Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 14, 1943)

Page scan 0001 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Jul 14, 1943
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 14, 1943)
Leaf #:
0001
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 08, 2024
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Vol. 8, No. 29 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada, Published af Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronte, Ont., Phono ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or. $2.08 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter About the NFB E. G. Hansell, member of the House of Commons for Macleod, Vulcan, Alberta, has asked the following questions, which have been passed. The answers will give theatre and exchange men some idea of the National Film Board’s position in the Canadian motion picture industry: 1. What are the names of the members of the National Film Board? 2. What is the organizational set-up of the board; how many are employed, and in what position? 3. How many films have been released to (a) motion picture theatres; (b) for other uses? 4. How many films in the Canada Carries On series have been released up to the 3lst May, 1943? 5. What remuneration has been received from motion picture theatres for use of films up to May 3lst, 1943? 6. What is the total cost of the National Film Board, and its work for each year of its operation? The statement of General LaFleche that “the National Film Board is in some respects in competition with commercial companies” is not being taken seriously by film men, who do not regard the NFB as a business rival. Distribution and exhibition men have given the NFB every co-operation and are only too pleased to play the Ottawa product, which is considered to be the best of its kind anywhere. The NFB’s admission that it is in commercial competition will make the answers interesting to the industry. Its representatives have been credited with statements and actions which indicate that the NFB would like some sort of governorship over certain phases of the business in Canada. They Thank You In a letter to this publication George C. Ganetakos, one of the best-lmown Canadian showmen, thanks the Canadian Motion Picture Industry for the service it rendered to the Greek War Relief Fund. The Quebec theatre man acted as chairman of the Central Executive Committee and B. C. Salamis, another prominent film figure from French Canada, assisted as secretary. Writes Mr. Ganetakos: “Our objective of half a million dollars has been surpassed, the success of which is due, to a great extent, to the splendid assistance of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry. “We avail ourselves of this occasion to reiterate through you to the whole motion picture industry, the exhibitors and others who helped, our heartfelt appreciation. “The people of Greece will never forget such noble acts and will always remember with gratitude the help given them in this moment of their greatest need.” The Greek War Relief Fund asked little enough and the knowledge that the drive was a success will bring great satisfaction to all Canadians, showmen or otherwise, July 14, 1943 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Canadian FILM WEEKLY *) — rr Commons Asks NFB Rentals (Continued from Page 1) how much the NFB got in rentals from theatres up to May 31, 1943. It appears now that the question will be among those answered, since it was passed on the order for return. “The point is that the National Film Board is in some respects in competition with commercial companies,” stated General LaF leche. “Tt is in the national interest that they have full right to make as good a bargain as they can, and they should not be put in a disadvantageous position by reason of information being made public.” The house leader of the Opposition, Gordon Graydon, member for Peel, Brampton, Ontario, provoked the discussion when he objected to General LaFleche’s passing over the question with the explanation that the NI'B’s reasons for not answering had been explained privately. “This is a question in which the whole house is interested,” he said. “I would ask the minister to indicate the special reasons for the reservation.’ On receiving the reasons, Mr. Graydon asked that the minister remove his reservation on the question, saying that “in the public interest” is being stretched too far. “The minister,’’ said Mr. Graydon, “is going entirely too far when he suggests that the National Film Board shall determine for the House of Commons and the Canadian people what information it is in the public interest to produce.” The Hon. R. B. Hanson described General LaFleche’s explanation as “not good enough.” “Who set up the National Film Board to say what is and what is not in the public interest?” he asked. “Parllament should decide that.” Mr. Hansell explained that he allowed the reservation under the impression that the information had been placed at the disposal personally of all the members. Prime Minister Mackenzie King supported Mr. Graydon in raising the point he did and asking that the question should stand, saying that the minister might answer it later on his own responsibility. Bing to Produce "The Great John L’ A film based on the life of the famous boxer, John L. Sullivan, “The Great John L” will be produced by Bing Crosby, Frank Mastroly and Edward Grant, who wrote the original story, on a million dollar budget. Crosby is the chief backer. Actual production will start in four to six months, July 14, 1948 No Fire Deaths In 42 Shows (Continued from Page 1) the fire loss that year resulting from 14 fires reached $12,011. The total losses in assembly buildings, which included arenas, churches, dance halls, clubs and so on were $1,317,723. Theatre losses represent 11 per cent of the total. The great interest of motion picture people in fire prevention is shown in the fact that Col. John A. Cooper, chairman of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors, is president of the Dominion Fire Prevention Association. One of the chief speakers at the recent convention of the association was O. J. Silverthorne, head of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau. The Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario recently joined the association. Theatre inspectors from every province attended and formed an association of their own. Ontario theatres, working with the provincial department, have worked out extra safety methods and are using their screens to spread fire intelligence. UA to Make Life Of Tchaikowsky Film fans will be offered a film of the life of Tchaikowsky, famous Russian composer, to be produced by Vincent Youmans. The story is now being written and a releasing deal is being set with United Artists. CONTRACT SALES OFFICE PHONE TR.1257 G™! FLOOR ee. .