Canadian Film Weekly (Nov 10, 1948)

Page scan 0000 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Nov 10, 1948
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Nov 10, 1948)
Leaf #:
0000
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Global Cinema, Canada, and Hollywood Studio System
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Canadian Picture Pioneers, Paul Moore and Jessica Whitehead
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:

Canadian Film Weekly

  • Editor: Hye Bossin (1942-64)
  • Renamed Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly (1965-69, editor: Stan Helleur)
  • Renamed Candian Film Weekly(1970, editor: Ed Hocura)

Canadian Film Weekly (1942-70) was edited by Hye Bossin and published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., wholly owned by leading exhibitor, Nat Taylor. In the late 1930s, Taylor was head of the Independent Theatre Association and his Toronto-based chain, Twinex-Century (Twentieth Century), was the largest independent circuit in the country. In 1941, however, he negotiated for chain affiliation with upstart Canadian Odeon before leveraging a better deal and greater booking control with nationally-dominant Famous Players Canada, Ltd. No longer independent, he took ownership of the Independent Theatre Association’s semi-monthly magazine, The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (1940-41), installed Hye Bossin as editor, and laid plans to relaunch in January 1942 under a new name, Canadian Film Weekly. This enduring key publication was no longer solely focused on independent exhibitors but instead covered the entire industry on a national scale–exhibition, distribution and production–with some attention given to studio news from New York and Hollywood.

Bossin was a vibrant writer with a canny way with words, admired in the industry in the United States as well as Canada. He was one of a large family who lived above their father’s secondhand shop in the Jewish “ward” downtown in Toronto. His older brother was a bookie with ties to the underground; his younger brother was a famous journalist, protégé of Walter Winchell, and Hollywood screenwriter. In contrast, Hye spent nearly two decades learning the publishing trade in a printers’ shop before trying a stint as a Hollywood publicist, then writing a column for the Toronto Star Weekly before taking Taylor’s offer to edit the Film Weekly. Bossin was central to the creation of the Canadian Film Archive, the Canadian Film Awards, and he wrote some of the first histories of early cinema in Canada, published in the first volumes of the annual Canadian Film Weekly Year Book (1951-70).

In 1957, the Film Weekly had incorporated the rival Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1917-57), and began dating its start to that paper’s earlier start as the Canadian Universal Bulletin (1915-18). Subsequent variants of the Canadian Film Weekly and its yearbooks always claimed their roots all the way back to 1915 and the origins of the film industry trade press in Canada. After Bossin died in 1964, the Weekly’s new editor, Stan Helleur, renamed the magazine Canadian Film & TV Bi-Weekly, scaling back the pace of publishing but adding a purview for television and broadcasting. The annual was renamed similarly, its subtitle amended to “Year Book of the Canadian Entertainment Industry.” An attempted renewal to weekly format in 1970, edited by Ed Hocura, was short-lived and Nat Taylor decided instead to relaunch under an entirely new title, Canadian Film Digest (1971-77) and Canadian Film Digest Yearbook (1971-86).

– Paul Moore, March 2024

Further Reading

  • Bossin, Hye. “Canada and the Film: The Story of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry.” In Canadian Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry, 21-41. Toronto: Film Publications of Canada, 1951.
  • Moore, Paul. “Chronicling a National History: Hye Bossin’s Canadian Film Weekly and Year Book.” In Eric Hoyt and Kelley Conway, eds., Global Movie Magazines. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2024.

