Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1945)

MONTREAL J$ lthough there is still hope of some modification of Quebec’s luxury tax, distributors are adding six per cent to their film bills to theatres, that being the amount they are instructed to collect, as from April 27. Protests have been made by the Allied Theatrical Industries on behalf of exhibitors but so far there is no indication that films or film rentals will be exempted from the tax. The impost also applies to electric lights and telephones, as well as to automobiles, telegrams and cables, radios, and a host of other items. Word comes from Dublin that the southern Irish are seeing American and British war films and documentaries for the first time, owing to the lifting of the censorship at the end of the war. Personal appearances of film stars are so frequent nowadays that middle-aged fans have been racking their recollections to determine who were the first stars to visit Montreal. Amongst those for whom claims are made are Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Bayne, who appeared at the Regent in 1919 . . . George Formby is pulling them in at the Snowdon with his latest comedy, “Bell Bottom George.” E. N, Tabah, general manager and secretary of Confederation Amusements, announces declaration of a dividend of $3 a share on the preferred stock, payable June 15 to shareholders of record May 15 . . . Ken L. Royce, former manager of General Films in Montreal, is now manager of the Drummond in Drummondville, Que., for the proprietor, Edouard Gaunthier, Sorel. His Majesty’s is showing a British film, “Mr. Emmanuel,” starring the Norwegian actress, Greta Gynt . . . Anne Baxter celebrated VE-Day here, taking part in a broadcast, but made a faux pas when she said she spoke French, “but not the kind of French spoken in Montreal.” French-Canadians contend they speak perfect French, so her remark did not go down too well. In Montreal for a Victory Loan broadcast was Pierre Aumont, who appeared in stage plays here when he first escaped from France. He made a personal appearance at the Chateau and was acclaimed by a large audience . . . The Montreal branch of the Canadian Association of Scientific Workers, cooperating with the National Film Board and the National Film Society of Canada, gave a free “scientific film night.” A Soviet film of experiments in the revival of organisms was shown. Roland Cantin’s latest song, “Put Away Your Gun, My Little Soldier” was published VE-Day and had it first radio airing over the Dominion network of CBC, being broadcast from the Normandie Roof in Montreal . . . The motion picture industry is continuing its protests against Quebec’s six per cent luxury tax, which applies to films and film rentals . . . The regular semiannual dividend of 50 cents a share has been declared on the “A,” “B” and Voting Trust certificates of United Amusement Corp., and will be payable May 31 to holders of record May 15. “Le Pere Chopin,” first feature length film made in Quebec province, had its premiere at the St. Denis. It was produced by Renaissance Films of this city and much of it was shot in suburban St. Laurent. Local stage and radio stars figure in the cast . . . Theatres, as usual, have played a worthy part in promoting the Eighth Victory Loan . . . Consolidated Theatres in the past 12 months distributed 16,000 free passes to visiting members of the armed forces. Consolidated owns and operates all the first run theatres on St. Catherine St. Expert Dislikes Mount Royal Television Station Plan MONTREAL — A mountain top location for a television broadcasting station, while it might prove more satisfactory in some ways, is not vital to its successful operation, according to Leonard Spencer, chief engineer of CKAC and the first radio technician in Canada to delve into the possibilities of visual broadcasting. Surrounded by all manner of radio equipment, Spencer announced that in theory the higher the antenna, the more efficient the station. “A balloon would be the best,” he chuckled. “But seriously, with today’s tremendous strides in television, any tall building equipped with a modern antenna would be just as good or even better than the mountain site. "It’s true that if the building wasn’t as high as the peak of Mount Royal here, residents in sections of Outremont and the town of Mount Royal would have poor reception. On the other hand, the Sun Life Bldg, is about the same height as the mountain and would serve ideally if a tall antenna were constructed on the roof. “There are too many factors against the site on Mount Royal,” Spencer contended. Bacall Opposite Boyer in "Agent" Lauren Bacall has been assigned the feminine lead opposite Charles Boyer in “Confidential Agent,” the Warner version of the Graham Greene novel. Herman Shumlin will direct with Robert Buckner producing. ST. JOHN. A father and