Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 31, 1968)

PICTURES FILM CORP. (Continued from Page 1) ed to “a relatively short list,” according to Neville. The eligibles included individuals who had submitted applications for the job and others who had been recommended. Neville acknowledged that names of persons outside Canada, with experience in similar government film aid plans, had been suggested but he preferred not to be specific. In mentioning the _ possible spring start, Neville took care to point out that this would not necessarily mean instant action insofar as any loan grants would be concerned. “There would be a reasonable period of adjustment and organization following the definite appoiniments,” he explained. The inference was that next fall would be the earliest any film projects could take shape. One of the “iffy-er” aspects about success of CFDC once it got underway would be the distribution guarantee any applicant would have to have, along with financial stability and a potential script. Until recently the distribution question was_ particularly difficult since little if anything had been produced privately in Canada as points of reference. In the last year, however, Toronto producer writer director Paul Almond on the strength of his own script and the box-office value of his wife, Genevieve Bujo0ld}--in.«thelead= role;-secured financing and distribution guarantees from Paramount Film Service for Isabel, a color feature shot on the Gaspe Peninsula. Reports from qualified observers who have seen Almond’s completed film describe it as a rich example of the kind of film-making distributors could expect from Canada. A more recent example was the short subject, Tviggy, written, produced and directed by Toronto actor Al Waxman, which Harvey Harnick, Canadian general manager for Columbia Pictures, quickly picked up to companion the current feature release, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Critical opinion has been excellent for Waxman’s $18,000 color production and distributor interest in New York has been aroused regarding the feature script he carries in his briefcase. The CFDC has been a long aborning but the insider concensus is that when it finally gets off the ground, the current climate—originating from the success at home of Almond and Waxman together with the reputations established in Hollywood and London by Canadians as writers, directors and actors — will enhance the chances of a feature industry getting off the ground in a substantial way. Satchmo In ‘Hello Dolly!” Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong has been signed by producer writer Ernest Lehman for the key role of the band leader in 20th Century-Fox’s forthcoming screen adaptation of Hello, Dolly!” it was announced by Richard D. Zanuck, executive vice-president in charge of production. UNIVERSAL (Continued from Page 1) lie. An additional eight pictures have been designated for release through Regional Film. All of the 29 Universal releases are in color, as are seven of the eight Regional releases, Martin noted. Currently in release are Coun_terpoint, a drama in Technicolor “starring Charlton Heston and Maximilian Schell and Nobody’s Perfect, a comedy in Technicolor starring Doug McClure and Nancy Kwan. Scheduled for February are The Ballad Of Josie, a comedy western in Technicolor starring Doris Day; A Matter Of Innocence, the Hayley Mills drama in Technicolor based on a story by Noel Coward and Sergeant Ryker, the Pioneer Jack Hunter Dead At Age Of 81 Jack Hunter, one of the original Canadian Motion Picture Pioneers who came to Canada from First National distributors in New York in the early 20’s, served as Toronto branch manager for Paramount during the era of Maurice Milligan and latterly operated the Bay in that city, died recently at the age of 81. Hunter, a member of the Variety Club as well as the Picture Pioneers organization, also had been an exhibitor in Hamilton, Ont. where he once operated the Delta, Queens and Empire theatres. He is survived by his widow, the former Nettie Westcott, by a daughter, Carol (Mrs. John Malcolm of Brantford, Ont.) and son, John, of Port Credit, Ont. Page 2 drama in color starring Lee Marvin. P.J., the suspense drama in Technicolor starring George Peppard, Gayle Hunnicutt and Raymond Burr; Did You Hear The One About The Traveling Saleslady? the comedy in Technicolor starring Phyllis Diller and The Champagne Murders, Claude Chabrol’s drama in Technicolor starring Anthony Perkins, Maurice Ronet and Yvonne Furneaux, are scheduled for March. April releases are highlighted by the company’s Easter release of The Secret War Of Harry Frigg, the World War II comedy drama in Technicolor starring Paul Newman and Sylva Koscina. Also scheduled for April release are Don’t Just €TAND There, the comedy in Technicolor starring Robert Wagner and Mary Tyler Moore and the re-release of FOR SALE Complete 35 mm projection and sound equipment in tip top condition, consisting pair solid Simplex bases, Super Simplex mechanisms, one kilowatt lamps. Four Stray Sound system, Gaumont Kalee Anamorphic lenses and two sets back up lenses, automatic rewind, 75 amp. 3 phase rectifiers and many, many spare parts. No reasonable offer refused. Write to: GEM THEATRE, Box 580, Grand Forks, B.C. Father Goose, the comedy in Technicolor starring Cary Grant and Leslie Caron. May releases will be Madigan, the highly charged New York City detective drama in Technicolor starring Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda and Inger Stevens; The Shakiest Gun In The West, the new Don Knotts’ comedy in echnicolor and Warkill, a drama with a World War II Philippines background in Technicolor, written, produced and directed by Ferde Grofe, Jr. and _ starring George Montgomery and Tom Drake. What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? the George Seaton comedy in Technicolor starring George Peppard and Mary Tyler Moore; Journey To Shiloh, the Civil War drama in Technicolor and Three Guns For Texas, the western in color starring Neville Brand, Peter Brown, William Smith and Martin Milner, are the June releases. Martin confirmed that exchange screening prints on all announced releases will be available prior to March Ist. Screening prints on the remainder of the 1968 releases will be available several months prior to the scheduled release period. Pioneer Gordon Miller, 92, Dies Gordon Miller, Canadian Motion Picture Pioneer and exhibitor, died recently in hometown Peterborough, Ont. at the age of 92. Miller retired several years ago after Famous Players had built the Paramount in Peterborough. Para’s ‘Danger: Diabolik!’ Danger: Diabolik! has been set _ as the new title for Paramount’s Diabolik. CANADIAN FILM-TV BI-WEEKLY PIONEERS (Continued from Page 1) be a sit-down affair, following the fraternal cocktail session. The case histories handled by the Trust Fund and certain other reports will be mimeographed and placed before each member. One of the most important items of business will be the annual election of officers. Applications for new members can still be received and there will be a special meeting of the directors prior to the annual meeting to consider new applications. Those approved will be inducted at the annual meeting. Men and women with 25 or more years of service in the industry are eligible for membership in the Canadian Picture Pioneers. The 25 years of service, of course, includes time out for servicé with the armed forces. Tickets for the meeting and dinner are $7.50 and will be available from members and at the hotel. Leonard Bernstein and Pat Travers are co-chairman of the membership committee. HOLLYWOOD (Continued from Page 1) (total: 117) for an overall dollar commitment of $306 million. These are definite commitments, with the possibility of 10 to 15 more feature motion pictures whose planning could be completed and production initiated during 1968. “This is the largest domestic dollar commitment, as well as the biggest U.S. based production scheduled by these major companies over the last five years. The 1968 planned U.S. production will be an increase of 17 to 20 pictures above the 1967 domestic production, and could conceivably run even higher.” Patricia Neal In Film Return After an absence of more than three years, Academy Award winner Patricia Neal will return to the screen in the filr version of the Pulitzer Prize play, ‘The Subject Was Roses.” Incorporating the Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Founded 1915) Vol. 33, No. 2 January 17, 1968 STAN HELLEUR Editor and Publisher CANADIAN FILM-TV BI-WEEKLY 175 Bloor St. East, Toronto 5, Ontario Authorized as Second Class Mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment cf postage in cash. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Limited, 175 Bloer St. East, Toronto 5, Ontario Canada «+ Phone 924-1757. Price $7.50 per year January 31, 1968 a