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Home , Canadian Film Awards, Cineplex Odeon Films, Claude Jutra, Donald Shebib, Francis Mankiewicz, Mon oncle Antoine

Canadian Film anc Television An Excerpt from Take One's Essential Guide To Canadian Film • EDITED BY

In conjunction with Take One's 10th anniversary, the University of Press is publish- ing Take One's Essential Guide to Canadian Film, the most exhaustive and up—to—date reference book on Canadian film and filmmakers, combining 700 reviews and biographical listings with a detailed chronology of major events in Canadian film and television history. Complied by myself, with a foreward by director Patricia Rozema, this is the only reference

book of its kind published in English. Wynd ham Wise

Take One's Essential able, a brief career overview and a filmogra- Guide to Canadian phy. Take One's Essential Guide is by no means Film had its gene- complete. It is a start, a work in progress that sis in an issue I will grow with each new edition. Some names put together in the summer of 1996 for Take and films have been omitted due both to space One's celebration of the 100th anniversary of constraints and the availability of the films to Canadian cinema. This issue featured 100 of be viewed (always a problem when it comes the most famous to have made a to Canadian cinema). It is my intention that living in film, whether at home, in Hollywood they will be included in future editions. or abroad; it engendered a shock of recogni- Take One's Essential Guide to Canadian Film tion. From the stars of silent movies, such as would not have been possible without the Walter Huston, Mary Pickford, Norma helpful assistance and encouragement of Eve Shearer, Fay Wray and Marie Dressler, to our Goldin, senior library technician at The Film current crop of star directors, including Reference Library, Toronto, and contributions Rozema, , Guy Maddin, Atom from members of Take One's editorial board Egoyan, and Denys including: Tom McSorley, the executive direc- Arcand, Canadians have made an important, tor of the Canadian Film Institute in ; but largely unrecorded contribution to the Maurie Alioff, professor at Vanier College in history of cinema. where he teaches screenwriting; Each film title in Take One's Essential Guide is Cynthia Amsden, editor-in-chief of listed with credits, a mini review and signifi- Canadian Weeklies Syndicate; and Matthew cant awards. Biographical listings of directors, Hays, the associate editor of the Montreal producers, actors, writers, animators, cine- weekly Mirror. The following chronology matographers, distributors, exhibitors and (edited for length) is an excerpt from the independent filmmakers are accompanied by Essential Guide, portions of which originally date and place of birth, date of death if applic- appeared in Take One Nos. 12 and 20.

38 SEPTEMBER 2001

TAKE ONE'S TEN BEST CANADIAN FILMS 1896 1911 *The first public screening of a film in * (followed soon after by and takes place on June 28, in Manitoba) establishes a Board of Censors to The Apprenticeship of Montreal. In July, the Holland brothers intro- regulate the content of motion pictures, the duce Edison's Vitascope to the Canadian first in North America. Duddy Kravitz public in Ottawa's West End Park. Among *The Aliens open their first luxury theatre — (Ted Kotcheff, 1974) the scenes shown is The Kiss, starring May the 800—seat Allen Theatre in Calgary. Irwin, an actress from Whitby, Ontario. On August 31 the first screening in Toronto 1912 Les Bons Debarras takes place at Robinson's Musee on Yonge *Quebec—born Mack Sennett releases the Street. first shorts made by his newly formed (, 1980) Keystone Studios in Los Angeles. 1897 *Adolph Zukor forms Famous Players in *The first films are shot in Canada. The sub- Famous Plays Film Company in New York. ject of all three films (for Lumiere, Edison and Biograph) is Niagara Falls. 1913 *Films are screened in vaudeville theatres *Evangeline, the first Canadian feature, is by travelling showmen who tour them from shot in Nova Scotia by the Bioscope city to city. Company. *Boards of censors are established in British 1898 Columbia and Alberta. *The Massey—Harris Company of Toronto commissions the Edison Company to pro- 1914 duce films to promote its products. This was *At the outbreak of the First World War, the the first use of film for advertising purposes. failure of the to enter the war Dead Ringers *In December, John Schuberg presents results in a swell of anti—Americanism. films in for the first time. (David Cronenberg. 1988) Provincial censor boards ban or attempt to curtail "excessive" display of the American 1902 flag in American films. (The United States *The Bioscope Company of Halifax, the first entered the war in 1917.) Le Declin de Canadian film—production company, pro- ('empire americain duces a series of scenes for Canadian 1915 Pacific Railways to encourage British immi- *Ray Lewis founds the Canadian Moving (, 1986) gration to Canada. Picture Digest, Canada's first weekly film trade journal. (She remained editor and pub- 1903 lisher until her death in 1954.) Goin' down the Road *Joe Rosenthal directs Hiawatha, The (Don Shebib, 1970) Messiah of the Ojibways, the first dramatic 1916 short to be made in Canada. *Adolph Zukor joins forces with Jesse Lasky *Leo—Ernest Ouimet establishes Canada's to form Famous Players—Lasky, with the first film exchange in Montreal. rights to distribute Mary Pickford films *Adolph Zukor, a Hungarian—born entrepre- through Paramount Pictures. With a mas- neur, opens his first penny arcades in New sive loan from the Morgan Bank, Zukor York and New Jersey. (Zukor became the embarks on an ambitious plan to dominate most influential figure in Canadian film exhi- the industry by acquiring motion picture the- bition and distribution.) atres right across North America. *Minneapolis—born N.L. Nathanson buys his 1904 first theatre in Toronto, the Majestic Theatre *George Scott and Co. make The Great Fire on Adelaide Street, with the backing of of Toronto. This record of the city's worst fire wealthy partners. (Nathanson built is first film to be shot in Toronto. Paramount Theatres, a theatre chain that *Zukor opens the first of his palatial movie rivalled that of the Aliens.) theatres, the Crystal Hall, in . (, 1983) 1917 1905 *Ontario establishes the Ontario Motion Jesus de Montreal *Billy Bitzer shoots two films for Biograph: Picture Bureau (OMPB) "to carry out educa- (Denys Arcand, 1989) Moose Hunt in New Brunswick and Salmon tional work for farmers, school children, fac- Fishing in Quebec. (Bitzer later became tory workers and other classes." D.W. Griffith's main cinematographer.) *Canadian National Features of Toronto (, 1971) opens the first film studio in Canada in 1906 Trenton, Ontario. *Ouimet opens his "" in Montreal and films the first Canadian