Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 16, 1942)

Vol. 8, No. 51 Dec. 16th, 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. Help Russia! For all that the world is aflame and that men, women and children are dying in many places with every tick of the clock, each new day brings us back to the enjoyment of our task and each night still finds us in physical peace and in the company of our family and friends. The same lulling tick that tells us of the pleasantly-spent seconds at the theatre or at home marks the end of life for hundreds and constant suffering for millions. If there is one sunny spot in the dark and stormy world. this is it. It would seem that a divine grace has guarded us, keeping from our homes all the horror stocked up for so long by the organized merchants of death, and allowing us to send soldiers, arms and food to those to whom the need for physical assistance came first. What nation in the world could not envy us this remarkably good fortune? We, full partners from the outset, have remained the longest with our country unbombed and our homes unviolated. We may ponder the picture of a dozen countries in Europe and Asia and say to ourselves: “There, but for the grace of God, go we.” There, truly, but for the grace of God, the resistance of Britain and her allies, and now the awesome and wonderful fight of the Russian soldier and civilian, go we. They Need Us Every-Russian who has laid down his life in the fight against the attempt to impose Nazidom in his land has died for a Canadian principle. More than that, he has died to help keep our institutions, our homes and our physical well-being intact. You, of course, have realized that for a long time. But because this is still a land where tomorrow brings the same thing as today, all of us are not always as quick as we should be to support that realization. In Russia tomorrow brings death and suffering. We must do all we can as fast as we can to prevent death and relieve-suffering there. Only through this help can tomorrow also mean victory there—and here. Shall we let our amazing good fortune dull us to the needs of those who are responsible for it? We are a grownup nation. We knew our duty from the first. We must do all it entails. An Industry Effort To the motion picture industry has fallen some of the most important tasks beyond the battlefield. It is an honor that we have tried to deserve. It isn’t likely that any of us will allow yesterday’s sacrifices speak for us. We live in a world without yesterdays because the tomorrows are the ones that count. To help the Canadian Aid to Russia Fund, there has been organized, in your behalf, the Motion Picture Committee of the Canadian Aid to Russia Fund. Prominent film men everywhere have joined enthusiastically in establishing the machinery of assistance. Most of you will be spared the extra time and labor. You need only to contribute through the channels of your own industry—and help inspire the public to contribute through any method and to whom they please. The committees are busy working out the details and you will be informed any day now of what you can do to’ help. Russia, Canada, the United Nations and the Industry are counting on you. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Cr Bc ee ae December 16th, 1942 Advisory Council 7Clair Hague On Essentiality (Continued from Page 1) gin their own campaign for preference for theatres in particular instances. The situation in theatres, from an equipment standpoint, is becoming acute. In some cases generators and other valuable parts of the show scheme have survived their first and second patching up. What will happen when nothing but a priority will help has showmen worried. The safety and comfort of many people may depend on Ottawa's attitude. R. C. McMullen, director of the Film and Theatre Section of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board, expressed himself as _ believing that theatres should be encouraged and assisted to remain open. ‘If the situation arises where material and manpower are essential in certain cases,” he said, “the worth of the individual case should be studied and whatever help is possible should be rendered. I certainly don’t believe an essential rating should be given everything.” The proponents of some kind of preferential treatment in special cases are much concerned with the situation regarding projectionists, who are key men from an operating standpoint. The pool of projectionists has diminished because of military service and war work but W. P. Covert of the IATSE says that enough projectionists will be available for a long time to come. According to Mr. Covert, there are more projectionists -out of work now than at any time during the last three years. This, he explains, is due to the number of apprentices who have graduated and, in Ontario, to the 35 or so who were trained in the government school, now discontinued. The men lost to the army or war work have affected things very little, since the average projectionist is outside of present military categories. The one sore situation is the small town. Rural theatres have a hard time keeping their projectionists because of the higher wages offered in war work. In most cases they were trained locally and running the machines was often a part-time job. City projectionists have no inclination for smaller wages in other places. Mr. Covert suggested that a relaxation of the ban on Quebec projectionists in Ontario might help settle the small-town problem. Objections to the 1942-43 group ings will be registered at the Advisory Council session, it is said. Heads Pioneers (Continued from Page 1) secretary-treasurer; David Ongley is solicitor and George Beeston is assistant treasurer. The Entertainment Committee consists of Charlie Mavety, who is chairman; Ben Cronk; and Archie Laurie, with the committee having the right to add to its membership when necessary. The Membership Committee contains Haskell Masters, Archie Laurie and Louis Rosenfeld. A larger committee was set up for publicity, with Ed Wells, Walter Kennedy, Ray Lewis, Clair Hague and Leo Devaney. During the meeting some time was devoted to a deputation from the Aid to Russia Committee. The-matter of the Movie Ball and Draw for the Pioneers’ Benevolent Fund was discussed and a tentative date of February 9th set. A number of prizes for the draw have already been contributed as follows: Famous Players—$50 Victory Bond and a season pass for two at any Toronto theatre of the circuit; J. J. Fitzgibbons—$50 Victory Bond; Syd Taube for Canadian Automatic Confections—$25; Paul Nathanson—$25 War Savings Certificate; Sam Kalles, Ltd.—one suit of clothes; Canadian Moving Picture Digest—$25 War Savings Certificate; Charlie Mavety—$25 War Savings Certificate. Warren Prexy Of MPTAO (Continued from Page 1) affairs will be looked after by B. Geldsaler, S. Fine and H. Alexander. Syd B. Taube remains as exccutive secretary. Considerable discussion was devoted to* working out the future policy to be established by the association throughout the province. In a letter to the association O. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau, expressed himself as pleased with the spirit of co-operation of the new body. “I am sure,’’ his letter said, “that with an association such as you have set up, it will prove advantageous, not only to us, but to the entire industry when they learn of some of your uridertakings to enforce provincial and federal regulations. Applications are steadily. Glazier Sick Sam Glazier of Fox Adsales is at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, getting over an operation. Nothing sudden. Sam planned it for a long time. coming in