Vol. 8, No. 9.
Lar is AES
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the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE
~ TORONTO, FEBRUARY 25th; 1942
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$2.00 Per Ann
Army Entertainment Big Task
Ottawa Defines Board s Power
The Wartime Prices and Trade Board, under the signature of chairman Donald Gordon, has is- sued a statement setting forth the authority of its appointee, R. C. McMullen, director of the Theatres and Film section.
Until now the questions and matters dealt with by James Stew- art. head of the Services Adminis- tration Board, have been handled with understood authority and ac- cepted by the trade. The clauses of the order, several. of which re- quire elaboration, are reprinted below:
1. No premises that were not
~~ actually used for the purpose of
(Continued on Page 2)
Girard Joins Up
Ray Girard, assistant manager of the Regent, Sudbury, has taken a leave of absence from 20th Cen- tury Theatres to join the Canadian Active Service Force.
es e e e
Projectionists Give
Canadian moving picture pro- jectionists allied with the IATSA have waived all overtime and ex- tra time caused by showings of special Victory Loan bills or trai- lers and shorts on the regular program.
Tax 16 mm. Films
The Copvright. Appeal Board has granted the Canadian Perform- ing Right Society permission to tax all positive prints of 16 mm. films used commercially in Canada at the rate of one dollar per print. Fees are payable’ within 10 days of importation in the case of im- ported films and distribution where
e films are produced here. The
has annual application. e Society had asked the right impose a $20 semi-annual fee
per machine. The rule was made
instead.
H. O. PAINTER HANDLES
REPUBLIC EXCLUSIVELY
Military Centres
Provide No. 2
Dominion Exhibition Cireuit
The entertainment of Canadian soldiers through motion pictures has become, from a modest beginning, a major thea- trical enterprise requiring expert attention. The army cinema circuit is the second largest in Canada today and it is serviced
——________—_———_¢through the regular trade
The Laugh That Might Have Been
The buildup given “Captain of the Clouds” by Warners is a classic example of news and publicity inseparably inter- woven. Because news is con- trolled today those divisions of the Fourth Estate have over- lapped and dovetailed oftener than ever before. Public Rela- tions men and their scorned brethren, press agents, have won a new respect for their service in behalf of public in- formation.
But every press agent has a cute gag that’s closest to his heart. That’s why the Canadian office of Warners is dreaming sadly of what might have been a prize laugh.
A member of staff sought framtically and vainly to find a German homing pigeon. They wanted to release it from the roof of Shea’s, Toronto, the night ‘Captain of the Clouds” opened with a fan- fare. With a band containing this message:
“Dear Adolph:
“The Captains of the Clouds are here tonight. They'll be seeing’ you soon.”
Stephenson Rests
Charlie Stephenson, manager of the Century, Kitchener, was grant- ed a leave of absence for two months by ‘Twentieth Century
| Theatres. Charlie was operated on @ while back and needs recupera- tion.
distribution channels.
Great Britain also main- tains a vast entertainment or- ganization, though theatre re- laxation there is made up mainly of live shows. Diversion under fire is a much more difficult task but the British seem to have mastered it in splendid fashion.
Entertainment in Canadian army camps is made up of mo- tion picture showings. The only break in this policy occurs when service organizations send in a variety bill, or stars of the stage, screen and sporting worlds make personal appearances. These are confined to the larger centres.
Canadian soldiers are luckier in matters of entertainment than those of England and the United States. The English and American lads must pay. to see movies but
(Continued on Page 5)
Douglas Cooper Dead in Toronto
Douglas Cooper, veteran mem- ber of the motion picture industry, died in Toronto on February 16th following a lengthy illness. Mr. Cooper was an honorary’ member of the Canadian Motion: Picture Pioneers, having ‘been one of this country’s. earliest film executives.
He was the first general man- ager of the General Film Com- pany, which was an outgrowth of the Klein Optical Company, and brought into Canada films produc- ed by such old-time studios as Vitagraph, Essanay, Lubin and Biograph (of which Mary Pick-
(Continued on Page 2)
Grand, Sudbury, Robbed
The Grand theatre, Sudbury, a 20th Century Theatres house, was robbed on Monday, January 16th.
Thieves got in after the Sunday midnight show and got away. with the receipts of Saturday as well as Sunday midnight.
Max Phillips is the manager.
Canada and USA to Use Same War Shorts, Says John Grierson
The United States and Canada will be using the same films on civilian defence, industry mobili- zation and so on, John Grierson, Dominion Film Commissioner, re- vealed in an address to the Cana- dian Club in Toronto.
Documentary films, which Mr. Grierson termed “facts on a band- wagon,” are now being turned out by the National Film Board at the rate of three each month. Accord- ing to the Commissioner, these have been so well received by
He commented on the reception in the United States to NFB’s timely short, “War Clouds in the Pacific.” American exhibitors re- cognized its interest and it got a Broadway showing. “One week later,” said Mr. Grierson, “came Pearl Harbour. That picture was certainly prophetic.”
The Commissioner paid tribute to the co-operation of the Cana- dian film industry. The film, he pointed out, has a special job at the moment outside of instruction. “For 20 years the democracies
movie patrons across the line that: have been subjected to false teach-
United Artists signed a contract calling for the delivery of one each month.
ing. Our education ran to blather- ings about ease and luxury and (Continued on Page 6)
H. O. Painter, Toronto Branch Manager for Empire-Universal, has become Canadian Sales Manager of Republic and will concentrate on the sale of that product exclusively. Harry Law, formerly of Vitagraph, has joined Republic.
Vol. 8, No. 9. Feb. 25th, 1942
Ugetly, HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor
Address all communications to—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada.
Published by Film Publications_of Canada, Ltd., Sth Floor, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Phone ADelaide 4310. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year.
