•VARIETY ' ! ' LONDON OFFICE • St. Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square P^m^fr INTERNATIONAL 11'

Escapism Via Comedies, Mellers Seen By French Prods, as Paying at 6.0.

Paris , June 12. f-Looking back over the boxoffice

receipts the last th ree years, Gallic producers have come to the con­clusion that escapism is now the th ing at the wickets. They are convinced that the public wants to relax, with exotic climes, historical opuses and outright adventure en­tr ies, the b.o. favorites. Hence, French producers are now begin­ning to turn more towards such subjects. The mode of realism is sti l l s trong in film content here (as a re the sex and sensational pix) but the coming production skeds look to give them a backseat.

In 1953, audiences paid their coin for the historical "Versailles," a gangster pic, "Touchez Pas a Grisbi" (Don't Touch the Swag); "Lies Femmes S'En Balancent" (Dames Get Along), gangster par­ody; "Monsieur Ripois," a Gallic Don Juan in in London; and the adolescent sex theme via "The Game of Love."

In 1954, it was again history on top, with "Napoleon," followed by a chiller, "Diabolique"; "Le Rouge Et Le Noir" (Red and Black) ; a period piece; "French Cancan"; a suspenseful gangster pic in "Du Rififi Chez Les Hom­ines," and comedy in "Ali Baba" and "Papa, Maman Lo Bonne Et Moi," "Votre Devoue Blake," a tough guy parody.

For 1955, and this year, the di­vert ing costume piece, "Les Grandes Manoeuvres"; I talo docu­mentary, "Lost Continent ," and Gallic underwater entry, "Le Monde De Silence"; another his­torical entry, "Si Paris Nous Etait Conte"; and a costumer in "Nana."

Producers Sense Public Taste Producers are quick to conclude

t he old bromide that the public does not really want to face the everyday complications and diffi­culties still is true. Of course, this thinking can easily be upset by a timely, forceful film.

Comedies and adventure films head the coming list, with a num­be r of costume pix also in the line­up . Sex subjects are also plentiful among current film subjects. But not all producers are on the band­wagon, and many realize it is the unusual and frank t reatment of human problems and life which has given the Gallic pic its name In the international field.

Among the more serious works are a study in martyrdom in Rob­er t Bresson's "Un Condmane A Mort S 'Echappe" (A Condemned Man Escapes); a film on witch-hun t ing in a Gallic pic version of A r t h u r Miller 's "The Crucible" (to be called "Les Sorcicres De Sa lem") ; an updated version of Dostoievsky's "Crime and Punish­ment" ; and a remake of an early silent masterpiece about the break­down of a locomotive engineer over a girl, "La Rue" (The Wheel).

Mex Govt. Cracks Down On Brit. Pix Playdates

Mexico City, June 12. Jurge Ferretis , local chief cen­

sor, announced that until fur ther notice no English-produced pix will be allowed to be exhibited here. In an official announcement Ferret is stated, "No English films will be exhibited in the theatres of the capital (Mexico City) until some arrangement can be made for the marketing of our films in that country because the English have not bought one single film of ours during- this year."

Eagle-Lion, local distrib setup for British films, is said to be pre­paring a memorandum to their gov­ernment for official aid. However, unless an arrangement similar to that recently worked out with the French government can be devised, local sources doubt that any solu­tion to the problem will be possible for some time.

ADMISH BOOST NO PIC PANACEA, CLAIMS KING

Glasgow, J u n e 12. Raising of cinema admission

prices will not entirely cure ex­hibi tor problems in Britain, accord­ing to Sir Alexander King, cinema magnate . He warned tha t hundreds of small exhibs may "disappear" if relief in enter ta inment tax is not given pronto.

Sir Alexander blamed Harold MacMUlan, Britain's Chancellor of t he Exchequer, for the new in­crease in cinema prices, which take effect from June 25.

Major circuits have announced Increased prices, but Sir Alexan­der ' s 80-strong chain is not raising admissions as yet.

Bob Hope to London For 1 BBC Radio Programs

London, June 19. Bob Hope is coming he re to

launch a series of radio prorams originally aired in America, which are to be featured on BBC's light program beginning J u n e 28.

In addition to the star, the series will feature James Stewart, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Edmund O'Brien, Virginia Mayo, Rosemary Clooney and David Niven.

