Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1939)

German Protests Aid "Mamlock" Toronto — A million dollars worth of free front-page publicity has been given the Russian film, “Professor Mamlock,” currently shown at the Strand Theatre, following vigorous protests registered by German government representatives. At this writing, the Ontario board of censors and Leo Clavir of Cosmopolitan Films, Ltd., owner of the Canadian rights, have stood pat on further deletions, after several had been made. The German Consul-General, at Ottawa, Dr. E. Windels, objected to all provincial censor boards that the picture “does not represent conditions as they are in Germany” and asked that the film be banned. Dr. Windels styled himself as "consul-general, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary.” Despite this fact, the Manitoba board passed the film entirely, only the Ontario board making some minor deletions. Other boards merely acknowledged receipt of Dr. Windels’ letter. In Ottawa, Dr. Granow, vice-consul general, said: “We had knowledge of the film’s coming, as it had been in New York. It is the English version of a play produced by the Communists in Russia to stir up bad feeling against Germany and we think its presentation should not be permitted.” Although produced in Russia, the film is based on a story by the German playwright Friedrich Wolf, who fled Canada in 1933. Directors are Adolph Minkin and Herman Rappaport, the latter an Austrian emigre who for many years was assistant to G. W. Pabst, well known Viennese director. While German government representatives were hammering at the film, press and clergy in Toronto were lavishly praising the production, and conditions seem ripe for an extended run at the Strand locally, which seats 1,500. In addition, runs have been arranged for Winnipeg and other large Canadian cities. At a special showing held in Toronto, independent and circuit buyers showed an interest and numerous bookings resulted. Owner Clavir has assembled opinions of Canada’s leading ministers and public officials, combining them in a throwaway which has been sent out by the thousands. "Mamlock" Encounters Manitoba Barrier Toronto — After its Canadian premiere of two weeks at the Strand Theatre, Toronto, the print of “Professor Mamlock” was shipped by Cosmopolitan Films, Ltd., to Winnipeg where it is playing at the Orpheum Theatre. The Manitoba board of censor approved for showing in Manitoba without a deletion. The picture will be brought back to eastern Canada for more runs. Robinson to Script Hollywood — Casey Robinson has been set to script “The Old Maid,” a Warner production to co-star Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins, A Polite Refusal Regina, Sask. — Hoist by its own petard, the city council of Regina was left without any comeback when theatre men last week turned down a request from the board of trade, approved by the council, for use of one or two theatres on the Sunday night before the annual bonspiel for a concert to entertain visiting curlers. The council was asked by the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass’n the week before Christmas to permit the holding of a midnight frolic on New Year’s, one minute after Sunday midnight. The council, by a majority of one, voted the request down and made more rigid enforcement of a bylaw keeping theatres closed from 12 midnight Saturdays to 7 a. m. the following Monday. The theatre managers respected the regulation and held no frolics on New Year’s, though the only city in Canada not to do so. Last week the board of trade and the curling clubs, planning to entertain some of the hundreds of curlers from outside points who attend the bonspiel week here — one of the largest gatherings for the ice sport in this country — obtained the city council’s permission to hold concerts and entertainments in theatres on Sunday. After getting permission they went to the theatre managers who politely refused the request for free use of their houses. “We’d be only too glad to give them the houses but our hands are tied,” W. Novak, secretary of the SMPA explained. “The city council has gone on record as being opposed to us opening from Saturday to Monday so we cannot jeopardize our position in the community by opening as requested.” It made for much comment in the newspapers. pAMOUS PLAYERS CANADIAN CORP. is directly sponsoring the one performance of Gertrude Lawrence in the stage play “Susan and God” at the Capitol Theatre, Monday night. Announcement was made on January 26 that the house had already been completely sold out. Other recent stage shows at the Capitol have been on a rental basis. Manager Donat Paquin offered vaudeville in addition to the film program for three days at the Laurier Theatre, this being the first use of the stage for professional acts in many months. One result of the film industry’s campaign in Ottawa has been the continued use of the slogan “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment” in the street cars of the Ottawa Electric Railway with the display of cards urging people to “Go to the Movies With Safety and Convenience by Street Car.” Ambrose Nolan, proprietor of the Pic Theatre, Aylmer, Que., has been concerned over the unemployment crisis in the nearby town which was relieved when publicspirited citizens rushed in supplies of food and fuel while provincial and municipal Censors of Quebec Pass "Refugee" Montreal — The board of censors of the Province of Quebec has found nothing detrimental to the public morals in “The Refugee,” March of Time short feature dealing with the victims of the Chinese and Spanish wars, and of German antiJewish persecution. The film was rescreened by the board after a number of complaints had labeled it “strictly propaganda.” It already had been censored once, and had been showing four days at the Capitol Theatre. Arthur Laramee, chairman of the board, lefused to discuss the case, saying in answer to a question, it was not in the public interest. It was learned from other sources, however, that no changes were made in the film after the second showing before the board. The film is one of a series issued by the March of Time. Dealing with the 6,000,000 refugees of Spain, Germany and China, the film shows the arrival of Jewish refugees from Germany in Britain, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Palestine scenes also are depicted. "Damaged Goods" to Continue Toronto — “Damaged Goods,” following its Toronto first run, will go into many of the B&F and Hanson houses. Grand National reports. Annexing Two Enterprises Montreal — A radio broadcasting station and a restaurant are among improvements in preparation by the Classic Theatre, Quebec. authorities argued over relief responsibility. Naturally business in Aylmer has been affected. Miss Prances Claudet, former Ottawa fancy skater who has been in Hollywood for the making of an ice carnival feature in recent months, was naturally one of the main attractions of the Ice Follies in its two-day engagement at the Ottawa auditorium. John A. McNeil, recently appointed general manager of the Canadian Press news service for all Canada, spent several days in Ottawa, where he is well known as a newsivriter. For years McNeil was a screen and dramatic critic and he holds a broad view on film entertainment, his appointment being hailed with enthusiasm by the theatre interests. The banning by the Quebec provincial government of the March of Time edition dealing with the European refugee situation brought patrons from the sister city of Hull, Que., to the Regent Theatre in Ottawa where the picture was being played up as an added attraction by Manager A. Stevens. Cl ir T A W A 122 BOXOFnCE : : February 4, 1939