Very, Very True
We are pleased to reprint a recent editorial by W. R. Wil- kerson, editor of an American contemporary, the Hollywood Reporter. It won considerable admiration in the Canadian trade. Raoul Auerbach of 20th Century Theatres sent a copy to all managers and other executives associated with him. The editorial follows:
“Paradoxical though it may sound, one of the main factors in the waging of a winning war is entertainment—entertain- ment of the civilian population and entertainment of the fight- ing forces. People deprived of entertainment become depressed, and depressed people lose efficiency and the firm belief in final victory. President Roosevelt is cognizant of this factor, as is every governmental and Army and Navy official. That is why they all regard Hollywood not only a necessary industry, but a vital one, as important as any other branch in the conduct of this war.
“Just what entertainment means to a warring people was related by Quent Reynolds, who has spent the past two years in London under fire. Last August, when the battered and weary British people, faced with the uncertainties of the United States aid, the reverses at Crete and in the Mediterranean theatre, were on the verge of forgetting “thumbs up,” Bob Hope came to London in “Caught in the Draft.” Newspaper editors wrote leaders, Londoners thronged to see the picture by the many thousands. And they all came out laughing. And that laughter spread optimism. Soon, Reynolds reports, the spirit of Great Britain was on the upgrade, the will to win as strong and fer- vent as before. History will not record this event in all probabi- lity, but that laughter engendered by the Hope picture, and other comedies that continue to be shown in Great Britain’s theatres, is doing more to keep intact the Britisher’s dogged desire to fight until Hitler is defeated than any exhortation on the part of their leaders. Great Britain regards entertainment as a wartime necessity. Washington, too, has so indicated.”
Canadian Echo
Now to bring the subject closer to home. Read what the Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune has to say along the same lines:
“This week one of the Welland theatres is presenting an all-comedy program to its patrons. It was well timed, perhaps better than the management expected when the pictures were booked, which must have been some little time ago.
“It happens that the people of the Welland district have just come through one of the most strenuous election campaigns in the history of this riding. Arguments pro and con have been something of a strain upon the public. In some cases tempers have been a little frayed.
“At the psychological moment comes an all-comedy pro- gram for a whole week in one of the most popular forms of entertainment yet devised. People can “go to the movies” and forget their differences and relax. There is nothing better than a good laugh to restore equilibrium after the emotions have been
stirred.
“The moving picture industry makes a great contribution to the happiness of the people. The care that it takes to provide good entertainment and for the comfort of its patrons is not always fully appreciated. The British people are noted for their capacity to enjoy humor even under difficult circumstances. A full bill of comedy for a whole week is a good tonic for any community.”
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
February 26th, 1942
Ottawa Defines {Douglas Cooper
Board s Power
(Continued from Page 1) public exhibition of moving pic- tures for profit on January 31, 19- 42, shall hereafter be wsed for such purpose except with the writ- ten authorization of the Adminis- trator of Services.
2. The Administrator of Services shall have power from time to time
(a) to prescribe the terms and conditions under which moving pictures films may be sold, rented, offered for sale or for rent, or supplied, and to prohibit any transactions except in accordance therewith;
(b) to require any person own- ing or having possession, control or power to dispose of any mov- ing picture film to deal with, dis- pose of, rent or supply it to such person or persons, at such time or times, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as the Ad- ministrator of Services may pres- ‘cribe;
(c) to fix the specific or maxi- mum price or rate at which any moving picture film may be exhib- ited, rented, sold, offered for sale or for rent, or supplied, and to prohibit any exhibition, purchase, sale, rental or supply at any price or rate at variance with the price or rate so fixed.
3. This Order shall be effective on and after the 12th day of Feb- ruary, 1942.
No. 1 would seem to affect some 150 theatres in outlying regions throughout the Dominion which close in the Fall and open in early Summer because of deep snow and unfavorable weather. They have thus been closed on January 3ist, the date stipulated in the order. Their position is understood and will be allowed for. Several thea- tres, now nearing completion in various parts of the country, are affected also by the date but there is little doubt of adjustment be- ing made.
Canada, USA Use Same War Shorts -
(Continued from Page 1) brotherhood of mankind—and that everything could be settled about the conference table.”
These misconceptions must be dissipated and the real needs of the moment brought before the people, he declared.
‘Tt’s a different kind of propa- ganda than in the last war. We are dealing with a total war in which every perspective of the world is involved. The people of the world crave to participate in this war and they want to know what is going on and where they can do their bit.”
SS SSS ee
Dead in Toronto
(Continued from Page 1) ford was then the bright young star).
Later when some of these com- panies broke away to organize their own distributing organiza- tions, Cooper became associated with a company known as “Super- Features,’’ which brought the film version of the famous Drury Lane melodrama, ‘The Whip,” to Tor- onto.
Cooper’s most famous booking, however, was as a member of the Exhibitors’ Distributing Corpora- tion, which had its offices above the old Rialto Theatre at Shuter and Yonge Streets. For this com- pany he brought the Mabel Nor- man picture, ‘“Mickey,” to Canada for its sensational all-summer run at the old Grand Opera House.
Goldwyn Readies Two
Samuel Goldwyn expects to. have two pictures in the market in quick succession this spring, with the two remaining pictures on his current year’s “definite” schedule due to be on the nation’s screens by early fall. At the moment, he has signed no release contracts to cover their distribution.
“Pride of the Yankees” will be ready for distribution soon after the opening of the baseball season in April. His British-made “The First of the Few,” which Leslie Howard directed and in which he is starred, reaches the screen first. It is completed and ready for re- lease.
On the heels of “Yankees,” Goldwyn plans to put ‘Treasure Chest,’”’ Bob Hope opus, into work, and “Swing Shift,” comedy with music, a week or two later, both pictures to be ready for Fall re- lease.
Not on the Bill
Patrons who went to Barnwell Theatre on a recent night in search of stark, grim screen drama got it—in real life.
Midway of the film “You Belong to Me,” Earl Moore, 24, stood up. His head blocked the camera light and threw a silhouette on the screen. He shouted a few passion- ate words of despair at the au- dience and then fired a pistol bul- let into his brain.
Complete Theatre Equipment and Supplies
COLEMAN
ELECTRIC CO. 258 VICTORIA ST., Toronto, Ont.
