Variety (April 1958)

Wednesday, April 9, 1958 INTERNATIONAL FILMS 88 Berlin Regains Status as Film Centre By HANS HOEHN Berlin, April 8. Berlin’s-big plus, of course, is tradition. It used to be Germany’s film metropolis. Until 1945, roughly 80% and often up to 90% of all Teutonic features were made here, with 10 to 20% in Munich. Since then Berlin is handi¬ capped since most of the studios (Babelsberg, Johannis- thal etc.), passed under Communist control. This resulted in a reversed situation between Berlin and Munich. After some quiet years, West Berlin’s film production started on comeback. Studios began running capacity. Berliners succeeded in convincing quite a number of their: col¬ leagues who had gone westwards for safety reasons that it was no risk to shoot here. Hence ex-Berlin producers came back. Also several new companies were set up here. Perhaps .near 50% of the West German films are now made in Berlin . In March eight films were in the making in Berlin against three in Munich, two in Hamburg and one in Goettingen. Many call now again Berlin this coun¬ try’s film metropolis. Taxes and Competition . Economically speaking, the situation of the German postwar film remains a tough one. It’s still the film indus¬ try which is suffering most of all German industries from the consequences of the lost war. The heayy^tax load and brutal competition both figure. Here some respective sta- . Despite competition, German films have the dominat¬ ing role. Their b.o: popularity derives from the second- run cinemas and the fact that the provincial districts show a strong predilection for native product. Statistics compiled by "Filmblaetter,” a Berlin trade paper, reveal. that there Were 61 German films among the 100 most successful grossers in West Germany, during, the 1956- 1957 (from Sept. 1, 1956, until Aug. 31, 1957) season. This compilation, which covered this country’s eight most im¬ portant key cities, included 16 American, 11 Austrian, five French, three! British and two Italian films in addi¬ tion to a- Franco-Italian and a German-French coproduc¬ tion. Germany’s most successful distributor was Herzog with 16 features: (Herzog is now UFA Filmverleih here: It be- ' came UFA property in May 1957.) Second most successful distrib (15 films) was Constantin within the season 1957- .58,' Runners-up were ■ Gloria (11), Deutsche London, Schorcht (both 8), Europe and NF (both 6 films among the 100 first grossers). (Note: Deutsche London bias been giv¬ en the name Deutsche Film Hansa last year!). With the exception of Europa and Deutsche Film Hansa (both Ham¬ burg), the top German distribs are headquartered in Mu¬ nich. The West German feature film production amounted to at least 106 items, of which 66 were in color,-last year; Included in these statistics are 11 coproductions with for¬ eign partners and three full-length fairy-tales. 220 Producers, 898 Films Within these years, 220 producers made a total of 898 features. Artur Brauner’s CCC heads this list With 56 pix, followed by another Berlin .outfit, Berolina (which after the death of company^ co-owner, Kurt Schulz, became Kurt Uirich-Film last year) with 45 pictures and Walter Koppel’s Real-Film (Hamburg) with 41 films. Germany’s postwar film history is closely connected with the following enterprises: ARC A A fast growing outfit. (With own. studios) is Area. This company, headed by.Gero.Wecker, has just increased its stock capital from 100,000 to 500,000 D-Marks. Along with its endeavours to intensify connections abroad, Area set up last year a daughter company in Rome, the socalled Area Cinematogrgfica, with Ernesto Purger as head. An¬ other Area outfit has been set up in Zurich while another one is operating in Goettingen (W.-GermanyL . Area made seven films; last year and this year expects . The International Federation of Film Producers Asso¬ ciations is the validating body. It "recommends” (i.e. urges ) some festivals arid " recognizes ” H.e. accepts) the others. Cannes, Venice and Berlin are, as of nou>: the three which are given the , special status. Herewith the 1958 lineup: Cannes, France. . ..........., Mannheim, Germany ... Brussels, Belgium ..... . . ...; Berlin, W. Germany .. .. y. Stratford, Canada ...... Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia San Sebastian, Spain ..... Vancouver, Canada.......... Edinburgh,. Scotland .v....... Venice, Italy . :: -..: >... Leningrad, Russia San Francisco, U. S. London, England .....,.... Melbourne, Australia . . . : . . . Locarno, Switzerland ........ Karachi, Pakistan . . .... May 2-18 .... May 12-17 " ..... May 13-June 13 ..../June 27-July 8 . July 8-20 ... July 12-27 ..:July 19-29 ..... July 20-Aug. 3 ..,.. Aug. 24-Sept. 14 . . Aug. 25-Sept. 17 , Sept: 22-Oct. 5 Not Dated ,... Not Dated . ... Not Dated .Possible .... Possible to shoot nine. Currently in production is "Love Can Be newcomer Sabina Sesselmann, Willy Birgel fprpn? a vAtn e v m ' Ve *£ arlfln ’ w ho last year made "Dif- ferent From You and I” (The Third Sex) for Area, is directing this one. ' Area was established in 1951 in Goettingen. It started With releasing^ imports, per the Swedish “One Summer of Happiness,” the French "The Respectful Prostitute ” "For* bidden Fruit,” “Julietta,” "French Can-Can” etc. With a solid basis of 300-000 D-Marks as stock capital Area then went on to produce its own. The first year ’(1955) *aw the making, of. six films, and in 1956, Area made six more Including a big b.o. success, “Liana—the Girl From the Jungle.” ' : Area is one of the financially strongest film producing companies in Germany. It has now 120 ‘without artists) on its payroll and another stage is Just in the building. Right opposite to its studios in Pichelsberg, a beautifully located outskirt of Berlin, Area has built a guest house of its own. . . j Gero Wrecker,: Arcra’s chief, keeps a close eye on new talent. Marion Michael (the "Liane” In several pix), Christian Wolff and Danish Ann Sihyrner (she plays the title role in "Lilly—A Girl From the Big Town”) art some of his contractees. Screen tests for newcomers are regulation. Company is known for financing many phr all by itself (quite in contrast to most other domestic outfits whose pix are mainly backed by the distribs) and one must rate Area as one of the most successful outfits. BEROLINA ; Over the past years, Berolina-Film (Berlin) has been one of the most successful producing combines. Company made 45 features within the years of its operation Which . corresponds to second spot (after CCC) among all West German showmen. Berolina was founded in 1948 by Kurt Schulz and Kurt Ulrich. But last June, Schulz, 44 died suddenly. Schulz was and stayed a cameraman, haying lensed nearly all Berolina pix. Fact that one of the Berolina owners was active in the studio all day as a technician was thought to be one of the reasons why Berolina could register so • many financial successes. Death of Schulz split the com-, pany. Kurt Ulrich went on his own and named his company KUrt Ulrich Productions. “Blue Boys” was one of the last pix that came out under the old Berolina label, Ulrich’s first pix Wrere “The Legs of Dolores,” "Three Men on l Horse;” "Everything Will Be Good Again,” "Spring In Berlin” and “Two Hearts in May.” > CENTRAL CINEMA CO. Artur Brauner is not only one of the strongest forces in the German film industry but also one of the most unusual ones. His Central Cinema Co/; usually just CCC, is strictly a one-man enterprise. Now 40, he came to Berlin shortly after the war and in 1946 financed the first Berlin- made postwar film, "Tell the Truth,” a comedy produced by. Studio 45, In the fall of 1946 he set up CCC and pro¬ duced "Morituri ” which dedicated itself to the victims (Continued on page 72) Munidh—ThcMostest-^Bni Runs Second By KARIN TfflMM Munich, April 8, It’s one of the paradoxes of the German film business that Munich, with its huge Bavaria studio complex, has had to yield, to. Berlin and Hamburg as the center of German production. The Munich studios rank among the best in this country, yet—last year-r^they were often, empty even as the Bavaria made strenuous efforts to fill them not only with its own productions, but also through co-production. Some American films-—"The Vikings’’ among; them—were shot here. The Situation has reached such proportions that the state government has become, concerned, and it has of-: fered 5,000,000 DM (about $1,200,000) to guarantee credits. In addition, several banks have , formed, a con- sortum to help finance pictures. It is now hoped that these various activities will stimulate activities at the studio. Though the Bavaria, studios have been in trouble, Munich nevertheless is headquarters for many film firms, big, and small. Following is a partial listing of the most . important.outfits: f * Arnold & Ritchter—is a film lab, which also operates two stages and has two modern synchronization studios. Aura Film—is kept buys mostly with dubbing imports. More than 400 pictures from,all over the world have had . German .dialog added here. Peter Bamberger’s Production—is currently winding up "Kammen Serenade” (Cannon Serenade) with . German. and 1 Italian actors, including Victor deSica, Ingmar Zeis- berg, Folco Lulli, etc. - Bavaria Filmkunst—operates the eight moderstages of the Bavaria Studios which are capabe of turning out a film from start to finished print. There are also, four recording studios for synchronization and mixing, music recording studios, a special effects dept, etc. In 1957, the Bavaria shot a number of its own produc¬ tions, including “Meine Schoone Mama” (My Beautiful Mama); "Der Glaeserne Turin” (Tower of Glass, with Lili Palmer, Peter van Syc.k, O. E. Basse); "Casino de Paris” (with Caterina Valente) which was coproduced with France and Italy; ,"Alle Wege Fuehreri Heim” (All Paths Lead Home); "Immer, wenn der Tag Beginnt” (When Day Dawns); "Ein Stueck von Himmel” (Piece of Heaven, with ski champion Toni Sailer); "Eine Frau die Weiss wass Sie Will” (A Woman Who Knows What She wants, with Lili Palmer). F TV Rentals ~J \ ' In addition to these, the Bavaria stages were rented ®ut during the year to tv film productions and regular theatrical features. Among theme were “Taiga,” "Die Gruenen Teufel von Monte Cassino” (Green Devils of Monte Cassino), Shooting has started on Tolstoy’s "Die Auferstehung’l. (The Ressurection) and. another Toni Sailer picture is due. Some documentaries and ad films also have been. made. Several of the Bavaria productions have been shown with gbod success abroad, including "Rose Berhd,” “Harte Maenner—Heisse Liebe” (Tough Men—Hot Love); "Kleines Zelt—Grosse Liebe” (Little Tent—Great Love), etc. On the other hand, there have been a. number of expensive Bavaria productions that .didn’t, click. Carlton Film-—run by Gunther and Klaus Stapenhorst, own two stages and make films.. Their .