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French Exhibitors Lose
Patrons, Gain Revenue
NEW YORK — Since raising admission
prices six months ago, French exhibitors have
lost about 10 per cent of their patronage but
have gained about 15 per cent in revenue.
The loss in 1949 of the overall investment in
films of the French industry was 20 per cent.
Production there faces a loss for at least two
years. French production in 1950 will total
100 features as against 104 in 1949 and 120
before the war. French producers will concentrate
on films showing the French way
of life rather than try to adhere to the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America production
code; in other words, though seeking an
American market, they won't try to conform
to Hollywood specifications.
ADMISSIONS AVERAGE 18
CENTS
These statements were made by Georges
Lourau, president of Uni-France, an organization
of producers and distributors promoting
the export of French films; J. P. Frogerais,
president of the French Film Producers
Syndicate, and Robert Cravenne, Uni-
France executive manager, after their arrival
here as MPAA guests. Their responses
to questions were frank.
French admissions now average 18 cents,
with a first run top of 60 to 70 cents. The
average cost of 20 top features planned for
They expect to get
this year will be $175,000.
back from the French market about $120,000
on each picture. The French industry has
been hard hit by the economic situation and
the loss of its central European markets.
French films must be shown by exhibitors
five out of every 13 weeks. American films
have two-thirds of the foreign market, with
121 dubbing permits issued to U.S. companies
in 1949 and 50 to all other foreign companies,
of which 20 were British, 20 Italian and none
Russian. Only three features have been produced
there within 18 months by Americans
or by joint endeavor with the French. Such
production is opposed by technicians and actors
but unopposed by producers so long as
certain conditions are met. The French
quota will remain in effect until the foreign
market is stabilized.
GOVERNMENT COLLECTIONS
A number of questions were asked about
the government subsidy. Two cents are
taken from the sale of each ticket for a special
fund; then a boxoffice tax of 30 per
cent is levied on the remainder. This goes
into a general pool which in 1949 totaled $4,-
500,000. It was divided about equally between
exhibitors, to help them modernize their
houses or replace war losses, and to producers
to encourage the making of better pictures.
Lourau said that the Marshall Plan has
had no direct influence on the French industry
but that when it is terminated next
year it will have a general effect on the country.
To meet the need for foreign revenue,
Uni-France is studying the American market
at the invitation of the MPAA foreign film
advisory unit, publicizing French films
throughout the world and promoting French
film festivals. A festival is planned here late
in the year which will show a combination of
new and old films and will be financed by
Uni-France. One was held successfully in
52
Here as MPAA guests for a survey of
the market are (left to right) Georges
Lourau, Uni-France president; J. P. Frogerais,
president of the French Film Producers
Syndicate, and Robert Cravenne,
Uni-France executive manager. They
will meet with representatives of all segments
of the industry.
Zurich last month and others are scheduled
for Belgium and Scandinavian countries.
The trio will meet in a few days with an
organization of independent importers now
being formed as well as with presidents of
MPAA member companies. Asked if they
are satisfied to date with distribution deals
made here, they said they could not make a
general comment because the deals vary picture
by picture but that they hope for an
improvement in playing time.
French Delegates Feted
By MPAA, Independents
NEW YORK—Here as guests of the MPAA
advisory unit for foreign films, three delegates
of the French industry have been offered
the additional aid of independent importers
in their study of the American market.
This action was taken during the week
when the newly formed International Motion
Picture Organization said it will set up
a special coordinating committee of five members
to work closely with them.
IMPO gave a luncheon Wednesday (10) at
the 21 club for Georges Lourau, president of
Uni-France Film; Pierre Frogerais, president
of the French Producers syndicate, and Robert
Cravenne, executive director of Uni-
France, with 12 members of the IMPO policyplanning
committee present. They will meet
again with the committee Monday (15) before
going to Hollywood as MPAA guests.
Late Wednesday, MPAA entertained them
at a reception at the Harvard club. Foreign
department executives of many companies
attended. The French delegates then went to
Washington to meet with Eric Johnston.
MPAA president, before his departure for
the London film pact talks.
WB Sets Tradescreening
NEW YORK—The national
tradescreening
of Warner Bros.' "This Side of the Law" will
be held June 5. National distribution of the
film starts July 8.
Petition Supreme Court
To Re-Hear Film 'Ten'
NEW YORK—Prof. Albert Einstein, Gilbert
Gabriel, Pierre Van Passen, Garson Kanin,
J. Edward Bromberg, Victor Jory, Clifford
Odets and Richard Watts jr. are among the
80 prominent names who have petitioned the
Supreme Court for a re-hearing of the prison
sentences imposed on John Howard Lawson,
Dalton Trumbo and the eight other Hollywood
writers and producers for contempt of
the Un-American Activities Committee.
Asking for "reconsideration" of the court's
refusal to hear the appeal of the ten men,
the petition urged the court to "present to
the entire country a definition of constitutional
guarantees."
The United Nations was asked, through its
Commission on Human Rights, to investigate
the contempt of Congress convictions against
the Hollywood "Ten" May 10. A special delegation,
consisting of six of the convicted
persons, came to the world organization
headquarters to deposit a formal complaint
accusing the U.S. government agencies of
violating the International Declaration on
Human Rights.
Colosseum Files Charges
Against UA with NLRB
NEW YORK—The Colosseum of Motion
Picture Salesmen filed unfair labor charges
against United Artists with the National
Labor Relations board May 10, according to
David Beznor, attorney for Colosseum.
Colosseum had previously notified Mary
Pickford and Charles Chaplin, co-owners of
United Artists, of its intention to reopen
negotiations for a new contract for some 70
UA salesmen. Earlier in 1950, Gradwell L.
Sears, UA president, requested that negotiations
for increased salaries and expenses be
discontinued for a period of 60 days. After
the 60 days had elapsed, Colosseum notified
UA that it was ready to meet and engage
in collective bargaining but the company
failed and refused to comply with the letter,
Beznor said.
Majors Sue Insley Estate
In Percentage Disputes
BALTIMORE—Percentage suits have been
filed in U.S. district court by Universal,
Loew's, United Artists, 20th Century-Fox, Columbia,
RKO and Warner Bros, against the
executives of the estate of Lee W. Insley and
the Diamond Globe Corp., a theatre operating
concern.
The theatres involved in each action are:
the Globe, Berlin, Md.; Diamond, Selbyville,
Del.; Auditorium, Lewes, Del.; Blue
Hen, Rehoboth Beach, Del., and the Avenue.
Delmar, Del.
Tydings, Sauerwein, Benson & Boyd of
Baltimore represent Loew's, and Piper, Watkins,
Avirett & Egerton represent the other
plaintiffs. Sargoy & Stein of New York appear
as of counsel in each case.
MPSC Takes French Film
NEW YORK—Motion Picture Sales Corp.
has closed a deal with Sam Nathanson, sales
representative of Bellon-Ffoulke International
Productions for the U.S. distribution of the
French-made "Caught in the Foreign Legion,"
starring Fernandel.
BOXOFFICE :: May 13, 1950