Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 26, 1947)

March 26, 1947 aS MET OD atE INGRID BERGMAN Open Air Movies Banned In Que. . (Continued from Page 1) exhibitions would violate the law stipulating that children under 16 years df age may not see films in theatres. Exceptions could be made at the instance of the attorneygeneral, a portfolio held by Duplessis. Referring to the Premier’s statement that religious organizations saw in open air showings an opportunity for immorality, Rene Chalout said: _ “Why the exception? If there are occasions for immorality in one case I don’t see why there should be any exceptions.” One open air theatre operated near Montreal last summer. The text, an amendment to the Moving Pictures Act, reads: “5a, Cinematographic performances in open air are prohibited. However, the Attorney-General may, upon the conditions he may determine, allow this provision be derogated, from when the performance is given for a religious, educational or patriotic purpose. “5b. Whosoever contravenes the provisions of Section 5a shall commit an offence and shall be liable to a fine of one hundred to five hundred dollars or to an imprisonment of from one month to three months or to both at the same time, in addition to the costs; in default of payment of the costs, and of the fine in cases where it is imposed, the offender shall be liable to an imprisonment of one month or two months in addition to the imprisonment which may have been imposed as the principal penalty.” French Star Signs Steven Vincent, young French star, has signed @ contract with Warner Brothers and will arrive in Hollywood in July for his American film debut. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Exhibs, Critics Choose Canadian Ten Bests (Continued from Page 1) Award in 1945, with Ray Milland, its star, that year’s best actor. After the winner came United Artists’ distinguished British Technicolor drama, Shakespeare’s “Henry V,’ produced by and starring Laurence Olivier. Victory of “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” the only RKO film to land in the Canadian Film Weekly’s annual poll of the Best Ten boxoffice films of the year, was something of a repeat for the director, Leo McCarey, and Crosby. McCarey chose the same background and Crosby the same character as in the film which won this paper’s 1944 poll, Paramount’s “Going My Way,” the Academy Award winner that same year. There is little room for comparison of Canadian choices with those made in the United States, for many pictures are released in Canada a season later than in the latter country. Second in the boxoffice poll was Warner Brothers’ “Night and Day,” a Technicolor production starring Cary Grant and Alexis Smith, and third place went to Columbia’s Technicolor spectacle, “Bandit of Sherwood Forest,” with Cornel Wilde in the leading role. Although no British films or stars made the exhibitors’ lists, they won distinguished ratings from the critics. Four Old Country productions and stars are among their choices. In addition to “Henry V” the newspaper and radio screen reviewers honored Executive Changes In Dominion Sound Several changes in the executive of Dominion Sound Equipments Limited were made at the recent Montreal meeting of the board of directors. F. E. Peters, general manager and secretary, was appointed vice-president and general manager; P.. F. Sise, president of the parent company, Northern Electric Company, Limited, retired as director; and E. J. Byrne, office manager and assistant treasurer, waS named secretary and assistant treasurer. Three new directors, all from Northern Electric, were appointed. They were M. P. Murphy, A. L. Brown and J. P. Kavanagh. “Brief Encounter,” “The Seventh Veil” and “Caesar and Cleopatra,” with Laurence Olivier, Rex Harrison, Celia Johnson and James Mason among their choices of players. ; Balloting was conducted from a wide choice of players and stars. Exhibitors voted for a total of 125 films and 120 stars, and critics wrote in 52 pictures and 76 stars. Thealmost traditional difference in the tastes of film critics and the public is demonstrated by the fact that but four of the critics’ choices were in the theatre operators’ ten. One of these was “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” first on the boxoffice list and last on that of the critics. Astral Distributes "Exercise Musk Ox' Astral Films has secured exclusive rights to distribute the National Film Board’s featurelength documentary, “Exercise Musk Ox,’”’ in Canada and Newfoundland. Decision to give the six-reeler theatrical release came after a series of special showings proved the film to have great entertain-. ment value, although it was primarily filmed as a photographic record of the 3,100-mile research expedition of the army and air force through the Canadian Arctic. «, John Rodney Starred John Rodney, who made his debut in “Pursued,” will be starred in Warners “Nothing but the Night.” Nelson, BC, Capitol Will Reopen Soon Now operating the Civic Theatre in Nelson, BC, Famous Players will reopen the Capitol, 640seat house. The circuit has just Signed a second ten-year option on the first-mentioned house. THEATRE FOR SALE In Province of Quebec. Only theatre in town of 5,000 population. Reasonably priced. For information write to Box 23 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY Vol 12, No. 138 March 26, 1947 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. BING CROSBY Nathanson-Rank Writ Extended (Continued from Page 1) an order by which the plaintiffs may issue a concurrent writ for service out of the jurisdiction upon the defendants. Plaintiffs are Empire-Universal Films, Limited, and the United World Pictures Company of Canada, Limited, Nathanson interests, and the defendants are J. Arthur Rank; J. Arthur Rank Organization, Inc.; General Cinema Finance Corporation, Limited; Universal Pictures Company, Inc.; International Pictures Corporation, Inc.; United World Pictures Company, Inc.; Eagle-Lion Films, Inc.; EHagile-Lion Films of Canada, Limited; and Monogram Pictures of Canada. The original writ, now concurrent and entitled to be served outside the jurisdiction of Ontario courts, claims that the defendants “wrongfully conspired among themselves to break and defeat” a contract or contracts “to the exclusive and sole right, together with other rights, to distribute, exploit and permit others to exhibit in the Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland certain motion pictures.” It asks that an injunction be issued to restrain the defendants from distributing such pictures. Films in question are now in the Eagle-Lion of Canada program. That company released a dozen or so features during 1946 and several this year. Boasberg Honored Charles SBoasberg, recentlyappointed head of the RKO sales division which includes Canada, is being honored by a testimonial dinner on the occasion of his appointment at the Hotel Astor in New York on March 27th by exhibitors and distributors in the area. David Weinstock is in charge of arrangements.