TO LORD

In;
I CALGARY—Tragedy
mil
II
iloomcrist. Cooper Killed
)n Trans-Canada Highway
struck a double
ou in the motion picture industry in this
Irritor) 1 'uesday, March 22, when Albert
loomcrist and Bert Coopei were killed in
highway traffic accident. Bloomcrist, own-
•-operator ol Consolidated Film Shippers,
u driving a film feature print to Swift
nrrent, accompanied by Cooper. The toiler's
van collided with a semi-trailer truck
proximately 14 miles east of Medicine
at on the Irans-Canada Highway at 3
Bom in Calgary in 1930, Albert Fredrick
Bloomcrist resided here all his life,
lost of his working years had been spent
i the motion picture industry. He was a
DOker for the J. Arthur Rank Organization
ir a number of years and, in 1959, Bloomist
established his own company.
Consolidated Film Shippers specialized
service to the film business, making
ickups, transfers and shipment consolidaons.
For a number of years Bloomcrist was
.live in stock-car racing—and never lost
is love of automobiles. He also was a light
ircraft pilot and maintained a current li-
.nse. He was a member of the Motion
icture Pioneers.
He is survived by his wife Marie; two
aughters. Shelly of Edmonton and Sharon
f Calgary; his mother Mrs. Vera Bloomrist,
Calgary; a sister, Mrs. Harry (Betty)
Fpton, Calgary, and a stepson, Raymond
ling of Castor. Alta. His father Frederick
i. died in 1947.
Born in Blairmore, Alta., in 1914, Beram
"Bert" William Cooper came to Calary
while very young. With his wife
ieanne, who also was employed in the film
usiness and who died in 1970, Cooper
perated a 16mm circuit for a number of
ears. He was employed as a booker with
nited Artists for a considerable time, then
loved to Warner Bros, in the same capacfy.
Although Cooper was in the hotel busies
at the time of his death, he still mainlined
friendships and interests with those
Imployed in motion picture-related trades.
Be was a member of the Motion Picture
ors.
He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Brian (Farley)
potency, and two grandchildren, all
.iry. as well as a brother. Farley.
A joint funeral service was held Monday
lorniny. March 28, in the Little Chapel on
of Cal-
ne Corner (Jacques Funeral Home) in Calary.
Officiating were the Rev. J. Brown
'lilne and the Rev. Robert Shannon. Interlent
was in Queen's Park Cemetery.
Flaherty Award Presented
To NFB Documentary Film
MONTREAL — "Los Canadicnses." a
National Film Board documentary about Ca-
•adians in the Spanish Civil War. has won
he Robert Flaherty Award. The winner was
nnounced in London by the British Acadmy
of Film and Television Arts. This
'restigioiis award honoring the great film
•ioneer is reserved for "documentary films
Lamy Says Regionalization of NFB
Is Receiving Priority Attention
OTTAWA—Regionalization baa become
hiil- ol the top priorities of the National
Film Board, Andre l.ims. Canadian government
film commissioner and chairman
ol the NFB, said here VVcdnesda\ night.
March 30.
In addition to its operations in Montreal.
the NFB now has English production centers
in Halifax, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver
and French units in Moncton. Toronto
and Winnipeg, Lamy told members
of Parliament invited to a screening of films
produced by the board's Atlantic studio.
Lamy explained that the board's production
activities had been centralized in Montreal
because "the talents and facilities to
do otherwise were not available." However,
the rapid development of communications
in Canada—and the desire to develop regional
responses to Anglophone cultural
needs, as well as the needs of French-Canadians
outside Quebec—had changed the
context in which the NFB functioned.
As the regions began to develop their
own resources, the NFB adapted to these
changes, he said. The regionalization program
began four years ago with the following
objectives:
• To produce and distribute visual materials
which reflect regional perceptions and
foster national
understanding.
• To stimulate regional development of
Canadian film industry resources, both
private and public.
• To provide regional access to the full
of feature length about subjects of social
significance."
The film which brought the award to
Canada this year was directed by Albert
Kish. It was seen on CBC national TV and
drew unanimous praise from Canadian TV
critics.
For director
Albert Kish and "Los Canadicnses."
this was the third major international
win. He won the Silver Hugo at the
Chicago Festival and "best TV film" at
Mannheim last vear.
'Breaker! Breaker!' a Hit
In Toronto Multiple Bow
TORONTO— "Breaker! Breaker!" has set
an American International all-time high
record in the first week of a ten-theatre
multiple opening here, reporting $83,380,
despite four days of heavy snow. It is holding
over in all situations.
Chuck Norris. Gordon Murdock and
Terry O'Connor star in this film revealing
the changes taking place as millions of
drivers utilize citizens band communications.
The picture was directed and produced
by Don Huletie. based ^n a screenpla) bj
ferry Chambers and Hulette.
range ol NFB production, distribution
and advisory skills and services.
"A quick glance at our budget will give
you some idea ol the importance we attach
to regional production," the NFB chairman
said. "From $900,000 four years ago, our
regional production budget has increased to
$2,950,000 in the current fiscal year. And
we expect that this figure will grow to $7,-
900,000 by 1981."
The English regional production budget
was just over $2,000,000 this year, about
20 per cent of the total English production
budget. "In not too many years, regional
production will account for almost 50 per
cent of our English production budget,"
I. amy predicted.
The budget for regional French production
this year totaled $900,000, about 15
per cent of the total French production
budget.
The permanent employees in the regional
offices presently are confined to producers
and support staff. Regional producers are
responsible for processing locally generated
ideas and for hiring local freelancers or
contracting films to local companies.
"That we have started to reach our goals
can be seen through the achievements of
our Atlantic production center." Lamy said.
In less than three full years of operation,
the Atlantic unit had completed 18 films
and had 12 more in production, all directed
by residents of the region. Of 1 1 films scheduled
for completion in 1977. five are sponsored
by government departments.
Summer Postal Strike
Hinted by UPW Prexy
THUNDER BAY. ONT. — Joe
Davidson,
president of the 22,000-member Canadian
Union of Postal Workers, who has announced
plans to retire as union prexy in
July, has been visiting locals across Canada
to prepare for negotiations on a new contract.
The current pact expires June 30.
At a media session here. Davidson told
Canadian Press that "the union may go on
strike this summer" and added that "union
members distrust their employer" (the federal
government),
Jean-Jacques Blais. postmaster general,
said he hoped a strike such as the one in
1975 will not occur again. The post office
definitely could "go under if another nation.
il postal strike occurs in the near future."
he stated.
The prolonged 75 strike which closed
Canadian post offices caused inestimable
inconvenience and expense to film distributors
and theatre operators across the
country.
"Manitou" will begin principal photograph)
April 18 on San Francisco locations.
iOXOFFICE :: April 18. 1977 K-l