Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 20, 1954)

Page scan 0004 from Canadian Film Weekly

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Oct 20, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 20, 1954)
Leaf #:
0004
Language:
English
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, and Global Cinema
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Greig Dymond in memory of David Dymond, 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:
May 23, 2024
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a nS a nae a 4 et RD es ee i ee October 20, 1954 MIME. MEETING (Continued from Page 1) ing the year. Many tributes by members were also paid to the late Ray Lewis, the “first lady of the Motion Picture Industry in Canada.” An honorary life membership was bestowed on P. J. Dwyer, who for the past eight years was the Association’s treasurer and recently retired from the Industry to enter another field of business. A. J. Mason and F. Gordon Spencer were reappointed as representatives of the Association to attend the coming meetings of the national bodies in Toronto. Highlighting the official luncheon was the showing of a film taken at the Association’s convention in 1917, which was attended by several film stars of that era. An open forum discussion, led by representatives of the equipment companies, brought answers to many puzzling questions on the various types of film presentation. F. Gordon Spencer was chairman of the luncheon, which was atvended by exhibitors, distributors, civic officials and guests. Through the courtesy of Paramount Film Service and Famous Players the exhibitors and guests enjoyed a special demonstration of the new VistaVision process. Win Barron, Paramount representative, made a _ special trip to the Maritimes to meet the exhibitors, explain the filming process and present the screening. A. J. Mason was _ re-elected president. Vice-presidents are F. Gordon Spencer, Saint John, NB; F. M. Gregor, New Waterford, NS; and B. Yeo, Montague, PEI. Secretary is G. A. Walters, Charlottetown, PEI, and treasurer W. G. Fenety, Fredericton, NB. The directors are J. McDonough, L. Sprague, M. Franklin, A. A. Fielding and R. Pope. Spencer was named chairman of the executive committee and McDonough its secretary. UA's "Night Of The Hunter’ Veteran character actor James Gleason has been signed for a feature role in United Artists’ suspense drama Night of the Hunter, starring Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters. AA To Film 'Sweet Charity’ Richard Conte will star in Al lied Artists’ recently acquired property, Sweet Charity. Cecil Black Resigns With Empire-Universal Films Limited for the past few years, Cecil Black, who came to Toronto from Western Canada, has resigned as sales manager of its 16 mm. subsidiary, Sovereign Film Distributors Limited. . CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY News Notes NEW ADFILMS LTD. APPOINTMENTS J. R. (Roy) McCullough has been named manager of the Western Division of Adfilms Limited, with headquarters in Edmonton, and R. L. (Bob) Todd is Eastern Division manager, with offices in London, Ontario, it was announced by Fred T. Stinson, president, from the head office in Toronto. The company has franchises on an exclusive basis with United Film Service, Kansas City, and Motion Picture Advertising, New Orleans, these being sister companies in the USA. First opportunities, said Stinson, go to Canadian producers of screen ad trailers, with more of this kind being made each year. Some British ad trailers are also handled. SPRAGUE HEADS MTME. PIONEERS L. A. Sprague of Lancaster, NB was re-elected president of the Maritime division of the Canadian Picture Pioneers at the annual meeting in the Admiral Beatty Hotel, Saint John, NB. Secretary treasurer is A. E. Smith, Saint John, and recording secretary Thomas Corbett, Saint John. The membership committee is comprised of P. J. Hogan, Saint John, for NB; Bruce Yeo, Montague, for PEI; and Fred Gregor, New Waterford, for NS. New members inducted were Thomas Corbett, 20th CenturyFox, Saint John; Harold Gaudet, Capitol, Summerside, PEI; G. D. Walker, Paramount, New Waterford, NS; and Wilmot J. Chase, Paramount, Saint John. It was moved and passed that a recommendation be made to the senior body in Toronto that a memorial be established for Ray Lewis, who passed away earlier this year. RYDER