•VARIETY'!' LONDON OFFICi I St. Martin'* Place, Trafalgar Square PARIETY INTERNATIONAL 11

Spate of Plays to Reach Paris Boards Despite Several New Season Hits

Paris , Dec. 16. -• With the new season h i t s — '

"Evangel ine" of Henri Bernstein, "Les Compagnons De La Marjo-la ine" of Marcel Achard, "Zoe" of J e a n Marsan, a restaging of Jean Giraudoux's "Siegfried," Alfred Adam's "Many," Jean Supervielle 's "Kobinson" and Sacha Guitry's revival of his own "N'Ecoutez Pas, Mesdames"—settl ing down to boff o r steady season runs, another spate of new plays is ready to hit the boards in the next few weeks.

Coming up is the gala opening of a new theatre , the Comedie-Cau-mart in , with Ibsen's "The Doll's House," to be played by Daniele Delorme. This theatre will be a reper to ry house of w.k. pic actors who wish to play legit in their pre­ferred plays. At the Bouffes-Par-isiens, Elvire Popesco will star in Jacques Deval's new play, "Le Bon-heur Des Mechants," which is a costumer of the life and loves of a grea': chantoosy. Also in it are Renee Devilliers, Henri Guisol and J e a n Danet, with Deval staging.

Jean Letrax will have his "Mon­sieur De Panama" at the Apollo. Play was writ ten in 1939, but is get t ing its baptism, this week. A comedy with turn-of-the-century decor, this concerns a small-time bank clerk who passes himself off as a great financier a t -a beach re­sort, with ensuing complications. The brash clerk is played by Car-ette.

Also on the near agenda is a new Andre Roussin play based on Helen of Troy in Bruno Stuart ' s "The Rat t lesnake," which will be at the Daunou in January with Isa Mir­anda playing a grandmother with young ideas. Comedy was written in English by Stuar t and translated by Jean Huberty. J ean Mercure will stage Graham Greene 's first play, "Living Room," which will probably star Daniele Delorme if she is free. P ie r re Bost and Pierre Darbon have prepared a legit adap­tion of "The Power and the Glory," Greene 's novel of the im­bibing priest who found faith, which will be presented here in early 1953. Marcel Duhamel has t ranslated Irwin Shaw's "The Gen­t le People ," which will play here in February and s tar J ean Marc Tennberg. ,

Biggest '52 Moneymakers Biggest moneymakers for the

1952 season were Andre Roussin and Marcel Ayme respectively with "When the Child Appears" and "The Head of Others ," Jean-Paul Sar t re ' s "The Devil and the Good Lord," J ean Anouilh with "The Re­hearsa l" and "The Waltz of the Toreadors ," J ean Giraudoux's "Siegfried" and Edouard Bourdet 's "Hymenee ," both revivals, "Dear Shadow" of Jacques Deval, Sacha Guitry 's revival of "Don't Listen, Ladies," and an adaption of the George Bernanos piece, "Diolog Des Carmeli tes ."

Marcel Pagnol has brought "Mar-ius," his 1929 legit opus about the ear thy denizens of a Marseilles cafe, back of the boards of the S a r a h Bernhardt Theat re . It looks like it 's in for a run, to judge by reception at the opening. The new cast is okay with the salty, gregari­ous practical roles In this genre piece.

Henr i Vilbert, though stewing about in the shoes of the late Rai-mu, gives the role of the volatile yet gentle Cesar a touching elo­quence. Rellys is fine as his pal Panisse, and the young lovers are freshly done by tw6 new the'sps, P ie r re t t e Bruno and Roger Crou-zet. The Marseillaise accents are intact, as well as the old decor and staging that has made this a mod­ern Gallic classic. Supporting-roles a re admirably filled -by Milly Mathis and Rene Sarvil.

Shipman & King Paying Divvies on Both Pfds.

London, Dec. 9. Shipman and King Cinemas,

which controls an independent cir­cuit of more than 40 theatres in London and the home countries, announce that they will pay divi­dends on two classes of preferred stocks, both due Dec. 31.

The stocks involved are the 5 % first preference shares and the 6% second preferred. The distr ibution applies to the half year ending Dec. 3 1 .

Sees European Market As Rich for Mex Films

European market has been a lucrative one for Mexican films, according to William Karol who's exclusive rep for Peliculas Mexi-canas in Europe, the Near East and North Africa. Company, which controls distribution rights to some 60 Mexican pictures annually, dubs its product into French, Italian, German, Turkish and Arab. Firm first entered the Con­tinental terr i tory six years ago.

