Variety (March 1959)

14 INTERNATIONAL PfatiEfr 'VARIETY'S' LONDON OFFICI • St. Martin'* Plan, Trafalgar Square AD Major British Circuits Topped Pix Quotas in Year Ended SepL 30. London, March 24. ” All three major circuits over-ful¬ filled their British film quotas for the year ended last Sept. 30, ac¬ cording to the latest analysis com¬ piled by the Board of Trade. Odeon, Gaumond-British and the Associated British chains each screened 40% British first fea¬ tures against the stipulated legal obligation of 30%. In the support¬ ing proaram class, Odeon and; GB showed 33% (against the statutory minimum of 25%) while ABC plaved 31%. Of the 3.711 theatres involved In the BOT checkup, over 93% achieved or exceeded their first feature quotas and 83% topped their supporting program quotas. In both cases, the performance was substantially in excess of the pre¬ vious year while those failing to meet their obligations, the major¬ ity did so only by a narrow margin. The averaee Droportion of Brit¬ ish films exhibited at all theatres was 35.4% for first features and 29.3% for supports. That was well above the prescribed minimum and also was higher than in the previ¬ ous year. Of the 3,711 theatres concerned, 1212 were granted some measure of relief and had first feature quo¬ tas ranging from 10 to 27!£%. The 489 theatres playing double feature programs had supporting quotas ranging from 15% to 20%. After allowing for quota reliefs, the av¬ erage prescribed quotas for all theatres was 25.9% for first fea¬ tures and 23.9% for supports. ‘Room’Walks Off With Top Honors Awarded By British Film Academy London, March 24. “Room at the Top,” official Brit¬ ish entry to the Cannes Film Fest, which is currently on a record- breaking spree on West End and Provincial pre-releases, collared top honors at the British Film Academy when named best film of the year from any source as well as the top British film. To com¬ plete a trio of awards, Simone Sig- noret was named the best foreign ■ actress for her role in that pic. 1 "Room,” based on John Braine’s best seller, was the first feature picture to be directed by Jack Clayton, who a few years back di¬ rected “The Bespoke Overcoat.” It was produced by Romulus. DCA will distribute in the U,S. British Lion also collared a trio of awards for "Orders to Kill," British entry at Cannes'a year ago. Paul Dehn got the nod for the best screenplay, Irene Worth was voted the best British actress and Paul Massie the most promising new¬ comer. Sidney Poitier was accoladed as the best foreign actor for his per¬ formance in "Defiant Ones.” Tre¬ vor Howard was selected as the best British actor for his perform¬ ance in C£> Foreman’s produc¬ tion of "The Key.” Presentations were made at a Savoy banquet last Wednesday 118) at which James H. Lawrie, chair¬ man of the Academy, presided. A number of distinguished person¬ alities, among them Olivia De Hav- illand, Sir Michael Balcon and Edric Connor, were called to the dais to present awards to the winners. Baccara A La TV . Gibraltar, March 17. Members of the casino syn¬ dicate arrived by plane from London, headed by Garland Wells, to meet with officials of the Colonial Secretariat af¬ ter which they will plane to Tangier to look over the casi¬ no operation there. Reported they will seek per¬ mission to erect a tv studio as part of the casino building. Plans for More Films Starring B. Bardot Paris, March 17. As most film producers hold back production here until they have a more definite notion of how future Film Aid will be doled out, Raoul J. Levy, who has Brigitte Bardot under contract and a part¬ ner in the films he makes without her, is forging ahead with new projects. Levy believes in the old adage that you have got to spend money to make money, and, also you must have pix as well as plans to show. He is now winding up a comedy with a wartime background with B.B. in "Babette Goes to War.” Then he goes into two pix without her, "The Camp Followers,” to be made in Greece by Christian-Ja- que, and "Les Regates De San Francisco,” to be done here by Claude Autant-Lara. "Followers” concerns a young Italo soldier bringing a group of girls across Greece to serve as joy girls for his officers. This promises to be an exploitable item. "Regates” is the tale of two adolescents who enter maturity through first love. No big names will be used in this. Levy is also still prepping "Paris By Night,” which formerly was to star Frank Sinatra and B.B. until Sinatra in¬ sisted it be made in Hollywood. Levy Is dickering with Cary Grant to play in it opposite B.B. It would be made in English with script by Harry Kurnitz. Levy may direct this himself. Levy also just snared film rights to Raymond Queneau’s bestseller; “Zazie In the Mero” (Zazie In the Subway), about a voluble. 