The New York herald., 1921-04-17
NICE TO Be RIVAL
OF LOS ANGELES
AS FILM CENTRE
French Producers, Headed
by Rene Navarro, to
Build a Movie City.
U. S. FEATURES ADOPTED
Eighty Per Cent. Of Screen
Plays Seen in France Now
Are American Made.

sssetoy ccbIe 10 rEE NEW York HsxALD.
Copyright, 1871. bv TRE EYw YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, April l6.
The prestige Of Los Angeles as the
worlds greatest Aim centre win be
considerably dimmed If the French
cinema producers carry out their plan
Of creating their own Angel City just
outside Nice, where climatic condi-
tions, natural scenery and sn abun-
dance OF labor and material favor the
project.
The guiding genius OF tho now
French cinema enterprise Is Reno Ma
varre, we'll known as the hero In
scores Of French motion pictures. But
to-day his attention is entirely taken
up with the actual business manage
ment, which will necessitate frequent
trips to the United States to get points
on just what American producers are
doing. He is ready to spend millions
to make the French film mart known
the world over and the success of the
first pictures turned out seems to war
rant the promoters In taking this op-
timistic view.
NJ. Navarro spent two years studying
conditions all over France before he ac-
cepted the Nice site. He then decided
to adopt the most extreme American sys-
tenn. He insisted that every foot Of
scenery to be used and every garment
worn by the film actors must be pro-
duced there. AS a result there are now
more than 1000 carpenters, blacksmiths,
II
in the cinema city, while workshops and
studios, all along tho latest lines, are go
ing up at rate of one each month.
Chief Studio 500 Feet Long.
Tho chief studio Will be 500 feet long
with supplemental studios equipped with
terraces for outside views, for NJ. Ma
varre intends to make French Riviera
scenery with its roses. orange trees and
palms as well known as the Los Angeles
lanes show where cowboys, more or less
authentic juggle speed records with the
aid Of decrepit cab horses.
Herein is another phase OF NJ. Ma
varre's scheme. lie intends working for
speed in his productions, but will insist
that the story must be interesting
enough to carry itself without resorting
to artificial stimulation. Plots deep and
mysterious will be tho slogan OF the
French film writer's hereafter.
However, there will probably be more
than a little plagiarism. as the French
public is used TO seeing the Wild Western
scenes and II is doubtful whether still
life plottings, oven IL stressed BY French
beauties like Renee Prim, who is one
OF Navarre's finds, will ever get the
sympathy OF producers here.
Behind the creation OF French Los
Angeles lies a real economic necessity.
Even before the war American films
controlled tho French market although
there was some competition from Ger
many and Italy. To-day Italy has re-
gained soms of her lost ground Ger
many's films are practically taboo, while
the United States producers cannot get
in their films fast enough TO suit the
theatre owners. More than so per cent
Of the films used here are American.
native Films Arc Few.
French studios. although pushing their
stsffs 10 tho limit, are unable to supply
more than eight per cent. OF the French
requirements. with the result that French
productions arc virtually unknown out
side Paris. With NavaTres producing
centre extended to the limits he wants
Frances ilim output will increase to 25
per cent. OF Frances needs and will
make France Americas closest COM
petitor. although II Is not likely that
there will be much left for expectation
for many years.
The greatest trouble IL IN finding act
resscs suitable TO the film. Not that
there is any lack Of photogenic beau
ties here, but that there arc too many
withou, any real capacity TO act for the
films Even the beauty OF Agnes Souret
is not sufficient TO compensate for hcr
technical failure in q recent film and
managers are almost in despair. dcclar-
ing that they must open a new academy
wherein candidates for the screen must
spend at least two or three years In hard
work before being allowed to face the
camera. Then they can enter Navarre's
Riviera studios, whero three companies
arc already turning out pictures. includ-
ing the Famous Players-Lasky, with a
certainty OF getting as wide a reputation
as Mary PiclSford or any other American
star.