Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 7, 1948)

April 7%, 1948 Australians Miss NFB Service Recent closing of National Film Board offices in Sydney and Melbourne is regarded as a serious setback to Australian cultural development by film societies throughout that country, according to newspaper despatches. Ross McLean, head of the Board, stated in Ottawa that these branch offices were closed “on the grounds of economy,” but added that “other ways are being studied to make Canadian films available in Australia.” Almost daily, educational authorities are writing letters to leading newspapers expressing appreciation of the work done by the Board since the offices were opened and deploring the severance of a valuable link between Canada and Australia. Typical of the letters is one from C..N. M. Richmond, presi. dent of the Canberra Film Centre, in a recent issue of the Sydney Morning Herald. Richmond stressed his disappointment, that the Board was closing its offices and continued: “In the past two years nearly one-third of all films on the programs of the Canberra Film Centre have been Canadian ‘Film Board productions and this high proportion is no accident, for the admirable quality of most films from this source now is generally acknowledged. “But there is the further point that the Canadian Film Board has developed a tradition which has already helped our own National Film Board—through the work of men like Ralph Foster and Stanley Hawes — so that apart from the film supply we can ill afford to lose Miss Helen Watson and her office as a direct link with the outstanding film work of our sister Dominion.” Richmond concludes with the query: “Is it too late for the Canadian Film Board to think again and leave at least its Sydney office intact?” Miss Watson closes the Aus| tralian offices March 31. It is estimated that almost 1,500,000 Australians saw Canadian documentary and non-theatrical films last year. The Board’s library of more than 300 film subjects was screened 16,400 times in Australia during the year. Jane Wyman Cast Jane Wyman will star opposite David Niven in: Warners’ “Kiss in the Dark,” instead of Joan Crawford as previously announced by the studio. Switch was caused by a second’ Crawford vehicle being ready earlier than anticipated. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Religious Films To Be Made At Queensway (Continued from Page 1) which the Reverend Walter McCleary, BA, is president. The decision to have these films made in Canada‘ follows a. year’s study of Hollywood and. London methods and costs, states Rev erend McCleary, who will write . the original stories. “Investigation into all sides of film production and taking. into account the wide market for this type of production has convinced us of the soundness of this project,” said Reverend McCleary. “The facilities needed for pro duction in Canada are here, and are good,” he added, Beacon Productions, which con solidates various religious groups for purpose of films, is represent ed on its board of directors by Sir | Ellsworth _Flavelle, -vice-presi ‘dent; Gordon Plackett, secretary treasurer; Douglas A. Perigee and S. E. Anglin, directors. The contract for the production of -these films has been signed by Cinema (Canada) Pictures Limited. It covers a period of. five years during .which some thirty shorts, mostly in color, will be produced for world distribution at an estimated expenditure of half a million dollars. The first of these will go into production in April at Queensway Studios in Toronto. Feature production on religious . subjects is also intended with present plans calling for the first one, Sons,” written by Reverend McCleary, to be produced by Cinema (Canada) this summer. It will be given world release through the J. Arthur Rank Organization. This program of features which will form part of the five-year period, will bring the production outlay to the million dollar mark. Plans for distribution cover the United States, England, the Middle East, South Africa, South and Central America, Australia and New Zealand. Reverend McCleary . stressed the assistance and encouragement he had received in formu Oshawa Grants New Theatre Application Oshawa, Ontario, city council recently granted David Kalnit sky’s application for a license to build a new theatre. Several amendments and objections were defeated previous to passing the permit but a provision was made that the theatre had-to be set ‘pack the proper distance from the street line. Council had already granted two applications for theatres but ~ believed they would not be used. “A Certain Man Had Two lating the production plan for Beacon Productions. He mentioned specifically Cathedral Films and United World Films in the United States and the J. Arthur Rank Organization in England. “The demand for religious films is urgent and great,” said Reverend McCleary. “The existing films cannot possibly cover the market. In the United States alone there are between fifteen to nineteen thousand churches who are users of this type film.” The stories will not be Biblical in theme. but rather based upon the impact of religion in every~ day life. Production will be under the supervision of Sydney Banks, who inked the contract for Cinema (Canada) Pictures. Advance $1,500,000 On USA Earnings The largest single payment ever received by a British film company was recently paid into the British treasury. Totalling $1,500,000, it is an advance payment on the earnings of three London Films’ productions in the USA. The trio of pictures produced Dy Sir Alexander Korda are “An Ideal Husband,” starring Paulette Goddard; “Anna Karenina,” from the famous Tolstoy novel, starring Vivien Leigh; and “Mine Own Executioner,” starring Burgess Meredith and Kieron Moore. Last named has been on every “Ten Bests” listof the British film critics. All three will be re leased in the USA and Canada by 20th Century-Fox. France AwardsCross To Irving Berlin Irving Berlin, world-famous song writer, was recently decorated with the Cross of the Knighthood of the French Legion of Honour. The cross was presented to him at a ceremony in the office of Louis B. Mayer, head of production of MGM studio, by Alexandre de Manziarly, French consul at Los Angeles. The French consul stated that the French people were indebted to Berlin for many fine songs which had been translated into their language and said that his people had a warm affection for Berlin. * Berlin, who is at present working on MGM’s production based on his hit song “Easter Parade,” is celebrating. his 40th anniversary as a song writer. He has written over 800 tunes during his long career as lyricist, composer, publisher and screen and stage producer, Page 11 Miami Has Plenty Of Hotel Satie , A new high total of 675 hotel rooms available in Miami Beach for the April 12 to 17 convention -of Variety Clubs International was announced recently by Doug Raff, hotel committee chairman. Hotels just added to the list and the number of rooms they will make available are Atlantis, 25; Grossinger-Pancoast, 70 rooms, 5 suites; Shelborne, 30; Lord Tarleton, 50; Wofford, 70. Hotels announced earlier include the Albion, Belmar, Cromwell, Martinique, National, Ritz Plaza, Robert Richter, Sunset, Surfside, Town House, Traymore, Triton and Vanderbilt. “Rates in most of these hotels,” Raff said, “range from $6 up single and-from $8 up double, with most double rooms priced at $10.” Raff reiterated that the rooms ' Offered are of the same high calibre as those at the Roney Plaza, which is the headquarters hotel. He also pointed out that all of them are within walking distance of the Roney Plaza. Roney rooms, he said, would be occupied mostly by national canvasmen and chief barkers. Raff asked that requests for reservations be sent to him at the host tent, The Variety Club of Greater Miami, Tent No. 33, Alcazar Hotel, Miami, Florida. "The Gallant Blade" Edith King, noted Broadway actress and associate of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine, has been signed by Columbia for one of the top roles in ‘The Gallant Blade,” Cinecolor version of the Alexander Dumas classic. 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