SCZ ASR y % i a
VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY
Vol, 9, No. 50 TORONTO, DECEMBER 13, 1944 $2.00 Per Annum
Eagle-Lion Setup for Canada
tans Separate Sales Structure and : : Milligan Prexy of State Under Emp-U Banner = MGMisProducing
Local 73, IATSE istablishment of a separate sales structure in Canada, One-Hr. Features
to be known as Eagle-Lion Distributors, is contemplated by Arthur Milligan, projectionist /mpire-Universal, it has been learned by Canadian Film Production of dramatic films eS > (sions Da eee ae Weekly. The latter company holds the Dominion distribution Oe see P pebigegten aisha e1eclec presi« en 0 sOCa io, —o - 4 = Noa ola. a Metro-Gok wyn-t ayer witht Toronto, IATSE, defeating Dave rights to a number of Eagle casts headed by secondary star
Siegal, Casino, who held that of- Odeon Said Buying Lion and Two Cities produc- or feature players, on a $100,000
fice in 1942. Sam Wells was elect- ts tions. budget. The films are aimed at
ed over him in 1943 and lost in Out Garson-Laine Alf W. Perry, general the second half of dual bills and
1944 to Siegal. Milligan did not Stories reaching New York manager of Empire-Universal, follow the MGM policy of greater (Continued on Page 4) from British sources say that explained that organization of (Continued on Page 4)
Eagle-Lion in Canada was mere-
Odeon Theatres of Canada, e fiche i j Frec Elected by aul wy Poul Nathewee ae <2 to taclitate the present and Brig. Mess Resigns J. Arthur Rank, are negotiat- future distribution of British Recruiting Post
» . » PS (Continued P 3 ; ing for the purchase of tht opis beh ain ad Brigadier James J. Mess, well
Picture Pioneers cuned. by Ben Garson and sovereign Moves known in the industry for his
owned by Garson and work on Sunday shows for sol-
mw Four new directors were elect- Jules Laine. These’ theatres Sovereign Films, formerly on diers has resigned, effective De- ed to the national executive board make up Superior Operating Bond Street, recently moved tO c¢ember 20. Mess served as Deputy of the Canadian Picture Pioneers Co., Ltd. 277 Victoria Street, Toronto. This Adjutant-General in charge of at the annual meeting of that They are the Kent, Villebray, move puts Sovereign in the same __ recruiting and was also in charge organization, held at the King Reaniten. Midway, Electra, building with the rest of the of auxiliary services and army
mes 4 Hotel, Toronto, last |, ron and Verdun Palace, all =mpire-Universal organization. educational matters.
Added to the board were Ben in Montreal; and the Rex, St.
(Continued on Page 3) Jerome. At the Pioneers Party
Will Show Televis’n Come Under CBC?
The announcement in November that the CBC intends to erect a television station on the crest of Mount Royal, Montreal, followed this month by the news that the gov- ernment radio structure will centralize its Toronto activities, haaeeners: of both he Soe eee ee radio and motion picture Funniest Marquee fields pondering the CBC’s relationship to the future of Combo to Date television in the Dominion
Location of the Toronto studios eatin. Nabihobies teem will be in the old Havergal Col- lege buildings on Jarvis Street, BIRTH OF A BABY now occupied by the Women's THREE CHEERS Division of the RCAF. The stu- FOR THE GIRLS dios will replace the present one on Davenport Road. A new sta- tion will be built in Toronto after Toad the war but it is not known
Marquee at the Centre, Tor-
4 t in h Among those leaning up against the bar are Charley Doerr, Art Milligan, Jack Ng paren wae PF oned the Bond and Bill Covert. This photo was taken at the meeting of the Toronto branch Centre and asked what was or rather, at the funfest which followed the meeting.
layin « er: S ; 3 - playing got this answer The Pioneers Benevolent Fund was increased by $1,600 at the meeting, $1,000
whether it will be located on the “Birth of a Baby, Three of which was donated by Paul Nathanson. Jarvis Street property or on the Cheers for the Girls, With Dick Clair Hague is the current president of the Pioneers and the executive meets (Continued on Page 3) Powell. next week to re-elect officers.
te REPUBLIC’S hurricane of romance, melody and fun — a song studded, Pan-American musical aflame rd S g | With spectacle. Co-starring Tito Guizar and Virginia Bruce with Edward Everett Horton, Veloz and
Yolanda, with Roy Rogers as guest star. Book this sure-fire hit through EMPIRE-UNIVERSAL,
: 4 is
C’l'mbia's ‘Strange Affair’
Merry Murder Mystery Loaded with Laughs
‘OLUMBIA’S “Strange Affair” is a merry melange of murder, laughs, chills and spills, a fitting follow-up to the company’s successful “Dangerous Blondes.” Director Alfred Green puts some of the members of the previous hit cast through their paces and chases with hilarious results.
