$9)

Vol. 10, No. 5

NFB Calls Back Balkan Short

“Balkan Powder Keg,” a Na- tional Film Board short in the “World in Action” series, distrib- uted internationally by United Artists, has been withdrawn after its initial playdate at the Up- town, Toronto.

The two-reeler was erased from

(Continued on Page 2)

VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE

TORONTO, JANUARY 31, 1945

Toronto Meeting Lays Plans For Organizing Opposition

Ontario exhibitors from many communities met in the Victoria. Theatre, Toronto, last Wednesday afternoon to determine a course of action in case it is revealed that it is the government’s intention to cause a collection of a 5 : 10 per cent tax on all who Kirby Burns, Fireman, wish to purchase admission

Back From Overseas tickets to motion picture

theatres. Kirby Burns, formerly of The meeting decided to appoint Famous Players, is back after

(Continued on Page 8)

INDUSTRY

$2.00 Per Annum

Exhibs Fight ‘Nuisance Tax’

M. S. Ferris Buys Alcan 16 Mm. Circ

Nipigon, Red Bank and Schrei- ber, Ontario, 16 mm. situations, have been acquired from Premier Operating by Ferris Theatres Limited for a reported price of $4,000. S. M. Ferris, president of the company which bears his name, negotiated the purchase.

(Continued on Page 2)

more than two years of fight- ing fires in Britain. Kirby, a volunteer fireman in Streets- ville, went into that branch of the service when the navy turned him down after a low medical category.

He and his dad, Paramount’s popular Hugh Burns, around saying hello the other afternoon.

Ask him enough questions about what he’s seen and the answers will make your hair stand up.

Sunday Shows Target in Que.

Stricter enforcement of Sunday entertainment in Quebec may be made in the future if the pres- ent controversy continues.

The Quebec Government issued an order recently cancelling Sun- day stage performances and Mon- treal amusements were affected.

(Continued on Page 8)

Zukor Thanks FPCC 25-Year Veterans

Adolph Zukor, founder of Famous Players, chairman of its present board of directors and a distinguished and historic personage in the motion picture industry, delivered a personal and heart-warming acknowledgement of their services to charter members of Famous Players Canadian Corporation’s 25-Year Club at their first dinner held in the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, last week. He was introduced by J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of the Canadian wing of Famous Play- ers, who stated that Mr. Zukor’s determination to bring to the screen the quality of entertain- ment the public was entitled to

Cohen Succeeded By Babe Coval

When Babe Coval left the Montreal branch management of Warners to take charge of Trini- dad, he replaced Lester Cohen, who had been transferred to Panama.

were .

THE INDUSTRY STAND

The special meeting of Ontario exhibitors was called at the urgent request of many who live in small Ontario communities. These members had been inspir- ed to request a general meeting because rumors of imposition of the amusement tax had alarmed their fellow-citizens and attracted, vigorous expressions of opposition.

The exhibitor of motion pictures in Ontario is well aware of the public's dislike of this type of tax, referred to usually as a “nuisance tax,” no matter under what guise, and sympathizes with it because films, being the cheapest and most popular form of en ertainment, draw their main patronage from those who earn ordi- nary salaries. It is they who can least afford an in- crease in the price of admission to their favorite theatres and it is they who will be forced to pay it. Trade union organizations have already made known their disapproval of this rumored measure.

The chief purpose of the meeting was to give leadership to such public opinion as is opposed to the return of the amusement tax in Ontario in the con- sidered belief that such opinion expresses the will of the people.

We feel that it is our duty to use our own medium to make known our position and that of the public, as well as to provide facilities through which those who do not speak through organized groups may join in the opposition.

A summary of organized and unorganized opinion will do much to enlighten the Ontario Government

had placed that medium in com- petition with the stage and changed the character of films. “Tonight I feel a rebirth,” Mr, (Continued on Page 8)

WL GL

Levey’'s Big Plans

Jules Levey will spend $2,300,- 000 for two pictures if he can get studio space. UA will distribute if and when pix are finished.

If ev

Sip pig Le

er a

picture completely’ vindicated Itself as a story of the

ae Gentle Sex -_war-winning gentle sex and as boxoffice entertainment — this is — BE I tei ae Piha it, It’s EMPIRE-UNIVERSAL. Book this boxoffice booster.now!

as to the wishes of those it represents. —N. A. Taylor, president, Motion Picture . Theatres Association of Ontario.

Page 2

Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada.

Vol. 10, No. 5

Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario,

Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter.

Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

NFB Withdrawal

Celluloid has explosive qualities in more ways than one. The National Film Board has been forced to withdraw “Bal- kan Powder Keg” from circulation because it did not meet the views of some.

Perhaps that was the best thing to do. But if it was a question of peace at any price on the part of the NFB, the withdrawal of the short — or any short — is to be regretted. It is almost impossible for a medium of public communica- tion to go along in a Democracy without being occasionally accused of either the sin of commission or omission. No newspaper has that experience and it isn’t likely that the National Film Board will.

This applies particularly to the Balkan situation, which is so touchy at this time that it is impossible to report it without drawing disagreement from one or more of the minorities with divergent points of view. Even Prime Minister Churchill added confusion to the situation by describing the ELAS as “Trotskyites,” political dissenters opposed to the Soviet regime.

This periodical demanded the withdrawal from the screen of the NFB’s “Gates of Italy” in 1943 because that subject, made hastily, erred on the side of ommission in that it did not explain the nature of Fascism or go after it hard enough. We felt that most enlightened opinion would be opposed to it, since the main concern of the country was the war against Fascism. There is a much greater division of opinion about “Balkan Powder Keg,” thus less reason for pulling it out.