February SLCURMAS 20M O82 °) Le ee ne 1942
ITASA Issues Salvage Plan
The ITASA, which organization governs moving picture projec- tionists, has developed 10 points whereby the man in the booth can do his share by being clean, careful and thrifty.
A copy of the instructions is being distributed in printed form to be hung wherever projectionists, maintenance men and stagehands are working.
ITASA executives conferred with an industry sub-committee on conservation and the plan result- ed. Canadian locals wll distribute the ten points to their own mem- berships.
Following are the instructions:
1—Keep your projection rooms and equipment clean. Dirt causes wear and tear.
2—Lubricate properly all equip- ment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
3—Make ONLY necessary re- placements to conserve’ spare parts.
4—Burn carbons at minimum current specified by the manufac- turer. Use carbon savers where available.
5—Clean lenses of optical sys- tems with soft tissue and protect condensers and reflectors.
6—Service regularly all electric current distribution points, such as: motors, generators, bus bars, fuses, switches, resistors and con- densers.
7—Allow sufficient warming-up period for all vacuum tubes. Burn tubes. at specified ratings of equipment manufacturers.
8—Inspect, thread and rewind film very carefully—keep it clean.
9—Handle reel and film con- tainers with care—these cannot be replaced.
10—DO NOT THROW ANY- THING AWAY.
KEEP all wom-out parts and metal coated carbon stubs; collect copper and other carbon drippings. Keep all burned-out or broken vacuum tubes and incandescent lamps. You will receive instruc- tions as to the proper disposal of this salvaged material.
Goofy to Stardom
Goofy is slated to appear in a special series of shorts subjects based on “How to do It!”
Long a favorite for his support- ing roles in Disney’s films, this simple, homespun character with his naive buck-toothed face, now steps out by himself as a ranking Disney star.
The Goofy series now under way in Hollywood will feature popular sports as the running theme. Goofy first appeared on the Disney roster in 1932. RKO Radio will release the series.
Conealen FILM WEEKLY
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Sentimental Cases
Charlie Stephenson, ye olde timer, stopped in the office for a quick kibitz the other day. A few minutes later Syd Taube, another film trade antiquarian, stuck his nose in to pay his dis- respects. After a period of affectionate abuse and harking back, which is the conversational custom of filmdom’s veterans, they began cutting up their recent sojourns in the hospital.
Charlie had a doctor who was quite a gagster and the bane of the girls in white. They solicited the old showman’s help to put the medico in his place. Charlie blew up a balloon, placed it under his pajama top, pulled the cover over and called the doctor.
“Look at that!” he screamed, pointing at the swelling. “You must have forgotten something inside of me. My stomach is up like a balloon!”
The frightened doctor pulled the screen around the bed and bent to his task just as Charlie stuck a pin in the balloon and burst it in his face. While the nurses howled.
Upon hearing this tale Mr. Taube immediately condemned Mr. Stephenson’s veracity.
“Now,” he said. “‘I’ll tell you something that really happened.”
Syd went on to say that during his stay in the hospital a nurse came in to rub his back. “So I said to her, ll tell you what Ill do. Vl let you rub my back—if you let me rub yours.” That’s what Syd says he said.
Mr. Stephenson was not amused at this. With a straight face he asked: “And did she?” Mr. Taube said no.
“Huh!” pooh-pooh’d Charlie, ‘You didn’t have much fun in
your hospital!” * + *
Minstrel
That chocolate-colored imp who enlivened film offices the other day was 13-year-old Eddie Oliver.
Eddie drops in, does a few choice tap steps, and assesses the watchers a nickel each. I had a chat with him in which I learned that he sees out of one eye. His ultra-thick glasses made me ask. He’s one of 13 children. His father taught him to dance and hum his accompaniment.
He starts out after school and keeps going until 7.30. better than selling newspapers,” he said.
a * *
‘ It’s
Stamping Oui Hitler
A number of people around town have a good war efforts idea in action. It conSists of collecting used stamps of every kind. The stamps have a dye which can be reclaimed and the proceeds support a hospital in England. There’s a great amount of mail in the film belt and it would be nice if somebody organ- ized such a collection around here ... The Alec Starkman stag was quite an hooray, with 23 entertainers on hand from a local theatre to enliven things. Alec, a projectionist whose late father was well-known in the local theatre field, is marrying the sister of Dave Seigal, also a projectionist ... Saw Abe Sprachman, the theatre architect, at the Old-Time Newsboys banquet. Incidental- ly, Kaplan & Sprachman’s latest job was the new Cinema theatre, a top-flight effort.
2 * *
Honest Dave
A credit to the business is Dave Murray, caretaker of the Ace theatre, Queen street. A lady patron lost her purse in the theatre, which contained a $25 War Savings Certificate, about $40 in cash and considerable jewelery. The lady took the loss hard and a careful search of the theatre failed to reveal it. Patron and management had reconciled themselves to its loss.
The next morning manager Murray Sasloff found it on his desk—where the eagle-eyed and honest Dave had placed it after discovery.
The lady, not having slept all night, rushed right down and retrieved it joyfully. She was effusive in her thanks.
P.S. She forgot to leave a reward. But she'll probably think of it later. ‘So what?” asks Dave. “TI only did my duty.”
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Pege 3
Writers Dedicate Kipling Plaque
The League of Vermont Writers has announced that it will dedicate a bronze plague honoring the me- mory of Rudyard Kipling in the State Library at Montpelier, Ver- mont, on Saturday, February 28. Officiating at the ceremonies will be Governor William H. Wills, Leon W. Dean, president of the league, a number of other state officials, and the East-Indian boy- actor, Sabu, who has just com- pleted the role of Mowgli in the motion picture of “Jungle Book,” written by Kipling in Vermont.
Now on a nation-wide defense stamp-selling tour under the aus- pices of the United States Trea- sury Department, Sabu’s itinerary has been so planned as to bring him to Montpelier on the day of the dedication.