“Bettelstudent•’ : : (Beggar’s Student) did. okay abroad. They’re currently finishing "Ich war ihm Hoerig” (I was His Slave), Constantin Film—has come up in the distribution field, during the past two years, partly due to the extroardinary .. success of "La Strada.” A new Constantin film (of Witt Production), "Das Wirtshaus im Spessart,” (The Inn of Spessart) has been nominated for the Cannes festival. Constantin has a mixed German and foreign program, including Such films as "Tariiango,” “Spione am Werk” (Spys at Work, with Curt Jurgens), “Cabaria,” etc. | / • Others . ' •.; /;/ . | ; Divina Film production (owned by Rse Kubaschewski) works through the Gloria distribution 'Outfit. Divina rented state-owned studios near Munich, with three stages. Among its. successful exports are "Die Trapp. Familie,” "Nachts, Wenn der Teufel Kommt” (At Night, when the Devil Comes), "Arzt von Stalingrad” '(Doctor of Stalin¬ grad), etc. Exportfilm Bischoff & Co.—sells films aboard: Com¬ pany has 27 films in the 1957-58 season and expects to have about the same next year/ One of its international successes last year was “Heute Heiratet Mein - Mann” (My Husband Gets Married Today): “Salzburger Geschichten” (It Happened in Salzburg) and "Wie Einst Lili Marlene” (Lili Marlene). Gloria Film—one of the top distribution outfits in West Germany. Among its title for 1957 were "Das Einfache Maechen,” (The Simple Girl), "Nachts Wenn der Teufel Kam," "Endstation Liebe’’ (Terminus Love), "Auf Wieder- sehen Franziska” (Franziska), etc. Coming up for 1958 are another version of "Die Dreigroschen Oper” (Three- A ustrian Film Houses penny Opera), "Menschen in Hotel” (People in a Hotel), VLiebelei” (Love Affair) which will star Romy Schneider, a remake of "Maedchen in Uniform,” etc. Koenig Film—makes primarily “country” type of pic¬ tures, some of which have been sold to the German houses in the States. " Neubach Film—makes ‘-Heimat” films and others. The 1958 program will include. "Ein Lied Gehts Urn die Welt” (A Song Around the World), “Wilde Rose” (Wild Rose), "Narr der Welt” (Fool of the World) etc. Neue Film Verleih (NF)—both distributes and finances production. It had, in 1957, "Die ToUe Bomberg” (Wild Bomberg),“Liane, die Weisse Sklavin” (Liane, the White Slave); “Frauenarzt Dr. Bertram” (Woman’s Doctor); "Zwei Mann, ein Schwein and die Nacht von Paris” (Four Bags Full; a French film);. "El Hakim” with O. W. . Fischer. For 1958 are planned "Das. Koenigliche Spiel” (after Stefan Zweig’s Chess novel, with Curt Jurgens), etc. Neue Deutsche Filmesellschaft (NDF)—last year made "Robinson Soli . Nicht Sterben” (Robinson Shall Not Die) and "Mohpti” which Helmut Kautner directed. . Ostermayr Film—is the old among the German firms. It’s run by Peter Ostermayr, 75, who founded the Bavaria. ..Outfit produces one or two pictures a year, Bing Film—in distribution, offers some evergreens like. "Orphee.” It also. had "Fidelio” and “Don Giovanni’ and the French concentration' camp film, "Night and Fog.” Roxy Film—in 1957 produced "El Hakim” and "Der Kuehne Schwimmer”: (The Brave Swimmer). Two pic¬ tures are planned this year, including one with Jurgens. Sokal Film—had no production last year. For 1958, it plans to make "Helden” (Heroes) after the G. B. Shaw play, "Arms and the Man.” It’ll star O. W. Fischer and Liselotte Pulver. Another Fischer picture planned Is "Mr. Cattle and Mrs. Moon” (after a Priestley play). Transocean—imports and exports a varied program. It sells many of the Gloria and Deutsche Film Hansa pic¬ tures, including “Haie und Kleine Fische” ^Sharks and Little: Fish), "Made in Germany,”. "Witwer mit Fuenf Toechtern” (Widower with Five Daughters) etc, UFA distribution (formerly Herzog)—has Its main offices in Munich though UFA production centers In Berlin. So far, tfie new UFA hasn’t produced a picture and it has only distributed other productions. Those included, in 1957, the third part of "Sissi,” "Wien Stadt Meiner Traeume” (Vienna, City of My Dreams), "Itallen- reise—Liebe Inbegriffn” (Trip to Italy—Love Included); "Madeleine under der Legiohaer” (Madeleine and the Legionair), "Scampolo” with Romy Schneider, etc. UFA production should get under way soon. The UFA also has its own export department Witt Production—made the successful ’-Wirtshaua am Union Film—has a program that includes mostly for- Spessart” last year.. Its 1958 is still uncertan. trade mark were shown in West Germany.