Seems the creator of a comic strip, “Ace Dean, Super Detective,” fancies himself as a sleuth, but the cops would rather see him in the funny papers. When a noted refugee doctor gets his, with poison, in the local police station, the comic creator decides to unravel the tangled skein of the crime. His wife is not enthusiastic about detection and gums up the works while trying to keep him off a slab in the morgue. However, the bad guys are apprehended in the end and the comics man goes back to frighten- ing little children.
Allyn Joslyn comes through with one of his sterling performances with Evelyn Keyes and Marguerite Chapman helping matters considerably. Edgar Buchanan, Shemp Howard and Frank Jenks handle the high-jinks.
December 13, 1944
Exec Elected by Picture Pioneers
(Continued from Page 1) Cronk, Ernie Moule, Clare Appel and Ben Geldealer. They replaced Tom Daley, Charlie Mavety, Wal- ter Kennedy and Alf Perry.
Those who served last year and will remain on the board for 1945 are Clare Hague, Syd Taube, Ray Lewis, Archie Laurie, Leo De- vaney, Morris Stein and Jack Arthur.
Added to the board when elec- tions are complete will be those elected to presidency of the branches. There are Canadian Pic- ture Pioneer branches in each ex- change territory—-Calgary, Win- nipeg, St. John, Montreal, Van- couver and Toronto. Vern Skorey has been elected head of the Calgary branch.
New members of the Toronto branch are Charles Rotenberg, Ben Freedman, Joe Meyers, Stan- ley Hammer, Sam Glasier, Nat Taylor, John Bond, E. R. Hume and Joe Simon.
Charlie Ward and Bill Melody were made honorary members.
Election of national officers will take place next week among the members of the executive board. Clare Hague is the current president.
N.Y. State Court OKs Chaplin Suit Right
The New York State Court of Appeals last week ruled that Charles Chaplin could bring a $1,000,000 accounting action against Vanguard Films, Inc., in the state. Chaplin seeks an ac- counting of $1,000,000 profits, al- legedly resulting from transac- tions on a four picture deal United Artists made with Van- guard and a share of the money. Chaplin owns 25 per cent of the stock of United Artists Corpora- tion.
The court also ruled that Chaplin could not bring action against David O. Selznick Pro- ductions, Inc., reversing a deci- sion upheld in lower courts.
Petrillo Aims at Newsreel Music
James C. Petrillo was last week reported to have notified the newsreel companies he is pre- pared to start discussions on 4 new contract which may bring about a ban on all dubbing. Hol- lywood major studios have been under such a _ Petrillo-imposed ban for several months and the AFM president previously stated he would go after the newsreel companies next.
Companies that would be af- fected by such a measure are Fox Movietone, Pathe, Par- amount, United Newsreel and Loew's News of the Day.
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
Will Show Televis’n Come Under CBC?
(Continued from Page 1)
site purchased for it originally, the northeast corner of Wood- lawn and Yonge Streets.
In Canada television is controll- ed by the CBC, with no official distinction having as yet been made between home and theatric- al projection. In April of this year, before the Special Commit- tee on Radio Broadcasting, Jo- seph Sedgwick, K.C., general counsel for the Canadian Associ- ation of Broadcasters, blamed the CBC for holding back television progress in Canada. In 1939 Leonard W. Brockington, K.C., then in charge of the CBC, de- clared television to be under the jurisdiction of the CBC and this policy still holds.
An intense but undercover battle, becoming more public all the time, has developed in the USA between radio and motion
picture interests for the control.
of future television. Nothing of this sort has happened in Can- ada, the motion picture industry not having concerned itself with television and the private radio interests being held back by the CBC position.
The point has not been reached where it is necessary for the motion picture industry to know and the CBC to make known
Breen a Holdover
The contract between Joseph I. Breen and the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America was last week extended for three years. Mr. Breen was designated as a Vice-President of the Association as well as Direc- tor of the Production Code Ad- ministration.
M. Coste, Kitchener Gets Navy Thanks
Maurice Coste, manager of the Century Theatre, Kitchener, has received congratulations and thanks from officials of the Navy Magazine Drive for his untiring efforts on their behalf resulting in the collection of over 8,000 pieces of reading material. There is an urgent need for magazines and books in the Navy and Merchant Marine and Coste’s haul was immediately shipped out.
whether it considers theatre tele- vision a thing apart and thus outside its control.
