Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 3, 1943)

Page scan 0006 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Mar 3, 1943
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 3, 1943)
Leaf #:
0006
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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March 38, 1948 Quebec Resolution (Continued from Page 2) our school system. We pay for our water supply. We also pay for the motion picture. What would we say if any questionable character were to be allowed to come in sud~denly and take charge of our children’s schooling? Or if suspected water was even occasionally turned into our mains? What an outcry goes up if a milk supply in a town is suddenly discovered to be in the least degree tainted. If our children’s minds are exposed to ill chosen pictures, the effects are likely to leave undesirable inmprints. If certam amendments are made, the motion picture will be an essential asset to post-war work. ‘the motion picture has assuredly come to stay and since it is botn recreational and educational, it is umperative that we as citizens use 10 in so far as it weil help our children and abstam from it when it hinders them. “The following are the suggest-| ed amendments to the Motion Pic| ture Act of 1928. Whereas it is| the opinion of the Bwys’ Bureau, of the Federation of Catholic Charities of Montreal that the Motion Picture Act of 1928 deprives children of enjoyable recreation and wholesome education and encourages disrespect for the civil law. Whereas many of the halls and basements in which movies are shown lack the proper safeguards | and supervision thus endangering the lives of youth. Whereas the theatres in which motion pictures are given to the public are, provided with every facility for the safeguarding of the lives of those who attend them and are the object of rigid inspection by the government. Be it resolved that the Boys’ Bureau go on record as requesting an amendment of the law which will admit children 9 years of age and over to specially selected motion picture theatres on Saturdays and specified holidays between the hours of 9 A.M, and 2 P.M. Be it resolyed that a board of censors, selected by the Catholic and Protestant Boards of public instruction, be authorized to classify motion pictures for children. Be it resolved that the penalty for theatres violating the proposed amendment be a severe fine. Be it further resolved that a | copy of this resolution be sent to | the Prime Minister of Quebec, His | Worship the Mayor of Montreal and all the Service Clubs and other organizations interested in Youth.” | Canadian FILM WEEKLY RED CROSS CAMPAIGN March Ist — 31st A National Committee has been formed in the Motion Picture Industry to assist the Canadian Red Cross in its annual campaign during the month of March. In this period the American Red Cross will also make its annual appeal. The Committee will work in harmony with the nine Provincial Divisions of the Red Cross in whatever way seems most desirable. If Provincial Committees are necessary, these will be formed. Where local committees are desirable it is expected that theatre owners will organize to meet the need. The Personnel of the National Committe is as follows: TORONTO: T. J. Bragg, R. Bolstad, N. L. Nathanson, J. Earl Lawson, K.C., Gordon Lightstone and Herbert Allen. MONTREAL: William Lester and Hillis Cass. SAINT JOHN: F. G. Spencer and Lewis McKenzie. HALIFAX: R. S. Roddick and Thomas Courtney. WINNIPEG: Robert Hurwitz and J. H. Huber. SASKATOON: William Winterton. PRINCE ALBERT: P. W. Mahon. EDMONTON: Harry Freedman. CALGARY: Vv. M. Storey. VANCOUVER: L. I. Bearg and Charlies Ramage. JOHN A, COOPER, Chairman. Arrangements have been made for special news items in the News Weeklies during March, and a Red Cross Trailer has been prepared and will be distributed by the Exchanges from all six territorial distributing centres. This advertisement is published with the compliments of the Canadian Motion Picture War Services Committee ~~ OF CANADA LTD. 277 Victoria St. Toronto The fastest growing company in the business NOW READY FOR YOUR THEATRE The boxoffice hit of the year Silver Skates All critics acclaim SILVER SKATES Tops of Ice Revues All-Star Cast: Kenny Baker Belita Frick and Frack Eugene Turner Patricia Morison Irene Dare Danny Shaw Ted Fio Rita's Orch. Booked by Famous Players’ Circuit Odeon Circuit And ail / ding theatres For genuine entertainment BOOK Rhythm Parade Prison Mutiny