Canadian Film Weekly (May 24, 1944)

Page 2 OF QANADA LTD. 277 Victoria Street, Toronto. Presents Lady Let's Dance Starring BELITA She’s lovely as she Dances and Skates * Where Are Your Children? Starring JACKIE COOPER GALE STORM ‘The Year’s Most Timely Film * Women In Bondage Starring GAIL PATRICK NANCY KELLY What Happens to Women Under the New Order And COMING SOON * Johnnie Doesn't Live Here Anymore Starring SIMONE SIMON JAMES ELLISON A Gay Comedy of Errors In Wartime Washington SURE-FIRE HITS from MONOGRAM The fastest-growlIng company in the industry MONOGRAM PICTURES Toronto, Montreal, St. John, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver. Canadian FILM WEEKLY NFB Out On Top After Sizeup (Continued from Page 1) and planning now for its postwar activities. He was followed by the Honorable W. E. Rowe, Dufferin-Simcoe, Newton-Robinson, Ontario, whose criticism of the Board’s bookkeeping methods caused the discussion to become general. Though differing on minor points the NFB drew praise from members of every party, coming off by far with the best of the argument. This was in no small measure due to the clarity and completeness of the information provided by Mr. LaFileche. The Board received $123,000 in rentals in the last year, it was revealed. The number of films sent out of 35 and 16 mm, sizes was 2,508. These were exhibited in 8,000 theatres of 80 countries, 5,000 of which are in the USA. About 2,000,000 Canadians see each issue of the World in Action series and about 2,250,000 the Canada Carries On reels. The Board’s non-theatrical films have an audience of 250,000 each month in factories and about 350,000 in rural districts. Industrial circuits cater to more than 1,000 factories and the rural ones to 1,600 communities. There are 82 circuits, which cost $375 per month to operate, among them ten trade unions and 40 industrial circuits, Projectionists have trade union approval and earn $140 per week, with a certain allowance for their cars, The Board, the house was informed, does not make films for private companies. Its facilities are available and used regularly by the armed forces, which have their own photography units. Financial Methods Mr. Rowe read a table to the House which showed that the sum of $1,187,934 was expended by and recovered in the NFB allotments. He pointed out that Mr. LaFleche had mentioned $123,000 as money returned to the Board and asked for an explanation. The minister informed him that when a requisition is made to the Board by some department of the government, it is accompanied by a financial encumbrance for costs involved. Suggesting that such money should be turned into a consolidated revenue fund, Mr. Rowe said that “No doubt the money has been spent, but we sit here and struggle by the hour to find out how it is spent.” The general estimates dealt only with 25 salaried people, which were passed, but the NFB was actually paying 375. “I am not making any charge in connection with the manner in which the money is spent,” Mr. Rowe stated, “but I am saying it would be fair if we could have a clearer picture than we have had presented to us.” Mr. LaFleche said that he did not think it would be a good accounting practice to have all departments which require NFB services to make up a combined budget. The present method had been in general governmental practice for years. Under it each financial item was approved by the House, whereas a combined budget would probably be passed by some major department as a whole and without present scrutiny. Rowe’s Comment Mr. Rowe, a member of the Opposition, said he realized that the Board can render a great service. “I have seen many of the films it produces,” he said. “I believe some of them we might do without, but others are necessary.” Some were for national unity but “it is hard to tell whether it is to win the war, or for the unity of a certain political party. Perhaps it is for a certain amount of government advertising — that would be the more courteous way of putting it to the minister.” Mrs. Dorise Nielsen, North Battleford, Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, expressed the opinion that the expenditures were well justified, “when we come to consider the importance of the film as a medium for the advancement of our prestige in the world generally, and the part it plays within Canada, itself. ... But it is not only in the fields of trade and commerce that the film is useful; it has great value in establishing cultural relations with other nations. These associations may be intangible things, but many qualities of the heart and mind—the love of beauty, the appreciation of art for its own sake—are universal.” She called ‘‘The West Wind,” a Vol. 9, No. 21 ‘May 24, 1944 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor " Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. P hone ADelalde 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 ‘Wellington Street West, Torente, Ontario May RKO Money For — Canadian Causes (Continued from Page 1). f Film Corporation, it was distrib-_ Be uted by RKO without profit for itself. _ During a ceremony in Rideau ae Hall, Ottawa, the Governor General, in behalf of those respona sible, presented cheques received _ from Leo M. Devaney, head of RKO in Canada, to Major General B. W. Brown, representing the Red Cross Society, and Allan T. Lewis, K.C., president of the St. John Ambulance Association, — while the Honourable L. R. LaFleche, Minister of National War Services, looked on. The $25,000 was divided equally between both organizations. 4 “Forever and a Day,” the story — of a British family through seyeral generations, featured almost — every British player of importance in Hollywood. These provideed their services gratis. Several months ago a delegaBe. . tion of the players, led by Sir Cedric Hardwicke, presented President Roosevelt with a cheque for a $250,000 to assist in ; his campaign against infantile ~ paralysis. €s: eg 16 mm. Technicolor film about the life and works of the late — Tom Thompson, a great Cana¢: ; dian artist, “a gem.” “A Great Service” ore M. J. Coldwell, Rosetown-Big_ gar, Ottawa, said he was pleased with the work of the Board but wondered whether such valuable records as films should be allow— ed to remain in a building which — impressed him as a fire-trap. — ig There was no doubt that the National Film Board would play a 2 great part in post-war visual education. te The situation with regard to projectionists also drew Mr. Cold— well’s comment. Seven cents per 3 mile for the use of cars, gasoline, — tires and the generation of power — 2 for projection through the engine © wasn’t endugh, he declared, it their wages remained at $140. ea Also to present the films acceptably persons with education were required. He shared the opinion — of Karl K. Homuth, Waterloo South, Preston, Ontario. “The a government should pay salaries sufficiently large to bring from private enterprise the best men available,” said Mr. Homuth. By The Board was “a great seryice,” according to the Honorable T. A. Crerar, Churchill, Ottawa, “ “The more I see of the work done = by the Film Board, the more I ~ am convinced of its great utility to Canada.” Many other questions were asked during what was the most — thorough examination received by the National Film Board sine its inception.