The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 48

48 The GAZETTE, Montreal, Oct. 14, nter Global's Al Bruner: Shaking up TV with new ideas TV Radio By Ian MacDonald v. rf "Robert Charlebois is the greatest star in Canada today," says Banks, "and you can be sure he's one guv we're going to use a lot." SWEDISH ANALOGY Banks has had discussion with numerous independent producers here, among them Via-Monde and Guy Bergeron and, though he hasn't yet sat down with Gerry Potterton, cites Potterton Productions as a model independent Canadian production house. "Why, for example, should a guy like Potterton get nominated for an Academy Award?" asks Banks of a Potterton animated feature, The Selfish Giant, which ran last season on CTV, has since been sold to CBS, and was nominated for an Oscar as a limited U.S. theatrical release.

"Because he runs a shop that's equal to and in and many ways better than U.S. houses. "Well, the Canadian television industry is in many ways analogous to the Swedish film industry based on the population it has no business be-ng that gotd. Eut they make the most of their resources. Canadian TV producers are somewhat unique because, not having the bucks, they rely on ingenuity.

That's what distinguishes the so-called Canadian Mafia in Hollywood. They made the most with what they had back home." While Global's first-year pledge of $6 million to independent programming is hardly the realization of the Promised Land, it nevertheless represents three-fourths of Global's budget for Canadian programming, and more than half the first year's projected program outlay which, in turn, comprises around 70 per cent of the first season's projected budget. "Of our dollar," claims Bruner, "substantially more will go into program than on other networks." LOW OVERHEAD Such a distribution of resources is unthinkable for the CBC, which employs several thousand persons to staff its owned "That's the key with us," he says, "either we open up Canadian creativity or there's no room for us." Soon after Global got the green light in July, Eruner named Sydney Banks as vice-president for independent programming. "We wanted him to meet with as many writers and producers as possible and build up a feeder system," says Bruner. "The response has been tremendous.

We're getting ideas and meeting fresh faces people who have their doubts about us at first and then say do we really want to get it on?" "People were a bit elated when they saw we weren't laying formats on them," says Banks who looks, but does not talk like, a Hol'vwocd PR man. "Essentially we're going to have the role of catalyst." says Banks, invoking the analogy of the Canadian Film Development CorDoration. "The fact of the CFDC's $10 million budget doesn't mean much except as a pump primer. Well, we can't put up li million dollars for an international feature, but after we make a deal with a producer he can say the network door is open to him, and then it becomes a lot easier for him to finance his project. As for us, we're not a bottomless pit we're not the CBC but we'll do what we can.

"My office already looks like Grand Central Station," says Banks. "One of my roles is to arrange a marriage of talents, to fix a producer up with a writer. "We've already made one such arrangement and so, while it's all very well to blue-sky these things, when it happens you say, see, it works. "All we're trying to do is find a fresh approach," he says. "There is no such thing as a new idea, only new clothes, new dress, and we've been dealing with an awoil lot of good young people who had the other doors closed to them." Global intends to use Montreal as a principal source of programs both English and French and will, for instance, offer a one-hour weekly French variety special.

Al Bruner, says an acquaintance of 20 years, will never be cancelled for a lack of ideas. Six years ago, he began to seriously entertain notions of establishing a third English television network in this country. In July of this year his Global Communications received the Canadian Radio-Television Commission's approval of a scheme to erect six transmission towers for a television service to reach a potential seven million Ontario residents from Jan. 1974. Political and linguistic considerations dictated the CRTC's deferment of decision on a seventh transmitter which Global proposed to place at nearby Maxville, to beam into Montreal via the city's cable television systems.

Quite simply, the CRTC wouldn't approve the Maxville tower before a third French television service was established here. MOST OF BUNDLE Even so, Bruner got most of the bundle and was further elated by the CRTC's invitation for third stations in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver with which Global will almost certainly form a network alliance. "Of course it's not automatic," Bruner was saying this week during a Montreal stop to promote a forthcoming majority stock issue in his Toronto-based concern. "But to have the opportunity for expansion from Day One, as we have, is tremendous. It's the opportunity to open a second front when the first one isn't open.

And it's a delightful prospect." The logistics of opening that first front are impressive and, to some, intimidating. Global will operate seven hours per day from 5 p.m. to midnight, otherwise offering its six channels for the daytime use of the Ontario Educational Authority. Bruner does not propose to load his prime time schedule with protracted newscasts, TV hotline shows and the like, and so technically meet the quota of 50 per cent prime time Canadian content required of television's private sector. Nor apparently, does he intend filling out the remainder of Global's program day with old films and Bonanza reruns.

He does not, Li short, plan a strip-mining of television. Indeed, it was Bruner's scheme of Canadian programming that persuaded the CRTC to endorse Global's application. Global's presentation foresaw a first-year program budget of $11 million, of which over $8 million would be spent on Canadian programming, with over S6 million of this placed with independent producers, who have had a hard time getting their feet in the door of network television. INDEPENDENTS "Let's face it," says Bruner, warming to ru'oject over coffee in his suite at the Ri'z, ''we made a strong case for the viability of the independent sector. "We're not gnjng to have mature programming right away, though technically we could go on-air tonight.

But before too long we should have the calibre of programs we expect around 12 to 15 hours a week from the independents, while Global itself must produce, or cause to be produced, another 10-12 hours. It's no small job." Indeed, it is not. Clearly dissatisfied with CTV's initiatives in program production, the CRTC last year gave a cordial hearing to a group of Canadian writers, performers and producers who descended on Ottawa, pleading for improved access to private network television. That, Bruner says now, was the turning point for Global's application, then in the works. met AL BRUNER lots of ideas and operated stations and maintain its fullblown bureaucracy.

But with its reliance on independent sources, Global will have scant need of production facilities beyond its news and information shows, which will comprise one-third of its schedule against a two-thirds portion of entertainment. "The network central, the nerve centre in Toronto, will be smaller than the average large TV station," says Bruner. "And we'll have studios in Ottawa, primarily to attend to our news and information needs. It will be the dominant news centre for the whole service." On the airwaves this weekend McGILL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA conductor: Alexander Brott Soloist: JULIAN BREAM Guitar Monday Evening Oct. 23 8:30 p.m.

Haber's Hollywood By JOYCE HABER for The Gazette HOLLYWOOD Muhammad Ali to be a movie star? It could happen. The poet-heavyweight, a.k.a. Cassius Clay, has been having discussions very privately with producer Joseph Naar of "Blacula." I'm biting tongue not to tell you about this," Naar said when I called him. Karl Boehm conducting the Chorus of the Dresden State Opera and the Saxonian State Orchestra. 11.00 p.m.

(CFQR) Artists of Canada. Eve Corker's guest is Jacques Hetu, talking about tradition in music; expression of subjects, teaching composition and Olivier Messaen and Romanticism; music includes works by Mo-z a Monteverdi, Debussy and Hetu. introduces recording from the early Frank Sinatra years when he was playisg with Harry Jams and Tommy Dorsey. 5.10 p.m. (CBM-AM) Cross ntry Checkup.

Robert Stanfield is Pierre Pascau's guest on this national open-line show. 7.00 p.m. (CBM-FM) Opera Theatre. Verdi's La Traviata: Beverly Sills, Nicolai Gedda, Rolando Panerai; John Aldis Choir and Royal Philharmonic SOLD OUT SUNDAY 8.10 a.m. (CKVL-AM) Nes 8.10 a.m.

(CKVL-AM) Names in the News. Larry Fredericks talks to Marven Moss, of The Gazette, about ladies' professional golf; and to Dr. G. B. Guerra, the Italian Trade Commission in Montreal.

12.30 p.m. (CBM-AM) Baseball World Series. Oakland at Cincinnati. 3.3D p.m. (CBM-AM) The Beatles Story.

BBC series tracing the fantastic career of the group that conquered the world of music. 3.30 p.m. (CBM-FM) Studio '72. Come Away, Come Away, by Mavor Moore: an allegorical play about man's gradual awareness of the end of a lifetime, the dawning of the re-lity of death. 4.03 p.m.

(C3M-AM) Re-member When? Harry Elton SATURDAY 12.30 p.m. (CBM-AM) Baseball World Series. Oakland at Cincinnati. 1.55 p.m. (CFCF) CFL Football.

