Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 1, 1942)

Page scan 0005 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Jan 1, 1942
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 1, 1942)
Leaf #:
0005
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System, Global Cinema, 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 Weekly

  • Editor: Hye Bossin (1942-64)
  • Renamed Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly (1965-69, editor: Stan Helleur)
  • Renamed Candian Film Weekly(1970, editor: Ed Hocura)

Canadian Film Weekly (1942-70) was edited by Hye Bossin and published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., wholly owned by leading exhibitor, Nat Taylor. In the late 1930s, Taylor was head of the Independent Theatre Association and his Toronto-based chain, Twinex-Century (Twentieth Century), was the largest independent circuit in the country. In 1941, however, he negotiated for chain affiliation with upstart Canadian Odeon before leveraging a better deal and greater booking control with nationally-dominant Famous Players Canada, Ltd. No longer independent, he took ownership of the Independent Theatre Association’s semi-monthly magazine, The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (1940-41), installed Hye Bossin as editor, and laid plans to relaunch in January 1942 under a new name, Canadian Film Weekly. This enduring key publication was no longer solely focused on independent exhibitors but instead covered the entire industry on a national scale–exhibition, distribution and production–with some attention given to studio news from New York and Hollywood.

Bossin was a vibrant writer with a canny way with words, admired in the industry in the United States as well as Canada. He was one of a large family who lived above their father’s secondhand shop in the Jewish “ward” downtown in Toronto. His older brother was a bookie with ties to the underground; his younger brother was a famous journalist, protégé of Walter Winchell, and Hollywood screenwriter. In contrast, Hye spent nearly two decades learning the publishing trade in a printers’ shop before trying a stint as a Hollywood publicist, then writing a column for the Toronto Star Weekly before taking Taylor’s offer to edit the Film Weekly. Bossin was central to the creation of the Canadian Film Archive, the Canadian Film Awards, and he wrote some of the first histories of early cinema in Canada, published in the first volumes of the annual Canadian Film Weekly Year Book (1951-70).

In 1957, the Film Weekly had incorporated the rival Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1917-57), and began dating its start to that paper’s earlier start as the Canadian Universal Bulletin (1915-18). Subsequent variants of the Canadian Film Weekly and its yearbooks always claimed their roots all the way back to 1915 and the origins of the film industry trade press in Canada. After Bossin died in 1964, the Weekly’s new editor, Stan Helleur, renamed the magazine Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly, scaling back the pace of publishing but adding a purview for television and broadcasting. The annual was renamed similarly, its subtitle amended to “Year Book of the Canadian Entertainment Industry.” An attempted renewal to weekly format in 1970, edited by Ed Hocura, was short-lived and Nat Taylor decided instead to relaunch under an entirely new title, Canadian Film Digest (1971-77) and Canadian Film Digest Yearbook (1971-86).

– Paul Moore, March 2024

Further Reading

  • Bossin, Hye. “Canada and the Film: The Story of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry.” In Canadian Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry, 21-41. Toronto: Film Publications of Canada, 1951.
  • Moore, Paul. “Chronicling a National History: Hye Bossin’s Canadian Film Weekly and Year Book.” In Eric Hoyt and Kelley Conway, eds., Global Movie Magazines. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2024.