Date Added:
August 21, 2025
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Vol. 13, No. 43 FF ws VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY TORONTO, NOVEMBER 10, 1948 $2.00 Per Annum MPTAO VWs. Seary Psychopix Main Asks IntraIndustry Peace The peace which has prevailed in the Canadian motion picture industry may be disrupted by changes in the exhibition field and, in such event, it was vital that differences be settled inside, President Dick Main of the MPTAO told the incoming board (Coninued on Page 3) Premier Circuit s Bldg. Activities The opening in early December of theatres in Cobourg and Kapuskasing, Ontario, will bring to four the number of new units added in 1948 by Premier Operating and Theatre Holding Corporation, one of Canada’s oldest movie circuits. So far two are (Coninued on Page 3) Industry Prestige And Boxoffice Hurt By Objectionable Fare Motion pictures ‘“‘whose themes are insanity, hysteria and immorality” were emphatically condemned by the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario as lowering public respect for the industry. “Because one such pic MPAA Purchases "Stuff For Stuff’ The Motion Picture Assoziation of America, usually referred to as the Johnston Office, has acquired the theatre and television rights for the USA of “Stuff For Stuff.” Produced by Philip Ragan for the Department of Trade & Commerce, the film is propaganda for the free flow of trade throughout the world. Restrictions against USA pix in Britain and on remittance of revenue in other lands is hurting Hollywood. Measures are being pondered to bring about a more reasonapie view. The rights went for $9,000. CBC Governors Hear Telev’n Applicants The board of governors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, meeting in Ottawa on October 28th to consider applications for television licenses, listened to requests and opinions from interests opposed to each other, then reserved judgment... Representatives of motion picture theatre companies and those of radio took stands at variance with each other. And spokesmen for the two largest Canadian circuits, Famous Players Canadian Corporation and Odeon Theatres of Canada, sought the support of the governors for their ideas about the new medium of enter(Continued on Page 20) Windsor Booth Fire A fire that was confined to the projection booth at the Empire, Windsor, destroyed some flim last week. Thirteen Situations Operate In Bermuda There are 13 motion picture theatres with a seating capacity for 3,620 persons now operating in Bermuda. This includes open air situations which close during the colder months of the year. All are wired for sound. In addition one new theatre is under construction. In ‘Lona Hanson’ William Holden will star opposite Rita Hayworth in “Lona Hanson.” ture is favorably received does not mean that the average moviegoer wants to see 50 more on the same theme,” H. C. D. (Dick) Main, president, told the annual meeting at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, last week. Main’s remarks on the subject were in the nature of an official statement which he had been authorized to make to the trade (Coninued on Page 3) Signs New Contract Julie London has been signed to a long-term contract by Warners. Premier Shuffles Th tre Personnel Important changes in the Ontario managerial perscnnel of the veteran Canadian circuit, Premier Operating Corporation, were announced this week from its head offices at Carlton Street, Toronto. These involve transfers, promotions and th2 appointment (Continued on Page 20) "The Furies’ Bought Hal Wallis has acquired Niven Busch’s best seller, ‘“The Furies,” as a future vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck. "Devil's Henchman’ Peggy Converse has been signed for the feminine lead opposite Warner Baxter in Columbia’s “The Devil’s Henchman.” USA MAY BAR CANADIAN FILM The United States Treasury, of which the FBI is a wing, has requested that the three-reel film on narcotics, “Drug Addict,” be not distributed in the USA. The film, made by the National Film Board in recognition of the work of the Department of National Health and Welfare in combatting the drug evil, is being trimmed to one reel for inclusion in the Canada Carries On series. * These are distributed in this country by Columbia. Reason for the USA request, made through the Canadian ambassador in Washington, is that the attitude of both countries differs on the drug addict. The Americans consider him a criminal, while Canadians regard him first as a sick person. Although the Johnston Office production code bans drug addiction as a subject, there are several films based on it in distribution throughout Canada and the USA. Nova Scotia Lawsuit By Empire-Universal Empire-Universal Film Company Limited has brought action against the Yarmouth Theatre and Amusement Company for payment of money claimed due under a series of contracts, or in the alternative, special damages of $8,130 with interest for breach of contract. It will be heard during the civil term of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, now in session. RKO's 'Mrs. Mike’? A production-financing deal is being negotiated whereby RKO will release Sam Bischoff’s projected independent production, “Mrs. Mike." Part of the shooting on the film is scheduled tc be done in Canada. Stars In Fox Film Dan Dailey, Jr., Ann Baxter and Ann Revere have been cast in 20th Century-Fox' “You're My Everything.” “Should bring the prodigal fans flocking to the box office again.” — FILM DAILY Paul HENRIED ¢ Joun BENNETT ¢ ‘HOLLOW TRIUMPH’ An EAGLE LION (Hollywood) ACE HIT from INTERNATIONAL FILM DISTRIBUTORS Limited