all-important definition of a British film, which would be en¬ titled to participate in the Eady share-out, however, has been, de¬ ferred for the time being. A spe¬ cial regulation covering this and other problems, will be introduced by the Board of Trade after the bill becomes an Act. Parliament will be given every opportunity to debate these regulations. Exhibitors, who had expressed unqualified opposition to the statu¬ tory Eady scheme, will be expected to pay more into the produders’ pool. The bill estimates a first year yield of approximately $10,- 500,000, which is more than w $3,0Q0,- 000 above the total receipts in the 1955-56 financial year. In subse¬ quent years, the bill envisages an annual income of not less than $5,600,000 and not more than $14,000,000. CEA Line Up Program The general council of the Cine¬ matograph Exhibitors Assn, will meet here tomorrow-(Wed.), eight days ahead of second reading de¬ bate in the House of Lords, Dec, 20. It is expected to launch a major political agitation designed to safeguard its sectional interests and to campaign for a hefty cut in admissions duty as a pre-condition of CEA support. First part of the bill, dealing with the Eady levy, gives the BOT powers, to continue the practice of granting exemptions, and it has indicated it will make every at¬ tempt to devise rules which are fair and acceptable,. While failure on the part of an exhib to pay his levy dues will not a a criminal of¬ fense, the bill gives the govern¬ ment powers to deal with theatre owners who submit fraudulent re¬ turns. They would be liable to a fine of up to $280 and/or three months’ imprisonment. The levy will be administered and distributed by a corporate body which will be called the Brit¬ ish Film Fund Agency, with a directorate of three to five. No person whose financial or indus¬ trial interests are likely to affect him in the discharge of his func¬ tion will be eligible to serve as a member of the agency. Set Rule After Bill Passes . Among the regulations which will be drafted by the BOT after the enactment of the bill, apart from the definition of eligible Brit¬ ish pix, will be others to specify the rate and method of payment, to provide for recovery of over¬ payment and to prescribe the per¬ sons to whom payments are to be made'. Second part of the bill, giving the NFFC a 10-yeaT extension, contains a clause making it ‘"heir duty” to operate in such a way as may seem.most likely to them to avoid losses. To help in attaining ing this objective, it will.no longer be restricted to making loans to producers who have been unable to raise coin from other sources. A surprise new clause in the bill gives the BOT power to dispose of the State Film Bank as a going concern if that should prove prac¬ ticable. Extends Quota to*1968 Simplest part of the bill 'is the section extending Quota protection until 1968. This is confined to four short paragraphs, which make pro¬ vision for raising registration fees from $6 to $15 and renters’ license fees from $15 to $36. Exhibitors' licenses go up from $6 to $15. In all other respects the new Quota Bill is simply an extension of the 1948 Act. The government intends to rush the legislation through as quickly as pdssible and is hopeful it will pass through both Houses of Par¬ liament before next Easter. Concentration Gamp Pic • *. Frankfurt,. Dec. 9. I "Night, and Fog,” the contro¬ versial ' French documentary deal¬ ing with (concentration camps in Germany, • which was banned at the Cannes Film Festival ,tfut is now showing throughout Germany, has been awarded outstanding re¬ views in West Germany as an hon¬ est portrayal of unbelievable hor¬ ror. It has. won something else, too. —the German Film Classification Board has ; tagged it; "especially worthy,” the. highest classification possible, which means that German theatres booking the 31-minute short are-eligible for a tax reduc¬ tion.