Canadian Film Weekly (May 24, 1944)

of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY Vol. 9, No. 21 TORONTO, MAY 24, 1944 82.00 Per Annum Commons Sizeup For NFBoard Comes Out On Top After Thorough Going-Over Progress and business methods of the National Film Board were the subjects of a long and broad discussion in the House of Commons last week. The Board had asked a Pioneers Roster Approaches 300 The rapid rise of the motion ‘picture during 1918 and the year after is reflected in the growing membership of the Canadian Moving Picture Pioneers. The organization, with a limited field to pick from, has gained more than 100 members since its beginning (Continued on Page 5) Next Fox Budget Is $36,000,000 Twentieth Century-Fox has marked $36,000,000 for its 194445 budget, according to Tom Connors, vice-president in charge of distribution. The company will make 27 pictures, judging by a previous announcement, which means that the average cost will (Continued on Page 5) NFB Graphics Branch Had Busy Fiscal Year During the fiscal year the Graphics Division of the National Film Board produced 15,320 negatives and 162,565 prints of stills. American distribution alone of mats and prints to newspapers and magazines 185,266. May Now Move Without Permit Wartime Prices and ‘Trade Board has issued a new ruling that a a permit i is no longer requir ed 7 acquire additional floor space or to move to new premises. The ruling which governed expansion has been “generally amended in the light of conditions now applicable.” It was suggested that anyone was refused a wishes to enter should re who previously permit and who a new business now apply. Man From Frisco O’Shea and Ann Shirley. grant of $ To the Navy Able Seaman Al Duguid of HMCS York, ne was assistant manager of Shea’s, Toronto. General Films Gets Para 16 Mm. Pix General Films, Ltd., will handle distribution in Canada of Paramount 16 mm. product after June ist. It has been controlled in the Dominion by Oscar Hanson’s organization. A. E. Dyment Passes, Was FPCC Director Albert Edward Dyment, 75, a director of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, passed away at Toronto Western Hospital last week. He was prominent in Can adian turf circles and ciated with many business enterprises. Was asso $40,000 for its revolving fund, to be used for the purchase of supplies in connection with the special war film library, and the request of J. W. Noseworthy, York South, Forest Hill, Ontario, for a Teport of NFB activities from the Honorable L. R. LaF leche, Minister of National War ices, opened the opinions, Mr. Noseworthy, praising the Board, suggested a broader educational schedule for the NFB (Continued on Page 2) Seryexchange of RKO Money For Canadian Causes Canadian charities benefited to the extent of $25,000 as partial payment from Canadian showings of the film, “Forever and a Day,” sponsored and played by British actors and actresses for British, American and Canadian funds. Produced by Anglo-American (Continued on Page 2) Fight Movie Slander Hollywood met last week unions and guilds to organize means of combatting attacks on the film industry and “to publicize the constructive achievements.” It's a good idea. “, «»Most Unkindest Cut’ ““) CREEN stars and studios who have &% and health to boost Canada’s war effort by sacrificed time, money personal ap pearances and gratis presentation of their talents have good reason to Dominion House resent the remarks about of Commons by them in the James Sinclair, member for Vancouver North. The wintry winds that are not so unkind as man’s ingratitude have gone but there is no balm for movie stars in Mr. Sinclair's opinions. Commander Bill Swetman, DSO, DFO, a veteran of 60 operational flights over Germany, was unwittingly responsible for Mr. Sinclair’s wasted words. The airman, speaking at a Victory Loan rally, said that he wasn’t trained to make fancy speeches but to fight; that he would rather spend his leave with relatives than making Victory Loan speeches; and that he deplored the fact that movie stars were necessary to boost the Sale of bonds. He Showed no disrespect for movie stars or a lack of appreciation of what they were doing. Up rose Mr. Sinclair to protest against airmen having their leaves shortened by time devoted to bond boosting. In the course of his remarks Mr. Sinclair said: “If people have to be persuaded to buy Victory Bonds perhaps it is better that we use men like this, who have fought actual battles in the air over Germany, rather than painted actors and actresses who fight their battles on the screen or in the divorce No one will disagree courts.” with Commander Swetman or Mr. Sinclair that it is too bad special means are necessary to make war effort Sinclair wasted the campaigns valuable suceessful. On time the other of the House matter Mr. of Commons, now concerned with the most important fask in Canadian history. 3 (Continued on Page 6) is a roaring drama on a super de luxe scale that should _ appeal to every type of audience—particularly women, _ for there is an appealing romance between Michael It’s from REPUBLIC through ~pesrchesagctipaslaal naan Book this boxoffice booster now, —