Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 17, 1943)

Pago 2 March 17, 1943 Canadian FILM WEEKLY \g520/ Wx / Y; Vol. &, No. 12 Maroh 1%, 10487 Al 9 More Film a an ELRBZEREYD ire BOSSIN, Managing Editor -|Navy Founds Own . 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 ADelalde 4310. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter Benefit Shows The action of Canadian distributors in ruling that no more pictures will be made available for special Sunday benefit shows is the result of a situation which has left the theatre in on untenable position for a long time. Almost in every town where such shows have been presented a controversy arose immediately between religious groups and service bodies. A thing many Ontario exhibitors have lost sight of is the fact that the law which forbids theatres from allowing an “exhibition or performance” on Sunday has never been altered in any way. In an endeavor to further the war effort the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau has permitted special groups the privilege of going ahead with appeals or documentary shows, as explained elsewhere in this issue. Thus, though theatres were not excepted from the operation of the law, they are assured of some protection. The Independent operator has had the greatest problem. He could not refer matters back to the home office and local groups, knowing that the complete responsibility was his own for opening the house, have made his life miserable The new ruling will come as a relief to him. The Opposition Most of the opposition to the war effort and charity shows on Sunday has originated from the office of the Lord’s Day Alliance, of which George G. Webber is general secretary. In a letter to the St. Thomas, Ont., Times-Journal, which, in reference to a Sunday show for Aid to Russia, wrote editorially: “But these are exceptional times and quite often exceptional means must be taken to raise money for war charities and other worldly objects,”” Mr. Webber dissented. In answer he wrote that “Individual and community morale cannot be maintained by studied evasions of the law. The war in which we are now engaged calls for adherence to high ethical standards, and the cultivation of the spiritual realities of life.” To these varying opinions the theatre man adds none. He only wishes to serve in the best way possible and his efforts up to now have caused him to be clouted coming and going. He’s the mam in the middle. In the matter of the St. Thomas show, Mr. Webber’s long letter to the Times-Journal, which asked questions about the financial report, in no way mentioned that such an outstanding service body as the Lion’s Club sponsored the show, leaving the impression that the theatre was responsible. The new move will cost the war effort much money but until the government asks for Sunday war effort film shows they will have to fade out for the duration. The opening of theatres on Sunday for Aid to Russia netted that fund something like $75,000. Many of these featured films. Mr. Webber can take comfort in our opinion, after asking around, that Canadian showmen do not want regular Sunday shows. For Sunday Shows (Continued from Page 1) verthorne said that no tickets may be sold or collection taken at the door, though a speaker may appeal for funds from the stage. In no case may the theatre charge a rental. The use of a theatre and film has been permitted free when outstanding local service groups, supported by leading municipal councillors, have asked for it on Sunday evenings to benefit such | worthy causes as Milk for Britain, Overseas Parcels Fund, Overseas Smokes, Aid to Russia, the Red Cross campaign and many others. No sooner has such a show been announced when ministerial groups ; begin their sniping, usually aimed ‘at the theatre and not the spon| sors. The manager is left no choice | but to antagonize one group or the other. A case in point was the Aid to Russie Sunday show held at the , Granada Theatre, St. Thomas, On tario, conducted under the auspices of the Lions’ Club of that city. George G. Webber, general secre_tary of the Lord’s Day Alliance, sent a letter to the St. Thomas Times-Journal], criticizing the announcement that the gross receipts amounted to $600 and stated that the public had a right to know what the expenses were. The Lion’s Club subsequently announced a breakdown of expenses and profits. Webber, in his letter, did not refer to the Lion’s Club but to the theatre. An uninformed reader would gather the impression that the theatre was on the spot. Another such controversy is on at the moment between the Kitchener-Waterloo (Ont.) Ministerial Association and the Kinsmen's Club, which has raised much money for the Overseas Parcels Fund. Mayor Meinzinger defended the use of the Century Theatre to help the fund. It is felt that the support of the IODE to Sunday film shows for the troops has caused increased activity on the part of religious groups and a definite move was necessary to establish the respon‘sibility. Therefore, without a request from the government, further film Sunday shows, unless as specified above, are deemed inadvisable by distributors. Quebec is, of course, an exception, since Sun-' day shows are legal in that province after 1 p.m. In Ontario the Theatres and Cinematographs Act forbids Sunday shows of any kind, though such shows have been permitted when held under unimpeachable ‘sponsorship and for the war effort. However, this has been at the , judgment of the chairman, there , being no amendment of the law. S . * it eagoing Circui (Continued from Page 1) tea long perlods of time. It will operate completely independent of the NAAF, which provides film entertainment for the other services and is supported by service clubs, grants and donations.* The NAAF couldn’t cope with the naval problem. The Royal Canadian Naval Film Society will be self-sustaining, carrying on without reliance on outside aid. The sailors will make a voluntary contribution of five cents per program. The Society hopes to provide programs for naval hospitals in the near future and every attempt is being made to acquire enough prints for this purpose. The distribution of prints will be made according to operational movements and from naval film libraries at various points in Canada. These prints are leased from the exchanges for two-year periods, the navy carrying its own insurance on them. In the case of films lost at sea, these will be replaced by the exchanges at the cost of the print alone. The honorary manager and organizer of the Royal Canadian Naval Film Society is Lieut. Dave Rubin, motion picture officer of the RCN, who has been in charge of the production and distribution of instructional films. These are used for visual education, being part of the method of teaching seamanship, shipbuilding and electrical trades. The suitability of the entertainment programs will be passed on Lieut. Rubin. A. number of former theatre and exchange men are in the RCN, some in charge of film libraries. Lieut. Rubin was manager of the Westdale Theatre, Hamilton, Ont., before joining up. Irwin Steinhart, ex-manager of the Vanity, Windsor, is in charge of the film library at an Hast Coast Canadian port; and Harry Paige, who used to be United Artists’ manager in Vancouver, has a like task elsewhere, The new Canadian setup it similar to those being used by the British and USA Naval Services, Manager Wanted Seasoned showman, who can build patronage by exploitation, tie-ups, contests, stunts and appeal to special groups. Give full particulars of experience, especially in campaigns. Apply to nearest EMPLOYMENT AND SELECTIVE SERVICE OFFICE Refer H.O. 91.