'VARIETY'S' LONDON OFFICE 22 INTERNATIONAL fSstttefr 4* St. Jamas'* Straat, Piccadilly NX Italo 'Culture' Fiasco >>•»••••»»••»••*•••>•••••>»•••«•«»••••••»««•••*•«; Italian Cultural Institute Renew Drive Vs. Film Censorship and the America-Italy Society "took pleasure" recently in International Sound Track offering a duo piano recital by In Argentina; All Groups in Fight an Italian team, unknown as ******** ******************************** ********* yet to New York, Gino Gorind Buenos Aires, Nov. 2. -f- and Sergio Lorenzi. Recital London The fight against censorship has SPANIARDS IN CHILE was to take place at the Audi­ Disney comedy, "That Darn Cat," has hit a new record for Hayley been renewed by all Argentine torium of Finch College at 6 Mills film at the New Victoria, London. First week's boxoffice waa film associations (grouped In the But That Spain Censorship Eases p.m. Several hundred invita­ twice that of her last two Disney pix, 'The Moonspinners" and "Sum> tions had been sent out but Chamber of the Argentine Cine­ Doubted By Chileanos mer Magic" and 30% above the figures for "The Parent Trap". . . Terr^ when receipients, defying rush Ashwood, boss of Pathe News, has slipped a disk . . ."That Riviera ma) together with the independent Santiago, Nov. 2. hour, early dinner dates etc. Touch," Rank comedy starring Morecambe & Wise, is back at Pinewood distributors of foreign films. Capacity audiences were on arrived they were told that after location work around Nice . . . Outside United States "13" the the pianos had arrived un­ First move by the Chamber was hand for an eight-day, no-nonsense Martin Ransohoff—Filmways production for Metro will be known a« Spanish film week here which tuned and therefore the reci­ "Eye of the Devil". . . Paramount poured for Suzanna Leigh on her to stage a rally in Calle Florida, tal had to be cancelled. with many top actors as leading spotlighted product of an unusu­ return from making "Paradise—Hawaiian Style" with Elvis Presley . . , A rare piece of mismanage­ figures. The specific purpose was ally high artistic standard, and Britain's Daily Express showbiz reporter, Peter Evans, is now dishing not one visiting star or director. ment. the "inside film news" on BBC's radio program, "Movie Go Round". . . to ask the Chamber of Deputies Enterprise Films of Toronto is now setting up a London organization, (Argentina's House) to pass a law The Spanish delegation to the fest, held at the Cine Espana, Anglo-Enterprise Film Productions. First two pix to be made in Brit­ already approved by the Senate, consisted instead of TJniespana ain will be "Spaceport" based on Curt Siodmak's novel, and Ray Brad* which would allow the dismantling heads heads Suarez de Deza, of bury's "Fahrenheit 451." Former will be made next January at Shep- of the Comision Calificadora (cen­ the National Film Institute, and Despite Biggest perton in association with British Lion . . . Expansion of product for sorship) and put back all alleged Garcia Escudero, Spain's director the Children's Film Foundation is involving foreign locations. Asso­ moral offenses in films under the general of theatre and films. ciated Britisih Pathe has just completed filming in Malta for "Davy jurisdiction of the courts. This is Jones' Locker," produced by Lionel Hoare, directed by Frederick tantamount to recognizing again Pix unspooled included "Los Year Salzburg Goode and with Harry Field as exec producer. for films the same constitutional Tarantos," "La Tia Tula" and "II Verdugo," all of which have had Producer Carl Foreman turned writer for "Virtue And A Fast Gun" rights that insure freedom to the commercial showings in the States. (on western films) in the Sunday Observer . . . Lukas Heller in from press. Budget Slashed Garcia Escudero's statement In N.Y. . . . Milton Sperling heading the other way . . . James Poe to The street demonstration took the press to the effect that Span­ Salzburg, Nov. 2. Rome through New Year's . . . Elliott Arnold and wife Glynis Johns on place too near the Peronist Day ish censorship has been relaxed Despite a top artistic and finan­ the continent for two months. (Oct. 17) to get much government seemed not too convincing in San­ cial season the Salzburg Festival Paris consideration. Film people had tiago, since a play by a Chilean administrators face a heavy cut by hardly advanced a few blocks the Austrian Ministry of Educa­ Writer Jean Cau adapting Emile Zola's novel "La Curee" (The dramatist, Jorge Diaz, had just Quarry) as a screenplay which Roger Vadim is to direct