The bronze tablet to be affixed to a wall of the State Library Building, is inscribed as follows:
This plaque has been affixed in honor of Rudyard Kipling, who resided in the state of Vermont from 1892 to 1896. Here he wrote the Jungle Books, The Day’s Work, The Seven Seas and Captains Courageous.
League of Vermont Writers
February, 1942.
The picturesque Kipling home, called ‘“‘Naulahka,” which is now privately owned, is in the town of Dummerston, Vt., mear Brattle- boro. The house was built by Kip- ling who was delighted with Ver- mont and who, perhaps, would have remained a resident but for certain untoward circumstances which arose. The famed author be- came interested in Vermont after his marriage in London to a Brattleboro woman, Carolyn Ba- lestier.
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Page 4:
Canadian
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WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The studio turned up a new and solid combination in Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. The story is a variation of the marriage vs. career routine but playing and direction take it into the top-grade entertainment field. Hepburn is much more human and seems to have lost most of the two-tone inflections that have irked anti-Hepburnites on past celluloid occasions.
Tracey dominates through most of the footage as the hard- bitten newspaperman who would rather have a home than a salon and in the end has his way. Hepburn is more fetching and capable than ever before. The piece is splendidly dressed up and holds up all the way. The entertainment value lasts from the credits to the fadeout.
Best of all, it contains consistent laughter which arises nat- urally from the personality of the players and their situations instead of by the introduction of special characters to inject it.
Among the players are Fay Bainter, Minor Watson, Reginald Owen, Ludwig Stossel and Roscoe Karns.
Paramount
FLY BY NIGHT
A jerky plot about a young doctor framed by spies as the murderer of an assistant-inventor of a new weapon. The spies work out of a madhouse. A girl who helps him escape marries him under pressure of circumstances. There are a number of re- deeming features which make it exciting in spots.
Richard Carlson is the wronged medico. With Nancy Kelly, Albert Basserman, Miles Mander, Walter Kingsford and Clem
FILM WEEKLY
February 25th, 1942
Empire-Universal
|ROAD AGENT
A mildly musical western, second of a series, with plenty of shooting, some sweetheart stuff and a hurrisome pace. An okay job.
Story is of a pseudo-stickup trio who bring in the real ban- dits. The threesome comprises Dick Foran, Andy Devine and Leo Carrillo. Ann Gwynne is the gal and Samuel S. Hinds is the Wells Fargo man.
THE WOLF MAN
A scarer of the Dracula ilk. It is well-geared and well- manned. Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, Evelyn Ankers, J. M. Kerrigan, Fay Helm, Forrester Harvey and Lon Chaney, Jr., are a choice cast for any B and they serve the demands of the smooth plot expertly. The photography falls in exactly with the character of the tale.
Chaney is the heir to the ancient and werewolf-ridden castle Wiio becomes one when bitten, killing and being killed.
Fox
BLUE, WHITE AND PERFECT
Michael Shayne, detective, again breaks his promise to blow off the sleuth racket and uncovers a spy ring stealing industrial diamonds. The gal who gets the broken promise on schedule from Lloyd Nolan is Mary Beth Hughes. Nice cast helps
Bevans,
make it a timely and interesting little drama.
W. J. Long Explains Resignation from Odeon
The following letter has been received from W. J. Long offering an explanation of his much-dis- cussed resignation from Odeon Theatres of Canada. It is reprint- ed verbatim:
Vancouver, B. C. February 16, 1942.
The Editor, Dear Sir:
So that you will have the facts accurately, I am forwarding the following ,information to you dir- ect.
I resigned as Manager and Pres- ident of the Vogue Theatre as well as resigning as President of sev- enteen out of the approximately 21 theatres of the Odeon Chain in British Columbia.
I was instrumental in securing the financial backing of the Reifel interests of this City in the con- struction of the Vogue Theatre, No expense was spared to make it one of the finest theatres in the Dominion of Canada. The equip- ment was the finest that could be bought and the final result was a theatre that was the best that money could produce.
This theatre was to be operated by myself as an indepednent ven- ture. When N. L. Nathanson ad-
vised me during the Fall of 1940 that he was going to sever his connection with Famous Players and organize a new chain of thea- cres, he advised me that he desired cto have the Vogue Theatre as the ace house in the British Columbia chain. In view of the exceptional picture that he painted regarding the future of this new chain, I de- cided to persuade the Reifel inter- ests to lease the Vogue Theatre to the new organization.
Subsequently Mr. O. R. Hanson and Mr. Paul Nathanson visited Vancouver during the month of February, 1941, and closed the deal for a ten-year lease on the Vogue. Mr. Hanson was a tower of strength in the negotiations as the Reifel interests were not fav- orably disposed toward making a deal. It was only due to the fact that Odeon agreed to the payment of a large rental that the deal was finally consummated.
It is more or less widely known M Vancouver that I personally have been very dissatisfied and keenly disappointed at the way matters have developed. Last Aug- ust I made a trip to Toronto for the purpose of seeing Mr. Nathan- son and Mr. Hanson, and desired at that time to sever my connec-
tion with the Company. Mr. Nath- anson persuaded me to return to Vancouver and continue with the Company.
When Mr. Masters was appoint- ed General Manager of the Com- pany I interviewed him last De- cember and told him of certain ar- rangements that were made with me but never carried out. As a re- sult of this interview with Mr. Masters I told him that I would carry on for approximately ten weeks, and at the end of that time I would give him my decision as to whether I desired to continue or not. At the end of this period I ad- vised Mr. Masters that I desired to resign and the resignation be- came effective on February 12th.
I wish it made clear that I have nothing but the kindliest feelings for Mr. Masters and all those with whom I have had dealings. I wish particularly to extend to Mr. Os- car Hanson my sincerest - thanks for his kind co-operation and sin- cere effort to advise me on all oc- casions when this advice was sought.
Thanking you for your past co- operation, I am, ; Yours very truly, W. J. LONG.
RCAF Kid Caps
Glamor of uniforms for young- sters is being capitalized by War- ner Bros. in exploitation of ‘‘Cap- tains of the Clouds.” The company is sending 200,000 dark blue over- seas caps modeled after Canadian air force uniform to exchanges for exhibitor distribution. Cap carries “Captains of the Clouds” imprint.