Date Added:
August 08, 2024
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Page 6 RKO Shuffles Organization RKO studios and theatre companies are in the process of personnel reorganization. George J. Scheafer has announced a number of changes already. The idea is to smooth the channels of business and more definitely mark each man's task. N. Peter Rathvon has been made vice-prasident of the parent company, Radio Keith Orpheum Corporation. Theatre activities will be joined together under Malcolm Kingsberg, executive vice-president. Leon Goldberg, now treasurer of the RKO theatre companies, was elected treasurer of the parent company and will serve as treasurer of all subsidiaries, including the picture and theatre companies. This move will centralize all financial operations under one head, who will be directly responsible to the president. Charles Koerner will be elected a vice-president of the theatre companies and will continue to function as general manager under Kingsberg. Hollywood Aids China The United China Relief, through Chairman James G. Blaine, announced the receipt of a $15,000 donation from the motion picture industry. The money is part of the profits of “Land of Liberty,” a picture made up of clips from 112 varied film subjects. It has been used by over 7,000 theatrical accounts. Universal Manual A manual, known as the Universal Exploiteer, will be brought out by that studio soon. It will show up after each major campaign, covering stunts and promotion used in the first 50 key runs of a picture. Performance Alone Determines the value of your equipment purchases. The QUALITY of our installation gives lasting satisfaction and results. PERIGINS COMPANY LIMITED 277 VICTORIA STREET 2027 BLEURY STREET TORONTO MONTREAL jalds reading I HAVE word of a special little stunt that was pulled by Bob Martin of the Oriole, Toronto, along with his capable projectionist, Al Hope. The boys toured the neighborhood, taking pictures of the girls as they passed, and rang a few doorbells, asking the daughter of the house to pose. The pictures were developed and 45 of them were placed in window display cards around the area. The copy read: ‘‘Are you a Ziegfeld Girl? If your photo is among these you are entitled to see ‘Ziegfeld Girl’ at the Oriole.” The idea created untold interest in the film. A promoted idea, too, since a film store, for a plug, supplied the film, printing and mounting. This is just one of the weekly stunts the boys dig up. I think it’s great and I’m sure the readers will. The Community papers and merchants are always asking for more district stuff and Bob is just the boy to supply them. a cn fee, ee NOTHER weekly publicity re port from Mel Jolley of the Columbia, St. Thomas. Mel plugged “He Stayed for Breakfast” with the eating places. The angle is obvious and is good for restaurant and theatre. Tied up with the usual mewspaper and placard ‘ampaigning, it served well. He promotes from 2,000 to 3,000 heralds each week. Most merchants will be glad to give them to you for space and tie up with a contest for a few passes. In a town of 20,000 there are usually more than 20 merchants who will join a campaign and leave the rest to the manager. Keep them coming, Mel—and I don’t necessarily mean daughters. (His little girl is Mel’s pride.) ~« * © * & ApS fighting Irishman from North Bay, Pat Dunne, is keeping them coming with good stunts, He organized a drawing contest in all the schools, the prize being an art set donated by a local merchant. On Sonja Henie pictures he ties up the sports stores in this fine snow country. For “Mystery Ship” Pat pasted and handed out hundreds of her“WARNING—Look out for an armed mystery ship headed this way.” And plugging the playdates, Set the folks to thinking and talking. Canadian FILM WEEKLY THE SUCCESS of your THEATRE depends upon GOOD EQUIPMENT EO COYLE, who is celebrating his 25th year as manager of the Granada, St. Catharines, claims that the best part of the business to him is the enjoyment he gets out of helping the neighbors with the use of the house. On December 19th he threw open the doors for the annual school children’s children’s matinee. The school board liked the et venoeinns A 26 Nowa idea so well for the past few years that it is now paying him to continue it. consult GENERAL Having visited him a number of times, and having served as his relief manager once, I can testify to the high regard in which Leo Coyle is held by the people of St. Catharines. Will Somebody Give Him a Life Pass? The much-harried double bill got a good word out of Dr. William Haines, director of the behaviour clinic of the criminal court of Chicago. He says it helps put the kibosh on kid crime. A Chicago doctor ought to know. The municipal medico, Though he uses many a good stunt, I still think Leo’s smiling face in front of the house attracts more people than any of them. x* ¢ * *« & re HEY’LL be ringing wedding ferring to the record of 432 bells for Bill Payne of the stickups in 11 months, said it Granada, St. Thomas, and Bob; was notable that such crimes diminished in number when the movies were offering double features. “Tt may be bad for the eyes,” he said, “but they do Save many a boy from boredom and thus deter him from activities that lead to jail.” Knockers take note. CONTRACT SALES OFFICE Brown of the Vanity, Windsor. Both are kicking the matrimonial bucket this month. Their stuff has been slow in coming in lately and we can forgive them, what with what they have on their minds. x * *& & & JVSIOBNEROS plugger for the com munity idea is Steve McManus of the Bayview, Leaside. He wants his house to be the only community gathering’ place thereabouts. Steve has been on the job just a few weeks but already he has the local merchants paying for a Community matinee children’s show. They foot the bills and give the kids candy and presents. This affair was on Monday Dec. 22nd. Ordinarily the theatre is closed on that afternoon. On December 19th he had the local Lion’s Club for their annual turkey draw. That would have taken quite a number of people elsewhere if Steve hadn’t come up with the idea. This is definitely the best type of publicity. Give goodwill and it will be returned hundredfold all year around. PHONE TR.1257 G™ FLOOR #EATO 6? Collage Stheet Steve is now a popular member of the community and is thoroughly at home. He teaches at the Sunday school and he likes it. He believes, with the Good Book, that ‘‘Sow and ye shall reap.” Try a little of this on your meighhbor. It’s good for the soul. January Ist, 1942.