Mex Union Chiefs See Continuance of U.S. Prod.

There a Real 'Must' Mexico City, J u n e 12.

Welfare of Mexican film union­ists depends more than ever upon continuance of Amer icans making films down he re it is now admitted by the Pic ture Production Work­ers (STPC) and National Actors Union (ANDA). There is not a Hollywood film now in work in this country. Americans made eight of the 92 pix produced in Mexico last season. Unions made no secret of the fact that production this year by Mexicans in Mexico will fail to support their members. Labor, economic and distribution are so hampering Mexican production that natives fear the year will wind up with a 60 total.

Saying that American produc­tion in Mexico is the "veritable lifesaver for our film workers— players, technical and manua l workers," Jorge Martinez d e Hoyos ANDA's conflicts sec, ex­plained that the Yankee always pay in dollars (it takes many, many eight-cent pesos to make a dollar), and at scales that are frequently as much as 200% higher than tha t paid by Mexican producers. Mexi­cans, too, are eager to work for the Americans because their pay is far above Mexican minimum rates, Hoyos said.

STPC and ANDA, however, count upon Americans to produce at least seven pix from July to September. The unions indicate that Hollywoodians may make a to­tal of 10 pix in this country this year.

U. S. companies, producing in Mexico this year) will make six-to-seven features or a few more, ' and are only waiting for the rainy season to end. Most of these pix a re almost entirely exteriors, said Alfonso Sanchez Tello, vet pro­ducer and r e p of several Holly­woodians in Mexico.

These films coming u p Include "The Assassination of Trotsky," "The Black Scorpion," "The Cult of Evil," "The Emperor of Sonora" and "Pagan Princess." In addition, Robert Jacks is repor ted planning a version in English (with an atl-American cast) of "With Whom Do Our Daughters Associate?", cur­ren t Mexican boxoffice champ here .

fired, Buys TV Time To Air His Side of Case

London, June 19. Millionaire Sir Bernard Docker

who was sacked last week from the chairmanship of the Daimler Car Co. is the first private indi­vidual to buy t ime on commercial tv to air a personal grievance. He invested $8,400 to ventilate his beef against his former co-directors and to win support from individual stockholders.

His three spots last Fr iday (15) were networked between London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Outline Rules For Command Film Show

London, June 19. Entries for this year ' s Royal

Command Film Performance at the Empire, Leicester Square, on Oct. 29 must be submitted by Aug. 31. This was decided a t the first com­mittee meeting held here last week.

At that meeting it was stipulated that films for selection should not have had prior public showing in Great Britain, that no foreign language films would be accepted without English dubbing and all should be censored. Method of selection will follow last year 's pat tern when Lord Radcliffe was independent chairman, ' with a panel which included members of the Critics' Circle.

Mex Producers Seek Less Govt

In Pix Industry Mexico City, June 12.

An 8-point plan has been offered by the Mexican Producers Assn. demanding less government in their biz and asks that trade's own bank, the Banco Nacional Cin-ermatografico, widen credits and be more "democratic ' 'to loan seek­ers, advancing equally to all. It urges that the bank stick strictly to banking and not make any pix on its own. Proposal is being mulled by Angel Cavabajal, Secre­tary of the Interior, top govern­ment depar tment that overseesMJie film industry.

The producers also want aboli­tion of the bank's practice of trus­teeship over pix which it finances until loans are repaid in full. Pro­ducers desire to exploit their film themselves and pay the bank off in installments. They also would place an association member on the bank's board and another on the National Cinematographic Board. In this way they think producers would have a say in the financing of their biz as well as the censor­ing and classifying pf Mexican pix.

The association would eliminate the bank's anticipations committee to allow anticipatory payments to be decided upon and have these made by the boards of the various distributors. The producers want to convert Peliculas Mexicanas, old-time indie distributor of Mexican pix abroad, into a "company for public and not private benefit, as it is now."

The association charged that the bank has been making pix on its own through the government-ad­ministered Clasa Studios here .

West End Better; 'Planet' Potent , 'Cry Sockeroo 14G in 3d,

'Serenade' Fine $8,41, Also in 3d

More Govt Money For Mexican Quality Films;

Check Stories Pre-Loan Mexico City, J u n e 12.

