Variety (Nov 1928)

VARIETY FOREIGN FILM NEWS Wednesday, November 21, 1928 German Film Industry May Be Drawn Into Politics By Hugenbergs Influence Berlin, Nov. 10. Film industry hero seoins headed to be di-awn into party politics. For yeai's Spitzcnorganiizatlon has been the mouthpiece of the German pro- ducers, ■ •. di.stributor.s . and the.atrf owners and has had an important pa,rt In forming government policy.. With thd. wlthdr.awal a few months ago of the Kavarian film producers from the .central organ- ization, t^e Bavarian group liavo formed ah. alliance to -work with the independent film producers in Berlin to create a new nation-wide, film organization which will rival the older one. Strongest element in the new group i.s ISmelka of Munich, with its productions,: distribution and chain of theatres. ■ Passing out of the Bavarian group has seen the Spitzenorganl- zation coming more under the con- trol of Ufa. This latter control is. traced to the milking of Klitzsch as head of the organization when but tw'o years ago . he was placed in charge of I.Tfa by HUgenbcrg, the publisher, >vhen he (Hugenbcrg) ac- quired control of Ufa. . A little more than a month ago Hugehberg was elected leader of the Nationalist Party. It repre.sents the right wing . of CSerman political opinion and is opposed to the carry- ing out of the Dawes plan, fa,vor.s restoration of the Hohenzollern family to the throne, is antagon- istic to the Jews and unsympathetic with any foreign Influence in Ger- many. This movement . of events Avould Bieem to 'indicate that Hugenberg, who is a strong party man with pronouncied ideas and ah aggressive policy, will operate and control the .German Nationalist Party, his own telegraphic news service, his chain (Continued on page 16) How to Handle Europe For, American Films Paris, Nov. 9.. Why continue mincing words nhfint the film situation in. Eu- rope? There is only one trou- . bio, the American , distr-ibutors are trying to fight the battle of restrictions in the open, using fair- jficthods, while the .Burd-i pean resorts to trickery; The American ia no slouch at that game, and if the boys over here want that sort of thing, why not give. It to them? . But there is one very impor- tant thing to accomplish be- fore starting on the new tactics. Americans must strive to gain a united front and then when they feel it possible to work in unison go after the business/ . It is not diflScult^ If one . man Could go to the governmental officials of any country over here witli wortliy credentials, showing he repre- sented the American, film in- du.stry they would deal with iiihi, just like they are dealing with any foreign nation but the States. Pwkn's Discovery Is Still Advancing in Jobs . Los Angeles, Nov. 20. Joseph Pasternack; assistant di- rector at Unlver-sal, lias been pro- moted to assistant production man- ager for Universal in Berlin under Paul Kohner. Pa'stoiTiack is 26. Four years ago ^vhile a waiter in Paramount's Long Island studio restaurant, he got a job through Alan Dwan as a mem- ber of the working: crew and later became Dwan's assistant. He is a native of Budapest and speaks six languages. Franco Film Co., New, Buys Gaumont Chain Paris, Nov, 20. Franco Film Co., comparatively new syndicate, has acquired by pur- chase the Gaumont chain of picture theatres. This includes the Gau- mont Palace and the Madeleine. M-G-M holds seven-year lease on the Madeleine. franco is after a theatre outlet for its productions. Edgard Costil, formerly a director of •.Gaumprit, Jhas been appointed production manager for Franco. "TREASON" OUT OF STRAND London, Nov. 20. "High Treason" leaves the Strand Nov. 21 after a total of 13 days, Don Marquis' "Out of the Sea" will succeed. Frenchman Sailing T.jOS Anp:oles, Nov. 20. Jacques Foyder, French picture director engaged by Irving Thal- berg to direct for M-G-M, will sail from France Nov. 28. PAR'S aUOTA FILM London, Nov. 2&. Dcnnison Cliffs "Power Over ^^(>n," an adaptation frOm the French, was bought by British Filn[i- craft for Gladys Frazin. Picture i? for quota on behalf of Paramount. It goes into production in a, fort- nighty Clift is also doing the con- tinuity. George Banfield will di- rect; JUNGE IS LEAVING F. N. London. Nov. 20. Horace Jungc will leave First Na- tional Doc. 31. Warners will un- doubtedly take over he exchange business of First National, Hritish^Pathe will be merged with Wardour Films by Maxwell of Brit- ish International. WILL MAHONEY 7he Youngstown "Vindicator" said:, "Will Mahoney can keep ah audience convulsed with laughter just as long as he chooses to re- main on the stage, and that Is nevcf long enough to satisfy his delighted customex's." Direction RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 BROADWAY Loew's New Empire Makes London Gasp . London^ Nov, 10. Loew's New Empire, opening Thursday, may , revolutionize the entire basis of admission prices in cinemas in the West End and prob- ably throughout England. .From a $2.50 top which West End cinemas charge, matinee