Periodic disagreement with National Film Board shorts, rather than be deplored, should be regarded in proper light. It is proof that the Board is not a namby-pamby outfit that compromises its duty of presenting facts as it sees them in order to avoid stirring opposition.

The National Film Board must have force and conviction to retain its reputation as a virile, honest medium.

bd % %

The Film and Trade

Perhaps the answer to J. Arthur Rank’s sweeping action on the film fronts of the world is to be found in the recent statement of Lord Woolton, Minister of Reconstruction.

Lord Woolton stated recently that Britain was ready to increase its appropriation for backing export trade from $337,500,000 to almost three times that.

“The world abroad,” said Lord Woolton, “is also hungry for our products and we must not tempt customers overseas to find other sources of supply.”

Let us remember John Grierson’s estimate that a foot of film equals a dollar in trade and the recent statement of Tom Connors, in charge of distribution for Fox, that foreign films must be given more screen time on this side so that Hollywood films can get screen time in other lands, Repre- sentation on foreign screens, he said, was tied up with the export of goods made in United States and Canada.

Apparently both the USA and Britain recognize the relationship of films to export trade. American films followed American troops into Italy while the British fumed and com- plained that commercial attaches went in in uniform. Not long after British films moved into France quickly while Rank bought theatres in that country, and the Americans

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

Jan. $1, 1945 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor

Exhibs Plan to Join Tax Fight

(Continued from Page 1)

a committee to take charge of a campaign of opposition — if such a campaign becomes necessary. The first duty of this committee will be to appoint a representa- tive delegation of exhibitors to call on the cabinet for the purpose of receiving information and pre- senting the views of the trade.

Mayor F. O. Graham of Kings- ville, one of the speakers intro- duced by Chairman N. A. Taylor, said that a reduction in the edu- cational tax would benefit owners of large property holdings. Mak- ing up this depleted revenue through a theatre tax was, in effect, transferring the’ burden to those in the smallest income brackets.

J. J. Fitzgibbons made known the fact that the CCF and the Liberals, from all indications, would be opposed to the tax. The purpose of the meeting was to make preparations that may or may not be of use. Enquiries by mail as to the intentions of the government were not answered.

Representatives of both On- tario exhibitor associations were

.on the platform and any future

action will be shared by all ex- hibitors, whether or not they be- long to an association. Distribu- tors will also join in the activity and share the cost.

Kent to Britain

Larry Kent of 20th-Fox is now in Britain as the company’s rep- resentative with Gaumont-British, in which Fox holds minority stock. J. Arthur Rank holds the

Warner Profits Off, Competition to Grow

Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., reports net profit of $6,953,462 for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, or $1.87 a common share, com- pared with $8,238,483, or $2.12 a common share, for the preceding year.

“Business in the British Isles during the past year has been the largest in its history, owing in part to the presence of a large number of American soldiers,” says the report.

“There are indications that fol- lowing the war the American mo- tion picture industry will face in- creased English competition, not only in the British Isles, but in the world market.”

January 31, 1945

M. S. Ferris Buys Alcan 16 Mm. Circ

(Continued from Page 1)

Ferris Theatres has been quiet- ly exploring and developing the 16 mm. field in Ontario, Mr. Fer- ris having realized its potentiali- ties some years ago.

A situation was established in Heron Bay recently and the com- pany contemplates opening regu- lar showings in Rossport and Cartier. It acquired the situation in White River recently.

Since Ferris Theatres has been active in MacTier for a long time, it now provides 16 mm. shows in every divisional point along the CPR line between To- ronto and Port Arthur in which there is no 35 mm. house.

The 16 mm. exhibition field has grown tremendously in Canada in the Jast few years. This has come about so quietly that neither the 16 mm. distributors association nor the theatre inspection branch of Ontario has a list of those places which have become perma- nent situations and are adver- tised as ‘‘theatres.”

Removal of authority over pub- lic halls from the theatre inspec- tion branch after the recent Ham- ilton fire has placed the exhibi- tion of 16 mm. reels in the hands of local officials.

Mono's Spanish Lady

First of six Monogram Span- ish-dubbed films, “Lady, Let’s Dance,” has been booked for opening at Mexico City’s Alam- eda Theatre.

VOCALITE SCREENS

I'ive times more sound permeability.

One-third more light.

Vocalite Sound Screen is the

result of a series of intensive

and costly experiments which

have resulted in the produc-

tion of the finest sound screen

made. Flexible plastic coated, ' flameproof.

PERIGINS

COMPANY LIMITED

@&7 VicToRiA tTREST 2027 etEURY STReP - TORONTO MONTREAL

charged that plane priorities had gone to British commercial

representatives. It can be seen from all t

his that J. Arthur Rank holds a

high place in the esteem of the British Gove

: K mment.

is no doubt that his success will be of eOnaidea Es haa putting Britain on her economic feet after the war,

THE PICK OF | THE PICTURES

« VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTUPE

‘MOUSTRY

REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS

Vol. 10, No. 5

REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY, NEW YORK

$2.00 Per Annum

And Now Tomorrow

with Alan Ladd, Loretta Young, Susan Hayward

85 Mins.

TEAR-INCITING FILM IS WORTHY DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT OF SPECIAL APPEAL TO WOMEN.

The Rachel Field novel has been turned into a satisfactory

screen drama under the capable guidance of Associate Producer Fred Kohlmar. The picture is one that will appeal strongly to the femmes, from whom it should elicit tears in generous quantity.

