Boxoffice-April.17.1948

U. S. Picture Imports to Australia
Drop to 888, British Total Rises
By WILLIAM BEECHAM
Australian Bureau, Boxoffice
PERTH, W. A.—Last year imports of films
into Australia from the U.S. dropped by 127
to a total of 888. while imports from the
United Kingdom increased by 310 to a total
of 816, J. O. Alexander, chief film censor,
reports. During 1947 no horror-type films
were imported, and gangster films showed a
marked decrease, he reported "with pleasure."
* «
The Australasian Exhibitor reports that
certain Australian interests are approaching
federal politicians with a plan to prevent
U.S. distributors from purchasing an interest
in. or buying outright, Australian film
organizations, such as processing laboratories,
etc., with frozen earnings. These interests
are pointing out that "it would be unwise
to permit such organizations to be dominated
by American capital."
» * *
Norman B. Rydge of Greater Union Theatres,
speaking in Sydney recently, said that
the people of Australia receive the entire
resources of the motion picture industry for
no more than $7.20 per head of population
per year. "What other industry offers so
much for so little?" he asked. Approximately
3,000,000 people a week pay to see film programs
in Australia, he continued, and a
breakdown of admission figures showed that
27 per cent of admissions were 25 cents, 32
per cent were 25 to 35 cents, 24 per cent were
35 to 50 cents, 12 per cent were at 50 to 65
cents, and 5 per cent were over 65 cents.
Rydge added
: "I have mentioned these
figures for a particular reason. In many
quarters it is considered that our business
is a luxury trade, but this is entirely wrong.
Motion picture entertainment is a necessity
of life, rendering to millions of working
people very often their sole form of entertainm.ent."
* •
J. E. Graham, secretary of the Federal
Cinema Exhibitors council of Australia, has
been informed by Prime Minister Chifley
that there can be no hope of any immediate
relief from the entertainment tax. "I regret
to advise that it will not be possible for the
government to grant any rehef in this regard
for the present," writes the prime minister.
"Substantial reductions have been
made in the rates of income tax for the
current financial year, and several other
taxes which were imposed during the war
years have been reduced or abolished."
...
I
Prominent Australian film executives point
out that the drop in film business of late
is around 40 per cent. Yet the legitimate
theatre is flourishing and had no difficulty
whatever in selling seats at $5 each for a
visiting British company. The Australian
public is definitely shopping for its cinema
entertainment, and low-grade films are not
attracting business.
At the recent annual general meeting of
the South Australian Motion Picture Exhibitors
Ass'n the following officers were
elected: President, E. Waterman; vice-presidents,
W. V. Benbow and D. Harris; committee,
F. Klenner, R. C. Williams and A.
Harrison; auditor, B. W. Cunnew.
* • •
T. Hill and W. Ryan have been appointed
to the Queensland Films commission, filling
two vacancies caused recently by the resignation
of E. Waller and the appointment of
R. Carter as chief crown prosecutor.
...
The Western Australian director of education
reports that a 16mm Auricon sound
on film recording outfit has been received
from the U.S., and this will be installed in
the laboratories of the government instructional
films division at Perth for production
of color sound films.
* * *
Complaints are continually being heard
from exhibitors in all parts regarding the
poor quality of many of the British stills,
and it is said that efforts are now being
made to have these improved. Even many of
the B grade U.S. releases carry stills of
much better quality than many of the leading
British features.
* * *
Maj. R. P. Baker of Ealing studios, who
is at present visiting this country, was recently
entertained by the Victorian Independent
Exhibitors Ass'n.
* *
E. J. Tait, director of J. C. Williamson
Theatres, who died in Sydney last July, left
an estate valued for probate at $216,043. The
bulk goes to his wife and daughter.
Alexander Sends Martens
To Oakland Headquarters
LOS ANGELES—R. G. Martens, for many
years a representative of the Alexander Film
Co. on the west coast, has been transferred
to the California sales organization headed
by Colin Dexter, general district manager.
Martens will headquarter in Oakland, with
territory ranging from the San Francisco bay
district south to Fresno.
AT APACHE- DEBUT-At the recent premiere of RKOs "Fort Apache" in the
Orpheum and Palms theatres in Phoenix, Ariz., were, top photo, left to right: Ned E
Dep.net. IVIrs. Perry Lieber. Mrs. James Thorn, Mrs. J. H. Maclntyre. Mrs. Depinet
and Maclntyre. Bottom photo, seated: Irene Rich, Mrs. Lawrence Green. AI Hanson.
Mrs. Wayne Hanson. Mrs. J. H. Maclntyre, Mrs. Al Hanson, Harry Nace. Standing:
Wayne Hanson and Maclntyre.
L500 Bring Bottle Caps
SPOKANE. WASH.—About 1,500 children
packed the Post Theatre on Saturday to see
six color cartoons and a western. The show
was sponsored by the Nehi-Royal Crown Bottling
Co. and was the second in a series.
Admittance was by six bottle caps. Because
of the crowd, it was necessary to call in
ushers from both the Post and Granada
theatres. Policemen and firemen were also
on hand.
56
BOXOFFICE :: April 17, 1948