More coin for Mexican film pro­ducers is in the offing since the government has become convinced that adequate financing is a must for the quality films it is demand­ing, according to t rade reports. The government expects soon to authorize the t rade 's own, bank, the Banco Nacional Cinematografico, to make loans of $20,000 or less per pic.

The bank 's present financing range goes from $8 to $12,000 for each film. Extent of financing is gauged by how the bank likes the screen story. Producers must present scripts with each, loan ap> plication.

The government is being urged by producers to liike the bank's capital so that it can provide fi­nancing of $24,000-$28,000 per pro­duction. The association a 1 s o wants the bank to discontinue making pix on its own and stick strictly to the banking business.

Cinematografico's capital now is $800,000. Its April 30 balance sheet showed loans, credits and dis­counts totaling $5,851,376.25 and $256,000 worth of its bonds circu­lating.

2 More Buenos Aires Houses Install V'Vision

Buenos Aires, June 12. Another two cinemas here have

installed VistaVision, in addition to the Gran Rex. These are the Callao and Plaza, where Paramount has just released "3-Ring Circus" day-date. Vision^installations have also been made in Rosario, Bahia Blanca and Santa Fe, with "To Catch a Thief" (Par) playing these spots.

Because legit is not faring so well this year, whereas film exhibi­tors are doing boff biz, there is talk of converting the Grand Splendid Theatre to films. The Casino also may become a cinema. Other con­versions are being mulled.

Top U.S., British Product Hypoing Aussie's Lively

Autumn Pic Attendance Sydney, June 12.

Continuous flow of top quality product from the U.S. and England, plus a sprinkling of Continental fare, is the reason why cinemas here report solid fall t rade. Both exhibitors and distributors are reaping a healthy payoff.

Here "Tender Trap" (M-G) swings into 14th week and con­tinues a sellout. "Rose Tattoo" (Par) is smash in eighth week. P a r also is in top coin with "Court Jes te r" (8th wk) . "Dam Busters" (WB) is terrific in second week and set for lengthy run.

Many Hits in Sydney Others bidding for longruns in­

clude "Joe Macbeth" (Col), "Seven Cities of Gold" (20th), "Never Say Goodbye" (U) , "Deep Blue Sea" (20th), " I Am Camera" (20th), "Richard I I I" (London), "I'll Cry Tomorrow" (M-G) and "Madame Butterfly" (Blake) , " C a r o u s e l " (20th) in C'Scope 55 preemed at the Regent for Hoyts' loop and has a big advance sale.

' Jes ter ' Seek In Melbourne Melbourne, June 12.

"Dam Busters" (WB) is tops here in third week. "Marty" (UA) swings into solid fifth stanza. Par 's "Court Jes te r" looks set for long run, as does Metro's "Meet Me in Las Vegas." Balance of promising pix include "Rose Tattoo" (Par), "Ten Tall Men" (20th), "La Mon-dana Respittosa" (Blake) and "Rififi" (Indie) .

'Dolls' Wows Brisbane Brisbane, J u n e 12.

"Guys and Dolls" (M-G) is a wow here in third week. Par is likewise in top coin with "Living It Up." Lineup includes "Left Hand of God" (20th) and "Cell 2455" (Col).

Mex Union Pensions 18 Members Mexico City, June-5 .

The National A c t o r s Union (ANDA) has life-pensioned 18 members, stage-pic actors-actresses at $16-$40 monthly each. One of them is Amelia Wilhelmy, once star character actress.

'Dolls' Also Big In Adelaide Adelaide, June 12.

"Guys and Dolls" (M-G) is away to a smash preem here and looks okay for a - long run. "Black Knight" (Col) carries plenty of b.o. weight presently. "Doctor At Sea" (Rank) nifty is in 11th week, with "Rose Tattoo" (Par) also in top brackets. Other good biz pul­lers include "Red Velvet Swing" (20th>, "Raising a Riot" (London) and "Dragnet" (WB).

London, June 11. With a break in the weather,

there was an immediate spurt in West End firstrun re turns . "For­bidden Planet" at London Pavilion was soaring to a fancy $10,300 in first frame.

