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The Producer’s Representative:
The Producer’s Representative:

An Overlooked Player in Film Distribution.
An Overlooked Player in Film Distribution.

By Peter Broome

After World War II many smaller - A relatively late arrival to this
and even large - film companies had scene was Noel Crickett (known to all
neither the resources nor wish to as Jiminy (for obvious reasons), taking
establish their own distribution office in care of Associated British interests. An
far-flung Australia. So, recognising the Englishman of enthusiasm for his
importance of our market, the next best product, and great charm, Noel soon
thing was to negotiate with an became a favourite with the Fox sales
established distributor to to act on their force because of his hospitable
behalf. propensity.
Twentieth Century-Fox Australia Eagle Lion came to Fox, and local
was usually the distributor of choice. exhibition identity Bob Pivott was
The skills displayed - the Technicolor
Managing Director Sid Albright appointed to represent the company.
palette simulating the colourings in the
enjoyed an international profile and His wife Nessie (he was her second
paintings of Toulouse Lautrec and two
was prominent in Australia’s political husband) lived in a mansion in Wattle
Academy Awards - deserved the unusual
and social scene. Should one desire to Street, Killara, to which I was often
release given in Melbourne: it opened
meet the Governor-General, a State invited, and Nessie owned the Sesqui
simultaneously at Hoyts Plaza and
Premier, Police Commissioner or some Theatre, Crows Nest where Bob had
Capitol on 17 September 1953 and in
other notable, Sid was the man to been manager. I also spent many after
four suburban theatres.
arrange it. These personal attributes work hours with Bob at Tatts Club, and
were responsible, I believe, for Fox’s the back bar at Aarons Hotel, (where
pre-eminence in securing ‘outside’ Alan’s assistant was a young ex- air the Hilton is today) where one had to
distribution deals. force officer, Victor Green, who was be ‘known’ to gain admission. After
If the deal did go to Fox, the then promptly appointed to represent Nessie passed on, Bob retired to the
overseas producer then appointed a Republic Pictures when Sid Albright Bahamas and contact was lost.
‘Representative’ who was given a suite acquired the deal. After serving the As a head-office executive at Fox it
of offices in the Fox Brisbane Street, head of Republic Herbert J. Yates well, fell to me to liaise with these
Sydney, building. His role there was to Vic was appointed Republic's representatives, keep them happy, and
see that advertising budgets were well Managing Director for Britain, Europe re-assure them that their product was
spent, films given appropriate release and Africa. Soon after he received a being treated on equal terms with our
dates and cinemas in key centres, at phone call from Yates informing him own. These men had loads of time on
terms not less than those secured for the company had been sold and Vic no their hands and their expense accounts
the Fox in-house product. longer had a job. He joined Nestle, did were lavish! It was my time well spent.
These men worked with the Fox a training course in Switzerland and Imagine the impact on Fox’s
salesmen and bookers to ensure their returned to Australia as Managing financial success with box-office
objectives. They were generous with Director for a Nestle affiliate. spectaculars such as The Sands Of Iwo
their hospitality, particularly during the After a time Vic resigned, yearning Jima (1949), The Quiet Man (1952) -
annual Sales Convention when all for the old business. He secured the both Republic; The African Queen
Australian Branch Managers and rights to publish and distribute the (1951), Moulin Rouge (1952) - both
salesmen gathered in Sydney to learn the lavish programs on sale in theatres, Romulus Films and The Life And Death
bad news of last year, the good news for commencing with My Fair Lady and Of Colonel Blimp (1943), Stairway To
next year - and the need to do better! The Sound Of Music. Heaven (1946) The Red Shoes (1948)
When I started at Fox in 1948, the Vic never lost his interest in film for J. Arthur Rank.
most famous rep. of all was Alan distribution and for a time represented It was my privilege to be associated
Williamson, the Australian boss for Sun Classics. I provided him with with these productions and their
Gaumont British Dominions Films, and office space in my Sydney TV representatives. ★
J. Arthur Rank’s personal representative. premises. Vic lived in the ‘dress circle’
Alan’s tour of duty was long, and he Sydney address of Burns Road, Peter Broome retired in 1990 as
was renowned in Sydney circles for his Wahroonga where I was a frequent Vice-President, Australia and the Far
philanthropy, especially to causes guest. He gave credit for his East, of Twentieth Century-Fox
involving disadvantaged youth. A considerable success in real estate to International, the first Australian to
gentleman and an ornament to film his wife Cecily. Vic remained my firm hold that position. His story, Memoirs
distribution, he retired when Rank friend until his death. We lunched often of a Film Distributor was serialised in
deserted Fox for British Empire Films. in Sydney, at the Greengate Hotel, issues 51 - 56.
Killara, and the Roseville RSL Club.

20 2008 CINEMARECORD