news- 1918 reels to show in his theatre. *The federal government follows Ontario's (, 1974) *The American—born Allen brothers, Jule lead and establishes the Canadian and Jay, open a storefront theatre in Government Motion Picture Bureau The Sweet Hereafter Brantford, Ontario. (CGMPB). *The Aliens now own the largest and most (, 1997) modern chain of theatres in Canada and have exclusive rights to distribute Goldwyn *Britain passes a bill calling for 25 per cent long as newsreels were shown in Ontario.) and Famous Players—Lasky films in of all films exhibited in Britain to be *Gordon Sparring directs The Pathfinder, his Canada. British—made by 1935. A British film is first theatrical short in the Canadian Cameo defined as one "made by British subjects in series for ASN. 1919 a studio in the British Empire." *The passes the first Broadcasting Act, creating the Canadian "'Nell Shipman, from Victoria, B.C., writes Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) to and stars in Back to God's Country, the most 1928 engage in broadcasting and to regulate all successful silent Canadian film at the box *Carry on, Sergeant! premieres in Toronto. broadcasting in Canada. office. (It was the most costly film in the history of *Zukor sets his sights on Canada and refus- Canadian silent cinema, but it failed miser- es to renegotiate his distribution agreement ably at the box office.) 1933 with the Aliens unless they take him into *Bill Oliver directs and shoots The Beaver *Fay Wray from Cardston, Alberta, finds cin- partnership. The Aliens refuse. People, the first of a series of shorts featur- ematic immortality screaming atop the *Toronto—born Mary Pickford forms United ing Grey Owl. Empire State Building in King Kong. Artists with Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith and Douglas Fairbanks as partners. 1929 1934 *Sir John Aird, chairman of the Canadian *Mitchell Hepburn's Liberal government 1920 Bank of Commerce, delivers a report to closes down the OMPD, and the Trenton *The Canadian Pacific Railways, which has Parliament calling for public ownership of studios are donated to the city of Trenton for been active in producing films since 1897, Canadian broadcasting. a community hall — a sad end to one of incorporates Associated Screen News of *The Bell Telephone labs in the United Canada's earliest and busiest film studios. Canada (ASN) in Montreal and appoints States demonstrate colour television trans- Ben Norrish, formerly of the CGMPB, as its mission. 1935 head. (For the next 38 years ASN was the *Mary Pickford wins Best Actress at the sec- *Nat Taylor forms the Independent Theatres main Canadian producer of newsreels, ond annual for her perfor- Association of Ontario. shorts and industrials.) mance in Coquette. *The National Film Society of Canada is "Zukor buys a substantial part of Paramount founded. (In 1950 this organization became Theatres, the rival Canadian chain operated 1930 the Canadian Film Institute.) by Nathanson, and incorporates Famous *Through his holding company Paramount Players Canadian Corp. (FPCC). The Publix, Zukor acquires direct control of 1936 Aliens, however, continue to grow and FPCC; FPCC, which owns one—third of all expand into the United States. *Columbia Pictures establishes Central the theatres in Canada, is now 100 per cent Films of Victoria . (During American owned. 1921 the late 1930s, this company made 14 B *Under the Federal Combines Investigation movies — "quota quickies" — for the British *The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Act, Prime Minister Bennett appoints Peter market with such rising stars as Rita Association (CMPDA) is formed. (Although White to investigate more than 100 com- Hayworth.) Canadian in name, the association consist- plaints against American film interests oper- *ASN builds Canada's largest sound studio ed of the Canadian offices of the American ating in Canada. White's report concludes in Montreal. distribution majors and was in essence a that FPCC is a combine "detrimental to the *The CRBC becomes the Canadian branch of the Motion Picture Producers and Public Interest." The provinces of Ontario, Broadcasting Corp./SociOte Radio—Canada Distributors Association of America.) Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia (CBC/SRC). take FPCC and the American distribution 1922 cartel to court in Ontario. *Montreal—born Norma Shearer wins the 1938 *The Allen brothers go bankrupt after an The *Noted documentary filmmaker John intense bidding war with FPCC. Best Actress at the Academy Awards for Divorcee; her brother, Douglas, wins the Grierson is invited to Canada from England first—ever Academy Award for sound record- to study government film production. His 1924 ing. (This has been the only time in the his- report leads to the creation of the National *The OMPD purchases the studios at tory of the Academy that a brother and sister Film Board of Canada (NFB). Trenton (which had been closed for four have won awards at the same ceremony.) *The British quota system is revised to years) in an effort to produce films "for the exclude films made in the Commonwealth. purpose of preserving Canadian traditions." 1931 *Winnipeg—born Deanna Durbin shares an In an opening speech, the provincial trea- Academy Award with Mickey Rooney for surer notes: "Not one per cent of the pictures *Ontario passes the British Film Quota Act, "bringing to the screen the spirit and person- but never enforces its provisions. shown in Canada are made in Great Britain ification of youth." *Canadian—born comedian Marie Dressler and not one per cent are Canadian made." wins an Academy Award for her perfor- mance in Min and Bill. 1939 1926 *Parliament passes the National Film Act *Scottish engineering genius John L. Baird 1932 creating the NFB. gives the first public demonstration of a tele- *Grierson becomes Canada's first film com- *After a lengthy trial, FPCC and other defen- vision system. missioner, and the NFB concludes distribu- dants are found not guilty on three counts of tion agreements with FPCC and The March "conspiracy and combination." A decision 1927 of Time in the United States. Grierson against the U.S. cartel would have been a his- appoints British documentary filmmaker *A fire in the Laurier Palace Theatre in toric turning point for the future of filmmaking Stuart Legg as the director of production. Montreal results in the death of 78 children. in Canada, but it was not to be. *Budge and Judith Crawley shoot their first The Catholic Church in Quebec demands *The Ontario Board of Censors imposes a sponsored film, Canadian Power, for the (and gets) a ban on children under 16 from newsreel quota and insists on the inclusion Canadian Geographical Society. attending cinemas. (This ban remained in of a percentage of Canadian and British place until 1961.) footage. (This quota remained in force as

