Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

At Least the Kids MPDC Asks Written Proposal Had a Real Time On Clearance Reorganization Montreal — Although the Quebec government authorized the admission of children to a showing of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at the Palace here in February, 1938, it did not authorize their admission to other theatres showing the film. Theatres assuming that right found they were mistaken when prosecutions were launched against them last week and they were fined $10 and costs on each of several counts by Recorder-in -Chief J. Amedee Thouin, as he disposed of a total of 12 of the more than 125 such cases pending before recorder’s court for some weeks. Further cases will be heard. Seven Accusations Hurled The first hearing was a series of seven accusations against operators of the Laval Theatre. City constables submitted evidence as to infractions of the provincial bylaw, prohibiting the admission of children imder 16 years of age to motion picture performances. No defense was offered. In a special plea to the recorder-inchief, defense counsel recalled statements had been widely published in the press that, because of the special character of this particular Walt Disney film, provincial authorities would overlook the law in the case of “Snow White,” and one such statement was attributed to Premier Maurice Duplessis in his capacity of attorneygeneral. On the strength of these statements, he said, his clients had contracted for the picture at a substantial increase in rates, believing latitude would be allowed them for this one particular film. Meanwhile, city police had proceeded to make a series of accusations. He held these circumstances merited special consideration by the court. Recorder-in-Chief Thouin, in imposing the fines, said he was taking into consideration— in not regarding the series of complaints as second and subsequent offenses— that accused had not acted in bad faith, in view of the published statements regarding tolerance of violation for the “Snow White” showings. He was also taking into consideration, he said, that the series of offenses had been charged against the operators without them having had the opportimity of explaining their position before the court. The Law Stands At the same time, he declared the publication in the press did not nullify the law nor relieve theatre owners of the obligation to obey the law and they had been caught in a series of charges made by police. He further remarked it was reasonable to suppose there must be some limit to the tolerance in admitting children to theatres. For these reasons, he had imposed the minimum fine on the subsequent offenses. Identical fines were imposed in the case of the operator of the Fairyland, against whom two charges were made. Remaining three cases heard were those against operators of the Perron Hall, the same fines being imposed. Toronto — The Anti-Protection League of Canada was asked Thursday to submit a written proposal to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Canada and to appoint representatives for a joint conference to negotiate clearance reorganization. The league is asked to outline its desired bases of conciliation and the scope proposed for the conciliation boards, also whether these boards are wanted in every province. J. O. Scott of the league has been invited to join the Toronto film board of trade as the fourth member of the conciliation committee and the representative of the independent exhibitors. Chairman, L. M. Devaney, general manager RKO Distributing Corp. of Canada, Ltd.; N. A. Taylor, vice-president, Harry Firestone, president and Hyman Freedman, past president, representing the Independent Theatres Ass’n; Sam Fine of B&F Theatres, Ltd., affiliate of Famous Players Canadian Corp.; Herbert Allen, Theatre Holding Corp.; R. Main, Associated Theatres, Ltd.; Ben Geldsaeler, ^HOUGH Regina is 150 miles from Swift Current, the enterprising management of the Lyric and Eagle theatres of the latter city are buying plenty of Regina radio time these days to advertise their attractions and the value of Swift Current as a stop-over point on western holiday tours. Both theatres are also planning to take a prominent part in the International Days celebration on July 1 which is expected to attract 25,000 people to the western city. C. Marshall, operator of the Empress at North Battleford, is considering installation of a new cooling plant . . . It’s the weather. Saskatchewan is having the wettest spring in 15 years. The “dust howl" province is no more. Roads are impassable and, while theatre men are naturally disappointed, this means crowds cannot reach their show houses from country points they are, nevertheless, happy because it spells the end of the hard times that have made money an almost forgotten quantity. Typical of many places, the Coliseum at Davidson was advertising last month it would have to close unless better support Displays a Relic Tilbury, Ont. — Eli St. John exhibited on the stage of the Plaza here, a 44-calibre muzzle loading revolver used over 45 years ago in fighting the Jesse James gang at Corpus Christi, Tex. With St. John, was Percy Deloge, an intimate of Frank James. Harland Rankin is manager of the Plaza. Famous Players Canadian Corp.; Louis Rosenfeld, Columbia Pictures of Canada, Ltd., and Wolfe Cohen, representing Warner Bros. The independents have been given a representation of four; the various theatre circuits have four and the film exchanges, three. The way is open for the application of the Anti -Protection League, sponsored by the Independent Theatres Ass’n, for immediate consideration of revision of clearance on subsequent runs which has admittedly grown to proportions, over a period of years, that has brought about delay in release schedules which are greater than any in effect throughout the United States. It has been declared that first-run protection in Buffalo, N. Y., is only 21 days, as compared with 28 days in Toronto, with second runs only seven days later in Buffalo against much longer periods in the Toronto situation, where 14, 21 and even 42 and even 56 days must elapse for various subsequent engagements. It is argued this is a matter, however, that can be corrected with deliberation of specific suggestions following acceptance of a broad principle. were coming from the townspeople and farmers. Announcements were taken in the weekly newspaper to tell of new product in the offing for patrons. It has been raining in the Davidson area since June 1. Frank Kershaw, western supervisor, has been transferred to eastern Canada in a new shuffle of Famous Players Canadian Corp. executives. He will he succeeded by E. A. Zoren, district manager at Calgary, who will not be replaced because it is planned to amalgamate the Calgary and Winnipeg district offices into one at Winnipeg. Zoren’s territory will be from Fort William in Ontario through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to the British Columbia border. Work on redecorating the Orpheum Theatre, of which he is the proprietor, is nearly completed, according to Harry Marrs of Moose Jaw. The work was started at Christmas with a complete reseating of the house. Business in Moose Jaw is not the best at present but, philosophizes Marrs, “If you don’t give them nice surroundings, they figure they can stay home and mope in the gloom there just as well.” Early June has been a tough month on motion picture house budgets. Any other year in the past ten the heat could he turned off after May 24, but the continued — and unexpected-but-hoped-for rainy season — has kept temperatures down and patrons demanding real comfort. That has meant coal purchases for an additional month. BOXOmCE :: July 1, 1939 73