MPAA

British Stand on Quota
May Stall New Moves
BULLETIN
NEW YORK—Eric Johnston, MPAA
head, has agreed to a postponement of
the next meeting of the Anglo-American
film council until the first week in
August. The meeting wjU be held in
London. The action was decided upon
because nothing can be decided in
connection with the British situation
until Harold Wilson, president of the
board of trade, returns to London from
Canada.
NEW YORK—Only one definite development
emerged from the fog shrouding the
British quota and frozen currency situation
during the week. It was the British statement
that the government could not reduce
the quota again before Oct. 1, 1950.
There was plenty of activity behind the
scenes, but it obviously was not getting anywhere.
Ellis Arnall, president of the Society
of Independent Motion Picture Producers,
issued another statement and went to Washington
for another conference with the Department
of Justice. He was accompanied by
Robert J. Rubin, counsel.
SUGGESTIONS 'EXPLORATORY'
It was indicated still another statement
would be forthcoming later in the week.
Arnall contends joint action by MPEA
members on the British situation is "cartelization"
and a violat:on of the antitrust laws
in spite of the Webb-Pomerene act which
authorized combinations for export trade purposes.
MPEA officials avoided a controversy, but
some of the executive committee members
pointed out privately that the outline of proposals
discussed at the recent Anglo-American
conference here contained no concrete proposals
upon which action had been taken;
they wei-e merely "exploratory."
In the meantime the Arthur Loew committee
has been confen-ing with MPEA leaders
and has uncovered a wide variety of
opinions on what course should be pursued.
As a result, there may or may not be
another Anglo-American conference here
next month. Th.3 present attitude seems to
be that if the British are going to refuse to
discuss any quota reduction for a year and
are going to insist upon continuing restrictions
limiting the use of frozen funds there
is nothing important to discuss.
A CALIFORNIA DEMAND
The postponement, if it comes, is expected
to be the result of a request from the British
Film Producers Ass'n. Harold Wilson, president
of the Board of Trade, left for Canada
shortly after the return to England of J.
Arthur Rank. Since that time British film
men have received no assurances from government
sources that quota discussions can
be held.
Nobody will be surprised if the California
delegation in Congress should renew its demands
for concessions during the discussion
of Marshall plan appropriations due to come
up soon.
In the meantime British production is not
perking up. Reports from England indicate
10
further curtailments are planned in J. Arthur
Rank's Pinewood and Denham studios, with
-
Hollywood in
Attack
On British Stand
HOLLYWOOD — Militant
broadsides
against the British government's rejection
of appeals to end quota discrimination
agamst American films were fired
simultaneously by two Hollywood organizations,
the Motion Picture Industry
Council and a member thereof, the Hollywood
AFL Film Council.
Both groups du-ected their protests to
California's congressmen and senators,
as well as to the State department.
The MPIC's blast, signed by Cecil B.
DeMille, chairman of the organization,
requested a congressional investigation to
"clarify the real reasons behind the British
government film policy" and urged
the house ways and means committee to
launch the probe along lines previously
indicated by Congressman Cecil R. King,
a member of that committee, in a house
speech last April.
a maximum of 20 pictures planned. Five of
these are scheduled to start during the summer
or before the first of the year.
There are assorted reports in this country
about the total of British film earnings in this
country in the year ending June 1 and how
much of it will be sent to England to be
added to the $17,000,000 which can be remitted
to the United States. "Henry V" is
still rolling up substantial grosses for United
Artists, "Hamlet" is reported to be well past
the million dollar mark on Universal-International
books, and "Red Shoes" is rurming
close to a million.
Because some films have been exempted
from the over-all agreement and private
deals have been made to balance income
of top British product here against income
from some American films in Great Britain
the situation has become extremely involved.
Nobody wants to talk for publication.
Wehrenberg's Will Leaves
$50,000 to 7 Employes
ST. LOUIS—Fred Wehrenberg remembered
his veteran employes in his will. He left
$50,000 to seven of them. Largest bequest,
$25,000, went to Lester Ki'opp, 43-year-old
booker and general manager who sold popcorn
for Wehrenberg 33 years ago. The wiU
also bequeathed $7,500 each to Mrs. Helen
Foster, manager of the Michigan Theatre;
Catherine Eilerman, cashier at the Melba
and Gustave N. Krause, manager of the Cinderella.
Other associates remembered were F. H.
Marlott. auditor, $1,000: Joseph Litvag, manager
of the Apollo, .$1,000; and Alfred Kropp,
maintenance man, $500. The Better Films
Council of St. Louis was given $2,000 and a
son-in-law, Paul Kreuger, who manages three
theatres was left $25,000.
An interesting bequest was to a grandchild—the
net profits from the confections
concession at the Cinderella Theatre.
ONE WOMAN'S STORY (U-D—Another high
quality J. Arthur Rank production, splendidly
directed and superbly acted by three
top British stars. The theme, which is
reminiscent of "Brief Encounter," deals
with two mature people, each happily married,
who attempt to renew a youthful
romance. Claude Rains, Ann Todd, Trevor
Howard. Directed by David Lean.
RED MENACE, THE (Rep)—Forceful, fearless
and frightening-in-spots is this expose
of Communist activities in America.
That it is an extremely courageous picture,
none will deny. Its fortitude is reflected in
many facets, most especially its pull-nopunches
subject matter and the assembling
of a virtually unknown cast to delineate
it. At to the picture's commercial
possibiUties, they obviously are entirely dependent
upon how intensively and intelligently
the offering is merchandised. If the
advantage of the film's
showman takes full
dramatic impact and, above all, the provocative
word-of-mouth reaction it is sure
to engender among both individuals and
organizations, the feature can be made to
be a top money attraction. True, the lack
of established names will have to be offset
but that is possible because performances,
under the able direction of R. G. Springsteen,
are exceptionally convincing. Robert
Rockwell, Hanne Axman, Betty Lou
Gerson, Barbra Fuller.
RIDERS OF THE WHISTLING PINE (Col)
Deviating from saloon brawls and the
average posse riding after outlaws, this
western with music has several other angles
of interest with Gene Autry involved
in a lumber war. Gene Autry, Patricia
White. Directed by John English.
These reviews will appear in full in
a lorthcoming issue of Boxoffice.
Republic Going 'All Out'
To Sell 'The Red Menace'
HOLLYWOOD—Republic expects its surprise
picture, "The Red Menace," to create
exceptional interest throughout the country,
Herbert J. Yates, president, said at a press
conference this week. An expose of communism
in this country, the film was secretly
made under another title.
The picture will get the works as far as
exploitation is concerned. Republic has set
aside a $50,000 appropriation to advertise and
exploit the Los Angeles opening.
With a cast largely comprising screen unknowns,
"The Red Menace" will make its
bow June 9 with a day-date opening at the
Downtown and Hollywood Paramount.
Openings in other key cities throughout
the country, Yates said, will be accompanied
by large-scale fanfare and exploitation, including
screenings for veterans' organizations,
women's clubs, and civic, religious and
labor groups.
BOXOFFICE
:: May 28, 1949