Canadian Film Weekly (May 9, 1945)

Vol. 10, No. 19 May 9, 1945 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Ednor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. 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. ‘West Wind’ There is an excellent survey of the National Film Board and its bright young men in the May edition of Monetary Times, a periodical which has shown an unusual and flattering awareness of the Canadian motion picture industry. The opening paragraph of the article is of unusual interest: “Reports from Italy state that after battle-weary Canadian troops had seen ‘West Wind’—a film on the life of Tom Thomson—there was scarcely a dry eye in the audience. Perhaps not many of these men had heard of Thomson—and few of them cared about art. That did not matter. This moving and beautiful film spoke to them eloquently of a land they knew, and longed to see once more. It was Canada they saw on the screen that night.” “West Wind” is a short subiect produced in color several years ago for the National Film Board by Graham McInnis, now head of the Information Section of the NFB. Impressive in its beauty, the film has excellent commercial possibilities, particularly in Canada. When one remembers how many shorts featuring our scenery have been made by American studios for USA and Dominion showing, it is hard to understand why a short of the quality of “West Wind” should be hidden from the eyes of city theatre-goers because there are only 16 mm. prints of it available, Edited for commercial purposes, it would win wide praise and reflect credit on the company which brings it out. It may even have an American market, since Canadians find USA travelogues interesting and vice-versa. We live in a big country with a small population and not enough of us get around in it. “West Wind” would be an interesting experience, whether cultural or just for diversion. Canadian literature has reached the position where it is of interest to Americans, as witness the success of “Earth and High Heaven” and “Two Solitudes.” Certain Canadian films would receive the same welcome reception. Most certainly such films should be made available for the Canadian theatre movie-goer, just as books written in the Dominion can be obtained easily by all. One of our leading theatre managers, a man who has made short subjects a special attraction by his astute presentations, recently checked over a list of 16 mm. semi-scenic subjects accumulated by the NFB and expressed his regret that they were not available in 35 mm. for editing and inclusion in a kind of film potpourri that he had found very successful in the past. Those warriors of ours are coming back to a country for which they have a great love, even though most never have and never will see all of it. This love and pride is not to be mistaken for a silly type of nationalism. But it is easy to understand a desire to see—even if only on the screen— some of the Fair Domain for which they gave up so much. We are not suggesting here that anything the National Film Board makes should get special preference on theatre screens. Occasionally a film is produced for its rural nontheatrical program which would be of interest to urban patrons. “West Wind,” for example. Then again we have our own national heroes. So small is our population and so large is our country that we need every means of expression to.make our people aware of those who have served it in fields other than politics. Canadian FILM WEEKLY May 9, 1945 Quebec 6 p.c. Tax Borne by Exhibs (Continued from Page 1) the working classes at a time when war veterans would be returning to civil life. The bill sets forth that “companies and manufacturers” and “every purchaser other than a company or a manufacturer” will be subject to the tax. Exhibitors are bound to pay such a tax by Clause 12 of the Canadian License Agreement, which states that the Film Board of Trade has the right to determine the manner in which it is to be borne. Whether or not it is passed on to the public, the exhibitor must, under the agreement, accept the tax—even if the government ,levies it on the exchange. The exchange may, as its legal right, pass the charge on to the exhibitor. The tax replaces the present one of two per cent. For the purpose of control of collections a license, for which no fee js charged, must be obtained. With the new measure, about 37 cents of every theatre dollar in Quebec goes to taxes. There is a provincial seat tax and a similar one by most large municipalities. There is a possibility that an amendment to the measure as it stands now may be tried. The Montreal Daily Star, in questioning certain of its aspects, stated that ‘Examination of the listed taxes shows that over a wide range they duplicate taxes already imposed by Ottawa for war purposes” and apply to many articles now ‘arbitrarily classed as luxuries but, which have become necessities of modern living...” The Star said it did not quarrel with the principle of shifting taxation to the shoulders of those best able to bear it ‘But we may legitimately question the advisabiliy of classing as luxuries a great many articles of daily use and services which have become necessities.” THIS BEAUTIFUL IMPORTED Pressed Cryustalzsvare Sei (15 Pieces) Now Available in Limited Quantities for THEATRE PREMIUMS For Particulars Phone — Write — Wire TRANSCANADA TRADING CO. 414 Richmond St. WW. Toronto Waverly 1322