Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 29, 1943)

Page 6 IATSE Unionizes NEB Projectionists (Continued from Page 1) at which differences were smoothed out. Among those doing the negotiating were William P. Covert, second vice-president of the International and Canadian organizer; Louis Krouse, International secre tary treasurer; Louis Hoffman, president of the Montreal Local; Gordon Adamson and other NFB officials. The agreement will affect 99 projectionists, 93 of whom are employed seasonally. Almost all are busy projecting 16 mm. features throughout the NFB’s trade union, industrial and rural circuits. Board activity has increased greatly, particularly in the hinterlands, In one province, Saskatchewan, there are 11 full-time circuits. Two hundred and twenty-three centres were visited during each four-week period and the average attendance for each period was 48,758. Covert is now classifying cities for the wage scale to be discussed and ratified at a meeting in October. Larger cities will be in Class A, others in Class B. NFB will be asked to sign a standard agreement. “The National Film Board,” said Covert, “is to be praised for its very fair attitude in this matter, It was a pleasure to deal with its representatives.” Non-union status of NFB projectionists brought criticism earlier from trade unionists, who were considering the cancellation of showings. Famous Men Meet Famous Players partners and head office men got together for an informal business session at a dinner in Toronto, Friday evening, September 24th. Four Sunday Shows | The management of the Theatre Parisien, Berthierville, Quebec, has decided to run four, continuous shows every Sunday starting at 2 p.m. in order to accommodate the demands of increased patronage. New Theatre Opens At Simcoe, Ontario After working several months on alterations the Strand Theatre, Simcoe, Ontario, was officially opened last week in the building formerly occupied by the Cratt Garage. The new house has a large auditorium, all modern conveniences, up-to-date projectors and projection room and seats 600 people. Manager Fred R. Pursel donated | the proceeds of two shows to the | Rotary Club’s Crippled Children fund and the Norfolk Children’s Aid Society. | | | | SES os , Canadian FILM WEEKLY —P SQUARE This Ain't the Army, Mr. Jones ‘I, ...... hereby engage to serve in any Active Formation or Unit of the Canadian Army so long as an emergency, i.e., war, invasion, riot or insurrection, real or apprehended, exists, and for the period of demobilization after such emergency ceases to exist, and in any event for a period of not less than one year, provided His Majesty should require my services.” In the period before signing that and in the days that pass before you’re mustered in or thumbed out, your mind absorbs some things that will stay there. I entered the Exhibition Barracks at the wrong gate, dragged myself and valise a mile that seemed 20 in the hot sun before I came under the disapproving eye of my new corporal. I zigged and zagged my way to avoid being trampled underfoot by squads of zestful soldiers who wheeled suddenly. The Exhibition has a dilapidated look, with paint peeling off everything. The Casino is now a Sergeant’s Mess. Instead of the familiar sounds of the barkers and merry-go-round you hear tramping feet, shouted orders, bagpipe wails, bugle notes and military music. But shining eyes, shining brass and shining youth give the Exhibition a spirit it hasn’t known for a quarter of a century. How to Be Forte at Forty They're pretty deep into the manpower barrel these days— just kids really and men crossing the hill of life. You look at the men in your class and realize that youth is fleeting fast away. A tough corporal lines you up for parade to the mess hall and you’re off to a “left turn, quick march!” At first shufflingly but soon in good stride. That soldierly feeling overtakes you and you even whistle at Owac’s. But a group of soldiers take the starch out of you when passing. They raise their hats. The corporal keeps barking away, picking on this one and that. “Have we been sworn in yet?” the fellow next to me asks, I say no aud ask why. ‘I must remember,” is the answer, “to punch that corporal in the nose!” Every man has a paper tag perforated in nine places strung around his neck. These “dog tags’ identify him and a strip is torn off as he undergoes each phase of examination. After mess they are confiscated and you are assigned to fatigue duty—cleaning washrooms, politely termed “ablution rooms,” kitchens, dishes and offices. You wish they had told you to bring old clothes. Assembly Plant Method You are placed in a “pen” until ready for an interviewer or doctor and you go from one cubicle to another being thumped, questioned and signing your name. A “pen” between each group of cubicles provides a stopping place. Each cubicle covers a phase of examination. Recruits don’t mind the process particularly but are impatient to get in or out. Everyone is very nice but the occasional private or corporal given unaccustomed authority. Some object to fatigue duty before being sworn in but everyone is game. The younger fellows look at things with a sense of adventure, some from small towns being glad of the chance to see their favorite bandmasters in person at the canteens. There was one man in civyvies whose papers had “Urgent” on them and he was rushed through everything. A Reserve officer going Active, he was very conscious of our curiosity and stood apart with a kind of Hunnish hauteur. I don’t doubt that he was a mild-mannered fellow who managed an office somewhere and tried writing mystery stories on the side. But he was influenced by his sense of drama and tried hard to have the Iook of a superior officer without the benefit of pips and khaki. Every morning at parade the corporal made the same stale joke, which drew laughs from the newcomers and hoots from the others. Then he shouted, “Anybody here ready for a haircut?” A few who had been passed stepped out. The rejectee has no parting line to speed him. He just filters out unnoticed. As a friend said, ‘‘All you ever seem to get for your efferts are rejection slips.” c-—-ee------—-—-——-—_—_—___eo nt tteeeaee September 29, 1948 ‘More USA Dates Or Else... —Rank (Continued from Page 1) theatrical field. “We cannot, on the British market alone, recoup our costs of production,” he told the press recently. “Therefore, without a worlId market, we shall he strangled.” The United States market is the most important one, Rank pointed out, and he has entered into negotiation with leaders of the American industry to find a greater place for British films. “Today Americans and British are fighting side by side —co-operating,”’ he said. “I see no reason why we should not continue to co-operate after the war. It takes two to cooperate. And I am ready. But even if the others will not cooperate, I shall get my world market for British films nevertheless. “They may wish to impose conditions which I cannot accept. In that case, instead of friendly competition, it will be more of a battle. If a fight were forced on me I am ready and in a position to fight back with or without collaborating with Hollywood. I think I can build up a world market for British films inside four years of peace.” Rank said that motion pictures should have entertainment and something else as well. He was aware that his picture, “The Great Mr. Handel,” didn’t get the fans. “That is what we must alter,” he pointed out. Rank denied that he was trying to get a monopoly on British films. The government asked him recently to stop expanding unless it was consulted first. He has been reported bidding for Empire circuits. Fay, Gilbert Star in "Spotlight Scandals’ Frank Faye and Billy Gilbert are co-starred in Monogram’s new musical comedy “Spotlight Scandals,” which opens at the Tivoli, Toronto, October 14th. Fay plays the part of an out-ofluck vaudeville comedian stranded in a small town whére he meets Gilbert, the local barber, who has a yen to get on Broadway. As a team they are accidentally a hit and rise to fame in show business only to break up when Fay joins a radio program. They are reunited when Gilbert clears Fay of a murder charge by giving his life savings. Bonnie Baker, Henry King and Herb Miller and their bands (under the supervision of Monogram’s maestro Eddie Key), Butch and Buddy and the Radio Rogues are in the picture. Jack Boyle did the dance numbers. e