Canadian Film Weekly (Nov 12, 1947)

Page 18 Dom n Producers Hear Wells, UN The extreme importance of films in “selling’’ peace was stressed by William H. Wells, chief of the film and television section of the United Nations, to -those present at the night devoted to the Film Producers Associaion of Canada during the annual meeting of the Association of Canadian Advertisers in the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. Wells, a Canadian by birth but now an American citizen, pointed out that all other media used in reporting the work of the United Nations was of the type which stressed day-by-day activities but that films were able to show the background of problems and give the public a comprehensive picture. The lesson of the film remained long after headlines were forgotten. The contributions of the National Film Board and the co-operation of Independent distributors, as well as all exhibitors drew praise from him, with special reference to the showing of “The People’s Charter,” which was exhibited at the dinner. During the war Wells, whose background includes advertising, publishing and motion pictures, was in charge of information for ‘ the USA Office of Prices Admin istration. This was followed by his appointment as film chief of UNRRA, a post held prior to his present one. Another important event of the evening was the presentation by Major Bernhard Day, Belgian ’ consul, of a bronze medallion to Rene Germain, president of Quebec Productions Corporation. The medallion, sent from Belgium, was a token of the participation of the QPC film “La Forteresse” in the Brussels film festival. Excerpts from “La Forteresse” were shown, with Paul L’Anglais, executive producer, providing accompanying remarks. He stressed the.rise of Neil Chotem, young pianist from Saskatoon in the film, who is to make his Carnegie Hall debut in January under the management of Sol Hurok. One of the excerpts showed Chotem at the piano and as the film faded out the lights went up and those present were surprised to find him on the stage in the same pose. He played and his work was warmly received. Seated at the head table during the dinner were the officers recently elected by the Film Producers Association of Canada. Frank O’Byrne is president again; Leslie Thatcher vice-president, James A. Cowan secretary, F. R. Crawley, treasurer, and Hans Tiesler, Leon Shelly, Rene Germain and Paul L’Angilais are directors. Proudly displaying the ne Canadian FILM WEEKLY British Visitor Here sound projection unit at the convention of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers in New York are Edward L. Harris (left), general manager of Canadian Gaumont-Kalee, and Captain A. G. D. West, past president of the British Cinematograph Society and director of Cinema-Television, Limited. ae Scripts ‘Bodyguard’ Harry Essex is scripting RKO’s “Bodyguard.” In ‘Honored Glory’ Tim Holt and Cary Grant will star in RKO’s “Honored Glory.” Kay Guides New Myer Herschorn Booking Setup (Continued from Page 1) floor of 21 Dundas Square, Toronto. : National Booking Company will absorb the booking and buying accounts which were part of Associated Theatres until it was dropped earlier this year. The accounts were transferred at that time to National Theatre Services, of which Associated Theatres had been a part at the time of its establishment by Fingold and Dale late in 1946 through a deal with Odeon. Theatres. ; Kay, a youthful veteran of the industry who also has long-time exhibition interests, was Toronto branch manager of Monogram Pictures for two years prior to joining Eagle-Lion 18 months ago. He has operated the Fox Theatre, Toronto, for 11 years. He has been connected with several sections of the industry in various capacities during his career and was with Associated Theatres when it was founded 17 years ago. At various times Kay has acted as exhibitor representative on arbitration panels and on several boards dealing with clearance, conciliation and other industry matters, Passes In Hfx. (Continued from Page 1) circuit of six theatres with Jos eph Franklin and entered the theatre business in Halifax in 1914 as operator of the Imperial. His passing caused many expressions of regret both in the industry and’: among the members of his community, for he was widely respected for his character and his generosity. Coming to Canada at an early age from Russia, Herschorn went into the hotel business in Port Arthur and Fort Francis, Ontario, and followed that with the purchase of the Imperial. His enterprise expanded his business to the present stage—two houses in Saint John, two in Dartmouth, one in Yarmouth and one in Halifax, with one under construction in the last-named location. He was a past master of Keith Lodge, Masonic Order in Halifax, a past president of Robie Street Synagogue, an executive of the Halifax Boy Scouts’ Association and a former member of the Halifax Progressive Club. Surviving are his widow, the former Seema Podvoll; one son, Peter, secretary of the company in which his father was vicepresident; two _ grandchildren; four sisters and three brothers, November 12, 1947 Hollywd Probe Being Fought Ten witnesses at the Hollywood probe, threatened with contempt of Congress charges for refusing to answer questions regarding their political affiliations, , have asked Speaker Joseph Martin to nullify the charges. Counsel for the group said that “the inquiry concerning the witness’ political affiliation was not pertinent or material to the in _ vestigation.” Opposition to the actions of those in charge of the probe to determine whether there is unAmericanism in films has developed on a great scale, with outstanding USA and Canadian newspapers of every political loyalty denouncing it as unconstitutional interference with the rights of the individual and a threat to freedom of expression. British and Canadian newspapers have expressed concern with the threat to democratic rights in one of the world’s greatest democracies. One of those threatened with contempt charges is Edward Dymtryk, a native of Grand Forks, BC. Other Canadians mentioned by government witnesses were Alexander Knox and Hume Cronyn, both actors.. Dymtryk is a director. Washington, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Cincinnati papers are among the dozens which have asserted that any citizen of the USA is entitled to whatever political affiliation he prefers and that the committee is not within constitutional rights. The Toronto Globe and Mail, in . an editorial entitled “On UnAmerican Activities,” printed the following quotation from the report of the Committee on Civil Rights appointed by President Truman: “The United States is not so strong, the final triumph of the democratic ideal is not so inevitable that we can ignore what the world thinks of us and our record.” The newspaper comments: “It is that aspect which justifies a Canadian judgment on the Committee on Un-American Activities. This unedifying circus is going on while the United Nations Assembly is in progress. The wilful violation of civil rights, the misuse of an element of the United States Government for such an unworthy purpose, cannot fail to make a bad impression on other nations.” The probe, which is being held in Washington, will be resumed shortly. Gray To Produce Louis Gray will produce Monogram’s “Song of the Drifter.”