Canadian Film Weekly (May 30, 1945)

May 30, 1945 Canadian FILM WEEKLY _ Vol. 10, No. 22 May 80, 1945 Sta dna naa HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor gibeiesl cy ARs Nanos Sosa 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 S cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter. Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario. LL Report On @ Report It is indeed pleasant to observe how many newspapers these days take film matters seriously and provide space on the editorial page for important developments. Some of this important interest is evidenced by the attention given the annual report of O. J. Silverthorne, chief Ontario censor and chairman of that branch of the Treasury Department which has charge of theatre and film matters as they relate to the Provincial government. Below is an editorial from the Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune: A concluding paragraph in the annual report, for the year ended March $1, of the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection Branch of the Ontario Treasury Department is well worthy of note. It is: “The motion picture industry in general J. Arthur Rank greeted on arrival by his Canadian partner, Paul L. Nathanson. Left to right—G. I. Woodham Smith, legal adviser; Mr. Rank; Mr. Nathanson; and John Davis, managing director of British Odeon. Bad flying weather delayed his arrival. looks back to over five years during which both defeats and victories occupied the attention of the Allied nations. It looks back on those years when it gave freely and generously of its time, talent and theatres to acquaint the public with films concerning Victory Loans, Red Cross appeals and appeals for aid from stricken Allied nations. Today the industry looks ahead to the postwar years when, the board trusts, it plans to continue to use its vast facilities in support of all patriotic and rehabilitation projects which will engage the attention of the people of Canada when peace comes.” This is an important public aspect of motion pictures. In passing, it should be mentioned that popular support of pictures, sometimes criticized, made it possible for moving pictures to be shown to soldiers overseas, often in far off and dangerous places. These pictures and the occasional visits of motion picture stars did much to give relief from strain to many a good fighting man. The report does not hesitate to tackle the much-discussed question of the relation of pictures to juvenile delinquency. It is evident that this problem has engaged the serious study of the board. This section of the report, therefore, deserves consideration: “After a study of statistics of the Toronto board of education and separate school board, relating to primary and secondary school population, of delinquency reports of the Big Brother movement and finally of entertainment offered in different sections of Toronto, the board believes it is on solid ground when it takes the position that the film is never an only factor, and rarely the principal factor, in contributing to juvenile misbehavior; also since competent authority in the field of social science is unable to determine to what extent the film is responsible for juvenile misconduct.” So long as juvenile delinquency continues to have the concern of motion picture authorities, Children’s Aid societies, juvenile courts, parents, teachers and clergy, it can be assumed that the best possible is being done for the young people. Added interest is lent to the report by comment on the rise of the British film to a prominent place on the screens of the Dominion. British films have appeared which equal Hollywood productions in interest and technique, while representing backgrounds close to the hearts of Canadians. Another point is that one of the major U.S. Producing companies includes in its postwar plans the establishment of a producing unit in Canada. The story of the relation of moving pictures to life and progress is fascinating in its intricate detail and national and world importance. J. A. Rank Arrives (Continued from Page 1) ard W. Brockington, K.C., his Dominion legal representative; John Davis, managing director of the British Odeon circuit; G. I. Woodham Smith, legal adviser; and Jock Lawrence, in charge of public relations. Paul L. Nathason, his Canadian partner, and Clare Appel, eastern division manager of Odeon of Canada, were on hand. Others who took in the press conference were Frank O'Byrne, who will have charge of Odeon’s projected educational production; James Cow _an, press relations representative of several of Rank’s affiliates; and Terry Ramsaye, famed film hjstorian and editor of Motion Picture Herald. Canadian Production Production of feature films in Canada was not contemplated, Mr. Rank stated, but he expected the educational program, which seemed of great interest to the press, to proceed in good order. He excused himself for not answering detailed questions about it, explaining that he had just arrived and as yet had not been able to discuss it with Paul Nathanson. Asked if he intended to increase Canadian distribution of his films, he answered smilingly: “If they aren’t first-class entertainment, you can’t show them.” He was pleased with the rise in popularity of British films both in Canada and the USA and thought it interesting, when pointed out, that “The Silver Fleet” was doing greater business on the other side of the border than it did here. His companies will produce between 20 and 30 of Britain’s annual output of almost 90 feature films. Before the war Britain produced 140-or-so every year and the end of the war with Japan would naturally mark a return to greater production. His own companies would operate better when they shared the same site, instead of being spread throughout Britain because of wartime conditions. “No Social Harm” Asked about his differences with the London Board of Trade, which arose through charges of monopoly, some of which were repeated in Parliament, Mr. Rank said that there had been white papers under discussion but nothing had come of them as yet. The government was friendly toward his Overseas intentions — “friendly, yes, but in league, no.” “We will make no pictures that will do social harm,” he answered when he was asked if his production units would follow popular film cycles, such as musicals, melodramas, etc. It was the intention of his companies to make the same use of the star system as Hollywood, paper and other shortages having made thorough exploitation and publicity of leading players impossible. Such matters would rest with Jock Lawrence. He made no comment when asked if there would be public financing of his Canadian program, A statement regarding Odeon’s plans will be issued soon,