Canadian Film Weekly (May 9, 1945)

Page 8 ‘Memo Britain Wins Praise “Memo From _ Britain,” the latest in the documentary film series, “March of Time,” produced by the editors of Life, Time and Fortune, and released by 20th Century-Fox, won the editorial praise of the Toronto Globe & Mail. “It is a constructive piece of work which will help the American public to better appreciate the contribution made by Great Britain to the defeat of Germany,” said the newspaper. “Memo From _ Britain” describes vividly the effect of the blitz, the flying bomb, the hard rationing and the scarcity of food in the United Kingdom. It shows the extent of casualties and lost homes suffered by the people of Britain and it gives an idea of the almost incredible effort to produce and fight under most difficult conditions which made it possible for the British to see the job through. “At this time,” the editorial concluded, ‘‘When the San Francisco Conference is in session and future peace depends so much upon better relations among partners, ‘Memo From Britain’ is a worthy contribution.” Somes 008 Ho catastrophe if the entir What a lost its voice happe equip NOW— as mm §=6ominion Head Office: 1620 Notre Dame winmieso o Beeccess of waALioan TOBON? | specially trained P fechnical service, in your theatre. a n, especially in these y ment needs the B it never needed A National Theatre Service, ioments Limited, g Sound Equip d personnel fo provi equipment an Canadian FILM WEEKLY — Paramount Pushes Shorts Program Inaugurating the fifth year of Paramount shorts as a separate department, Oscar Morgan, sales manager, will begin the 1945-46 season with a series of ten regional conferences with district and branch managers from coast to coast. While on the west coast, Morgan will also spend some time with Paramount Studio heads, Henry Ginsberg and Y. Frank Freeman together with George “Dink’’ Templeton, newly appointed producer of the Musical Parade Featurettes. “Sales figures indicate a definite trend to play more shorts than ever before,’ said Morgan in reporting on the progress made by his department. He also revealed that shorts are coming to replace the second feature among some of the large circuits in strong double-feature territory. “Many innovations have enhanced the value of our product over the past two years,” stated Morgan, “including the increased use of Technicolor and emphasis on quality and variety. This has been borne out by the fact that for three consecutive years, Paramount has won the Academy Award for the best one-reel subject of the year, and Paramount shorts have lead in practically every exhibitor poll.” el ae e cast It could mes. Your bn EST technical service it before. Sound Equipments LiMiTED Street West, Montreal vee REGINA catoanr vancov An augmented advertising schedule is to be announced by Morgan which calls for regular monthly trade ads in addition to the usual announcement made at the beginning of the season. All matters pertaining to the distribution of Paramount shorts clear through Morgan under the direct supervision of Charles M. Reagan, vice-president and general sales manager of the com pany. British-USA Treaty A treaty signed by the USA and Great Britain ends double taxation on incomes and is expected to facilitate the movement back and forth of film players and technicians from both countries. Massey-Bergman Raymond Massey and Ingrid Bergman will co-star in a play set for New York in the fall. Honor Axler With Bachelor Dinner (Continued from Page 1) It was a gay evening of food and fun during which toasts were delivered to the bride, groom and parents. At the conclusion of the toasts Nat Taylor presented Axler with a travelling bag in behalf of those present. Axler, in thanking those who had come to honor him, took occasion to introduce some of his former comrades in the service. Toast to the bride was delivered by Sol Lyon; the parents by Jesse Kaplan, and the groom by Haskell Masters. Each speaker spent part of the time indulging in good-natured abuse at the expense of the guest of honor, a custom at affairs of that kind. Haskell Masters, making his first public address since joining Warners and charged with the toast to the groom, was excellent. Sol Lyon, who tvasted the bride, was 85 years old but as bright and witty as anyone present. He recalled other days when he toured Canada with stage troupes, drawing on his theatrical background for an interesting speech. Nat Taylor regaled the listeners with a dissertation on various types of love prior to making the presentation. Hye Bossin, acting as toastmaster, took the opportunity of introducing John J. Fitzgibbons, Dave Griesdorf, Larry Bearg and Frank Kershaw to the gathering. May 9, 1945 Hollywood s New Press Policy A common public relations policy towards the Canadian press has been recommended for adoption by all Hollywood studios, with the same unit at each studio, whether foreign or domestic, looking after all Canadianrouted material. This recommendation was included in the report of a survey of worldwide exploitation conditions made by the international sub-committee of Producers Association’s Public Information Committee (western division). The expectation of a battle between American and British film industries for world domination is reflected in the report, and all the suggestions contained therein are designed to prepare for this situation. (The idea of a global battle persists in American circles despite the fact that J. Arthur Rank, British film head, has repeatedly denied that the interests he represents are out for world wide control of the movie industry.) Newspapers, magazines and even news services covering other lands have been subject to neglect, according to the report, and the foreign publicity bureaus, especially those in the studios have been given very little attention by the domestic publicity staffs. All the recommendations in the report of the sub-committee are designed to counteract the aforementioned situation and ease coming problems in the field of international publicity and sales promotion. Publicity writers and planters must become more aware of the growing importance of the international situation. To avoid friction, the report advises the international cable press must be given news-breaks simultaneously with their release to the American press. There are 47 international correspondents now in Hollywood, representing 125 publications in 24 countries. FDR Memorial Reel In 16 Mm. Copies Special 16 mm. copies of the Pathe-Paramount newsreel highlighting the life and funeral of Franklin Delano Roosevelt are to be made on the order of N. Peter Rathvon for RKO and Barney Balaban for Paramount. Following a special showing of the reel for the Roosevelt family in Washington, Mrs. Roosevelt requested that 16 mm. copies be made. According to her wish they will be filed in the National Archives, at Washington and in the FDR Memorial Library, at High Park.