Canadian Film Digest (Dec 1972)

Serving the Canadian Film Industry Since 1915 he Canadian Film Digest — ACTRA 105 CARLTON ST TORONTO 2 ONT ATT THe MANAGER an U474600 DECEMBER 1972 35c EXHIBS WANT CLASSIFICATION NO By SHIRLEY MORRIS TORONTO — Exhibitors want to replace government censorship of motion pictures_ with a system of classifying films so each movie-goer can.decide for himself if a film is suitable. The Motion Picture Theatre Association of Canada passed a resolution at its annual meeting here Nov. 27-28 favoring classification. It pointed out that ‘“‘changing social concepts and cultural trends have altered public attitudes’’ and that movies remain the only entertainment medium that is subject to advance government censorship. The delegates favored a_ classification system similar to the one that went into effect in Manitoba Dec. 1, which labels movies general, mature, adult parental guidance, or restricted. Films are neither cut nor banned. People under 18 require parental guidance for adult movies and are not allowed to attend A en eee New Film Agency Group advocates The President of the Canadian Film Institute, Jean Clavel, announced today that CFI has proposed to the Advisory Committee on film, established by the Secretary of State, the creation of a new film cultural agency designed to foster the appreciation and use of motion pictures and television. _ This new agency (dubbed CINEMA CANADA), would be responsible for encouraging the appreciation. and study of cinema, particularly Canadian through such activities as — film exhibitions, publications on Canadian cinema, and the provision of specialized research services to eductional institutions and the film industry at large. Cinema Canada would collect and preserve films and television recordings in order to develop a National Library of Cinema and would operate a national research and information service, publish a National Film Catalogue and service and support the work of related national and regional bodies. While most of these activities are now being undertaken by the existing Canadian Film Institute, the CFI makes the point that it no longer has the financial resources to keep pace with heightened public awareness and appreciation of film. A guarantee of sustaining federal support is essential to provide both an adequate level, and continuity of service to parallel that now expected of other cultural agencies such as the National Gallery. President Clavel expressed the hope that the CFI brief would bring to the attention of the Government the urgent need for a national independent film cultural agency such as Cinema Canada, and indicated that the CFI was willing to work with the Federal Government to ensure that such an agency can come into being. In preparing this proposal, the CF] drew on the experience of film institutes and cinema cultural agencies in the USA and Europe, in addition to its own 37 years of innovative activity. The Manitoba plan goes further than the resolution passed by MPTAC. First, if a film classified restricted is ‘considered by the Manitoba classification board to violate the Criminal Code, then the exhibitor is warned in advance that he is liable to prosecution. This advance warning system satisfied some exhibitors who were initially worried that they were being asked to decide for -Ahemselves if a movie.was Suitable and then they would be prosecuted under the Criminal Code if their judgment was wrong. Second, the Manitoba plan places the responsibility both on the threatre and the customer if a person under 18 attends a restricted film. The resolution approved by MPTAC says only that it favors a system of classification rather than the censorship that is in effect in most provinces. The resolution is being sent to the seven provincial associations of exhibitors along with a request that it be forwarded to provincial authorities. asi Sena at oO From Left to Right, Curly S. Posen, David Rothstein, Murray Lynch. group, said classification was considered a good way of informing the public of the suitability of a film. Quebec delegates, who are generally David Rothstein, president of the national ~ satisfied with their provincial system of T CENSORSHIP Wy) LPT NaS we) Ma aed, See | oh Fest) <4 r=) i F202 a STEP Le Re) censorship whereby the censor can ban a movie, are not expected to take any action on the resolution, he said. Paul Morton, president of the Motion ALBERTA EXHIBS CONVENE, STATE POLICY The Motion Picture Theatre Association of Alberta, meeting at Jasper in October, took a firm stand on censorship, calling for retention of the old system whereby the Board of Censors has the power to cut and ban films, a proviso calling for a more liberal policy was asked for, however. The Restricted age should be lowered to sixteen. The designations should be changed: Family to General, since the word Family connotes a children-only picture. The Annual Convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Association .of Alberta was held at the Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Alberta, on October Ist, 2nd and 3rd. The INSIDE THIS ISSUE Market Report Canadian Box Office Statistics Dollars and Sense Domestic Notes International Notes Visitors Pre-View Editorial Classified Casting Digest Movie Quiz No. Two Letters to the Editor 23 2 Features This Month On Location: The Neptune Factor Profile: Screenwriter Jack DeWitt Sondra Locke Theatres of Tomorrow Leslie Allen and his Friend Charlie Departments 2] Convention was attended by the greatest number of exhibitors, film distributors and trade people in the history of the Association. More than two hundred registered guests were in attendance. Highlites of the Convention included, besides discussions and a reaffirming of the Association’s stand on censorship in Alberta, an address by the Honourable Horst Schmidt, Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation; the presentation of the ‘‘Alberta Showman of the Year’ award; and the election of officers, and directors for the coming year. Added interest and increased attendance this year was attributed to the important discussions which took place regarding the soon to be announced censorship policies of the Alberta Government. Also adding an extra day to the Convention format for the first time, was a ‘‘Showarama’’ workshop. The workshop was designed to assist the exhibitor in the proper and most effective marketing of his film attractions. It included presentations by radio, newspaper and television people. It featured emphasis on promotion of both new and old attractions by solid, honest showmanship. The presentations were made by top men in their respective fields: Mr. Bill Metcalfe, an executive of the Television Bureau of Canada, Toronto; Mr. Ced Haynes, President and General Manager of the Radio Sales Bureau of Canada, Toronto; Mr. Lorne Kennedy and Mr. Ted Hall, Southam press, Calgary; Mr. Burt Taylor, Weekly Newspaper Association of Alberta, Wetaskiwin; Mr. Barry Carnon, director of advertising for Universal Films of Canada, Toronto; Mr., Bill Sodie, General Manager for Universal Films of Canada, Toronto; Mr. Charles Mason, director of. advertising for Odean of Canada Lid., Toronto. Great effort and considerable time and money was put into the presentation by the respective media and film companies and the Convention appreciated the effort and received their presentations enthusiastically. The workshop also included a detailed examination of the newest in automated projection equipment and a_ review of maintenance practices presented by # leading ‘Alberta janitorial supplier. Rothstein Theatres leased WINNIPEG — The family firm of Rothstein Theatres has leased its 13-cinema chain to the newly-formed Rokmay Co. of Calgary. Principals of the new firm are Hector Ross, president of Canfilm Screen Services of Calgary, and Philip May of Edmonton. Mr. Ross said the agreement is for 20 years with an option to buy at any time. The theatres are in rural areas, with eight in Saskatchewan, three in Manitoba, one in Alberta and one in Ontario. D. Rothstein, president of Rothstein Theatres, said he has retained ownership of Cinema Six, a drive-in in Regina, and two 16 mm theatres in communities in northern Manitoba. The chain was started 40 years ago when Mr. Rothstein’s father opened a theatre in _ Mossbank, Sask.; which showed movies two days a week. The first regularly-scheduled theatre in the group was in Assiniboia, Sask. Mr. Ross said that he and Mr. May together David Rothstein have 12 theatres and the May enterprise runs another six. They are in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Grand Prairie, Alta., and in Victoria and Abbotsford, B.C. .***