Canadian Film Digest (Dec 1972)

ee ee ee ee re ee eo ns nr enne Creme = w Page 2 To the Editor: This is just a note to congratulate you very much on the Canadian Film Digest. I like its new format but particularly I find it lively and very interesting to read. Please keep up the good work. Yours very truly, Sydney Newman Montreal To the Editor: Your pseudo-reportage (it was really an editorial) in the November issue on the Canadian Film Awards was unfortunate. For while it is true that, as many said after the event, ‘‘We’ve come a long way,’’ what everyone forgot to discuss is the central question: Where are we going? Do we want a Hollywood Academy Awards or a European Critics’ Orgy? Or neither? Both are market-places and political machinations — and I say neither is suitable. We have the opportunity. to develop a unique formula to honor the industry and promote the films. Let’s carve our own path. Yours truly, R. Tobin Winnipeg DECEMBER 1972 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: The recent announcement by Claude Jutra and Genevieve Bujold that they are unable to accept the Order of Canada is lamentable. Of course in the English-speaking press, which is all I have read, nothing was forthcoming to explain their decisions. Further information is necessary; they may have good reasons. But at the same time I must insist that the reasons be good, because if they are based only on racial bigotry (Quebec Libre) then all other National awards, etc. must also be denied them. Especially any Canadian Film Awards which they have won must be returned. Jutra is the most prominent example of this. Or are they hypocrites too? Yours truly, K. Dawson Toronto Readers comments are always _ invited, provided they are concise and to the point. Send yours to: Letters to the Editor, Canadian Film Digest, 175 Bloor St. East, Toronto 5. EXHIBS (cont’d from page one) Picture Threatre Association of Manitoba, said the classification board eliminates the power of the government to cut or ban a picture. It is classified on its overall merit. Distribution’s censorship committee has already met in Toronto with John Pungente, the priest who heads the classification board, to exchange information. MPTAC delegates discussed in closed session the possibility of a quota system for the showing of Canadian films. Later Mr. Rothstein told Film Digest, ‘‘We’re delighted to play Canadian films but not just because they’re Canadian. They must be well made and have a reasonable chance of being successful.” Mr. Rothstein refused to disclose the arguments that were put forward during the private discussion but said, ‘“‘We must take a positive approach, We are unanimous in our desire to encourage Canadian-made films of merit.”’ At the same time, a committee was set up to keep ‘‘an eye on things’’, he said. Later the same day, George Destounis, president of Famous Players, said ‘‘I am not speaking for the industry or for my corporation but I’m strongly in favor of quotas.” He was answering questions at a public meeting at the Town Hall here. os mpaet Mr. Rothstein said MPTAC, which gave $2,500 to the Canadian Film Awards for 1972, voted to support them again. MPTAC is helping its provincial groups establish workshops to generate interest in the promotion of films. “The workshops will get exhibitors more enthusiastic about promotion,’’ Mr. Rothstein said. ‘‘We’ve got valuable pieces of property and we’ve got to sell them to the public. The day has gone when exhibitors can simply open their doors.” Distributors are being asked to supply key personnel for the workshops to advise exhibitors how they can best promote their own films. Tie-ups with merchants will be suggested, both in the theatre and in retail outlets. “Usually dealers are just as enthusiastic about a tie-up as the exhibitor once it’s underway, but it’s up to the exhibitor to make the initial approach because he can best: decide what tie-up is most suitable for a particular film,” Mr. Rothstein said. Delegates spent the last afternoon of their two-day meeting with distributors discussing mutual problems. Mr. Rothstein said they touched on the shortage of trailers, earlier release dates for pictures in smaller theatres; and press‘ books with a greater choice of ads. Ra ee tee wt oe * (ions AP ae _ se ~ s er ; , ny Wh pei Famous Players’ George Destounis (left) chats with Premier’s Barry Allen Watch For Our Special Production Issue Coming in January ALBERTA (con’t from page one) . The meeting returned to office all wf one of its previous executive: Don Menzies, President; Bert Wiber, V-P; Tom Fowler, Northern V-P; Hector Ross, Southern V-P; Reg Dutton, Sec-Treas; and the following as directors: Larry Becker, Glen Birnie, Mel Friedman, Paul Hanner, Fred Levitt, Phil May, Brian McIntosh, Jim Moore, Eddie Newman, Don Purnell, Barney Regan, Fred Varlow. Showman of the Year was Nigel Empett of the Chinook Theatre, Calgary. Judges were Barry Carnon and Bill Soadie of Universal Films, and Charles Mason of Odeon Theatres. The Canadian Film Digest MARKET REPORT ENTERTAINMENT STOCKS i JOHN T. ROSS, Season’s Greetin ka) from ROBERT LAWRENCE PRODUCTIONS. (CANADA) LTD. 38 Yorkville Avenue Toronto 5, Canada Oo President STOCK VOLUME FOR CLOSE CLOSE NET HIGH LOW PERIOD Oct. 30 Nov.29° CHG. FOR72 FOR 72 TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE Baton 199,904 1042 12 +1% 12% 7% Bushnell 9,650 814 74 =i 9% rs Canadian Cable Systems 80,487 1934 20% +1 23% 14% CFCN 33,963 934 10 +55 14% 9 CHUM B 25,739 12 12 _ 13 8 IWC Industries Ltd. 97,825 3.25 3.70 -+-.45 4.20 1.75 Maclean-Hunter Cable 24,339 15% 18% +3% 18% BY, Premier Cable 23,195 18% 19x +1% 23 11% Q Broadcasting 1,700 6 5% —% 95% 5 Rank Organization 46,480 24 2312 a 29% 21% Selkirk A | 11,623 1234 12 —%, 14 9 Standard Broadcasting 78,543 . 15 1334 —1% 17% 12% Western Broadcasting . 30,446 15 1334 —1%, 18% 12 MONTREAL STOCK EXCHANGE Astral sss 2.05 1.65 —.40 2.60 1.45 VANCOUVER STOCK EXCHANGE All Can A 35,190 5Y% 2.30 —2,82 5% 1,00 All Can B 49,175 4.80 2.40 —2.40 6.00 1,15 _ NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE Columbia Pictures 233,600 10% 1014 —\y 14% 9% Walt Disney 299,700 18842 196% +734 20134 132% Gulf & Western 1,019,600 3334 87h +3%, 443% 28 Lowes 382,700 46 483% 23% 6014 43 MCA 150,900 4v2 29 +41, 35%, 23% MGM 137,900 1942 244%, +1454 27% 16% Metromedia 184,700 35 3275 —2% 39 27% National General 557,000 30% 31% +1 3434 21'% Transamerica 1,246,500 17% 195 +2% 2315 16% 20th-Fox 276,000 IY 1042 +13, 17 858 Warner Communications 516,400 393% 37 —23/4 50% 311% AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE Allied Artists 262,500 Ay, 458 —\% 7¥ 212 -Cinerama 160,200 2M 2% = 3% 2 Filmways 36,300 3% 3% — 8 358 General Cinema 134,400 38 Y2 3456 8 —3% 55% 31% b aa§ if si 4 A 4 4 f A i § K 4 A 4 4 f K K § 4 416 925-5567 i x sy K ui f K