Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 7, 1948)

April 7, 1948 — . Scenes at the Opening of the Odeon Champlain Shown in the above photographs are scenes taken at the opening of the new Champlain Theatre in Montreal, the latest unit in the circuit of Odeon Theatres of Canada, Limited. The Champlain will play French-language pictures and its opening program featured the first such film in color, “Le Mariage de Ramuntchko.” The first photograph in the top row, from the left, shows the Hon. J. Earl Lawson, KO, head of the Odeon interests in Canada; Hon. Philipe Brais, KC, MLC, president of General Theatres (Quebec) Limited; and Hon. Gustaxe Monette, KOC, director of General hTeatres. In the second is shown the crowd looking through the picture window into the foyer. The third depicts Brais; Amdre Dessary, singing star of “Ramuntchko;” Lawson; and Mayor Camillien Houde, CBE, of Montreal, In the bottom row the first picture shows, from left to right, Clare Appel, Odeon eastern general manager; Archie Laurie, director of public relations for Odeon; Michael Redgrave, British Screen and stage star; Art Bahen, manager of the Champlain; George W. Peters, vicepresident of Odeon Theatres; and Gordon Dann, Odeon Quebec district manager. The second photo is a general view of the theatre front on opening day. The last photo shows Monette, Lawson, Houde, Brais and Appel. << ~ French First-Run Opened By Odeon (Continued from Page 1) Theatres (Quebec) and a long . list of dignitaries in attendance. Among executives from Toronto in Montreal for the event were George W. Peters, vice-president; Clare J. Appel, eastern divisional manager; and Archie Laurie, the circuit’s new public relations head. Opening feature was ‘‘Le Mar“riage de Ramunchko,” first Parisian film in complete color. Made by the German Agfa process, it is a Basque musical. Earlier in the week in Montreal, Frank ‘Fisher, general manager of Eagle-Lion, which is distributing “Ramunchko,” also announced that the first Eagle-Lion Parisian versions of top London successes had arrived in Canada, namely ‘Madonna of the Seven Moons,” “Seventh Veil’ and “Great Expectations.” Canadian FILM WEEKLY Page 3 Newspapers Criticize Coldwell Defends ‘Adult’ Regulation (Continued from Page 1) tion branch is now implying that it will take more drastic steps if breaches continue. “Apparently the only solution will be for ovl> Censorship Board to release all ‘Adult’ pictures under special permit. excluding theatres which have failed to comply with requirements in connection with ‘Adult Entertainment’, which means that offending exhibitors will be unable to exhibit such films,” O. J. Silverthorne, branch chairman, warned exhibitors in a letter to the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario recently. Calling “Adult Entertainment” a “particularly unfortunate choice of words” and opining that some theatre managers, recognizing that they were a lvire for young people rather than a warning, were only too happy to use them, the Ottawa Journal went on to say: ; “But if we can’t change the movies can’t we change the sign? ‘No Children’ would do admirably. That is to say, it wouldn’t hurt the theatre’s revenue from the folk who seek out such movies; it wouldn’t pretend to be attempting to improve the standard of movies, it would still be a warning to parents and—maybe here’s our main interest—it would be less a cavise of annoyance to old grouches like ourselves who get wrought up on seeing it every day.” The Brantford Expositor had this to say: “On more than one occasion this newspaper uttered mild criticism of the use, on the marquees and display boards of moving picture houses, of the label ‘Adult Entertainment’. Now and then the remarks have evoked slight protest from the theatre managements, who point to the fact that this sort of tagging is none of their doing. “The Ontario law provides for the quaint set-up, it seems, the well-meaning idea, of course, being to provide adequate warning to parents that the pictures so designated are not suitable for young eyes and ears. “This newspaper has always regarded this device, admirably intentioned though it doubtless is, as likely to defeat its own purpose by simply adding a per verse attraction to which may or may not be ‘improper’.” Chief objection of the three papers to “Adult” identification in advertising was well expressed in the heading of the Kingston Whig Standard’s editorial. ‘“‘A Hint of Impropriety Sells Things.” That newspaper reprinted the Ottawa Journal editorial on the same page with an 11-inch editorial commenting on it. Noting the Ottawa Journal’s objections to the words “Adult Entertainment,” the Kingston paper said that they “were mildly misleading but perhaps excuisable” because of the good intention behind the Ontario law. The Whig Standard concluded its editorial with: “If anyone is sufficiently concerned—and we include the Ottawa Journal—there’s an easy way out of this ‘Adult Entertainment’ matter. Just drop the entire idea of labelling films as “unsuitable” for anyone. If it isn’t for children, say nothing. If it is for children, as well as adults, just tag it ‘Suitable for Children and Adults’. That should settle the question, truthfully and soothingly.” Atkinson, Brazer To Cardinal Sales Staff Teddy Atkinson, well-known in the distribution section of the industry, will represent Cardinal Films in Quebec, while Dave Brazer, formerly of B&L Theatres, will sell for that company in the Maritimes. Atkinson’s offices are in Montreal and Brazer’s in Saint John, NB. The appointments were annoumced by Harry A. Kaufman, now general sales manager of the company, who just returned from the east and has left for the west to appoint managers for branches in Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Operator Wanted First-class license, state marital status and salary expected for 40-hour week. Apply BOX 16 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY | 25 Dundas Sq., Toronto a Sj Vol. 18, No. 14 April 7, 1948 3. HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Hditor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Entered as Second Class Matter. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year, pictures NFB In Commons (Continued from Page 1) Minister Abbott in an interruption, Coldwell said that because of higher costs “even a negligible cut in the estimates means more than a negligible cut in the work.” Those who came from rural communities knew how valuable the work of the NFB was, the CCF leader said. “The curtailment of the National Film Board’s activities at home and abroad is, I believe, a penny-wise pound-foolish policy,’”’ he told the House. He did not think the government intended to cripple the NFB but if it was seeking to cut down or eliminate its activities it should tell frankly exactly what its attitude is. Contrary to some opinion, the National Film Board was not a wartime creation. It had grown naturally and its growth had not been allowed for. The conditions umder which its employees worked were “unbelievable’ and a private employer, if they existed in his factory, would be forced to correct them by the law. Apart from the “utterly appalling conditions” of work the NFB is something in which all Canadians can take pride, he said. National Film Board films about Canada were being seen by 70,000,000 persons annually and were an effective means of increasing the free flow of ‘information at a time when it was needed most. Coldwell suggested that the cut in estimates be reconsidered and that a committee should be set up, before which NFB officials could appear. This would provide an. opportunity of enquiring into all phases of the work of the organization. Brought into the matter by Coldwell’s reference to his recent criticism of the NFB, G. K. Fraser, member from Peterborough, stated that “I have not at any time said that the Film Board was not worthwhile.” It was his opinion that its films ought to be distributed abroad by branches of the trade and commerce department, making unnecessary NEB offices. Fraser repeated his criticism of the photography of NFB subjects and his charges that it was competing unfairly with commercial photographers. The sooner that the National Film Board was cleaned up in the proper direction, the better for Canada and its trade relations with other countries, he claimed. Joins International Mike Mandell, formerly with Columbia in Winnipeg and Calgary, has joined the sales staff of International Film Distributors in Winnipeg.