Hays Group to Meet
The annual meeting of the Mo- tion Picture Producers and Dis- tributors Association has been set for March 30th. Will Hays will preside.
Hope Wins Radio Poll
Bob Hope, Paramount star, won the 11th annual radio poll of the New York World-Telegram, oust- ing Jack Benny from the top spot after eight years. Hope was second last year.
Dinah Shore won the award as the most popular of feminine song- sters.
Doug Churchill Buried
Douglas Churchill, Hollywood correspondent for the New York Times and a screen critic since 1932, was buried in Los Angeles, He was born there.
Churchill, who was 42, died in Phoenix, Arizona, after an illness of over a year.
%
February 25th, 1942
Discs Help Showmanship
Leslie Campbell, Manager, Strand Theatre, Trail, B.C., is us- }ing good showmanship in present- ing his “Box Office Headlines” broadcast over CJAT, Trail, on Sundays at 8.15 P.M.
After using MGM gratis air trailer recordings to plug the par- ticular pictures on which they are issued, Mr. Campbell keeps them on file to use on later programs. He announces them as examples of pictures radio listeners have already enjoyed at the Strand and representative of the type of pic- tures being regularly shown at the theatre.
Mr. Campbell states use of the discs is saving the theatre about $3.00 weekly and enables him to present the best stars on the screen to radio listeners in Trail in vicinity.
The program on “Flight Com- mand” is typical of those being used by Mr. Campbell and may be of interest to other Canadian theatre managers. The training of Empire flyers in Canada is men- tioned in the continuity, although “Flight Command” is a story of U.S. flyers. That’s another exam- ple of good showmanship on the job.
Dewey Bloom, MGM’s aCnadian promotion representative, states the MGM air trailers are being used by 44 Canadian radio sta- tions, and are available gratis to theatre managers who wish to use them regularly on local radio sta- tions. This is just one of 56 differ- ent promotion services available to MGM exhibitors gratis or at the cost of a few admission tickets.
Hale an Industrialist
Alan Hale is the only actor per- sonally affected by Government priorities. He is a manufacturer of fire extinguishers and theatre seats.
HEATING AND VENTILATING CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS
VAT
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
|Army Exhibition
Is a Big Task
(Continued from Page 1)
Johnny Canuck, due to the kind- aeSS OF service organizations and wie lim excnanges, sees them free. ud act no Cust to the government.
meeping tne soldiers from bore- uom via motion pictures is a alugn-class job of organization in Canada wnich, because the de- Inand 1S contunually increasing, re- yulres constant attention. }k’rom vol. John A. Cooper, chosen by tne Auxiliary Services of the De- pactment ot National Defence as x1onorary Secretary, it was learn- ed that the number of situations in December was 238, as against 219 in October.
Camp showings began shortly after tne outbreak of the war ana the 40 to 50 situations grew to the number mentioned above. The totai number of days on which pictures are shown, 668 in October, jumped to 713. Towns being served now are 129, four more than in the past and programs have shown a comparative increase. Even New- foundiand gets movies, the num- per being nine every three weeks.
The credit for this great work is due four Canadian _ service bodies, Camadian Legion War Ser- vices, Knights of Columbus Army Huts, Salvation Army War Ser- vices and YMCA War Services. Each organization sends its repre- sentatives to a committee of which N. L. Nathanson is Honor- ary Chairman. Col. E. A. Deacon, Director of Auxiliary Services for Ottawa, works in conjunction with the committee, the records of which are.kept by Col. John A. Cooper.
The service organizations de- fray all expenses for film and pro- jection equipment. Film exchanges charge a nominal rental for pro- duct, which is mainly 16 mm. Des- pite being opposed to the commer- cial showings of 16 mm. pictures, Hollywood was quick to cooperate. Certain studios which made no 16 mm.’s at all began making prints at the request of the committee. Those studios turning out the smaller prints had a rule that they must not be shown for two years after the regular runs and this was cut by a year to give the sol- diers a chance to see later pro- ductions.
The Canadian Performing Right Society, which represents Ascap in Canada, has waived all fees for showings in army camps.
Earlier reports showed that last year a total of 354 prints was dis- tributed and that the number of playing days in Canada and New- foundland was 30,160. This gives some idea of the committee’s work.
The committee was organized
Page 5
7Ex-Juve Stars
Make Good
-It probably is just about an
even bet that a prominent child star will succeed in films later in
when the work increased in such | }j¢e,
proportion as to present a difficult proplem. The then head of Auxil- sary Services, soster, asked the assistance of various citizens and organizations. Lhe Department of National De- fence appointed Mr. Nathanson and Col. Cooper to the leading ex- ecutive posts.
Great Britain
Under wartime pressure Great Britain has developed the greatest cheatrical venture in history under single auspices. “The Road” is no songer dead. It took the war to cevive it to a degree exceeding anything in the past.
The origin of the revival of the stage to share audience interest with the movies in Great Britain is ENSA—the abbreviation for ztntertainment National ‘Service Association. This organization curns out shows like an assembly 1ine and keeps them routed ex- pertly.
ENSA also sponsors’ radio broadcasts and movies—though it does not produce the latter. The motion picture end of ENSA is cesponsible for more than 45,000 shows to date. This in itself is a vast job, requiring an army of operators and a long list of halls and equipment.
Since 1939 more than 100 sep- arate troupes of entertainers have been working steadily, putting on shows anywhere in the world where Empire troops can be found and in any place that has the room, from a shed to the deck of a battleship. -
ENSA employs 1,600 actors who zover 136,000 miles every week in every manner of conveyance. More than 50,000,000 persons have seen an estimated 100,000 performances since it started. Britain has been divided into 25 theatrical zones by its traffic department and each company covers an area before it switches with another.
To make things more facile ENSA executives have standard- ized equipment wherever possible.
Accommodation for the actors is one of its greatest problems and this seems well in hand. ENSA has established 22 hostels and 1,332 billets.
