Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 18, 1946)

December 18, 1946 Eagle-Lion Will Offer 35 In ‘47 (Continued from Page 5) In the cases of several import ant pictures, Canadian release will be set ahead to be almost day-and-date with the London premiere. The most important of these is the Dickens’ melodrama, “Great Expectations,” made by the Noel Coward-Cineguild team and starring John Mills and Valerie Hobson. This is slated for heavy holiday-time attention simultaneously in Canada and the United Kingdom. For its French schedule, from Gaumont Francais, which begins early in the New Year, EagleLion starts with 18 feature, Stressing the fact that the star lineup includes top French names already well established in Quebec. Among these are Ferrandel, Gaby Morlay, Noel-Noel, Henri Garat, Josette Day and Pierre-Richard Willm. . Boy Scout Head To Give Co-operation Major-General D. C. Spry, CBE, DSO, new chief executive commissioner of the Canadian Boy Scouts Association, has announced that the association will co-operate to the utmost on all playdates of Warner Brothers’ “Men of Tomorrow.” The two-reel Technicolor short describes many of the phases of Boy Scout activities and Leonard L. Johnson, director of public relations, has informed all districts to support local engagements of the film. Massey Signs 5-Year Pact With Warners Raymond Massey has signed a new five-year contract with Warner Brothers, it was announced by Jack L. Warner, executive producer recently. Massey has just finished work in ‘'Possessed” with Joan Crawford and Van Heflin. Leigh, Olivier To Do "Cyrano’ In USA A deal has been set for Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier to star in a production by Universal-International of “Cyrano de Bergerac” in Hollywood late in January. Producer will be Garson Kanin. Negotiations were said to have been completed by Robert Goldstein, Universal’s eastern studio representative, on his recent visit to England. He clinched the deal with the stars and with Sir Alexander Korda, who owns the rights to the original Rostand play. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Rights of a Film Critic By Frank Swanson, frem the Ottawa Evening Citizen A test case to decide a film critic’s rights as against film companies’ objections is pending in the United Kingdom courts. Miss E. Arnot Robertson, noted British novelist and film critic, has been reviewing films in broadcasts for the British Broadcasting Corporation. After an unfavorable criticism of a film recently, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer wrote the B.B.C. a letter in which they alleged that Miss Robertson was “completely out of touch with the tastes and entertainment requirements of the picture-going millions.” They went on to “request the co-operation” of the B.B.C. in seeing that their film critic did not attend future press showings of their films. Miss Robertson through her solicitors, demanded a public apology from the company. The company issued a refusal and affirmed their accusations. Now Miss Robertson has issued a writ for libel, claiming that such a decission on the part of a motion picture company might, in the long run, lead to “dictation” to the public as to what they should and should not see in the way of film enter tainment. The whole controversy, which has attracted nationwide attention, is being followed closely by Fleet street's corps of film critics to whom the issue has become a test case. Amateurs Big Draw At Belsize, Toronto “Standing Room Only” signs are being hung out every Thursday by Lloyd Mills, manager of Twentieth Century’s Belsize Theatre, when he presents’ Ken Rolland and his “Amateur Night.” Notoriously a bad theatre night in subsequent-run houses, Thursday evening attendance at the Belsize has been hypoed by the amateurs, with audience reaction being higly favorable. Winners, if suitable, are given a week's booking at the Chaudiere Golf and Country Club near Hull, Quebec. "Hardboiled’ Set Pine and Thomas announced that they will start production of “Hardboiled’ shortly after the first of the year. An original by Tom Ahearn, “Hardboiled” is a story of the hazardous work of steeplejacks. Lyric, Kitchener, Robbed Of $820 Safecrackers battered open the old-type safe in the office of Premier Operating Corporation’s ' Lyric Theatre, largest house in Kitchener, Ontario, recently and stole approximately $820 in cash. Access to the office was believed to have been gained by one of the thieves hiding in the theatre after the last show. The theft was discovered the following morning by the caretaker, John Swartzentruber. Monogram To Film Famous Poem Monogram has purchased Al fred Noyes’ famous narrative poem, “The Highwayman,” from James S. Burkett and has budgeted the film at $1,000,000. Most of the picture will be shot in England. Virginia Field Joins "Variety Girl’ Cast Because she has lovely legs, Virginia Field, golden-haired glamor girl, has been assigned to the cast of Paramount’s 36-star “Variety Girl,” musical comedy which George Marshall is directing. In this romantic story of Hollywood life, Virginia will play herself in a comedy scene in which the dialogue demands an actress with an attractive figure and legs. Reo, Watford, Opens The Reo, Watford, Ontario, was opened recently by Bruce McCleod, circuit operator, public ceremonies. with That Keeps The Cashiers THE GREAT FAMILY FILM FOR ALL THE FAMILIES OF ALL THE WORLD THOMAS ey MUTCHELL — EDNA BEST— FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW—TERRY KILBURN—TIM HOLT BABY BOBBY QUILLON in SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON DISTRIBUTED BY PEERLESS FILMS LIMITED TORONTO—MONTREAL—ST. JOHN