Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 3, 1943)

Page scan 0005 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Feb 3, 1943
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 3, 1943)
Leaf #:
0005
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Global Cinema, Canada, and Hollywood Studio System
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Canadian Picture Pioneers, Paul Moore and Jessica Whitehead
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:

Canadian Film Weekly

  • Editor: Hye Bossin (1942-64)
  • Renamed Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly (1965-69, editor: Stan Helleur)
  • Renamed Candian Film Weekly(1970, editor: Ed Hocura)

Canadian Film Weekly (1942-70) was edited by Hye Bossin and published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., wholly owned by leading exhibitor, Nat Taylor. In the late 1930s, Taylor was head of the Independent Theatre Association and his Toronto-based chain, Twinex-Century (Twentieth Century), was the largest independent circuit in the country. In 1941, however, he negotiated for chain affiliation with upstart Canadian Odeon before leveraging a better deal and greater booking control with nationally-dominant Famous Players Canada, Ltd. No longer independent, he took ownership of the Independent Theatre Association’s semi-monthly magazine, The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (1940-41), installed Hye Bossin as editor, and laid plans to relaunch in January 1942 under a new name, Canadian Film Weekly. This enduring key publication was no longer solely focused on independent exhibitors but instead covered the entire industry on a national scale–exhibition, distribution and production–with some attention given to studio news from New York and Hollywood.

Bossin was a vibrant writer with a canny way with words, admired in the industry in the United States as well as Canada. He was one of a large family who lived above their father’s secondhand shop in the Jewish “ward” downtown in Toronto. His older brother was a bookie with ties to the underground; his younger brother was a famous journalist, protégé of Walter Winchell, and Hollywood screenwriter. In contrast, Hye spent nearly two decades learning the publishing trade in a printers’ shop before trying a stint as a Hollywood publicist, then writing a column for the Toronto Star Weekly before taking Taylor’s offer to edit the Film Weekly. Bossin was central to the creation of the Canadian Film Archive, the Canadian Film Awards, and he wrote some of the first histories of early cinema in Canada, published in the first volumes of the annual Canadian Film Weekly Year Book (1951-70).

In 1957, the Film Weekly had incorporated the rival Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1917-57), and began dating its start to that paper’s earlier start as the Canadian Universal Bulletin (1915-18). Subsequent variants of the Canadian Film Weekly and its yearbooks always claimed their roots all the way back to 1915 and the origins of the film industry trade press in Canada. After Bossin died in 1964, the Weekly’s new editor, Stan Helleur, renamed the magazine Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly, scaling back the pace of publishing but adding a purview for television and broadcasting. The annual was renamed similarly, its subtitle amended to “Year Book of the Canadian Entertainment Industry.” An attempted renewal to weekly format in 1970, edited by Ed Hocura, was short-lived and Nat Taylor decided instead to relaunch under an entirely new title, Canadian Film Digest (1971-77) and Canadian Film Digest Yearbook (1971-86).

– Paul Moore, March 2024

Further Reading

  • Bossin, Hye. “Canada and the Film: The Story of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry.” In Canadian Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry, 21-41. Toronto: Film Publications of Canada, 1951.
  • Moore, Paul. “Chronicling a National History: Hye Bossin’s Canadian Film Weekly and Year Book.” In Eric Hoyt and Kelley Conway, eds., Global Movie Magazines. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2024.

