Canadian Film Digest (Nov 1972)

Serving the Canadian Film Industry The Canadian Film Digest CANADIAN FILM AWARDS SATISFY NO ONE It was a truly Canadian event: nobody was happy. The Canadian Film Awards for 1972 were a source for much debate without any unity in conclusions. Perhaps that is a good result. On the one hand, after last year’s disastrous presentation, while 1972saw a smooth, efficient show, many complained that they missed the fluffs of the past. The Quebec turnout this year was much greater than before, but some said the whole thing was too political. The Canada Council declined financial support for the first time (because of insufficient French representation last year), and the CFDC put in money for the first time. ZEKE SHEINE TO BE HONORED AS PIONEER OF THE YEAR The annual Pioneer of the Year Award will be given to long-time Odeon employee Zeke Sheine for 1972. The presentation will be made at the annual dinner to be held November 29th at the Park Plaza Hotel in Toronto. Each year the Motion Picture Pioneers honor one of their number, and this year Sheine has been chosen. Born in Toronto in 1911, Sheine started in the theatre business while still in school, helping out at his neighborhood theatre, The Astor. After graduation he joined N. A. Taylor’s and Oscar Hanson’s Associated Theatres as a poster clerk. Later he became a booker for them. Some of these theatres became Odeon’s Zeke Sheine Allied Theatres beckoned for his services, and he joined their operations. Later he left them for distribution work with the late Harry Allen’s Producers’ Releasing Corporation under the late David Griesdorf. ; In 1949 he joined Rank Film Distributors with Frank Fisher. In 1954 Fox assumed the distribution of Rank product, and Sheine thus returned to Odeon, where he works now. As a director of the Motion Picture Pioneers, and throughout his time as a member, he has been active on many levels, especially as a supporter and promoter of the Annual Pioneer Golf Tournament. Married in 1934, he has a son, daughter, and grandchildren. The Motion Picture Pioneers are a charitable organization open to anyone in the industry who has been part of the film business for twentyfive years or more. These people truly hold the history of the film industry in Canada in their hands and their memories; it is their past that supports the future, and Zeke Sheine represents that past fully. Since 1915 ED There were more Feature entries than ever before; there were more overall entries than ever before (about 150). But there was no simultaneous translation (The CFDC was to foot the bill, but the $8,500 cost was too high), and the entries lacked subtitles, so audiences were slim for the French showings. But for the English features, audiences were overflowing, despite an admission charge for the first time. A Quebec office was set up for the first time, and the results were increased participation. The only real complaint from Quebec was that the entry fees were too high. And even though there the English seemed to woo, and the French, afraid of being taken, were too cautious, both sides realised that compromise was necessary; neither, however, is used to compromising. And as critic Robert Fulford pointed out, anything that brings the two groups together helps. What is most important is the effect on the public, for the main purpose of the awards, besides honoring fellow craftsmen, is publicity for Canadian films. Some results would indicate success in this way. Coverage by the press was healthy across the country, except 1or Toronto. Only one television station covered the awards: Toronto’s Channel 19. The CBC declined because of disasters in previous years, and CTV started to find advertisers too late. National network coverage is certainly essential. More suspense at the outcome would also help. Nominations would provide this and at the same time let everyone know -who’s a possibility. The nominees would receive needed and deserved publicity. Actual work may be slim, as in the cases of Patricia Collins and Ann Knox, but actress Linda Goranson says that her award is a viable credit when seeking parts. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Departments Domestic Notes ie International Scenes 15 Visitors : 6 Dollars and Sense , 4 Pre-View } ; 5 Market Report 2 Coming Soon 4 Editorial 4 Classified 4 Casting 4 Letters to the Editor 4 Digest Movie Quiz No. One 15 Features This Month The Canadian Film Awards V2 Young Winston’s Superpremiere 10 Profile: Donald Pleasance 8 On Location: Walter Matthau and Don Siegel make Charley Varrick 11 4 . ~ | What we have now, then, is half and half. But what we had before — and the awards are only four years old in their major form — was very little. We’ve got a long way to go, it’s true; and what we need, as Producer Larry Dane says, is to make a commitment and do it with style and class. It’s an international world in film; the Awards must have international worth. But it’s obvious we’re on the way. Herewith a complete list of this year’s winners: CLASS CATEGORIES BEST FEATURE FILM: “Wedding in White”’ — Dermet Productions Limited BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM: “Selling Out” — Unit Productions Limited BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM: ‘‘Child Behaviour Equals You’? — Crawley Films Limited BEST ANIMATED FILM: “Dans La Vie” — Office national du film du Canada BEST TV DRAMA FILM: ‘‘Francoise Durocher, Waitress” — Office national du film du Canada. BEST TV INFORMATION-PUBLIC AFFAIRS FILM: ‘Je Chante a Cheval... Avec Willie Lamothe”’— Office national du film du Canada BEST THEATRICAL SHORT: “This is a Photograph’? — National Film Board Gilles Carles displays his winnings. BEST NATURE AND WILDLIFE FILM: “Dan Gibson’s Nature Family’? — Keg Productions Limited 4 BEST TRAVEL AND RECREATION FILM: ’ ‘Images de la Gaspésie’”’ — Office du film du | Quebec ai BEST SPORTS FILM: “Les Jeux de Québec t 1971’ — Office du film du Québec i BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS FILM: “In i Flight’ — Foster Advertising Limited } BEST SALES PROMOTION FILM: “A | Powerful Ally” — Hydro Québec NON-FEATURE CRAFT AWARDS BEST DIRECTION: Andre Brassard (‘Francoise Durocher, Waitress’”” — ONF) : BEST EDITING: James N. Williams { (“Prologue to Power — CBC) t | BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Georges Dufaux \ (“A Cris Perdu’’ — ONF) : BEST SCREENPLAY, ORIGINAL OR ; ADAPTATION: Michel Tremolay (“brauypew 9 we JM, Waitress” — ONF) BEST NON-DRAMATIC SCRIPT: Chester Ronning (“A Journey Forward: Chester H Ronning in China”’ Bushnell Com d munications Ltd.) ert * ; » ; 3 2 . i we, ye r hi fA r= age Sie aE continued en page 12