-. ; ' Interesting sidelight is that the same classification, "especiaWy worthy,” was also? given by the German Film Classification Board to another new French document¬ ary to be shown here, "Picasso.’' Well at Least It Helps Paris Pix Paris, Dec. 4. The touchy international sitUa* tion, a nightmare to all thinking men, stiH has its more positive side which is not . ignored by show biz here. This..j(s the feeling here, primarily among film people, as gas rationing comes in and turns stranded would be weekend voyag¬ ers into potential filmgoers. In fact', it is perking up the bdxOffice when film people were- crying crisis, and moving exhibition along to remove the blockade caused by backlogs and overproduction this year. * ■ ■ v With rationing and gas pumps closing weekends, film houses, es¬ pecially the nabes, are already get¬ ting greater patronage. Gallic tra¬ dition of weekend motoring is a form of distraction that has to be replaced by another, opine pun¬ dits here* and many Show biz facets are sure to profit. Films are get¬ ting the main rakeoff from this emergency, but theatre, revues and musicals are also denoting in¬ creases. Some sales hikes in' disk, radio and video sets also have been noted. The same thing is happening in Belgium and Switzerland, the top Gallic film marts, and so the Gallic film seems in for a much needed period of receipt upbeat. More optimistic films people are also hoping that this temporary meas¬ ure, even after receding, will have served to rekindle the filmgoing habit. It is felt that now is the time for the film setup to act, with the top pix to be put into circula¬ tion now while a more or less cap¬ tive audience is existing. Only the niteries seem, to have experienced a falloff since the in¬ ternational difficulties. Besides a present cold snap it is felt that most people are afraid of missing last buses and subways. There are still enough tourists and general night hawks to keep the better boites filled with the lesser "spots taking the brunt of the downbeat. ‘PICNIC/‘CONQUEROR’ ITALIAN B.O. CLICKS Rome, Dec. 4. "Picnic” (Col) appears in the lead at the end of the first three months of this season’s Italian box- office returns, with a key-city total of some $328,500 racked up on early dates. With some $255,000 for the same period, RKO’s "The Conqueror” took second spot. ‘Man In The Grey Flannel Suit” (20th), "Man Who Knew Too Much” (Par) and "Alexander the Great" (UA) make up the first five. “The Searchers” (WB) was sixth, followed by the first Italo en¬ try, "Toto, Peppirio e la Malafem- ihina,” "D-Day 6th of June” (20th), then, "Nero’s Big Weekend” (Ti- tanus), "Donatella” and "Indian Fighter” (UA), in that order. Anna Neagle to Make P!c Sans Herb Wilcox London, Dec. 4. For the first time in more than 20 years,. Anna Neagle is to make a picture outside her association with her husband, Herbert Wilcox. She has been signed to star for Associated British in "No Time For Tears.” , Wilcox in fact had tried to get the story. But ABP turned him down and offered the alternative of her doing it for th^m. A,lso to star in the production, which starts shooting at the end of the month, are Sylvia Syms and George Baker, London, Dec. 11. Ministry of Fuel and Power has promised , to co-operate witlf the picture industry to insure a regular supply of films to keep theatres open during the gasoline rationing period, which starts next Mon¬ day (17). An industry deputation to the Ministry last week explained that [it would be impracticable to use any alternative other than the pres¬ ent system of road deliveries of new film programs. If Film Trans¬ port Services, which handles this operation for the industry, had its fuel allocation cut th the level of non-priority users, they would be unable to service the entire coun¬ try. . In the circumstances, the Ministry intimated it would en¬ deavor to put film deliveries on the "A” priority level, ranking equally with doctors 1 and other essential 1 services. j towards the entfof last week the Assn, of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians sent a pro¬ test letter to the Prime Minister against the gas shortage and in¬ creased prices "due to government policy” which was bound to affect the livelihood of their members. They urged an adequate supply of fuel at reasonable prices to those whose jobs depend upon it. Touring Bands May Be Hard Hit Many British'touring bands fear they may be forced to fold as a direct result of gasoline price in¬ creases and rationing. Combos with heavy travelling commitments in all parts of the country, espe¬ cially around the festive season, will not be able to cover costs if they’re