Paramount

“And Now Tomorrow” is the moving story of the daughter of a wealthy family cursed by a deafness that threatens to ruin her romantic happiness. To her rescue comes a young doctor from the other side of the tracks. In curing her he falls in love with her. The hitch is that the girl is engaged to be married to one of her own set. The problem is solv- ed when the patient discovers her fiance and sister are carrying on a romance. It’s the old story told in interesting terms.

The acting is first-rate. Alan Ladd and Loretta Young play doctor and patient. The fiance and the sister are enacted by Barry Sullivan and Susan Hayward.

CAST: \Alan Ladd, Loretta Young Su- san Hayward, Barry Sullivan, Beulah Bondi, Cecil Kellaway, Grant Mitchell, Helen Mack, Darryl] Hickman, Anthony L. Caruso, Jonathan Hale, Conrad Binyon, Connie Leon, George M. Carleton, Leo Bulgakov.

CREDITS: Associate Producer, Fred Kohlmar; Director, Irving Pichel; Screen- play, Frank Partos, Raymond Chandler; Based on novel by Rachel Field; Musical Score, Victor Young; Cameraman, Daniel L. Fapp;. Art Directors, Hans Dreier, Hal Pereira; Special Effects, Farciot Edouart; Film Editor, Duncan Mansfield; Sound, Ear] Hayman, Joel Moss; Set Decorator, Ted von Hemert,

DIRECTION, Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, “Good.

John T. Fiddes Dies After Long Illness

John T. Fiddes, theatre man- ager and singer, died recently in the Winnipeg General hospital, at the age of 65. He had been in poor health for four years. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he came to Canada as a boy. After living in Toronto for some years, he came to Winnipeg in 1910 as a singer for the Allan theatres, ap- pearing at the old Monarch the- atre on Fortage Avenue. In 1921 he became manager of the Cap- itol theatre and was later man- ager of the Starland, Lyceum and College theatres,

Dark Waters

with Merle Oberon, Franchot Tone UA 90 Mins.

CAPITALLY PRODUCED MELO- DRAMA IS DEPRESSING ENTER- TAINMENT EXCELLENTLY ACTED.

‘Dark Waters,” Benedict Bo- geaus production, rates notice on the strength of the tenseness with which it has been told, the excellence of its atmospheric treatment and the high quality of

the acting. The film’s prime han- dicap is that it is depressing. The story, which doesn’t rate the fine handling it has been given, moves at a deliberate pace under the taut direction of Andre De Toth, who worked from a Joan Harrison - Marian Cockrell screenplay derived from the Sat- urday Evening Post yarn by the Jatter and Frank Cockrell.

The yarn, laid in the bayou country of Louisiana, weaves a tale of black vilaliny in which a trio of scoundrels headed by Thomas Mitchell plots to get pos- sesison of a plantation that hbe- longed to the uncle and aunt of Merle Oberon, who has gone there to recover from the shock of a torpedoing. Two of the vil- lains pose as the real uncle and aunt, who actually have been murdered. When Mitchell at- tempts to get Miss Oberon out of the way, Franchot Tone, her doc- tor-sweetheart, comes to her rescue.

CAST: Merle Oberon, Franchot Tone, Thomas Mitchell, Fay Bainter, John Qualen, Elisha Cook, Jr., Rex Ingram, Odette Myrtil, Eugene Borden, Eileen Coghlan, Nina May McKinney, Alan Napier, Rita Beery.

CREDITS: Producer, Benedict Bogeaus; Executive Producer, James Nasser; Direc- tor, Andre De Toth; Screenplay, Joan Harrison, Marian Cockrell; Based on story by Frank and Marian Cockrell; Camera- men, Archie Stout, John Mescall; Art Director, Charles Odds; Musical Score, Dr. Miklos Rosza; Set Decorator, Maurice Yates, Dance Director, Jack Crosby; Sound, Frank Webster; Film Editor, James Smith,

DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, ood.

Bhs ke Se ee “TEST FILM. 10,000 cycles 35 mm., with easy instructions, so that you can focus your Sound Lens in absolute precision and secure clear sound and the Maximum from your sound System. Just what many theatre own- ers have longed for! Bar- gain $6.60.”

aoa ooo

Together Again

with Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer and Charles Coburn

Columbia 93 Mins.

THOROUGHLY DELIGHTFUL, LAUGH - PROVOKING COMEDY IS BOUND TO SCORE HEAVILY.

Here is one of the most thor- oughly delightful, laughter-pro- voking comedies filmed in many moons. It has sparkling perform- ances by Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer and Charles Coburn, while newcomers Mona Freeman and Jerome Courtland, are two of the most promising youngsters seen in some time.

Charles Vidor has done a grand job of directing and many kudos are due Producer Virginia Van Upp, who also wrote the screen- play in collaboration with F. Hugh Herbert. The original story is by Stanley Russell and Harold Biberman.

Irene Dunne plays a young widow, who is mayor of Brook- haven, Vt. Her father, Charles Coburn, is anxious for her to marry again and is happy when she meets Charles Boyer, a New York sculptor. Boyer comes to Brookhaven to repair the civic statue of Irene’s deceased hus- band and falls in love with Irene. There are many amusing compli- cations before Boyer finally wins Irene.

CAST: Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer, Charles Coburn, Mona Freeman, Jerome Courtland, Elizabeth Patterson, Charles

Dingle, Walter Baldwin, Fern Emmett, Frank Puglia.

CREDITS: Producer, Virginia Van Upp; Director, Charles Vidor; Authors, Stanley Russell and Herbert Biberman; Screenplay, Virginia Van Upp and F. Hugh Herbert; Cameraman, Joseph Walk- er; Editor, Otto Meyer; Art Director, Stephen Goosson and Van Nest Polglase; Musical Score by Werner R. Heymann; Musical Director, M. W. Stoloff.