and to star when halted by the police and been nixed by the Madrid censors. tion which has curtailed all cul­ eome of the leaders taken to jail, tural projects for 1966-67. None­ Jane Fonda. Cau says he has avoided transposing the social aspects of among them Duilio Marzio, chair­ theless it is rumored that Salzburg the novel and reconditioned its milieu . . . Raoul Levy purportedly man of the Actors' Guild. Mow- cut is due to the animosity existing planning to create a portable screening truck to reach campers and ever, they were released. between the Minister of Education vacationers around France next year . . . Terry Southern in to huddle Spain Moves To and Salzburg's artistic director with Roger Vadim on a screen version of the sci-fi comic strip book, Later on, a group headed by Herbert von Karajan. Their feud laced with sexiness, "Barbarela," which Vadim is to do for Dino De directors Lucas Denmare and stems from the 1963-64 season Laurentiis in Italy with Jane Fonda as the title character. Vadim is Rodolfo Kuhn, and distributor when the minister favored Egon prepping several projects these days . . . Brigitte Bardot may do a pic Nestor Gaffet, went to Congress Aid Foreign Prod. Hilbert, a protege of his, at the with The Beatles under the new French-British coproduction accords to interview Vice-President Peret- Madrid, Nov. 2. Vienna Statsoper with whom Kara­ . . . Louis Malle winding finishing touches on "Viva Maria" (UA) and te; House Speaker Mor Roig and The Spanish government, in a jan could or would not work. then preparing a pic for Jean-Paul Belmondo . . . Writer Marguerita floor leaders of the main political continuing move to encourage for­ Duras complaining that French films are disappointing and two of her parties (Peronist excepted). The eign film production in Spain, has In any event the government scripts are now being made in English via Tony Richardson's "The next step to the campaign was a set the figure of 100,000,000 pese­ subsidy has been cut $160,000. Sailor From Gibraltar" and Jules Dassin's "10:30 in the Evening". . . general assembly held last Friday tas ($1,650,000) as the foreign in­ Most productions for 1966 have Big openings this week via the world preem of Federico Fellini'a at the Presidente Alvear Theatre. vestment level qualifying outside been cast already and contracts "Giulietta of the Spirits," "Lord Jim" (Col) and "The Greatest Story Under present legislation, en­ producers for a tax-free bonus signed. An oratorio production and Ever Told." forced by former Provisional license when the film made here a Hoffmansthal drama have how­ President Guido during his last returns for release. ever already been cancelled for Rome days in office, members of the next season. Prices of opera seats Rex Harrison working with choreographer Lee Theodore on terp The Motion Picture Export Assn. will be increased. Reorganization stints for "Anyone for Venice?," current at Cinecitta' under Joseph Comision Calificadora can use its first broached the production bonus scissors at will, and they do. They and reduction of office staff will Mankiewicz' direction . . . Richard Overstreet in for Yank unit pub-ad scheme several years ago and has be forthcoming. Contracts for work on Famous Artists production which UA will release . . . Japan even have an indirect way of ban­ made it a negotiating item ever ning films by slowing up indefin­ Bizet's "Carmen" staged and con­ Film Center showing several Shochiku, Toho, Daiei, Toei, and Nikkatsu since. Increasing evidence of gov­ ducted by Herbert von Karajan, productions at Milan MIFED feature trade fair . . . series of Carl Dreyer itely the process required to get ernment cooperation with Ameri­ a release permit. "Figaro" conducted by Boehm, pix to be featured by Italy's Milan Film Museum . . . Alfredo Bini of can and other pix producers on staged by Rennert and the world Arco Films sponsoring pic whose segs will be directed by top Italo specific production problems sug­ premiere of Hanz Werner Henze newsmen. gests that the bonus reward edict "The Bassarides" have been signed Adam West due back here Nov. 7 to discuss role in spy yarn after is a unilateral move to keep Spain already. winding "The Batman" pilot for 20th-TV . . . Rex Harrison follows hi* in the forefront as a major film­ Hope Malraux Another financial setback for current "Anyone for Venice?" stint under Joseph L. Mankiewicz' di­ making site. rection with role in Richard Fleischer's "Doctor Doolittle," about mop­ In the case of Yank pix in color Salzburg has been the