Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 8, 1947)

nee erence Paks 3 Variety Honors Baseball Chief (Continued from Page 1) Members of .the sports departments of the Toronto papers, also present, heard themselves praised for their assistance by John. J. Fitzgibbons, chief barker, in his introduction of Morris Stein, head of the Heart Committee. Stein presented Campbell with a two-pen Parker 51 desk set adorned with a gold plate inscribed: “Presented to Peter Campbell for ‘his outstanding contribution to the Heart Fund.” Behind Campbell as he rose to reply was a photo of himself in the centre of a heart and a scroll which referred to his “helping crippled children along the road to Variety Village ...and a better life.” “I make no claim to false modesty,” said Campbell in accepting the gift, “but I don’t deserve all this. I am deeply touched.” He then went on to praise his associates, members of press and radio and the Variety Club for the success of the baseball night. “Speaking for the baseball club,” he said, “we were happy to do hey! Before Campbell rose to speak Stein asked him to receive a gift for Luke Hamlin, Maple Leaf pitcher, which was an electric Shaver. Stein pointed out that Campbell had pioneered the first appeal to the public in a way that made people happy to support the ‘Variety Girl” premiere, since they had learned of the club’s purpose through the baseball night. The meeting was held in Malloney’s Art Gallery and the place was crowded by the largest gathering to date. Among the visitors were Arthur Lehman, Ernie McCaffery and Maitland McIn tosh, members of the Toronto Baseball Club’s executive and administrative personnel who, along with others connected with the organization, were thanked for their support. Most amusing speech of the evening was made by Barker Conny Smythe, head of the Maple Leaf Hockey Club, long interested in the welfare of crippled children, who had induced Variety to concentrate on that type of work. After revealing that his experience as a_ severely wounded soldier made him resolve to show his appreciation for his luck in being a Canadian by helping children on his return, he called the Toronto project “a pilot school,’ one that would likely be the best school of it kind in the world. Jack Chisholm was made chairman and W. P. Covert vicechairman of the committee to handle shows for shut-ins, while Haskell Masters, David Gries Canadian FILM WEEKLY . MGM Will Film Berlin Epic 2. eS aes. (OR IAS vey orem ae need | Announcement by MGM that it would make “Easter Parade,” which will feature Irving Berlin’s best songs, gave rise to this gay ‘scene. Left to right: Judy Garland, one of the stars in the film; Arthur Freed; who will produce in association with Berlin; Louis B. Mayer, executive chief in charge of production; and Irving: Berlin, famous composer. dorf, Ernie Bushnell, John J. Fitzgibbons and Ben Okun were named the committee for the nomination of canvasmen prior to: the next election of officers. Chief Barker John J. Fitzgibbons would serve in the same capacity during the next election, a constitutional requirement, it was announced. The premiere of ‘Variety Girl” netted $22,255.98, stated Morris Stein, and brought the club’s finances to $81,084.74, of which $70,000 was to be applied to the $100,000 building quota for Variety Village. Fifty thousand dollars have been invested in Dominion bonds. With the exception of the Hollywood Variety effort, it is likely that the Toronto tent will have garnered more for its premiere than any other. During the meeting Roy Miller, in behalf of theatre men in the Niagara Peninsula, presented the chief barker with a check for $1,000, the proceeds of an international golf match between Buffalo and Canadian sports commentators in St. Catharines. A number of new members were inducted during the meeting. The next meeting will take Place at Malloney’s on October 30th. Highway Dept. Film Booked By MPTAO “You Bet Your Life,” a onereel film about driving safety issued by the Ontario Highways Department is being offered gratis. Warner Brothers are distributing the short and the Mo . tion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario is handling the booking. Office of the Association is in the Hermant Building, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto. Campbell ASN Production Mar. (Continued from Page 1) J. M. Alexander, who formerly held this post, has been granted leave of absence for health reasons, and after an extended vacation will return to special duties _in motion Di ccune planning: and production. Campbell has been a member of Associated Screen News’ staff for 23 years, joining the company in 1925 as a cameraman. For the ‘past 16 years he has’ been in charge of the. newsreel division. His work has taken him to many parts of the world, and he has supervised coverage of many important Canadian news events, including the Prince of Wales’ tour in 1927 and the Imperial Conference in 1932. He was official newsreel officer for the Royal Visit in 1939. He is a member of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers and is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. ‘Only The Valiant’ Into Production Within a week of completing shooting of Saroyan’s “The Time of Your Life,” William Cagney has started work on his next production, Charles Marquis Warren's “Only the Valiant.” James. Cagney will again head the cast of the all-star film and William Cagney is negotiating to have the complete cast of leads of the first production appear in the second, a step unprecedented in motion pictures. October 8, 1947 Censorship Rows Here And USA (Continued from Page 1) ministration of the AMPA. The Memphis action grew out of the banning of “Curly,” a comedy featuring children. Lloyd T. Binford, chairman of the Memphis board, raised no objection to the film on moral grounds but wrote the United Arists exchange in St. Louis: “I am sorry to have to inform you that it (the Memphis Board of Censors) was unable to approve your ‘Curly’ picture with the little Negroes as the South does not permit Negroes in white schools nor _ recognize social equality between the races even in children.” Eric Johnston, president of the MPAA, described the Memphis ban as a “dangerous threat to freedom of speech and expression” and said that it would be fought all the way through the courts. Hal Roach, producer of the film, said that ‘‘The aged Mr. Binford is still fighting the Civil War, apparently forgetting that white and Negro service men in American uniforms fought and died together in two world wars to defend and protect the basic rights Binford would destroy.” Gradwell Sears, president of United Artists, stated he was pleased to see the industry’s official body behind the fight. Eagle-Lion Films, said Frank Fisher, Canadian general manager, is appealing the ban on “Black Narcissus.” Film censorship in Canada has been growing of late, with two provinces, Quebec and Alberta, requiring that every type of 16 mm. film be submitted for approval. “Duel. in the Sun,’’ which caused much controversy in the USA, has been approved in every province but Quebec, following minor deletions where required. : A uniform film censorship law will come into effect in Australia shortly, following the meeting of the premiers of all the country’s states. be compulsory, will be patterned on that now in force in the state of Victoria, the only one with censorship regulations. The censorship authority is a board of three persons and an appeal censor. There is also the right to appeal to the minister. It has been opined that national censorship would be preferred in Canada to the present operation of eight separate boards, each with its own standards. There would be a great saving in censorship fees for the film exchanges. Final RKO Title “Night Song” is the release title of RKO’s “Memory of Love.” The legislation, to .