15-year- old girl who has fantastic adven¬ tures in the subway. B.B. would star in this. Rene Clement will direct. Before "Zazie,” Levy w-ill have H. G. Clouzot do a film with B.B. late this year. It is an original by Clouzot called "Verites” (Truth;. Set Morality Campaign To Clean Up Mex Pix Via Film Bank’s Check Mexico City, March 17. A morality drive designed to clean up Mexican pictures has been instituted by Federico Heuer, head of the Film Bank. From now on the Film Bank will not shell out official money for scripts that are not on a high moral plane, Heuer said. All producers will have to submit scripts for approval before advances are made. In effect, this means that the so-called "churros” or very low- grade film fare appealing to the passions, can no longer count on federal funds. Ordinarily these quickies, made in two weeks, fea¬ ture one or two curvaceous senor- itas in displays of varying degrees of nudity; frank bedroom farce where dialogue and action are but one small step removed from pornography; violent love scenes and accent generally on low pas¬ sions. Heuer insisted that the new Bank policy is not censorship but a drive to boost the quality of national product. The "churro” producers can still remain in bus¬ iness, providing they find "angels” elsewhere. The majority of “serious ‘pro¬ ducers,” Heuer said, have indicated that they will comply with new ruling. While Heuer did not say so. it has been learned that the Film Bank is going to consider a true definition of the term “film pro¬ ducer,” one who can produce, if need be, a total amount of a film production budget. If this rule is strictly enforced, no more than five or six Mexican production firms could comply. May Curb ‘Caballitos’ Pix Another type of film the Film Bank will frown on is the boring, long-winded "caballitos,” the Mex¬ ican version of American horse operas. Instead of a tense-paced script, here the script is long on talk and lacking in action. Un¬ fortunately, a spot check of many representative quickie producers show that they are not too discon¬ certed by official "discrimination” against their art. For one thing, Mexican wolves with plenty of pesos are always willing to shell out for the privilege of being part of the motion picture biz. While the Film Bank policy may cut down on the previously an¬ nounced 84 films a year figure, this does not by any means,mean a nosedive in Mexican production. For a time at least, independently financed films may tend to boost rather than lower production totals here. This year, so far, there have been 17 Mexican films rolling in local studios^ And there’s the lone [ Hollywood product, “The Unfor¬ given,” still shooting on Durango location. Actually this is subnormal production rhythm for ordinarily shooting is heaviest in the first six months of the year, tapering off towards the closing months. Soviet-Yank Synchronized Premieres Russians Complete Selections—Begin Showings This June—Final Arrangements Organizing Dual-Preem in Dublin Pennebaker’s "Shake Hands With the Devil" will have the first dual premiere in Irish history on May 21 in Dublin. It’ll bow at the Metropole and Royal Theatres. Pictures, released by United .Artists, opens in London May 28. It was shot in Ireland. British Censors Moiling Return of H’ Ratings On Horror Productions London, March 17. There’s a possibility that the British Board of Film Censors may reintroduce its “H” category for horror films. The BBFC is currently spunding out feeling in all sections of the industry in the U.K., following an approach by the British Film Producers Assn. At present, horror pix are covered by the censors’ "X” certi¬ ficate, which was introduced some years back in order to allow the general showing of pix with “adult” themes as well as those involving headless Martians, mon¬ sters from Outer Space, et al. But it’s felt by the BFPA that the public has come to identify