40 SEPTEMBER 2001 TEN FUN FILM FACTS FOUND IN TAKE ONE'S ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CANADIAN FILM

1940 *In the first move to classify films in North *With the release of Atlantic Patrol, the NFB America, the Ontario Board of Censors There is a total of 20 correct answers in the imposes an "Adult Entertainment" rating. launches its first theatrical series, Canada following 10 questions. If you can guess 15 Carries On. 1948 to 20 correct answers, perhaps you should 1941 *Minister of Trade and Commerce, Clarence be publishing your own Canadian film *The CGMPB is absorbed by the NFB. D. Howe, meets with the Motion Picture Scottish animator Norman McLaren is hired Association of America and accepts to the magazine; 10 to 15 correct answers means infamous Canadian Cooperation Project. to organize the NFB's animation unit. His you probably attend more than two first film for the Board is Mail Early. Hollywood promises to make films in *Quebec establishes Le Service de Canada, distribute more NFB work state- Canadian films a year, and your reward side, export fewer "low—toned" gangster Cinephotographie de la Province de will be in heaven; for 5 to 10 correct answer Quebec, a central organization to coordinate films to Canada and make reference to film activity in the province. Canada in feature films. FPCC's profits are means that you are interested, but no heav- *N.L. Nathanson, a founding board member not restricted and the idea of an exhibition of FPCC, leaves to form Odeon Theatres, quota is dropped. enly reward; for under 5, you should proba- *Nat Taylor opens North America's first twin with his son, Paul, as the titular head of the bly cancel your subscription to Take One. company. cinema in Ottawa. *Exhibitor Nat Taylor and publisher Hye *CBC Radio launches "This Week at the The answers are on page 54. Bossin launch The Canadian Film Weekly. Movies" with host Gerald Pratley, the first radio program to deal seriously with film appreciation. 1942 *In August, the first television seen in *The NFB launches its second wartime Canada is shown at the Canadian National series, The World in Action. The Board also Exhibition; in October, patrons of the creates the department of animation under Horseshoe Tavern in downtown Toronto QUESTIONS: the direction of McLaren, and organizes film watch the World Series on television via a (1) What is the most honoured film at the circuits to bring films to rural areas, factories signal provided by WBEN—TV out of Buffalo, Genies, the ? What and town halls. New York. film is second? *The NFB wins its first Academy Award for *The Association of Motion Picture Churchill's Island in the newly created docu- Producers and Laboratories of Canada is mentary category. created, as is the Toronto Film Society. (2) Who are the three most honoured actors/ actresses at the Canadian Film 1943 1949 Awards? *The NFB opens offices in London, Chicago *Allegations concerning the existence of and New York. Communist cells in the NFB are spearhead- *The first dramatic sound feature shot in ed by a red—scare press campaign and the (3) Which Canadian actor was known as Quebec, A la croisee des chemins, is Opposition in Parliament. The Department "the voice of doom"? released. of National Defence refuses to allow NFB personnel to work on defence films. The (4) Which five Canadian—born actors/ 1944 Board gives into pressure and allows the actresses have won Academy Awards? *The establishment of Renaissance Films in RCMP to secretly review employee's files. Montreal marks the beginning of commercial *After a distinguished career in film, feature—film production in Quebec; its first Toronto—born Walter Huston wins Best (5) Which Canadian actor is the son of an film is Le Pere Chopin. Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for RCMP officer and brother of a former his performance in The Treasure of the deputy prime minister of Canada? 1945 Sierra Madre. *Crawley Films wins Film of the Year for The *Grierson resigns his position as Canada's Loon's Necklace at the inagural Canadian film commissioner. (6) Who is the only Canadian—born director Film Awards held in Ottawa. *Paul Nathanson and the Rank Organization to win an Academy Award? *Former NFB animators Jim McKay and of England open the Queensway Studios George Dunning establish Graphic outside of Toronto. Associates, Canada's first private animation (7) Which Canadian all—star lacrosse player studio, in Toronto. 1946 became the most recognized First Nations *The Royal Commission on National actor on North American television? *Grierson's name appears in Igor Development in the Arts, Letters and Gouzenko's spy papers and he is suspected Sciences (the Massey Commission) is of having communist sympathies; in the cold appointed by Parliament. (8) Which four Canadian films have been war atmosphere of suspicion, the NFB is nominated for Best Screenplay at the also implicated. 1950 *Quebec Productions of St—Hyacinthe, near Academy Awards? "A new National Film Act (replacing the 1939 Montreal, shoots Whispering City /La Act) gives the NFB a mandate "to interpret Forteresse, the first Canadian feature in Canada to Canadians and to other nations." (9) Which Canadian—born actor was both English and French. *Ross McLean's NFB contract is not described as the "the most beautiful girl in *Budge and Judith Crawley incorporate renewed; Arthur Irwin, former editor of Crawley Films in Ottawa. the world"? Maclean's magazine, becomes the new film *Paul Nathanson retires from Odeon and commissioner. sells his interest in the company to the Rank *The National Film Society becomes the (10) Which Quebec comedy was remade in Organization. Now both the major exhibition Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa, and cre- Hollywood by director Ron Howard? chains in Canada are foreign—owned. ates the first film archive in Canada. *The Yorkton (Saskatchewan) 1954 become pioneers in a movement 1961 that is known as cinema vents or Film Council holds the inagural *A 50 per cent capital cost *The CTV Network goes on air in direct cinema. (This portable, real- International 16mm Documentary allowance (CCA) is introduced to October. (CTV, Canada's largest istic approach to filmmaking cap- Film Festival — the first film festi- encourage private investment in private television network, was tured the attention of French docu- val in North America. Canadian film companies. set up as a rather unmanageable mentary filmmaker , *The Duplessis government in cooperative. Each owner — no influenced the French New Wave, 1951 Quebec government forbids the matter how many stations they and held sway over the documen- *The Massey Commission sub- screening of "federalist" NFB own — had a veto and a single tary movement in Canada for more mits its report, calling for the cre- films in Quebec schools. vote on the executive board — an than a generation.) ation of the Canada Council and *Dorothy Burritt and Guy L. Cote arrangement that made for a *A Dangerous Age is released the establishment of a television found the Canadian Federation very unhappy partnership. After theatrically in England, but can't system based on the concept of of Film Societies. decades of corporate machina- find Canadian distribution. Furie public monopoly with a private *'s Corral wins first tions, Toronto—based Baton moves to England and tells the component. prize for documentary at the Broadcasting took over owner- British press: "I wanted to start a Venice Film Festival. ship in 1997.) Canadian film industry, but 1952 *Nat Taylor produces The Mask. nobody cared." (This 3—D film was the first *Canadian television goes on air 1955 *The Fowler Report results in the Canadian feature to be exten- on September 6 in Montreal *Two former NFB filmmakers, Broadcasting Act, which estab- sively shown in the United (CBFT) and Septempber 8 in Marcel and Real Racicot, pro- lishes the Board of Broadcast States; it was distributed by Toronto (CBLT). Each station duce Quebec's first animated Governors (BBG) to regulate all Warner Bros.) offers about 18 hours of program- feature, Le Village enchant& Canadian broadcasting and sets *Quebec schools are once again ming a week. There are 146,000 *Le Centre Catholique du the stage for the licensing of pri- allowed to screen NFB films. households with television sets in Cinema de Montreal publishes vate broadcasters. The BBG The operations of the Stratford Canada. the first issue of Sequences. requries all television broadcast- International Film Festival are *Hockey Night in Canada/La *The opening of Parliament in ers to show a minimum of 45 per suspended. Soiree du hockey goes on air; Ottawa is broadcast on television cent Canadian content. the first games are broadcast for the first time. *The inaugural Stratford October 11 on the French net- The Royal Commission on International Film Festival in 1962 work (Montreal vs. Detroit) and Broadcasting is appointed with Stratford, Ontario. *Crawley Films produces The and November 1 on the English Robert Fowler as chair. *ASN, Canada's longest—running Tales of the Wizard of Oz, the broadcast (Toronto vs. Boston). *McLaren's Blinkity Blank wins film production company, closes first animated series for televi- (This national tradition became the Palme d'Or for animation at down. sion. the longest running and the most Cannes and the first prize for ani- *Al Sens opens his animation popular show in the history of mation at the British Academy studio, the first in Vancouver. 1963 Canadian television.) Awards. *The Liberal government in 1959 Ottawa establishes an 1953 1956 *Nat Taylor opens the Toronto Inter—Departmental Committee *Tit—coq wins Film of the Year The NFB moves to its new International Film Studios in on the Possible Development of and Best Feature Film at the headquarters to Montreal. Kleinberg, Ontario, near Toronto, a Feature Film Industry in Canadian Film Awards. (This film with two of the largest sound Canada with NFB film commis- was the last of a mini—boom in 1957 stages outside of Hollywood. sioner as chair. * directs Nobody Quebec features which saw 20 On July 1, a special television *Candid Eye, a series of 14 Waved Good—Bye for the NFB, theatrical films produced program is broadcast to mark the direct—cinema documentaries, is the first film to give Toronto a between 1944 and 1953.) opening of coast—to—coast broadcast on CBC-TV over two cinematic identity; Claude Jutra The Ontario Board of Censors microwave service. With links seasons does the same for Montreal with introduces the first "X" rating in from Victoria, to Sydney, Nova *In co—production with the BBC, tout prendre. North America — for people 18 Scotia, Canada now has the Crawley Films of Ottawa launch- A * and Don Haig years and older. (The name of longest television network in the es The RCMP series in both establish Film Arts as an editing this classification was later world. French and English. and post—production facility in changed to "Restricted.") *Sidney J. Furie shoots A *Don Messer's Jubilee goes on Toronto, with the CBC as their *Roger Lemelin's La Famille Dangerous Age (originally air from Halifax. (Over its *Pierre Perrault's and Michel Plouffe, a hit from radio, goes on planned as a CBC production) in 10—year lifespan, this show Brault's air in Montreal and immediately Toronto. became one of the most beloved is broadcast on SRC and draws becomes the most popular show *The Canada Council begins programs ever produced by an audience of half—a—million. on the French television network. operations. CBC—TV.) *The Province of Ontario creates (At its peak, Quebec's first The Canadian Moving Picture The CBC/SRC microwave net- the Ontario Arts Council; the teleroman attracted a weekly Digest ceases publication after work is extended to Council's mandate includes fund- audience of four million.) 42 years. Newfoundland. ing films of an experimental nature. *CBUT, the CBC film unit in The NFB's City of Gold wins first *Canada signs its first co—pro- Vancouver, is set up, attracting prize for documentary film at 1960 young filmmakers such as Allan duction agreement — with Cannes; Claude Jutra's A Chairy *The BBG licenses four private King and . France. Tale takes top honours for exper- broadcasters to compete with *McLaren's Neighbours wins the The Alliance of Canadian imental film at Venice and is the CBC/SRC: Tele—Metropole NFB its second Academy award, Television and Radio Artists nominated for an Academy and CFCF in Montreal; CFTO in and The Romance of (ACTRA) is formed. (In 1984, the Award. Toronto; BCTV in Vancouver. Transportation in Canada wins organization is restructed under the *At Cannes, The Back—Breaking the Palme d'Or for animation at name Alliance of Canadian Leaf wins top prize for television Cannes. 1958 Cinema, Telelvision and Radio *With the release of Les documentary and Universe wins Artists.) Raquetteurs, Brault and Groulx the Jury Prize for animation.