DIRECTION, Excellent. PHOTOGRA- PHY, Very good.

Budd's Centre

Peter Budd has acquired the Centre, Toronto, from Phillip Sandler. He was formerly man- ager of a number of theatres.

AVE 20% OR MORE OF YOUR MONEY

COMLETE THAIN: SULLILS

® SPEAKUGS FOR 2 EYES: VSO ASIBEMAR OS eee att ANAC RACES UE 8

DOMINION THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO 897 DAVE ST VANCOUVER BC

Reckless Age

with Gloria Jean, Henry Stephenson, Judy Clark

Universal 63 Mins.

ANOTHER TREATMENT OF AN OLD STORY, SET WITH GOOD EN- TERTAINMENT TO LURE FAMILY TRADE.

“Reckless Age’ is hardly an appropriate title for this one. “Miraculous Age’’ would be more in keeping with the situations.

It’s the old story of the poor little rich girl who runs away from home to make her own place in society without the aid of her family name. In this case Gloria takes a job as salesgirl in one of her grandfather’s chain stores. Suspected of being a “spotter” for the company, An- drew Tombes and Franklin Pang- born follow her ideas and sugges-

. tions to increase sales.

of her permits

Grandpa gets a clue whereabouts and finally her to lead her own life.

Harold Nicholas, one of the famed dancing brothers, tops all the entertainment with his vocal and dance arrangement of ‘Mama Eu Quiero.”’

Supporting Gloria, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Judy Clark, and Jack Gilford, supply the other musical bits to fill the bill.

CAST: Gloria Jean, Henry Stephenson, Kathleen Howard, Franklin Pangborn, Andrew ‘Tombes, Marshal Thompson, Jane Darwell, Lloyd Corrigan, Judy Clark, Jack Gilford, Chester Clute, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Harold Nicholas.

CREDITS: Produced and Directed by Felix E. Feist; Story, Al Martin; Camera- man, Jerome Ash; Musical Director, Sam Freed, Art Directors, John B. Goodman and Harold H. MacArthur; Sound, Ber- nard B. Brown; Set Decorator, Russel A. Gausman; Film Editor, Ray Curtiss; Gowns, Vera West.

DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fair.

Ress is President Of B&F Manager

The B&F Managers’ Associa- tion met recently and held its election of officers for 1945. Lou Ross, Lansdowne, was elected President; Ted Smith, York, Sec- retary; Leo Bloom, Century, Treasurer. Directors—Art Grover, Carlton; Ron Hall, Gerrard; and Jack Hutt, LaPlaza. Tom Mater- field, Eastwood, will handle pub- licity.

Tom Waterfield, retiring pres- ident, thanked the boys for their support during 1944 and wished the new president good luck for his term of office.

It was decided to hold a lun- cheon meeting on the first Wed- nesday of every month at 11 a.m.

THA led

RKO's "The Master Race’ Is Tough and Timely

DWARD A. GOLDEN’S “The Master

Race” is a powerful picture that is a natural successor to “Hitler’s Chil- dren,” also a Golden production. It is timely and exciting.

Main idea of the film is the Nazi plan to go underground in case of defeat in order to keep their political faith alive. They plan to fight again and next time conquer.

- The film is frankly melodramatic, hav- ing its share of out-and-out heroes and heels.

A large and interesting cast makes an excellent motion picture of it. The Nazi idea is presented through that fine actor, George Coulouris as Colonel von Beck, who gets his just deserts in the end. Democracy is represented by Stanley Ridges as Major Phil Carson. Other pop- ular players in the cast are Osa Massen, Carl Esmond, Helen Beverly, Morris Carnovsky, Paul Guilfoyle and Gavin Muir.

January $1, 1945

Sure Did

Dale Shulman, chief of staff of the Eglinton, was at the Famous

Players banquet and she sure-

looked purty in her bright uni- form as she assisted in the dis- tribution of the prizes.

Travelling Man

Harold Hitchinson, who retired voluntarily last year from the management staff of FPCC, has served in 24 houses during his time with the company.

Roll ‘Em

Busiest bunch at the charter members’ dinner of the 25-Year-

Club was the Associated Screen .

News gang, operating under the watchful eye of Frank O’Byrne and the direction of Jack Chis- holm. Earl Clark was at the camera, Fred Gavin handled the lighting, Bill Duncan, sound and Dorothy Dunn script. Art Knowl- ton was there too.

Favors

Wives of the members of the 25-Year Club were presented beautiful silver compacts adorned with the club crest.

Charlie

Good old Charlie Dentlebeck was a popular figure at the party. He joined Famous Players after resigning as chief inspector of theatres for Ontario. Charlie and fourteen more of those present are projectionists.

Hand Across the Lotion

“Will you have some rum?” a host asked ons of his guests.

“Demerari” was the reply “or Bay?”

Making the Moist of Each Day

After 20 years in Welland Tom Forhan has been transferred to the Strand, Hamilton, and his de- parture was marked by a grand article by T. N. Morrison in the Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune.

Here is an interesting anecdote as told by Forhan to Morrison: Once, while backstage at the Princess

theatre in Toronto with his trother on an errand, a stagehand pointed to a handsome actor entcring a dressing room. “That's John Barrymore,” the stagehand whispered. Barrymore was out of his room again in a jiffy and walked straight to George Foran. ‘‘My good man,” the actor said, “just at the moment I appear to be a trifle short of coin of the realm, and it seems that I can’t procure a bottle of your excellent spirits unless I hand over a dollar and a half. Could you advance me that amount as a Joan.”