Date Added:
August 01, 2024
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Page 6 Canadian FILM WEEKLY Vital Helm Statistics The following communication, addressed to Dave Axler of Premier Operating by Walter Helm, manager of the Avon, Stratford, is self-explanatory—and self-bragatory. You won’t mind that. Be it known that Martin Bloom was delegated by Dave to carry out Walter's wishes, which he did with neatness and despatch: “Dear Dave, On Sunday morning, at 9:30, I became the father of a bouncing 7 Ib.6 oz, BABY BOY. After almost 12 years of married life, during which time we acquired three daughters, I feel that I accomplished one of the most daring feats of my life. Therefore, I am enclosing 10 cigars (and they aren’t nickel cigars either) and would ask that you pass them out with my FEATURES THAT ARE iS TA N DI N G compliments. ¥ All kidding aside, I am very happy that it was a boy and I EM UP am glad to report that both Mrs. Helm and the baby are doing EVERYWHERE! just splendid.” Nice going, Walter, old pal. The boys On the Square congratulate you and the missus. + * * One Day Nearer Roy S. Davis, ad manager of the Hamilton Spectator, gives his letters a lift with a simple statement. Underneath the date he writes “(One Day Nearer Victory).” Catches the eye and raises the spirit. Vocal Boy Makes Good Many a manager knows a thing of two outside his job. Frank Rooney of the Revue, Toronto, for instance. He can sing ; back at the screen when a musical is on if he wants to and create a little harmony with Crosby and Lamour. Frank is proof of the unusual fact that big fellows often haye small voices. Jack Dempsey talks in tenor tones, as newsreel patrons are occasionally startled to discover. Rooney, who has quite some heft, fills the air with a sweet tenor. He’s a favorite soloist at weddings and funerals, Last week he was elected president of the choir of St. Cecelia’s church, a considerable distinction in music circles. Never handed out a pass either. I hope Frank continues the even tenor of his ways, a quality that has added to his popularity, to match the sweetness of his solos. Secrets of a Co-Ed Tina Thayer, Otto Kruger, Rick Vallin * Baby Face Morgan Mary Carlisle, Robert Armstrong, Richard Cromwell A Night for Crime Glenda Farrell, Lyle Talbot Tomorrow We Live Jean Parker, Ricardo Cortez —COMING— An Alexander Korda Production ‘The Scarlet PimperneV With Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey * * * False Alarm A. lady bought a ticket at a neighborhood house and asked for her glass premium. “Sorry,” said the doorman, “no premiums,” The lady claimed misrepresentation, saying that such a policy was not according to the marquee. The manager investigated. “Tonight,” read the marquee, “The Glass Key.” Stu Smart's Good Idea Since metal replacements are as hard to find as a bale of hay in an auto show, the conscientious manager gives some thought to the preservation of his present house equipment. This winter weather has been hard on doors, causing them to stick, and they are getting more severe handling. In each theatre certain doors are opened and closed hundreds of times nightly while others get little usage. Eventually the door-closers at the busy entrances will wear down or the springs will break. | Stuart Smart, manager of the Capitol, Port Hope, Ontario, Producers Releasing Corporation LIMITED Executive Offices: 277 Victoria St., Toronto, 2, Ont. uses 2 scheme that does much to lengthen the life of closers, He switches the closers so that all get an even usage. It's worth remembering. February 3rd, 194% Shows to Boost Victory Gardens (Continued from Page 1) ? necessary to produce as much as possible. Canadians will be asked ! through various mediums to p-) undertake personal agricultural — enterprises, “a J. J. Fitzgibbons and John Grierson discussed recently the — role that theatres will play in encouraging the people to plant gardens wherever possible. There may be special trailers issued the National Film Board or news ~ clips or both. = Famous Players are preparing ~ for the opening of the campaign. — Managers of Canada’s largest cir-— cuit have been instructed to make their theatres available outside of — playing time for community meet— ings. The purpose of these will be to spread the word and pass on instructions about planting and gardening. 3 Instructions have also been issued to district managers to inform employees that the circuit will provide seeds to any of its workers who will make use of them in the development of a victory garden. Other circuits and Independents — are awaiting news of the drive so that they may also work out the best way to serve the needs of the people, as well as doing their own share. Donald Morris Sings From Tilbury Stage When Donald Morris, fine Tilbury baritone, was sponsored on the air by the Town Council of Tilbury, Ontario, Mr. Chauvan, manager of the Plaza Theatre, arranged for Morris to broadcast from his stage each Wednesday. Many people had planned to stay home and listen and the idea gives the house some protection from competition. : Morris is a graduate of the Juilliard School of New York, to which he went on a scholarship. Movie Ball on March 23rd The Movie Ball announced some time ago by the Canadian Motion — Picture Pioneers has been sched— uled for Tuesday, March 23rd, at — the Royal York Hotel. The proceeds will be used to establish a fund for the Pioneers’ Benevolent — Fund. Charlie Mavety is chairman of the Entertainment Com— mittee, which has Archie Laurie and Ben Cronk as members. Single tickets will be $3.50 and — double tickets $7.00, There will be a prize draw for a number of gifts” donated by various individuals and firms. The admission ticket entitles the bearer to the supp and dance,