Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 8, 1948)

September 8, 1948 Australians See Many NFB Pix Besides an extensive theatrical circulation of Canadian motion pictures in Australia, nearly a million and a quarter Australians saw Canadian films during the past fiscal year outside the theatres,. according to a National Film Board report from that country. In addition, there was a wide distribution of displays, photomurals, photographs, oil screens and similar visual media on Canadian subjects. The million and a quarter figure, representing an increase of nearly 81% over the previous year, included more than 90 shows in an NFB theatre at the Sydney Royal Easter Exhibition and Canadian films featured at the Adelaide Exhibition and similar events. The NFB office at Sydney, which has lately been closed due to budget restrictions, but whose responsibilities will be assumed by other Canadian government offices there, reported 15,228 bookings of Film Board productions during the year. The Canadian Trade Commissioners office at Melbourne booked out NFB films 3,345 times. These figures do not include bookings and Screenings arranged through Australian organizations and groups such as libraries, State Film Centre, departments of education and others. It was also reported that 507 NFB films were in circulation in Australia, non-theatrically, most of them available from the office in Sydney and Melbourne. Mitchum In "Malaya" Robert Mitchum has been cast by RKO in one of the top male roles of “Operation Malaya” with Merle Oberon. He will play an American soldier of fortune. Power Restrictions Set For Ontario September 14th restrictions on the use of power will become effective in Ontario. The regulations limit the lighting of interiors of shops, show windows and offices to two watts for each square foot of gross floor space, this lighting tobe permissible only during business hours. Lighting of exterior signs and merchandising displays is also restricted. Hot water heaters not equipped with insulation and thermostatic control will not be supplied with electricity. There are restrictions On use of outdoor lighting for sport playing fields. A ban is placed on outdoor advertising signs, decorative and commercial lighting and outdoor Christmas trees, Canadian FILM WEEKLY How Films Help Trade As well known as its contributions to the spread’ of knowledge, education and culture, the National Film Board also helps trade. With special films and the use of its distribution section, it is co-operating with government departments and business firms in showing an annual audience estimated at 70,000,000 people in 60 countries, what Canada has to sell. In dramatic screen-story form this enormous multitude is told of Canada’s industries and products. “Fashions by Canada” earned orders for dresses. “Red Runs the River’ evoked demand for British Columbia’s salmon. Such productions as “The Canadian Wheat Story,” “The Fur Trade,” and “Tomorrow’s Timber” promote sales abroad. But documentaries reflecting other aspects of Canadian life also have practical value. In the film “Great Lakes” a Dutchman saw the very crane he needed. The Brazilian who revels in “Ordeal by Ice,” the American who enjoys “Painters of Quebec,” the European who is attracted by “A City Sings” or “Peoples of Canada,” may buy more Canadian goods, or come here to visit or to live. True and exciting accounts of daily life as well as interpretations of a nation’s aims and ideals, have a great appeal today. The British film-makers after the war, carried into the field of commercial films the sense of reality, the concern with honesty and quality so marked in their documentaries, and produced, in consequence, a veritable renaissance of the film industry. In winning prestige and in spreading the fame of this country, Canada’s documentaries also are an economic as well as a cultural asset. Dollars For U.S. Films Though Canada has taken no such drastic steps as Britain to reduce the outgo of dollars for United States moving-pictures, a voluntary arrangement promises substantial benefit for the future. An understanding with the United States film industry is designed to secure the making of more United States pictures on Canadian locations and to promote tourist expenditure in the Dominion through an increase in the number of Canadian subjects shown in United States theatres. These would include travelogues, documentary films and other pictures that can do so much to explain us to our neighbors. As part of this program more than $750,000 has been spent on Canadian sequences taken at Jasper Park for a “colossal” Hollywood production. On the other phase of the project, Canadian newsreel subjects showing in the United States have doubled in the first six months of the year. The Canadian branch of the co-operating-committee has furnished the industry with a list of promising subjects. There is naturally some dissatisfaction over the fact that outlay for United States films has not been curbed by government regulation while other Canadian industries have had to curtail expansion plans because of currency restrictions. It is estimated that between $10,000,000 and $15,000,000 a year goes across the border for films shown in Canada. Whether or not the present cooperative project, largely within the moving picture industry itself, can satisfactorily reduce this deficit, remains to be seen. (From the Ottawa Evening Citizen) Page 11 Bob Brown Wins ‘Raider Contest Robert Brown, manager of the Vanity Theatre, Windsor, Ontario, was awarded the first prize of $200 in Group One of Twentieth Century Theatre’s exploitation contest for “The Raider.” Second prize, $100, went to Max Phillips, Regent, Sudbury. Group Two was led by Fred Leavens, Circle, Toronto, and it brought him $150, while the second place prize of $75 went to Maurice Weldon, Kenwood, Toronto. Judges of the contest were James Nairn, head of Advertising and publicity for Famous Players; Irving Herman; publicity chief of International Films; and Hye Bossin, editor of the Canadian Film Weekly. Raoul Auerbach, manager in charge of theatre operations, supervised the contest for Twentieth (Century Theatres. Other winners in Group One not mentioned here previously are: : Third prize, “$50, Mel Jolley, Marks, Oshawa; fourth prize, $25, Ralph Tiede, Granada, Napanee; fifth prize, $25, Frank Paul, Imperial, Ottawa: Ten more managers were given cash awards in this group. Other winners in Group Two not mentioned here previously are: Third prize, $40, Jack Alexander, Brock, Toronto; and fourth prize, $25, Pete Coyle, Kum-C, Toronto. Four other managers were awarded cash prizes in this group. : The prizes will be presented at the forthcoming annual convention of Twentieth Century Theatres, which takes place in October. WANTED Projectionist. Steady job in Small Western Ontario town. Apply BOX 22 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY 25 Dundas Square, Toronto. WANTED Position as theatre manager. Five years’ experience in booking, buying, advertising and bookkeeping. 35 years of age and speak both English and French, Apply BOX 19 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY 25 Dundas Square, Toronto WANTED Position as _ projectionist-assistant manager. Married, 26 years old and military exempt. Reply to BOX 23 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY 25 Dundas Square, Toronto