Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 3, 1945)

October 3, 1945 Falconer is NFB Chief in Ontario (Continued from Page 1) comes to the Ontario post after several months in Ottawa. He joined the NFB upon his discharge from the RCAF. Noel Bates, who was in charge of the Toronto office of the board for the past year and a half, has been promoted from provincial ‘supervisory work to the liaison staff in Ottawa. He will make arrangements for the sponsorship, by government departments, of films for which there is a need. Falconer comes to the National Film Board with an outstanding war record as a flying officer in the Atlantic Ferry Command. He was also a paratroop pilot in planes that dropped troops into France on D-Day. He will endeavor to further the expansion of the provincial film office, which has grown rapidly in the past year. One of Falconer’s chief objectives in the next few months is getting out films on the problems of rehabilitation, particularly to aid civilians in understanding the point of view of ex-servicemen. A second immediate task is the provision of film support for the National Clothing Collection Campaign on behalf of UNRRA, aimed at relieving distress in Europe. This work is already underway with a specially produced NFB film, “Friends in Need,” already in the hands of Ontario field representatives. The National Film Board intends building up well-stocked libraries in Ontario with films on current peacetime issues so that service groups may have access to useful non-theatrical films on such urgent questions as housing, health, community planning and national and international projects for social improvement. Hal Wallis’ Picture Van Heflin will play the male lead opposite Barbara Stanwyck and Lisbeth Scott in Hal Wallis’ “Love Lies Bleeding,” for Paramount release. Ginger and Pierre Ginger Rogers and Pierre Aumont are co-starring in RKO’s “Heartbeat,” with Adolphe Menjou and Basil Rathbone in support. "Little Women’ Again “Little Women’ may be remade in Technicolor by David O. Selznick. It was originally made 13 years ago at RKO with KXatherine ‘Hepburn and Joan Bennet starring. Canadian FILM WEEKLY JOHNSTON AND HAYS (Continued from Paze 10) us sound, spoken words, music, color and fine-grain film; the development in the artistry of story-telling which has resulted in an allencompassing program of screen entertainment and a corresponding increase in world-wide audience appreciation—all these advances have come from the vision, the labor, and the collaboration of the executives, producers, distributors, exhibitors, writers, artists, artisans and technicians with whom it has been one of the great privileges of my life to be intimately associated. “I am thinking also today in a very special sense of the men and women—both individuals and groups through the nation—whose devoted interest has been continuous in the effort to accomplish the association’s purpose, set forth in its articles of incorporation March 11, 1922: ‘Establishing and maintaining th> highest picture production by developing the educational as well as the entertainment value and the general usefulness of the motion picture.’ From that day to the present moment, thousands of our friends in schools, churches, libraries, women’s clubs, in art, literary, social and economic groups, in national and community organizations—all leaders in the public welfare and cultural life of America—have steadfastly believed in our objectives and have strengthened our hands in all which we have been able to accomplish. Hays also paid tribute to his successor, saying: “It is satisfying, indeed, to be able to transfer to such splendidly capable shoulders responsibilities carried for so many busy and constructive years. “Eric Johnston needs no praise of mine. His ability shines in the light of his accomplishments. Sure of his capabilities for both leadership and service, we of the industry are confident and content to place in his hands the throttle—and the brake.” A heseuhionte explained his interest in the film industry in a statement issued when he took over his new duties. “I have been attracted to the motion picture industry,” he said, “because it offers unlimited opportunities to work for peace and prosperity at home and abroad. These are the two geals for which all mankind yearns today. “The motion picture has been aptly described as the greatest way of telling a story ever devised by man. In a relatively short period of development, the film has become a medium of mass entertainment and enlightenment, unique in world history. Its appeal is universal. Its potential power for good is only matched by its potential power for evil. _ “In the field of adult education and specifically in the re-training of the veterans and war workers, there is a limitless opportunity for the motion picture. In the factories, better management-labor relations can be promoted through the films:” {pee board of directors of the MPPDA passed the following resolution in tribute to Will Hays upon his retirement: “Whereas, since the founding of this Association on March 11, 1922, Will H. Hays has been continuously its President and distinguished leader, and “Whereas, during the life of this Association the American motion picture has grown to a maturity and attained a world influence which is universally recognized, and “Whereas, under the leadership of Will H. Hays this Association in behalf of the entire moving picture industry has, by the establishment and administration of the Motion Picture Production Code, held up for the industry the highest moral and artistic standards and through the practice of self-regulation by the industry has earned for this great medium of expression—the motion picture—that freedom which it so largely enjoys in the United States, and “Whereas, Mr. Hays has been unfaltering in his devotion to the highest ideals of the motion picture and by his unremitting efforts has -Served ‘the industry faithfully and well, “Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that this Association accepts with profound regret Mr. Hays’ decision to cease active executive services .to it but the Association takes great satisfaction in the knowledge that his successor and the Board of Directors of the Association may be able to draw upon his rich experience and may continue to benefit by his wise counsel in dealing with the tasks and problems of the days to come.” Page 15 P. J. HANIFEN Veteran Maritimes theatre figure and manager of the Garrick, Halifax, who retired recently after spending 60 of his 80 years in show business. American Citation Won by David Niven Lt. Col. David Niven has been decorated with the American Legion of Merit, it is reported. The film star is one of only 25 members of the British army who have received the American citation, among them being Field Marshals Montgomery and Alexander. Two New Pix at WB Two motion pictures now in production at Warner Brothers are “Dancing With Tears,” with Faye Emerson, Zachary Scott, Janis Paige and Howard Smith, and ‘The Verdict,” with Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Joan Lorring Big Campaign For "Night in Paradise’ Biggest advertising campaign ever given a film in Canada will be put on for “Night in Paradise,” Walter Wanger'’s new Spectacular Technicolor production, it is announced by EmpireUniversal Films Limited, who will release the picture. Advertisements will appear in all the following nationally cir culated magazines: Canadian Home Journal, Chatelaine, MacLeans, New World, National Home Monthly, Liberty and Toronto Star Weekly. Turhan Bey and Merle Oberon are the stars of the picture with Thomas Gomez, Gale Sondergaard, Ernest Truex and Jerome Cowan in leading supporting roles,