Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 23, 1942)

Page 14 Canadian FILM WEEKLY December 28, 1942 Paramount Has Come a Long Way A Fine History and a Great Future in Three approach another year end, what has transpired in the case of Paramount Pictures is something that stands out as an evolution of importance to tho Motion Picture Industry at large. For a quarter of a century, the name of Paramount has implied something of importance to the industry. Thousands of theatres across the country have placed a great amount of reliance upon the drawing power of its product. Obviously, the road toward audience satisfaction has been a long one and not any easy accomplishment. This is Paramount’s Thirtieth Anniversary. In referring to this event earlier in the year, Barney Balaban, who captains and inspires the company, said, “This indomitable spirit( the loyalty of the men and women who make up Paramount’s world-wide organization) makes it possible for our company to render the service it owes to our country and to the millions of theatre patrons who have learned that Paramount means just that— Paramount; and it is with a deep feeling of responsibility that this company joins with the other companies comprising the industry in serving our government during this critical period. Without profit Poze into the past as we NCNENENE NERC ACCME MEME NCNCNENE HERE NEHER REN NEA RENE ARICA PERE RERE RE HERE RCC IEEE CREASE PRRMRBBRBIIH DRAMA or remuneration, the entire industry—production, distribution, exhibition—has pledged, and is delivering, the fullest co-operation. To every member of our Paramount family, our company is indebted. The future of Paramount never looked brighter.” Mr. Balaban certainly said a mouthful when he said the “future of Paramount never looked brighter.” As 1942 draws to a close, Paramount can peep into their vaults with a backlog of many pictures. Already released for this year are such outstanding features as “Louisiana Purchase,” ‘Holiday Inn,” “Reap the Wild Wind,” ‘The Glass Key,’ “Major and _ the Minor,” “Forest Rangers,” ‘Road to Morocco,’”’ ‘Palm Beach Story,” “The Avengers,” “Wake Island,” etc., etc. Due for early release in the New Year are such talked about stories as “Dr. Wassell,” “Star Spangled Rhythm,” “Lucky Jordan,” Lady Bodyguard,” “No Time For Love,” ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls,” “Miracle of Frenchman’s Creek,” “Dixie,” ‘Lady In The Dark,” ‘‘So Proudly We Hail,” “Ridin’ High,” “China” and many others. You can see from thé above list that Paramount is out to please all tastes ERE RE EEE OE OE UE EERE ME DEE TE EE HELE HE DE CE TE ELE MEMEME DERE DELETE BRR! right across the board. This bears out the assertion made by Buddy De Sylva, Paramount Executive Producer, earlier this year when he said, ‘Give ’em laughter, give ’em romance, give ’em songs — give ’em entertainment of the kind they want. That’s the motion picture joh. As Paramount goes into its 31st year, you'll find that’s the job we are trying to do.” In the field of stars, too, Paramount still bears out its name. In the roster of yesteryear were names that commanded the respect of the industry. Names like Mary Pickford, Rudolph Valentino, Gloria Swanson, William Powell, Clara Bow, Maurice Chevalier, Bebe Daniels, Wallace Beery, Wal lace Reid and Anna Q. Nilsson. Today, Paramount is still in the enviable position of having a roster full of names that mean more “jingle, jangle’ at the box office. Names this time like Gary Cooper, Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Robert Benchley, Victor Moore, Dona Drake, Susan Hayward, Ray Milland, Ingrid Bergman, Fred MacMurry, Joel McCrea, Macdonald Carey, Ginger Rogers and a host of others. Paramount’s new General Manager in Canada, Gordon Light Compliments of the Season Theatre Holding Corporation, Ltd. Deeades stone, believes that his company is entering the greatest production year in its history and, in the light of current events, has the following to say, “We of the Paramount family in Canada are mindful of the present emergency. We realize these are critical times and are trying at all times to work favorably within the framework of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. The movement of population from one location to another has created a problem. In one instance a situation is affected adversely, in another wartime prosperity has enhanced business. We are trying, and will continue to try, to give proper treatment and consideration to each situation. We, in this industry in Canada, both exhibiting and distributing, can be justly proud of the many constructive and patriotic jobs rendered our country and government from the day war broke out. We will all continue to render such services until the emergency is over and victory is ours and fruitful, peaceful years will be the lot of free peoples the world over — particularly our own fair land.” Paramount is going about its business optimistically, pervaded with a spirit of confidence in the company, its leaders and the quality of its product. TEPER A = RRARRNEAAMMRRRRR RB RRIH i } ee ee