Omaha daily bee., 1920-12-12
German Movies
To Be ShOlUn Soon
Throughout World
BY FRANK Z. MASON,
International News Service staff
CorresDoudent

Berlin, Dec. ll.-German movie
producers are mobilizing to invade
the world film market. The great
general staff of the associated film
producers will not make direct
frontal attack with waving banners
bearing the familiar old legend
Made in Germany" but have
planned an offensive of quiet, cam
ouflaged penetration.
Everything typioally German is be-
ing excluded from the new produc-
tions and the most rabid Hun-hatcr
will sit through the performance with
real pleasure and not the least sus-
picious that the source OF his enter
tainment is the land of his former
enemy. In films of modern society
stories the greatest care is taken to
create all atmosphere which might
as readily represent Washington,
London or Paris as Berlin
In outdoor scenes there is never a
German sign or billboard to betray
the export salesman who is charged
with selling the American, British
and French rights. The villain does
mt drop his blackmail letter into
some handy Berlin or Potsdam mail
box: instead a simple stage mail box
is constructed which might belong to
the land of anywhere. And when the
villain is arrested in the last reel it
isn't the picturesque. helmeted Berlin
bluecoat who fastens the handouts,
but nondescript policeman who
looks suspiciously like Paris gen.
darme.
Some Big Productions.
The big films, which are intended
primarily for sale in America and
Europe. are historical stories-the
plots and locations of which are any
thing rather than German
How do you think America will
like this?" asked director of the
Universal Film company of Ger
many during the filming of ANNE
Boleyn.' 1t was necessary to con-
cede that aside from national preju-
dice and based purely on an artistic
standpoint that America would be
forced to admit it was pretty good
production. i'll a class with THE
Birth of Nation"
Cost Over Million.
Anne Boleyn" cost more than
100000 marks to produce, which is
more than 100000 at the pre-war
rate of exchange. By the most opti-
mistic stretch of imagination the
Universal company couldn't expect
that the seat sale in Germany would
begin to repay the cost OF the mon
ster production. The directors read
lily admit this, but cheerfully reply
that the profits on its expectation
will not only pay all the expenses,
but will bring handsome profit.
German films during the war and
the first year of the armistice were
OF so poor a quality, both from the
technical standpoint and also of see
mario and interest, that they would
have bankruptcd movie. theater i'll
an American crossroads village
Mighty strides have been taken dur
ing the last year and today the elabo-
rate historical films make even the
American film connoiseurs express
their admiration, For the movie,
Anne Boleyn,' "a full-sized produc-
ton OF the front perspective of the
Westminster Abbey was built, with
an old English street as long as two
big American city blocks leading TO
sit. Four thousand costumed "supes"
cheered Henry VIII and Anne on
their way to the coronation.
u. S. Movies in Berlin.
America is not making very rapid
progress i'll its film invasion Of Ger
many. A New York firm has pur-
. chased the new Scala theater in Ber=
lin. which has seating capacity OF
5000 and which they plan to make
the most beautiful movie house in
Europe. The program calls tor
opening with Americas favorite
s.ars, such as Doug and Mary and
Charlie, in the month of January.
The German government granted
an important license for 10000 feet
OF finn German grain merchants and
packing houses, who are anxious to
import foods and who have not been
able to secure a government license,
immediately raised howl which was
heard over all Germany. They de-
mand an investigation of the film IL
cense and call on popular sympathy
to prevent what they name the inl-
portation Of luxurtes, while Germany
is hungering and not permitted ito
buy food.