Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

"W LONG, former manager of the Rialto, was a recent visitor to Edmonton from Vancouver where he is now manager of the new Vogue. On a business trip, Long traveled by plane both ways . . . Charles Frost and Bill Ross, both formerly employed at the Rialto, have left Edmonton for Vancouver where they have accepted positions with Long. Visitors to Edmonton recently included W. Blankstein, Universal; George Lynch, Paramount, and Reg Dodderdige, RKO, all of Calgary . . . Opening date for the new '‘Public Opinion” contest at the Capitol was February 6. Manager Fred Tickell of the Princess has commenced a new series of amateur contests. Applications for entry are made in advance and contestants may sing, dance or play an instrument. Special shows for children will be held on Saturdays while the regular show will be a weekly event. Enlargement of the stage preparatory to the opening contest, has already been completed. The ‘‘Jitterbug Contest” held at the Strand proved to be such a drawing card that hundreds were unable to obtain admission. The management found it necessary to repeat the contest the following night. Open to couples, the contest was accompanied by a 17 -piece band. Establishing a record in the annals of theatre history, the Capitol was filled continuously from door-opening at 9 a. m. until the show closed at 12:15 a. m. the following morning when “Hudson’s Bay” was shown on Saturday, third day of its run, reports Manager Walter Wilson. With its close association to Edmonton, one of the company’s most historic outposts, the picture had a tremendous popularity with city theatregoers. A broadcast was a feature of the premiere of “Hudson’s Bay” when the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, Hon. John Campell Bowen, was presented with a pair of the famous Hudson’s Bay point blankets on the stage of the Capitol and introductions were made by Manager Walter Wilson. Under the direction of Fred Tickell, newly appointed manager, the Princess will undergo extensive alterations. Chief of these will be the enlargement of the stage to facilitate a new program of feature contests. Following announcement that a jitterbug contest would be held at the Strand, one of the Entwisle chain, the office was flooded with applications, according to Arnold Entwisle. The contest, promoted chiefly among high school teams, will be aided by a 17-piece band. The musi-quiz contest held weekly at the same theatre and at which cash prizes are distributed, is proving particularly popular with members of the armed forces in training here. W. O. Kelly of Paramount, Calgary, was a recent visitor in Edmonton. Following an illness, Kelly now is reported to be in the best of health. Gets Building Contract For Longueuil House Montreal — L. P. Theriault has been awarded the general contract at about $45,000 for the construction of a theatre block and stores in Longueuil, Que. A separate contract for electrical work has been awarded to William Rochon. George A. Duclos is the owner. Work is to start immediately. Plans by L. J. T. Decary call for an ultra-modern fire-proof structure. The theatre will have a seating capacity of 640 persons. The theatre front will have a facing of block vitrolite and snowcrete stucco. With brick work completed, interior work is proceeding on an 800-seat theatre at Sherbrooke Street and Hingston Avenue in the west end. Another theatre is well advanced in construction on St. Denis, near Jarry Street, with a capacity slightly less than that of the Sherbrooke Street building. Both were being designed by Eliasoph & Greenspoon, architects. Allen Silent on Report He Has PRC Franchise Toronto — Regarding a report from Hollywood that Grand National Films, Ltd., Toronto, had taken the Canadian franchise for the product of Producers Releasing Corp., comprising 39 features, Harry J. Allen, general manager of the Canadian company, declared that he had no announcement to make for the present and preferred to give no information. A statement might be possible in due course, he intimated. Allen has returned from a business trip to Winnipeg, where he formerly resided and where he lined up new bookings in conjunction with his brother, I. H. Allen, who is manager of the Winnipeg branch of Canadian Grand National. Two Ontario Exhibitors , Delaney , Simpson, Die Toronto — The death has occurred of two more Ontario exhibitors. Sanford Delaney, proprietor of the Delaney at Gananoque for many years, died after a long illness. The theatre will continue to be operated by his son. Milton B. Simpson, manager of the O’Brien at Almonte, died suddenly at the age of 56 years, leaving a widow and three sons. A native of Ottawa, the deceased became operator at the Almonte Theatre a quarter of a century ago and eventually took over the management of the house which is a unit of the Ottawa Valley Amusement Co. Move on Carnivals Toronto — The city council of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has adopted a move to prohibit the local appearance of any carnival, midway or circus for the duration of the war because of the opposition which is provided permanent amusement operators and because of the money which is taken from the community by carnival engagements. Further carnivals are banned even though they are to be staged under the auspices of local patriotic organizations or for some charity society. RICHARD ( REDHEAD ) BARRON, genial young man in charge of the premium department at the Grand Theatre, left Calgary last Saturday to join the Canadian Air Force. He goes to Toronto to start his initial training. Richard is the youngest son of J. B. Barron, who controls the Grand. Harvey Harnick, local manager for Columbia, put on a stag last Saturday to celebrate the birth of a son born to his wife the day before. Master Martin Barry Harnick and his mother are both doing well. Abe Feinstein, local manager of United Artists, has been confined to his home for the past week, but is reported to be improving. Visitors to Filmrow from country points this week : W. Stewart, of the Empress at Nordegg; Russ Robson (who expects to be in the army this month), of the Opera Theatre at Vulcan; S. Glaser of the Fox Valley at Fox Valley; Mark Jenkins of the Rex at Claresholm and Danny Boyle controlling the Empress at Macleod. a — a : VANCOUVER : — =>) JT IS reported S. V. Henn has very nearly completed his theatre at Sidney, B. C. Sidney is the nearest town to the R.C.A.F. base at Patricia Bay . . . Ben Plottel just returned from up country and advises the weather extremely mlid for this time of the year. Excellent exploitation was secured by Roy Rogers, Republic’s western star, when he rode his horse, Trigger, into the lobby of the largest hotel in this city where the newspapers took pictures of the horse registering at the desk. Further pictures were taken of them in the Panorama Room, the hotel’s largest ballroom. All of this publicity is to be used in conjunction with the drive of the American Western Division of the British War Relief, of which Rogers is chairman. It is understood J. E. Archer will again assume command of the local office of Sovereign Films . . . Nat Levant returned from a quick trip to the Island . . . J. I. Foy, general manager of Sovereign Films, in Vancouver for a short stay . . . C. D. Hoy of the Sunset, Wells, in town booking. $173,880 Nolan Estate : Bulk to His Daughter Ottawa — The net estate left by Patrick J. Nolan, noted independent theatre owner and former mayor of Ottawa, was $173,880, according to the details of the probate in surrogate court and all but a small portion of the assets have been bequeathed to one daughter, Miss Maryan Nolan, who has been in charge of the Rexy and Nola in Ottawa for several years. The sum of $2,000 in cash is left to Mrs. Agnes McCarthy, another daughter, while a sister, Elizabeth Nolan, receives $25 per month. 78 BOXOFFICE :: February 8, 1941