Boxoffice (Sep 29, 1951)

en Ontario Theatremen Sludy Bingo Menace TORONTO—The Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario has appointed a special committee, headed by President Harry S. Mandell, to prepare a review of bingo competition for presentation to the October directors’ meeting and, later, to the annual convention which is tentatively scheduled for October 31 at the King Edward hotel. Bingo competition has become a menace, particularly in the Ottawa and Windsor areas, where thousands of patrons attend the games for which as many as five automobiles are offered as prizes in one night. Delegates to the third annual convention in Montreal Monday (24) of the national committee of the Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass’ns of Canada, were President Mandell and H. C. D. Main of Toronto. The latter conducted a comprehensive survey on television as it affects the theatre business and his report will be presented to the annual meeting of the Ontario body here. ‘ Morris Stein has prepared a report on Toronto’s zoning bylaw as it affects theatres and Joseph Singer has been retained as the association’s legal representative for the presentation of a brief to the planning board. Robber Is Identified MONTREAL—Leslie Peter Karozsi, 32 was identified in court here by the manager, cashier and doorman of the Capitol Theatre as the gunman who stole $1,910 at the motion picture theatre on the night of August 6. Karozsi was committed by Judge Gustave Marin for voluntary statement. William E. McLaughlin, theatre manager, testified at the preliminary hearing that.Karozsi followed doorman J. W. Madigan into his office, pointed a revolver at them and asked for the money. At the time, he related, Madeleine Leathead, the cashier, was present counting the day’s receipts. Fashion Show in Lobby TORONTO—Manager W. C. Tyers of the Odeon had a busy time in connection with the local first run of “Night Without Stars.” He arranged as an added attraction for four nights a fall fashion promenade in the lobby, featuring the clothes worn by Nadia Gray, star of the picture. The fashion show was arranged in cooperation with several local firms which specialize with women’s apparel and hats. Tyers also staged a sneak preview of a coming attraction on one night. ‘Hoffmann’ Bow Oct.5 * TORONTO—The Canadian premiere of “Tales of Hoffmann” will be held at the Towne Cinema, a specialty. unit of 20th Century Theatres, October 5, with all seats reserved and performances twice daily at $1.75 top. “Kon-Tiki” was in its fifth week at the Towne while “Bitter Rice” was playing a fourth week at the International Cinema. ‘Eye View’ in Canada TORONTO—Allen’s Hollywood here had nice success with the Canadian premiere of a British production, “The Worm's Eye View,” after an extensive advance campaign. BOXOFFICE :: September 29, 1951 Saskatchewan Risk Dept. Makes Theatre and Other Type Loans Program Arranged For Variety Wives TORONTO—The women’s committee for Toronto Tent 28 has drawn up a special program for the wives of delegates who will be attending the midyear conference here of Variety International, October 4-6, at the Royal York hotel. Tours, receptions, luncheons and other entertainment are scheduled, including a visit to Variety Village School for Crippled Boys. In charge of arrangements are Mrs. J. J. Chisholm, chairman of the women's committee, and Mrs. Ben Smith, entertainment chairman. They were all hoping to see Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. About 300 U.S. Pictures In Hong Kong in 1950 WASHINGTON—During 1950, trade sources report that 300 United States, 50 British, and 50 Russian and Chinese feature films were imported for exhibition in Hong Kong. There were also 222 feature films produced in Hong Kong during 1950, all of which were in the Cantonese dialect except 18 which were produced in Mandarin. Hong Kong regulations provided that theatres must exhibit British films at least 10 per cent of their playing time but because of an insufficient supply of British pictures this quota has not been strictly adhered to. Domestically produced motion pictures are the principal competitors of United States films, as they comprise about 30 per cent of the films exhibited. The Cantonese dialect of the Chinese language is the predominant language of the colony with English and the Mandarin dialect secondary languages. British and other continental films account for about 10 per cent of the features shown. United States films are well received and are preferred to domestic and other foreign films. The average production cost of a domestic feature film is about 32,000 to 40,000 Hong Kong dollars for a picture in the Cantonese dialect and from 120,000 to 180,000 Hong Kong dollars for one in the Mandarin dialect. Renaissance Bankruptcy Actions Ruled Legal MONTREAL — A petition contesting the bankruptcy entered into by Renaissance Films and filed by the former vice-president of the film company, was rejected with costs by Justice Auguste Boyer in superior court here. The petitioner, Ovila Robitaille, a local merchant, charged that the bankruptcy act on August 22 was decided by a minority group and not a quorum as required. Renaissance Films was the respondent. Ernest Lafontaine, representing the company, declared a quorum existed at the meeting and that the bankruptcy act was committed “in every sense of the word.” Rosaire Beaudoin, president of Renaissance Films, testified he received notice of the meeting from Samuel Gagnier, secretary. He was not present at the meeting, he said. K REGINA, SASK.—Considerable interest has been engendered among film industry circles by the news that the Saskatchewan government insurance department now has a loan interest in the theatre business. It holds a first mortgage for $75,000 on two theatres at Weyburn, the Soo and the Hi-Art. Philip Bodnoff of Regina, president of Soo Theatres, Ltd., has given the mortage to the Saskatchewan government insurance office in return for the $75,000 loan. Officials of the government declined to reveal how many theatre mortgages it holds or the percentages of the total investment it has in theatres. According to M. F. Allore, manager, the government insurance office looks at every investment from the point of view of whether the loan is a good investment. The Weyburn Theatre mortgages provide that the loan is to be paid back in 20 installments of $3,750 the last of which is to be paid March 1960. The interest is 51, per cent. The mortgage is on the theatre properly, including land, building and equipment. Soo Theatres, Ltd., a joint stock company, has Bodnoff as president, Sam Karby as vice-president and Marcus Bloom, secretary, all three from Regina. Bodnoff and Karby are also connected with Theatre Under the Stars, Ltd., which owns and operates the Sunset Drive-In just outside Regina, and in which Premier T. C. Douglas and C. F. Fines, provincial treasurer, are directors. Douglas, Fines, Bodnoff and Dr. M. C. Shumiacther have loaned over $60,000 to Theatre Under the Stars. Exhibitors in Manitoba, Alberta as well as in Saskatchewan are watching all details of these negotiations with the idea of the possible similar request on their part in the near future. Politics entered the scene with the announcement by Alvin Hamilton, provincial Progressive Conservative leader, that the entire story was “gravely disturbing” in view of the fact that Bodnoff is president of a company of which Douglas is a director. Premier Douglas took exception to the implication that there is some connection “between this loan and the fact that I own $500 in shares in a drive-in operated by Mr. Bodnoff,” and stated the entire fuss was to create political turmoil by the opposition. Associated British-Pathe Product to Canada IFD TORONTO—A long-term contract for the release of product of Associated BritishPathe in Canada has been secured by International Film Distributors, which has increased its sales staff to handle distribution details. The first feature under the agreement is “Laughter in Paradise’ which will have its Canadian premiere at the International Cinema here about October 8, this being a unit of 20th Century Theatres. N. A. Taylor, IFD president, is also the head of the 20th Century circuit. The general manager of IFD is Douglas V. Rosen. Joan Crawford has reported at Warners for wardrobe conferences for her role in “This Woman Is Dangerous,” 39