Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 22, 1947)

yt. “ST Page 10 Canadian FILM WEEKLY Salamis Figures WNon-Show Censorship Deler Decision In For Alberta (Continued from Page 1) Operation Cost An interesting section of the report of B. C. Salamis to the Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries provided his estimate of a breakdown of operation costs of a small theatre. The figures, he explains, were obtained in the United States from thousands of theatres being operated on practically the same basis as Canadian theatres. The breakdown offered is as follows: 1. Film rentals and shorts.....25% 2. SalarieS aNd Wages... 20% 21RD eee 12 to 15% RE geass tcwnstqestccesmrocverennerrennsio 10% 5. Other |X PeMSES erecreresesersrsrsseseesee 10% G. AGVELEISIN GT once sesssesenensnsenneneceees 6% 7. Management and booking 5% 8. Heat, light and powev....... 4% UREA cscs eseansnnatscassosbavecsonmsntnrsove 3% DO. VRSULATIC!] .. .eacscscccssscscccsersesccrsererecs 2% Salamis points out that the cost items above are of a constant nature which cannot be reduced with the exception of film rentals, a variable amount. If then, he states, film costs continue to rise and receipts are on the down grade, with no reduction being possible in any items which make up operating costs, besides film rentals, the time will arrive when the exhibitor is in a precarious position. “Remember that the best years are behind you and that economy, especially in films, is essential if we are not to suffer in the years to come,” advises Salamis, a leading Quebec Independent exhibitor. THEATRE REQUIRE: MENTS CONTRACT SALES OFFICE grew out of the statements of Hooke and R. Earl Ansley, minister of education, before a gathering of National Film Board representatives, in which they denounced films containing subtle > “Communist propaganda.” Gangster films were also criticized. At the same time Hooke, who is also the minister of economic affairs, announced a tightening of the regulations, the aim being to bring under closer survey edicational types of films from the National Film Board and also non-commercial films. Earlier newspaper despatches from Edmonton named three short subjects described by officials as containing propaganda, RKO’s “The House I Live In,” Paramount’s “Don’t Be a Sucker’ and the NFB’s “Everyman’s World.” The first was made by Frauk Sinatra, its star, and others as a lesson in tolerance for youngsters and others and the profits were assigned to worthy USA and Canadian causes. The other two films are considered to be on as high a level by trade and public. Though apparently frowned on by Hooke and Ansley, they were not banned. In a statement to the press, Hooke said that governments have the right to knowledge of the source of films. ‘People should be shown all sides of a question. .. . That is what we are trying to attain. We are not trying to set up a political cenSorship as some charge... . Nothing could be further from the truth. We want the people to pet the type of film not offensive MPTAO Committee On Anti-Fag Bylaw Raymond Allen of Premier Operating was made chairman of the committee of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario. The association ig opposed to a proposed bylaw against smoking in any part of any Toronto theatre on the grounds that it will be discriminatory legislation. Other places of public assembly will be left as they are. * Members of the committee are Jack Arthur, Famous Players; William Summerville, B&F; Harry Mandell, 20th Century Theatres; Ernest Rawley, Royal Alexandra Theatre; Joe Garbarino, H. C. D. Main and Arch H. Jolley. A brief is being prepared for the association hy Joseph Singer, KC, to a democratic and Christian way of life.” In future, all films, both commercial and non-commercial, brought into the province for showing to any public audience, shall be required to pass through the Alberta film censorship board’s office. Other measures toward tightening censorship listed by Hooke were: Foreign language sound films (sound films in language other than English and French) which will be considered for release only when accompanied by a certified translation of the entire Script. A Provincial film commissioner will be appointed to be responsible for administering: 1. Policy in regard to all non-commercial films for showing to public audiences; 2. The co-ordination of all non-commercial film agencies operating within the province; 3. Establishing and operating a government film bank, the facilities of which will be systematically extended to any other agencies wishing to use this service. A Provincial advisory council on all matters relative to films, both commercial and non-commercial, will be appointed for the purpose of advising the government on policy and on any specific matters referred to it for consideration. Pine-Thomas Form New Organization A new producing organization, Clarion Productions, has been formed by William H. Pine and William C. Thomas, to provide a minimum of one _ high-budget film annually for Paramount release. First picture on Clarion’s Schedule is “Albuquerque,” the Luke Short novel which will star Randolph Scott and will be filmed in Cinecolor. The PineThomas organization will continue to produce six program pictures annually for Paramount, as it has for the past six years. "Brief Encounter’ Sets Week Record Eagle-Lion’s “Brief Encounter” hung up a seven-day house record for its first week at the Snowden Theatre, Montreal. It’s the Noel Coward opus starring Celia Johnston. Another Eagle-Lion film, Johnny Frenchman” opened more strongly at The Cinema, Toronto, than any feature since or before “Henry V.” NScotia Appeal Decision on an application of Mrs. Viola Desmond, convicted in November in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, of defrauding the government of one cent in tax, to remove records of the original trial from the County Court to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, was reserved in Halifax by Justice M. B. Archibald. A Halifax Negress, Mrs. Desmond was fined for sitting in a higher-priced orchestra seat with a ticket entitling her to admission to the balcony. The downstairs ticket cost 40 cents, which included a three-cent federal amusement tax, while the ticket purchased by Mrs. Desmond for 30 cents included a two-cent tax. She contends that, because of her eyesight, she asked for a downstairs ticket to the Roseland Theatre and was sold an upstairs one instead. Henry McNeil, the manager, asked her to move and a policeman ejected her when she refused. She was fined $20 the next day, although she pleaded not guilty. Mrs. Desmond claims that the incident arose out of the segregation policy of the management towards Negro patrons and will sue McNeil for false arrest, false imprisonment, assault and malicious prosecution. McNeil denies that a Jim Crow policy is in practice in the house, which is an Odeon unit, and the circuit, which acquired it about a year ago, has ordered careful avoidance of any action which would indicate support of the segrega ‘ tion idea. The application, if successful, would be followed by a new trial if Justice Archibald does not quash the conviction. The controversy attracted national attention when it broke, it being the second of its kind involving the theatre in the past few years. Three RKO Features Nearing Completion Three RKO Radio feature dramas are nearing completion. They are “Out of the Past,” “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” and “Blight.” Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer are the principals of “Out of the Past,” which Jacques Tourneur is directing. “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” screen version of the Broadway stage hit, is headlined by Phil Terry, Jacqueline White, Eduardo Ciannelli and Margaret LindSay. Lew Landers directs. “Flight,” directed by Anthony Mann, has a cast headed by Steve Brodie and Audrey Long. a’ . * xe: . ."“‘hee £0