At the recent press conference announcing the Nathanson-Rank merger, reporters asked about the possibility of theatre televi- sion soon. Paul Nathanson, in ex- plaining that Odeon theatres built after the war would be equipped for it, pointed out that television is controlled by the CBC at the present time. He did not endeavor to attach any sig- nificance to the statement.
The late N. L. Nathanson, presi- dent of Famous Players at the time, was a member of the CBC Board of Governors until his
passing.
Darwell, Kennedy for New ‘Tugboat Annie’
Jane Darwell and Edgar Ken- nedy were last week signed as the stars of “Tugboat Annie’s Son,” first of the remake series to be produced by James 8S. Bur- kett for Republic release.
Last stars to make a film in this series were Marjorie Ram- beau and Alan Hale at Warners. Marie Dressler and Wallace Beery appeared in the original MGM hit.
Loew's Canadian Shows Profit
Gain is reported by Marcus Loew’s Theatres, Ltd., with net profit for the fiscal year ended Aug. 30, including the refund- able portion of the excess profits tax, of $107,171, and exclusive of the $8,000 refundable portion, $99,171, or $7.12 a share on the common stock. This was after allowing for preferred dividends. In the previous year net profit, exclusive of $5,727 refundable portion, was $95,876, and after preferred dividends net on the common was equal to $6.68 a share.
Balance sheet figures show net working capital of $727,691, com- pared with $634,129 at the end of August, 1943, current assets at Aug. 31, 1944, being $805,471, and current liabilities $77,780. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 10.4 to 1.
Vol. 9, No. 50 Dee. 13, 1944
HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor
Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont.
Canada. Phone ADelaide 4517.
S cemts each or $2.00 per year.
Price Entered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 75 Wellington Strect West, Toronto, Ontarip
Page 3
Eagle-Lion Ltd. In Action Here
(Continued from Page 1)
films. Its executive and sales staff personnel will not be announced until after the first of the new year.
Empire-Universal earlier an- nounced the distribution of 20 productions from Eagle-Lion and Two Cities for this season. These are the product basis of Eagle- Lion in Canada, which will use
the shipping and office facilities of Empire-Universal.
J. Arthur Rank created Eagle- Lion Distributors, Limited, early in 1943 for the international dis- tribution of films made through his production interests. He was particularly interested in greater American distribution, the indif- ference of USA exchanges to British films being almost scan- dalous in view of the warm re- ception given Hollywood product in Britain.
After Arthur W. Kelley and Teddy Carr left United Artists to join Rank, Kelley to be man- aging director and Carr to handle Europe and Britain, it was an- nounced that Eagle-Lion would open 31 exchanges in key USA cities. This plan was dropped after suitable distribution deals with several exchanges were made by Rank for American distribution.
At the recent press conference at which the Odeon deal was an- nounced, Paul L. Nathanson Stated that the agreement with Rank, made through John Davis, had no connection whatever with distribution. This makes it ap- pear that the establishment of Eagie-Lion as a separate sales structure in Canada is no more than an adjustment within the broad structure of Empire-Uni- versal, the largest exchange in the Dominion.
Hellinger to RKO?
RKO is reported to have of- fered Mark Hellinger a produc- ing unit of his own. Hellinger, in accordance with his production contract, recently gave one year’s notice at Warners,
Change FPCC Plans For Christmas Party
Pians for a joint Christmas party of all Toronto Famous Players theatre staffs are off. The Victoria Theatre isn’t in shape.
The three downtown houses — Shea's, Tivoli and Imperia}—will have their fun together at the Imperial. Other FPCC houses will get together in their own district.
Page 4
MGMis Producing
One-Hr. Features
(Continued from Page 1) brevity for feature productions.
Plans call for the 60-minute pictures to allow continuous-run theatres to show two features on shorter programs, while provid- ing the exhibitor with one added complete show each day.
Recent USA exhibitor protests against over-length features were aimed at correcting the loss of this one show a day. At the time MGM set a 100-minute run- ning time maximum on the bulk of its feature production.
Through this new running-time limit Hollywood may have found another source of scenario material. Half-hour radio dramas, previously overlooked as _ story sources, are ideal for 60-minute screen plays. Arch Oboler, the radio writer-director, is doing his first film stint directing one of the one-hour films, “Alter Ego,” an Oboler original -which Bette Davis did on the air.