the “X” almost exclusively with sensational monster-type subjects, with the result that certain would- be cinema patrons tend to avoid all films in this category. Qualified support for the come- back-H notion has already been expressed by the exhibitors’ group which shies only at the thought that there should be more censor categories than already exist. Technicolor of Britain Shows $430,000 Profit London, March 17. Trading profit for year ended last Nov. 30 of Technicolor Ltd. was $430,000, after changing off depreciation of $480,000. This compares with $882,000 (deprecia¬ tion figure $285,600) in the previ¬ ous year. Corresponding net profits were $202,500 and $439,500. Directors will recommend a fi¬ nal dividend of 10% less Income Tax, payable April 2. This gives a total distribution for the year of 17Vi% less tax, compared with 20% of a year ago. Commenting on the trading profit, the directors point out that during the year the company ac¬ quired certain rights to do busi¬ ness in additional European terri¬ tories and paid out $176,400, being about half of the initial cost. This figure has been charged against i the trading profit. Washington, March 24. Russia has completed selection of the 10 Yank feature films it is purchasings Final list .includes at least one property of each major company. This eases the solution of who will buy and distribute the seven So¬ viet films coming to this country. Each company can now handle one. Additional four motion pictures chosen by Russia are: "The Sev¬ enth Voyage of Sinbad” (Colum¬ bia), “Rhapsody” (MGM), "Man of 1,000 Faces” (Universal) and "Be¬ neath the 12 Mile Reef” (20th). At the time the agreement was signed in Moscow last Oct. 9, Rus¬ sians revealed six first selections as “The Great Caruso” (MGM), “Lili” (MGM), “Roman Holiday" (Paramount), "Marty” (United Art¬ ists), “Old Man and the Sea” (War¬ ner Bros.) and “Oklahoma” (20th). Premieres of first pictures in Moscow and Washington will prob¬ ably be held in June. This is by contract. There’ll be “in person" appearances of some, stars. Russia will decide which Yank picture is screened first, and MPAA prexy Eric Johnston will have his board agree on first Russian film exhib¬ ited in U. S. Before screenings can begin, subtitling or dubbing must be car¬ ried out. Two governments have censorship rights on every word of translation. Seven Russian films to be bought under the pact are "Circus Stars," "Cranes Are Flying,” “The Idiot," "Othello,” “Don Quixote,” “Quite Flows the Don" and “Swan Lake." Johnston has not yet set a date for a MPAA board meeting to firm plans on handling . Russian films. He will recommend that each take one, but some device will have to be agreed upon to determine who gets which picture. Distributor must buy film from Russia and assume any profit ‘or loss on it. Price tags on U. S. and Russian pictures are the same: $60,000 for standard size film and $67,000 for widescreen product. fyte&U *1*4} *10- Idntfe N. y* 9tnp&desi6> Abeles Named Chairman Of Brit. KRS Council London, March 24. Arthur S. Abeles Jr., Warner Bros. Pictures topper in Britain, has been unanimously elected chairman of the council of the Kinematograph Renters Society. Abeles is senior member of the council. The term "chairman” is a new one in the KRS hierarchy and fol¬ lows a decision made at Thurs¬ day’s monthly council meeting not to appoint a permanent president "until such time as circumstances demand.” Post of. prexy has re¬ mained unfilled since the death last year of Sir Arthur Jarratt. The council agreed to elect a chairman annually and to divide the chairmanship of its various committees amoMl council mem¬ bers. Another attempt at forming an organization to represent the in¬ terests of independent importers and distributors of foreign films was made in N.Y. last week when 24 of the -indies held a meeting at the Trans-Lux boardroom. New setup would replace the virtually moribund Independent Motion Picture Distributors Assn, which, torn by personal frictions, never managed to get off the ground as an active and effective organization. Effort at welding the indies into a unit is sparked by the realiza¬ tion on the part of the distribs that (1.) their business is growing and, via dubbing and greater penetration, is becoming steadily more important, and (2.) the area of mutual interest is