Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 14, 1948)

April 14, 1948 MPAA Officials At Ottawa Talks (Continued from Page 1) tion of America to promote interest among USA producers in Canadian production as a means of aiding the dollar conservation program. Reported due in Ottawa were .Francis Harmon, vice-president of the MPAA; Taylor Smith of its New York office; Blake W. Owensmith of the Hollywood office; and John J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation and chairman of the: Canadian Motion Picture National Services Com_ mittee. Their presence indicated progress had been made in the matter of the Canadian motion picture industry’s future contribution to the solution of the foreign exchange problem. The government has been reticent to make public its position until an agreement satisfactory to all is arrived at. The movie men, it said, are “here to pass on information about various activities which they are carrying out in an endeavour to contribute to the solution of our exchange probiems.” It is hoped that any agreement will result in production in Canada of feature films and shorts, wholly or. in part, with money ordinarily remitted to the USA as profits and rentals, and that such films will be shown in American theatres to help our tourist industry and spread knowledge of this country. The talks, although described as “very satisfactory,” have not approached finality, being still “somewhere along the route.” Answering enquiries in the House of Commons Finance Minister Howe recently said a quid pro quo—-an equivalent—spend-. ing of the $17 millions-sent to the USA from here was being sought. Plans for production in Canada keep cropping up in newspapers and the trade press. “Mrs. Mike” will be shot in Alberta by Ed Gross, starring Dick Powell and June Allyson; Sam Goldwyn will make “Earth and High Heaven” in Quebec eventually; Warners has_ scheduled “Two Guys From the Mounties,” with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson; Universal] International’s “The Tin Flute,” with Marta Toren and Jacques Francois will be made in Quebec; Paramount has plans for “The Canadian,” by Somerset Maugham, to be filmed around Winnipeg; and other films are said being considered by 20th Century-Fox and Allied Artists. Several crews from UniversalInternational and Warners have been at work in Canada, Canadian FILM WEEKLY Page: 3 Provinces Set Traps JA Film Div In For Amusem’t Tax (Continued from Page 1) the government’s intentions until the budget is brought down in May. Premier Byron Johnston of British Columbia announced the principles of the new bill and its relation to amusement taxes. In Ontario the bill, known as “The Hospitals Tax Act, 1948,” was passed over the objections of the leaders of the other parties and an amendment rejected. Introduced by Provincial Treasurer Leslie Frost, who is also senior officer of the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection branch, it drew vigorous . Objections by leaders of Ontario’s main labor organizations. These claimed it was discriminatory legislation, placing the burden on those who earned the least. Little more than a week after the bill was passed an amendment by A. A. MacLeod, LPP member from Bellwoods, Toronto, that proposed a six-month postponement was defeated. This was followed by an amendment moved by Harry Nixon, Brantford, acting as Liberal House leader in the absence of Farquar Oliver, which asked a reduction of the proposed tax from 20 to'ten per cent. This was defeated, although every member of the opposition voted for it but one. The Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario, which campaigned for the ending of “Adult' Regulations ‘Planned For BC Attorney-General Gordon Wismer of British Columbia recently introduced a bill, given its first reading, which will make necessary the classification and identification in advertising of certain films as ‘Adult Entertainment.” Part of his proposed amendment to the Moving Picture Act reads: “The Censor may, where he deems it necessary, classify any film as adult entertainment. Where a film is so classified, the Censor may require that there be displayed prominently the words ‘adult entertainment’ in such of the advertising of the film as he deems necessary.” ' titled the federal tax, was surprised when Ontario planned to reimpose the full amount. The Toronto Globe and Mail and other Ontario newspapers suggested that ten per cent would have been enough. In 1946 federal and provincial amusement taxes yielded $15,052,994. Ontario provided $5,129,890 of this, Quebec $4,372,021, British Columbia, including the Yukon and the Northwest Territories $1,623,657, Alberta $994,933, Nova Scotia $902,977, Manitoba $803,158, Saskatchewan $631,563, New Brunswick $526,784 and Prince Edward Island $68,000. It is quite possible that these sums will be reduced, since patronage has dropped from 15 to .25 per cent this year in most of the country. The British Columbia government’s action followed complaints that Ottawa had failed to institute its social security program. Others have contended that hospitals and welfare costs should be met through other forms of taxation. New Quebec Theatre Wilfred Mainville’s 580-seat Rose Theatre in Ste. Therese, Quebec, opened recently. First feature was Quebec Productions’ “La Forteresse.” Para's "Golden Gate’ Production of a dramatic picture laid in San Francisco and “Golden Gate’? was announced by Paramount following purchase of Charles Bennett’s stage play, “Blackmail,” from which the film will be made. New Columbia Film Columbia has scheduled “C.I.D. Agent,” a semi-documentary type story of the USA Criminal Investigation Department, to follow its successful ‘‘To the Ends of the Earth.” Brighouse Theatre Opening of the Island Theatre at Brighouse, BC, is scheduled to take place this week. Built by Ernest G. Silverton, William Thomson and Alexander Mudry, it will seat 780 patrons. Vol. 18, No. 15 April 14, 1948 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, 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, $2.00 per year, Vital Campaign (Continued from Page 1) : in Europe, aid to educational institutions, protection of human rights and restoration of Palestine. Co-chairmen of the film division this year are Douglas V. Rosen, United Artists; Harry S. Mandell, 20th Century Theatres; and Morris Stein, Famous Players. The campaign chairman for 1948, Gurston Allen, addressed a meeting of film division workers, explaining methods and emphasizing the importance of their work. The dinner at the King Edward Hotel was addressed by a speaker from New York. Workers for the film division this year are Gurston Allen, Herb Allen, I, H. Allen, Raymond Allen, Dave Axler, Myer Axler, Martin Bloom, Hye Bossin, Gary Cass, John W. Cohn, Irvin Coval, Jack Fine, Sam Fine, Ben Freedman, Selwyn Ginsler, Sam GlaSier, Frank Goldhar, Dave Gordon, Dave Griesdorf, Harvey Kathron,Harold Kay, Dave Krendel, Gordon Lightstone, Murray Little, Peter Myers, Harry Romberg, J. John Shulman, Dave Siegal, Ben Ulster and Bert Wilkes. ‘Singin’ Spurs’ Barry Shipman has been signed by Columbia to script his “Singin’ Spurs.” CANADA CARRIES ON RELEASE FOR APRIL INSIDE THE ATOM Fad NATIONAL FILM BOARD PRODUCTION Distributed by COLUMBIA PICTURES