Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 31, 1945)

Page 2 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Vol. 10, No. 5 Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Phone 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, Ontario. NFB Withdrawal Celluloid has explosive qualities in more ways than one. The National Film Board has been forced to withdraw “Balkan Powder Keg” from circulation because it did not meet the views of some. Perhaps that was the best thing to do. But if it was a question of peace at any price on the part of the NFB, the withdrawal of the short — or any short — is to be regretted. It is almost impossible for a medium of public communication to go along in a Democracy without being occasionally accused of either the sin of commission or omission. No newspaper has that experience and it isn’t likely that the National Film Board will. This applies particularly to the Balkan situation, which is so touchy at this time that it is impossible to report it without drawing disagreement from one or more of the minorities with divergent points of view. Even Prime Minister Churchill added confusion to the situation by describing the ELAS as “Trotskyites,” political dissenters opposed to the Soviet regime. This periodical demanded the withdrawal from the screen of the NFB’s “Gates of Italy” in 1943 because that subject, made hastily, erred on the side of ommission in that it did not explain the nature of Fascism or go after it hard enough. We felt that most enlightened opinion would be opposed to it, since the main concern of the country was the war against Fascism. There is a much greater division of opinion about “Balkan Powder Keg,” thus less reason for pulling it out. Periodic disagreement with National Film Board shorts, rather than be deplored, should be regarded in proper light. It is proof that the Board is not a namby-pamby outfit that compromises its duty of presenting facts as it sees them in order to avoid stirring opposition. The National Film Board must have force and conviction to retain its reputation as a virile, honest medium. bd % % The Film and Trade Perhaps the answer to J. Arthur Rank’s sweeping action on the film fronts of the world is to be found in the recent statement of Lord Woolton, Minister of Reconstruction. Lord Woolton stated recently that Britain was ready to increase its appropriation for backing export trade from $337,500,000 to almost three times that. “The world abroad,” said Lord Woolton, “is also hungry for our products and we must not tempt customers overseas to find other sources of supply.” Let us remember John Grierson’s estimate that a foot of film equals a dollar in trade and the recent statement of Tom Connors, in charge of distribution for Fox, that foreign films must be given more screen time on this side so that Hollywood films can get screen time in other lands, Representation on foreign screens, he said, was tied up with the export of goods made in United States and Canada. Apparently both the USA and Britain recognize the relationship of films to export trade. American films followed American troops into Italy while the British fumed and complained that commercial attaches went in in uniform. Not long after British films moved into France quickly while Rank bought theatres in that country, and the Americans Canadian FILM WEEKLY Jan. $1, 1945 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Exhibs Plan to Join Tax Fight (Continued from Page 1) a committee to take charge of a campaign of opposition — if such a campaign becomes necessary. The first duty of this committee will be to appoint a representative delegation of exhibitors to call on the cabinet for the purpose of receiving information and presenting the views of the trade. Mayor F. O. Graham of Kingsville, one of the speakers introduced by Chairman N. A. Taylor, said that a reduction in the educational tax would benefit owners of large property holdings. Making up this depleted revenue through a theatre tax was, in effect, transferring the’ burden to those in the smallest income brackets. J. J. Fitzgibbons made known the fact that the CCF and the Liberals, from all indications, would be opposed to the tax. The purpose of the meeting was to make preparations that may or may not be of use. Enquiries by mail as to the intentions of the government were not answered. Representatives of both Ontario exhibitor associations were .on the platform and any future action will be shared by all exhibitors, whether or not they belong to an association. Distributors will also join in the activity and share the cost. Kent to Britain Larry Kent of 20th-Fox is now in Britain as the company’s representative with Gaumont-British, in which Fox holds minority stock. J. Arthur Rank holds the Warner Profits Off, Competition to Grow Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., reports net profit of $6,953,462 for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, or $1.87 a common share, compared with $8,238,483, or $2.12 a common share, for the preceding year. “Business in the British Isles during the past year has been the largest in its history, owing in part to the presence of a large number of American soldiers,” says the report. “There are indications that following the war the American motion picture industry will face increased English competition, not only in the British Isles, but in the world market.” January 31, 1945 M. S. Ferris Buys Alcan 16 Mm. Circ (Continued from Page 1) Ferris Theatres has been quietly exploring and developing the 16 mm. field in Ontario, Mr. Ferris having realized its potentialities some years ago. A situation was established in Heron Bay recently and the company contemplates opening regular showings in Rossport and Cartier. It acquired the situation in White River recently. Since Ferris Theatres has been active in MacTier for a long time, it now provides 16 mm. shows in every divisional point along the CPR line between Toronto and Port Arthur in which there is no 35 mm. house. The 16 mm. exhibition field has grown tremendously in Canada in the Jast few years. This has come about so quietly that neither the 16 mm. distributors association nor the theatre inspection branch of Ontario has a list of those places which have become permanent situations and are advertised as ‘‘theatres.” Removal of authority over public halls from the theatre inspection branch after the recent Hamilton fire has placed the exhibition of 16 mm. reels in the hands of local officials. Mono's Spanish Lady First of six Monogram Spanish-dubbed films, “Lady, Let’s Dance,” has been booked for opening at Mexico City’s Alameda Theatre. VOCALITE SCREENS I'ive times more sound permeability. One-third more light. Vocalite Sound Screen is the result of a series of intensive and costly experiments which have resulted in the produc tion of the finest sound screen made. Flexible plastic coated, ' flameproof. PERIGINS COMPANY LIMITED @&7 VicToRiA tTREST 2027 etEURY STReP TORONTO MONTREAL charged that plane priorities had gone to British commercial representatives. It can be seen from all t his that J. Arthur Rank holds a high place in the esteem of the British Gove : K mment. is no doubt that his success will be of eOnaidea Es haa putting Britain on her economic feet after the war,