Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 18, 1943)

Page 2 Soviet Films in English Speech Soviet films, having captured wide public interest on the wings of war, will be so treated as to retain it—and those responsible for Canadian distribution are seeking an even more prominent place in the exhibition world. Executives of Cosmopolitan Films, which bring Russ product to Canada, and Empire-Universal staffmen, who sell it, heard Nicholas Napoli of New York, head of Artkino on this continent, describe the new season’s product and the plans to design it for wider Canadian consumption. Napoli, in Toronto for the August 14th sales meeting of Cosmopolitan, was accompanied by I. Krotov, of the Soviet legation in Canada, and supported by the company’s Canadian executives, Herman Shawn, Louis Coldoff and Max Chic. Ten new films were discussed, among them the long-awaited “Heroic Stalingrad—The City That Stopped Hitler,” which is being distributed in the USA by Paramount. “Stalingrad,” like a number of Soviet films to be offered, will contain an English commenatry. Another on the list is “She Defends Her Country,” which will have an English sound track, the voice being dubbed in Hollywood. Those features without spoken English dialogue or comentary will carry translations in the usual manner, “In the Rear of the Enemy” has English dialogue dubbed in and the result, according to reviews quoted, is. entertainment, excitement and suspense of a high order. The Soviet film representatives from both sides of the border agreed that the use of name stars as commentators and the presentation of English dialogue should win many new contracts, Esquire Offers 24 | British Features 7 i i ? : é 3 i | ¢ E th | Canadian FILM WEEKLY EKmpire-Universal Convenes Here (Continued from Page 1) office men but also some of the outstanding personalities of the distribution field to Toronto. James R. Grainger, president of Republic, led the Thursday discussion of policy and product with the Emp-U men working on that company’s output. He was the guest of honor at the dinner which followed the meeting at which were present leaders of the Canadian field. On Friday, Universal's day, three of that company’s key men were present to prepare the way for that studios brightest schedule to date. William A. Scully, vice-president and general sales manager, addressed the meeting, as did Frank J. McCarthy, chief of the Canadian and Southern divisions. Also heard from was Bernard B. Kreisler, head of Universal’s short subject department. Scully’s visit was also marked with a banquet in his honor on that evening. Saturday, the last day, saw two meetings. The first was that of Esquire. The other session was conducted by Cosmopolitan Films and on hand were Nicholas Napoli, president of Artkino on this continent and I. Krotoy, of the Canadian Soviet legation. Cosmopolitan was represented by Louis Coldoff, Herman Shawn and Max Chic. Among the Empire-Universal personnel attending the sales meetings, the 11th annual gathering, were: Home Office: Paul L, Nathanson, vice-president; Alf W. Perry, general manager; Frank H. Fisher, assistant general manager; Archie J. Laurie; Canadian Republic sales manager; G. M. Wilson, contract and playdate department; and Syd Cohen, advertising department. Toronto Branch: Harry O. Painter, manager; Joe Palansky, office manager and salesman; Bill Smith, salesman; H. Gould, head booker; and Frank Gilbert, booker. Montreal Branch: M. J. Isman, manager; H. Mathers, salesman; and L. Druxerman, salesman. St. John Branch: G. M. Hoyt, manager; E, Whelpley, salesman, Winnipeg Branch: B. Plottel, manager; and J, Garfin, salesman. Calgary Branch: I. W. Blankenstein, manager; T. A. Metcalfe, salesman, Vancouver manager. Also in attendance were the fol Branch: L. Plottel, lowing members of the staff of Sovereign Films, which distributes Universal 16 mm. product in the Dominion: Walter Kennedy, general manager; F. Leduc, in charge of Quebec and Maritimes territory; J. Devries, in charge of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Calgary territories; and F’. Stone, in charge of British Columbia territory. Universal s List Biggest Ever Universal has a list of films for the new season that will make the biggest dent in the boxoffice since the company was organized, William A. Scully, vice-president and general manager, told those gathered at the Toronto sales gettogether of the company. He was flanked by Frank J. McCarthy, Canadian division head; and Ber nard B. Kleiser, in charge of short subjects. According to Kleiser, Universal short subjects had won great playing time in the last year and the company made the most of its experience by packing the new season’s stuff with surefire entertainment, The meeting was much impressed with the early reports of Deanna Durbin’s latest. ‘Hers to Hold,” which is lining them up everywhere, and news about “Corvette K-255,” a million dollar production filmed with the co-operation of the Royal Canadian Navy. Universal will maintain a steady flow of top productions, holding none back. The company has 55 features scheduled, in which leading boxoffice stars will be presented. It has seven Westerns, 67 shorts and 104 newsreels. Sixteen Cartune shorts will be in Technicolor. The list contains many musicals, horror features and topical films. In Technicolor will be “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves,” ‘Cobra Women” and “Raiders of the Desert.” Also tinted will be a Deanna Durbin outdoor musical and an all-star sing and swing feature. Such stars as Abbott and Costello, Barbara Stanwyck, Charles Boyer, Robert Cummings, the Andrews Sisters and others of equal popularity will be offered by the company. rtt{s Vol. 8, No. 34 August 18, 1948 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published Film Publications of Canada, Ltd, Phone ADelaide 7S Dundes Square, Torontse, Ont., 4317. Price 5 cemts each of $2.08 per year, Entered as Second Clase Matter August 18, 1948 Republic Set For Big Year (Continued from Page 1) $4,000,000 over last season. This money, to be spent on star names, fine story material and class production, will be supplemented by an exploitation fund of $3,000,000. Grainger, sales manager of Republic, said that the list, while retaining all its tried-and-true moneymakers, would aim plenty of product at the key situations of the motion picture world. “Atlantic City,” a musical cavalcade in Technicolor of the famous resort and its famous beauty pageants, would feature many Miss Americas of the past. It was one of a number of such ample productions. The company’s success last season with its big productions, few enough to be regarded as an experiment, caused Herbert Y. Yates to gear the studio for major competition on a wide front. “Flying Tigers,” for instance, will reach @ gross of $2,500,000. “Hit Parade of 1942” is now nearing the $2,000,000 mark and “Ice Capades Revue” $1,500,000. The current campaign for Roy Rogers has boosted the cowboy Star into hundreds of new situations, where he has been established as a regular attraction. The Canadian drive to make the public conscious of Roger, using press and radio freely, started in Ontario early this month and already a number of leading Toronto houses have played his films for the first time and found them good business. The boosting will be carried on throughout entire Dominion. Some of the boxoffice boomers on deck are “Brazil,’”’ a musical featuring Roy Rogers and the popular song after which the film is named; “In Old Oklahoma,” a Western musical with John Payne and Martha Scott; “The Fighting Seabees,” to be made in cooperation with the United States Navy; and “The Old Waldorf,” a largescale musical. Republic, having found serials profitable for the company and the exhibitor , has concentrated on four. These are Jules, Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” “Captain America,” “Tiger Wom an of the Amazon,” and “The Masked Marvel.” The company, Granger said, would have an imposing list distinguished by quality and variety, which would cater to every manner of public taste. RCNavy Helps UA The Royal Canadian Navy will cooperate with United Artists in the production of ‘The Gaunt Woman,” a Grand Banks yarn, a ee er = “~> 4.9