unexpected demand of the French music pub­ pet . . . Franco Fabrizi and Aldo Puglisi, former in many Federico Fel- and widescreen, the import and lini pix, latter star of Pietro Germi's "Seduced and Abandoned" again Will Give Aid dubbing tax comes to $16,500. This lishers Bessel for additional au­ thor's fee for adaptation of the set by Germi for his current "The Birds, the Bees, & the Italians" saving plus the considerable more Financial troubles may delay Franco Zeffirelli's pic version of "Tosca,*.."41 valuable bonus license should look Rimsky Korsakov version, chosen by the conductor. According to to star Maria Callas, it's bruited here . . . Rome's Banca del Lavoro attractive to any American major. put up $112,000 towards finance of four new pix in its October session. To Film Trade While no provision is made for ex­ the "Bern Convention" which ac­ Paris, Oct. 26. tremely high budgets, it is report­ knowledges such rights until after Nino Castelnuovo back in Rome after winding his stint in "We're Culture Minister Andre Malraux, ed that MGM hopes to get two 50 years of the composer's death Going to Town" for Franco Cancellieri, soon to be followed by Geraldina usually known here for not doing licenses for its $11,000,000 invest­ (Moussorgski) it was to be ex­ Chaplin; Nelo Risi directed pic exteriors on Yugoslav locations . . . ment in "Doctor Zhivago." Other empted only by 1966—but Russia Marcello Mastroianni's recent duck-out trip to New York, unreported much for the film industry, brought here until after-the-fact, provoking queries about reason for briefie the subject up in a National Assem­ Yank films qualifying are "Battle has never been a member of that of Bulge" (WB), "The Centurions" convention and thus the Salzburg junket; thesp starts rehearsals on musical, "Rodolfo Valentino," soonest bly meeting on the new Arts . . . Italo Oscar contender to be chosen by special industry committee budget. Though film people feel (Col) and "A Funny Thing Hap­ Festival had believed the work pened" (UA). "free" of these regulations. Very in Rome before end of November . . . Pesaro Festival of new talent to they have to read things into his likely the festival and the pub­ have second chance at fame, next event slated "close to start of '68 elliptical film references, they think lishing house (represented in Au­ festival season". . . Horst Buchholz and Alain Delon due in town to chat It was rather helpful. However, it New Zealand Censors stria by the Universal Edition of with Luchino Visconti on upcoming projects: former for "Young Tor- remains to be seen if this will quell Vienna) will go to court on it if less," later for Camus' "The Stranger". . . Alfredo Bini, Arco Film top­ Industry unrest as it waits for the Turn Down 'Collector' they can't settle the question per, denies reports he shot two versions of "The Mandrake," Rosanna new Centre Du Cinema plan to be Auckland, N. Z., Oct. 26. among themselves. Schiaffino starrer, sez a censor nix here is "improbable" despite nature discussed and handled by the As­ A big rumpus has blown up over of subject by Machiavelli which was censor bugaboo for many years. sembly. "The Collector" (Col). Pic was sub­ Robert Siodmak in Rome to discuss pic (very) tentatively titled In the meanwhile it is felt that mitted to the government film New Bond Pic Due "Lilith" with producer Carlo Infascelli, slated as January starter with film woes should be kept in public censor Doug Macintosh by Co­ Italo-Franco-Spanish-Argentine coproduction coin involved and James and governmental ken. Also that lumbia's New Zealand office. Mac­ In London Dec. 29 Mason a possible starter . . . Verona judge seizes Jane Fonda starrer exhibs may refuse to show news- intosh ordered cuts, against which "Le Plaisir et L'Amour" on complaint by local citizen that some scenes reels next month if no relief from the distributors promptly appealed. London, Nov. 2. were obscene; ban becomes effective throughout Italy . . . Federico the heavy tax burden is forthcom­ The case went to the Film Censor­ Within three weeks of its sched­ Fellini Festival, slated for this month by his home town of Rimini, ing as promised and Film Aid is ship Appeal Board, which banned uled world preem in Tokyo, the canceled due to "incomprehensions" between township and Cineriz not restored to them. the entire film. Columbia now latest James Bond opus, "Thun- releasers of latest pic by director, originally promised, then yanked wonders if it would not have been derball," will have its delayed Malraux said in his