Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 23, 1944)

Page scan 0001 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Feb 23, 1944
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 23, 1944)
Leaf #:
0001
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, and Global Cinema
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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Page 2 Opposes Change In Music Fees (Continued from Page 1) to Canadian Film Weekly. Referring to the report of Judge Parker, issued in 1935, which covered the operations of the CPRS and offered recommendations based on the fact that the Society was the only one in Canada, Mr. Jamieson quotes His Honor as crediting the CPRS with control of copyright music to the extent mentioned above. The position of the CPRS is that exhibitors will have the same amount of music available in films as in the past, even if the American Performing Right Society is given a license to colject fees on its repertoire, which was formerly part of the list of the first organization. According to Judge Parker's. “The recommendations that have been made are based the fact that the Canadian Performing Right Society is the only Society operating in Canada. If another Society having ciety there would of necessity have to be some revision of its tariffs.” : The Copyright Appeal Board, after hearing the application of the American Performing Right Society for a license and the arguments of interested parties against any increase in annual overall fees, reserved its decision until it could determine how large the APRS repertoire is. Mr. Jamieson wrote us because “It would seem that Film Weekly is under the impression that in the past all copyright music in films was licensed by CPRS. CPRS has never, at any time, claimed to represent all authors, composers and publishers of copyright music.” James R. Joy Passes Was Movie Pioneer James Rixon Joy, 75, former proprietor of the Euclid theatre and Jater the Wonderland theatre, Toronto, died last week in Toronto, A native of Smithville, Mr. Joy owned a hardware business in Glasston, North Dakota. Mr. Joy, who entered the theatre business during the early days of motion pictures, was former treasurer of High Park Onited Church. Surviving are his widow, Emily Spence Joy; two daughters, Miss Helen Joy and Dr. Marion Joy, Toronto; and a brother, Theodore Joy, Vancouver. His first wife, Cussie Asseltine Joy, died in 1901. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Speakers Panel For Industry? (Continued from Page 1) been made to meet them. Apparently the speeches of Charles Francis Coe in Toronto and Montreal were quoted by many newspapers and stirred local curiosity. The frequent emphasis by goyernment officials on the part the movies are playing in the war effort is also credited with attracting attention to the industry. The Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario devoted some time to studying the matter and the result was the acceptance of several speaking dates. Jack Arthur, famed Canadian showman, spoke in Belleville, Ontario, last week before the Kinsmen Club, where he was introduced by Tom Mascaro, manager of the Capitol Theatre, He made such a hit that he was asked to stay over and speak before the Kiwanis, to whom he was introduced by George Forhan of the Belle Theatre. Syd B. Taube, executive secretary of the Ontario association, is headed for a service club date in St. Thomas, Ontario, and Nat A. Taylor, former president, may speak in Peterboro, Arthur covered the war effort Harry Keele of NFB Passes in Toronto Harry Keele, connected with the National Film Board industrial circuits, died in Toronto last week of heart failure, Born in Calgary, he became well known in theatrical circles through his connection with the old Exhibitors Distribution Corporation, working through the Vancouver office. He was connected with sports for years. One son, LAC Leslie Keele, and one brother, Leslie of Vancouver, survive. Harry Dahn Breaks Leg Slipping on Ice Harry Dahn, well-known theatre figure who is Odeon’s supervisor in Hamilton, Ontario, slipped on the ice one day last week and broke his leg between knee and ankle. He got out of the hospital this week but will be laid up from six to eight weeks. of the Canadian industry, as well as reviewing the growth of the movies from their beginnings. He gave some instances of the effect of a casual movie scene on the wearing apparel and the habits of the people and told how this power to influence had been directed towards serving each cause and helping to raise morale. “I think the movie industry has been doing a good and important job in the war,” he concluded. “And it will continue to de a good job in the post-war effort.” Red Cross Drive Trade Ready for Continued from Page 1) McTavish and W. S. dorf, Jones. Alberta—K. M. Leach, Matt Park, V. M. Skorey and W. P Wilson. Manitoba—R. D. Hurwitz and D. V. Rosen. Ontario—R. W. Bolstad, T. J. Bragg, Gordon Lightstone, NN. A. Taylor and Herb Allen. Quebec—Wm. Lester, Eugene Beaulac, W. J. Singleton and Hillis Cass, New Brunswick—Gordon Spencer and Lou McKenzie. Nova Scotia—T. J. Courtney, R. S. Roddick and M. E. Walker. Provincial leaders will work closely with Red Cross officials in their areas. Display material, circulars, etc., will be supplied by Red Cross centres in each province, There will be three clips run ning in five newsreels. These will . be released on February 17, 24 and March 17. The industry’s drive last year won well-merited praise. The need is greater now and calls for increased effort. Hode Speaks Here Hal Hode, Columbia exec., will will be the guest speaker at the Holy Blossom Brotherhood on February 23. Kaufman Back Harry Kaufman, Mono General Manager in Canada, is back from a meeting of franchise holders in New York. ea -_—— (WWEZLUP Vol. 9, No. 8 Feb. 23, 1944 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. caer. ~ by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Cana da, Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronte, Ontarlo February 28, Booth Men Pick — Local Officers (Continued from Page 1) units, elected R. G, Pollock pre-— sident. Other officers are: R. MeEwan, vice-president; J. Hh” (Hank) Leslie, secretary; V. D. Brewer, treasurer; and J. R. Fos-~ ter, business agent. Brewer, Les-— lie and Pollock were chosen as — delegates to the IATSE conven— tion. At St. John, New Brunswithe where Local Union 440 holds — jurisdiction, Aubrey C. Sprague was elected president and Louis J. McCourt vice-president, Other cfficers are: Gordon L. Bridge, — recording secretary; Rennie J. — Foulds, treasurer; and Jim Whitebone, business agent. ; Hamilton, Ontario (L. U. 303) elected A. V. DuFour president, — H. M. Konkle vice-president, — Hugh J. Sedgwick secretary— treasurer, and Gordon Freeman ~ business agent. D. R. Cairns, He F. Usher and H. W. Thornberry ~ are members of the execu board, Sid Shaw was elected president — of Local Union 105, London, On— tario. Others serving with him are: William Hewitt, vice-presi9% dent; Gar. McFadden, secretary~ treasurer; Harry McLean, business agent; and William Shaw, ~ sergeant-at-arms. Sidney Bradford is delegate to the IATSE convention and Harold Allaster, Newton Wallis and Fred Cripps — are trustees. e Peterboro, Ontario (L. U. 432) elected Melville Morgan presi— dent, C. B. Clute vice-president, T, J. Stenton, secretary-treasurer, Pryce Adamson business agent, and C, L. Newton recording set= — retary. = NOW AVAILABLE Stage Curtains, Drapes and Standee Rope in Crimson or Tangerine Velour Send in measurements for quotations and samples CANADIAN THEATRE CHAIR CO. 277 Victoria St., Toronto, Ont,