Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 14, 1942)

FORMERLY CXHIBITOR VOL. 8, NO.3 JAN. 14th, 1942 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Published by Film Publications of Canada, Limited, 5th floor, Hermant Building, 21 Dundas Square, Tor onto, Ontario. Phone ADelaide 4310. Printed at 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto. Price 5 cents each, or $2.00 per year Address all communications to The Managing Editor CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY 21 Dundas Square Toronto, Canada SS 28 Wolfe Cohen (Continucd from Page 1) Players Film Service, the old Allen setup, a year later he was promoted to assistant cashier in the same location. Another twelve months gained him a boost and switch to St. John in the capacity of booker. In 1920 he became office manager of the Montreal branch. After two years at this post he left FPFS to accept a salesman’s job with Regal Films in St. John, where he remained until joining Vitagraph. Mr. Cohen is a British subject by birth, coming to Canada with his parents in 1907 from his native city of Belfast, Ireland. ‘Dumbo (Continued Irom Page 1) Disney effort to date, was restricted to adult patronage and the boxoffice, robbed of the juvenile boom, did not enjoy the strong grosses of other spots. The law which bans juveniles from theatres under any circumstances resulted from a tragic fire 10 years ago. There was a shocking death toll and the enactment of the law met with general satisfaction. The sharp edge of the tragedy has been worn off by time for many but the reconsideration isn’t strong enough to cause the law to be rescinded. United Artists (Continued from Page 1) vision will now operate as a separate entity in the United Artists sales organization. Leserman also announced that transfer of the exchanges in the Southern District —including New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte—to the Western Division under Stearn. January 14th, 1942 Canadian FILM-WEEKLY —— ,, Congrats The appointment of Wolfe Cohen as Vice-President of Vitagraph, Ltd., Warner Brothers’ Canadian company, can be taken as a compliment to Canada as well as a tribute to Wolfe Cohen. Wolfe Cohen, a Canadian born in the British Isles, replaces an American, Carl Leserman, in the position. A minor matter from an international standpoint, as we re gard things over here. But it can be interpreted as recog nition that Canada, a great film territory, does best under Canadian thinking and Canadian knowledge of our parti cular film field problems. bred in the field, That is the simple and direct way to analyze anything best. Make it the job of a man Canadian film men everywhere will take personal pleasure from Wolfe Cohen's promotion, since none are spoken of in friendlier tones than the present Canadian manager of Warmers. President Roosevelt Makes Known Censorship Policy President Roosevelt has informed Lowell Mellett, newly designated Co-ordinator of Government Films, that there is to be no censorship or restriction of the cinema industry except that “which dictates of safety make imperative.” “The American motion picture is one of our most effective media in informing and entertaining our citizens,’ Mr. Roosevelt wrote Mellett in a letter published in the Federal Register. “The motion picture must remain free insofar as national security will permit. “IT want no censorship of the motion picture; I want mo restrictions placed thereon which will impair the usefulness of the film other than those very necessary regulations which the dictates of safety make imperative.” Mr. Roosevelt informed Mellet he would have four primary functions: 1. Serve as Government liaison officer ‘‘with theatrical, educational and industrial producers and distributors in connection with the preparation, production and distribution of films.” 2. Establish a clearance office for Government films which are to be distributed to theatres or non-theatrical organizations. 38. Plan for “such Government motion picture production and distribution as is deemed mecessary to inform and instruct the public during the wartime crisis.” 4, Consult with all Government departments “in connection with the film production and distribution programs and consult with and advise motion picture producers of ways and means in which they can most usefully serve in the national effort.” Mr. Roosevelt said establishment of the co-ordinator’s office was necessary because ‘“‘the motion picture, especially as used by the Federal: Government, has a very useful contribution to make during the war’ emergency.” Theatre Men Appointed Provincial committee members of the Canadian ARP Services, prior to the Toronto conference between provincial and federal authorities, appointed Fire Marshall W, J. Scott, O. J. Silverthorne, director of the provincial Motion Picture Branch and Jack Purves, theatres representative, to a committee to study the problem of fronts and patronage during blackouts. The problem deals with the inand-out movement of patrons while the fronts are blacked out. An experimental front has been worked out which, if it proves useful, will be standardized for general use. A recently-drafted section of the blackout regulations bans outside display lights between sunrise and sunset. Frozen Money Problem When Britain froze rentals and receipts of American films the Hollywood business heads found themselves with an extra problem. The money was earned and came under taxation. Now Washington has decided that film firms needn’t pay tax on the frozen cash. It can be deducted from the income. But it isn’t retroactive. Sums paid in the past on locked English earnings stay where they are. No. 5, RCAF Picks Gene Tierney (Continued from Page 1) a flyer. Can’t we arrange it some day? It flatters me considerably to realize that you selected me above the runners-up Lana Turner and Veronica Lake for this distinction, but I can suggest that Lana and Veronica would keep your boys up just as long. I’ll ask them anyway. Many sincere thanks and if you happen to be lost over New York City after Christmas parachute down to the Astor Theatre where ‘Shanghai Gesture’ is playing. There will be free tickets for all the boys. “Your willing passenger.” Gene Tierney. Incidentally, when it came press time for “The Sky-Line” it was discovered that the engraving of Gene’s autographed photo hadn't arived from Toronto. So the boys made the gesture magnificent. They rolled out a bomber and flew the picture back in time. Ottawa Ponders (Continued from Page 1) from the situation. One is McMullen’s assurance of fair distribution of product to all. The second was the formation of the Independent Motion Picture Exhibitors Association to handle things relating to the regulations. Barnett Laxer, of Biltmore Theatres, Ltd., which operates houses in Oshawa and Kingston, was made _ president and Henry Falk was appointed by the new body to represent it on the board. Benny-Lombard Film Ready Camera work has been completed on ‘“‘To Be or Not to Be,” the Ennst Lubitsch production starring Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. The national release ,of this Alexander Korda presentation is slated for the latter part of February. Adapted by Edwin Justus Mayer from the story by Lubitsch and Melchior Lengyel, ‘“‘To Be or Not to Be” is a comedy revolving around the exploits of Poland’s leading stage couple just prior to the invasion. The cast in support of Miss Lombard and Benny includes Robert Stack, Felix Bressart, Lionel Atwill, Stanley Ridges, Sig Rumann, Maude Eburne and Tom Dugan. Complete Theatre Equipment and Supplies COLEMAN ELECTRIC CO. 258 VICTORIA ST., Toronto, Ont.