Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1939)

VAWCC(0)IUV1IE1R Vancouver's Newest — A7i interior view of the new Bay Theatre. Vanco7iver neighborhood unit. The house was designed by Caplan & Sprachman, Toronto arehitects. Vancouver — The Bay, the city’s newest theatre, while essentially a neighborhood house, is within walking distance of the downtown theatres, therefore must face competition with them. It is compact and attractive, with seats for 770 and nothing has been spared to make it pleasing to the eye as well as to the ear. Designed by Caplan and Sprachman, Toronto architects, in association with the Dominion Construction Co. of Vancouver, the building contains several stoi-es and offices, as well as the theatre, and with its solid concrete walls has an appearance of grace and permanence. The lighting, with Neon fluorescent tubes, concealed in troughs in the ceiling panels, is something new here, and the multiple colors permits various harmonious Campaign Slogan Is Holding On Toronto — The slogan of the recent quiz campaign of the film industry is something of value that has survived for permanent use, the declaration “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment” being in evidence in various ways throughout Ontario. At the Oriole Theatre, here. Manager Dave Gordon has a portion of the large marquee permanently painted with the campaign slogan and this is also emblazoned in the lobbies of various local theatres. The Free Press at London, Ont., has adopted the slogan as a permanent heading across the top of the Saturday amusement page while the street cars in Ottawa are using it on display cards. combinations as well as bright clearance lights. Another innovation is the acoustic treatment by means of heavy black tapestry covering the walls from the decorated dado, to within two feet of the ceiling. There was some fear that this treatment would prove too deadening, but it was unfounded, as the sound is all that could be wished. A blower with a capacity of 5,000 c. f. m. drives the air out through decorative panels in the proscenium walls, well above the floor, and it is exhausted in the rear, above, and below, the balcony, to be either returned to the plant back of the stage, or outside. The projection room is compact and convenient and is equipped with Simplex projectors. "Pygmalion" Premiere Promises to Be Gay Toronto — For the first time in the history of Loew’s Theatre, here, the Canadian premiere of a picture is to be given all the color of a gala occasion with the formal first presentation of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” on Wednesday evening, February 15, with all seats in the theatre reserved for the one performance. The feature will continue its regular engagements on a continuous basis the following day, according to the plans by Manager Jules Bernstein and Assistant Manager S. Gosnell. An Educational Force Montreal — C. R. Harnett of Associated Screen News, giving an illustrated lecture at the university in Lennoxville, Que., on the educational value of motion pictures, expressed the belief such films would ultimately be used extensively and beneficially in classrooms. p A. BICKLEY has taken over The Oliver Theatre at Oliver, B. C., and is busy arranging bookings, as well as considering some improvements. Warner Bros. Vancouver office is now second m the Sears Drive, which has until April 15 to run. Babe Corval, the district 7nanager, modestly attributes it to the high class of films he has had, hut has his staff keyed up to a determination to keep this place to the very end. Paul Harmon came down from Squamish with a tale of three feet of snow, followed by three days of rain, which put everything awash. In his breezy way, Paul says he is undecided as to whether he had not better park a lifeboat in the lobby and supply each one of the audience with a life-belt. “The Beachcomber at the Strand, has brokeii all records for attendance since Famous Players took that theatre over. It is now hi its second week. Students of French, and the French colony here, are anxiously awaiting notice of the appearance of “Grand Illusion,” Pax Films, which received such a favorable reception in New York. David Griesdorf seems loth to leave Vancouver’s balmy climate for the rigors of Manitoba . . . Willis Dewees laconically attributes the low attendance in individual theatres to overseating. When one realises that from 10 to 12 per cent of Vancouver’s population can be seated at once, there appears to be some logic to what he says. Tom Shields jr., son of Tom Shields, Olympia Theatre, has taken over the Brown Derby Tea Room which he is running in addition to acting as projectionist in his father’s theatre. As an added attraction, Amy Scriven recently put on a puppet show at the Stanley Theatre, and it was so well received that, in response to many requests, she has signed it up for a return engagement. It is also booked for the Olympia. Bob McEwan of the Star Theatre is an enthusiastic golfer with a daily record of eighteen holes, rain or shine. W. P. Nichols, Royal Theatre, has added vaudeville to his programs, so entering into competition with the Beacon in catering to audiences in that part of the city. Joe Archer, formerly manager of Empire-Universal Films, has resigned, and the office has been taken over by Frank Vaughan who came on from Winnipeg. The mother of Harold Warren, Capitol Theatre, Port Alberni, inet with an accident which resulted in a broken ankle. She is slowly recovering. Norman Duncan, Strand Theatre, was a prize winner in the exploitation contest in connection with “Love Finds Andy Hardy.” Another winner was Ernie Lackey, manager of the Capitol, Kamloops, B. C. Hungarian to GN Hollywood — Steven Szekley, Hungarian director, has signed a term contract at Grand National. 84 BOXOFFICE :: February 11, 1939