Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 5, 1956)

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Film Weekly
Date:
Dec 5, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 5, 1956)
Leaf #:
0000
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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5 Ny i? ERS as anit 5 eo nti SNe ard Sh ISN Vol. 21, No. 47 VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE TORONTO, DECEMBER 5, 1956 CSR es A Se ES EE IEE ENR OEE ERS SERIE: 5 SE RETESET INDUSTRY BSE LAS RETA EE EINES IE NE SS RSS INE ES ES SERN TRIN TET SELES ST TELE TE RE $3.00 Per Annum AD ER RSE. ELI DER MPICC THEMES: OPTIMISM, HARMONY BOLSTAD RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN, ASK CUT IN CAPAC D-I FEE The improved relations between exhibition and distribution and the common determination to work together to regain the place of cinema entertainment in the amusement world were thoughts that were voiced again and again by delegates to the New Toronto FP Booking Pattern Famous Players has secured a lease on the Hollywood Theatre, Toronto, from Theatre Holding Corporation Limited, in which it is a partner, commencing January 1, 1957. The theatre, which has 1,709 seats in its dual auditorium, is located near St. Clair and (Continued on Page 8) Friendlier View Of Screen Advg. A more liberal attitude toward screen advertising was one of the things that became clear at the annual meeting of the National Committee of Motion Picture Exhibitors Associations of Canada during the latter part of the day. William Lester of United Amusement Cor(Continued on Page 3) A Good PR Promotion if It Can Be Done Plans for a tour of Canada by top personnel from Hollywood studios selected from the ranks of producers, directors, writers and perhaps __ star personalities are again being studied by the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association. The idea was put forward about a year ago and discussed in an atmosphere of good intentions but couldn’t be realized. It’s just too good to drop so the CMPDA is taking the initiative in trying to bring it closer to becoming a fact. If it succeeds the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada will enter the picture. Government departments are very interested. One of the purposes of the tour is to promote interest in the production of films in Canada. Its main object is to stimulate interest in the cinema. Provincial committees will be formed when and if it’s a reality. 14 Top RKO Features In ‘57's First Half Canadian exhibitors will be offered 14 film productions, representing a total expenditure of $33,000,000, by RKO during , the first six months of 1957, it was announced in Hollywood last week by Walter Branson, vice-president in cuarge of world-wide distribution, following conferences with Daniel T. O’Shea, president, and William Dozier, vice-president in charge of production. Spearheaded by the multiplemillion-dollar aviation spectacle, Jet Pilot, starring John Wayne, the group represents the strongest lineup ever presented by RKO during a corresponding period. The pro gram runs the full entertainment (Continued on Page 4) Doris Day In ‘Teacher's Pet' Doris Day has been set by Paramount to star with Clark Gable in William Perlberg’s upcoming production of Teacher’s Pet. ALL FOX PRINTS OK FOR EVERY TYPE OF poeeron JAN. 1 J. A. Troyer remained Dough Guy. National Committee of Motion Picture Exhibitors Associations of Canada and the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada during the recent annual meetings of both organizations in Toronto. Though some NCMPEAC delegates from regional and provincial theatre associations suggested that a readjustment of terms was still in order, others spoke up in frank praise of the understanding and (Continued on Page 3) Mrs. D'Hondt Passes Mrs. Richard D’Hondt, who with her husband operated the Imperial, Delhi, Ontario, died last week. Surviving are her husband and two sons. Mrs. D’Hondt was one of three women active in Ontario small-town exhibition who have passed on recently. Dick Main Dick Main Heads ‘Oscar Contests Name the Oscars Contest, enthusiastically endorsed for the second time by the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada, will be directed by H. C. D. Main, Independent exhibitor from Sutton, Ontario, whose appointment by Charles Chaplin, chairman of the (Continued on Page 4) Keep Your House In Good Shape These days, when obsolescent theatres are losing the battle to stay in business against TV and other competition, ‘preventative maintenance,” a favorite phrase of Jules S. Wolfe of Famous Players, should have special significance for all exhibitors. Wolfe, who is in (Continued on Page 8) Premier Frost Stars At CPP Hanson Dinner “You have given us a wonderful gift. It is something that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Your being here tonight will give us memories that are priceless. We’re glad to be worthy of your thoughtfulness.” With these words Oscar Hanson, hold TAYLOR ELECTED CHIEF BARKER Chief Barker of the Variety Club of Toronto is N. A. Taylor, who stepped up from First Assistant Chief Barker to succeed David Griesdorf. Dan Krendel became First Assistant Chief Barker and J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr. followed him as Second Assistant Chief Barker. Chet Friedman took over from Lou Davidson as Property Master and The Crew, elected recently by the general meeting, met last week in the tent quarters at the Prince George Hotel to elect the officers. The other canvasmen are Clare Appel, George Altman, Joe Bermack, Herb Allen, Ernie Rawley and Ralph Dale. The installation dinner and dance will be held at the Sign of the Steer on December 13. Taylor will appoint committee heads for the new term shortly. Many International and local matters will command the attention of the Toronto tent in the coming year. Expansion of membership into hitherto-neglected amusement fields is contemplated. All 20th Century-Fox prints, starting with that of Jesse James in January, will be compatible with any type of projection and sound equipment now in Canadian booths, providing a minor and relatively inexpensive conversion is made of re renee APES SR eterna pet tmnt ata re — present sprocketholes. So Peter Myers, Fox general manager in Canada, told delegates at the Motion Picture Industry Council meeting. The prints will have four-track stereophonic sound and will be useful for optical and magnetic installations as well, ing the onyx-and-gold symbol of the Pioneer of the Year Award, thanked his fellows of the Canadian Picture Pioneers and their guests, who filled the Crystal Ballroom of the King Edward Hotel for the fourth annual event of its kind. He coupled Mrs. Hanson in his appreciation, for the Honorable Leslie Frost, Prime Minister of Ontario, who made the presentation to the man he called (Continued on Page 8) "Night The World Exploded’ Kathryn Grant and William Leslie will star in Columbia’s The Night the World Exploded, which Sam Katzman will produce. Thats eas Dy tage peasant