First on the hour-long schedule is “Main Street After Dark,” a story about service men and pick- up girls, to be released shortly; second is “Alter Ego”; third is “The Man Who Couldn’t Lose,” a radio crime drama in which Gene Kelly appeared.
Jerry Bressler is handling the production of all three films.
The company has announced that short features will become @ permanent policy if the first releases are successful.
Plan MacRae Room
Memorial in Hospital
A Henry MacRae Memorial Fund in tribute to the late “serial king,” who was born at Stayner, Ontario, has been started by his friends and co-workers at Uni- versal. The fund has set $5,000 as its goal and is working with the executive committee of the Motion Picture Relief Fund on a memorial hospital room, fully furnished and equipped.
The room will be a part of the proposed Relief Fund hospital to be erected after the war.
Post-war Theatre For Smiths Falls?
Town Council of Smiths Falls is weighing an offer to build a 750-set post-war theatre in that community on the assurance that no other show building permits will be issued for five or ten years. Samuel Maldaver of Peter- porough made the offer.
Smiths Falls, with a popula- tion of 7,000, has one house, the Capitol, a 790-seater operated by
Premier.
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
ues On The Se
quare
with Hye Bo vq
Plenty of Fun
When the hair is down the fun is up. That’s how it was at the annual Pioneer session at the King Edward Hotel last week. Judge Leo Devaney, sitting in judgment during the Court of Enquiry, handed out uproariously funny decisions after hearing common and uncommon complaints of the business as presented by such complainants as Sid Samson, Jake Smith, Harry Allen, Bill Reid, Clare Hague and two ringers, Sammy Sales and Zena Cheevers.. Judge Devaney, urban, wise, soft-spoken and with enough judicial poise to make a member of the Supreme Court look like a small-town Justice of the Peace, ruled over everything in a manner that was an excellent show in itself.
Judge Devaney listened and settled Clair Hague’s complaint that general managers wanted better conditions, what with just $25 per day expenses and having to sleep in drafty compartments while travelling. Jake Smith explained about some rolls of un- numbered tickets, Harry Allen demanded the same playing time as “Gone With the Wind” for his “Machine Gun Mama,” Syd Samson beefed about the income tax and was told to go back where he came from, and so on. Dave Ongley, acting as lawyer for the complainants, was barely able to save them from hanging.
Through it all Roy Tash of Associated Screen News, on a busman’s holiday, rolled his camera and took it all in photographic- ally for a future one-reeler.
And that was only part of the fun. Much that came later originated spontaneously at that realistic bar “Built in 1944 by Johnny Poole, Barmaker to the Profession.”’ Nearby an Old Time quartette of mustachioed waiters accompanied the gurgling of beverages with “Sweet Adeline” and other of yesteryear’s senti- mental musical sagas while Sam Marks paced them on the kind of piano one used to find in barrooms and in the pits of silent movie houses.
“Backward, Turn Backward. . .”
Jack Arthur and his entertainment committee apparently saw eye to eye—in recognizing that universal yearning for other and more youthful days—with the poet who wrote “Backward, turn backward, O Time, in thy flight.” They created this atmosphere of saloon, handlebar moustaches, tinny piano and tearful melodies. Naturally it was just too much for these Pioneers and they began to recapture Youth’s careless rapture, each in his own way.
Sam Bloom moved to the piano and brought forth a medley of Hearts and Flowers, Light Cavalry March and all the stuff that used to accompany dying mother and chase scenes on the silent screen. Many an inward tear for the dear dead days not yet beyond recall was shed by the listeners.
Those who had been illustrated — or “ulcerated,” as they are now referred to — singers were overcome by the strains of their younger and beginning days and began to deliver solos, duets, etc. Ernie Moule — he of the Imperial Male Quartette of 1905— once again rode the perilous tonal rapids with competency and enthusiasm. Oscar Hanson dug deep into himself to bring out the long-burried golden notes and Walter Kennedy revived the now uneven tenor of his vocal ways, once the toasted tones of the town when they carressed “Mickey” for sixteen straight weeks on the stage of the long-gone Grand Opera House. Billy Summerville, too, offered his life-long accumulation of scales in his familiar fashion, although it was plain to see that his double-breasted suit was not designed amply enough to allow him to go all out on the high ones without busting the buttons.
Roy Tash proved that it’s a picture world today and that the power of the camera is greater than the power of the press. He turned up at a table inhabited by O'Byrne, Daley, O'Regan and McCleland with the biggest drumstick you ever saw. You could drive circus tent stakes with it. The waiter gave it to him for tak- ing his (the waiter’s) picture in the course of things.