George did better, He went out and kought the whisky. The account for $1.50 is not being pressed against the Barry~ more estate.

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

sonThes quare

with Aye Fad

Apt Paraphrase

Some Squareheads were sitting over afternoon coffee the other day and as usual were busy counting the other fellow’s money. The fellow who was being added up was not only envied, he was despised.

“He who steals his good name steals trash,” said one. ‘But he who steals his purse — oh boy!”

Notes on R. Young

Judging by Roly Young’s printed attitude toward those al- leged pulchritudinous peelers at the Cas’no, he is asking ‘Is This Strip Necessary?”

That isn’t Roly’s only adverse stance, according to the lady who called Frank Chamberlain, radio columnist, to find out why Charles Boyer was “looking so old.” Frank suggested that Boyer was in Roly’s department and that she’d better phone him.

“Phone Roly?” she said. “TI wouldn’t call him. Roly hates all good-looking men.”

Stop, Thief

Will whoever is stealing Ben Cronk’s copy of this periodical please stop?

Ain‘t It: the Truth?

Some filmites were talking in hushed whispers about the Mo- mentous Changes, Big Deals and Titanic Battles that are rumored right now. One conversationalist sneered a little at the others and told the story about the local fel- low who was helping row Wash- ington across the Delaware.

“How is it going?” the rower asked.

“What do you care?” Wash- ington retorted. ‘You'll still be rowing the boat when it's all over!”

(P.S.—I don’t believe the anec- dote but it makes a point.)

Overheard

‘He had the floor all night.” “Speechmaking ?”’ “No, drunk.”

To a Friend

“King David and King Soloman Led merry, merry lives,

With many, many lady friends And many, many wives;

But when old age crept over them With many, many qualms, King Soloman wrote the Proverbs And King David wrote the

Psalms.” A —Naylor

New Title

Sgt. Art Arthur, former To- rontonian and a screen writer until he enlisted in the USArmy, is Sergeant in Charge of Athletics and Recreation for his section. He sees that tho lads don’t run out of medicine balls and phonograph records.

“My alternate title,” he writes, “is Sergeant in Charge of Rupture and Rapture.”

The Editorial Warrior

“I am a timid, humble soul. I have no heart for fighting. I have no bent for argument, except it be in writing.

“I don’t engage in wordy quar- rels or shine at public brawling; all that is rot, for I am not a pugilist by calling.

“But when the battle’s waged with type, I know no such re- striction; I wield the stick of rhetoric, and break their heads with diction.

“I lay men low with adjectives and phrases smooth as satin, and if they still show fight I kill them off with shots of Latin.

“The stoutest adversary falls into a dying spasm, and breathes his last when soundly gassed with logic and sarcasm.

“With adverbs keen I gouge out eyes. I’ve made a hundred cripples of men who've found I hold my ground when armed with participles.

“There may be bolder men than I, and more blood thirsty fighters, but I’m a tough egg, sure enmigh, when the weapons are type- writers.”

—Weld Ccunty News, Greeley, Col.

Wheeze Guy

Bob Croax, the neighborhood wit, had occasion to introduce Guy Upjohn, RKO booker, to the young lady on the next stool in the Harmony Grill.

“This is Guy,” he said.

“Guy who?” was the query.

“Just 2 Joe named Guy,” he answered.

Remember Him?

Lou Guimond, who used to be with United Artists in Toronto, now lives in Alexandra, near Washington, and is in charge of motion picture activities for the American Red Cross,

All The News of The Film World

> = - > a z ~ = 2 = uv a z ° ° = z < o < z <a v © aa

VOICE of

Covering Canada's Film

Front

GETS —TEMELIE

SBM nae coe ati pase Slade

an sh eee p

Be Ronee gee aameee ena Seley

ROURES

W/ wv EDWARD A. GOLDEN Wiehe TONE = Sm eS 08 PAU I Oe fh CARNOVSKY * GAVIN MUIR * PAUL GUILFOYL

aa by ROBERT GOLDEN Directed by HERBERT J. BIBERMAN _ Screen Play by Herbert J. Biberman, -Anne Froelick and Rowland Leigh

3 ENG 4 ; 42 j ss y 2 . ‘2 xk 5 4 «jie sees Mpa AH sf bay , hb bE; TH» ey a) pits Ss eS eats “nd 4 ry iy ve ° a Pi

ry te Hie <y7t

l ODAY —ten times more so than the few weeks ago when it first thundered its shock drama to the first-run screens of America — “THE -MASTER RACE” becomes increasingly the “must-see” attraction for every follower of the headlines! ... Here is the daring picture whose sensational and thrilling theme continues to inspire an endless flood of newspaper editorials, magazine articles and radio comment on “What shall we do with the Germans after the war?” .. . Here is the picture whose stature as important entertainment grows and grows with every showing — with each new showing adding more praise to the parade of comment which already has included reviews like: ““ENGROSSING...SHOULD BE SEEN!” Washington Times-Herald; “TIMELY AND POWERFUL!” Cleveland Plain Dealer; “UNUSUALLY WELL-MADE PICTURE!” Time Magazine; ““A VITALLY IMPORTANT THEME!” Cue; “EVERYONE SHOULD SEE IT!” St. Paul Dispatch; “STRONG... TIMELY... EXCITING!” Charm; “VALID AND MOVING!” Red Book; “FLASHES WITH EXCITING VIGOR!” Dallas News; ‘““GENERATES TERRIFIC TENSION!” Chicago Daily News. And WALTER WINCHELL devotes an entire column to the brutal breed this picture so vividly portrays!

