Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 30, 1944)

Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Teronto, Ont., Canada. Phone a 4317. Price S cents each or $2.00 per year. ered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto, On "What's Gone Wrong With Hollywood?’ Asks British Critic In the London Express Ernest Betts takes a crack at Hollywood and claims the lead for Britain. Hollywood's “emotions are still antiquated, she leads only in technique and starpower, and there is a terrible thinness in her stories.” He writes that Over here, without having become smug or complacent, we have bullt up a new British film industry (bombs or no bombs) and have really got ourselves as a nation on the screen. These new British productions are fresh, exciting, hot from experience, not the result of tired, disillusioned minds uttering the same old slogans for the same old programmes, What is Hollywood doing? The same thing, with brilliant insignificance. But we are starting something new, adventuring and risking ourselves in great projects such as “Colonel Blimp,” or “The Way Ahead.” We are taking the lead. Hollywood is following. hk ok * Freedom of the Screen Freedom of the press has long been established and freedom of the radio is being fought out now. It is generally agreed that the screen will be used to further post-war ideas on a great scale and film and theatre men are mentally prepared to meet pressure. Take it from Jack L. Warner: “In the post-war world, motion pictures must have the same freedom of expression as is guaranteed to the press and the spoken word. We must be constantly on the alert to resist all forms of dictation or attempted regulation. We must refuse to be intimidated from expressing our honest convictions on the screen.” * 4 A Canadian Hollywood? Influence of motion pictures in-the-making is evidenced by an editorial in the Victoria, B.C., Colonist. Film units are no longer novel in certain sections of British Columbia and the folks are becoming like those who live in the shadows of Hollywood studios. Says the Colonist: Victoria, in the throes of its ninth or tenth motion picture production—it was “Norway” once, the bounding main another time, and even “Vancouver” on occasion—is liking it. There is an unreality to the business that attracts. Half of the fairyland is behind the cameras, and not in front of them. There is a nostalgic touch, too, to the fresh drinking water that must be brought for performing days. Unchlorinated, of course. Lucky dogs! Roll on the cameras. Backwards and forwards trot the men with the paper smoke torches. Victoria, by the time this is over, will be professional in its vocabulary; klieg lights, dollies and all. RCN-Bound M. Vallée Feted by Friends Mozart Vallée, manager of the New Premier Theatre, Sherbrooke, Quebec, who recently enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, was tendered a farewell dinner by the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce. He’s the son of R. L. Vallée, owner of the New Premier. Mozart Vallée has been acting as chairman of the recruiting committee of the local trade association, Suitable gifts were presented. Mrs. Doane Passes Mrs. Sadie Doane, wife of S. A. Doane, chairman of the Nova Scotia Board of Censors, passed away recently in her native city, Halifax. Thief Grabs $160 A thief stuck his hand through the wicket window of the Casino, Toronto, last week and ran off with $160. Several previous attempts have been foiled. He tried for a loose ten-spot and got into a tug-of-war with the cashier, | tearing the bill in half. Indie Theatres Jumped in 1943 (Continued from Page 1) Independent ownership of single houses has dropped sharply since 1980 but has remained about the same since 1937. : Of Canada’s 918 theatres in 1930, 659—more than two-thirds —were each owned or operated by an individual. By 1987 but 569— roughly half—of 1,047 theatres had single ownership or operation. The proportion has remained generally the same since. Although the 19438 figures show that circuits with two or three houses controlled 195 theatres compared with 199 in 1942, the next group showed a considerable gain. This group, made up of circuits controlling from four to 19 theatres, jumped from 143 in 1942 to 192 in 1943, a gain of 49 theatres. : Circuits controlling twenty theatres and over showed fewer theatres in their combined total. In 1942 such circuits controlled 360 theatres but in 1948 their total was $821, a drop of 39 theatres. The Independents, with 12 theatres added, increased their grosses from $10,036,559 in 1942 to $13,403,911 in 1943. The twoand-three theatre circuits, with four under their 1942 total, took in $5,731,819 compared with $3,800,581 during the previous year, a surprising increase. Although the four-to-19 theatre circuits operated 49 more houses than in 1942, their total gross showed comparatively little gain for the year, the 1942 figure being $5,049,879 as against $5,341,280 in 1943. The twenty-andover circuits, in spite of having dropped 39 theatres, maintained their financial position by grossing $28,090,979 — a gain of $516,901. FPCC B.C. Site Famous Players have acquired a site in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Drop Vitagraph, Ltd. Title, Now Warners Wolfe Cohen has announced that as-of August 12th the name of the Dominion distributing organization for Warner Bros. — First National Pictures and Vitaphone Short Subjects has been changed from Vitagraph, Limited to .Warner Bros. Pictures Distributing Company, Ltd. In Mr. Cohen’s statement, he strongly urged exhibitors and all other persons dealing with the company to address it henceforth by its new name. Officers of the Canadian Company remain the same, with Mr. Cohen retaining his title as vice-president, August 30, 1944 Canadian FILM WEEKLY ——————________ | = Citizens Groups Drop Trade Hook (Continued from Page 1) offices of the National Film Board and established a local unit. Of particular interest is the fact that those responsible for the organization and extension of such groups have decided that they have no interest in commercial showings of features and will concentrate on the help films may give education. They will limit their interest to the 16 mm. field. The draft of the proposal had stated that one of the purposes was “To examine ways and means in which the Citizens’ Films Committee can exert its influence in the field of commercial film showings.” This attracted considerable ‘curiosity in the commercial industry, it being felt that the makings of a new pressure group was at hand. It is understood that John Grierson, National Film Commissioner who has just returned from Britain, was responsible for the divorcement of the National Film Board from the new organization. Grierson is also said to have suggested that interest in visual education and recreational benefit of films. should be sufficient to occupy the committees. The NFB, however, will help the committees to attain their aims and objects. The committees will screen, review and make recommendations for improvement and the wider showings of National Film Board reels. They will also help make available more projectors. The Toronto meeting was attended by representatives of commercial 16 mm. distributors. FO Reg Wilson Here Flying Officer Reg Wilson, formerly of Regal, is home on leave after almost three years overseas. He’s around saying hello to the boys and girls. Rebuild in Trail, B.C. The Rialto, Trail, B.C., closed for some time, will be rebuilt after a permit is granted. Rebuilding operation will cost $30,000 and seating for 630 will be provided. Antonio Lauriente is the owner. Nora Hogan Is Nfld. FPCC Manageress Miss Nora Hogan of St. John’s, Newfoundland, sister of Pat Hogan, Paramount's eastern representative, will be the manager of the new Paramount Theatre in that city. A FPCC unit, it’s due to open on September 1. Miss Hogan managed the Capitol, St. John’s, now also FPCC, for years, The Paramount seats 1200,