Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 1, 1943)

Pago 2 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto 1, Canada. Vol. 8, No. 49 Published by Film Publications lof Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Teronto, Ont., Ca Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year, nada. Batee as Second Class Matter They’re Breathing Easier Film folk certainly felt a pleasant letdown when the true state of affairs in the film explosion and fire became known. All sorts of wild stories' were to be heard. In the end it was shown that the building itself reacted according to previous conceptions and damage was restricted by structural safeguards. The press did not exaggerate, not being misled by early rumors, and some writers remarked on how lightly everyone got off. The happy thing is that the fire did not occur during the day when the building is fully occupied, or at a time in the evening when visitors are present at screenings. New regulations of a safety nature, it is rumored, may be issued but it is hard to figure out what can be added. The fire brought out fine co-operation among film and theatre people, who did everything they could to help each other. Canada Should be Included There is a move on in Hollywood at this time to have film stars go everywhere on the continent to visit camps and military hospitals at Christmas. Every studio is being tabbed and definite plams are made so that the stars and feature players will miss their own Christmas at home to make lonesome boys and girls in the services a bit happier. It is to be sincerely hoped that those behind this splendid idea will extend it to Canada. Canada has given many stars to Hollywood and that city in turn has retumed them to us for special events, along with players who had no connection with the Dominion. Canadians love movie stars as much as Canadian ILM WEEKLY December 1, 1948) HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Americans. The boys and girls in the services on this side of the border are in the same situation as their American cousins and it would be mighty nice if this additional and enjoy able proof that we are one happy family fighting for a common cause was forthcoming. The Dominion has much to thank Hollywood for now | and the visits of the stars would generate much affection | i for them and the USA. Repairs Started on Laval, Montreal Improvements to the extent of $700 have begun on the Laval Theatre, Montreal, owned by the Laval Enterprises Company, Limited. Rockwool insulation is being installed in the entire top celling of the building. Osier at Biltmore Leon “Pop” Osier, Oshawa theatre veteran, who left the business to sell insurance, has returned as manager of the Biltmore Theatre, Oshawa. He stood high in insurance sales but the old love asserted itself. Funeral Services Held For Herbert Naiman. Funeral services were held last week in Toronto for Herbert Nalman, Monogram projectionist, who died in the hospital 11 hours after being rescued from the Film Exchange Building fire. Naiman’s death was attributed to a heart condition aggravated by exertion and excitement. He was 31. Surviving him are his widow, Sophie, a baby daughter of eight months, a daughter of four, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Max Naiman. There were many film people present at the rites. ; Indies Present Brief to Ottawa (Continued from Page 1) have no claim on them. Last year charges along lines of those made by the National Council were voiced in the House of Commons by a member from British Columbia. It is not known whether the matter will be brought up again during the next session. It has always been the position of the Theatre and Film section of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board that evidence of the raising of rentals should be presented by the individual involved and correction will follow. In the early days of the WPTB the chairman made it plain that the theatre and film department was not created to adjust grievances as old as the industry itself, except where they bear on wartime problems. The first and final intention of the Theatre and Film section was to cause admission prices to be maintained at the basic period level, since entertainment is part of the cost of living index. Freezing ‘of rentals was entered into when it became apparent that distribution costs were importantly “elated to accomplishing that purpose. WPTB Amendment May be Issued (Continued from Page 1) charged with breaking the law by charging adult prices for children at evening shows, that policy not having been in effect during the basic period. The exhibitor showed that he had followed the policy prior to the basic period. Magistrate Lussier said that the WPTB regulation was intended to keep the exhibitor to established practices and he considered that this had been adehered to, in spite of the fact that the policy had not been practiced during the basic period. The magistrate felt that it was unfair to allow an exhibitor fortunate enough to have had a certain policy during the basic period to continue it while denying the same right to one who had had it earlier. It is reasonable to believe that if the decision of Magistrate Lussier is regarded as a legal precedent and in any way impedes the operation of the order according to the conception of the WPTB, its legal department will recommend an amendment or addition to cover the point. The decision, if allowed to stand as a future possibility in all such cases, will have an, important effect on the premium situation. Film Exchange in Shape Real Soon ES [a December 1, 1948 (Continued from Page 1) handicaps other than water which had run in from the front part of the building. Much of the damage was done by water loosed by firemen and the sprinkler system. This did not hurt furniture, which is steel in film buildings, but damaged rugs. Firemen’s axes accounted for some of the windows. The building, however, is a major job of plastering. The fire swept through the corridors, scorching everything in its way. The most damage was done to Regal Films and the Monogram Offices, in which one man who later died trapped. No official report of the cause has as yet been issued by the Fire Marshall or the Theatre Inspection Branch of the Ontario government. It is generally attributed to a faulty vault. The Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection Branch of Ontario has banned screenings after 6 p.m. in two buildings. A great spirit of optimism swept over film folk when the comparatively light damage became known. A fire during the day would have caused a real tragedy, and there is a distinctly bright side to the whole affair. The defense of the building against dangerous happenings won general praise from press and public. It is expected that every company will be back in its own offices in a week or two. Mont'l Judge Rules Burlesque Is Art Art, not obscenity, was what Mr. Justice Wilfrid Lazure last week called tableaus performed by flimsily dressed dancing girls, in upholding an appeal by the Gayety Theatre, Montreal, against a conviction and fine of $50 for a May, 1942 show. Changing times are accompanied by changing standards of morals, his lordship believes. ‘‘To warrant conviction on such a charge there must be evidence that the producer intended to create scenes to cause lustful ideas in the mind of a normal person,” his lordship added. “What might have been considered indecent a century ago has become a matter of course today,”’ Myer Gross, counsel for the theatre, stated in summing up. UA in Mex Deal United Artists will distribute the product Artistas Asociados, Mexican producing company. There are many Spanish houses in the USA, as well as a vast foreign market, in the hospital was