42 SEPTEMBER 2001 1964 1967 Cabinet "to prepare Canadians for social *The theatrical release of Nobody Waved *The NFB presents Labyrinth, a ground- change" using film, video and other media. *Don Messer's Jubilee is cancelled, provok- Good—Bye in Toronto marks the beginning of breaking multi—screen presentation at Expo ing a strong and vocal outrage from loyal an English—Canadian feature—film culture. 67. (The film opened first in New York; only after *The NFB launches the Challenge for viewers across Canada; despite an avalanche of mail in support of the show, the favourable reviews did the NFB agreed to its Change program. CBC doesn't relent. release in Canada.) *The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Valerie, directed by Denis *This Hour Has Seven Days premieres on Centre, the first of the alternative distribution *The release of Heroux, launches the mini—boom of sex- CBC—TV. (This one—hour weekly show, pro- cooperatives to spring—up across the coun- ploitation films in Quebec known as "Maple duced by Douglas Leiterman and Patrick try, is established in Toronto. Watson, became one of the most controver- *Toronto—born and CBC—trained Norman Syrup Porn." *The Ontario Board of Censors bans John sial and influential shows ever run on the Jewison receives an Academy Award nomi- The Columbus of Sex. (Produced CBC. Its original mixture of satirical music, nation for his direction of the groundbreak- Hofsess's by Ivan Reitman and Dan Goldberg, it is the investigative film reports and confrontational ing U.S. racial drama In the Heat of the first Canadian film to be banned). and aggressive interviews made it hugely Night, the film wins five Academy Awards, popular. At its peak in March 1966, This including Best Picture, and Jewison receives *The first Canadian Student Film Festival is held at Sir George Williams University in How's ratings were second only to Hockey his first of three nominations for Best Montreal. Night in Canada.) Director. *Gerald Pratley founds the Ontario Film *The federal cabinet approves in principle the establishment of a loan fund to foster 1968 Institute. and promote the development of a fea- *The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to The Canadian Film Development Corp. Kaleder is named Film of the Year at the ture—film fund. (CFDC) opens for business in February with Canadian Film Awards. *Guy L. Cote and Michel Patenaude found a budget of $10 million. (However, because La Cinematheque canadienne. no effort was made to affect the distribution 1970 *The Yorkton Short Film Festival begins in and exhibition of films in Canada, the films Saskatchewan. financed by the CFDC were seen by few * is appointed film commis- sioner. With events of the October Crisis *The Committee on Broadcasting, chaired Canadians.) unfolding, Newman suppresses several by Robert Fowler, is established. The 1967-8 Broadcasting Act creates the Canadian Radio—Television Commission films including Denys Arcand's On est au 1965 (CRTC), with Pierre Juneau as the first coton, a gritty, realistic exposé of Quebec's garment industry. (Arcand's film is finally *The Report of Film Distribution: Practices, chairman. The CRTC exercises almost total released in 1976.) Problems and Prospects by O.J. Firestone, judiciary control — although its decisions can *The first film to partially use IMAX technol- is released. (The report recommended an be appealed to the cabinet — over broad- ogy is Tiger Child directed by increase in the CCA allowed to producers, casting regulations in Canada. Every broad- and projected at the World Fair in Osaka, the initiation of joint international film agree- caster must renew its licence on a schedule Japan. ments and the establishment of a determined by the Commission, and the *The NFB animated film Psychocratie wins film—development corporation. Most of of CRTC has the authority to impose Canadian Film of the Year, and Goin' down the Road Firestone's recommendations were eventu- content regulations on the nation's airwaves. wins Best Feature Film at the Canadian Film ally adopted, but never as a comprehensive (In 1976, when the federal government Awards. package.) transferred telecommunications from the *Beryl For's The Mills of the Gods: Wet Nam is Canadian Transport Commission to the broadcast on CBC's Documentaryseries and wins CRTC, the name was changed to Canadian 1971 Film of the Year at the Canadian Film Awards. Radio—Television and Telecommunications *Mon oncle Antoine wins Best Feature Film *The Committee on Broadcasting recom- Commission.) at the Canadian Film Awards and the Gold mends a new authority to replace the BBG. *, Graeme Ferguson and Hugo at the Chicago International Film By now more than 90 per cent of Canadian Robert Kerr form the Multiscreen Corp. to Festival, establishing Claude Jutra as households have television sets. make films in the new IMAX format. Canada's most accomplished director. *The Ontario Film Association is formed out *FPCC is dissolved and replaced by "La Cinematheque canadienne becomes La of the Ontario Association of Film Councils. Famous Players Ltd., 51 per cent of which is Cinematheque quebecoise with Robert owned by Gulf+ (Canada) Ltd., Daudelin as director. 1966 which in turn is wholly owned by *The Nelvana Studios opens in Toronto. (This company, founded by Michael Hirsh, *The CBC brass cancels This Hour Has Gulf+Western in the United States. *Toronto—born, NFB—trained animator Clive Smith and Patrick Loubert grew to Seven Days. Patrick Watson is taken off the Yellow Submarine, become Canada's most successful anima- air and his co—host, Laurier LaPierre, is fired George Dunning directs for crying over a story about the Stephen a feature—length animated film based on the tion house.) *L'Association Cooperative des Productions Truscott trial. The forerunner to W5 and 60 music by the Beatles. *The Canadian Film Awards are reorganized Audio—Visuelles (ACPAV) is founded in Minutes comes to an abrupt and controver- Montreal, with Marc Daigle as director. sial end. to include craft and acting awards. *The first issue of Cinema Quebec *CTV launches W5. (This program is now *Christopher Chapman's A Place to Stand is pub- the longest—running public—affairs program wins Film of the Year, and Don Owen's The lished. *The Ontario Film Institute revives the in North America.) Ernie Game, a co—production between the Stratford International Film Festival. *Wojeck, with John Vernon as a crusading NFB and CBC—TV, is named Best Feature Film. "The Toronto Filmmakers' Co—op is estab- coroner, runs on the CBC for two seasons. lished. (This series, shot on the streets of Toronto *ACTRA initiates the ACTRA Awards for the using direct—cinema techniques, set new 1969 best in Canadian television. standards for realistic drama.) * films Goin' down the Road " receives his second *The original Take One magazine, published on the streets of Toronto with a minuscule Academy Award nomination for Fiddler on and edited by Peter Lebensold and Adam budget. the Roof. Symansky from Montreal, makes its debut. *The Challenge for Change program is for- (The magazine later moved to Toronto and mally established as a studio within the NFB continue publishing until 1979.) with a specific mandate from the federal

