Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 16, 1948)

June 16, 1948 Lumiere, Inventor Passes in France (Continued from Page 1) Many of Lumiere’s early inventions were joint developments with his brother, who subsequently became an eminent biologist and chemist in the field of medicine. Lumiere was also a pioneer in color photography, and developed autochrome plates and other photographic processes. He was acclaimed throughout his last years by motion-picture leaders as. oné of the founders of the industry. The Lumieres were sons of a photographer, Antoine Lumiere, who established himself in Lyon when the boys were young. The father failed in his business of manufacturing a new tintype process when Louis was 17 years old a year after he had quit school because of ill health. The two boys and the father worked for several years until the factory was a success and they paid off the debts of the business. After the business prospered the boys returned to their studies. Louis then went into chemistry, and early began work on a picture process which he completed in 1894. Throughout his life Lumiere continued to work upon improvements of his process and his color photography, but he dropped from the limelight with the development of the motion picture industry in the United States. Lumiere was honorary president of the French Chamber of Cinema and president of the council of the French Society of Physics. He was a member of the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades, the National Office of Inventions, the Institute of Optics and the French Academy of Sciences. Since 1935 he had been a grand officer in the Legion of Honor. "In This Corner’ “In This Corner’ has been set as the release title of Eagle Lion (Hollywood) Films’ production formerly titled “Born to Fight.” ‘Battleground’ To Be RKO's Biggest Film “Battleground” is announced by RKO as its biggest production for the new season. Based upon factual incidents of the battle of Bastogne, better known as “The Battle of the Bulge,” it will be produced by Jesse L. Lasky and Walter MacEwen in co-operation with the War Department, presented by Dore Schary, and enacted by a cast headed by Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Bill Williams and two others* yet to be named. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Form Two Dominion Product’n Groups (Continued from Page 1) and Ongley, is vice-president. Both Beeston and Ongley are well known in Canadian motion picture circles. Robert Montgomery (not the actor) of Canam, ‘executive producer, and Foy were in Toronto at the same time last week in connection with their intentions. The latter also completed arrangements for the world premiere in Calgary of Eagle-Lion’s “Northwest Stampede,” to take place in mid-July. The Cinecolor film, which stars James Craig, Joan Leslie and Jack Oakie, was directed by Al Rogell in Edmonton last summer. In keeping with the Canadian Co-operative Project of the Motion Picture Association of America, the beginning and the end of “Northwest Stampede” will offer — special acknowledgments to Canada for making the film possible. The spectator will be reminded of Canada’s tourist attractions, among them the Calgary Stampede and the Duke of Windsor’s Alberta Ranch, both shown in the film. The film will be released in Canada by International Film Distributors. Foy, who says he will spend over $300,000 on his RCMP film, visited Ottawa earlier and praised the quality of those National Film Board subjects seen by him. For his planned feature he will bring several key men to work with Canadian technicians and actors. Although not limiting itself in scope, Carillon Pictures plans to centre its activities upon historical productions, believing there is a large need for this type of picture, particularly where Canada in her relation to the world market, is concerned. With a dominion charter, the company may operate unhampered anywhere in Canada. Although head office will be located in Montreal, a branch office will be maintained in Toronto. “Mel” Turner, as he is better known within the industry, has had a varied and _ extensive career in motion picture production, At various times he has been a producer-director for Associated Screen Studios and Shelly Films and for the first year of its operation, was pro duction manager for Queensway Studios, Toronto. Prior to his becoming associated with the motion picture industry, he was well known throughout Canada and the United States as a theatrical producer of dramatic and musical shows. He brings to the new company a wealth of experience in all phases of motion picture production. At present no plans for erection of a Studio or the acquiring of extensive properties are contemplated by the company. Existing facilities will be utilized, with all attention to be centred on production. Several releasing deals have already been offered and are being considered. Commitments for color negative have been secured and_ negotiations are under way for its processing. The company has embarked on an exhaustive search for good Canadian talent and a casting department is to be inaugurated in connection with production plans. Several first-class story properties have been acquired, Turner states, and production of the first of these will get under way within a few months. Turner’s outlook for professional Canadian feature production is bright. “Just as England had to go through its trial period insofar as motion picture production is concerned,” he stated, ‘“‘so Canada is experiencing its growing pains. It isn’t an easy proposition. Considerable ‘cold water’ has been thrown on Canadian plans for feature production but this was always the way when anything worth-while was contemplated. However, good talent exists in Canada along with good technical personnel and_ studio facilities. Those who are pioneering in the work of creating good pictures in the Dominion will find that this country as well as England, Hollywood, Mexico and a dozen others, can become a recognized production centre.” Montreal offices of Carillon Pictures are located at 4129 Dorchester St., West, until satisfactory permanent quarters can be secured. First film to be made by the Canam group, “The Gallant Greenhorn,” will get’ under way Vol. 18, No. 24 June 16, 1948 .HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada, Entered as Second Class Matter. Yublished by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317, Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year, Page 3 Promotions Made By Dom n Sound (Continued from Page 1) manager of equipment sales and service and J. M. Cohoe, senior service engineer whose headquarters were in Hamilton, has been appointed district service super— visor. In the Toronto area. the changes were as follows: a F. S. Hastie, district service supervisor has been upped to the position of manager of equipment sales and service. V. Sharp, district engineer, has been promoted to the post of district service supervisor. B. W. Dunning has been transferred from Montreal to Toronto as Office manager. Buys Flynn Vehicle Warners has bought John Twist’s “Dallas,” as a starring vehicle for Errol Flynn. in August in British Columbia or Alberta, Montgomery states. It will cost $250,000 and $50,000 will be added toe that if Cinecolor is decided on. The second production will be Jody’s “Blue Hour,” of Crime Club origin, and the facilities of Quebec Productions Corporation may be used for it. “The Gallant Greenhorn” will be based on the CBC radio show of that name, originally broadcast in 1947 and repeated last week. A condensed stage version of it, directed by Sydney Banks, was featured at the International Trade Fair in Toronto. Four Canadian business men not connected with the motion picture industry are behind Canam, says Montgomery, who is well-known in Canada because of his frequent visits here as a key advertising and publicity executive for several top companies. Much has been promised by the Canadian Co-operation Project, which seems to be an alternative to freezing remittances to the USA as an aid to Canada’s dollar position, but the real work is still to start. In the meantime the Hollywood Reporter of a recent issue carried a story headed “Canada Coin Freeze of Films Looming.” Audio Pictures, Canadian studios located near Toronto, will make three features for Monogram release and six short subjects to be handled internationally by Columbia, This production activity, originated by Audio, appears to have no relationship to the Canadian Co-operative Project, which seems to lack the whole-hearted support of Canadian producers, They feel that & more specific arrangement regarding retention of remittances would have boosted Canadian production and at the same time helped the dollar situation.