Canadian Film Digest (Jul 1971)

ODEON BUILDING PIGGY-BACK IN HAMILTON | have a nice note on my desk from Frank Fisher, Vice-President of Odeon Theatres of Canada, first offering his congratulations on the first issue of CANADIAN FILM DIGEST, and then, gently, oh so gently, informing us that in the story on theatre construction in Ontario we neglected to mention projects which Odeon has under way. We stand corrected Frank, but ‘Frank’ly the lines of communications must have clogged somewhere along the line, as | can’t recall receiving any information from your office in regard to theatre construction or anything else, despite my frequent pleas for some editorial material. However, to correct the unintentional omission, this will serve to advise our readers that Odeon have a Piggy-back dual under construction on King St. E. in Hamilton, scheduled to open on September 1st of this year. The lower auditorium will seat 750 and the upper 450. Incidentally, as of that date | believe that Odeon will give up the Capitol and Palace theatres in that city. Oh yes...! also understand that Odeon have just opened the new Hyland theatre in Kitchener. Good luck, and much success on your new ventures from the editorial staff and readers of the DIGEST. TV AGREEMENT A joint statement by CBC president George Davidson and NFB Commissioner Sydney Newman advises that an agreement has been signed between the two National bodies for exclusive English television network broadcast rights for a minimum of 13 programs to be produced by the board. 30, 60 and 90 minute programs in colour and black and white will have their content determined through consultations between senior officials of both organizations, and are to be telecast between March 15th, 1971 and August 31st, 1972. The first program under the agreement, SAD SONG OF YELLOW SKIN was televised on March 23rd. This new agreement is in addition to the existing arrangement between the French network of the CBC and the NFB. CANADIAN FILM DIGEST Mr. Newman stated “In our films we are hoping to show, in peak viewing time, some of the grandeur as well as the idiocies of being Canadian in a world that’s painfully trying to pull itself up by its own bootstraps.” Mr. Davidson expressed his satisfaction by saying that he was pleased to enter into a renewed agreement with the NFB. “It will provide our English network with a number of programs from a Canadian organization with an International reputation for the excellence of its productions. This agreement can’t help but strengthen the bonds between the CBC and the NFB. In addition to the current agreement, the CBC and NFB will soon begin discussions for productions and scheduling of a similar number of film programs for the two television seasons ending in August of 1974. PLAYBOY PRODUCTIONS— COLUMBIA IN JOINT FILM DEAL Playboy Productions and Columbia Pictures have announced a three year multi-film production schedule calling for a minimum of four feature pictures during the term of the deal. The first joint venture will be Roman Polanski’s MACBETH which Columbia and Playboy will co-finance and Columbia distribute. The film, budgeted at three million dollars will star newcomers John Finch and Francesca Annis. Polanski is finishing interior filming in London, following location shooting in Northumberland and Wales. The film is scheduled for late 1971 release. Hefner’s Playboy company entered film production as a joint venture with Jerome M. Zeitman Productions in 1970. EMI-MGM ANNOUNCE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE The newly-formed EMI-MGM Film Productions Ltd. based in London have announced the following attractions scheduled for early shooting. THE BOY FRIEND, Ken Russell’s adaptation of the hit stage musical will star ‘Twiggy’ in her motion picture debut, and will be released in Britain by MGM-EMI Film Distributors Ltd., and throughout the rest of the world by MGM. It is scheduled for Christmas ‘71 release. Starting in the fall, a new comedy version of TRILBY AND SVENGALI starring Julie Andrews will be directed by Blake Edwards. Negotiations are under way to sign Jack Lemmon to co-star with Miss Andrews. Toward the end of the year production is expected to begin on TRADER HORN with exterior shooting in Africa and interiors at the EMI-MGM Elstree Studios. More properties are expected to go into production in quick succession. BALDASSARIS CELEBRATE FIFTIETH Fred Baldassari, recently retired as a projectionist at the Tivoli in Hamilton after fifty years with the same company, and his wife, celebrated their Golden Anniversary on Sunday, June 27th. They were At Home to their many friends and relatives at their church on that date. Congratulations folks, and here's to the next fifty. 11