forced to hire transport. Running their own .private buses on the proposed gas allowances, even with a supplementary allot¬ ment, will not be possible for a large number , of th.em. Agent Harold Davison; with eight topline touring bands on his books, said he’d have to up band bookirig fees which could lead to higher admission prices at dances. Public transport will also be cut when-ra¬ tioning comes into operation next Monday (17). This could mean a heavy drop in attendance at dances in smaller spots. New Mex Govt Wants Small Houses to Stop Charging 32c at B.O. Mexico City Dec. 4, The 32c cinema admission price here, the top set four years ago, is holding, but only for the ace first- runs. Adolfo Fernandez Busta¬ mante, chief of the city amuse¬ ments supervision department who fixed the rate, has ordered local sec¬ ondary first-runs, the Cines Palacio Chino, Orfeon, Opera, Bucareli, Rex, Palacio and Mariscala, to quit charging 32c even, for a double¬ feature of recently released pix. His advice' was to the effect that if they ever again charged that price .they can be fined up to $720. Bustamante declared that these cinemas charging the top price were "harmful to public interests.” The maximum these film houses can now charge is 24c. Bustamante’s action provoked some secondary first-run exhibitors to threaten a close dowri in pro¬ test. These exhibs claim that only the 32c charge allows them any profit. Move ‘Dolnhip’ To Rome After 3 Mos. In Greece Athens, Dec. 4; "Boy on a Dolphin,”, first Yajik pic to be filmed in Greece, after three months location w.ork hei;e has moved to Rome, where Direc¬ tor Jean Negules^o will shoot inter¬ ims at the Cinecitta Studios. Three weeks of work are scheduled in Ita¬ ly’s capital city. Stars of this $3>500,000 C’Scoper are Alan Ladd, Clifton Webb and Sophia Loren as well as many Greeks. Greek natives also are members of the crew. Last addi¬ tions to the Greek cast include Alexander Anastassiades as cura¬ tor of ihuseum at the Epidavros Amphitheatre, and Aristides Chris- sphoos, who plays the- steward on Webb’s yacht. Four more mem¬ bers of the crew, now are doubling as actors. 6 They are Italian Still¬ man Alberto Coccbf, Greek Takis Gazduleas, Italian First. Assistant Director Carlo Lastricati and Greek Assistant Wardrobe Mis¬ tress, Nadia Vlahoutsicos. Shooting of the film in Greece gave a great boost to the island where the action takes place. Paris, Dec. 11. The Bureau of Film Industry Liaison, repping the. various syndi¬ cates of all facets of the film indus¬ try, and underwritten by both gov¬ ernmental and private film funds, is now setting up plans to perk up public interest in films and boost boxoffice receipts. Though filmgo¬ ing has remained on an average level the last few years, rising pro¬ duction costs (not entirely balanced by hiked admission prices) call for these attempts to sflore up the¬ atre attendance in a county of show biz paradoxes. There is in¬ tense actual interests in films here but not the corresponding traffic at the wickets. The BFIL has studied various problems her© and has narrowed down its interest to boosting audi¬ ence potential at film houses. Main aspects under study are the com¬ position and the variety of the pro¬ grams handed film patrons. Rural pix conditions, including traveling shows, theatre comfort and the technical operations. Propaganda and publicity for film production ! and followup activity will be checked on, too. Though the BFIL is looking into all sides of the film setup, it is planning its first action via ex¬ ploitation. Right after the Cannes Film Fest, which runs May 2-17 .next year, it will inaugurate a "Quinzaine Du Cinema.” This will be a two-week period when all film theatres around France will cooperate via special shows and numerous personal appearances. This is expected to help public film patronage. Importance of the number of foreign pix- which make up the yearly exhib total will not be over¬ looked. Especially picked foreign stars and pix also may be worked into this manifestation.. INTX PRODUCERS ASSN. MOVES H.Q. TO PARIS Rome, Dec. 4. The permanent office of the FIAPF, International Federation of Producers Assn; has been trans¬ ferred from Rome to Paris. As a result of the move, Enrico Hjian- nelli resigned as