Hamilton at Montreal. 6.10 p.m. (CBM-AM) Identities. A discussion with European-born Canadians spent part of the Second World War in Quebec relocation camps. 7.03 p.m.

(CBM-AM) Symphony Hall. Montreal Symphony Orchestra conducted by Franz-Paul Decker, with violinist Itzhak Perlman: Beethoven's Concerto in for violin, Op. 16; Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. 8.00 p.m. (CFCF) NHL Hockey.

New York Rangers at Montreal. 8.30 p.m. (CBM-AM) CBC Stage. A Range of Light, by Michael Mercer. Drama based on the ill-fated Donner party of settlers who, in 1846, met their deaths en route to California.

9.00 p.m. (CBF-FM) Integrate. The works of Robert Schumann: Svmphony No. 4, Societe de Musique Contemporains du Quebec Orchestra conducted by Aldo Ceccato. 9.15 p.m.

(CKVL-FM) Tonight at the Opera. Strauss' Elektra: Inge Borkh, Marianne Schech, Jean Madeira, i ich Fischer-Dieskau: YIDDISH FILM CLASSIC! THREE DAUGHTERS "But I don't want to concerns several projects whicn Ali insists must be He stipulates he wants no themes that deal with overt sex or dope. Meanwhile, the current spate of black movies is not only outgrossing, but looks to be soon outse-queling Andy Hardy and the Thin Man combined. Lawrence Gordon, studio chief of AIP, was responsible for a pair of the big black green-grossers, one being "Bla- starring Michel Rosenberg (English Subtitles) Friday, Oct. 13 Saturday, Oct.

14 at 8:00 P.M. Muhammad Ali Tickets: $1.50 Series of 8 films $8.00 No tickets sold after 5:00 P.M. Friday. Saturday Box Office opens at 7:00 P.M. For information, call 739-2301 Op.

120 and the Manfred Overture, Op. 115: Rafael Kubelik conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra; Sonatas, Op. 105 and Op. 21: Sylvaine Billier, pianist and Clara Bonaldi, violinist; Carnival, Op. 9: Sergio Fioren-tino, pianist.

9.15 p.m. (CKVL-FM) Saturday Night Dance Party. Continuous dance music featuring the latest orchestras and bands. 11.03 p.m. (CBF-FM) Musical Masterpieces.

Mahler's Symphony No. 1: Bernard Haitink conducting the Amsterdam Concertgebouw fitA chiGM.fef poi 1 NOW APPEARING THE LONDON HIT! SLEUTH in its French Version JEU SET ET MATCH directed by JEANINE C. BEAUBIEN Starring GERARD POIRIER and BENOIT GIRARD with JULES DRIGAR Tues. to at 8.30 at 9.15 at 8.30 RESERVATIONS 526-082! J. -V- I cula," the other "Slaughter," which stars Jim Brown.

"Blacula," billed as "the first black horror movie," was directed by William Crain on a budget of just over $500,000. In only eight weeks of release, it has grossed a whopping $3.4 million. Now Gordon and AIP plan sequels to each of the green-grossers, naturally. Having considered and rejected "Count Brown Is Back In Town" as a title, one will be simply "Return of Blacula." The name of Brown's hasn't been decided But Big Jim will again be playing a former Green Beret who cooperates with law enforcement agencies. Another black film, and one I particularly dug, is Warners' controversial "Super Fly." It's controversial partly because its antihero, Ron O'Neal, plays a Harlem coke pusher who decides to make one big cache and retire.

Now if men are equal (not to mention women), why shouldn't black stars be villains as well as heroes? Whites have been devils for years. "Super Fly," which was written by Phil Senty and directed by Gordon Parks Jr. (his father gave us Metro's Big One, is a fast-moving action-adven'ure tale in the style of them all there are whiffs of James Bond, Philip Marlowe, "French Connection," what have you. And what more does a filmgoer need to be riveted and to enjoy? PAULA PREGNANT? Lovely lanky Paula Prentiss is in town to sell "The Couple Takes a Wife," an ABC Movie of the Week that has started shooting. But that's not the news.