One of the largest production-distribution organizations in Mex­ico, Peliculas Mexicanas is part­nered with Banco Cinemato-grafico. Following his recent ar­rival in New York from Europe, Karol left Monday (15) for Mexico City to confer with PM execs. He plans a two-week stay south-of-the-border, and will r e tu rn overseas via, N. Y.

Mex Yaude Performers Squawk All Top Spots

Saved for Foreigners Mexico City, Dec. 9.

The some 200 Mexican ni tery performers, controlled by the Na­tional Vaudeville Artists Assni (ANDA), charge discrimination in that foreigners only play the top spots, leaving other class niteries to the natives. The Mexicans con­sider this a real snub. Fur ther , they claim imported talent refuses to play spots that are less than grade A.

ANDA says the mat ter is the do­ing of the Ministry of t he Inter ior which supervises the work in Mex­ico of all foreign enter tainers . The Ministry claims it is up to ANDA because the vaude player associa­tion's function is to regulate the playing of all persons within the scope of vaude.

ANDA rates these spots as first class:

EI Colmenar, Chavez's Place, Atlas, El Patio, Versalles (Hotel del Prado), Quid, Capri (Hotel Regis), Parador , Monte Cassino, As­toria. Intimo, Rincon de Goya, Rumba Casino and Waikiki.

DOS '52 GOLDEN LAUREL TO KORDA'S 'COUNTRY'

Paris , Dec. 16. The Golden Laurel Award for

1952 was presented to the British pic, "Cry, The Beloved Country," at a ceremony at the American Embassy here last Wednesday (10) by Ambassador James C. Dunn. Pic was directed and co-produced by Zoltan Korda.

The Golden and Silver Laurel Awards were founded by David O. Selznick in 1949 and are awarded annually for the best picture pro­duced by Europeans in Europe dur­ing the preceding year, and which made the greatest contribution to mutual understanding and goodwill between the peoples of a free and democratic world.

Critics of participating countries vote for the pic that fits this cate­gory, and each winning pic of the various countries is presented with a Silver Laurel Award. Pix are then viewed by a special committee in N. Y. that decides on the big winner. The decision is then shipped to Europe under bond to be opened at the presentation ceremony.

Runnersup were the Italo "Two Cents Worth of Hope," directed by Renato Castellani; German "Hearts of the World," directed by Harold Braun; Belgian "T h e Smuggler 's Ball," directed by Henri Storck, and Andre Cyatte's Gallic film, "We Are All Mur­derers ."

UA Deal for Welles' 'Othello' Reported Set

Rome, Dec. 16. United Artists ' prez Arthur

Krim reportedly has closed a deal with Mercurio Films under which UA receives U. S. distribution rights to Orson Welles' "Othello." Actor not only produced and di­rected the film, but adapted it from Shakespeare and has the title role.

Welles' "Othello" was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival last May. Supporting cast includes Suzanne Cloutier, Michael Mc-Leanor and Doris Dowling, among others. Previously, RKO was said to have had the inside track on the picture's U. S. distrib rights via a "verbal understanding" be­tween Welles and former RKO foreign chief Phil Reisman.

Price Cut, Quota Irk Mex Exhibs

Government decree cutting ad­mission prices at large Mexico City theatres by 20-35% has been added to the worries of Mexican exhibs who are already concerned over the new 50% playing time quota, according to Americo Aboaf, Uni-versal's foreign sales manager, who returned to N. Y. from Mexico Sunday (14). Frontl ine houses had to cut from 57c to 46c; second-runs 46c to 34c.

Aboaf said the price-cutting move was among the first to be made by the new Mexican admin­istration and while, for the mo­ment, it applies only to Mexico City, it is certain to spread. The neighborhoods aren ' t affected. First-run exhibs are split on whether to go to court over the measure. Those in opposition say the government might retract , but would find other ways to enforce its decision.

Mexican exhibs have decided not to file a writ of injunction against introduction of the playing time quota until the regulation has been published, Aboaf reported. It 's understood that the new "regu-lamento," which is actually only an interpretation of the law, has been phrased so that it is airtight against any charges of unconsti­tutionality, but exhibs are study­ing ways and means to contest it in court if and when it is pub­lished.

New theatres continue to spring up in Mexico City, which is already overseated, Abotrf observed, but despite the large number of houses, biz is up. There 's been a 10% drop, however, in Cuba, where economic conditions are combining with the effects of tele­vision to keep the b.o. down.

