Variety (January 1961)

84 Fifty-fifth P^RIET? Anniversary January 4, 1961 I \ I M44A/yj> -V-. \ _ A TO . GUN SALUTE g|'^l — Ss IT ON ITS 55* ■k~» r/ ✓ ' /.‘.<s s:. • / . .* Vital Future Cue Awaited ; Continued from page 3 ; both countries without affecting the employment position of either, there is little doubt that the unions will give their complete go-ahead in due course. But for the time being, it is on a trial and error basis, and if the laborites have any misgivings, they can, and possibly will, put a spoke in. the wheel* As a first move, they are sanctioning a coproduction be¬ tween Britain and France , and sooner or later are expected to yield their okay to a simi¬ lar trial deal with Italy. But it may well be some time be¬ fore the unions finally agree to working with the Germans and there is no immediate prospect of any sort of deal with the Spanish studios. From the strictly economic viewpoint, coproduction is a fas Good Wishes! JOSEPH GERSHENSON cinatingly attractive proposition to ! British and Continental producers, ■< The first appeal is that the film j ranks as quota on either side of : the Channel, and that means it i gets its film aid entitlement twice. : In these days of contracting home markets and dwindling attend¬ ances here is also something particularly beguiling about being able to share the economic load. But that’s only the beginning. Creative talent will presumably be drawn from both countries in the partnership, and that should ensure acceptance of the finished film in both markets. French pro¬ ducers have learned to their cost that the British market is extreme¬ ly elusive for foreign language films, and by the same token Brit¬ ish film makers have only excep¬ tionally found the French market a lucrative sphere of operation. Another intriguing feature is | the fact that the two partners in ! the first coproduction will be in separate economic groups. France, of course, is a member of the Eu¬ ropean Common Market, and there have been some misgivings as to whether non-member countries might be hurt by the integration of trade between the six Market countries. Britain, on the other hand, is part of the European Free Trade area and its films would, presumably, qualify for any fav¬ ored nation treatment among the seven countries within that group¬ ing. It is almost like getting the best of both possible worlds. The real test will come when the first films come off the produc¬ tion line, and producers will be able to gauge public acceptance. If the product is successful and if the unions are happy, coproduc¬ tion may develop as a major fac¬ tor in helping combat the spread of television. A reasonably edu¬ cated guess ought to be available this time a year hence. Though the economists and sta¬ tisticians might say it is. a fool¬ hardy undertaking. British studios are working at near capacity level. : Neither diminishing attendances ■ nor closure of theatres has appar¬ ently dampened the enthusiasm of j British film makers. And what is [more encouraging is the fact that British, films are having a suc¬ cessful run. Overall volume is be¬ ing maintained at between 120 and 130 features a year, and it has kept at that level for quite a number of years. Congratulations Kenmore Theatre BOSTON, MASS. Repa'r Damaged Film Witt The Only Guaranteed Scratch Removal Process for 16 & 35mm Prints • Originals Negatives • Kodachromes RAP1DWELD for scratched film: We remove scratches and abrasions from both sides of film, restore flexibility, repair at! improper splices, and apply an exclusive protective coating. RAPIDTREAT for new film: We apply coating to the emulsion side of the film to protect against scratches, dirt and all stains. DISTRIBUTION SERVICE • Shipments • Storage Rapid Film Technique Inc. 37-02 27tfc Street Long Island City 1, N. Y. STiilweii 4-4600 Season *8 Greetings ESSANESS WOODS CHICAGO SCREENING ROOMS Three Deluxe theatres, seating up to 7Q, with an extensive variery of prelection facilities: Wide Screen— all ratio aspects Cinemascope, Stereophonic or Optical TV Aperture end Reduction Lens 16mm, 35mm-Magnetie or Optical AH Interlock Combinations EDITORIAL SERVICES Cutting Rooms-r-Some with Private Offices Completely Modernized Air Conditioned and Fully Equipped Off-Premises Rental of Editorial Equipment Repcir of Editorial Equipment FILM STORAGE VAULTS * PREVIEW THEATRE, INC. 1600 Broadway, New York 19, N. Y. Circle 6-0865 ^ All facilities available 24 hours a day ... 7 days a week