Canadian Film Digest (Aug 1971)

Page scan 00014 from Canadian Film Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Digest
Date:
Aug 1971
Volume:
Canadian Film Digest (Aug 1971)
Leaf #:
00014
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Global Cinema, Canada, and Hollywood Studio System
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Canadian Picture Pioneers, Paul Moore and Jessica Whitehead
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:

Canadian Film Digest

Editors: Dan Krendel (1971-72), Garth Drabinsky (1972-76)

Canadian Film Digest (1971-76) was owned and published by Nat Taylor’s Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., and initially edited by Dan Krendel, who had edited What’s New? (1942-74) and originated Ballyhoo (1952-61) for nationally-dominant chain, Famous Players Canada, Ltd., also Taylor’s exhibition partner. Despite these ties to a Paramount-controlled theatre chain, the magazine nonetheless aimed to provide news and features about all aspects of the industry across Canada, exhibition, distribution and production. The Digest began when an attempted 1970 renewal of Canadian Film Weekly (1942-70) was short-lived. Taylor decided to relaunch under an entirely new title with a more contemporary, colour layout. Taylor later hired young Garth Drabinsky to edit, impressed by his initiative publishing Impact (1972), a lobby give-away for moviegoers. Drabinksy’s interest turned to film producing in 1977, letting the Digest come to an end, although he and Taylor continued to collaborate in building the original 18-screen Cineplex at Toronto’s Eaton Centre. Canadian Film Digest also published an annual directory Canadian Film Digest Yearbook (1971-86), which similarly continued Canadian Film Weekly Year Book (1951-70), and subsequently became Film Canada Yearbook (1986-2007). Because Canadian Film Digest originated in the Canadian Film Weekly, which had incorporated Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1917-57), which in turn had merged with Canadian Universal Bulletin (1915-18), the magazine dated its roots back to 1915, a single thread of ownership publishing these main periodicals and annuals of English Canada’s film press.

– Paul Moore, March 2024

Date Added:
June 13, 2024
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EDITORIAL cont'd. return them in bulk and save a couple of bucks, with no regard for anyone but himself. This has happened, the Association stepped in, and now everybody Exhibitors and Distributors are happy, and costs are down. The above are just a few of the areas in which the Associations operate. To safeguard the small, ‘Independent exhibitor against domination by the big circuits, each circuit is allowed one vote, as is every Independent, despite the fact that membership dues are calculated on seating capacity, which means that the circuits carry the heaviest burden of cost and have less influence than the rest of the combined membership. The parent organization is the M.P.T.A.C. — the National body, and there are branches in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan-Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, each with its own president and Executive Board. If you area circuit manager you are automatically a member of your Provincial Association. If you are an Independent operator and not yet a member, NOW is the time to get in. After all IT 1S YOUR organization, working in your interest and speaking in your behalf. HERB MATHERS HEADS OWN DISTRIB, COMPANY On July 1st. a new major film distribution company — Bellevue Film Distributors Limited — made its debut on the Canadian distribution scene. Headed by veteran distributor Herb S. Mathers, the new company will operate out of its head office at 277 Victoria St. in Toronto, with branches in. Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saint John, N.B. Bellevue will be sole Canadian distributors for all Walt Disney product, and in addition will represent Empire Films Limited, Sovereign Film Distributors and Atlas Film Distributors Limited. The entire personnel of all member companies will remain intact. Herb Mathers entered the industry in 1930 as a truck driver for United Amusement Corporation in Montreal, and two years later joined Garson — Lane in Cinema Services who handled advertising posters for all of Quebec. In 1937 he joined Empire Films as assistant booker of the Montreal branch, In 1939 he was promoted to salesman, in 1945 to Branch Manager, CANADIAN FILM DIGEST and in 1947 was moved to Saint John, N.B. in a like capacity. In 1949 Herb moved to Toronto to head the Contract and Playdate department, and in 1955 was named Toronto Branch Manager. Two years later he was assigned as assistant to the General Sales Manager, Mark Plottel. In 1965 he was upped to General Manager of Empire and its affiliated companies. Herb was married in 1949, and he and wife Madeleine live happily in Willowdale, a suburb of Toronto, with daughter Beverly Ann, just turned 16. OUR BUSINESS cont'd. that an orderly release pattern is much more preferable to that of bunching releases at a time when so many other attractions are available and then having them fight each other for attention and attendance. A top film will do business at any time of the year if it is something people will want to see. The fact that people will stay away from films they don’t want to see has been well attested to so far this summer. A number of much touted attractions have had a quick and ignominious demise. At one time, summer was not considered good playing time and release of important films was avoided. This still pertains in certain areas. “In the Good Old Summertime” was a great song in its day and at one time was an important catchphrase in our business. It is high time that ‘’*habit’’ should be re-examined, A.1.P. SETS NEW RELEASING RECORD American International Pictures is releasing a record number of features during the second half of 1971, it was revealed by AIP president James H. Nicholson and Chairman of the Board Samuel Z. Arkoff. A total of 28 films will be released this year, most ever for this 18 year old company. In July the company released BUNNY O’HARE and MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE. Slated for August release are THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA and CHROME AND HOT LEATHER, and for September showing the company has scheduled THE YEAR OF THE CANNIBALS and SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE. In October we will see TAM LIN and DAGMAR AND CO., and in November LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN, CARRY ON CAMPING, and WILD ARCTIC. December will see GINGERBREAD HOUSE and the rerelease double bill WILD IN THE STREETS and THE WILD ANGELS, plus, in addition to the 28 features, a four-unit festival of former A.1.P. favourites starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff. 15