address: both from Venice, then from Italo event". . . Rome gala preem of smart to accept the cuts. London opening, with concurrent "Agony and the Ecstasy" interrupted by bomb threat in presence of "Films are an industry, let us not daydate runs at neighboring West make a laboratory of it." This may Letters to the daily papers here ministers and elite showbiz crowd . . . Settimana INCOM, Rome-based ask: Why should a group of people End situations, the London Pavi­ weekly, featured fourth cover dedicated to a star of Joseph E. Levine'a have referred to the Ministry of lion and Rialto, on Dec. 29. Finance reported moves to stop any down in Wellington (the capital), "Tenth Victim" in past five weeks, this one on Elsa Martinelli . . . Ru­ admission price rises which are an where the Appeal Board sits) tell The Albert R. (Cubby) Broccoli- dolf Nureyev talked to Luchino Visconti during local ballet stand re integral part of the Centre Du me what I can and can't see?" This Kevin McClory-Harry Saltzman role in director's upcoming "Princess Tarnowska," in Which he'd play Cinema plan to go for more big all follows a pattern of recent production for United Artists, orig­ non-dancing Russo prince. budget pix and more Film Aid months. Other decisions have been inally planned for launching at the reversed: "The Sandpiper" (MGM), Odeon, Leicester Square, on Oct. Berlin funds via collections on cinema George Nader, the FBI agent Jerry Cotton of German screen, asked ducats. However, it appears that banned by Macintosh, was allowed 21, is the most expensive and am­ in by the Appeal Board. bitious of all the Agent 007 pro­ local pressmen to join him at a private birthday party he gave at the Finance has decided not to go Hilton . . . Rialto topper, Horst Wendlandt, started producing his sev­ through with this move. ductions, the latest estimate being in the region of $6,500,000. enth Karl May western, "Old Shatterhand, Part I," in "Yugoslav Arizona" The Culture Minister also stated West Berlin Op Opens with Stewart Granger playing the title role. Same old people connected that plans were in the offing to help Berlin, Nov. 2. "Thunderball" will need to top with this production such as Alfred Vohrer (direction), Karl Loeb films, but he hoped they would not West , Berlin's opera season the "Goldfinger" gross by a hefty (camera), Martin Boettcher (music), Erwin Gitt (production manage­ kill a needed rise in quality and opened with a new production of margin if it is to recoup its in­ ment), Hanns Krueger-Franke (publicity) and Wendlandt himself han­ aid newcomers of promise more. Verdi's "La Traviata," conducted vestment in the United Kingdom. dling general supervision . . . Buster Keaton's birthday found much This was felt to be an allusion to by Deutsche Oper musical direc­ Latest returns on "Goldfinger" in­ dedication in local press. But his age differed in the articles. His age the CDC plan to cut off films that tor Lorin Maazel and with Vien­ dicate a domestic gross of around was given as 69, 70 and 75 . . . Ulrich Schamoni completed here his did not hit a certain boxoffice level nese soprano Hilde Gueden in the $3,500,000, plus an additional $1,- first full-length feature. It is entitled "Es" (It). No distributor as yet. from aid and give more help to 70m title role. She'll repeat role in 500,000 by way of bonus from the Schamoni is one of the four brothers (Peter, Viktor and Thomas the pix and experimental and obvious Munich in December. statutory Eady fund. others) working in the German film biz . . . The best reviewed films quality pix. New tenor Giacomo Argall sang Within a few days of its West here lately are exceptionally foreign: "Zorba the Greek" (20th), "The Alfredo, with Dietrich Fischer- End twin preems, "Thunderball" Hill" (M-G) and "Repulsion" (Atlas). Cuban actress Estelita, who owns Dieskau as the elder Germont. will go Showcase in the London Heinz Ruchmann, noted as Germany's top male pic star, said that he Caribe Cine Ltd., has purchased Gustav Sellner staged work, with area for a minimum of three has currently more foreign than native offers. He's seen in Stanley screen rights to "Spitfire." Clyde settings by Filippo St. Just, for­ weeks, with general release on the Kramer's "Ship of Fools". . . Disney's "Mary Poppins" was given its Ware biog of late Lupe Velez, as mer assistant to Italo film director Rank circuit to follow in the nor­ local gala preem at Filmbuehne Wien, with city's Mayor Willy Brandt a star vehicle for herself. Luchino Visconti. mal way. heading the lineup of celebs . . .