HEARD AT BASEBALL LUNCHEON Annual luncheon of the Toronto Motion Picture Softball League, held this year at the Boulevard Club, heard Gus Ryder, trainer of Marilyn Bell, tell of some of his experiences as a coach and in his work for crippled children. Miss Bell finished her across the lake swim in front of the Boulevard Club, with Ryder in the boat. Ryder was introduced by Monty Hall, radio-TV personality who is a director of the Variety Club, and he was thanked by James Sturgess, president of the Toronto Motion Picture Projectionists’ Union. Sturgess, in behalf of the league, presented Ryder with a cheque for his work with crippled children. The J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr. trophy to the winning team was presented to Harry Imperial of International Film Distributors by Bob Eves, Western Division general manager for Famous Players Canadian Corporation. The leading batter trophy, donated by Theatre Confections Limited, went to Jerry Stone of Warner Bros. Russ Moffat of Famous Players won the trophy for the most valuable player, it being presented to him by Percy Cox, president of the league. NEW THEATRE ASSOCIATION Nine members were elected to act as the directors of a new Quebec exhibitors association, L’Association des Proprietaires de la Province de Quebec, Inc., which was formed in Montreal recently. The organization, which has an office at the Montrose Theatre, 3180 Belanger St. E., Montreal, is said to have 50 members right now. The directors are Elie Tabah, Montrose Theatre, Montreal; Edouard Gauthier, Rio, Sorel; Albert Berthiaume, Capri, Tetraauville; Gaston Vadnais, Luxor, Montreal North; Lucien Dame, LaSalle, Ville LaSalle; Melvin E. Lodge, Myra, Richmond; Honore David, Viau, Point Viau; Charles A. Magnan, Laurier, Victoriaville, and Paul E. Lauziere, Cartier, Drummondville. 'TIT-COQ' DRESS PREEM IN TORONTO The sub-titled French-language Quebec-made feature, Tit-Coq, distributed by France Films, Montreal, opened its Toronto run at the Avenue Theatre under the sponsorship of the Canadian Film Institute and the Canadian ‘Association for Adult Education. A premiere occupied the first night, with Gratien Gelinas, the star, present, as well as 450 important guests, including the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, formally attired in reserved seats. Notables were on stage before the picture began. The film enjoyed considerable success in Quebec and was well reviewed by the critics at‘a private showing in Toronto some time ago, ; Page 5 THE LATE ALEX ADILMAN Secretary-treasurer of Consolidated Theatres Limited, Montreal, his passing was widely mourned. A member of the Canadian Picture Pioneers and the Variety Club, he was a governor of the Jewish General Hospital, the Talmud Torah, and the Young Men’‘s Hebrew Association, as well as a member of the Montefiore Club. The services were conducted by Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat, assisted by Cantor Gisser, and interment was in the Shaare Zion Cemetery. The pallbearers were J. Arthur Hirsch, president and general manager of Consolidated Theatres; William Elman, an executive of that company; H. M. Masters, general manager of Warner Bros. in Canada; Louis Rosenfeld, president of Columbia Pictures of Canada; Lester, David, Nathan and Lawrence Druxerman, nephews of the deceased; Al Seltzer and Milton Goldstein. Cast In Columbia Serial Rick Vallin and Johnny Hart will co-star in Columbia’s Sam Katzman serial, Adventures of Captain Africa. June Howard will play the feminine lead. Represents Culhane Shamus Culhane Inc. of New York and Hollywood, top film animation firm, will be represented in this country by Communications of Canada, Toronto. All live action to go with animated cartooning will be shot here by Julian Roffman, CC production chief. se Mont'l UA Premiere Operation Manhunt, UA feature about Igor Gouzenko’s experiences in exposing Soviet espionage in this country, will have its world premiere at the Princess Theatre, Montreal on October 28. It was photograph ed in Montreal. UA’s Archie Laurie is setting up the premiere. e Fox Canadian Meet National sales meeting of Canada’s 20th-Fox division will take three days at the end of this week in the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. Canadian chief Peter S. Myers will welcome Wm. C. Gehring and Arthur Silverstone, top sales execs, from New York,