It’s front-page hot and super-exploitable, so get your copy of the Pressbook NOW and GO TO TOWN!

Page 8

Sunday Shows Target in Que.

(Continued from Page 1)

Night club floor shows have been dropped and the license of one burlesque house was cancelled when it did not comply with the order. City authorities were forced to stop renting market halls for Sunday afternoon and evening entertainments.

The Montreal City Council de- voted considerable time to a dis- cussion of the order and a num- ber of members went on record as being opposed to it.

“TJ am in favor of enforcing the law as much as anyone else, but I think it is a foolish law, and obsolete,” said Councillor Emile Dubreuil. “It was adopted before moving pictures existed and takes no cognizance of them. But there must not be different applications of the law for two different classes of people. If Sunday amusements are banned, then ban them all, including theatres, pro- fessional concerts, Sunday bingos, every single one of them. If you can’t close them all, you have no right to close any of them.”

Authority for the action of the Duplessis Government is contain- ed in the Lord’s Day Act, a fed- eral Jaw, and the Revised Statutes of Quebec, 1925. It is recognized that the Government did not in- tend the order to apply to motion picture theatres.

The original act was written before motion pictures became popular and made no mention of them. Because of this Sunday performances have been permit- ted in Quebec.

Press Asks More UK Films Here

Ever since news of the deal between Odeon of Canada and Odeon of Britain requests for more playing time for British films have been cropping up on the editorial pages of Canadian newspapers, with occasional let- ters to the editor in support of such sentiment.

The Ottawa Evening Citizen, referring to the partnership, said in an editorial:

Movie-gocrs will watch with interest the results of the move. Just now, the handling cf British films in Canada is far from satisfactory. Today it is seldom thst movies from Londcn are shown in Ottawa except as fillers on double pro- crams, and frequently they come and go without being noticed. In the case of o’hers, such films, say, as ‘Thunder Rock’”’ and “This Happy Breed’ are never keard of fcr months after they have been praised in the London newspapers, Eyen so, they are presented with trepidation and hesitant publicity.

The official statement of the

Pau] L, Nathanson and J. Arthur

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

January 31, 1945

Zukor Thanks FPCC NFB Calls Back 25-Year Veterans

(Continued from Page 1)

Zukor told members, guests and their wives. “All the men and women here have gone along with me from the very beginning. My wishes, my dreams, my hopes —my success came through their help.”

Famous Players was a success from the start, he said, and Canada was had an important connection with that fact. “It was our good fortune to get Mary Pickford in the early days.” The

ADOLPH ZUKOR

Chairman of the board of di- rectors of Paramount Pictures,

._ who visited Toronto to attend

the first annual banquet of the Famous Players’ 25-Year Club.

Rank deal, as issued for British consumption, contained the fol- lowing:

The transaction may ke regarded as a further step in Mr. Rank’s plans to form associ.tions throughout the world which will make possible an assured market fcr films produced in British studiss and thus make the export of films profitable to the industry and a real na- tional asset.

British films have always been well reccived in Canada and they have found their best outlet through the theatres controlled by the Odeon ccmpany.

The new association will, it is hoped, result in the expansion of the Odeon circuit in Canada and make more playing- time available to British films, whether or not they are made by producers asso- cicted by Mr. Rank’s group.

Mr. Rank has given an undertaking to the President of the Board of Trade that he will do everything in his .power to obtain distribution on the Odeon circuit in Canada of any British films. Quality and suitability will be the only test.

Rank recently bought the Den- ham laboratories from Sir Alex- ander Korda. He is also closing a deal through which Eagle-Lion will acquire Ealing product for

distribution.

Toronto-born star, against the advice of her friends, joined Zukor as his first leading lady, believing with him in the future of the then scoffed-at films. “So Canada,” Zukor commented, “played a part in putting the screen on a higher plane.”

His plan to put “Famous Play- ers in Famous Plays,” turned down by William A. Brady and endorsed by Dan Frohman, caus- ed a change in the size of thea- tres. The public was attracted by “name” players and the movie houses of that time were too small so Zukor and others built theatres with seating capacities as large as those of legitimate theatre and time proved that even they were too small.

Mr. Zukor, whose address was enthralling, recalled that he had played talking pictures on the Bennett circuit in 1908. Live ac- tors synchronized lip movements with those of the characters on the screen. In Montreal he hired French actors.

He revealed that a Paramount production unit devoted to short subjects may be set up in Canada in the near future.

Mayor Present

Mayor Robert Saunders brought greetings from the people of To- ronto and from the municipal corporation. He made a witty and humorous speech in which he paid particular tribute to the war ef- fort of the company. The screen, mixing education with amuse- ment, had made the world a smaller place and spread under- standing. “Over the years I have spent many delightful evenings in your theatres,” His Worship told the listeners. He praised Teddy Gee, now doorman of Shea’s, Toronto.

Austin Keough, general counsel for Paramount in the United States, described it as “thrilling” that so, many had remained with the organization from its first days. Famous Players here was Canadian-managed, Mr. Keough said, and its healthy condition was due to wise, able and vigorous leadership.

Rueben W. Bolstad, vice-presi- dent of Famous Player, stated that the company could be pleas- ed with the part it plays in Can- adian economy. In 1944, he point- ed out, 120,000,000 fans patroniz- ed FPCC theatres. It had paid out $30 millions during the year, $10 millions of which was in taxes, six millions in wages, eight millions in rentals and one million in newspaper advertising. Only 17 cents of each dollar left the country.

Balkan Short

(Continued from Page 1) booking sheets at the request of the Ottawa government, it was explained by Ross McLean, depu- ty film commissioner. John Grier- son, national film commissioner, was absent from Ottawa at the time several complaints were made about the short.

