Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 11, 1944)

Page 6 cleasing limited bs) ch ? LYELL H. J. ALLEN, President ——_— PRC DELIVERS Benny Fields in MINSTREL MAN DELINQUENT DAUGHTERS June Carlson Fifi D’orsay LADY IN THE DEATH HOUSE Lionel Atwill Jean Parker WATER FRONT John Carradine J. Carrol Naish SEVEN DOORS TO DEATH Chick Chandler dune Clyde CONTENDER Buster Crabbe Arline Judge MACHINE GUN MAMA Armida El Brendell You Can Rely On PRC Producers Releasing Corporation LIMITED Executive Offices: 277 Victoria St., Toronto, 2, Ont. Canadian FILM WEEKLY October 11, 1944 Gov't Grip Figment —Grierson Grierson dispelled the common rumor that either his organization or any other government agency sought control of the motion picture industry. The meeting reaffirmed its position in coal conservation, making known its intention of matching last winter’s campaign. It was also decided to send a committee to discuss the request with O. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Theatre Inspection branch of the Treasury Department of Ontario, that photos of each theatre be provided him. It was pointed out that the branch now has plans of each theatre in Ontario in its files. Officers Elected The following directors were elected for the coming year: N. A. Taylor, Herb Allen, Haskell M. Masters, Morris Stein, Joe Garbarino, Morris Milligan, Harry Alexander, Ed Warren, H. Freedman, Floyd Rumford, Sam Fine and Bill Summerville, Jr. Harry Alexander revealed that there were now 300 theatres registered with the association, 102 of which were Independent. He called fora loose federation of Canada’s exhibitor bodies so that each could handle its local problems and that those of national import be dealt with by a central organization on which all would be represented. There was closer co-operation today between the industry and the government, Alexander said, than at any time during his 32 years in the business. Gary Hogarth of Kingsville, (Continued from Page 1) unable to be present, wired his request that the meeting discuss a possible change back to standard time. Syd Taube, executive secretary, revealed that the theatres of Ontario had recruited 4,000 Farm Commandos during the recent drive. The association, he said, was in constant touch with local fire chiefs in the interest of Safety. He read greetings from the Ontario Safety League. It was within the law, Taube said, for exhibitors to hand out star stills if they wished. This matter had been settled favorably with the police. Visitors were Archie J. Mason, president of the National Council of Independents and mayor of Springhill, Nova Scotia; Harry Romberg, secretary and Ben Freidman, president, of the Ontario branch of that organization. Roy Chown of Calgary was also on hand. Henshaw Speaks Don Henshaw, recently returned from MGM’s Hollywood studios, where he represented the War Finance Committee in the making of “Tomorrow John Jones,” short for use in the Seventh Victory Loan, told how much the motion picture industry meant to the war effort. ‘There is no list of who is most important to the Victory Loan,’ he said, “and that is good. It is in the best spirit of co-operation, for radio, newspapers and motion pictures—all who touch the public mind—have done a magnificent job.” Patients from a Canadian gencral hospital forget the war for a moment as they see a show under canvas behind the lines in Italy. The projectionist is Cpl. Frank Ibbotson of High River, Alberta, formerly with the Calgary Highlanders; the Canadian Legion War Services operates such shows. Just as cheering to the boys’ morale would be the news that Canada’s 7th Victory Loan had gone over the top with a big surplus. Be a morale-builder by buying Victory Bonds to the limit of your ability. He recalled the motion picture industry’s first campaign in this war, the “Stamp Out Hitler” drive, which gave some indication of what service it could provide. That campaign in the first days of the war had set the pace for all others since, for the glamor and showmanship revealed then was still in use. “This is a critical time,’’ Henshaw said. ‘‘There are many people who think that the war is practically over, that it is a matter of weeks. This spirit must not be allowed to grow. There is still a long road ahead, as anyone can realize who knows how much machinery and ammunition it takes to win a few yards of ground.” “But whatever may be,” he concluded, “we know that we can count on the last man and the last theatre until the very end to make victory sure and peace a lasting thing.” Henshaw was introduced by Nat A. Taylor, who presided at the meeting. No Government Rule “I. am conscious of a much more widespread field of service for the Canadian motion picture industry,” John Grierson told those present after being introduced by John J. Fitzgibbons. “In providing so much public service the industry has unwittingly developed a true policy in the field of public relations.” The policy of co-operation between the government and the industry is a good thing for both, he said. The government of Canada did not desire control of the industry. “It would be madness to attempt it,” he said. “It is ridiculous to conceive the government taking over the entertainment field.” “I know of no thoughts or plans whatsoever on the part of the government,” Grierson said, “now or in the future. We have done much better with a cooperative policy than the industries of those countries where the government has control. That cooperation has also been provided by the United States, the film industry of which has done much to help present Canada from the screen,” English Policy He quoted the saying that “a foot of film is worth a dollar of trade.” The British government, supporting J. Arthur Rank’s fight for a place for British films, knew this, as did the Canadian government. Canada must take its place in international relations. It was no longer a country with a colonial complex and was recognized as the greatest of the smaller (Continued on Page 10)