general secretary, his post being taken over by Roger Fournier, head of the French Pro¬ ducer’s Syndicate. New headquar¬ ters were decided at the recent Paris meeting of the FIAPF. Gian- nelli continues as head of the Sta¬ tistical and Documentation Bureau, which stays here. Other biz covered at the get- together was the film fete calen¬ dar for 1957. The FIAPF has given official recognition to the Cannes and Edinburgh events, while awaiting word from Venice and San Sebastian as tp their rules and regulations. London, Pec. 11, New An^o-French deal for bing licenses for British pix, nego¬ tiated in Paris and approved unan* imously by the British Film Pro¬ ducers Assn, last week, is viewed as likely to increase the friction already existing between local pro¬ ducers and Yank companies oper¬ ating here. British negotiators, John Davis and Sit) J Hdftry L. French, who met Jacques Flaud in Paris late last month, have suc¬ ceeded in raising the number of British visas for France from 25 ■; to 30 a year. New arrangement dates from last Ofct; 1 last. There are also 10 additional licenses to cover the threemonth period from July 7, making a total of 40 dur¬ ing a 15 month span. However, there are several con¬ ditions agreed on by British and French negotiators for the disposal of the licenses.' most .controversial being the clause which declares that "of the 40 'licenses, not less than 90% shall be given to films made by British producers as determined by the BFPA. There are also four provisions for reciprocity licenses in return for release and exhibition of French pix in Britain, but none of these will be granted "except with the concurrence of the BFPA.” At tiis press confab French ad¬ mitted, in reply to a Vabiety ques- i tion, that the 90% clause would operate against Warwick Produc¬ tions—the-focal point of the recent [ public controversy—and compar¬ able outfits. He intimated, how¬ ever, as another example, that Max* I well Setton, who produces for Co- 1 lumbia. release through his Hemis¬ phere company, would be regarded as an eligible British producer. He also admitted that the use of the words "not less” implied that there whs no obligation on the part of the BFPA to allocate any of the 40 licenses outside their own mem¬ bership. That would be a matter to be decided as and when applica¬ tions for visas were received. In recent statements .both-Irving Allen and Cubby Broccoli claimed I that., although running a British ! company, they were denied the I right of membership in the BFPA, and thus had no say in the alloca¬ tion of British licenses for the re¬ stricted export markets in France. Germany and Japan. They claim that, in consequence, they had been obliged to send some of their Brit¬ ish film overseas on a Yank quota, with the result thatf the earnings did not revert to Britain. Mex Film Sales Soar 20% in Latin-Am. For Past Year; No U. S. Gain Mexico City, Dec. 11. Distribution of locally made product during the past year has gone up 20% in LatinAmerican countries, according to Eduardo Garduno, general manager of semi¬ government controlled Banco Cine- matografica here. Garduno also stated that U. S. sales of Mexican pix has remained at more or less the same level as during the last three years. Figures released here show the film bank has loaned local pro¬ ducers some 91,800.000 pesos ($7,- 344,000) in the last 14 months. This covers 70% of the total investment on 90 pix made during this period under the banks auspices. Regarding new markets for these films, Garduno was quoted as being, most optimistic. He pointed out that with, the varied new film pacts, recently concluded between France, West Germany and Austria a heavy new form of recoupment was expected on Mex-made prod¬ uct. He also noted that the Italian market would in all prob¬ ability Joe .opened .up during the coming year since an Italo-Mex film pact Is now under discussion. 40,052. Yank Tourists To Memo in Month . Mexican City, Dec. 4. American adult tourists enter¬ ing. Mexico during September to¬ talled 40,052 and their spending amounted to $26,889,080 by those who didn’t go farther than border points and $8,410,920 by those who traveled deep into. the country. During the same month of 1955, the 40,451 trippers spent a round total of $30,314,000.