44 SEPTEMBER 2001 TAKE ONE'S TEN BEST CANADIAN DIRECTORS

1972 Canadian Film Awards in 1974, so The *Highlight of the year is The Big Broadcast Apprenticeship was awarded Best Feature of 1972," the first Canada/Russia hockey Film for 1974 at the CFAs in 1975.) series that draws a total audience of more *The CCFM issues the "Winnipeg than half the population of Canada when Manifesto," calling for quotas and for "radical Paul Henderson wins the last game, and the and creative solutions" to the problem of get- series, with a dramatic last—minute goal. ting Canadian films shown in Canada. *The Ontario Ministry of Industry and *The federal government increases the CCA Tourism appoints producer John Bassett to for films to 100 per cent. The concept of cer- head a task force to study the Canadian film tification for a Canadian film is introduced. industry. Bassett concludes that "a basic film *Members of ('Association des realisateurs industry exists. It's the audiences that need et realisatrices de films du Quebec occupy to be nurtured through theatrical exposure. the offices of the Quebec censor board to The optimum method of accomplishing this demand greater provincial support for is to establish a quota system for theatres." Quebec cinema. *The Council of Canadian Filmmakers *The NFB creates Studio D, a unit under the (CCFM), an ad—hoc group representing direction of Kathleen Shannon, with a man- unions, ACTRA, the Directors Guild and the date to focus on production of films for, by, Toronto Filmmakers' Co—op, is formed. and about women. *Kathleen Shannon begins Working "The Atlantic Filmmakers Co—op is founded Denys Arcand (1941 — ) Mothers, a series of shorts for the Challenge in Halifax. for Change program. It is the Board's first "Peter Foldes's Hunger, the first NFB ani- mated film to use computer techniques, wins commitment to feminist filmmaking. Phillip Borsos (1953 - 95) "The Pacific Cinematheque is formed in a Special Jury Prize for animation at Vancouver. Cannes. *Anik-1 is launched in November. The orbit of this satelite is such that it can always 1975 broadcast to the entire land surface of "Secretary of State Hugh Faulkner negotiates Canada, providing television and radio ser- a voluntary quota agreement with Famous vice from the 49th parallel to the far North. Players and Odeon Theatres: the chains are to "Anik" is the Inuktitut word for "brother." guarantee a minimum of four weeks per the- *Cinema Canada magazine is launched in atre per year to Canadian films and invest a Toronto by George Csaba Koller and Philip minimum of $1.7 million in their production. McPhedran. *The Newfoundland Independent "John Grierson, the founder of the NFB, dies Filmmakers' Co—op and Winnipeg Film in England at the age of 73. Group are founded. *Leo-Ernest Ouimet, a pioneer in Canadian *The first Grierson Film Seminar, sponsored cinema, dies in Montreal. by the Ontario Film Association, is held. *William Fruet's wins Best "Quebec passes legislation creating La Feature Film at the Canadian Film Awards. Direction generale du cinema et de I'au- dio—visuel to stimulate the film industry. 1973 *David Cronenberg's first feature, Shivers, is *The Canadian Film Awards, held in released. Montreal for the first time, are boycotted by * and Stephen Roth establish L'Association des realisateurs et realisatri- RSL Films in Montreal; their first production ces de films du Quebec. is 's L'Ange et la femme. *Harold Greenberg buys Astral Films. (The *In Vancouver, Mary Newland founds Michel Brault (1928 — ) compnay later became Astral Bellevue International Rocketship.

Pathe.) *CBC—TV's King of Kensington, starring Al Gilles Carle (1929 — ) *The NFB's Cry of the Wild, directed by Bill Waxman and Fiona Reid, debuts. (This con- Mason, is released theatrically and quickly ventional situation comedy, one of the most David Cronenberg becomes one of the most successful NFB successful shows on the English network, features at the box office . ran for five seasons.) (1943 — ) *Ivan Reitman's low—budget Cannibal Girls *Bill C-58 is passed by Parliament; this legisla- is released and turns a huge profit in inter- tion disallows tax deductions for advertisers national sales. who run commercials on U.S. programs aimed *The Alberta Motion Picture Industries at Canadian audiences. Canadian networks are Association is incorporated. allowed to substitute their signal for U.S. chan- Atom Egoyan (1960 — ) *Slipstream wins Best Feature Film at the nels on cable. Canadian Film Awards. *Cinema Canada magazine moves to Claude Jutra (1930 -86) Montreal and becomes a monthly edited and 1974 published by Connie and Jean—Pierre Jean Pierre Lefebvre (1941 — ) *Ted Kotcheff's The Apprenticeship of Tadros. Duddy Kravitz wins the Golden Bear (first *Michel Brault shares the Best Director prize prize) at the Berlin Film Festival — the first at Cannes for Les Ordres, which also wins Guy Maddin (1957— Canadian feature to win at a major Film of the Year and Best Feature Film at the Canadian Film Awards. European film festival — and Mordecai Francis Mankiewicz (1944 - 93) Richler receives an Academy Award nomi- nation for his screenplay. (There were no

TAKE ONE 45 1976 * joins forces with Nat Taylor 1981 to form Pan Canadian Film Distributors. *The CCFM is granted a hearing before the *The Alberta Motion Picture Development *Michael MacMillan, Seaton McLean and Royal Commission on Corporate Corp. is created. Concentration; however, no federal inquiry is Janice Platt form Atlantis Films. *The first Atlantic Film Festival is held in St. *The Calgary Society of Independent called to investigate charges that Famous John's, Newfoundland. Filmmakers is founded. The Toronto Players and Odeon work in collusion to *Bonnie Sherr Klein's controversial Not a Filmmakers' Co—op ceases operations. block the exhibition of Canadian films. Love Story: A Film about Pornography *Ivan Reitman shoots the low—budget teen Famous Players responds by attacking the becomes one of the most popular with Bill Murray in voluntary quota system and states: "Clearly comedy Meatballs feature—length documentaries ever pro- Haliburton, Ontario, north of Toronto. the people of Canada do not appreciate the duced by the NFB. *The Silent Partner wins Best Feature Film works of most current Canadian filmmak- *'s Porky's, produced by Astral, is at the Canadian Film Awards. ers." released in the United States and becomes *The NFB wins two Academy Awards: for Co *The CMPDA inaugurates the Golden Reel the most successful Canadian feature at the The Sand Castle (Animated Award, for the producer of the Canadian fea- Hoedeman's box office, worldwide. Short) and Beverly Shaffer's I'll Find a Way ture film that achieves the highest box—office *Les Bons Debarras wins Best Picture and The (Live—Action Short). These are the first gross in Canadian theatres. The first winner Changelingthe Golden Reel Award at the Genies. Academy Awards won by the NFB in 25 is Jan Kadar's . The years. film also wins the Best Feature Film at the 1982 Canadian Film Awards, as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film, and 1979 in one of the most important and effective author Ted Allan receives an Academy *Meatballs is released and becomes a huge programming decisions in Canadian televi- Award nomination for his screenplay. box—office hit in the United States. Its suc- sion history, the CBC moves the national *The first Toronto Festival of Festivals is cess demonstrates that investment in news from 11:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and held. Canadian films is viable and lucrative. introduces The Journal, a high—profile pub- *The Moving Image and Sound Archives Tax—shelter production peaks, and more lic-affairs program with former radio host Division of the Public Archives of Canada in feature films are made in Canada than at Barbara Frum. This change revitalizes Ottawa is created. any other time; many are never released. Canadian television news and the CBC *The International Animated Film Festival is *Nat Taylor and Garth Drabinsky open gains five hours of prime—time Canadian held in Ottawa; this is the first time the festi- Cineplex, an 18—theatre complex in programming per week. val is held outside of Europe. Toronto's Eaton Centre. The theatres are *The CRTC licenses six pay—TV companies; *Crawley's The Man Who Skied down small and play 16mm specialty films, two national — First Choice Canadian (FCC) Everest wins an Academy Award for Best European art films and Hollywood second and C Channel — and four regional. Feature Documentary, and Mary Pickford runs. *The first Rendez—vous du cinema quebe- receives an Honorary Academy Award. *Denis Heroux and John Kemeny establish cois is held. The Vancouver International International Cinema Corp. (ICC) in Montreal. Film Festival begins. 1977 Their first film is Louis Malle's Atlantic City. *The Canadian Caucus is *The Academy of Canadian Cinema is incor- created to promote the production of *The British—owned Odeon Theatres is porated and takes over the Canadian Film point—of—view documentaries. bought by Canadian interests headed by Awards, which are now called the Genies. *Jean Pierre Lefebvre's Les Fleurs Michael Zahorchak; however, nothing No awards are presented this year. sauvages shares the International Film changes. The federal government gives up *The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co—op is Critics' Prize at Cannes. on voluntary quotas, which were not work- founded in Fredericton. The Canadian * wins Best Picture and ing. Filmmakers Distribution West begins opera- Heavy Metal, wins the Golden Reel Award at *Garth Drabinsky produces his second fea- tions in Vancouver. the Genies. ture, Daryl Duke's The Silent Partner, this *The Banff Television Foundation is formed *Atlantic City is the first Canadian dramatic film marks the beginning of the CCA—driven and holds the first Banff Television Festival. feature to be nominated for Best Picture an tax—shelter boom years. *The first issue of 24 Images is published. Academy Award along with its French direc- *SCTV goes on air locally in Toronto on tor, Louis Malle, and its American stars, Burt Global TV then moves to Edmonton for the *Mary Pickford dies at 87. *The NFB's Special Delivery wins an an Lancaster and Susan Sarandon. 1979 season. (SCTV, one of the funniest Academy Award for Best Animated Short. *Frederic Back's Grad, produced by SRC, wins parodies of television ever made, was the Academy Award for Best Animated Short. picked up by NBC in 1981 for two seasons in a 90—minute version, a first for an inde- 1980 pendent Canadian—produced series. The *The Ontario Board of Censors attempts to 1983 last season was 1983-4.) ban Volker Schlondorff's The Tin Drum, but *Garth Drabinsky receives a hearing before *The first World Film Festival is held in backs down in the face of a huge public out- the Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, Montreal. cry and agrees to let the film be shown with but hours before the hearing begins six *The Saskatchewan Film Pool is formed in only minor cuts. major American distributors issue a joint Regina. *Montreal producer Rock Demers establish- statement saying they will change their prac- * shares the Best Actress es Les Productions La Fête to make Tales tices and ensure competition in the distribu- prize at Cannes for her performance in J.A. for All, a series feature films for children. tion and exhibition of films in Canada. Martin photographe. The film also wins Best *Cineworks opens in Vancouver and the *C Channel goes on air in February, and six Feature Film at the Canadian Film Awards. Liaison of Independent Filmmakers (LIFT) months later goes off the air in major embar- opens in Toronto. rassment, as inexperienced management "At the first Genies, The Changeling wins 1978 and poor audience figures kill the first lively Best Picture and Meatballs wins the Golden arts channel. *The Ontario Board of Censors bans outright Reel Award. *FCC causes an immediate uproar by sign- Pretty Baby, Louis Malle's controversial film *Every Child wins an Oscar for Best ing a deal with the Playboy Channel. Later in about prostitution in turn—of—the—century New Animated Short; this is the fourth Academy the year, FCC is bought by Harold Orleans. (The popular backlash to this ban Award won by the NFB in three years. Greenberg's Astral Bellevue Pathe with the marked the beginning of the end for Canada's backing of Bronfman money. (Eventually longest—running board of censors.)

