Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

TORONTO ^iidred C. O’Neill, wife of Willard J. O’Neill, an executive of Canadian Paramount for many years, died last week. The requiem mass was held at St. Monica’s church Saturday (24i. The husband is a member of the Canadian Picture Pioneers and of the Paramount 25 -Year club . . . James Davidson, formerly of Edinburgh, Scotland, has been appointed assistant manager of the Hume at Burlington, Ont., a unit of the National circuit. Harry Ochs of Cleveland has arranged for the construction of his second auto theatre in Ontario at Oshawa. The first, the Northeast Drive-In, was opened April 22 for its second season . . . Ernie Moule, veteran exhibitor at Brantford and a partner of Famous Players Canadian Corp., has left the hospital there for a second time following a complete rest. The Paramount on St. Clair avenue is offering dinnerware premiums Monday to Thursday nights inclusively . . . The 20th Century Theatres has purchased the Scarboro, seating 730, from Bloom & Fine, which acquired the Community, another Toronto theatre of similar size, from 20th Century. Stern Bros, has bought the Avalon in the east end from 20th Century Theatres, which now will be operated independently. The Avalon accommodates 450. Sam Russ, co-owner of the Gayety at Collingwood, is on a long-defeiTed trip to Palermo, Italy, to visit relatives, including a sister whom he has invited to come to Canada to live. G. E. Robinson, who has been in the moving picture industry in the United States and Great Britain since 1919 and more recently with the film and theatre section of the control commission in Germany, arrived here from London to join his wife and daughter. A well-known figure in Wardour street, the Filmrow of London, he hopes to reestablish himself in the film industry here . . . H. A. Bercovich of the Broadway Theatre, Regina, has been in Toronto and eastern Canada on a business trip. James Whittaker, former Kearney, Ont., hotel owner, has purchased the Hudson Theatre in the north end from the Heller Bros. . . . Keith Wilson, manager of the Odeon in Brampton, has also been given charge of the Roxy there. The Roxy, a 618-seater, is the first theatre in Canada of the quonset type. W. M. Gladish, BOXOFFICE correspondent in Toronto, has been elected to the board of the Canadian Philatelic society, a countrywide organization for stamp collectors . . . The three women who direct the International Cinema, Toronto’s art theatre, were given good mention in the Evening Telegram for the success of their combined efforts. They are Mrs. Yvonne Taylor, owner; Mrs. Evelyn Proctor, manager, and Mrs. Beatrice Fischer, advertising director. Mrs. Taylor is the wife of N. A. Taylor, head of the 20th Century Theatres circuit. Ken Cashman, film industry representative for Photo Engravers, armounces the birth of Linda Norrine, their first child . . . Morris Rittenberg, owner of the Garden and Orpheum theatres, has been handing out cigars following the birth of his third son . . . Katherine Dunham, who appeared at the Royal Alexandra Theatre recently and is featured in Empire-Universal’s coming attraction, “Casbah,” was a guest at a luncheon given by the film industry section of the Toronto United Jewish Appeal. Joe Marks, general sales manager for Pathe Pictures in London, England, is moving to Toronto with his wife and two children. OTTAWA ^he Elmdale in the west end has installed a special lighting system for the use of the congregation of St. Matthias church, which is holding Sunday morning services in the theatre during the construction of the new church on nearby Parkdale avenue. When it was found that the regular lights were unsuitable, a new system was installed. Morris Berlin, proprietor of the Nelson, sponsored a concert of Jewish liturgical and folk music by Moishe Kussevitsky, tenor . . . Appropriately, Manager Henry Marshall of the Regent presented “Out of the Past,’’ after which he played a return presentation of “Wings of the Morning,” a picture of more than a decade ago. There was a fine attendance for the revival run. Twice during the holdover week of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” the Famous Players Capitol broke performances for a stage concert on Wednesday and Thursday nights . . . The suburban municipality of Nepean has granted a $25,000 building permit to Park Drive-In Theatres for an open-air theatre on the South March road near Britannia bay. Work has already started. A popular visitor was Helen Allen, film reviewer for the Toronto Evening Telegram here, attending the national convention of the Progressive-Conservative party . . . Dr. L. A. Clarke, health officer, has blamed Saturday film shows for juveniles for the spread of measles in some parts of Ontario. He argued that the children did not have the close contact in schools that they had in the theatres. Marvin H. Schenck of New York, eastern representative of MGM, spent two days in consultation with Barbara Ann Scott, world and Olympic figure-skating champion. Barbara Ann said she had not yet decided on a professional career but she is considering offers. The three Odeon suburban theatres in Ottawa are presenting stage shows one night a week. The Glebe, managed by Frank Gallop, conducted a “Search for Talent Contest” for prizes; the Roxy offered a musical quiz progi'am in cooperation with the Record Bar, and the Nola presented a mystery night stage show. The three theatres have giveaways on three other nights of the week. Ernie Roberts and Dave Mackenzie of the Montreal headquarters of Associated Screen News were here to attend the organization meeting of the National Industrial Film council as observers. Demonstrate Equipment TORONTO — More than 100 projectionists were guests of the General Theatre Supply Co. at the international room of Columbia Pictures’ new building recently for luncheon and a demonstration of the Simplex E7 projector, Simplex Four Star sound system and Peerless Magnarc lamp. B. C. Okays Tagging Of 'Adult' Pictures VANCOUVER — The British Columbia legislature has passed a film control bill which authorizes the censor board to classify pictures as adult entertainment in cases where it is felt the films are unsuitable for children. The bill was given a rough time in the legislature. Some members called for more severe control of pictures and one member termed the measure a “pitiful abortion.” Proponents said it was “at least a start” on regulation of films for children. Judge Dismisses Damage Claim Against Theatre VANCOUVER — Mrs. James Brooks, 71, who went to the Orpheum two years ago to see “The Spiral Staircase,” found in supreme court she couldn’t collect $965 damages for falling on a real staircase in the theatre. Justice "Whittaker dismissed the damage action of the women and her husband. Mrs. Brooks suffered a fractured ankle in going to her seat in the lower balcony. Famous Players denied an usherette was negligent in using a flashlight and said the theatre’s lighting facilities were of an approved type. Pete Barnes Purchases Third Theatre in B. C. VANCOUVER— Pete Barnes of Foto-Nite Distributors has added a third theatre to his British Columbia circuit. He acquired the unfinished Lulu Theatre in Brighouse from three veterans who built it. Barnes will install Simplex projectors and sound, 450 chairs and other equipment and will open the house May 15. The nearest theatre is the Odeon Marpole, three miles away. Barnes also operates the Langley Prairie and Hollyburn in West Vancouver as well as an Ontario chain. FORT WILLIAM J^uring the past week, show business here as well as at Port Arthm has been off, due to the hockey playoffs. Scalpers were reselling $1 tickets for as high as $5. This would tend to keep would-be patrons out of the theatres for a while as currency is tightening up . . . The Capitol did not fare very well with “Daisy Kenyon” last week, but the Orpheum did better than average on “Saigon.” During the past week, the Capitol installed a new exhaust fan which will mean additional air conditioning comfort for its patrons . . . Dave Muirhead, projectionist at the Orpheum, was ill and was replaced by John Vickruck of the Royal. Greg Imperius replaced Vickruck at the Royal. It is quite a sight to see two theatres on opposite sides of the street being erected by rival companies, such as is happening in Port Arthur. It keeps local people guessing which will open first. One day it looks as though Odeon has the jump then the next day it looks as though Famous Players will be finished first. Both theatres are in the heart of the city and will be first runs. 106 BOXOFFICE :: May 1, 1948