Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 14, 1949)

September 14, 1949 CANADIAN SHORTS (Continued from Page 1) one instance a leading world distributor seems to value the customer appeal of a series of Canadian shorts. The first of that series, produced by Associated Screen News, is Sitz Marks the Spot, and deals with the little man in the street as he learns about skiing by experience. The second, now in production, gets its fun owt of the same little man on and off horseback and will be released as All Joking Astride. The first one was distributed by Warner Brothers but no deal has been set for the second. The little man of the series is John Pratt, who was the comedian of Meet the Navy as a screen as well as stage show. Pratt played serious roles in Whispering City and Sins of:.the Fathers, both Canadian-made movies, then returned to his original art, where he is being directed by Gordon Sparling, this country’s best-known picture pilot. Pratt also does the narration while Sparling adds editing to his task. The ASN-Sparling theatrical shorts are certainly standing up beside the flow of USA-made ones in patron response. Warners also recently released ASN’s Spring Comes to Niagara, while Empire-Universal is releasing its Canadian Cameo series, Nor is ASN the only Canadian producer to find buyers for its product from among the majors. Columbia has purchased several short subjects made by Audio Pictures, which are still to be released, while Universal has acquired distribution rights to the National Film Board’s Singing Is Fun and is negotiating for another, "The Seven Needles’ Bought By Columbia The Seven Needles, an original screenplay by Charles Haas dealing with the world-wide search for hidden Nazi loot, has been acquired by Columbia Pictures as a starring vehicle for William Holden. Marshall Grant will produce under the supervision of S. Sylvan Simon. Wanted Theatre equipment salesman, with knowledge of sound, projection and seating. Must be energetic and a producer. ALSO WANTED Theatre equipment sales clerk, with technical as well as sales knowledge. Must be willing to work hard and _ fearn. Permanent company. Address all replies to BOX 23 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY 175 Bloor St. E. Toronto national position in Canadian FILM WEEKLY CBC Brief On TV (Continued from Page 1) tional radio system apply to television broadcasting just as much as to sound broadcasting.” The brief states that “The same fundamental considerations apply to television as to other forms of broadcasting,” then points out that, “If soundly developed in line with Canadian needs and conditions television in the future can undoubtedly greatly stimulate and enrich the national life of Canada. If developed otherwise it may be at least of negative value, and more probably of harmful effect on our social and national life.” It is not impossible, in the face of that, to foresee CBC interest in motion pictures used over TV, since they occupy much of its time now in the USA. Nor is interest in what goes on the theatre screens via television outside the scope of the CBC, as indicated by its desire to develop it “in line with Canadian needs and conditions.” Need Present Powers As one of its television essentials the brief states: “If private interests are to be licensed to establish a television station, the national system must maintain the needed powers of co-ordinating use of television air channels in the general interest of the public and of developing a nationwide service.” At present Famous Players Canadian Corporation, our largest theatre circuit, has applied for a broadcasting license and will, if it is granted, operate from the Victoria Theatre, Toronto. What it produces may be projected in theatres as well as broadcast and will attract the professional interest of the CBC. Dunton said that “a revision of the financial basis of the system is essential even to maintain present broadcasting services and quality.” Unless this is done it will be necessary to cut present standards and services drastically. He suggested an annual license fee of $5 instead of $2.50. Staff Members Study Announcement of the CBC that five members of its staff will visit New York, Paris and London brings into focus the question of whether that government agency or the National Film Board shall be the leader in Canadian TV development. For months now Sydney Newman, formerly producer of the NFB’s series of theatrical shorts, Can ada Carries On, has been working with NBC TV in New York and will return when he has completed a year. The NFB 25,000-word brief submitted to the Royal Commission makes no reference to the CBC but asks consideration ‘“directly in relation to those of any other agencies which may be charged with responsibility for the development of television programs in Canada.” It devotes much space to television and treats it as though it belonged naturally in its orbit. Three of the five CBC men who will visit the capitals -to study television technique are engineers and the others are program Officials. Their trip was arranged “so that Canada will become abreast of the latest developments in the television field and be ready to proceed with it, if and when funds become available.” School NFB Man The NFB brief explained that it has assigned Newman, described as “a senior producer,” to CBS “in order to bring back to NFB experience in the broadest possible range of the field.” Alphonse Ouimet of Montreal, assistant chief engineer and coordinator of television for the CBC, will fly to Italy to attend the international television convention at Milan on September 10-17. With radio and films merging into television, the CBC and the NFB seem faced with many identical functions. Their reltionship to each other must be clarified shortly for the sake of economy and their mutual and separate purposes. Popkin Cast Stars Ronald Colman and Celeste Holm will star in Champagne for Caesar, Harry Popkin and George Rostov film for UA. "Gainesville Circus’ John Derek will star in Columbia’s The Gainesville Circus, film based on the internationallyfamous, community-owned. tent show. New 20th-Fox Title My Blue Heaven is Twentieth Century-Fox’ new title for Storks Do Not Bring Babies, Technicolor comedy starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey. Weebly 2 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Vol. 14, No. 35 Sept. 14, 1949 Address all communications — The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 175 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Canada. Entered as Second Class Matter. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 175 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Phone PRincess 1757 or PRincess 3707. Price $2.00 per year. Page 3 NFB MONOPOLY (Continued from Page 1) enterprise” and it recommended that “for the sake of the still heavily-burdened taxpayer it would do well to think twice before taking over the film business.” f The National Film Board, which asked for corporate status so that it could eliminate ‘‘certain cumbersome administrative practices which are not adapted to the needs of a creative producing agency,’ soon found a press defender. The Ottawa Citizen supported its request that it be reshaped into a Crown corporation, praised its accomplishments and concluded with: “The film board does not seek to monopolize the motion picture industry. On the contrary, its pioneering of techniques and its active assistance have helped private companies get started. As a Crown corporation, it would still be inspected by. the auditorgeneral and supervised by parliament. What the board wants is the legal status and the organizational self-government that would enable it to be of still greater public service.” In 1944, when the NFB had been accused of similar ambitions, John Grierson, its head then, told the annual meeting of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Canada, that there was nothing in it. “It would be madness to attempt it. It is ridiculous to conceive the government taking over the entertainment field,” he declared. “I know of no thoughts or plans whatsoever on the part of the government, now-or in the future. We have done much better with a co-operative policy than the industries of those countries where the government has control. That co-operation has also been provided by the United States, the film industry of which has done much to help present Canada from the screen.” Astral HQ Moved Head office of Astral Films, distributors of Film Classics, has been moved to 277 Victoria St., Toronto, telephone WA. 1821. 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