Players receive a minimum wage. ENSA shows are not gratis. Service men pay to see them and, like civilians, if they don't like a show they stay away. Good units carry on for from six to eight months but bad ones, like turkeys everywhere, fold up quickly.
ENSA shows, depending on pat- ronage-for financial support, must be good or else.
aa | notchers - | ingore see: | Among -those who play minor |parts as children, the odds are
| much shorter.
This includes the really top- among the children.
As a result of more careful training and handling, it is pos- sible that child stars today have a slightly better chance of sticking than they did a few years ago.
Nevertheless, public taste and Hollywood’s often strange ways of doing business make the future uncertain for any youngster. Or grown-up, either, for that matter.
Here are some of the young- sters who have made a go of it after growing out of child roles:
‘ Marjorie Reynolds, Jackie Coop- er, Bonita Granville, Johnny Downs, Shirley Temple, Jackie Searle, Mickey Rooney, Anne Shir- ley, Nancy Kelley, Virginia Weid- ler, Freddie Bartholomew and Ed- die Bracken.
And here are some others, equally prominent at one time:
Jackie Coogan, Robert Soogan, Peggy Montgomery, Wesley Bar- ry, Jane and Catherine Lee, Dav- ey (Sonny Boy) Lee, Baby Peggy, Baby LeRoy, Terry Kilburn, Mary Kornman, Joe Cobb, Farina and Sunshine Sammy.
The current crop of youngsters include Carolyn Lee, who has the best part of her life in “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch”; Roddy MacDowell, who scored a hit in ‘How Green Was My Val- ley”; Patsy Nash of “I Live on Danger,” and youngsters like Lar- ry Simms, Baby Sandy, Joan Car- roll, Gloria Jean, Darryl Hickman, Scotty Beckett, Bobs Watson and Juanita Quigley.
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Page 6
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
Sl Siltonal Kili Board and You
February 25th, 1942
RELATIONSHIP OF NFB TO THE INDUSTRY
pee first and main plank in the
film policy of the Canadian Government is a very simple one. We take the Film Industry as it is. We don’t try, because there is & war on, to build some other kind of Film Industry. We take it the way it is: as a showmen’s indus- try dedicated to showmanship and commanding the attention of a Canadian audience of two and a half million people who happen to be interested in and happen to need showmanship.
Of course there are other ways of looking at it. One might say with the poets: Absent thee from felicity a while and life is real, life is earnest; and one could start with Orders-in-Council and execu- tive orders to butt into the busi- ness and turn the whole thing into a _ state-driven propaganda machine. In fact, there was one government since the war broke out—I won’t mention its name — which had a momentary brain storm and thought that way and declared all screen time belonged to the nation. Of course, in time of war, everything belongs to the nation and to the common effort, but that wasn’t just the wise way to say it. Nor was it necessary to say it at all.
Our viewpoint in Canada has been different and for the follow- ing reasons. We believe that the strength of the Film Industry lies precisely in the fact that it is an entertainment industry. What is most valuable to the State in time of war, as in time of peace, is that it command a vast audience who go genuinely and spontane- ously for the emotional stimulus which the movies give them. ‘That
is the very audience we want to’
address. That is the very mood in which we want to find them. Therefore, so far from disturbing the expectation of stimulus, we want to preserve it.
The very last thing we want to
do is to drive our audience out of the theatres. It would be a poor State Public Relations Service which killed the audience it want- ed to reach. * * %
Te first result of this policy is
that we have from the first sought the co-operation of the Film Industry in Canada. I may say that, at the outset of the war, the Industry, like any other good citi- zen, informed the Government that its power and strength were fully at the disposition of the State. That offer was made unani- mously; and I know that offer was made earnestly and with a full sense of responsibility. We replied in effect: We thank you very much and there is a good deal of specific co-operation which the
_emotional
The National Film Board of Canada, headed by John Grierson, is today more than a national phenomenon. In all the world it is the most highly regarded of non-private film organizations. Its short subjects have won world-wide distribution and acclaim from distributor and patron alike. Canadians, whether in the film business or not, should become better acquainted with the aims and objects of the NFB, lest its fame abroad exceeds its appreciation
at home.
As expressed by Mr. Grierson, the Government’s inten- tion is to present entertainment and education—at a profit,
it hopes. point doesn’t remove from business is the same as any
That the product bears the government’s view-
the fact that the NFB in other distributor. The NFB
admits that and asks no preference except in special cases.
cases.
Several months ago John Grierson, in an address to the National Board of Review in New York City, spoke on “The Relations of the Government to the Film Industry in
Time of War.”
Because it dealt largely with Canada, the
American film trade press, finding it of minor interest,
gave it scant coverage. esting and important. This chief phases of his address.
Mr. Grierson’s ideas are inter-
article is made up of the
We intend to extend our report on Mr. Grierson and
the NFB in future issues.
Film Industry can give. It will be sought and it will be sought in specific terms. But we also let it be understood that we did not wish to disturb the essential workings of the Industry as an instrument of entertainment. In fact we pledg- ed ourselves that whatever we might ask the theatres to carry in the way of public information would have to measure up to the normal standards of interest, en- tertainment and emotional stimu- lus, or we would ourselves be the first to jerk it. We have kept that pledge and the Industry has kept its pledge; and we recently had confirmation of that when Mr. Fitzgibbons of Famous Players, speaking for the Industry, made the selfsame point.
What is most important in times of war for public information? It is not information. There is no end of information. It comes from a million and one quarters, in quantity and persistence and com- vlexity enough to bewilder the soul. No, what we are concerned with primarily is helping the peo- ple to a simple pattern of thought and feeling; and here I am using a phrase of Mr. Lippmann’s — a simple pattern of thought and feeling which will enable people to take hold of the facts and give them significance. And to give people a pattern of thought and feeling is essentially a dramatic affair. It is, in fact, the normal dramatic approach of the cinema, which is the right and most potent approach in times of war.
