Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 15, 1943)

Vol. 8, No. 38 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto 1, Canada, Reblishes: hh Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Terente, Ont., ada. Phone ADclaide 4317. Price 5S cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter Hot Time Coming They won't need any heat at the next meeting of the National Advisory Council if present indications count for anything. ‘ There seems to be a general agreement among exhibitors’ organizations of various and conflicting interests that the groupings approved by the Wartime Prices and Trade Board are not the fairest. The National Council of Independents, which confines itself to exhibitors without circuit affiliations, has served notice that it will fight “the inordinate number of specials and so-called top group pictures.” It demands that film prices be kept from thawing out further and asks a refreezing of terms according to the basic period. The Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries, at the Montreal meeting just concluded, listened with agreement to the report of its secretary, B. C. Salamis, that film prices had risen and that something should be done. The Quebec organization is made up of Independents and circuits. The Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario will meet in Toronto on the 21st and it is likely that the question of groupings and policies will get a going-over. In the USA a new angle of attack has been found by exhibitor bodies. They are demanding that companies deliver according to the prospectuses issued by them and suggest that, when an exhibitor signs his deal, that he ‘should demand that the pictures named in the prospectus be included in the contract. There’s trouble ahead, all right. National Unity That much-discussed matter, a national body, found support at the meeting of Quebec Allied. The importance of it was recognized by President Arthur Hirsch when he suggested that the Industry be consulted as a whole by Ottawa in matters which bear on it. The only group that represents the entire Industry now without any dispute about its position is the Motion Picture War Service Committee. Its work, however, is confined to the war effort. Ontario wants a national body. So does Quebec. P. W. Mahon. president of the Saskatchewan Exhibitors, who is linked with the National Council, is in favor. For the first time there are elements in each exhibitor group who think that a national body will bring much benefit. Those who oppose it haven’t the best interests of the Industry at heart. A Rallying Force Motion pictures are becoming the spearhead of domestic morale. Each new and worthy one becomes a means of bringing together the leaders associated with the theme of the film, furthering unity and action by welding their convictions and determination more closely. Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana of the Netherlands was present one night last week at a private screening of “The Silver Fleet,’ a British film of Dutch heroism. The scene was the Village Theatre, Toronto, and the sponsors were the Netherlands Relief Fund, Ontario Branch. This regard for the motion picture in high places isn’t enough to protect it from the many who make it one of their chief interests. We still have the self-appointed guardians of public morals to contend with. The activities of many of these go on in spite of the fact that there are censor boards and other such bodies watching over things. It is hard to understand people who can't get the same pane of self-importance by working harder for the war etiort. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Soe | Prospectuses HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Vs. Delivery (Continued from Page I} some protection under the blocks of five method. The USA Allied, which brought up the question, passed a resolution in which it admitted that the company charged with breach of faith was protected against legal Hability. “This has been accomplished by limiting its undertaking in the contract to the delivery, up to a maximum number stated, of pictures actually released during the contract period,” the resolution states. “Nevertheless, the contracts were solicited on the basis of the printed announcement and exhibitors relied on the announce-~ ment in signing the contracts. The publication and use of the announcement, under the circumstances, amounted to a representation that the attractions signed therein would be delivered.” Allied claims that one company has included eight of its top pictures, specified in its prospectus as being part of its 1942-43 program and undelivered, in this season’s list, and it asks that they be delivered this year. Their places in the high rental brackets of last season were used for substitutions of lesser value, it says, “and in this fashion the exhibitors have been subjected to losses of revenue which could not have been anticipated when the déals were made.” In Canada each company divides | its product into several price groups, all of which are subject to the approval of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. The exhibitor is || under no compulsion to accept 2 substitute unless the director of the Theatre and Film section of the WPTB finds that it has an equivalent value. Canadian groupings approved by the WPTB have not been accepted with enthusiasm by exhibitors. At the Montreal meeting last week of the Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries, at which 114 theatres were represented, B. C. Salamis, delegate to the advisory council, contended that the majority of film companies had failed to deliver the goods and that the groupings have been used to increase film prices. The National Council of Independents, meetings earlier in Toronto, demanded that the WPTB pare down “the inordinate number of specials and top group pictures.” Big USA Circuit Amps, the American army circuit which operates ‘everywhere the troops are, serves 1,000 theatres with an annual attendance of 225,000,000. It spends $10,000,000 annually in rentals. Canada’s army camps do not operate as a circuit, they belng booked individually. September 15, 1943 Exhibs Fight Coal Dearth (Continued from Page 1) tising to make the public realize the need of saving coal. Among the points made in the interest of conservation are these: Make sure the fuel bed in furnace is not over 18 inches deep. Reduce firing as attendance increases. Every adult is equivalent to one square foot of steam radiation. Do not use more than ten per cent of outside air in ventilating plants. Use exhaust fans sparingly. Keep windows and doors closed whenever possible. Discontinue supply of hot water to washrooms and see that cleaners do not waste it. It is considered that there will be very little discomfort caused by the instructions. In fact, the public may like it better and find it healthier to have less heat. Exhibitors and managers should make sure that they get the guide sheets on time. If misplaced, new ones should be gotten immediately. Carelessness or lack of interest in saving coal is unpatriotic. Veteran Ottawa Operator Passes (Continued from Page 1) His brother, Sam Ventura, who entered motion picture work 35 years ago and is now a projectionist at the Elgin theatre, helped him to learn the fine points of the oldtime equipment. Ventura, Sr., and his two sons moved to Hintonburg where they operated the West End theatre for four years. Later Michael worked at the old Family theatre on Queen street and in several other movie houses in the city before joining the staff of the Rideau theatre as @ projectionist 13 years ago. Wie was a charter member of Local\ 257 of the Operators’ Union when it was organized nearly 20 years ago, and served for a time as secretary. Canadian Camps Get Metro 16 Mm. Films Canadian army camp theatres relying on 16 mm. will be using MGM product for the first time this week. Hanson, who also handles the Paramount small-sized stuff, will distribute. Four leading service organizations, the Canadian Legion, YMCA, Salvation Army and KofC, are dating the MGM addition. They support the Army, Navy and Air Force Film Society.