Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 4, 1945)

{ April 4, 1945 Tariffs, Duties Hindrance—Hays (Continued from Page 1) toms duties, quotas, price fixing, freezings, remittance taxes and a host of other restrictions ‘are mines laid in the path of free interchange of motion picture information and entertainment.” “There is a cultural reciprocity inherent in the exchange of film entertainment which must never be endangered by the intrusion of self-serving propaganda,” he added. American pictures obviously help interpret American civilization to the peoples of the world. British pictures are reflections of British culture. And the native cultures of other countries, manifested in the films they produce, are valuable contributions to world entertainment and cultural interchange. International understanding, so necessary for world peace, is promoted. But neither films nor any other means of information, education or entertainment can hope to perform their maximum service if they abandon their integrity. The vitality of all our democratic processes depends upon freedom of communication among free men.” The screen, he stated, had withstood every temptation to relax the standards of motion picture entertainment under the pressure of war. The structure of self regulation erected by the industry had weathered every storm. “We have proved,” he declared, “that even in the most savage war in history there was no theme or situation that could not be dramatically treated within the limits of decency and good taste ... that art and prudence in motion pictures do not necessarily conflict; that morality in entertainment is quite compatible with its enjoyment and its best service; that there can no longer be any question that morally sound pictures are good entertainment and good boxoffice.’ “No post-war trend of laxity or license, falsely condoning itself in the good name of liberty, will weaken or overcome our determination to keep the screen a free medium by keeping it an honest and respectable one,” he added. Stan Milligan Passes Stanley Milligan, projectionist as Shea’s, Toronto, died suddenly last week. He was a brother of Arthur Milligan, Imperial projectionist. He was extremely well-liked by those who shared the Toronto theatre scene with him. The late Mr. Milligan was secretary of the Toronto branch of the American Projectionists Society. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Lift Suspension of Verdun Theatre (Continued from Page 1) When under control of its former operator, Superior Theatres, Ltd. the Verdun Palace was prominent in the fight to upset the law as being unconstitutional. Recently the theatre changed hands as one of eight acquired from Jules Laine and Ben Garson by Odeon Theatres, which company has no intention of continuing the action instituted by itS predecessor. The policy of challenging the law by admitting children under 16 was continued automatically, it having been overlooked by Odeon executives, who were preoccupied with reorganization of Superior as General Theatres (Quebec) as well as the Canadian structure. There was a lull in legal action prior and during the change of ‘ownership and the policy escaped attention until it came up in the House. The action of Mr. Duplessis, resulting from a point raised earlier by Andre Laurendeau, leader of the Bloc Populaire, was an important development in a legal battle which has been going on for one year. Laurendeau, member for Laurier division, had called attention for his fellowmembers to a communication from St. Jean Baptiste Society of Verdun City asking rigid enforcement of the law. In the summer of 1944 Superior Theatres, Ltd., operators of the Verdun Palace, were fined for infringement of the law and immediately issued a writ claiming that it was ultra vires. An injunction was served in 31 officials responsible for the application of the law and this had the effect of suspending it. Premier Duplessis said that while he respected the legal decision, the government would not tolerate violation of the law with impunity and ordered the Treasury Department to make the cancellation. “I serve notice on all theatres that it is our intention that the law be respected,” said the Premier. “If these people wish to give the spectacle of contempt of law, we will treat them as they deserve. We want to consider such matters from the humanitarian point of view as long as this does not mean contempt for law. The license of the Palace is cancelled, and other licenses will be cancelled if the law is not respected, and if our law is not sufficient, we will pass other laws. “Under a law passed in 1928 children under 16 years of age may not be admitted to a moving picture show, whether accompanied or not.” Hearing on the Superior writ was due to have been heard early in April. Here are members of the British War Brides Association on the steps of the Imperial Theatre, Toronto. Eighty were the guests of Paulina Regan at a performance of Paramount's “Till We Meet Again.” Mrs. Regan, shown beside Tom Daley, manager, is the wife of Lieut. John Regan. Now cashier of the Imperial, she was connected with the Royal Theatre, Dorkin, England, before coming to Canada. Page 17 20th-Fox Hits Fourth Decade (Continued from Page 1) in charge of production, and Tom Connors, vice-president in charge of sales. The first concern of these men is to bring to the public pictures of outstanding merit and they have marshalled the vast resources of the con{pany to accomplish this. As in the early history of the company when it introduced full-length western pictures with Tom Mix as the star, when William Farnum became Douglas Fairbanks’ rival in dashing romantic films, the studio today is a leader in creating new trends in production. Since those days the company has developed and acquired some of the greatest craftsmen, artists and executives in the world and their contribution to the motion picture industry, through Twentieth ‘Century-Fox, is im. measurable. Not only are presentday films a tribute to the company’s standards but the scientific research and business efficiency represented by them have given the rest of the world many a lesson. Here are some facts which reflect Fox’s progress: The company has 1,621 in its 30 years. It released the first sound newsreel, Movietone News, in 1927. Its newsreel is 26 years old. This is the 10th year of Paul Terry’s association with Fox in the making of Terrytoons and his 20th year in that field. More than 100 employees have been with the company over 25 years. Its acquisition of the March of Time short subject shows its recognition of the importance of the motion picture in matters other than entertainment. The work of Hal Horne in the advertising and exploitation field in behalf of the company’s product has been one of 20th-Fox’s greatest contributions to the life of the boxoffice. The company has developed an endless list of stars since its inception. With its enviable background of thirty years of progress in the production and distribution of motion pictures the vast Twentieth Century-Fox organization is looking to the future with renewed determination to maintain its leadership. The officials of the company feel that in the post war period the importance of motion pictures, not only as entertainment but also in the fields of education and _ international relations, will be greater than ever before and plans are now being formulated to meet this challenge. released