Canadian Film Digest (Dec 1976)

Page scan 00018 from Canadian Film Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Digest
Date:
Dec 1976
Volume:
Canadian Film Digest (Dec 1976)
Leaf #:
00018
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Global Cinema, Hollywood Studio System, and Canada
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 20, 2024
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= CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association (CMPDA) hosted the annual luncheon for the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Canada (MPTAC) on November 2 at the Hotel Toronto, Toronto. This convivial function was well-attended and greatly enjoyed. On the same day, the CMPDA presented an Activity Report for the period December 1975 to November 1976 at a joint meeting with the MPTAC. The Report covers the CMPDA’s more active role under a variety of headings — Intra-Industry Relations; Industry Public Relations; Federal Government Liaison; Provincial Government Liaison; Quebec Government Relations; Statistics Canada; Industry Statistics; The Tompkins Study; Film Archives/Institute of Cinematographic Art; Pay TV; plus an Appendix on Film Classification. A couple of eyecatching items are a Script Development Program, in co-operation with the Canadian Film Development Corporation, providing assessment facilities to screen Left to right: Herb Mathers, Be//evue Film Distributors; M.M. Stevenson, Astral Films; Harry Gulkin, Producer; Harry Blumsom, Odeon Theatres; Millard Roth, CMPDA. writers, directors and producers wishing to make use of expertise available from member companies’ studios, and a directory co-ordinating the film facilities and capabilities of individual provinces. Aimed at worldwide circulation, the publication is designed to attract “potential partners with financial resources, proven film making capability and international strength for Canadian film makers.”’ THE CMPDA’s recently prepared “Position Paper concerning the Motion Picture Distribution Industry in Canada” has been circulated to the media and government as a guide to the industry and its problems. Under the section “The Economic Importance of the Industry”, total industry figures for 1974 (the last year for which published data is available) show there were 1116 theatres with 1231 screens, 307 drive-ins, and 82 distribution companies with 142 exchange offices, employing 13,942 persons. Total revenue was $214,490,000 made up of total box office revenue (excluding taxes) of $172,683,000 other revenue (candy bar & misc.) $29,023,000 and amusement tax generated $12,784,000. Salaries and approximate advertising expenditures were $47,088,000 and $8,634,000 respectively. (These figures are expected to be somewhat higher in 1976.) In 1974 the 82 distribution companies received $59,860,000 gross film rental, representing 34.7 per cent of the total box office revenue of $172,683,000. This percentage breaks down to: salaries, advertising, prints, etc. $29,060,000, withholding tax $2,800,000, remitted abroad $28,000,000. Other sections of the Position Paper deal with distribution, problems and concerns of quality, marketing, public demand and appeal, together with charts and statistics. And finally, under ‘Conclusions’: “The information in this document has been presented in an attempt to provide a factual and an unemotional overview of the motion picture industry in Canada. . . Photographs by Len Bishop. Left to right: Barry Myers, Prairie Allied Booking Assn.; Martin Bockner, Saguenay Films; Robert Lightstone, (rear) Paramount Pictures; Robert Myers, Odeon Theatres; Curly Posen, Associated Booking Service. HENRY WEINER LIMITED CUSTOM BROKERS 401 Richmond Street West Toronto Ontario Head Offices: (416) 869-1303 Malton 676-2850 Queensway 252-3153 Kennedy Road 293-3268 canadian film digest |7