Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 11, 1942)

® March llth, 1942 Hollywood Tabs Reissues (Continued from Page 1) drive for conservation material, the industry believes that between 400 and 500 pictures turned out since the induction of sound are available and useable for revival. First objective of the survey is to establish a concrete list of pictures in every producing organization, which can be sent out in time of need with reasonable assurance that the public will take a look. Second and equally important phase of the survey involves determination of how many of the old prints can be used again, in order to put the demands for new printing and film positive at a minimum. Most distributors are sanguine as to the results of reissues carefully selected. It is pointed out that to date extremely few spots throughout the country ever have tried the “old picture’ runs which have proved successful in Hollywood, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. When the new picture supply slows down, there is little doubt that the majority of reasonable populous centres will have the chance to show whether they like the old timers, with the probability that a good many theatres now dependent upon new pictures ‘will become old-time houses for the duration. Aside from this angle, however, the major distributors believe there are many pictures which have been made since sound came in which will be welcomed heartily for a second round throughout the country. In the 12 years since Hollywood went all-talking. more than 7,000 features have been made here alone. It is believed that when this list is put through the wringer, the distributors will have between 400 and 500 pictures. The reissue plan now under consideration in the survey is taking full cognizance of the fact that when the pinch comes, the double bill automatically will depart. Stage Show Revival Theatrical booking offices in New York are reported busy lining up every kind of live act for future work. Even now the demand is pressing the supply hard. A number of sound reasons have been given. The public has the money and is willing to spend it. The additional patronage will pay for a stage show. The growing popularity of the single bill policy has left time to fill. The reduction in product expected from priorities and manpower shortage at the studios has managers making stage plans. Canadian FILM WEEKLY ~ ad ‘ a Squave with Hye Bossin The Magic Cloak “The night has a thousand eyes’’—and a million ideas. What is there about the shadowy stretches of pavement that frightens the timid and mellows the hardened? The tight-lipped become loose-tongued and make confidantes out of casual acquaintances. Enthusiastic ideas for a dozen forms of conquest come pouring forth and fade into nothing with the crowing of the first cock. There is a feeling of kinship with the stray dog or cat that; crosses one’s path and follows along for a bit. Here and there an oasis of light frequented by professional night-lifers. The patchwork of variable blacks softens steel and stone. Traffic lights, seen clear down the road, are like part of a vast switchboard. Street lamps seemed joined together and fade into the distance like a golden span. The electric-studded evening dress of the cinemas, which greeted the gay crowds, has changed to sombre and sleepy shades. Occasionally something breaks the quiet. An auto scutters by. A street car roars past. The sharp gasps of a locomotive are heard from afar. From the shipyards the sudden staccato of machinedriven rivets perforates the quiet. Then silence. They Still Live The City Hall has the sad look of semi-Gothic structures at night. The Square, empty of its daytime hundreds, has a queer brightness. Here the people have gathered many times in common joy or sorrow. Now the absence of any living thing deepens the loneliness. The mood seems one of keen waiting. The cenotaph, illuminated by spotlights, dominates proudly. The wind gives movement to flag and flowers. Through the spotlights’ beam the snow does a graceful, swirling dance. One senses something going on but mortal eyes see nothing. Can this be the hour of the cenotaph’s own? * * + * * * Another World Chinatown shows that it is late even for diehards. A barricade of garbage cans runs along the narrow pavement. The dawn is closer than the peak of night. A while ago colored neons gave off an affected gaiety. Faded buildings enmeshed with glowing tinsel. Spangles on the garb of the lowly. To strangers the scene gave promise of adventure. They laughed gaily, gazed curiously, savoured the unusual foods and paid well. Behind most of the endlessly banging doors the residents kept their own counsel, amused themselves in their own way. Now the alien occupation is almost over. Cafe helpers come downstairs for a breath of air and a look at the quiet street. Blinds are being drawn. Neons snap off, one here, one there. An actor, at the end of a tiresome role, doffing makeup and costume. In the growing grey the old structures seem to shiver nakedly. The quarter is regaining its character. It takes on the look of a settlement beside the walls of a city. Soon the city will waken. While Chinatown sleeps. s * People of the Night The night has its own folk—taxi drivers, musicians, waiters, gamblers. Newsboys drowse in doorways until a car stops. Policemen relax against buildings. The sentries who guard military buildings are lonesome and aloof. Newly-arrived transients with undies or packs keep on the move to avoid questioning before discovering the city’s refuges. Prowling police cars. Sisters of the she-shops taking afterduty strolls. Workers, with lunch kits, coming off night shifts. Charwomen hurrying home as though impelled by dire possibilities. Sleepy-eyed swains and rum-soggy roisterers. Characters with strange mental quirks. The dawn sneaks up. The city stirs. People are gathering at car stops. Traffic grows. The city slowly regains its harshness. An intrusion. A colossal intrusion. Page 3 Quebec Girl Moves Towards Stardom Another young Canadian is on the way to an important part in pictures. She is Francine Bordeaux, who was born in St. Georges, Quebec and educated in St. Hyacinth. Miss Bordeaux, whose real name is Helena Veilleaux, is one of six children. Her parents now reside in Lewiston, Maine. Before entering pictures she was a student of English and Drama at the New York Academy in Carnegie Hall and worked as a commercial model. After two years at the New York Academy, she joined stock companies and toured New Englang for two seasons. She was seen there by Hal Roach, who signed her to a contract with his studio. She was brought to California and Roach continued her lessons in English and drama, preparing her for the lead in one of his contemplated pictures, ‘‘Captain Fury.” After a disagreement in the presentation of her character, she left Roach and returned to New York, where she resumed her stock company work for one summer and during the winter played engagements as a singer in several of the better New York night clubs. During this time she continued her studies in English. Again she was “discovered” in New York and brought to California for a picture at RKO. Although she has not yet done her RKO picture, she made her first appearance before the motion picture cameras in “I Married An Angel” for MGM. Since then she has played in “Mr. and Mrs. Cugat” for Paramount. Miss Bordeaux’s hobby is sculpturing and several of her statues have been copied for commercial sale. Her favorite sports are swimming, horse-back riding and hiking. Restrictions Lifted By Ottawa Order Theatre marquees in Ontario towns affected by blackout regulations are once again trying their moth-and-flame effect on the general public. Under a government order issued on March Srd and signed by Hon. Ian Mackenzie, minister of pensions and national health, and Hon. C. D. Howe, minister of munitions and supply, the semi-blackout in Ontario was lifted. Entry and exit lights may be left on providing someone is handy to turn them out when an alarm sounds. Under this regulation the marquees are permitted to operate. Anti-burglary lights must be restricted to the interior of the premises and well-subdued, as well as meeting the demands of local police authorities. a, 4 —— ~s>