and night, ^the Em- pire's policy is a 50c top for niat- inees and 85c at night. The loges may go at a bit more but the $2.50 scale is out: This has been the top price for the regular show which gaviB the public two features and a couple of shorts plus the orches-- tra and occasionally a vocalist. That the Empire's policy in pres- entation has affected the presenta- tion scheme in West End houses is noted. Plaza. (Paramount) offered a program in entertainment value along Publix lines, but still fell short of its glamor and tableaux idea. Capitol (Gauniont-coritrollcd) playing a mixed policy in pictures augmented . its . features with sev- eral entertainers, ■ How much of • a dent the Empire will put In other cinemas is not a difficult thing to predict. It niust, The house Is new and presents one of the. most luxurious palaces . of publltf entertainriient traditional London has ever. seen. It is built along the lines of the Capitol and the Interior is a near-approach to Loew's State, New York, At the opening when the audience saw the lift bringing up a 20-pIece orches- tra, it gasped and after rising to witness the phenomena, sat down cheering and applauding. The new theatre may likely be opposition to the Coliseum and the Alhanibra (Stoll-controlled), de- spite variety offering' In its new- ness It Is bound to be opposition for everyone, legit or otherwise. Friday morning, the Empire started to grind opening at H to 35c flat. If it remains the only house of Its kind for the next 25 years, it can cai-ry on without In- terruption and still keep opening its-doors at. that hour.- There is room for at least three more in London and 6,000 seats maximum for each isn't wild con- jecture. London, Nov. 20. liriti.sh International will not go to . the' public for its cnpitiil in .launching A.ssoclatod itrili.sh Cino- mci.s, its theatre sub.sidiary. Stork will be offered lo tiliaroIu)l(l(>rs ol' Briti.sh International iuid any 'stiu-k not l;iken up will bo Ixtiigh.t in by the board of director.«5. Company is acquiring 37 tlic- s including Savoy, London and Scottish Noinenias Oiri-uit. They are also after building sites in lJi'if,'iil()n, IJirmlnghani, Dulilih and EUiiiJiurgh; _ : TJr i ii sirfn to^rhiTtMniaT^^ building activities at the' Klstrt^o studio.and Is.layin^r. plans to er.ect sound- st'agos foi; talkiiiit;- pinturos .In- .stoad. ] ■\Vestcrn' Electric and Phoito- phond (Kngli.sh) are to be used. John Maxwell, head of B. I., sails for New York Dec. 3 to look over the dialog situation. He will be accompanied by Al Aronson. "WHITE SHADOWS" HIT M-G-M's Sounders at Madeliene, Hits Paris Paris, Nov, 20. Paraniouiit previewed "Wings' with-sound for the French news- papers with a T)ress luncheon pre- skk'd over by Capt. Fonk, famou! ace, following. Picture opens pub- licly Nov. 2H. M-G-M's "White Shadows of th( South Seas' enthusiastically re ceived ilt Madeliene. DEBECKER WITH BROCKLISS , ■' ,' '. . . V . Paris,. Nov.- 20, I'hlilipe Debecker, manager of M-G-M's local exchange, has re signed. He Joins Frank Brockllss, the lat ter rei)rosenting Tiffany-Stahl in France. U. S. Leaving Foreign Tongue Markets to Locals and Indies; Sound Elinnnates Much Exnort English-German Deal Involved Negotiations . London, Noy^' 20; Details of. Emclka-Deutsche- Lichtsplel film company negotia- tions are rather Involved. Isidpr Schlcsinger. ha.s withdrawn from deal entirely. • Woodger Industrial Trust holds dption to buy 20 per cent, of Ger- man company with the privilege of acquiring a,n additional 41 per cent, within five years, , Wholes deal subjfect to approval of German Government and was sup- posed to be settled today (Tues- day), German Finance Minister has plan to keep control irj Geirnriany by having governrnent take up il^A per cent, of outstanding stock, it is said. This scheme not considered likely to pass the German parlia- ment with .British proposals prob- ably accepted. Woodger contemplates cdll for merging of German. holdings with British Screen Productions Co,, tak- ing in Lytham Studio development proposition. Public stock issue of $7,500,000 is proposed. Stallin-j? of . German goverpment finally resulted in the option date expii-ing with nothing settled. Un- able to put oyer own proposition German Finance Minister withheld necessary permission for Emelka. and Woodger to get together. An end to the dominance of American produced pictures in for- eign fields is foreseen by those in constant touch with the continental elipment. on account of the over-, whelming advancie of talkijj,g pic-, tures. At the present time there seems to be no type of talking product possiMe for local as well as Euro- pean, donsumptlon. The success of the'talkers, as viewed from the for- eign angle, precludes most foreignf trade, since talkers are likely to form the major part of the schedi' ules.of American, producing compa- nies of international prominence. This belief Is further sustained by the quotas, contingents and other .trade barriers continually erected by European governments