Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 30, 1947)

Page 16 Censorship May Get USA Test (Continued from Page 1) since the 1915 case when the ruling was given by the Supreme Court that movies are not in the same category and should not enjoy the same freedom as _ the press, little of concrete nature has been done, but a serious move new seems under way. Two equally important developments have occurred since the 1915 ruling that lead interested parties to believe that the decision may be given in favor of the movies. One is the complete change in the court itself and the other is the advent of the talking picture. The former is important because of the wide feeling that the present Supreme Court would prove more sympathetic to an argument against censorship due to the commendable industry censorship to which most films are subjected before they even leave Hollywood and to the Production Code laid down by the Motion Picture Association of America. The innovation of talking pictures is of importance because, if plans materialize, the new case will not seek to reverse the decision of the 1915 court, but rather will battle it on the grounds that as movies now talk they are entitled to the Constitutional protection of the right of free speech. It appeared a few years ago that the matter of Canadian censorship would be taken to the Privy Council due to a controversial case in Quebec, but it was not pursued. Title Registered Caption of “The Iron Curtain” has been registered with the American Motion Picture Association Title Bureau by Warners in January, 1947. Announcement of the registration followed a statement by Darryl F. Zanuck that 20th Century-Fox planned to make a film with that name. MGM Cartoon Short At Seventh Birthday Tom and Jerry, MGM’s famed cartoon characters that have annexed the Academy Award for the last four years running, are celebrating their seventh birthday with the release of “The Cat Concerto,” Academy Award winner in 1946. . “The Cat Concerto,” latest of the Tom and Jerry animated subjects, also marks the 33rd in the series which began with “Puss ’n’ Boots.” Fred Quimby, MGM short subject producer, has completed plans for special previews of their latest short in theatres throughout the country to mark the birthday celebration. Canadian FILM WEEKLY At Opening of New Odeon ~ Picture above was taken at the recent official opening of the Odeon Theatre in North partner in the Maritimes; H. W. Cuzmer, man Sydney, Nova Scotia, new unit in the Odeon Theatres of Canada, Limited, chain. Montreal Locale Of Paramount Short Paramount’s Grantland Rice Sportlight, ‘Iced Lightning,” the short which deals with Canada’s national sport, hockey, was made in its entirety in Montreal. Features of the film are a Bantam League game refereed by Mayor Camillien Houde and highlights from a Canadien-Maple Leaf contest. Two 16 mm. prints were presented as_ souvenirs. Frank Selke, manager of the Montreal Forum, received one and since boys under 16 are not permitted to attend theatres in the Province of Quebec, he intends to exhibit it at the different playgrounds to arouse greater interest in clean hockey. The other pr.nt was presented to Montreal's mayor, who passed it on to George Mantha, supervisor of all outdoor rinks in Montreal. The latter gift was made to Mantha because of his co-operation in the filming of the short and because the boys on his rinks are the stars of the film. New Disney Picture Is "Pecos Bill’ Walt Disney has begun a series of films based on American folklore. First is the story of “Pecos Bill,” the Texas buckaroo, which the cowboy singing star Roy Rogers will interpret. Rogers spins the tall tale of the famous Texan to Luana Patten and Bobby Driscoll, the child stars of “Song of the South.” ~ Army Film Men Honor Miller Colonel C. A. J. Miller. officer in charge of the Canadian Army film bureau, directorate of military training, was recently honored at a luncheon at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The occasion was his retirement to private business and the affair wes arranged by the non-commissioned officers and civil servants of the film bureau. WO2 B. C. J. Lewis presented Miller with a brief case on behalf of the staff. Staff Sgt. J. McCauley and W-. H. Maxwell, speaking for the military personnel, referred to the excellent esprit-de-corps that had prevailed under Miller and expressed the best wishes of the staff. Miller, in reply, traced the §rowth of the bureau and paid tribute to the excellent co-operetion from the staff. Miss J. D. Bradley spoke in. behalf of the Civil servants employed by the bureau. Maller, who is well known in Canadian, British and American Overseas during which time he organized and directed the Canadian Army film bureau which was the operation of command film libraries. a April 20, 1945 Theatre in Nova Scotia Left to right are A. L Garson of Saint John, ager of the Strand Theatre in Sydney Mines; John Farr, manager of the new theatre; and G. A. Peters, Odeon head office executive. Goldin Addresses IPS Meeting Hy Goldin of Gaumont Kalee was the guest speaker at the recent regular monthly meeting of the Interantional Projection Society at the Labor Temple, Toronto. Using slides, Goldin demonstrated the exact effects obtained by various frequencies under variable acoustical conditions and how 2 change in these conditions causes a widely different reaction by the human ear receiving these variations. He also showed w a signal of a certain freuency is subjected to a series of changes in a theatre and how the ear, during changes of frequency will easily pick up some and lose others in part or in entirety. James Mason May Visit Toronto boxefice draw among British stars. James Mason is reported due in Toronto for 4 visit. Meson. who came to this contiseveral months ag0, just closed in a play in New York which met with minor success. t is not yet known whether will coincide with the openings cf | E eral years “Odd Man Out” will marx the Man vil 2 = entrance of Eagie-Lion films int Canada’s largest theatre, the Imperial, Toronto. ——