Everyone had his fun in his own way, which is the best way. Some just gabbed with old friends and others just looked and loved it.
In sum, a helluva time was had by all.
Milligan Prexy of | Local 173, IATSE —
(Continued from Page 1) run for the presidency of the local in 1944. Art Kerrins, Uptown, was elected vice-president by accla- mation,
George Jones, Tivoli, remains Se: as secretary-treasurer, and P “asta Travers, Broadway, is “Wax
secretary. oe
The executive board for 1945 is comprised of Harry | 5 Christie; James Sturgess, Shea's; — : Jack Hills, Capitol; and Carol — + Wells, Uptown. ee a
Trustees are Charles ots Eglinton; Robert Irvine, Lans- — downe; and Ed Whyatt, Hudson.
Sergeant- at-Arms is Sol Cohen, Grover. George Robinson is tyler.
Haley, Jeffreys Cast -
Jack Haley and Anne Jeffreys have been cast as the romantic leads in RKO's_ forthcoming musical “Follow Your Heart.” Director Anthony Mann put the film in front of the cameras last week.
Stickup Men Nabbed For Show Robbery
Three persons, including a girl, were in custody here following a hold-up in the Rex theatre, St. Jerome, Quebec, last week, in which $569 was taken. The money was recovered shortly after the incident. Cries of the theatre watchman were heard by police. He was discovered dragging him- self to the door gagged and hand- cuffed.
PRC Editing
Nine Films
Nine films are currently in the PRC cutting rooms, two specials, four features and three Westerns. Specials are “Crime, Inc.” and “Strange Illusion’; features in- clude ‘Fog Island,” “The Man Who Walked Alone,” “Hollywood and Vine” and ‘‘The Kid Sister”; Westerns are’ “Barber of Red Cap,” “His Brother's Ghost” and _ “The Whispering Skull.”
Post-war Themes For Many Films
The problems of living in the post-war world will be depicted in approximately 18 productions scheduled from the Hollywood studios in the near future. Most of the films will deal with the case of the returning veteran and his rehabilitation to civilian life. Two will be slanted for veterans and one will show in post-war Germany,
TIE
a
A}
VIVIAN BLAINE AND DOZENS OF LOVELIES...
(She's The Cherry Blonde)
hed 4 AT AAG es ” A > \? be
as
ms? ‘ OY RAC
4
sa
... something for the millions - + 7 * who want dance-dazzling, ‘,.;
tune-torrid entertainment, the kind that comes fro
%
st ¥ —— sy eo oe *» o>) al , We ee
a2 & ©
om | as, 4 Y YW 4 } , : é A né ‘ ' ; ? e - f 7 4 Ld a 7 .
of
."
2 &
wv [ ‘ had st ve __ KEEP SELLING BONDS! oe £
pe He ee
ee
bb
REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS
Vol. 9, No. 50
Song of the Open Road
with Jane Powell, Bonita Granville UA-Rogers 93 Mins.
LIGHT, YOUTHFUL ENTERTAIN- MENT OFFERED BY MUSICAL;
JANE POWELL A HIT IN FILM DEBUT. Invested with the spirit of
youth, “Song of the Open Road,” a Charles R. Rogers production, is an order of sweetness and charm served to the accompani-
ment of music hot and soft. The film presents a wide range of en- tertainment all expertly geared to the popular taste, panning out as a light and gay affair with a tear thrown in.
The presence of Jane Powell, young radio singer on _ the Charlie McCarthy-Edgar Bergen air show, gives film special inter- est. The youngster’s work in her first film role fully justifies Rog- ers’ faith in her. Wholesome and refreshing, Miss Powell plays with suprising self-assurance a juvenile film star who rebels at the drudgery and_ restrictions imposed upon her by her screen work. The girl has an unusually beautiful voice that will gain her immediate favor with film an- diences. Some extremely pleasant tunes have been written for her by Walter Kent and Kim Gannon.
Brought into the proceedings for their box office value are Mc- Carthy, Bergen and W. C. Fields, with the Sammy Kaye and Chuck Faulkner band being a special concession to the young element.
The Albert Mannheimer screen- play, which stems from a yarn by Irving Phillips and Edward Verdier, has Miss Powell running away from home in search of youthful companionship. Hiding her identity, the girl finds fun and happiness with a bunch of young people at a youth hostel. They take an aversion to her, but she wins them over after she is compeled to reveal her identity. Meanwhile her mother (Rose Ho- bart) is carrying on a search for her.
Produced by Rogers with true showmanship, the film has been accorded fluent and lively direc- tion by S. Sylvan Simon.
