Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 27, 1948)

October 27, 1948 Brazil Latest To Grab Pic Rentals | (Continued from Page 1) Department is doing nothing to protect the industry. Almost every country has placed additional restrictions on the return of film revenue to the United States but Canada. That part of Canada’s total rental which goes to Hollywood — all but about $1 million of between $18 and $19 millions —— represents about five per cent of the total rental from the domestic market, which is made up of the USA and this country. It was, in 1946, about ten per cent of all Hollywood receipts from outside USA. Canada imposes a ten per cent “transmission” tax on royalties leaving the country and this applies to film money also. The Johnston Office has asked that this be renegotiated and also protested against the duty of 2% cents per foot on USA film, in contrast with 14% on that from other countries. When it appeared that Ottawa might follow the tax lead of Britain, Australia and other Empire and non-Empire countries, the Motion Picture Association of America suggested the Canadian Co-operation Project instead. Through the project Hollywood producers are supposed to spend money making films in Canada, while American exhibitors are to boost our tourist trade via favorable films on their screens. There has been more promise than action along these lines but officials declare themselves to be satisfied with the progress being made. ‘Several films have been shot on this side of the border and an increasing number of Canadian newsclips have been included in American reels. The project, initiated early this year in Ottawa with a gathering of American and Canadian representatives, will be reviewed at the end of the year to weigh its success. John J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players, was in Ottawa last week for further talks about it, said a Canadian Press dispatch. The Brazilian limit of 40 per cent on rentals, which used to range between 25 and 50 per cent for first runs, has another flaw from the American standpoint — all expenses may be deducted from it. And expenses are not defined. Also flat rentals were pegged at what they were two years ago. Foster To Direct Norman Foster will direct the Beckworth Corporation’s Rita Hayworth starrer “Lona Hanson,” which Columbia will release. ‘ Canadian FILM WEEKLY Page 3 Hollywood Producers Harold Kay Back Battle Over RCMP (Continued from Page 1) to help the Canadian Co-operation Project of the Johnston Office, is welcoming American producers and its representative in dealings with them is Col. Mead. At the same time the force is careful about what will get its official sanction in the way of a movie. It is quite possible that several companies will get an okay to use its past or current history for story or background. A controversy had broken out between Twentieth Century-Fox and MGM as to which is to make an RCMP film, the former apparently considering that it held the only official okay. MGM decided to give up its plans about _a@ week after news of the dis pute became public. Announcement by MGM that it was sending Sam Marx to Ottawa to do some groundwork and also shoot some 16 mm. footage of Mounties in training caused Sam Engel of Fox to say: “I have no reason to believe that the Canadian government has made an arrangement with any other film company for a Mounted Police documentary.” Fox, which has just about finished a story about the CPR for February release, has had Jerome Cady writing the screenplay Two Theatre Opened Two More Planned Joseph Cloet opened his 462seat Bay Theatre recently in Port Rowan, Ontario. Projection equipment was supplied by Perkins Electric and the house is the first in the community. On October 22nd the Odeon, London, Ontario, began operation. Fred Wostradowski has purchased a site in Rutland, BC, for the construction of a theatre. It will be the first there. Two applications were received by the Schreiber, Ontario, council for permission to erect a_ theatre. First application was from Nick Linkwich of the Mayfair Hotel and he was given three days to make his intentions clear to council.while the other application was held in abeyance, Premier Operating’s 400-seat Schreiber Theatre is the only situation operating at present. for an RCMP film to star Dana Andrews. The company has been active in Canada, having made “13 Rue Madeleine” and the controversial ‘Iron Curtain” here. Also in Ottawa at the same time as Sam Marx was Max King, independent Hollywood producer who has also progressed considerably in his plans to make an RCMP movie. Bryan Foy of Eagle Lion (Hollywood) said in Toronto earlier this summer that he had an RCMP film in mind. His next film, ‘Trapped,’ about international counterfeiting, calls for Canadian police background. Several other producers are also Mountie-minded. Everyone seems to have discovered the RCMP at once. Perhaps some of this is due to the co-operative spirit of the force now and also the NFB excellent four-reel crime documentary, “RCMP-File 1365,” released late in 1947. In 1940 Paramount released “North West Mounted Police,” in Technicolor and directed by De Mille, which is said to be its greatest earner to date. It has been reissued several times but is currently on the shelf. It is unlikely that the RCMP will lend its facilities for anything along the lines of “Rose Marie” or such minor efforts as ‘Renfrew of the Mounted.” Perhaps the Hollywood producers will settle their differences by pooling or tossing. Edwin Arnold Cast Edwin Arnold has been cast in MGM’s “Big Jack.” Allied Theatres, Ltd. Returns Same Board The executive board of Allied Theatres was returned for another term at the annual meeting in the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, last week. Ben Freedman is _ president, Bruce McLeod vice-president, Harry Romberg secretary and Herman Bennett treasurer. Max Starkman and Terry Lewis are directors. Allied Theatres is an independent booking and buying organization owned co-operatively, Vol. 18, No. 41 Oct. 27, 1948 . HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Entered as Second Class Matter, Tublished by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Phone ADelaide 4317. Price § cents cach or $2.00 per year, At Eagle-Lion (Continued from Page 1) manager for Twentieth CenturyFox, following the retirement of the veteran Harry Bailey. To accept the Eagle-Lion post Kay resigned as manager and buyer of National Booking Company, a subsidiary of National Theatre Services. He came to the Odeon affiliated NTS in November, 1947. Kay’s crossing Dundas Square from the Hermant Building to the Film Exchange Building is in the nature of a return, for he had left Eagle-Lion after 18 months on the Toronto sales staff to help form the National Booking Company. For two years before joining Eagle-Lion he had been Toronto branch manager for Monogram, also a Rank exchange. The British company’s new Toronto branch manager is an exhibitor, too, for he has operated the Fox, Toronto, for almost 12 years. He has been in the film industry in one capacity or another for over 20 years and at various times has served on arbitration and conciliation boards. Danny Kaye Receives Command Invitation Danny Kaye has been invited to star in the Royal Command Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre in London, England, on November Ist. It is the first time that an American performer has been so honored and Kaye will interrupt work on his current production, Warner Brothers’ “Happy Times,” to make the 12,000 mile round trip with his wife, Sylvia Fine. . ™ ‘THEATRE REQUIRE: MENTS CONTRACT SALES OFFICE