widening and a variety of problems require a unified approach if they’re to be solved. Powwow last week was actually called by Jean Goldwurm of Times Film Corp. Richard Brandt of Trans-Lux was temporary chair¬ man. Decision was to appoint two committees, one to outline the essential purposes and aims of the new org and another to tackle the organizational details, which—in such a comparatively small and highly competitive group—take on more than ordinary importance. Two key figures—Walter Reade and Ilya Lopert—didn’t, attend the meeting last week. Goldwurm and Richard Davis were present. Fric¬ tion among Goldwurm, Davis and Lopert more, or less wu-ecked ■ the IMPDA. Several indies said an effort would be made to avoid such clashes in the new organization. ILoperti. it developed, had not been invited to attend, Goldwurm reasoning that he is not now an “ indie .” Sharp palaver ensued .) Plan is to insure adequate financing and also to appoint a paid executive secretary who’d be active in behalf of the indies’, in¬ terests. IMPDA was run by Arthur L. Mayer, who was its president, but the organization never even had enough money to strike out in any direction on behalf of its members. The indies for the most part see a new setup carrying the ball on such issues as censorship, U.S. Customs, relations with the Motion Picture Assn, of America, the Code, exhibitor relations, prob¬ lems involving sub-distribution, etc^-Asked whether art houses, such as the Paris or the Sutton theatres, would be invited in, one indie opined that this couldn’t be done since the organization may, at one time or another, decide to proceed against exhibitors who falsify reports. Indie association also might address itself to such questions as the current Academy Awards pro¬ cedure for selecting the pictures which in turn are judged eligible for the foreign film Oscar. Indies at this point appear ’ripe” for some sort of joint ef¬ fort, particularly in the censorship field where imports bear the brunt. While some still feel that personality differences among the top distribs are apt to preclude a really effective organization with strong backing, the vast majority leans to the view that these dif¬ ficulties can be overcome in the face of the obvious need for united action on many issues. View is that, with the proper guidance, and adequate financing, an asso¬ ciation could go a long way in raising the stature of imports in the U.S. and to become the mouth¬ piece for what has become an im¬ portant segment of the American film business. W Promoters’ Hands Tied Final selection of four pictures by the Russians under the Soviet- American film swap raises the fine technical point of whether or not this spells out consummation of the original deal. Question is .an important one to those who want to make private deals with Mos¬ cow. Up to now, the U.S. State Dept., i.e., Turner B. Shelton, chief of the U.S. Information Agency’s film division, has held that there should be no private dealings with the Soviets pending finalization of the “official” film deal with the Motion Picture Export Assn. This meant that someone like Jay Frankel of M.J.P. Enterprises, which has deals pending with the Russians, was stymied. Frankel, who reps the Para¬ mount, Warner Bros, .and RKO product for Russia and the Iron Curtain area, said last week he considered the selection of the four films as a finalization of the i deal and he considered himself at liberty to go ahead. Till now, he couldn’t even send screening prints to Moscow. A spokesman for MPAA opined that the deal didn’t actually start until the usual premieres were arranged. This may take a while since some technical details re¬ main to be ironed out. There have been some indications that, , with all the attacks on the cultural ex¬ change pact, the Soviets have somewhat cooled off in their de¬ sire for American films. B. Feldman to Handle British Lion Pic Music London, March 17. British Lion Film Corp. and B. Feldman & Co. Ltd. will sign a deal this week whereby the latter pubbery handles all music featured in films distributed by British Lion. First completed production to be handled musicwise by Feldman is Michael Powell’s "Honeymoon," with a title song soundtracked by the Marino Marini Quartet, this to be followed by “Bridal Path" and the currently-finishing "I’m All Right, Jack."