CAST: Charlie McCarthy, Edgar Ber- gen, Jane Powell, W. C. Fields, Bonita, Granville, Sammy Kaye end orchestra, Peggy O'Neill, Jackie Moran, Bill Christy, Reginald Denny, Regis Toomey, Rose Hobart, Sig Arno, Irene Tedro, Pat Star-
DIRECTION, Good, PHOTOGRAPHY, Good,
REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY. NEW YORK
Marriage is a Private Affair
with Lana Turner, James Craig, John Hodiak
M-G-M 116 Mins.
JUICY STORY OF LOOSE MARTIAL TIES PROVES FITTING VEHICLE FOR LANA’S RETURN TO FILMS.
Although the footage may seem heavy at times, Lana’s beauty and performance after an ab- sence of more than a year from films, does much to overcome this tension.
A nice casting job to balance off the two love triangles woven into the story give Frances Gif- ford and Hugh Marlowe an op- portunity for special plaudits.
Pandro S. Berman has provided Robert Z. Leonard with a com-
plementary production to en- hance the directional values which were obviously handled
with deft understanding.
The story has Turner portray- ing the role of the daughter of a much-married socialite whose escapades have influenced Lana’s careless manner.
A series of misunderstandings after a hasty marriage is finally ironed out and Lana realizes that the man she married is her true love.
Here’s a dramatic effort that pleads the feminine rights to the adage “youth must have its fling.”
CAST: Lana Turner, James Craig, John Hodiak, Frances Gifford, Hugh Marlowe, Natslie Schafer, Keenan Wynn, Herbert Rudley, Paul Cavanaugh, Morris An- krum, Jane Green, Tom Drake.
CREDITS: Producer, Pandre S. Ber- man; Director, Robert Z. Leonard; Screenplay, David Hertz and Lenore Coffee; Based on the novel by Judith Kelly; Cameraman, Ray June; Musical Score, Bronislau Kaper; Sound, Douglas Shearer; Art Directors, Cedric Gibbons and Hubert B. Hobson; Set Decorator, Edwin B. Willis; Costumes, Irene; Make- un, Jack Dawn; Film Editor, George White.
DIRECTION, Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY,
Oscar Doob Given
Canadian Award
Oscar A. Doob, Loew Theatre's ad and publicity director and di- rector of the Washington War Finance Committee in the USA's Third War Loan Drive, help- ed the Canadian government in one of our Victory Loans. He has been presented with a gold Cana- dian coin inscribed, “Canada Thanks Oscar A. Doob.” Francis Harmon, WAC vice-chairman and co-ordinator, gave Doob the award on behalf of the Canadian government at a recent meeting
None But the Lonely Heart
with Cary Grant, Ethel Barrymore RKO 113 Mins.
CHIEF ASSET OF THIS ONE IS ITS SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS; PIc PROVES HEAVY GOING.
A depressing recital of the per- sonal history of a free soul born of the London slums, the film ver- Richard best-seller is likely to catch the
sion of the Llewellyn
fancy of those who take an un- duly serious approach to life. The production displays a social con- sciousness that will advance its cause among certain groups of our population. It is too bad that the story of a life-loving knock- about faced with the bitter reali- ties of life has not been developed more coherently or with greater regard for the elements of enter- tainment.
The story is a loose affair often moving at a pace that is pain- fully slow. Few will be those who will escape a feeling of tedious-
ness. To make matters worse, the cockney accents render much of the dialogue difficult to the ear.
Our hero is compelled to turn to crime to ease the final mom- ents of his mother, a victim of cancer, and to enable him to ob- tain the wherewithal to be mar- ried to the former wife of the criminal boss for whom he is working. He loses girl as well as mother in a most unhappy end- ing.
The acting is one of the best things ahout the film. Cary Grant does wel] in the top role. Ethel Barrymore is outstanding in her return to pictures. June Duprez is the girl Grant loses.
Produced impressively by David Hempstead, the film has heavy- handed direction by Clifford Odets.
CAST: Cary Grant, Ethel Barrymore, Barry Fitzgerald, Jume Duprez, Jane Wyatt, George Coulouris, Dan Duryea, Roman Bohnen, Konstantin Shayne, Eva Leonard Boyne, Morten Lowry, Helen Thimig, Williem Chelee.
