Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 13, 1947)

Page 6 Ad Code Revised By MPA Office Revisions in the advertising code of the Motion Picture Association of America (Johnston Office) to ‘assure good taste and decency” are under way. Most censorship boards examine ad-. vertising and a considerable number of ads and stills are rejected each year. Recently the Los Angeles newspapers decided to ban movie ads in bad taste. Charles Schlaifer, 20th Century-Fox advertising director and chairman of the associations advisory council, told a press conference. that a few independent producers had made the entire industry suffer through their abuse of advertising. He said another contributing factor for the changes was the introduction of legislation in some states to-curb motion picture advertising. Amendments to the code provide: That publicity. for films as well as advertising shall not capitalize on court actions dealing with censorship or censorship disputes. That the ban on nudity in pictures shall be extended to bar representation of clothed figures ‘in such manner as to be offensive or contrary to good taste or morals.” That advertising shall ‘‘conform to fact; scrupulously avoid misrepresentation.” That all segments of the industry whether affiliated with the association or not “adhere to these principles.” The association said “‘there has been no serious complaint until incidents beyond our control precipated new demands for further legal restrictions.” The statement apparently referred to the controversy over a recent Howard Hughes picture which the association sharply assailed on the basis of its advertising. George Jessel Signs George Jessel, 20th CenturyFox producer, has been signed to a new five-year contract by the company. His most recent production was the Technicolor musical “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.” Charles Barton To Direct Pic Carles Barton has been borrowed by Eagle-Lion Films from Universal-International to direct “The Noose Hangs High,” Abbott and Costello starrer. Barton directed many of the comedians’ most succesful pictures at Universal. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Posen and His Problems A gentleman with a black bag, obviously a medico, marched into my office the other noon to the surprise of my companykeepers of the moment, Izzy Allen and Walter Kennedy. He was preceded by Harry Romberg and followed by Curly Posen, the outsize Allied booker. At their request—and after seeing the doctor paid by the latter—I stripped to the waist and was given a physical examination. The doctor, when finished, nodded his head glumly but was otherwise uncommunicative. His cheerless reaction left Curly unhappier than I. For the lassitude and loungitude that is usually such a part of the portly pencil pusher has vanished, Curly being leach-like and relentless when he gets an idea. Something tells him that I will be one of the winners of the next Irish sweep and he owns half of the ticket which is in my name. There you have it. Since that a.m. weeks ago when we acquired the ticket he has been about as subtle as a rock slide in his approaches to induce me to let him hold it. After all, I might just drop dead and where would he be? He has been busier than a one-armed fan dancer in his efforts to convince me. That first night, after hours of pleas and threats, I wrote him out a pencilled acknowledgment of his partnership, witnessed by three bysitters. This he had endowed with the power of law by having Harry Romberg, a solicitor, notarize it. But he is still not reassured. He aims to get that ticket by hook or crook, by dint or by stint. My superbosom pal’s concern for my health would be touching if it wasn’t selfish, He phones every day. The doctor told him I was much overweight. Diet, Curly pleads, although his own large office fits him snugly around the hips and mine is so small that two moths crashed in midair the other day. John Cohn offered to relieve Curly of his uncertainty by purchasing his half of the ticket at a profit. No go. He then made me a profitable offer but Curly objected loudly. After all, his fortunes are linked with mine, for his hunch is about me and no one else. I have since learned that the medico, prompted by Romberg and with a quiet wink to me, had informed Curly that he wouldn’t give a dime for my chances of sticking around long. A sad lad is the fat boy. Perhaps the news of the medico’s prank will cause Curly to cancel his negotiations with Lloyd’s of London about insuring me until September 22nd, date of the draw. But come hell, high water or a wire from Ireland, I am going to hang on to that ticket. On second thought, forget about the high water. We've had it. + * * Heard Hereabouts Condolences to Al Troyer, who lost his brother recently... The old church at University and Elm, used as a theatre many years ago, has been razed. .. Bill Bounsell is the father of a son, his first... Al Hartshorn, transferred from the Algoma, Sault St. Marie, to the Regent, Oshawa, and his wife were honored with a party by other Soo theatre men and their wives. Everyone likes Al. . . A busy guy for Variety is Archie Laurie, hustling around to swell the ad take. . . Incidentally, Doug Rosen’s last-minute idea to sell flowers at the ball game netted $1,000, just as he said it would. That’s calling the take. . . That was a fine tribute to the late Vic Armand in ‘What's New?,” one that his friends will want to frame. . . Bill Smith has left the Emp-U Toronto sales staff for RKO... Dafe Coplan is reported quitting as UA British chief to join Sir Edward Villiers in a producing company... The vet director, Allen Dwan of the Toronto clan, has signed a Republic contract. . . Producer Jules Levey and wife will visit England. .. What a great Ex year this will be for the kids, since it will be the first time for so many. Then there are those who went once before the war and will get that thrill again. i Aug. 18, 1947 New NEB Film Shows Montreal This month Canadians wil) have the chance to learn a great deal about their great city, Montreal. The National Film Board’s latest release in the Canada Carries On series, “Montreal by Night,’ provides an informational and entertaining study of that city. As the film progresses one sees the curious mixture of the historic and the modern, of French and English, of artistry and commerce, which have blended to make Montreal a distinctive and unique role in this film and whether they are shown enjoying the hectic and carefree entertainment at Belmont Park, or whether they are strolling down a quiet Montreal street, one sees that they represent the thousands of people who make up any metropolis. Taken at night the film achieves some unusual and startling effects such as that of the stately statue of Maisonneuve standing in the half light of the Place d’Armes, or that of a fire engine rushing down glittering St. Catherine’s Street. As a seaport Montreal is the largest in Canada and is closer to Liverpool than Boston or New York. The ten miles of piers and wharves are shown, berthed with many ships and _ silhouetted against a slight fog. As a centre of trade and commerce Montreal’s St. James Street ranks with Toronto’s Bay Street, and the film takes you to the McGill, St. Denis or St. James clubs where financiers discuss the nation’s business late into the night. The mixture of the old and the new, from Notre Dame Church which was originally built in 1656, to the modern industries, night clubs and stock exchange, has been skilfully portrayed by the cameramen of the National Film Board. When the Canadian theatrical runs of this film have been completed the Film Board circuits will display ‘‘Montreal by Night” in some sixty foreign countries. Linda Darnell Set For New Film Linda Darnell who has completed her starring role in “Forever Amber,” has been chosen by Twentieth Century-Fox to star in “The Walls of Jericho,” which will be directed by John Stahl from a screenplay by Lamar Trotti. The picture, which will be filmed in Kansas City, is based on the Paul I. Wellman novel which was a Literary Guild selection.