Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1924-Apr 1925)

Page Ten Present State Film Industry on the European Continent By ALFRED ROSE Special European Representative (Continued from Issue of Nov. 8th.) Doubtless, such concrete signs of the vitality of the Continental producers as the competitive bidding by them for American and English stars of whom they have already engaged Lionel Barrymore, Mae Marsh, Marjorie Daw, Nigel Barrie, Marjorie Hume, Malcolm Tod, etc., and directors, such as Burton George, Walter Nieburh, Graham Cutts, etc., as well as for theatres—the U. F. A. concern (of Berlin) nearly leased the Capitol which is to open in January on Haymarket — and the cooperative movement among them, culminating in the organization of the “Westi’ concern, also had their influence. Certain people, going from one cxtreme to the other, believe that the future is ALL to the Continental picture, but those who do have no sense of gratitude and little understanding of the industry in which they are engaged, therefore of their own interests, since the consolidation of the film industry is very largely due to the American producers, who have the initiative and the means to perfect it. All that can be reasonably expected and desired is that the American producers should leave a fair share of business to their European colleagues, who are as much entitled as they are to live and develop according to their abilities. The fact that whatever the Americans may attempt cannot prevent them from losing sooner or later the predominant position they now hold on the European market for more restricted—to which they are legitimately entitled, proves that the claim is fundamentally just. The engagement of European directors and stars can but create in America, and re-inforce in Europe, a demand for their production, of benefit; just as the production of European pictures can only awaken the public desire for variety in the programmes. As to the building of new theatres, the special exploitation they will necessitate will only help to cultivate the taste of the public, and to awaken its active interest first in general questions, then in its national production. Even the establishment of selling exchanges can only help the European producers by teaching them how to handle their own pictures. It can therefore be seen that if the American producers seem very strong, they have yet weak spots, and will have more or less rapidly to give up some ground to their competitors from Europe. How this will effect the nadian film industry will bes seen in eT article. Putting More Sense Into Censoring Pictures By DUNCAN G. MacINNES (Continued from Issue of Nov. 8th.) It may be that there are factors peculiar to each province that enter into censor decisions. But, that morals range with space as well as with time does not seem possible. In ten years there is a radical change in moral viewpoints; but can a few miles in a modern country have the same affect? Irregularity in verdicts can be seen in the record of most films. Shortly after the War, there was imported a clean unique comedy. It was a fanciful story based on a very popular. children’s tale from Arabian Nights Entertainments. On the whole, it was received very well, as seven boards licensed it, but by the eighth it was condemned. A recent American picture was passed for exhibition in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan, but was condemned in Manitoba. In the estimation of the censor boards these decisions may have been very well justified. These examples are not given as a claim that some Canadian censoring is unfair; claiming right for wrong; or finding fault where there is none; but to show the very erratic manner in which films are judged. According to government statutes censoring of pictures, and the incidental revenue, is classed as pertaining to property and civil rights. That is how the censor board came to be, in the first place, a provincial department. In several of the provinces it is included in the department of inland revenue. ‘The boards are supported mainly by the fees that are charged for censoring. These average about two dollars and fifty cents a reel, and for repeals from judgments there is an additional charge which amounts to as high as seventy-five dollars a subject. The standards, although they vary because of government acts and different interpretations of the boards, were originally from the same source. In 1921 there was a conference of the association of the boards of censors held in Toronto, at which it was decided to follow the code then in use by the Province of Ontario. This was to be until a standard code could be arranged that would be suitable for the whole of Canada. However nothing has been agreed upon since. The code can be stated briefly as follows: Moving Pictures will be censored for an excess of: showing disrespect to the law, or officers of the law; foreign patriotism; cruelty; firearms ; struggle or violence ; crime ; insanity ; suicide; murder, death; vulgarity; e of underworld; divorce; sex; ait xs; or ridicule of religion. (To be continued.) Stop the Press News is re Sarnia, H. Cook will — 4 NE Auditorium, opening. Mr. T. be manager. The New Majestic Theatre, at Stratford, Ont., Nov. 20th, and will provide pictures, plays and vaudeville. Mr. Tom Brown Mayor of Stratford is the President of the Majestic Theatres Ltd. The theatre has been built by local capital it is said. Mr. C. H. Moody is resident manager. The theatre is reported as being palatial in construction and design. Mr. J. A. Morrison, who sold his — theatre, the Star, at Meaford, is now president of the Weston Theatre Ltd. The foundation for the new theatre at Weston, Ont., has been completed. Messrs. H. H. Rudolph, S. J. Totten, J. C. Eagleson, Thos. Dorvzer and J. A. Morrison were elected directors for ensuing year, and at subsequent meeting of the directors, Mr. Morrison was elected president, Mr. Dorvzer, vice-president and Mr. James Aitchison, secretary-treasurer of the company. Limited number of the preferred shares of the capital stock of the company to be offered to the public. Mr. Alexander Osborne, schoolmaster, editor and author, is the distinguished father of H. A. C. Osborne, manager of the Bijou, Penetanguishine. Mr. Osborne, Sr., recently celebrated his 88th birthday. In 1911 his book “The Story of Old Penetanguishine” was published and he is at present working on another book entitled, “The Exiles From White Cliffs of Machinaw.” — Ever meet John Arthur, conductor Shea’s Hippodrome, Toronto? He is young, good-looking, an excellent musical conductor and generally conceded to be very clever, but and there is the rub! If he is responsible for headlining with Harold Lloyd at the Hippodrome the week of Nov. 17th, he has lost his sense of artistic proportion in regard to publicity. John Arthur presenting the orchestral number, John Arthur presenting the prologue, John Arthur, “manager, producer and conductor,” said announcement followed by a motion picture of John Arthur conducting his orchestra and then playing golf, is really John, too much John Arthur. Did you ever hear of a good friend selling you a great idea to hurt you greatly, Jonnie Whoever sold you the idea for all _ that immodest featuring in connection ee, with yourself, was no friend, a good friend's advice hn ereat are alwavs modest opens on Thursday, —