Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 29, 1942)

July 29th, 1942 Canadian FILM WEEKLY Marquee Dimout {Priority Numbers Vol. 8, No. 31 July 29th, 1942 Sj WWE ie (E> LS zefoly 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., 5th Floor, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Phone ADelaide 4310, Price 5 cents each or $200 per year. While London Burns A copy of a column in the English publication, Daily Film Renter, is on this desk through the kindness of Emest A. Fredmam, its editor, and the courtesy of E. S. Roberts of the Associated Screen News, who suggested that Canada might care to get an eyeful of a current film controversy over there. It seems that the British Film Institute made a production called “Film and Reality’ and the Documentary News Letter, an English organ, suggests that its makers showed a contempt for technique as demonstrated in the past by our own John Grierson of the National Film Board, whom Basil Wright, one of the critics, describes as “the founder of the documentary movement.” Documentary News Letter, in the course of its judgment, introduced a question that sounds as though there are people still satisfied to play intellectual football for mental diversion while London is burning. Wright wonders whether the documentary film should devote itself to all-out propaganda or be “an aesthetic form divorced from any specific purpose” and gives a great deal of space to it. On the other hand, as “Tatler’—who is Fredman—points out, a vitally important subject like “The Foreman Went to France” rates about one-and-a-half columns. In Canada, now the home of Grierson and a leader in the documentary film field, this seems like a dangerously strange lack of film values. It’s hard to understand how one hopes to achieve our specific purpose, which is victory, if our channels of instruction and inspiration “are divorced from any specific purpose.” “Tatler” hits the matter right on the nose when he writes: “The best advice I can give them is to realize that the reason a film like, say, ‘Target for Tonight’ succeeded was simply because it told a straight-forward and vital story in an honest and gripping manner—not because it was a ‘documentary’.” That idea is what John Grierson brought to Canada with him and it is followed closely by the National Film Board—as you'll realize when you see its superb “China Strikes Back,” a United Artist release in “The World in Action” series. It has more punch, pathos and clarity than a dozen ordinary documentaries. It tells the story pointedly and honestly and lets aesthetic values take care of themselves. And they do, brother, they do. We're happy to see the Daily Film Renter still in there fighting and the British industry alive and kicking—even if some of the kicking is off the target. * oa aa A Fine Picture The picture referred to in the above editorial as “The Foreman Went to France” will be distributed under the title, “The First Commando,” by Esquire Films. It is a surprise picture, coming here comparatively unheralded from England, where it created ‘an immediate sensation. “The First Commando” is the story of a heroic Britisher, two soldiers and « girl who seize machinery of immense value to the enemy and return it to England under the nose of the advancing Nazi army, outwitting fifth columnists on the way. It provides a panoramic view of France during its greatest tragedy that is filled with thrills, suspense, humor and pathos. It will rank among the great pictures of the war. Ordered for Fall (Continued from Page 1) of the various power commissions in the country. The idea is make available more power for war work uses and it wlil be done without restricting indoor lighting or power and light for home and business use. Power load estimates are being exceeded now and officials figure that regions using much power, such as Ontario, will need an additional 300,000 horsepower and 1,000,000 kilowatt hours. The order will be general, with the regional officers taking all measures necessary to bring their areas into line to whatever extent is necessary. Each region has different needs, since some have no defense plants and will remain almost untouched by the order. Cities such as Montreal and Toronto come within full scope of the measure because of their industrial character. Toronto is fed power by Quebec sources and the Niagara River plant. The restrictions on lighting will enable power plants to keep the water used for those periods of the day when the demand for power is at its peak, such as 11.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. When power is expended freely the amount of water used to manufacture it draws down the lake to a point affecting the production of further power and diminishes the output. Eastern and Southern Ontario plants, for instance, are particularly affected because the water used there comes from lakes fed by rainfall and the spring run. The year’s needs must be estimated and the available water scheduled and stored for use when these lakes and rivers have dropped. Plants such as the Niagara one don’t face this problem because of the constant flow of water and areas supplied by such systems will be affected less than others. Rural areas may also be free of restrictions in cases where there is no increased demand. Water being the potential energy and power, its flow must be cheduled. Some countries have tried methods of directing the water back into reservoirs but this has turned out to be none too effective. The storing of energy in batteries is also impracticable. Complete Theatre Equipment and Supplies COLEMAN ELECTRIC CO. 258 VICTORIA ST:, Toronto, Ont. For Industry (Continued from Page 1) standardization and reduce t different forms used in connecti with priority materials, as well as furnish information needed by the War Production Board in the allocation of materials. Every branch of the industry with the exception of the distributors, seems affected by the document, though it does not specify materials. Under these new rules all purchase orders or contracts placed after July 10th, and any and all calling for delivery after July 31st, must bear the allocation classification number, which is 18.00, as well as the purchaser’s symbol, DP, to indicate domestic purchase, whether such purchase come from the USA or Canada. Purchase from other countries are indicated as FP, for foreign purchase. The allocation classification number, as well as the purchaser’s symbol, must be indicated on the order and will be passed along to the supplier. The purchaser’s symbol must continue to be marked on the order, even after the allocation classification number is chanee QD Some of the businesses affecte which sare related to the motion picture industry in Canada, as indicated in Class 18.00, Recreation and Amusement, are the production of moving pictures, manufacture of projectors, seats for theatres, photographic apparatus and materials, motion picture reels and containers, floodlights, cameras, phonograph records and needles, vending machines, theatre equipment, and the operation of thea~ tres. There will likely be additions to the order at a later date. AKIN am HEATING AND VENTILATING CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS