Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1945)

VANCOUVER /""•harlie Doctor, manager of the Capitol, reports the death of his father at the age of 71. Another son, Gordon, also survives . . . Bessie Webster, for the past seven years with 20th-Fox, resigned following her recent marriage. Trixie Thompson, former secretary to Manager Jimmy Patterson, succeeds her as cashier. A check on local first run theatres which have been playing both single and twin bills indicate that single features are in the lead at the boxoffices of the downtown Capitol, Orpheum and Vogue theatres. Recent Odeon changes in B. C. managers saw Jack Bernard move from the Olympia to the Odeon in North Vancouver. He was succeeded by Effie Simpson, former assistant manager at the Park. A1 Davidson of the Rio, Ladysmith, took over at the Plaza, Victoria, succeeding Jack Armstrong, who went to the Lux, Vancouver. Tom Cook moved from the Lux to the Rio Theatre, Victoria, and Bill Calladine from the Rio, Victoria, to Ladysmith. VE-Day proved a harvest day for Vancouver theatres, all doing capacity business. Theatres presented lavish fronts to celebrate the victory . . . The Regina office staff of General Films 16mm exchange made 120 Red Cross donations since the Blood Clinic was opened two years ago. It has only 35 members. Joe Atlemore of the Natal Theatre, now in the army stationed at Little Mountain barracks, was on Filmrow looking up his pals in show world. His wife is managing the Natal in his absence ... A Vancouver girl has returned to her home town as star of one of the most publicized pictures in recent months. She is Yvonne DeCarlo, 20year-old former King Edward School student, who is starring in “Salome, Where She Danced.” Earl Keate, field publicity man for RKO, was here from his Seattle headquarters working on a campaign with Charlie Doctor for the coming showing of “Enchanted Cottage” at the Capitol . . . British Columbia again went over the top as the first province to exceed its Victory Loan quota. It was passed four days ahead of the finish of the drive. The film industry did a tip-top job for the drive. The New Westminster board of trade has obtained a 16mm sound film projector which it will place, with one of its operators, at the disposal of the public. Five hundred films are available . . . Famous Players Canadian Corp. recently completed a partnership agreement whereby it takes over the operation of the Northland Theatre, Flin-Flon, Man., from C. Plummer, who retains a 50 per cent interest. Hugh Summers, from the Strand, Brandon, was appointed manager. A color movie of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, its scenic delights and industrial possibilities, will be made this summer by the government of British Columbia . . . Leo Devaney, general manager of RKO and president of the Canadian Picture Pioneers, was a recent visitor. William Passmore of the Royal Theatre, Moose Jaw, Sask., has purchased the 396seat Cadet Theatre, Esquimalt, B. C. It is only three miles from Victoria and a big naval base. His son will manage the theatre until Passmore moves to the coast . . . Earl Hayter, Odeon supervisor for British Columbia, has served 25 years in the movie industry. He has been voted into the Canadian Picture Pioneers here. Leslie Plottel, Empire-Universal manager, and his Vancouver staff are winning top money in the Canadian division of the Universal sales drive . . . Dennis Earl of the Oak, associated with the Odeon circuit the last three years, has been appointed manager of the Odeon Theatre in Haney, B. C., succeeding Jack Pearce, resigned, Earl Hayter, Odeon supervisor, announced. With the timeliness which has made Canada's National Film Board famous, a new subject, “Salute to Victory,” is now playing local first runs. The short is a tribute to the Dominion’s fighting men and home front workers. It is available to all theatres free. Albert Wiancho, who operates the Bently in Bently, Alta., has purchased the theatre at Rimbey, Alta., from Bert Hedley of the Empress, Ponoka . . . Larry Bearg, western CRITICS SEE “BLIMP” — Canadian reviewers and tradepaper representatives attended a dinner given by United Artists at the Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, for the Canadian National Film Board before the opening of “Colonel 'Blimp” at the Elgin Theatre. Among those present, and pictured above, are: Hy Bossin, Canadian Film Weekly; Helen Allen, Toronto Evening Telegram; Jacques LaRoche, La Presse, Montreal; Jay Smith, Canadian Moving Picture Digest; J. W. Thompson, Montreal Herald; Will McLaughlin, Ottawa Journal; E. W. Harrold, Ottawa Citizen; Jean Logan, Ottawa Citizen; Herbert Whitaker, Montreal Gazette; Jack Karr, Toronto Star, and Roly Young, Toronto Globe and Mail. district manager, is here from Toronto on an inspection visit of British Columbia Famous Player houses. Bearg was British Columbia district manager for FPC before his promotion. He will take his family east when he returns to head office. W. P. Nicols of the Royal, dean of theatre veterans here, will begin a stage show policy now that alterations are completed in compliance with the British Columbia fire regulations which were tightened up recently. He will offer twin bills plus vaudeville. The house is in the east end , . . The Lyric at Swift Current, Sask., has experienced another outbreak of seat-slashing and other vandalism in the theatre which includes the dismantling and stealing of light fixtures, Mike Healey, owner, reports. No one fainted and no one walked out. This was the report of local theatre managers following the first run showings of atrocity films. People were anxious to see the films and boxoffice receipts increased, exhibitors said . . . The Hollywood troupe of stars here for the Victory Loan drive went for Canadian steaks and cigarets in a big way, both short in the U.S., the stars said. The Vogue here cashed in on the local girl angle of Yvonne DeCarlo in the film “Salome, Where She Danced,” to outstanding business with a topnotch press. The film appeared set for a long and profitable engagement. It’s now on its second terrific week. TORONTO Dersistent rumors, not denied, are that 20th * Century Theatres is closing a deal for the taking over of Firestone Theatre Enterprises as a part of the circuit’s expansion program. Sam and Harry Firestone have been associated with N. A. Tavlor for several years and their holdings include an interest in the Midtown. Toronto, and ownershiD of the Esquire, Toronto, and the Esquire, Brantford. It was a proud moment for Win Barron, commentator for Canadian News, for which he makes weekly trips to New York, when he screened the Victory edition of the series for a group of press reviewers and other interested persons along with the feature, “Bring On the Girls.” The Victory News was a rapid-fire roundup of events leading to the collapse of Germany. Barron was credited with a fine job. The complete occupation of Germany has been followed by the news of the liberation of Thomas William Dowbiggin of the RCAF from a Nazi prison camp. He was reported missing after a raid over enemy territory last summer. He is the oldest son of Tom Dowbiggin, veteran branch manager of Paramount at Montreal. A younger son is also in the air force. James R. Nairn, advertising manager of Famous Players Canadian Corp., enjoyed a lengthy stay in New York City for a checkup on exploitation jobs ... A former booker of the Toronto branch of Paramount Film Service, Lieut. William DeMille of the RCAF overseas group, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery and meritorious service. Details of the citation were not available. The Variety Club is considering plans which include taking over the Green Room in the Victoria Theatre, owned by Famous Players . . . A1 Sedgwick, recently appointed manager of Odeon’s Palace at St. Catharines, has reported to friends in Toronto he has encountered the familiar housing problem there . . . Harry J. Kaufman, general manager of Monogram, was in Chicago for a conference of the company’s franchise holders. 102 BOXOFFICE :: May 26, 1945