Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

WHIM MM PIE Cl Saskatchewan Decides on Buses to Carry Film Regina, Sask. — After talking about it for a couple of years and meeting with railway express company representatives, executives of the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass’n, have decided to organize a bus express route. The pet peeve of theatremen for years has been the high rates charged by the railways, especially for deliveries into the province from Calgary and Winnipeg exchanges. A request for some revision downward has brought no response. At Friday’s meeting in the Capitol Theatre here, authorization was given to commence negotiations with bus and trucking companies operating into and out of the province and connecting the main centers with a view to having them carry the films at a better rate. P. W. Mahon, Prince Albert, president of the association, presided at the meeting, which also saw a decision made to present a brief to the public hearing of the Saskatchewan minimum wage board in Regina. The board set a blanket minimum wage for all employes in the industry at 30 cents an hour. Theatremen agree with this in all but the apprentice usher class, contending they should receive no more than 25 cents an hour, the rate set by the board for all unskilled labor in any other industry. The 16mm film competition apparentlj is no longer a thorn in the side of the theatremen, with the improved crop prospects and the demand of the public for newer and better pictures. It was on the agenda but was not even discussed. Discussion centered around the possibility of eliminating giveaways in theatres, but it was considered the time is not yet advisable to do this from the smaller theatres point of view. Canada's First Film Goll Tourney on August 14 Toronto — Canada is to have its first motion picture golf tournament. Arrangements have been undertaken for the staging of the initial competition at the Oakdale Golf Club, Toronto, on Monday, August 14, entries for which are to be sent to the office of Col. John A. Cooper, president of the Motion Picture Distributors of Canada, Metropolitan Bldg., Toronto. Any person actively identified with the moving picture business in the Dominion, distribution, exhibition or production, is eligible for the tourney which is to be made an annual feature. Keen interest is assured in the presentation of a magnificent trophy for the low gross champion by Mr. N. L. Nathanson, president of Famous Players Canadian Corp., which is offered for annual competition, and a long list of prizes is expected before the day of the big test. The tourney is not restricted to residents of Toronto and a large representation from outside centers is expected. A dinner will follow the competition at which the trophy and other awards will be presented with appropriate ceremony. •[■ONY WALLIS, one time of the staff of Paramount, has resigned from EmpireUniversal to join Grand National as booker. Dave Griesdorf, UA manager, has returned from a hurried trip to Edmonton, taken when his son fell ill. Mr. Griesdorf’s son now is fully recovered. “War Victory,” owned by Sam and Charley Krupp of Grand National and Fox, won easily at Polo Park, netting a number of film men some fine returns and bringing his owners a nice purse. Considerable interest is being shown in “Cossacks in Exile,” Ukrainian operatic film made in the United States but financed in Winnipeg. The picture has been heavily booked in the territory in view of its music and English titles. The Oak Theatre reports unusual business, returns being far ahead of last year. The heavy tourist trade has been an added factor that has made for good summer business here. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles of Dauphin, Man., are in the city to meet their son, Frank, who returns from Kingston, Ont., where he has been attending the Royal Military College. So great was the interest in “Damaged Goods” at Bowsman that the civic authorities have requested a return engagement. During its first run heavy rain restricted attendance but authorities consider the film so important that they want a return engagement ... In Regina, Harry Bercovich, independent exhibitor, reports house records made with the film. PICTURESQUELY lighted lobby display in the Dominion Theatre lobby is receiving many favorable comments from patrons. It takes the form of a lake which is situated in heavily timbered country. “Pygmalion” established a record at the Atlas Theatre for bemg the first picture that the management has played for more than a week’s run. Newspaper advertising was used to draw the crowds which increased every night of the showing. For the showing of “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle” the management of the Capitol Theatre arranged a tieup with a local dance hall which staged a “Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire” dancing competition, the winners of which were presented with a cup donated by the Capitol Theatre. They also had a tieup with a local dancing school. Bert W. Holloway, assistant publicity director of Paramount Pictures, and his wife spent a few days in Victoria recently. A report is current in the city that there will be a new downtown house for Portage Ave. “Mayerling,” outstanding French film, established new house records for the Valour and Tower theatres here. Mescho Triller of Associated Theatres was the winner in the “golf session” . .. . Sim Rost, champion golfer of the industry here, has added new laurels at the game. Jack Whitehouse, formerly of the Tivoli in Winnipeg, has joined the staff of 20th Century in Toronto . . . Miss Claire Litsky of UA is off to California on her holidays . . . G. F. Cummings, Wadena, is a visitor to the city. Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Morton have returned from Minneapolis . . . Jack Zaitzow, Meliville, Sask., is in the city arranging plans for the opening of several new houses . . . Harold Bishop of the Capitol has gone to California on a holiday . . . Ken Leach of the Strand, Calgary, is in the city, romping home several winners at Polo Park. Cyril Wynant is opening a new theatre at Winnipeg Beach on July 1 . . . Work on the Paris Theatre, St. Boniface, is coming along at a good pace with opening scheduled for Labor Day . . . Nate Rothstein is making a tour of his circuit. Visitors to the city include: Leon Asper, Minnedosa; Meyer Chechik, Vancouver; Harry Springman and family, Selkirk, Man. Johnny Garrard of the Atlas published a special edition of the Atlas Screen Program on the combined occasion of the Royal Visit and the third anniversary of the Atlas Theatre. Martin Cave also published a special edition of the Capitol Theatre Program for the Royal Visit. Marc Prieswerck, manager of the Atlas Theatre, and Johnny Garrard, assistantmanager, made use of the l&mm movie camera to secure news snaps of the Royal Visit for their theatre. Each covered different phases of the ceremonies. The pictures were shown to the Atlas patrons three days after the Royal Couple had left Victoria. Theatre parties by “Young People’s Societies” are recent innovations in Victoria that are growing in popularity. Moving pictures in color of the visit of the King and Queen to Victoria were shown at the Victoria Club for hard-ofhearing recently by F. Spencer, who is a prominent local business man who makes a hobby of taking moving pictures. BOXOFFICE :: July 1, 1939 75