“Because various phases of current conditions in that area are at present what might be considered highly controversial, and because these matters might be subjects for discussion shortly by Allied leaders, it was felt that anything which might arouse further controversy or unneces- sary discussion of those matters should not be fostered,” said Mc- Lean. “The government recom- mended that the picture be with- drawn for the time being so the board has taken it out of circula- tion.”

Future release of ‘Balkan Powder Keg’’ will depend on po- litical developments in that troubled area.

This isn’t the first time opposi- tion has forced NFB subjects off the commercial screen. In 1943 “Gates of Italy” brought critic- ism because it didn’t cover th2 subject sufficiently. Although it played Canadian theatres changes had to be made before United Artists proceeded with its distri- bution in foreign lands.

Fitzgibbons Chairman

J. J. Fitzgibbons acted as chairman throughout the entire evening and he and R. W. Bol- stad presented each member with a lapel button, watch or bond, and a certificate of membership.

Mr. Fitzgibbons read dozens of telegrams from many parts of the USA and Canada. He took time to pay personal tribute to a number of those present who were serving in executive and other capacities.

Jack Arthur thanked the com- pany in behalf of the members.

Associated Screen News photo- graphed the event in color and recorded it in sound. The meeting next week in Vancouver of the Western branch will be attended by leading executives of the com- pany.

The proceedings were opened with toast to the King, followed by one to the President of the United States, both being pro- Bee by Norman Robertson,

.C.

Among those who wired con- gratulations were Premier King and George A, Drew, Premier of Ontario,

{\ &

rs a a ee ee;

Empire-Universal's 'The Way Ahead’ Hailed By USA Critics as Enthralling Experience

Wee a British-made film draws frank and unrestrained praise from American trade press critics, it becomes more than a fine film — it becomes a major curiosity.

That’s the case with “The Way Ahead,” a film starring Lt. Col. David Niven of the British Army, borrowed for just that purpose. The film has created an atmosphere that is personally uplifting, one in which the quiet nobility of the average soldier becomes apparent in a most inspiring way.

It is the story of the British Army told in human terms. It does for the Army what “In Which We Serve” did for the Navy.

The story is of twelve men who join the army. It shows their fear of change, their early resentment of discipline and their trans- formation, step by step, from civilian to soldier in training and ~ mentality. For the patron it is an enthralling process.

Raymond Huntley, Billy Hartnell and Stanley Holloway, among others, support Niven in an excellent way. Carol Reed directed. His work, along with that of the other technicians, has much to do with the success of “The Way Ahead.”

Page 10

January 31,1945 CC Canadian FILM WEEKLY

SELLLLLILILLLLS ELE LIL ILIE LILES LIE LLEL ELIS LEIS SLE LI ILLS IIIS EE nnn ny

In Preparation:

CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY'S Annual Poll of Critics and Exhibitors

To Determine the

CANADIAN ‘TEN BESTS’

SIS SAPPY ys Pp pV IVI psy Psy sssyy sss ss

YI DIC ses oe Os rr eS:

: : , : 5

Se LECLLOSLC SLCC SD SS LOCI SSS CC OL ESE SC IES LSS SILL ILOILO DEIT 9

oe Esquire’s q ¥ Toronto Daily Star critic, Jack Karr, chooses THUN-

TH U N DER ROCK DER ROCK among een

~ Toronto Globe and Mail critic, Roly Young, picks SAN DEMETRIO, LONDON as classic of the year.

S AN D EMET Ri 0, ¥ Montreal Gazette columnist, Herbert Whittaker, lists both SAN DEMETRIO, LONDON and HBAS EL

LON DON ROCK among year’s best.

“National Board of Review gives Blue Ribbon to

it THUNDER ROCK. 6-SIX-6 ne [tsa | |

~ Archer Winston of the New York Post gives No. 1 c place to THUNDER ROCK. Ten Best Lists!

In the Same Class, Watch For These Winners—

IT HAPPENED WARN THAT ESQUIRE CHAMPAGNE THURSDAY'S

ONE SUNDAY FI LMS CHARLIE CHILD Toronto — Montreal — Saint John — Winnipeg — Calgary — Vancouver PE ROURECCCRGCROOCRCCCCCCRCEC CCC CCCUCCE OCR COCR CCE R AN CCG ee ee! ae "

iGpypy spe ssi Dp eee

January 31, 1945

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

Page 11

The Heart of Show Business

Canada’s first Variety Tent is being organized now. A committee of ll, of which Oscar Hanson is chairman, has applied for a charter in behalf of members of the Toronto amusement field and it is hoped that the showmen of other Canadian cities will do the same.

Along with the opportunity to do good work, Variety maintains club- rooms where members of the amuse- ment industry can spend several friendly hours together. No such cen- tre exists in any Canadian City now.

Presented here is the story of Variety — its history and its work.

N Thanksgiving Day, 1928, O a month-old baby was

found in the nursery of the

Sheridan Square Theatre, Pittsburgh, with a scribbled note pinned to her dress, signed “A broken-hearted mother”:

“I cannot afford to keep this child. Her name is Catherine. I have six others. She was born October 24 and I am leaving her in this theatre because of what I have heard of the charity of show people, with a prayer that you will care fer her.”

That unscheduled event at this western Pennsylvania motion pic- ture theatre led to the founding sixteen years ago of the Variety Club of Pittsburgh, because -the unmarried house manager, who discovered the child, needed help and advice in the care of the baby.