Bombay Censors Slash 2 U.S. Pix Madras, Dec. 9.,

Bombay Censor Board ordered 135 feet cut out of "Quo Vadis."

An entire dance sequence was ordered slashed from "Lovely To Look At" because the censors felt Indian producers would copy such a scene for Indian films but vul­garise it .

U. S. Preems Halted Mexico City, Dec. 16.

Preem here of three top U. S. pix scheduled for Xmas was halt­ed pending talks between exhibi­tors . and city officials regarding the government 's forcing down cinema prices here 20%-35%. These pix had been booked at high percentages, based on old rates of the cjnemas.

Pix are "The Greatest Show on Ear th" (Pa r ) , "Ivanhoe" (M-G) and "The Quiet Man" (Rep) . They were booked into top local cinemas and much coin has been spent on advertising.

New Swiss Pic, 'Venus/ Goes Into Production

Zurich, Dec. 9. Gloriafilm Zurich, producer of

the Swiss pic, "Palace Hotel," which was a top moneymaker here this year, has started shooting its sec­ond full-length production, "Venus from the Tivoli." .It is based on the successful Swiss legit comedy of the same name by Pe ter Haggen-macher. Film is being produced by Dr. Oscar Dueby and directed by Leonard Steckel. Both were also responsible for "Hotel." Lensing is being done at Belierive Studio in Zurich as well as on location.

Cast is. made up of top Swiss and German stage and screen talent. Star roles have been assigned to Hilde Krahl, Paul Christian (known to U. S. audiences from several screen roles f o r ' Universal), and Gustav Knuth, Walter Richter, both members of the Zurich Schau-spielhaus. Pic 's plot is about the difficulties of a roving legit t roupe in Switzerland. v

Fog Blots Out London Film Trade But 'Road to Bali' Robust $16,500;

'Snows' Strong 9G, 3d, Trap' NG 5G Granada Gross Profit

At $596,000 for Year London, Dec. 16.

Granada Theatre, circuit con­trolled by Sidney L. Bernstein and his brother Cecil, announced a gross profit for the year ending Sept. 30, of approximately $596,-000, a drop of around $20,000 from the previous year. Net profit, however, shows an increase of about $27,000, with $202,000 ap­proximately for net gain.

Dividend on the ordinary stock, all of which is privately held, is being maintained at 5%. Distribu­tion on first and second preference shares will absorb about $87,000.

Israel's 120 Pix Houses Decide to Close Dec. 23

If Taxes Aren't Cut 20% Tel-Aviv, Dec. 9.

The Cinema Owners Assn. plans to shutter in a protest strike start­ing Dec. 23 unless the government grants a 20% reduction in the en­ter tainment taxes. The Israel film houses plan to stay closed unti l the tax is slashed.

The association has been fighting for a reduction of the 100% en­ter ta inment tax on all cinema tick­ets ever since it was first intro­duced about two years ago.

Until now, ttte organization's protests have been without results. Decision to shut ter was reached because the exhibitors contend they can no longer operate profit­ably with the present ducat tax­ation. Cinema owners point to the increased cost of operations, and have decided it would be wiser to halt operations than at tempt to run their houses at no profit.

'NOON,' 'ENCORE' BEAT AUSSIE XMAS SLUMP

Sydney, Dec. 9. Show biz adage that "a good

film will always pull boxoffice" is currently evident in Aussie despite a pre-Yuletide downbeat that is a headaching to exhibitors here as always. |

Beating the biz blues are one Yank and two British pix "High Noon" (UA) has hit 11 weeks at the Plaza to SRO. London Films "Breaking Sound Barr ie r" has done smash t rade over eight weeks at the Embassy, while "Encore" (Rank) is in its 10th stanza at the Grosvenor, Melbourne.

Gassman's 'Hamlet' Big Click on Rome Preem

Rome, Dec. 9. For the first t ime in years, the

Italian theatre world received a shot in the arm when the Valle Theatre h e r e opened "Hamlet," with Vittorio Gassman in the title role. Critics of the local dailies, who seldom entirely approve any production here, went all out for Gassman as the unhappy Dane. Gassman, who is billed as co-direc­tor with Luigi Squarzina, has sur­rounded himself with an excellent cast of Italo players. Anna Proclemer and Elena Zareschi are especially able in support.