CREDITS: Producer, David Hempstead; Associate Producer, Sherman Todd; Direc- tor, Clifford Odets; Screenplay, Clifford Odets; Based on novel by Richard Liew. ellyn; Cameraman, George Barnes; Spe- cial Effects, Vernon L. Walker; Art Directors, Albert S. D'Agostino, Jack Okey; Set Decorators, Darrell Silvera, Harley Miller; Sound, Richard Van Hes- sen; Musical Score, Hanns Eisler; Music- al Director, C. Bakaleinikoff; Film Editor, Roeland Gross.
DIRECTION, Static. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine.
$2.00 Per Annum
Bowery to Broadway
with Jack Ozkie, Donald Cook, Susanna Foster
Universal « Mins.
ACE MUSICAL, ONE OF UNIVER- SAL’S BEST, HAS MAKINGS OF A BOX OFFICE HIT.
Unalloyed entertainment wield-
ing a popular appeal, “Bowery to Broadway” is one of
potent
the prize musicals to come from little of everything has gone into the
the Universal lot. A
film's making. Not one moment of the production is devoid of diversion.
Producer John Grant has brought the true showman’s spirit to the task in hand. The result is a film weighty with talent and prodigal in its staging. The com- pany has not been above using such players as Maria Montez,
Louise Allbritton, Donald O'Con- nor, Peggy Ryan, Andy Devine, Ann Blyth, Evelyn Ankers and Leo Carrillo in limited roles in an attempt to make this a sure- fire box office piece.
The film, directed beautifully by Charles Lament, has been built around the framework of a famil- iar story, the one about the ups and downs of show business. The subject has been handled so com- petently that one loses sight of the formula. The plot deals with the rivalry between a pair of showmen, Jack Oakie and Donald Cook, in the golden days of the theatre. The two eventually pool their forces for a smashing suc- cess.
Cook and Miss Montez and Su- sanna Foster and Turhan Bey are paired romantically
The film is rich in swell per- formances. Oakie’s comedy is out- standing, as is the singing of Miss Foster.
CAST: Jack Oakie, Denald Cook, Susan na Foster, Turban Bey, Maria Montez, Leuise Allbritton, Andy Devine, Frank McHugh, George Dolenz, Rosemary De Camp, Ann Blyth, Themas Gomez, Leo Carville, Evelyn Ankers, Maude Eburne, Donald O'Conner, Peggy Ryan, Ben Car ter, Mentan Moreland, Richard Lane, Rohb- ert Warwick.
CREDITS: Preducer, John Grant; Di. rector, Charles Lamont; Screenplay, Ed mund Jeseph, Bert Lytten, Arthur T Herman; Cameraman, Charles Van Enger; Supervising Art Director, John B. Good. man; Sound . Bernard B&B. Brown; Musica! Director, Edwerd Ward; Film Editor, Arthur Hilton; Dance Di- recters, Carlos Romero, John Boyle, Louis Da Pron; Set Decorators, Russell A. Gaus. man, Ted Von Hemert.
DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good,
Paramount's ‘Frenchman's Creek’ Exciting Color Costume Drama
] ERE is a lavish Technicolor pirate
picture, set in Seventeenth Century England, that is full of swashbuckling and derring-do. Taken from the Daphne Du Maurier best seller, Paramount, with the able assistance of director Mitchell Leisen, has fashioned a highly enter- taining film of storybook piracy, dirty doings and sweet romance complete with sword fights, treasure raids and the vil- lain getting his just deserts.
Arturo de Cordova, Mexican star, makes his feature debut in this film and does right well as the gentlemanly pirate who would rather capture the undying affection of co-star Joan Fontaine and sing in close harmony with his merry, wicked men than seize all the gold in old England. Our hero is aided in his fight against the opposition, represented by Basil Rathbone and Ralph Forbes, by the kindly services of Cecil Kellaway and a strong cast of supporting players.
Handled with great generosity in pro- duction treatment and a careful atten tion to detail, “Frenchman’s Creek” shapes up as the season’s most enjoy able costume drama.
December 13, 1944
§.J. Dunning, Mtl., Passes at Sixty
Samuel John Dunning, 60, Montreal picture pioneer, passed away suddenly at his home in Verdun last week. He was man- aging director of Standard Amusement Company, Ltd., which operates the Park, Fifth Avenue Theatres, Verdun and Century Theatre, Montreal.
At the time of his death Dun- ning was reported planning a post-war house for Verdun.
Born in Montreal, he went to Toronto for his education but re- turned to his birthplace in 1906 to begin his connection with the theatre business. He _ started building the Park Theatre, Ver- dun, in 1914, in partnership with his father. The theatre was opened to the public in January of 1915.
