The Canadian Independent (Mar 15, 1938)

Mar. 15, 1938 Italy Bans Panay Reel The newsreel showing the bombing of the U.S. gunboat, Panay, by Japanese in the Yangtze, Dec. 12 last, has been banned in Italy. “Political considerations” was cited as the reason for the suppression. COL. COOPER TO MEDIATE (Continued from Page 1) pate in a reconsideration of parts of the License Agreement. Indies Hail Opportunity Independents will be pleased at the opportunity of discussing the long-felt need of changes in the Standard contract, and areready to debate and mediate on such clauses in which protection and rights should be modified or extended. Many of the specific changes re-. quired have already been outlined, and the last issue of this paper carried an article setting forth some of the most-needed reforms. Will Exchanges Co-operate? The question remains, will the various exchanges join in this attempt, on the part of Colonel Cooper and the independents, to iron out some of the wrinkles that have become ingrained hazzards in the industry? The Press Committee of the Canadian Independent hopes to have some important news on the development of this situation for the next issue of this paper. Spencer Tracy III Spencer Tracy refused to be further cajoled into con tinuing work in his impaired | physical condition, and has arranged to undergo the necessary operation, formerly postponed, so he could complete work in “TEST PILOT.”’’ -Franchot Tone will re place him as the lead in MGM’s “Three Comrades” with Robert Taylor, Robert Young and Margaret Sulli van, THE CANADIAN We 56D FOR THE BENEFIT OF INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS eee ee aad ‘Four-Power Film Pact To Capture European Market England, France, Italy and Germany are developing a plan.to wrest the continental film market from the grip of Hollywood. The plan originated in Italy, was proposed and quickly accepted by the German Reich Film Chamber, and _ then proposed to France and England who have joined to further the plan. This plan seems to have hinged onto it a “political’’ approachment of these powers, as well as a working agreement for capturing control of the film market for Europe through reciprocal trade protection agreements. Production, it is said, will be planned by the pacting powers, in four versions, one for home consumption, and the other three for use in the three other pacting countries. This arrangement will immediately broaden the market for product. Schedules will be arranged so that studios of each of the member countries will be available for shooting portions of pictures or whole versions in rotation; each country doing its own distributing in its own territory. The same set of actors 1 would be used in all four versions of a feature, the voices being dubbed in, in the other versions. It is expected that this plan will not only give the pacting countries an edge in the European market, but put them in position to compete for the South American market as well. M.P. Bureau Ups Budget The Dominion Motion Picture Bureau at Ottawa has increased its budget for Canadian travelogue and scenic films for the express purpose of stimulating tourist interest. Parliament has been asked to approve a budget of $88,059 for the year as compared with $82,140 of last year: Associated Makes Charming Musical ml At the Imperial theatre, Toronto, during the first week of March, was shown a most charming and effective musical short called “Music Of The Stars,” starring a Canadian orchestra with its able conductor, Horace Lapp. This short was made in the Montreal studio of Associated Screen News under the direction of Gordon Sparling, and marks a distinct departure and advance in the work of that studio. It is one of the most entertaining and artistically satisfying musicals we have ever seen, the settings, selection of musical material, the renditions and the photography being all of a superior nature and blend. We are happy to see this competent piece of work coming out of a Canadian studio, and pleased to see a Toronto orchestra featured in a piece of entertainment that can stand up to and surpass the work of many of the popular American orchestras. SMARTEST EXPLOITATION STUNT The Academy Award for the town’s smartest exhibitor should go to the manager whose theatre was being picketed. Instead of having the pickets arrested, he rented space on their signs to advertise his picture. Add Goldwynisms: “When you talk to me, shut up!” SIRES alee Ro SE FSR STS ETRY 6) Sanaa eee SI SSA SLOTS AA Ce RC PATRONIZE THEADVERTISERS WHO MAINTAIN IT. ———ai, Toscanini Gets Hebrew Medal Arturo Toscanini has been awarded the 1937 American Hebrew Medal for promotion of better understanding between Christian and Jew. PERFORMING RIGHT BILL (Continued from Page 1) Fees levied against small public and amusement places, was described as a duplicate charge by Mr. Wm. K. KEsling, member from Kootenay, who sponsored the bill for curbing the Society’s rights, as recording and broadcasting companies pay for the use of the copyrighted music. This bill will soon be _ presented for the Senate’s approval. Motion Picture theatres are still constrained to pay the fees set by the Performing Right Society with the approval of the Copy~~ right Appeal Board, but will be furnished with a list of copyrighted subjects should the bill pass the Senate. Many theatre people feel that the same situation applies to them, in their use of recordings on film, as applies to the users of gramaphone records or radios. Where film is leased by a theatre for exhibition purposes, the film rental should cover the full use of everything contained on the film. Fees for the use of copyrighted music could and should be paid for by the production studios. Perhaps an amendment to the bill is now in order. CEASE ETE Ed AR OE Nerina A —PARAMOUNT. LOEW’S—“EVERYBODY SING” & “ARSENE LUPIN ff RETURNS” — METRO. SHEAS—“RADIO CITY REVELS’ — WARNERS. “JURY’S SECRET” — UPTOWN — “SNOW WHITE & SEVEN DWARFS” IMPERIAL THEATRE—“ROMANCE IN THE DARK” UNIVERSAL. in Sth ne chan ane oneness