"I'll Cry Tomorrow" continues a major draw at the Empire where the third round still is a s turdy S14.000 or close. The Warner ' s "Serenade" clicked is fine $8,400, also in third stanza.

Two new British entries made medest starts. "Pacific Destiny" grossed a steady $4,800 opening round at the Odeon, Marble Arch. "It 's Great To Be Young" wound its first frame at Rialto with a neat $3,700.

Estimates for Last Week Carlton (20th) (.1,128; 70-$1.70)—

"Hilda Crane" (20th) (3d wk). Modest $4,200 same as previous sesh. "Yield to Night" (ABP) preemed June 14.

Casino (Indie) (1,337; 70-$2.15)— "Cinerama Holiday" (Robin) (16th wk>. Big SI 6,500. Stays indef.

Empire (M-G) (3,099; 55-$1.70)— "I'll Cry Tomorrow" (M-G) (3d wk). Heading for sturdy $14,000 or near. Second was $15,500.

Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$1.70) —"Maverick Queen" (Rep) and "Walk Into Paradise" (ABP) (2d wk). Below hopes at around $4,000, same as opening frame. "Long A m i " (Rank' follows J u n e 21.

Leicester Square Theatre (CMA) (1,376; 50-$1.70)—"Congo Cross­ing" (Rank) and "Raw Edge" (Rank). Neat $7,500.

London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 50-S1.70)—-'Forbidden Planet" (M-G). Great $10,000 or over likely.

Ocieon, Leicester Square (CMA) (2,2Q0; 50-S1.70)—"Storm Cent re" (Col) (3d wk). Fair $4,200. "Jac­queline" (Rank) opens J u n e 14.

Odeon, Marble Arch (CMA) (2,-200; 50-S1.70)—"Pacific Destiny" <BL) (2d wk). Around $4,800, bet­ter than opening stanza.

Plaza (Par) (1,902; 70-$1.70) — "Birds and Bees" (Par) and "Leather Sa in t" (Pari. Fair $7,500. "Man Who Knew Too Much" (Par) opens June '22 .

R5alto (20th) (592; 50-$1.30) — "It 's Great To Be Young" (ABP) (2d wk). Over $4,000, an improve­ment over opening round's $3,700.

Ritz (M-G) (432; 50-$1.30)—"Man Who Never Was" (20th) (3d wk). Good $3,000 or near.

Warner (WB) (1.785; 50-$1.70)— "Serenade" (WB) (3d wk). Solid $8,400. Second week, $8,100.

Austrians Better Pix Patrons Than Germans

Vienna, J u n e 12. This Austrian capital city tops

the German-language keys in .film attendance. Recently check reveals that the average Vienna patron goes to the cinema 30 times a year. Austria also leads in provincial spots, with Baden near Vienna reaching 40 t imes a year.

Despite this fact, at tendance was merely bet ter than 47% of the seats available. Distribs are some­what perturbed. Imports from America topped with 585 films dur­ing the past year. West Germany was second with 176. "Three Coins in Fountain" <20th) was best at the b.o. "Sabrina" (Par) was next best.

'ALICE' PREEMED IN SO. AFRICA'S ALICE

Johannesburg, J u n e 12. The small country town of Alice

(just over 800 population) in the Cape Province was the scene r e ­cently of South Africa's most unusual preem when the British film of Nevil Shute 's best-selling novel. "A Town Like Alice," was opened there. The "Alice" of the film is Alice Springs in Australia. The Australian preem was held conventionally in Sydney. But South African film publicity men, with the cooperation of local men at Alice. Cape, decided this was too good a chance to be missed. And so t he local Beacon Hall, which seats only 200 people, got the full t reatment for a national preem.

It was a white t ie and tails af­fair, with visitors coming from hundreds of miles away, and na­tional papers carrying news of the event. Pic was chosen as Britain's entry at the Cannes Festival, but was withdrawn because the Japs objected to its frank t reatment of their cruelty in Malaya.

For the 800 citizens of Alice, this was their Big Night. They con­ferred the freedom of their town on author Shute. The publicity boys put both the town and film on the mat".

More Mex Pix in Mexico Mexico City, J u n e 12.

Italy has become a sunny place for Mexican pix. The National Cinematographic Board announced that 10 full-length Mexicans were shown In that country last year as against only two 10 years ago.