Apparently Gassman's t ime in America was not wasted because there was a noticeable absence of Italian gesturing or the traditional stance of the dated Italo theatre actor. Although Gassman is now known as a picture actor, he is principally a legit thespian. One year he did "Streetcar Named De­sire," "As You Like I t " and the Greek tragedy, "Orestes."

Gary Cooper Plans Pic in Mex Mexico City, Dec. 9.

Details of a pic production plan in Mexico, with exteriors in the Poza Rica oil fields of Vera Cruz state, are being worked out here by Gary Cooper.

He says Mexico is ideal for the production of most types of pix be­cause of the varied scenery that affords na tura l sets.

London, Dec 9. Worst fog in many years which

persisted for four days and com­pletely blanketed London and par­alyzed transport did untold harm to the boxoffice, particularly since it persisted over the weekend.

Every first-run was a victim, but a few of the stronger shows at tracted a surprising amount of biz "Road to Bali," which opened day-date at Carlton and Plaza wa; about $3,000 below expectations a) both theatres for its first weekend Notwithstanding this original set­back, it has picked up at both spot: and is shaping for good $8,500 at the Plaza and around $8,000 at th€ Carlton.

"Snows of Kilimanjaro* alsf made a brave bid to beat the fo{ after a resounding second week ai $12,000. Third stanza is holding near $9,000. "Limelight" is d i p ping to around $7,200 in eight l round at Odeon, Leicester Square "Everything I Have Is Yours" ai Empire looms lightweight $7,001 or under for its first and. onlj week.

Estimates for Last Week Carlton (Par) (1,128; 55-$1.70)—

'Road to Bali" (Par). Opened undei unfavorable conditions because or first day of big fog. Doing bettel than expected under circumstance! to reach good $8,000 in first week Stays on till Dec. 19, when "Ham Christian Andersen" (RKO! preems.

Curzon (GCT) (500; 55-$1.35)-"Kon-Tiki" (RKO) and "Strange) in House" (GCT) (8th wk). S t i l steady at $2,800. Continues.

Empire (M-G) (2,099; 55-$1.70)— "Everything I Have Is Yours" (M-G). Not helped by fog, but w e l below expectations anyway wit t first and only round seen abort $7,000 or less. "My Man and I ' (M-G) opens Dec. 11.

Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$1.70 —"Steel Trap" (20th) and "Goldei Arrow" (Renown). Also fog victin with little hope of going beyonc $5,000 for first week.

Leicester Square Theatre (CMA' (1,753; 50-$1.70>—"Snows Kiliman j a ro" (20th) (3d wk). Still sock« • with $9,000 after second week gw $12,000, same as opening round.

London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 50 $1.70)—"Narrow Margin" (RKO and "Girl in Every Por t " (RKO) Fog hur t this too, with light $3,50( or near for initial week.

Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA (2,200; 50-$1.70)—"Limelight" (UA! (8th wk). Looks good $7,200 aftei sturdy $9,800 for seventh. Definite ly staying until New Year's.

Odeon, Marble Arch (CMA (2.200; 50-$1.70)—"Folly To B« Wise" (BL). Major victim of foi as house is situated in hard t t reach part of West End. Houst completely blacked out over week­end. First week expected to finis* at just over $4,000.

Plaza (Par) (1,092; 70-$1.70)— "Road to Bali" (Par). Building up after its fog bound start. Solid $9,000 looms. Continues.

Ritz (M-G) (432; 30-$2.15)—"Que Vadis" (M-G) (9th wk). Still heftj at just under $3,000 this frame which follows previous six month! run at this theat re . Stays indef.

Warner (WB) (1,735; 50-$1.70)— "Retreat Hell" (WB) (2d-final wk). Proved another fog victim with under $2,800 in second weekend and only $5,500 on week. F i rs t frame was good $7,500. "Jack and Beanstalk" (WB) opens Dec. 11.

NEW LONDON PLAY OFF TO SOLID SCOT START

Glasgow, Dec. 9. New comedy, "Dear Char les ,"

starring Yvonne Arnaud with Charles Goldner, played to solid biz and warm notices at King's The­atre here, despite ice, fog and o ther bad weather conditions. Play is set to open at the New Theatre, Lon­don. Dec. -19.

It is adapted by Alan Melville (former British Broadcasting Corp . variety megger here) from the Paris success, "Les Enfants d'Ed-ouard," which in tu rn was adapted from an unproduced English play.

On opening night, Billie Love, understudy, stepped into the le«d when Yvonne Arnaud was bedded with laryngitis.