Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 24, 1942)

Vol. 8, No. 25 Canadian FILM WEEKLY June 24th, 1942 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., Sth Floor, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Phone ADelaide 4310. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. They All Beneftt Though much has been made about the value of motion pictures from a standpoint of inspiration, relaxation and information, there are other ways in which the industry serves the public. Quieter ways that become apparent only to the eyes of the observer. Here is one example: In Toronto several weeks ago the Civic Work Committee, on the recommendation of certain civic department heads, entertained a proposal to assess advertising devices having less than a nine-foot clearance at the rate of one dollar per foot. with a minimum rental of ten dollars annually. Such an action would. of course, affect the theatres unduly. Two theatre organizations, Famous Players and Independent Theatres Association. provided legal counsel to oppose this action on the part of the City Council. One of Canada’s best-known legalites, Joseph Singer, K.C., who was retained by the Independent Theatres Association, was successful, together with Norman S. Robertson for Famous Players, in convincing the civic administrators of the unfairness of such a step. As Mr. Robinson pointed out, the proposed assessment would cause much hardship for the small merchant, who might be taxed from $30 to $40 each year. Since the members of the committee accepted the recommendation as being intended to restrict signs rather than raise money, Mr. Singer claimed that an annual return of nearly $300,000 as a result would be going too far. The fight by the Independent Theatres Association and Famous Players was successful. The City Council, upon weighing the committee’s report, imposed no tax, though recommendations that future shadow boxes be restricted unless recessed and that signs have a nine-foot clearance were made law. , All-Round Protection #! The small merchant had none present to present his case, layman or lawyer. Had an assessment been passed it would have been followed by violations, fines and trouble generally. After a while opposition might have risen to the point where the Council would rescind the measure, causing much wasted effort and money in wartime. So the small merchants, movie patrons all, benefitted indirectly from the opposition provided by the theatre companies. But the story doesn’t stop there. It should be a lesson to theatre men on the inter-dependence of the industry. There are any number of Independent theatres, small circuits and trade organizations in Toronto. They provided no opposition to the measure. Had it passed they would have had another tax added to the many now in effect. Two theatre organizations, representing several classifications of exhibitors, bore the costs and the trouble of winning a victory for all. And that is how it should be. This inter-dependence and the need for recognizing the other man’s position is important. It is part of the fraternal spirit which must be kept alive even when sharp differences arise. All men who sit on national boards related to the industry, no matter if they are the delegates of one group as opposed to other —and sometimes unrepresented—groups, have a common duty to the industry which transcends any differences. —— eee eee Columbia's Big June 24th, 1942 H. T. Long Joins ‘42-43 Schedule |Pioneer Films (Continued from Page 1) Westerns, 130 short subjects and four serials. Paul Muni’s “The Comandos” stands out among the features for the coming season with a quartet of Rita Hayworth productions, Kaufman-Hart’s “The American Way,” a Jerome Kern musical, a pair of technicolor productions and a Cole Porter musical. Of high importance in the announcement is the company’s lineup of personalities, greatest ever to be offered in Columbia’s history. It includes some of the most noted names of stage and screen. Among the stars to appear in the new season productions are Brian Aherne, Jean Arthur, Fred Astaire, Janet Blair, Humphrey Bogart, Olivia De Havilland, Melvyn Douglas, Irene Dunne, Glenn Ford, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Paul Muni, Jack Oakie, Rosalind Russell, Virginia Bruce, William Gaxton, Evelyn Keyes and Claire Trevor. To meet the widespread interest in today’s history-making events, the program includes an important group of headline dramas based on the activities of the armed forces, such as “Destroyer,” ‘‘Salute to Sahara’ and “Knights Without Armor.” Important among the short subjects will be “America Sings with Kate Smith,’ which will mark the return of the songstress to the screen after a decade’s absence, in a series sponsored by, and with the proceedings going to, the USO; also a new’ series of Color Rhapsodies cartoons, first offerings of the newly-signed Dave Fleischer; director of “Superman” and “Popeye.” Of the 54 pictures announced, 48 will be productions featuring outstanding stars, directorial and author names; 16 will be westerns —eight starring Charles Starrett and eight featuring Russell Hayden and Dub Taylor. This program will be supplemented by four serials. The diversified line-up of 130 short subjects will consist of three serials of two-reel comedies and 10 series of single reel attractions. Chatham Houses "Keep ‘Em Smiling’ A real cooperative stunt was that pulled off by Chatham, Ontario’s three theatre managers, Pat Drohan of the Capitol, Harland Rankin of the Centre and Frank Reid of the Park. They called it “Keep ’Em Smiling” week. The boys took a full page in the Chatham Daily News and filled it with stories, ads, pictures and patriotism. Also their physogs. e000 0000 00000 eeeeeeeeEeEeEeEeeEeEEEEEE————————————E——E——EE——E——————— (Continued from Page 1) exchange is headed by Oscar Hanson, who opened it last October after ending an 11-year association with N. L. Nathanson. “I think that Pioneer Films has a marvellous future,’ he said in his mew office at 277 Victoria Street, Toronto. ‘Weve got ‘Birth of a Baby’ righ now and it just got press despatches across the country because Ottawa sponsored it. We've got Foto-Nite, the Paramount 16 mm. franchise and we'll have some important product announcements to make in a little while.” The acquisition of Long gives Hanson’s organization a popular figure in the Canadian industry and adds to the expert executive support of Jim Foy, Pete Barnes and George Oullahan. Long got into the game 22 years ago as a salesman with Paramount. He left the large exchange after five years to join First National as branch manager at St. John before that outfit became part of Warners. After a year at St. John he was transferred to handle the Calgary branch. He still retains his connections and friendships with western exhibitors, amongst whom he is highlyregarded. Toronto saw Long again when he joined the old Tiffany setup as branch manager here. Before the Tiffany company folded forever Long joined Associated Theatres as assistant general manager and retained that post for seven years before becoming top man. Long has served on every side of the motion picture business in Canada and on many supplementary committees. He was a theatre manager for three years, leaving Associated to handle the Rideau, Ottawa, then operated by Moorehead and Filman. When Hanson Theatre Corporation acquired the house Long rejoined Associated, becoming general manager of the latter company. Famous Players Shifts Managers (Continued from Page 1) it was a Pantages unit. Angelo Stevens of the Regent, Ottawa and H. Marshall of the Rideau, Ottawa, both Famous houses, have changed managerial posts in a straight switch. Murray Berg, who was treasurer at the Imperial until he joined Fred Trebilcock at Shea’s recently, has been shifted to head office.