Somewhere, but not in Pitts- burgh, there is an anonymous sixteen-year-old girl living happi-

All-Time Beauts Picked by Critic

One of the most interesting forms of movie promotion under non-movie auspices is being de- monstrated in the Toronto Daily Star currently. In that newspaper Augustus Bridle, its all-around authority on the arts for the past 24 years, has named the nine most beautiful motion picture actresses of all time and has in- vited the public to name the tenth.

Mrs. Bridle, the Star explains, “has been an expert on the movies since they climbed out of ignominy and became a definite form of theatre.” Asked to pick the ten most beautiful actresses in movie history, the veteran critic stopped at nine. ‘There isn’t another who belongs in that company,” he told the writer of the story. ‘‘You’ll have to call it the ‘nine best’ and let it go at that.”

The reader is then asked to use the ballot at the end of the story to cast a vote for the movie queen he or she believes should occupy 10th place.

Mr. Bridle’s nine choices are:

Vilma Banky

Corrine Griffith

Billie Dove

Gloria Swanson

Jean Harlow

Marlene Dietrich

Greta Garbo

Norma Shearer

Vivien Leigh

ly today with adopted parents. If she knew her true life story she could call herself the inspiration of the 26 Variety Clubs now de- dicating themselves to good works. .-

In his final week as Secretary cf State, Cordell Hull received from the Variety Clubs their an- nual Humanitarian Award, which had in previous years been given to Sister Elizabeth Kenny, Martha Berry, Father B. J. Flan- agan, and to the late George Washington Carver.

At this recent conyention in Washington, theatre men from every state in the Union gave their annual accounting of the humanitarian work being done in their various communities. In honor of Catherine, Tent No. 1 in Pittsburgh each year adopts an- other child for whom it finds a home with loving parents. Mean- while, underprivileged thousands have been the recipients of help from the showmen of western Pennsylvania under the leader- ship of John H. Harris, founder of the first Variety Club and “big boss” of the twenty-five others now in operation.

First Columbus and’ then Cin- cinnati set up tents modeled after the Pittsburgh inspiration, and are now old hands at helping the unfortunates in Ohio.

In St. Louis last year 6,000 babies were cared for at the nur- sery for service men’s wives and children at the Union Station. Largely through their efforts in 35 athletic centres equipped by the Variety Tent, there was a 27 per cent decrease in juvenile de- linquency last year in St. Louis, which led all cities in crime re- duction,

The 230 members of the De- troit Tent have found their great- est usefulness in supplying equip- ment for the hard-of-hearing to 200 deaf children from kindergar- ten to college age. During 1945 they have set aside $15,000 to be spent in supplying ear phones to those with deficient hearing and in teaching lip reading instead of sign. language to the totally deaf.

Learning that there was no hospital equipment for the treat- ment of brain tumors in Buffalo, the Variety Tent there, consisting of 1383 members, bought and pre- sented to a Buffalo hospital the only brain tumor machine in western New York.

In Albany last year, 450 under- privileged boys were cared for at the variety mountain camp of 30 acres.

The 370 members of the Va- riety Club in Washifhgton, D.C., have equipped dental clinics in four hospitals, donated an ambu- lance to the District of Colum- bia, supplied movies to shut-ins, financed a glaucoma clinic to pre- vent blindness, and presented to hospitals 20 incubators for pre- mature babies, thus reducing from 29 per cent to 13 per cent the mortality rate of 1,500 in- fants.

In Minneapolis the Variety Club during 1944 spent $121,000 for local charities, including a gift of $99,000 to the Elizabeth Kenny Institute for treatment of polio- myelitis. During the last decade the Philadelphia Tent spent a total of $400,000 for the treat- ment of infantile paralysis.

In Omaha a $12,000 fund is being raised for a new building at the Children’s Memorial Ho-

spital. Dayton is making contri- butions to a hospital ward for the Sisters of the Sick. Baltimore maintains a camp for crippled children and helps support the Philburn Home for foundling and wayward children. During 1944, the Variety Club members in At- lanta contributed $175,000 to vari- ous local causes, including the re- habilitation of delinquent girls. Two hundred forty-five members in Boston provide movies for shut-ins and conduct a summer camp for boys. The poor children of Charlotte are given free med- ical attention at a Variety eye, ear, nose and throat clinic. The 274 Chicago members spend about $10,000 annually, and last year cared for 200 children suffering from rheumatic heart trouble. The 309 members in Los Angeles are at present making contribu- tions to a home for asthmatic children, and during 1945 will spend $100,000 to build and oper- ate a hospital for prematurely born infants.

In each city a survey is made of the most urgent community service, and these varied needs are being supplied by the -big hearts and hard work of Variety Tents in Indianapolis, Cleveland and Memphis.

The Variety Club Health Cen- ter, a 328-room air conditioned hospital, gives physical evidence of the activities of the showmen of Oklahoma. Last year they helped establish in the Oklahoma City Health Center the only mothers’ milk bank west of St. Louis. Their 1945 project calls for the erection in Tulsa of a health center for Negroes at a cost of $90,000.

Under the leadership of Robert J. O'Donnell, head barker of Na- tional Variety Clubs, the Dallas Tent continues its work on a scale commensurate with the big heart of Texas. In the last decade its 624 members have spent a quarter of a million dollars on their various good works which include a children’s clinic, a swimming pool for poor children, a boys’ camp on a 40-acre faym, a home for foundling children and a 1,600-acre ranch home for de- linquent boys. In giving his re- port on the Dallas Tent the Texas barked observed that “Humility is the hardest virtue to practice, because aS soon as you have achieved humility, you get proud.”

It may be some comfort to “a broken-hearted mother” that the child she abandoned in a movie theatre sixteen years ago has in- spired literally a million good deeds for other children.