48 SEPTEMBER 2001 TAKE ONE'S TEN BEST CANADIAN ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME

FCC became The Movie Network, and Astral *Atlantis Films wins an Academy Award for Communications became one of the largest Boys and Girls, one of six half—hour dramas fully integrated distribution and broadcasting based on short stories by Canadian authors companies in Canada.) broadcast on the CBC. The win marks a *Empire, Inc., co—directed by Denys Arcand turning point in Canadian television and her- and Doug Jackson, is broadcast on alds the arrival of a major independent tele- CBC/SRC. This big—budget CBC/SRC/NFB vision producer. co—production starring sets *Cynthia Scott's Flamenco at 5:15 wins the new standards for high—quality Canadian Academy Award for Best Documentary television drama. Short. *Quebec's new Cinema Act creates La Societe generale du cinema to provide fund- 1985 ing for Quebec films. *Robert Lantos and Stephen Roth of RSL *The Supreme Court of Ontario rules that Films join forces with John Kemeny and the Ontario Board of Censors is operating in Denis Heroux of ICC to form Alliance violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights Entertainment Corp. and Freedoms. Genevieve Bujold *After lengthy court appeals, the Ontario (1942— ) *The United States Department of Justice Board of Censors is finally disbanded and labels Terre Nash's If You Love This Planet replaced by the Ontario Film Review Board. (1942— ) a propaganda film and places restrictions on *The CBC broadcasts Anne of Green its distribution. Gables over two nights and draws a record *The Grey Fox wins Best Picture and audience of five million viewers. This Porky's the Golden Reel Award at the mini—series, produced and directed by Kevin Genies. Sullivan and starring Megan Follows and *The NFB wins its seventh Academy Award , is one of the most popu- for If You Love This Planet. Just Another lar dramas ever shown on the CBC. Missing Kid, the CBC's the fifth estate doc- Pascale Bussieres (1968— ) *The Academy of Canadian Cinema umentary special on the of a becomes the Academy of Canadian Cinema Canadian youth in the United States direct- and Television. Marie Dressler (1869-1934) ed by John Zaritsky, wins the Academy *Reel West magazine begins publishing in Award for Best Feature Documentary. Vancouver. *Ishu Patel's Paradise wins the Silver Bear 1984 for animation at the Berlin International Film *Cineplex buys Odeon, and once again the Festival. (1938- ) competition for first—run Hollywood movies * wins Best Picture and The is effectively reduced to the two major Dog Who Stopped the War wins the Golden chains. Drabinsky launches a major buying Reel Award at the Genies. spree in the United States, setting up *Charade by John Minnis of Sheridan Cineplex to become the second—largest the- College wins the Academy Award for Best atrical chain in North America. Animated Short. *Francis Fox, the Liberal federal minister of (1948— ) communications, issues the National Film 1986 and Video Policy. The CFDC is transformed *Garth Drabinsky sells 49 per cent of Monique Mercure into and a $35—million Cineplex Odeon to MCA Inc., the parent broadcast fund is initiated. (1930— ) company of Universal Studios, effectively *The Toronto Festival of Festivals programs the putting Cineplex under American control. largest retrospective of Canadian films ever *Telefilm Canada announces a $165—million Mary Pickford held in Canada, and Claude Jutra's Mon oncle Feature Film Fund over five years to assist (1893-1979) Antoine is proclaimed the best Canadian film of in the production and distribution of feature all time. (This event launches Perspective films. Canada, the premier showcase for new *The MPAA signs an agreement with the (1951- ) Canadian cinema at the Toronto festival.) province of Quebec (Bill 109) by which only *Atom Egoyan shoots his first feature, Next Quebec distributors will be allowed to dis- of Kin, marking the beginning of Toronto's tribute foreign films in the province. This new wave. effectively bars English—Canadian distribu- *The Dog Who Stopped the War /La Guerre tors from operating in Quebec. des tuques, the first film in Rock Demers's *The report of the Caplan—Sauvageau task Tales for All series, is released. force on broadcasting policy is released; it *Brian Mulroney's newly elected recommends a new Broadcasting Act, spe- Conservative government announces a $75 cial status for Quebec broadcasting, a revi- million cut to the CBC/SRC. There are major talized CBC and guaranteed access to the layoffs in staff and some regional stations system for women, minorities and aboriginal are closed. CBC/SRC president Pierre people. Juneau announces that Canadian program- *The ACTRA awards transfer to the ming will move to 75 per cent in prime time. Academy of Canadian Cinema and *The CRTC issues more pay—TV licenses Television and become known as the including Citytv's MuchMusic and The /Prix Gemeaux. Norma Shearer Sports Network (TSN). *The Ontario Film Development Corp. is *The Story wins the Best Picture (1900-83) established with Wayne Clarkson as and Strange Brew the Golden Reel Award at director. the Genies.