= % a rpeeae is one thing we do watch
however. We don’t overdo. it. We have 13 issues a year on this
series, like March of Time, and that for the present we think is enough high pressure on war re- portage initiated by the Govern- ment. After all, there is a great deal of other material coming in. There are the news reels; there are the war shorts of the Ameri- can companies; and, not least, there are the war shorts of March of Time. There are the British Ministry films like London Can Take It and Target for Tonight. We fill gaps wherever they may be. For example, no French news- reels come in nowadays for the large French-speaking public in Canada. So we supply them. But, by and large, we say that’s enough of war reportage and to give the people any more would be to de- feat our purpose. In this the Gov- ernment and the Industry are agreed. In fact, my most difficult job is not to keep the Industry in line but to explain to the various departments, who are howling for screen space, that it is thirteen issues a year, one a month, and no more. Fortunately, I have the imaginative co-operation of a Director of Iinformation who un- derstands these things, and there is a great deal of good sense in the Departments themselves.
a * *
[- is all a matter of meeting the
Industry on its own essential terms. The Industry, after all, has a wide field in which we can genu- inely operate, It is only a case of studying news values so far as the news reels are concerned, interest value so far as shorts are concerned, novelty value for the specialties and inspiration value wherever we can reasonably put
NN
—_—_—————— SSS
it in. I am not saying that the Film Industry isn’t sometimes a little more conservative than som
of us would like to see it; but if, like the man from Missouri, it wants to be shown, it also is true that it can be shown. The history of our Industry over the past few years is not without honor in the realms of higher experiment.
* * *
| abe machinery today works as
follows: The Government’s film interests are operated by a Board called The National Film Board. It is a separate department of the Government which looks after the film interests of all Departments. That is to say, all departments are required by statute ta use it as their agency of production and distribution, and it is the function
of the Board to plan from all their “
requirements a common policy, an integrated production schedule, and an integrated plan for distri- bution. Over and above this work for the Departments, the Board is charged with the job of look- ing after national as distinct from departmental interests. That is to say, it has a separate production and distribution schedule of its ow?, filling in the gaps the various departments may have left, and doing the sort of purely education- al work the others are apt to for- get.
* a *
N° member of the Film Industry
sits on the Board. On the other hand, the Board has an ad- visor in the industry on a dollar- a-year basis. He is Mr. David Cop- lan. It is his job to keep the Commissioner informed on the views of the Trade and in general how the winds are blowing; tell- ing the Commissioner, as he often does, when the Government is pressing too hard, or making mis- takes from a professional point of view, or where the Government may use*an opportunity of co- operating it has failed to appre- ciate. This advisor keeps in touch with the various committees on the Industry and keeps the Board informed of their findings and wishes.
From the beginning of the war, the Government has had the wholehearted personal co-operation of leaders of the Industry like Mr. Nathanson and Mr. Fitzgibbons, and the active help in production and distribution of men like Mr. Norrish of Associated Screen News, Mr. Gottleib of Audio, and Mr. Atkinson of General Films, and Colonel John Cooper, who gov- erns the machinery by which spe- cial messages are sent out to the theatres on a mass scale.
—s
en of me eat ce oc eS Oe
oor he TS OT COO Tee Ce ea
February 26th, 1942
See Son in UA English Pic
A movie made in England will , bring to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Beaty
bof Van Nuys, California, their first ood glimpse, in more than two
years, of their Eagle Squadron son, Guy Augustus Daymond. Pictures which appeared on front pages last summer, with a story credit- ing to Daymond the Squadron’s top score of Nazi fighters and bombers, were hardly recognizable.
The news reached the Beatys along with their son’s announce- ment that he’ had been made Flight Lieutenant in the RAF.
“They Flew Alone” is the pic- ture in which Daymond and many other American fliers of the RAF
will be seen. It stars Anna Neagle |
and Robert Newton as fliers Amy Johnson Mollison and Jim Molli- son. Directed’ by Herbert Wilcox and produced in England, the film will be released in this country shortly by RKO Radio.
Daymond, whose real name is Fred Beaty, Jr., was a Glendale, California, high school boy. He once tried to ‘‘crash’’ the movies because his sister, Laurette, was “stand-in” for various stars. At the time Beaty made his film bow, as part of British official aid in filming “They Flew Alone,” the sister had won a commercial pilot’s license and will either ferry planes for Uncle Sam, or become flight instructor.
Norway's Story to be Filmed
“The Edge of Darkness,” a novel by William Woods that is to be published by J. B. Lippincott, has been purchased for filming. The story deal with the Nazi invasion of Norway and the continued re- sistance being put up by patriotic Norwegians in an underground campaign against the German oc- cupation forces.
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Canadian FILM WEEKLY
St.
ILL PAYNE, Granada,
Thomas, and his capable as- sistant, Bill Cupples, came through with a good campaign on “Keep 'Em Flying.” They had an advance lobby display, neon stage letters, a co-operative page in the local daily, special front display, a large paper aeroplane, 18 feet 1ORE over the marquee.
A special display in the lobby was a torpedo. The fact that the Victory Loan people used the title in their ads helped a lot, too.
K * be
RED THOMPSON, Rex, London,
used a PA system to play songs from “Kiss the Boys Good- bye”’ from the marquee. This is a good idea for anybody. Fred uses the usual methods in good mea- sure. These, with the addition of some unusual stunt, will perk up most box-offices.
Let’s hear from you often, Fred. We'd like to know what you’re doing.
x ob +
wes PATTERSON, Opera
House, Orillia, had “Sun Valley Serenade” and did a good selling job of it. He tied the picture up with local music stores and juke- boxes. He sold the picture to high school students through the school paper. The kids love Glenn Miller and you’d better not for- get that when the picture comes your way.
* *
MeRRAX SASLOFF, Ace, Tor-
onto, turned in a powerful week’s take on another of his no- velty programs. This time it was a “Triplets Show.” He used pic- tures with the Marx Brothers, The Andrew Sisters, the Ritz Brothers and the Three Stooges. He offered free admission to any and all trip- lets who presented themselves at the box-office.
