Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

MONTREAL 'J'HE audience at an evening show in the Granada sat undisturbed and enthralled by the picture while firemen labored to extinguish an outbreak of fire in the cellar, about which no one but the theatre officials knew . . . George Degnon, field representative of RKO, hints at a few previews to be given in Montreal on the lines of the recent advance showing of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” in Boston. Roy Tash, ace cameraman of AssociatedScreen News, journeyed to Ottawa to cover the ill-fated conference of premiers of Canadian provinces studying the Rowell-Sirois report, and then went to “Little Norway’’ near Toronto and filmed the visit of Crown Prince Olaf and Princess Martha who inspected Norwegian aviators in training there . . . Lucien Roy, ASN cameraman, interviewed and pictured Sir Walter Citrine, secretary of the British Trades Union Congress, when he arrived at Vancouver. Eric Byrne, assistant manager of the Monkland, who joined the active service forces, has reached England, and in a letter to Gaston Fauteux, manager, tells how disconcerting he finds the blackouts . . . Dr. Dafoe, physician to the Dionne Quintuplets, reports that 250,000 persons saw the Quints last year, but that only 25 per cent of the visitors were Americans, reversing the customary percentage. Wilfred Lawson, British film star, has been refused permission to accept a Hollywood contract, the British home secretary announces . . . 20 th-Fox has already started its 1941-42 Canadian selling campaign for which plans were laid recently at a meeting in Toronto presided over by William C. Gehring, manager of the Central division. First Canadian contracts received are said to have come from Winnipeg . . . The British Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Ass’n Council is aiming at unrestricted Smiday shows in 5,000 cinemas in London and provincial centers. Willie Eckstein, pioneer motion picture pianist of Montreal, is receiving the sympathy of the film community on the death of his brother, George Peter Eckstein . . . British motion picture censors have passed, without a cut, the $250,000 film “Spellbound,” for which a certificate was originally refused on the ground that it deals with spiritualism . . . L. W. Payne, manager of the Capitol, Listowel, Ont., sponsored two children’s matinees to raise funds for the Toronto Evening Telegram British War Victims’ Fund, to which a substantial check representing the receipts was forwarded. Mayor LaGuardia of New York was the subject for ASN still pictures as Fred Egan covered the mayor’s visit to Montreal to attend sessions of the Joint Defense Board . . . “Skyway Over Canada,” new 16 mm three-reel Trans-Canada Air Lines picture, for which the musical score was written by Lucio Agostino, and narration handled by Corey Thompson, was in Associated Screen Studios laboratories last week for recording of sound track . . . W. J. Singleton, sales manager of Associated Screen News, and S. T. Tait, manager of the company’s 16 mm department, have returned from a trip to Chicago. Ontario Considers No New or Added Taxes Toronto — According to announcement by Premier M. F. Hepburn, the Province of Ontario is expected to balance its budget for the fiscal year ending March 31 with the main sources of revenue being the corporation and income taxes, gasoline tax and licenses, succession duty and liquor profits. Hepburn declared that no new taxes would be imposed and there would be no tax increases. There has been specific intimation that no move would be made to revive the amusement tax in Ontario and the schedule of Provincial license fees for theatres will remain unchanged. At the same time, it is understood that the federal government will invade the field of provincial taxation in order to gain additional revenue for the war effort. A great deal depends upon the voluntary response of the people in contributing by the purchase of war bonds and war savings stamps. It is understood that the Dominion government will extend the list of prohibited articles for import as a further step toward retaining funds. Motion pictures are not likely to be restricted but there may be a ban on the purchase of theatre equipment and of some advertising accessories. Neil Agnew Confers With Fitzgibbons in Toronto Toronto — Neil F. Agnew, vice-president in charge of distribution for Paramount, was a visitor last week here for a conference with J. J. Fitzgibbons of Famous Players Canadian, on sales. Del Goodman, newly appointed Canadian district manager who was at the home office familiarizing himself with the company sales methods, is due back in Toronto. (t ft : SASKATCHEWAN : V >J QNE-TIME manager of the Ritz Theatre, Saskatoon, which his father owned, Lieut. Donald Hoar, who went to England in 1936 to join the Royal Air Force, has been reported missing after action with the fleet air arm in which he served. Marjorie Hawe, secretary of the Met, Regina, is back on the job after an attack of measles. June Derbyshire, cashier, is at home with the flu. A new usher is Mel Brown. Frank Kershaw, district manager of Famous Players, Calgary, was a recent Regina visitor. He was on his usual routine inspection trip. Foyer alterations, expected to cost between $1,800 and $2,000, are now under way at the Roxy, Regina. I. Reinhorn is manager. New usher at the Capitol Theatre, Regina, is Harry Todd who replaces Mel McElree who left to join the elementary flying training school in Regina. WINNIPEG JNTRODU CED here last week, following a suggestion made by Syl Gunn, the Capitol, Metropolitan, Lyceum and Gaiety have put into effect a new Saturday night policy. Those houses which play double bills during the week are omitting the second feature on Saturday night and replacing it with shorts. The move is intended to do away with the inordinate running time of the usual double bill, make for a much quicker turnover, and eliminate as far as possible the turning away of patronage. Warner’s “Christmas Under Fire” is playing local houses this week and earning warm commendation from theatre patrons. Eddie Newman at the Lyceum again stole a march on the rest of the trade, with his Wednesday opening giving him a day’s advantage over his competitors. Warners, too, are coming in for some fine praise on the efforts this company is making with these contributions. At the Capitol, Harold Bishop publicized “Bitter Sweet” through the medium of an air trailer over station CJRC, plugging story and songs. In addition he made extensive use of music store tie ups. Don Gauld’s sneak previews at the Uptown are attracting crowds from all over the city. For the second time in two weeks, thieves broke into the Elm and made their getaway with a considerable haul of silver, although they left the house safe intact. The usual custom at the house is to present each guest weekly with a single piece of silver, but apparently this routine is not fast enough for some. Two British films, both starring the comedian, George Formby, are doing very well here. “Leave It to George” is doing fine at Syl Gunn’s Metropolitan while the other, “It’s in the Air,” has been held for a second week at Garnet Wright’s Bijou. Industrial shorts turned out here by Jack Pechett of Canadian Screen Publicity are earning praise from theatre managers and the public as good screen entertainment. E. A. Zorn, Famous Players district manager, has left for an inspection trip to the head of the lakes . . . J. Miles, president of Western Theatres, Ltd., has gone to Florida on holiday . . . Sim Rost, Garrick manager who has been on the sick list for some time, is recovering at home. Henry A. Morton of Morton theatres made a substantial contribution to Canada’s war effort . . . Leon Toraldo, Crescent manager, is on the sick list . . . “Arizona” goes into its second week at the Garrick. The Best in Film Fare For British Troops Montreal — British army chiefs and executives of the British film trade have reached an agreement for full cooperation in presenting the best films to the troops in all parts of the United Kingdom. BOXOFFICE : : February 8, 1941 77