TAKE ONE 49 TAKE ONE'S TEN BEST CANADIAN ACTORS OF ALL TIME

National Screen Institute, based in Cineplex Odeon from his American partners, Edmonton, is formed, and the Local Heroes but loses in a much—publicized corporate Dan Aykroyd Film Festival begins. struggle. (1952- ) With the tragic suicide of Claude Jutra, *The Ontario Film Institute folds into the Canada loses one of its finest film directors. Toronto International Film Festival Group to *Denys Arcand's Le DOclin de l'empire become Cinematheque Ontario and The 44M- americain wins the International Film Critics' Film Reference Library. (1950-94) Award at Cannes. The NFB receives an Honorary Academy * wins the Best Picture Award in recognition of its 50th anniversary. and Nelvana's wins Joan Pennefather is named film commis- the Golden Reel Award at the Genies. sioner; she is the first woman to hold this position. *Cinema Canada ceases publication after 1987 18 years. *The Canada—Manitoba Cultural Industries *Arcand's J6sus de Montreal wins the Jury Development Office (CIDO) and B.C. Film Prize at Cannes. are established. *Dead Ringers wins Best Picture and The *Patricia Rozema's I've Heard the Mermaids Tadpole and the Whale wins the Golden Singing wins the Prix de la Jeunesse at Cannes. Reel Award at the Genies. *Playback, a bi—weekly trade publication, begins publishing 1990 *Brigitte Berman's Artie Shaw: Time Is All *Francis Mankiewicz's Love and Hate: The Jim Carrey You've Got shares the Academy Award for Story of Colin and Joann Thatcher, pro- Best Feature Documentary; Denys Arcand's duced for the CBC—TV by Bernie (1962- ) Le Declin de /'empire americain is nominat- Zuckerman and starring Kenneth Welsh and ed for Best Foreign—Language Film; Kate Nelligan, is the first Canadian drama to Norman Jewison receives his third directing be shown on U.S. prime—time television. nomination for Moonstruck. *In January, the CBC launchess Kevin (1950- ) *Le Devlin de /'empire americain wins both Road to Avonlea series. With an the Best Picture and the Golden Reel Award Sullivan's audience of 2.5 million for its first episode, Hume Cronyn at the Genies. this show receives the highest ratings for an (1911- ) English—Canadian series debut. 1988 *The teleseries Les Flies de Caleb sets an *Federal communications minister Flora all—time record for the SRC with an average Walter Huston MacDonald tables the Film Products audience of 3.2 million. (1884-1950) Importation Bill in Parliament. (This bill would *CBC/SRC president Gerard Veilleux imple- have given Canadian distributors some mea- ments major cuts to take effect over the next sure of access to films not produced by the three years; more regional stations are Raymond Massey Hollywood majors by introducing a licensing closed, all regional programming except for (1896-1983) system for all film distributors operating in local newscasts is cancelled and more than Canada. Eventually it died on the order paper. 1,000 jobs are eliminated. It was the last serious attempt by the federal *The Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. Walter Pidgeon government to curtail the activities of the is formed. (1897-1984) major American distributors.) *Denys Arcand's Jesus de Montreal sweeps *La Societe generale du cinema du quebec 12 Genies plus the Golden Reel Award. becomes the film division of la Societe gen- erale des industries culturelles du Quebec (SOGIC). 1991 The Canadian Centre for Advance Film *Bill C-40, the new Broadcasting Act, is pro- Studies, founded by Norman Jewison, claimed after being passed in the Senate. opens in Toronto. *The First Nations Filmmakers Alliance is *At the Genies, Un Zoo la nuit wins Best founded in Edmonton. Picture (plusl2 other awards, the most in *L'Institute nationale de ('image et du son, a the history of the Genies), and The Gate the film school based on Jewison's Canadian Golden Reel Award. Film Centre, is established in Montreal; *Frederic Back wins his second Academy Rock Demers is one of the founders. Award for the SRC animated short, The Man *Jesus de Montreal is nominated for Best Who Planted Trees. Foreign—Language Film at the Academy Awards. 1989 *The Genies move from March to November. Black Robe wins Best Picture, and Ding et *Newsworld, the first Canadian all—news Dong, le film wins the Golden Reel Award. (1927- ) station, is launched in July. *Patrick Watson, the former producer of This Hour Has Seven Days, is appointed chair- 1993 man of the CBC board of directors. *Robert Lantos takes Alliance public and (1934- ) *After a lengthy court battle with his original creates Alliance Communications Inc. partners, Izzy Asper takes control of the Alliance has become the largest producer Global Network in Toronto and announces and distributor in both film and television in his desire to build a third national network. Canada and is a major player in the North *Garth Drabinsky attempts to buy back American marketplace. TOP TEN CANADIAN FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE (Based on Variety box—office figures and expressed in millions.) *Agaguk/Shadow of the Wolf is released; at Canada, is launched. a reported cost of $31 million, this *Le Confessionnal wins Best Picture and Canada/France co—production is the most Johnny Mnemonic the Golden Reel Award at expensive Canadian film ever made. the Genies. (The ceremonies were held in Porky's ($109; Bob Clark, 1981) *Thirty—Two Short Films about Glenn Gould Montreal in January, 1996.) wins Best Picture and La Florida the Golden *The NFB receives its 10th Academy Award Reel Award at the Genies. for Bob's Birthday. *The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television introduces the Claude Jutra 1996 Award for first—time directors. The first win- *Harold Greenberg, chairman of the board ner is John Pozer for The Grocer's Wife. of Astral Communications, dies July 1 at age 66. 1994 *The Cable Production Fund evolves into *The federal government approves the the Canadian Television and Cable takeover of the Canadian assets of Production Fund; the Fund consists of $100 Paramount Communications Inc. (formerly million directly from the federal government Gulf+Western) by Viacom Inc. of New York; through the Ministry of Heritage, $50 million these assets include the Famous Players the- from Telefilm Canada and $50 million from atre chain and Blockbuster Video. In turn, the cable industry. Viacom promises to exhibit more Canadian *The OFDC loses its funding for production films and spend more money in the marketing and marketing, but retains the Ontario Film of Canadian films in Famous Players theatres. Investment Program. *John Candy, the most successful of the *The Alberta Motion Picture Development The Art of War SCTV graduates and one of the most Corp. ceases operations after 15 years, B.C. beloved Canadian actors, dies at age 43. Film cuts its distribution program. ($32; Christian Duguay, 2000) *Due South goes on air prime time on the *The NFB responds to federal government CBS network, a first for a Canadian—pro- budget cuts by reducing its staff by 180, cut- duced series. ting services and streamlining administra- *The CRTC licenses a new tier of speciality tion. The renowned laboratory is closed in Air Bud channels including Bravo!, The Discovery July and two of the three remaining video ($27; Charles Martin Smith, 1997) Channel and Showcase, which go on air on libraries are shut down in August. January 1, 1995. However, the use of nega- *David Cronenberg's Crash wins a Special tive—option billing by cable companies Jury Prize at Cannes for "audacity" after a (whereby consumers must cancel the new heated debate that split the jury over the The Care Bears Movie channels or be charged automatically) cre- merits of the intensely controversial film. ($23; Arna Selznick, 1985) ates a customer backlash and public out- *Lilies wins Best Picture and Crash wins the rage. Golden Reel Award at the Genies. *Patrick Watson steps down as chairman of the CBC. Johnny Mnemonic *Nelvana goes public. !max Corporation is 1997 ($19; Robert Longo,1995) purchased by American interests and goes *With Ivan Fecan, the former programming chief public in the United States. at CBC—TV, at the helm, Baton Broadcasting *Atom Egoyan's Exotica wins the takes control of the CTV network. International Film Critics' Prize at Cannes; *A tragic plane crash in Northern Quebec The Red this is the first English—Canadian feature to claims the lives of director Jean—Claude ($15; Francois Girard, 1998) win a major international award since The Lauzon and Quebec television star Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. Marie—Soleil Tougas. *Exotica wins Best Picture and Louis 19, le *Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter wins roi des ondes wins the Golden Reel Award the Jury Prize, the International Critics' Prize Dead Ringers at the Genies. and the Ecumenical Award at the Cannes festival, making it the most honoured ($10; David Cronenberg, 1988) 1995 Canadian film ever to play the festival. The film also wins eight Genies, including Best *The newly elected Ontario Tories under Picture. Mike Harris cut deeply into the OFDC, freez- Meatballs *Air Bud wins the Golden Reel Award. ing production funding and slashing the ($10; Ivan Reitman, 1979) amount of money available for the Ontario Film Investment Program, Ontario's 1998 tax—rebate program. *The merger of Alliance Communications *La Societe generale des enterprises cul- and Atlantis Films creates The Sweet Hereafter Communications with Michael MacMillan as turelles (SODEC) replaces SOGIC and ($9; Atom Egoyan, 1997) L'Institut quebecois du cinema, Quebec's chairman and CEO. Robert Lantos film advisory board. announces his intention to step aside from "SRC launches Le Reseau de ('information the day—to—day operations of the new com- (RDI), the first French—language, all—news pany to concentrate on producing features. network in North America. *The chain of U.S. and Canadian Cineplex Odeon *Due South is cancelled by CBS after one theatres is bought by the Japanese communica- Black Robe ($8; , 1991) season but continues on the CTV network tions giant Sony. However, the Canadian distribu- and is sold worldwide. tion division, Cineplex Odeon Films, is sold to *A $47—million Cable Production Fund, sup- Alliance Atlantis; it remains as a stand—alone com- ported by 39 cable companies across pany, now known as Odeon Films. TAKE ONE'S FIVE BEST CANADIAN FILMS BY A FOREIGN DIRECTOR