against American films. They have already reduced the foreign revenue for.U. S. product approximately 20 per cent. ■ , ■ American producing companies are not now netting any profit oii their foreign transactions. Some of the producers are sho^ying profits in but the losses of others overbal- ance the totaJ, it is stated by ian authentic source. ' Aside from the English-speaking territories it is likely that fprelgn- language countries will find the sup- (COntinued on page 16) U's "Melody" Liked London, Nov. 20. Universal's "Melody of Love.'V with sound, opened at Rialto Noy. 18r and was favorably accepted. Ought todick off a moderate rui;! in small-sized house. Italj^'s Censoring Stand Interpreted oh Continent Paris, Nov, 20. As a result of public clamor in Naples, over Fox's "Street Angel" the national and local censor boards which passed the picture have re-P .j;^g Angeles, Nov. 20. signed. The Italian government has-p After three nipnths in Europe dl- lOO^OOO Ft. of Europe appointed new censors and greatly expanded their authority over for- eign films, ostensibly, those dealing with mdtters affecting Italians. Film men are inclined to. Inter- pret the whole maneouver as an- other act against foreign, and par- ticularly, American films. French Foreign Tax Severe on U. $. Films Americans familiar with the pic ture situation in France declare American film makers are particu- larly hard hit by the hew tax reg- ulations, Which are due for protests by both London and Wa.shington. New imposts "on top of old ones, applying to French subsidiaries Of foreign corporations bring the total tax up to 51 per cent on profits. First all liYench subsidiaries (^t alien concerns are taxed 16 per cent. Be- sides Ihei'e Is a tax of 18 .per cent on distributed profits, or diyldend.s.' Now it is proposed to collect an ad- diliohar fax profit of the subsidiary going to the.pjjreni concern. " ' .. , . Sovorjil cohcerh&'- have attacked this provision in the courts, with the tribunals so far sustaining the fiscal authorities. Ground of con- tost is that FYance la seeking to collect a tax on profits earned en- tirely outside of France. Lask/s English 'Tind'' With No Par Renewal Los Angeles, Nov, 20, Paramount will not exercise op- tions, expiring next month, on John Lodar, BrltLsh film actor, and Frank R. Stayers, director. Lodar was brought over from England by Jesse L. Lasky as a find. . Indications are that Par also will drop three women sta.rs. whose contracts expire between January and March. reeling "Chasing Through Europe" for Fox, David Butler returned to Hollywood with over 100,000 feet ot film. PHOTOraONE 1ST AT SCAIA London, Nov. 20. . Photbphone (English), associated over here with Brunswick Phono- graph, will have Its first publio showing Nov. 23 at Scala theatre. A three-reel version of '!Carmen," with Tom Burke as the soldier, will' be shown,. PATHE NOT &IVING UP Paris, Nov, 20. Charlies Pathe has denied a story emanating from Berlin that he has or will advance. 9,000,000 francs to Weng.eroff Company, to; m^ke seven pictures, ' .' Canadian''Sergeant," Costing $500 JOO, . Toronto, Nov. 20. After dropping , $500,000 oh "Carry. On Sergeant," the first On- tario . maide feature length film, Canadian , Internatipnal Films is this week faced with possibility of having picture shelved bn squawk from government and shareholders that entire theme refiects on Cana- dian army. Double barrelled squawk come.s.- back from shareholders with, big in- vestments who will riot give up in- vestment, say government per- suaded them to put money into company from patriotic motives and insist offending portion of film can be deleted. War drama shows sergeant of Canj^d la^n^Jbatt^^^^ (married) falling for cstaminet girl, then going, out. and getting purpose- ly killed- in remorse. Looked pn as tame- stuff by critics, who point-out censor board should have iisod scissors if morals bad. Diecision as to definite withdrawal delayed for present with house jammed as result of publicity. Charge made whole thing a frame as b.o. tonic but this denied by big names in business world here. Decision apparently rests with J. Allan Ross, president Canadian Wrigley Co.; J. O. Stillman, presi- dent . of Imperial Oil (Canadian Standard Oil), and G. H. Carlisle, president Goodyear "Tire Co. of Canada, each of whom has $20,000 in iMCture,' Carlisle In statement to dailies savs cash put in ait personal request Prime Minister G. Howard Fergu- son while Ross states request for withdrawel of picture made by Col. W, H. Price, Ontario attorney gen- eral. Says picture indicates lack of morals among troops and since Ontario government ajfisisted in pror duction. .by, , l oani ng .'goyern^ment studio at 'I'renton, is aKso rellection on government. ' lure is woak on ^.storv but di-. rect-ibh by Captain Br'iibe' Pairnsfar. thoi- good and,photography excellent for first effort. Work of eii,«t not bad but no names of course. Picture played to noar (.Mjjacity this week at Regent after .smart but expensive. Campaign.