Besides show business Dunning was actively interested in sports. He owned and operated the Ver- dun Park team, winners of the 1934 Dominion Soccer Champion- ship, and also managed a soft- ball team. When the Air Cadets plan was initiated, Dunning as- sisted in the formation of the Verdun High School Squadron.
Surviving are his wife; his fa- ther, J. P. Dunning; a son and a daughter.
Pays Seat Tax
It was incorrectly stated in these columns last week that Eaton’s Auditorium did not pay the provincial seat tax. It does. But Maple Leaf aGrdens, which seats almost 13,000, doesn’t.
Theatre Staff Honors Mr. and Mrs. Graham
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Graham were honored recently by the staffs of the Princess and Strand Theatres, Prince George, B.C. Graham and his partners recent- ly sold their theatre properties to H. G. Stevenson, Alberta ex- hibitor, and the former, who was in charge, will retire.
Mr. Graham received a Glad- stone bag and Mrs. Graham a beautiful bonquet.
Warner Bros. Buy ‘Life With Father’
Warners have acquired film rights to “Life with Father,” the Lindsay-Crouse play now in the sixth year of its Broadway run. Jack L. Warner confirmed the sale last week and announced the deal calls for an advance of $500,000 against royalties on the pictures’ gross take. He predict- ed the final selling price would set a new high for play purchases.
The film, to be made in color, will not be released before 1947, according to Warner,
Canadian FILM WEEKLY
aA SQWS ~
Se
. eh
The recently-announced part- nership between Paul Nathan- son, head of Canada’s Odeon theatre chain, and J. Arthur Rank, leader of the British film and theatre industry, will have a marked effect on the Cana- dian theatre field of the future. Odeon of Canada, half of which is now owned by Rank, operates about 100 movie theatres in Canada.
The partners will erect mod- ern theatres in principal cities and towns after the war. Can- ada will have some 50 new post- war theatres and this enterprise will be welcomed because their construction calls for the em- ployment of more varied crafts than are used in other indus- tries. Also the post-war employ- ment thus created is not concentrated but spread across the Dominion. Britain has taken theatre building into account as a means of providing work for returned veterans and is expected to grant it a priority equal to that of homes.
Second important aspect of the partnership is the wider market created for British films, the producers of which have been trying desperately to get enough playing time to make million dollar productions worth while. British films, it is expected, will be every bit as good as American ones after the war. Publicity offices will be established in Canada that will make British stars household names in the Dominion. British films have improved tremen- dously and even the Americans recognize this, for they have agreed to distribute many in the USA.
Another sidelight of the deal is that it may do much to solve the vexing problem of films for children. In Britain, Rank, who is a producer as well as a theatre owner, makes specia) films for children. These are knitted into two-hour programs and shown at weekly matinees with the help of all organiza-
tions interested in juvenile wel- fare. Mary Field, in charge of this program, just visited Cana- da to study the possibility of making these films with Cana- dian backgrounds for domestic use.
The partnership is the most interesting development in the Canadian motion picture indus- try in many years.
= * al
Bob Hope’s book, “I Never Left Home,” has sold 1,400,000 copies so far. The proceeds go to war charities ... An actor who didn’t like his salary re- turned his cheque with this notation: “Any resemblance be- tween this and a living wage is purely coincidental” . . . Or- son Welles’ next film job will iar ie is Forever,” in which he appears opposite Claudette Colbert. . Quite a stir in certain parts of Britain because Italian prisoners of war are admitted to movie hous*s at the cheaper rate charged servicemen. Local farm com- mandos and other volunteer war workers objected to paying the full price and it was explained to them that the Italians were regarded as soldiers.
e * * “This is the Army” earned $7,500.00 for USA Army
Emergency Relief and $40,000 for its Canadian equivalent. . . Hollywood has provided refuge for many European film play- ers and technicians. A French film being shown now is “Dark Eyes,” in which Simone Simon and Pierre Aumont were the stars. They, as well as the writer, producer, director, com- poser and art designer, are working in the Cinema City now. Fay Bainter’s son is overseas and his pals heard a great deal about his famous mother. The first film he saw in liberated Paris was “White
Banners,” which served to in- troduce his mother to his friends.
Wm. Fox Returns
To Production
William Fox is in Hollywood negotiating for the production of 12 films under a William Fox Productions banner. The dozen features are to be completed in two years. Fox has a site in West Hollywood and plans to begin construction of a studio after January 1. Present plans call for release of the films through his own company.
Await Decision On Rank-Ealing Deal
J. Arthur Rank may soon take over the distribution of Ealing Films product, through his Eagle-