Canadian Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry (1955)

Che Honored Ones HIS EVENING represents the sincere applause of Canadian Show Business for a fine performance by a great trouper,” said John J. Fitzgibbons, CBE, in his presentation of the Pioneer of the Year Award to Jack Arthur at the climax of what was probably the most sentimental and enjoyable occasion of its kind in many years. The 400 guests who crowded into the Crystal Ballroom of the King Edward Hotel on November 25, 1954, along with representatives of press, radio, TV and the newsreels, saw the Arthur ceremony follow earlier presentations to Will McLaughlin, motion picture critic of The Ottawa Journal, and Charles Stephenson, Toronto. Fitzgibbons was _ introduced by N. A. Taylor, president of the Pioneers, who made a capable and pleasing toastmaster. The evening started with a surprise version of This Is Your Life, arranged and scripted by Tom Daley, co-ordinator of the dinner, and narrated by Winston Barron, Paramount’s Canadian newsreel editor, in which Arthur’s four children, including Mrs. Billy McClintock of New York, were brought in. Then came the Honorable Dana Porter, QC, AttorneyGeneral of Ontario, who welcomed the visitors and noted that Jack Arthur was “the inspiration and backbone of Show Business in our country.” Oscar R. Hanson, head of the Pioneers’ benevolent fund and past president in making the presentation to Charles Stephenson as a “Showman Extraordinary,’’ recalled the great amount of effort that had been put into the Pioneers by himself and others. “As . far as I am concerned,” he said, “this moment of my life justifies every minute of it.” Charlie, a friend for many years, had forgotten more about selling pictures to the public than most groups of showmen knew collectively, he said. The reply of Stephenson, in accepting the gold-on-velvet plaque, was full of wit and laughter. To one group occupying several tables the presentation to Will McLaughlin was of major interest. These were Toronto and other newspapermen, including a representative of Time Magazine, and they listened closely as N. A. Taylor said: “The picture that the Canadian public has of our motion picture industry and its people is largely drawn by the press and we like to think that it is always a fair one. It is because of that tonight we honor Will McLaughlin. Not only for what he is—but for what he stands for.” McLaughlin, who edited the first motion picture department in a Canadian newspaper in 1916, made a quiet, brief reply that touched everyone. Arthur Mayer, famed USA industry figure, speaking as the representative of the American Picture Pioneers, said he had been “deeply touched” by the proceedings and congratulated the Canadian Picture Pioneers on their great work. Jack Arthur’s thanks, in tones that reflected the emotional effect of the occasion, were to his friends and wellwishers—particularly those of them, he said, without whose aid he might never have attained the place he holds. The last speaker, much praised for his work as co-ordinator of what was an extraordinarily successful occasion of its kind by Nat Taylor, was Tom Daley, who thanked the committee and paid his own tribute to a long-time friend and old-time rival in showmanship, Arthur. The plaques, as well as the onyx-andgold award to Arthur, were designed by Tom Daley. On each table was a souvenir menu and a copy of “Jack Arthur Presents—,”’ the biography which first appeared in the Canadian Film Weekly in 1945. The Telegram reprinted it as a gift to the occasion, along with a special front page of news and pictures of industry subjects and people. Wires were received from many places by the three honored, some of them being read by Taylor.