JACK VALENTI RAPS CANADIANS FOR DISNEY BAN

Jack Valenti, head of the Motion Picture Assn. of America, criticized the Canadian government Thursday for refusing to allow Walt Disney Productions to distribute its own films in Canada.

Valenti, speaking at a press conference at the Montreal World Film Festival, said he was “puzzled and saddened” by the decision of government investment controllers--acting on behalf of Canadian film distributors--to deny Disney’s request.

Disney’s films have been distributed in Canada by a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, but that contract has expired and Disney applied for a license that would allow its own Buena Vista Distribution Co. to distribute Disney product.

Valenti said he would be meeting with Canadian officials next week to discuss the problem.