Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 12, 1945)

December 12, 1945 Canadian FILM WEEKLY FPCC ‘Model Operation’—Balaban “The motion picture industry has added much to its stature through its contribution to the war effort and it must continue to play its part in the service of the public in peacetime,” he continued. “The contribution of the Canadian motion picture industry to the winning of the war has been magnificent and Fitz, as national chairman of the Canadian Motion Picture War Services Committee, deserves the thanks of all.” Mr. Balaban, introduced by Mr. Fitzgibbons, who, as president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, presided over the meetings, discussed the exploration of Paramount in television and other fields. “The results of our research and experience will be made available to Famous Players and partners,” he said. It was stressed that there would be very close cooperation between the Canadian and American company in the future. Paramount, it was stressed, is in the strongest position in its history, its only indebtedness be‘ing current expenes. The Canadians were greatly impressed with the latest ideas in every aspect of theatre operation, some of which were demonstrated and others. explained. They were also grateful for outstanding hospitality shown by the executives of Balaban & Katz, Chicago wing of the company, who individually and collectively entertained them in royal fashion. On the evening of the second day, Saturday, they were the guests at dinner of John Balaban in the Polo Room of the Hotel Balaban, at which were present the B & K executives and Orson Welles. Each received the gift of a lifetime pen from John Balaban, who referred-to himself as an ex Canadian because of his connec Spencer Prexy Gordon Spencer has been elected president of the Kinsmen’s Club, Saint John, NB. Social Club Elects Executive For "46 Dave Siegel was elected president of the Motion Picture Social Club in Toronto for 1946. Other officers elected with him were Jack Meltzer, vice-president; Larry Lewis, secretary; Morris Killew, treasurer; and Leon Charlip, social convenor. Harry Brooks, Dave Snider and Dave Kofsky were also elected to the executive board. Canadians Report Brilliant Presentation Of Company's Condition and Plans For Inner and Outer Expansion (Continued from Page 1) tion in other years with the Dominion company. The Canadians had a great time and many fine JOHN FITZGIBBONS He presided over the annual convention of Famous Players Canadian Corporation in Chicago recently. friendships were formed with their American colleagues and cousins. Hospitalization A plan for hospitalization and medical services, which will affect some 2,000 employees of Famous Players, was announced by R. W. Bolstad, vice-president. It will likely become effective early in 1946. Full particulars will be announced later. The partners approved of the plan and will adopt it in their operations. Many of the employees have, for some years past, been included in a group life insurance plan which originally covered managers and department heads. Recently it was expanded to include head office personnel and projec tionists. The plan provides for insurance and total disability returns on a sliding scale up to $7,500 based on length of service with the company. . Expansion Plans It was stated that application had been made to the Controller of Construction for the construction of 20 new theatres in Canada as part of the post-war program. Property is already held by the company and construction will cost $3,000,000. In addition at least another $2,000,000 will be spent on refurnishing and “equiping present theatres. Government controls on building were dropped last week. “Manpower is the most important asset of any organization,” Leonard Goldenson, vice-president of Paramount, stated to the FPCC men. ‘We're reaching out for aggressive young men, particularly those with experience in the armed forces, to build up an organization that will be a second line of defence.” The average person, he said, had become tired of being pushed around during the war years. The patron, almost the forgotten man, now wanted personalized service. Children’s Shows A discussion on _ children’s shows was led by Lawrence I. Bearg, western division manager, who said they were nothing new with the company. They had been in operation across Canada in one place or another for the past 15 years. He recalled various types of clubs, the most recent of which were those in which the children participated. “Children don’t go to a Saturday show to be educated,” he said, “But great care on the part of district managers must be exercised in seeing that the right type of program be presented.” The formula of successful shows held recently was discussed. Among those who spoke were Vol. 10, No. 50 ‘Dec. 12, 1945 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. Jules Wolfe, purchasing agent in charge of theatre engineering and maintenance; Morris Stein, eastern division manager; and James R. Nairn, director of public relations and advertising. Demonstrations were arranged by B & K, Paramount and General Theatre Supply officials. Paramount showed the visitors television in work at its studios and the others demonstrated the latest in confection and other machinery. Chrissie Alberts, Alberta, and Ray Lewis, Toronto, were the only lady delegates present. Toronto Managers Get Together Toronto theatre managers who are members of the Famous Players, B&F and Twentieth Century Theatres’ clubs got together at a luncheon in the King Edward Hotel on the 11th. To Make Movies in British Columbia Production of motion pictures in British Columbia was announced recently by the newlyorganized North American Motion Pictures Company, a Canadian-British-American outfit. A spokesman for the company said that the first picture is now under way. He stated that British Columbia was chosen for most of the shooting because of its wealth of scenic variety.