Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 14, 1945)

Pago 10 Indies See End Of Conciliation (Continued from Page 1) Davidson and Herman Bennett. John Grierson, national film commissioner, was the speaker at the luncheon of the association. He described the purpose of the National Film Board and its place in post-war Canada. “Mr. Grierson certainly pointed out a lot of things we were not familiar with,” an executive officer said, “and made us more appreciative BEN FREEDMAN He was returned to office as president of the Independent Motion Picture Exhibitors Association of Ontario. of the work of the National Film Board, particularly ‘Canada Carries On’ and ‘World in Action’.” Ben Freedman, Long Branch, was reelected president by acclamation, while Bruce McLeod, Kitchener, was elected vice-president, replacing Harry Lester. Harry Romberg was reelected secretary and Harry Lester became treasurer, replacing Sam Strashin. Garson Solway continues as public relations counsel. Herman Bennett and Lou Davidson were given places on the board of directors, replacing Tom Walton and Sam Strashin. M. Starkman is also a member of the board. Pasternak Readies "Face’ for O'Brien MGM plans to star Margaret O’Brien in “The Face of Heaven,” an original by Robert Nathan. Pasternak will produce, making his fifth under preparation. Pic will follow “Three Wise Fools,” in which Margaret appears with Lionel Barrymore, Frank Morgan and Lewis Stone. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Western FPCC 25rs Meet in Vanc’r (Continued from Page 1) president, Vancouver Sun; Mr. D. A. Hamilton, president Vancouver News Herald; Mr. E. Hodges, editor, Victoria Times; Mrs. Nancy Hodges, M.L.A., of Victoria; Mr. A. E. Douglas, legal advisor, Famous Players; Gordon Lightstone, Canadian general manager, Paramount Pictures; B. E. Norrish, president, Associated Screen News, Montreal and Victor Armand. Jack Chisholm of Associated Screen News and his crew set up their cameras and studio lights and photographed the entire ceremony in technicolor and in sound to be added to the film record made in Toronto. : Senator Farris Speaks The principal speaker of the evening was Famous Players’ director, Senator J. W. de B. Farris, who declared that as a director of the company he was proud to be associated with a corporation held in such high regard by the people of Canada. Senator Farris recalled the days in British Columbia 25 years ago when he was chief censor and described the growth of the motion picture industry and the place it plays in the lives of Canadian people. “No business will succeed that does not realize its responsibility and be prepared to shoulder its full share of responsibility in the community,” said Senator Farris. “By continuing to do its part the motion picture industry will become greater. “Because of Famous Players’ existence the people of Canada have higher ideals, a better and brighter outlook on life,” he said. The senator’s brother, the Chief Justice of British Columbia, Hon. Wendell B. Farris, a former director of the Company, told of the work being done by the motion picture industry as a war service, particularly in the field of films made for the rehabilitation of ex-service men in convalescent homes. Leslie Voices Appreciation J. J. Fitzgibbons, in presenting the awards to the 25 Year Club members from Vancouver and Victoria, traced the history of the company and of the formation of the 25 Year Club. ‘We are here to pay homage to those men and women of this company who have contributed so much to our development and progress during the past quarter century,” said Mr. Fitzgibbons. The ten honored employees who received certificates of appreciation, inscribed watches or Victory Bonds, jeweled pins of membership in the 25 Year Club were: Miss Adrienne Caze, cashier of the Kerrisdale theatre, Vancouver; Mrs. Annie Johnstone, cashier of the Broadway theatre, Vancouver; Frank Gow, supervisor of Vancouver suburban and British Columbia up-country theatres; Harold Edwards, projectionist in the Dominion theatre, Victoria; Sam Haigh, projectionist in the Capitol theatre, Vancouver; Ray Hansom, projectionist in the Broadway theatre, Vancouver; James Leslie, projectionist in the Orpheum theatre, Vancouver; William G. More, projectionist in the Capitol theatre, Vancouver; Cecil S. Neville, chief booker for British Columbia; John M. Robertson, manager of the Capitol theatre, Victoria. On behalf of his fellow-members, James Leslie expressed appreciation of the honors that had been bestowed upon them and the hope that they may long continue to serve the _ public through Famous Players. Other speakers included R. W. Bolstad, vice-president of Famous Players, L. I. Bearg, Western general manager, Frank H. Gow and Frank H. Kershaw, British Columbia superisors; Mayor J. W. Cornett and Mrs. Nancy Hodges, M.L.A. : During the latter part of the dinner the lights were dimmed and two husky chefs in their picturesque white _ uniforms, marched in with a monster birthday cake on their shoulders. The cake was topped with 25 silver and blue candles and to Miss Caze and Mrs. Johnstone went the honor of cutting the first slice, peraf Indians Honor “Fitz’’ An unscheduled event on the program proved to be one of the highlights of the occasion. Larry Bearg told the gathering that everyone had a boss and that tonight he was going to introduce Mr. Fitzgibbons’ boss. Dressed in Indian costume, Chief Andy Paull of the Squamish Indian tribe and president of the North American Indian Brotherhood, presented Mr. Fitzgibbons, as a fellow-chief, a card of membership in the continent-wide organization composed of Indian chiefs. He also presented Chief Moving Shadows with a thunder bird totem pole of the Squamish. Chief Paull, who is a lawyer, made an eloquent speech in which he said that Mr. Fitzgibbons was the only white man in America to be honored with membership in this organization of Indian chiefs. Mr. Fitzgibbons, taken completely by surprise by the appearance of the chief, thanked him for the honor. “Ill try to </ Iebruary 14, 1945 Honor Masters At Luncheon (Continued from Page 1) vice-president and general manager. Tom J. Bragg, acting as chairman, expressed the sentiments of all present when he remarked that Haskell had established a strong bond of friendship with all during the three years he was with the company. Masters was presented with a crystal set of steins and a handawrought sterling tray by his former associates. Howard Boothe, British Columbia supervisor, and Harry Bercovitch, Regina partner of Odeon, were guests. A wire regretting his inability to be present was received from Paul L. Nathanson, president of Odeon, who was in Hollywood on business. No successor has been named yet and it is thought that the administration of the company’s theatres will be divided among a number of executives. Haskell and Mrs. Masters are vacationing. He has not made his plans known. Masters has resigned as vice-president of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario, now that he is not actively connected with theatres. No Reshuffle in Sask. Distrib n (Continucd from Page 1) that. Although there has been considerable talk about the possibility, nothing that favored it came out during a recent meeting between the Hon. C. C. Williams, minister of labor, and Leo Devaney and Ed Welles, president and executive secretary respectively of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association. So far the only action relating to motion pictures has been the raising of censorship fees. At present Saskatchewan territory is fed films by two distribution centres—Calgary, Alberta, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Saskatchewan exhibitors have always favored distribution from Regina because of the saving in express costs. ; be a good Indian,” he said. Arrangements for the dinner were in the capable hands of Larry Bearg, Frank Kershaw and George Clark with colorful decorations provided by Frank Phillips of the Vancouver sign shop. Entertainment was provided by the famous Deep River Boys and other radio and stage entertainers, Pa