(Louis MaIle, 1980) *The Academy of Canadian Cinema and board of directors. The trading of Cinar Atlantic City Television moves the cere- stocks is halted on the . mony forward to January 1999. No awards *Corus Entertainment of Toronto, owners of Black Robe (Bruce Beresford, 1991) are presented in 1998. YTV and part-owners of Teletoon, purchase *The Quebec film industry launches Les Prix Nelvana for $530 million. Clearcut (Richard Bugajski, 1991) Jutra, an award showcase for features and *In July, the CRTC approves the CanWest documentaries produced in Quebec. The Global take over of WIC Communications. A first ceremonies were held in February, month later, CanWest announces its inten- Murder by Decree (Bob Clark, 1979) 1999. tion to buy Conrad Black's Canadian news- *The Canadian Television and Cable paper holdings, including a half-share in the A Special Day (Ettore Scola, 1977) Production Fund is renamed The Canadian the National Post. Television Fund. *Sunshine wins the Genie for Best Picture and Les Boys II the Golden Reel Award. 1999 Post Mortem wins Best Picture at Le Prix Jutra. *David Cronenberg's eXistenZ wins a Silver *Les Productions Pascal Blais wins an Bear for artistic achievement at the Berlin TAKE ONE'S FIVE BEST FOREIGN Academy Award for The Old Man and the International Film Festival and Cronenberg Sea, the first animated short shot in IMAX, is appointed head of the Cannes Film and wins for Best Musical FILMS BY A CANADIAN DIRECTOR Festival jury - a first for a Canadian. Score. *Alberta introduces the Film Development Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984) Program, a new fund to partially offset the From Take One's Essential Guide to Canadian Film. a 2001 loss of business that occurred when the Press and reproduced here by The Fly (David Cronenberg, 1986) Alberta Motion Picture Development Corp. arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved. was closed down in 1996. *In a decision with far-reaaching implica- In the Heat of the Night tions, the CRTC declares it does not have (Norman Jewison,1967) the power to regulate the Internet. *The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network gets CRTC approval to run as a national network on basic cable systems across the country. *Wendy Tilby's and Amanda Forbis's When the Day Breaks wins the Palm d'Or for ani- mation at the and the Grand Prize at Annecy. It also wins the Genie for Best Animated Short and receives an Academy Award nomination. ANSWERS: *Francois Girard's The Red Violin wins Best (1) Jean-Claude Lauzon's Un Zoo la nuit (1988) with Picture at the inaugural presentation of Le thirteen; second is Denys Arcand's Jesus de Montreal Prix Jutra. (1990) with twelve. *At the Genies, The Red Violin wins Best (2) Genevieve Bujold (Isabel, 1968, The Act of the Heart, Mansfield Park Picture and Les Boys the Golden Reel 1970, Kamouraska, 1973, Murder by Decree, 1980); Jackie Award. Burroughs (Dulcima, 1969, The Grey Fox, 1983, The Wars, (Patricia Rozema, 1999) 1984, A Winter Tan, 1989); and Martha Henry (The Wars, 2000 1984, Dancing in the Dark, 1987, Mustard Bath, 1994, Long Terminator 2: Judgment Day Day's Journey into Night, 1996). *More than two years after heritage minister (3) , who narrated the NFB wartime Sheila Copps announced the creation of a propaganda series The World in Action and starred as (James Cameron, 1991) new feature-film fund, the fund is launched Pa Cartwright in the long-running western series at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Bonanza from 1959-73. The new monies, to be administered by (4) Mary Pickford (Coquette, 1929, and an Honorary Telefilm Canada, increase feature-film fund- Oscar, 1976); Norma Shearer (The Divorcee, 1930); *CanWest Global buys the television sta- ing to $100 million a year beginning in 2001. Marie Dressler (Min and Bill, 1931); Deanna Durbin tions owned by WIC Broadcasting of Copps declares that the object of the new (Special Oscar "for bringing to the screen the spirit and Vancouver. The purchase completes money is boost the audience for Canadian personification of youth," 1938); and Walter Huston Global's10-year goal to create Canada's films, noting that Canadian films account for (The Treasure of Sierra Madre, 1949). third national network. only two per cent of annual box-office rev- (5) Leslie Nielsen, star of the three Naked Gun films *John Bassett, newspaper publisher, origi- enue. She sets a target of five per cent in (6) James Cameron for Titanic, 1997. nal owner of CFTO-TV in Toronto and five years. (7) Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto on the long- co-founder of the CTV network, dies at age *BCE Inc. announces its intention to buy the running Lone Ranger series from 1949-61 and in two 82. CTV network, which is approved by the Lone Ranger movies. *Joyce Wieland, considered the mother of CRTC in December. The telephone giant (8) The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz ( Canadian experimental film, dies at age 66. views the purchase as means of keeping in and , 1971); Lies My Father Told Me (Ted *Veteran Quebec producer, Pierre Lamy, step with American Internet and media Allan, 1975); Atlantic City (John Guare, 1980); and dies at age 72. mega-mergers such as AOL's purchase of The Sweet Hereafter (Atom Egoyan, 1997). *Sheila Copps, minister of heritage, Time Warner. (9) Vancouver-born Yvonne De Carlo, who ended her announces a federal feature-film policy *In March, Cinar founders, Ronald Hollywood career portraying Lily Munster in the first review. Weinberg and Micheline Charest are forced version of the TV series The Munsters. "The Sweet Hereafter is nominated for two to resign from the company amid reports (10) Michel Poulette's Louis 19, le roi des ondes, 1994, Academy Awards - Best Director and that $122 million has been invested in an was remade as EdTV in 1999. The Canadian version Adapted Screenplay. off-shore bank without permission of the was funnier.

54 SEPTEMBER 2001