Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 3, 1947)

September 3, 1947 Tony Beacon E-L Exploit n Head (Continued from Page 1) ploitation, Frank Fisher, general manager, announced last week. Beacon, whose typewriter has blazed a journalistic trail from Hollywood to Shanghai—-via Chicago, New York, London and Paris—is well versed in the lore of the celluloid world of both London and Hollywood. In London, he edited and published a magazine called ‘The High Hatter’ and also wrote interviews on celebrities for the “London Daily Sketch.’’ Beacon was the “ghost writer” who transformed the late Jean Harlow’s play ‘‘Today Is Tonight” into novel form. He collaborated with Mrs. Gloria Vanderbilt on her autobiography, ‘Without Prejudice,’ which appeared in serial form in Cosmopolitan Magazine. Tony Beacon is not altogether unknown to Canada’s reading public. He was editor of “The Montrealer”’ in 1938 and also edited and published his own magazine in Montreal in 1939, “Beau.” It was a Canadian version of the “New Yorker.” Beacon returned to Canada in 1940 when he joined the Canadian Active Service Force as an American volunteer. After a year in Ottawa, where he started the first magazine for Canadian troops, “The Sentry,” he transferred over -to the American Army, where he was sent into the Pacific as a combat correspondent for “Yank” and the “Stars and Stripes.’ He was wounded on Okinawa. He holds the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is 37 and unmarried. Leo Genn To Star In "Velvet Touch’ _ Frederick Brisson, executive producer of Independent Artists, Inc., announced that Leo Genn, popular British actor, has been signed to play the male lead opposite Rosalind Russell in ‘The Velvet Touch.” Dionne Quintuplets See MGM's 'Cynthia’ The world’s most famous teenagers, the Dionne Quintuplets, were recently the guests of Jack Nelson, manager of the Capitol Theatre in North Bay, Ontario, at a special screening of MGM’s teen-age film, “Cynthia.” Elizabeth Taylor, star of the picture, sent the Quints her photograph, personally autographed, and asked for their picture signed likewise. The Quints were only too happy to oblige — in appreciation of “Cynthia.” Canadian FILM WEEKLY Page 3 JAY ENGLISH Probably there was no finer gentleman in the Canadian motion picture industry than the late Jay English; certainly no one was more admired for quality as a person and excellence’ of-craftsmanship. So many who knew him only to exchange the briefest of greetings felt as great a sense of personal loss as those who had enjoyed personal relations with him. He was ever polite, extending the same deference to the most and least important persons with whom he shared the immediate scene. For one whose work was crowded with detail, he was the possessor of great patience. A few days before he lost his life the first of the many Odeon theatres he had designed was opened in his home city. Countless congratulations had been pressed on him which, because he was so modest about his own capacities, he found embarrassing. For all his magnificent ability, he was without conceit in any degree. But the praise must have brought him a sense of accomplishment, which is the only real satisfaction for all who labor in endeavors that are creative and imaginative. Friends say that it was with a full heart that he left for the holiday that proved so tragic — his first such escape in years. At 44 he was at the beginning of the major phase of his career, for he had attained true maturity. The work was the man. This man’s work will enrich many communities and please the senses of millions in years to come. The temples of beauty he created, wherever they stand, will be his monuments. Our young country needs men like Jay English, the vital and vigorous masters of professions such as architecture. It needs them for their appreciation of the beautiful, their sense of the practical and their learning. The loss of such a man, the influence of whose work was at the same time national and local, is more than personal, nor is it limited to the industry in which he served. False Alarm Stops Casino Show A false alarm caused the halting of the program at the Casino Theatre, Toronto, recently. A report had been phoned in to police to the effect that an escaped convict, one of three that had broken out of Kingston Penitentiary, was seated in the back row of the theatre. Five squad cars of police rushed to the theatre, covered every exit and entered the house with drawn guns. All lights were turned on, but no trace of the missing criminal was found. PRC Title Change “Railroaded” is the final title of PRC’s “Woman Betrayed.” Director Signed Jack Wrather has signed Jack Bernhard to direct “The Quest of Willie Hunter,” which he will produce for Monogram release. Quebec To Censor All 16 Mm. Films Maurice Duplessis, premier of Quebec, recently stated that in future all 16 mm. films will have to be censored before they can be shown in Quebec. Step was taken because of a ClO-distributed film which he charged inspired ‘Communist teachings, atheism and revolution.” UA To Release 12 Lantz Cartunes United Artists will release 12 Walter Lantz Cartunes in Technicolor at the rate of one a month beginning in September. Stories are completed for all 12 and six are in production, with one in the dubbing stage. Series will include five Woody Woodpecker cartoons, four Musical Miniatures and three Andy Panda cartoons. Lantz formerly released through Universal. NFB Pix Popular In Australia (Continued from Page 1) and maintains a representative in that country. Australian film technicians also admire Canada and its National Film Board ¢gnd our sister Dominion borrowed the NFB representative to reorganize its own governmental film setup about. two years ago. After a year of hard and rewarding work the Canadian, Ralph Foster, returned to the NFB. He is now back in Canada as executive assistant to Ross McLean, National film commissioner. In January, 250 Canadian films were distributed in Australia. The May figure was 1,800 and the estimated audience was 175,000. The National Film Board office in Sydney feels that increased publicity and availability of films lie behind the distribution jump. Requests for Canadian films come from_every type of organization — community, church, school, industry, government and women’s clubs. Among those apparently interested in Canada are private individuals who possess projectors. The latter usually borrow films because: they want to visit Canada; they have relatives in the Dominion; they are curious about a country which played host to many Australian airmen. Films are rent free. The film board pays shipment cost one way. The »Dorrower pays return postage. About 500 organizations and individuals are constant borrowers. FOR THEATRE REQUIRE: MENTS CONTRACT SALES OFFICE