Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 2, 1946)

a ae Page 4 Rank, Pathe in World Setup (Continued from Page 1) rently in the USA by Rank, will be changed to “Eagle Lion Films.” The deal is the second one for Rank with an American company in the last few weeks. The first involved Rank, Universal and International and calls for eight films each from Rank and International for world distribution through a new company, United World. They will be produced with Universal facilities. Possible effect of both deals on the Canadian distribution scene is interesting film and theatre men. In the case of the International-Rank deal it was stated that a separate sales staff would operate through either Eagle Lion or Universal facilities, preference to be dictated by suitability. Both Universal and Eagle Lion are part of the Nathanson interests in Canada. No official statement has been made which designates either as the distributing agent — or whether United World will be set up in Canada. According to the official announcement of the Young-Rank deal, which was issued jointly, “Distribution in the British Isles and throughout the rest of the world will be handled by the present Rank organization.” Eagle Lion in Canada, said to be a partnership of Paul Nathanson and Rank, would seem to be the logical outlet for the films, judging by the announcement. Following news of the agreement it was made public that Pathe Industries, Inc. has merged two large financial organizations with its general structure, which includes theatre and real estate holdings. Officers elected at a recent meeting were R. W. Purcell, chairman of the board; Ken‘neth M. Young, president; J. J. Anzalone, vice-president; C. W. Sharp, treasurer; and M. M. Malone, secretary. The Young interests have been making a strong drive during the last year for the acquisition of the franchises and exchanges held independently. Several still remain outside the company, among them the PRC franchise in Canada, which is controlled by Harry Allen, N. A. Taylor and associates, with Allen as president and general manager and David Griesdorf vice-president and general sales manager. The Canadian group holds several other franchises and, as far as is known, intends to keep its ownership in the Dominion. With reference to the United World and Young agreements, Rank issued a statement saying SPYROS P. SKOURAS Last week he received the highest honor of Greece, the Gold Cross of Saviour, for his work in behalf of that country. John Allen, Thorold, Made MPTAO Dir'tor A meeting of the board of directors of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario recently elected John Allen, Tivoli Theatre, Thorold, to the board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Ed Warren, Aurora. Reporter Named to BC Censor Board Albert Williamson, Vancouver News-Herald reporter, has been named to the British Columbia Motion Picture Censorship Appeal Board, Attorney-General R. L. Maitland announced recently. Williamson succeeds the late A. A. Ross. Other members of the board are Robert McKee and Mrs. Thomas Bingham, both of Vancouver. that ‘We have now attained that prominence of distribution which the British film industry has lacked since its very inception.” The interchange of talent and ideas for the first time in motion picture history, he said, would result in both better films and better understanding between nations. The British were determined that each new film should be more acceptable as general entertainment, Rank stated. Canadian FILM WEEKLY January 2, 1916 Pictures on Page 5 business as it exists here abouts that nowhere is there more fun than at a party given by Oscar Hanson, such gaiety being whipped up, kept up and shared by Oscar with his business family and friends. The Hanson Christmas party at Charli2 Mavety’s Circle M Ranch at Kleinburg was a royal romp from start to finish, one of its highlights being the “art gallery” in the recreation room. The pictures that formed it were projected later in the main lodge and accompanied by laughs and hoots. Between scenes there was community singing and later dancing. The dinner, over which the Hon. J. Earl Lawson presided wittily, was full of surprises as guests were presented with thorny problems of personal life and asked to solve them publicly and immediately. All of them were answered in a fashion which brought gleeful responses. Oscar Hanson didn’t sit at his own head table but took it all in from a seat in the rear, having his sentimental say when the time came and joining lustily in everything but the speechmaking. On the next page are pictures and subjects of the “art gallery” and other scenes. The people are from left to right: (1) Big Chief Harry O’Neil of the Royal Bank admires his other figure as Charlie Mavety gives out with a war whoop—or was it a wolf howl? Charlie, who loves a party, had reason to be happy, for his beloved steeds won almost all the prizes at the recent Oakville horse show. That leads to a story. Mavety has a lump under one eye. “How did you get it?” people ask. “In a fight,” he answers. But none will believe him. He did. He took on three bad losers who picked on our good-natured friend and there isn’t one of them who won’t be sorry for a long time. (2) “Maybe I should censor me,” thinks Censor O. J. Silverthorne. (3) Oscar Hanson, our host, is impressed with a more shapely version of himself. | T is almost a tradition in film aaa Vol 11, No. 1 Jan. 2, 1946 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor 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. At Oscar Hanson’s Christmas Party > (4) Gordon Harkness greets his photographic counterpart, who is greeting, it would seem, Gordon Harkness. (5) Ed Morey, Monogram head office, New York, was one of the guests. It was his first visit to this part of Canada and he proved himself easy to listen to and easy to like. (6G) It looks as though Frank O’Byrne of IS Productions and Jack Arthur of Famous Players just don’t believe what Ben Oronk of Empire-Universal is telling them. (7) Harkness, Hanson, O’Neil, Mavety and Cronk. Looks as though Harkness and O’Neil are ready to nail some hides. (8) Dick Main, the undeaconlike Deacon from Theatre Amusements; Stu Fleming, St. Kitt’s; and Alf Perry, EmpireUniversal chief. (9) Some of the Hanson staff are taken for a ride by Mavety. Under the tam-o’-shanter is Dave Ongley of Lawson, Stratton, Green, Ongley and all points west. (10) Hanson; Cecil Snyder, deputy attorney-general of Ontario; and Mavety. (11) Part of the general scenc. (12) Archie Laurie, Monogram sales manager in Canada; Ed Morey; and Hye Bossin of Canadian Film Weekly. (18) Earl Lawson, a scholar, a gentleman and a good judge of a fitting phrase, is trying to think of one ta discribe his hybrid equivalent. (14) John Fitzgibbons, co-conductor of MacNamara’s Band with Charlie Mavety, is seeing himself as others saw him on the gallery wall. (15) Ray Lewis studying the hit picture of the program and apparently pondering the parts fthortage. (16) Alf Perry trying to remember how long it is since he Shaped up like his photo. (17) Rube Bolstad might be thinking that he never looked better in his life. Hillcrest Theatre Decorated, Reopens The Hillcrest Theatre, Toronto, which has been closed for alterations, reopened last week completely redecorated and with a new screen, new curtain and seat covers. Controller Stewart Smith officiated at the opening ceremonies. The 428-seat house is Operated by Saul Firestone and Nick Dotsch,