son are competitors in film distribution in the maritime provinces — Reg March, trade veteran and maritime manager for 20th-Fox, and John March, PRC maritime manager. Both have headquarters in St. John. The younger March has been in distribution since his late teens. This is believed to be one of the few instances of a father and son in competition in selling pictures. Stevie Doane, chairman of the Nova Scotia censor board, was a trophy winner in the Mayflower Curling Club’s ice activities for the 1944-45 season at Halifax. He is a veteran curling enthusiast . . . Lou Michelson. who had been on the staff of Columbia and Maritime Films for many years, now is booker at Monogram here. Previously, Sam Jacobs, manager, did his own booking. There is no further word yet as to when Monogram will start erecting its new exchange building near the currently used quarters, and with Empire-Universal as a tenant. The Yeo Theatres at Souris and Montague on Prince Edward Island are using the same pictures for consecutive dates. In addition to two shows a night, the Montague Yeo offers one Saturday afternoon show, starting at 3. The Empire, located upstairs in the municipal market building in Charlottetown, is now being operated only three days a week by the Spencer circuit. The Prince Edward, originally used for road shows, is being continued by Spencer at Charlottetown. It seats 1,050 and was the first Spencer house in the island community, having been taken over 35 years ago. The Spencer Capitol seats 514 and was built 17 years ago. The site for the new Spencer house is immediately adjoining the Capitol. Joe Franklin is back in St. John after being absent since December, when he trekked to Miami Beach. On the way back he visited in New York and Boston. Mrs. Franklin accompanied him. Western Showmen Back Pioneer Fund VANCOUVER — Leo Devaney, general manager of RKO for Canada and president of the Canadian Picture Pioneers, was a visitor. He spoke at a luncheon at Hotel Vancouver to outline the activities of the CPP in connection with the Clair Hague memorial benevolent funds. All exchange managers, circuit heads and independent theatre owners attended. The following officers were elected: District manager, Frank Gow of FPC; district captain, Harry Woolfe, UA; publicity and exploitation, Ivan Ackery, manager of the Orpheum. Devaney outlined the objects of the fund in his address and the western showmen voiced support of the idea, which is to help any needy person in the amusement business whether they are a member of CPP or not. Devaney also reported that Variety Tents would be established in key centers across the Dominion soon. Price Ceilings to Remain In Canada Indefinitely OTTAWA — Abolishment or reduction of wartime taxes on many articles, announced by the Canadian finance department following the termination of hostilities in Europe, does not affect ceiling prices or other forms of wartime control, it has been stated by an official source in Ottawa. Such ceilings are to be maintained indefinitely because of the danger of inflation, it was stated. There has been no change in the order-incouncil providing for the freezing of theatre admission prices nor in the regulations governing film rental contracts. At the same time the wartime prices and trade board is not requiring merchandisers to reduce prices on building materials, electrical appliances and other lines to the extent of war-tax reductions but it was anticipated that benefits would be passed on to consumers wherever possible. If this policy is maintained by the prices board, theatres would not be required to reduce admission prices when the war amusement tax of 20 per cent on theatre grosses is dropped by the government. Distinguished Audience At the "Blimp" Premiere MONTREAL — Film critics were among the guests invited to witness the Canadian official premiere of the GCF film, “Colonel Blimp,” at the Elgin, Ottawa. Among those present were the governor general and Princess Alice, several ambassadors, statesmen, naval, military and air force officers, and, of course, film distributors. John Grierson gave a luncheon and at it one of the speakers was E. M. Schnitzer of United Artists. A reception was also given by Donald Gordon, chairman of the wartime prices and trade board. Local critics were taken around the National Film Board building and viewed some of the current pictures. Return Billing for 'Sullivans' In St. John Family Theatre ST. JOHN — Business was so heavy for “The Sullivans” at the local Regent, only northend theatre, that a three-day run of continuous shows failed to meet the demand. The film was brought back several weeks later for another three-day stand. The first time it was shown the first half of the week. The second showing was in the latter half. Return bookings are unusual at this neighborhood house. 104 BOXOFFICE :: May 26, 1945