The news is that Paula, whose husband's Dick Benjamin, of course, may be pregnant. "I never wanted a baby before," Paula told me on Saturday, "but I want one now so Ladly maybe that's why I haven't been to a doctor." I offered her my doctor; I even offered Paula the use of one of my (or my son Dougie's) rabbits, who've multiplied now to five. I think Mrs. Benjamin had better stick to the doctors: The rabbits are quite unscientific. Which is to say they hardly conform to Mendel's theory.

The parents are white and brown. The three bunnies are black. But adorable. Benjamin, the maybe-father-to-be, is in Cannes, filming for Warners', Herb Ross, Steve Sondheim and Tony Perkins' "The Last of Sheila." Dick's costars are Dyan Cannon and Raquel Welch. From location I'm told that director Ross had to fire a cameraman after viewing the first week's rushes.

Ross reshot all those sequences. "Needless to say," writes my on-the-spot informant, "no one is too happy about that." I'm told that no one's too happy about Raquel, either; her demands have been many and taxing for members of cast and company. Someday, someone who works with Raquel will say something nice about her. MUSIC tt. i Wrj JWl il 5 jr 7th SEASON 1972- 1973 November 9 STOCKHAUSEN, COULOMBE SAINT-MARCOUX DAVIDOVSKY, GONNEVILLE, STEVEN, LEFEBVRE, VINET.

Ensemble de la S.M.C.Q. Serge Garant, conductor December 7 MESSIAEN, BOONE, AITKEN, TREMBLAY, Ensemble de la S.M.C.Q. Serge Garant, conductor February 8 SCHOENBERG, STRAVINSKY, HUNT, LIGETI. Ensemble de la S.M.C.Q. Serge Garant, conductor March 15 MESSIAEN, MALEC, AMY, DALLAPICCOLA, XENAKIS.

Let Solistes des Choeurs de Marcel Couraud, conductor Produced by Ars Musicalis Canada in cooperation with the Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres de France and the Association Franchise d'Action Artistique. April 12 GARANT, GUEZEC, MATHER, BERG. ffiyemble'de la S.M.C.Q. Serge Garant, conductor All concerts: solle Claude Champagne 220 Bellingham road 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $3.

Subscription for the 5 concerts: $10. On sale: Place des Arts Ed Archambault Inc. 500 St. Catherine St. E.

Librairie Renoud-Bray 5219 Cote-des-Neiget and at the door the night of the concert Mail order: S.M.C.Q. 4858, Cote-des-Kciges apt. 1403 Montreal 247 Que. For information: 739-5329 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) (Monday to Friday) TY colour KftENTwith 2t iir.00 If PURCHASE po mm 'na TFDErTX DEALER M1hT SItRtQ hitaCHI dryer from or WASHER 1 5C.50 i No Cash Necessary I j0 j-r 374-1654 A The Montreal Chamber Music Players of the Saidye Bronfman Centre Sunday, Oct.

15 at 8:30 in the Theatre 5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd. Public cordially invited no charge. For information: 739-2301 7h6 lMiiQtOf The world of sports beyond the scoreboard. A series of films and features on the recent Montreal balloon race; the Continental Football League (with comments by Sam Etcheverry); the new World Hockey League; golf, with Jules Huot and Stan Home; boxing in Canada; and Canadians in the Olympics.

Playwright's Workshop THEATRE WORKSHOP 72 461 St. Sulpice Under the Direction of Roy Higgim Openings in Specialized Classes in Jaxz Dance for Performers, Contemporary cV Classical Mime, Scene Study Movement Set Costume Design Basic to Advonced Acting. Separate Adult or Teen Courses FINAL REGISTRATION NOW 843-4784 SATURDAYS 7.30 P.M. CBMT 8:30 P.M. $2.50 to $5-50 Sholdon Kaqan tfo-praductlon CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL MUSIC AT EVENSONG by Gibbons, Purcell, Stanford and Rubers sung by THE CATHEDRAL SINGERS Sunday, 1 5th October ot 7.00 p.m.

(C0MITE DE DIFFUSION DES ARTS DE QUEBEC) 1 if "i 1 if ttm.