Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 27, 1944)

Vol. 9, No. 52 Dec. Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada Canada, Phome 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, Toronto, Ontarie A Variety Tent Although there was some confusion as to the exact purpose of that recent luncheon meeting, one fine idea was revealed — that of organizing a Toronto tent of the Variety Clubs of America. Most of us understood that the meeting had been called in behalf of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Fund, sponsored by the Pioneers and not limited to them. The Pioneers have their own benevolent fund and this new one would solicit from all and extend its benefits to all. Introduced by Chairman Leo Devaney, Oscar Hanson, who is one of the spark plugs of the new fund, explained his enthusiasm but made no reference to a Variety Club. The next speaker, Simon Meretsky of Windsor, surprised the listeners with his reference to the organization of a Variety Club. Paul Nathanson announced a $1,000 contribution to the benevolent fund by J. Arthur Rank but did not refer to the Variety Club. J. J. Fitzgibbons devoted much time to a description of the aims and accomplishments of the Variety organizations. The question arose whether money contributed to the benevolent fund would be handed out through (a) the Pioneers own fund, (b) the special benevolent fund, (c) or the Variety Club. The answer is, as we understand it, that such money will go into the special benevolent fund now and may be transferred later to the Variety Club. Most did not fill in their pledges, feeling that they would wait until the home of the benevolent fund was established as either the Pioneers or the Variety Club. The suggestion that the Variety Club be a wing of the Pioneers wasn't accepted. Ben Okun, who has been boosting Variety here for over a year, is not a Pioneer. We Need It Badly No film community ever needed a Variety Club as much as that of Toronto. Variety provides a common ground for everyone in the amusement industries—and we haven't one. Variety provides a place where one can spend an evening with others of the amusement industry or his section of it—and there is no such place now. Toronto has exhibitors’ organizations, distributors’ organizations, a projectionists’ organization, an exchange workers union, a Motion Picture War Services Committee but no single organization to which all belong for purposes of trade amity or public service. At least a Variety Club will overcome some of those shortages. The intention is to charter a Toronto tent first, then spread the plan to other Canadian amusement centres. What is Variety? Variety is the heart of show business. The word “heart” is used here more in a sentimental sense than in a geographical one. The original Variety Club was founded in Pittsburgh in 1928 when showmen adopted a baby abandoned in the Sheridan Theatre. There are now 26 tents devoted to the charity and welfare of their communities under the national leadership of R. J. (Bob) O’Donnell. Each city has clubrooms, usually in a hotel, Variety clubs have established hospital clinics, health centres, hospital wings, boys camps, mothers’ milk banks, blood banks, playgrounds and many other benefits and their contribution to the social welfare of the United States has been recognized by leading citizens of that nation. Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canadian: FILM WEEKLY Pes " Coval Joins WB Ether-Spectrum — oo) HYE BOSSIN, Managing Faitor Foreign Dept. (Centinued from Page 1) pany, with supervision over a number of territories. Successor to Coval as Montreal branch manager hasn’t been named yet. Coval, who was born in Manchester, England, entered the film business in 1928 as a salesman for Universal in the Winnipeg territory. He left that company to go with F. W. Pearson, Inc., Chicago, as field representative, staying there from 1929 to 1933. He returned to Winnipeg in 1933 as a salesman for Empire Films, then became Calgary branch manager. In 1936 he was a salesman for Warners in Winnipeg and Calgary. In 1939 he was transferred to Vancouver as branch manager, succeeding Joe Plottel, who had become Ontario branch manager. When Phil Sherman resigned the Montreal branch management of Warners to enter exhibition, Coval was transferred again. Head offices of the Trinidad division are in the capital and leading city, Port au Spain, and Coval and his wife will take up residence there. Trinidad itself has a population of 413,000 and the exchange area served from it consists of the British West Indies, British and Dutch Guiana. It was considered likely that Wolfe Cohen, in charge of a vast area, would call on some of his former Canadian executives to join him and perhaps Coval may be just the first to do that. Board Ignored — (Continued on Page 11)” Hon. C. D. Howe rules. Ac, One result of the war has a tremendous increase in the use of private radio for inter-company purposes. This, added to the needs of home, school and theatre television, will create a great wave length problem, since each will require its own. The CRTPB was formed in an endeavor to avoid a post-war scramble for wave lengths and to assist u smooth transition from present technical conditions to the improved ones of the future. President of the CRTPB is R. M. Brophy. R. A. Hackbusch is vice-president and W. W. Richardson treasurer, A delegate and an alternative are appointed to the administrative committee by each allied industry. Attitude of the American motion picture industry isn't anything like that of the Canadian. Its representatives follow closely the activities of Radio Technical Planning Board of the USA and the Television Broadcasters Association, Inc. Television Broadcasters Association, Inc, held its first annual convention in New York and there were top executives from the film industry among the 750 registrants. Theatre television was discusesd before a special panel headed by Paul J. Larsen, Society of Motion Picture Engineers, and addressed by representatives of Paramount, RCA and RKO Television. There are several Canadian members of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers who, because of their interest in radio and television, would make excellent representatives of the industry to the CRTPB. It would appear that allocation of post-war wave lengths for television and other purposes will be made according to plans that will be discussed in the near future. It is imperative that the Canadian motion picture industry be on hand while this planning is going on. Its apparent lack of awareness about television problems emphasizes the absence of a single all-industry organization devoted to the progress of the Canadian motion picture world. Ruggles Makes Rank Deal for Leahy Wesley Ruggles, Hollywood representative for J. Arthur Rank, is reported closing a deal with Fred Leahy, veteran production executive, under which Leahy will go to England in an executive studio capacity. Leahy has been associated both with MGM and Paramount for 18 years, Se E: = ’ : ;