The idea attracted much atten- tion. Both Roly Young of the Globe and Mail and Jack Karr of the Toronto Daily Star wrote about ae M2 JOLLEY, Columbia, St.
Thomas, got a grand tie-in with Quaker Oats for “Dive Bom- ber.” To begin with, they paid for 3,000 heralds to tell about it.
At the Saturday matinee all kids turning in three box tops were admitted for 10 cents in- stead of the usual 12. Hach kid got a gift of a miniature aero- plane cockpit for training pilots.
In this manner he jammed the theatre at no cost to himself. He got many grocery windows be- cause of the Quaker Oats connec- tion,
Write to Mel for the details.
eee ee
Se
ALPH TIEDE, Geneva, Orillia,
got a life-saver tie-in with “Navy Blues’ and that company had a girl give away samples and copy on the street. On “It Started With Eve’ Ralph handed out ap- ples with copy attached to one pu- pil in each classroom of the town’s schools. The pupil was instructed to present it to the teacher. He also distributed valentines bearing copy from house to house.
« * a
EITH WILSON, Tivoli, King-
ston, came through with a bangup campaign for Foto Nite, which opened last week at the Tivoli and Grand theatres.
He had one full page in the newspaper, a co-operative scheme with local merchants, and a win- dow display of photos and data of people who had won money. Keith put up a special panel front filled with pictures of previous winners. All his copy plugged the line: ‘‘Too big for one theatre.”
According to Keith’s letter, busi- ness was very good.
cd * *
OB MARTIN, in opening his
new Cinema theatre, Toronto, got out 100 jumbo window cards and sold ads to pay for a fine souvenir booklet. There were 10,- 000 copies of the booklet; which was distributed in the neighbor- hood a few days in advance. He had a reader in the Toronto Star and a special opening ad.
Since I chanced his opening, I want to say that it was a huge success and that Robert looked sweet enough to kiss in his double- breasted soup and fish.
* sd = OB BROWN, Vanity, Windsor, has been running a Three V’s contest. One of those who sent him a letter was Rev. Paul Mar- kovits, B.A., pastor of the Hunga- rian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Windsor and district. His con-
tribution is as follows:
Vitality—All your features pos- sess that vitality which bring many visitors to your theatre. The pictures are worth seeing.
Vivacity—Lively pictures, shows in town,
Vividity — The show.
For “The Men in Her Life” Bob sent out an Enquiring’ Photo- grapher, who took snaps of folks on the street and handed them this card: “If you find your pic- ture displayed in the lobby of the Vanity, you get a free pass to see Loretta Young in ‘The Men in Her Life.’”” The card carried a plug for Coulter’s camera supplies, who supplied the film and developed the pictures.
first
atmosphere brings delight to anyone in the |
De Notes From
.| Universal
Alfred Hitchcock will head for New York and a month’s vacation immediately upon completion of his directorial stint on ‘‘Saboteur,” which Frank Lloyd Productions is making for Universal release. Rea- son for the jaunt is to get his first glimpse of his tweleve-year- old daughter, Patricia, in the Broadway production of “Soli- taire,’”’ in which she is making her professional acting debut.
* * oa
Damon Runyon, famous news- paper columnist and short story writer, visited the set of “Butch Minds The Baby” at Universal yesterday, and watched Director Albert A. Rogell put Virginia Bruce, Brod Crawford, Dick For- an and sixty infants through a scene. Runyon wrote the original story from which the Mayfair Productions’ screen version was adapted, and during the visit, re- wrote at Rogell’s request, a change in the script to “fatten” up the part of 13-month-old Harold Mich- ael Barnitz who is reported to be currently stealing every scene in which he appears.
A ws ue
Universal has assigned John Mattison to stage dance routines, and Seward Webb gets the assis- tant director berth on “Broad- way”, Bruce Manning Production, which will on on shooting schedule mext week with William A. Seiter directing. George Raft and Brod Crawford have been set in top roles and testing is under way for several important feminine parts.
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Snips and Snaps...
MEET MISS HONEY BEE, Hollywood’s newest siren of the cartoon world. As sweet as her mame and as appzraling as a Made- leine Carroll, Honey makes her screen debut in Paramount’s unusual Technicolored feature, “Mr. Bug Goes to Town.’’
IT’S TRUE!
DARRYL_HICKMAN
Le”
N Hl THE FAMOUS STATEMENT-"I ONLY Noga g's REGRET THAT | HAVE BUT ONE LIFE SS5@
TO GIVE FOR MY COUNTRY!")
CAPTORS 15 PLAYED BY JONATHAN HALE... . GREAT GRAND=NEPHEW OF Alu NATHAN HALET! Ze
Wh ~s THE BOSS cf YOUNGS gag
ACCLAIMED ONE OF ¢ THE FINEST YOUNG
IN HOLLYWQDD...
WAS BORN IN a CHICAGO _ON O67.17-3533 SHE STUDIED DRAMATICS <4 AT THE THEODORE IRVING : SCHOOL
DRAMATICS...
Bogart Gets His Beauty
ae
ee
By Wiley Padan ‘as ‘oO
“TFEN-YEAR-OLD
DARRYL HICKMAN
(WHO RECENTLY WON ATTENTION FOR HIS TOUGH BOY BOLE IN "MEN OF BOYS TOWN") IS CAST
4 AS THE SON OF
NJOE SMITH, AMERICAN“. x
A DRAMATIC MGM FILM 2)
OF SECRET FOREIGN
AGENTS IN THE
52 RTD es %
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THIS IS HOPPITY,
the grassh« pper, the Bob Hope of the cartoon world who makes his film debut in Pararaount’s animated Technicolored feature, on ) : WY & “Mr. Bug Goes to Town.” He’s — UNCLE SAM... Hf) rH the “ero of tiny Bugyville,
YOU UP Ow. : just 45-inches from Broadway.
EAS, ASSN Pea
Humhprey Bogart gives you the lowdown on the buildup. The Warners star is here shown giving Kaaren Verne, his co-
star in “All Through the Night,” a going-over. S
further steps.
tep one, two and three are shown. Local romeos please copy—and improvise any