Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1940)

VICTORIA Londoner Named Aide to Commissioner Grierson '"[■HE GREAT DICTATOR” had its local premiere at the York November 29 . . . The Royal Canadian Navy put on a concert at the Royal. All talent was drawn from the Navy personnel. The Canadian Broadcasting Co. broadcast the concert . . . Manager Cliff Denham of the Dominion is back at the theatre again after his recent influenza attack. I7i cooperation with the toy department of the Hudson’s Bay Co. the Capitol put on a stage presentation November 30 . . . The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Nikolai Sokoloff, was at the Royal Victoria November 29 . . . Student privilege cards are being issued to high school students in Victoria and adjoining mwiicipalities. These cards entitle the holder to admission at reduced rates to the three Famous Players theatres here. “Beautiful British Columbia,” a travelogue in sound and color portraying the natural grandeur and myriad attractions of this province, was previewed at the Capitol. Provincial and city officials and representatives of the transportation companies attended at the invitation of E. G. Rowebottom, deputy minister of trade and industry. Produced for the British Columbia government travel bureau, the film will be released around December 20 by Columbia. Quentin Reynolds of Collier’s London staff, who so feelingly voiced the news film, “London Can Take It,” showing here this week, was awakened while trying to get some sleep in his London flat before the Nazi bombers came over. He was roused by a messenger with a letter from Prime Minister Winston Churchill complimenting him for his excellent commentary in the film. Ottawa — Announcement is made of the appointment of J. D. Davidson of London, England, as assistant to John Grierson of London, Dominion film commissioner of the national film board, Ottawa, the position having been newly created. Until comparatively recently, Davidson had been engaged in the making of pictures for the film unit of the British Post Office with which Grierson had also been identified before turning his attention to the Canadian production field. For five years prior to 1935 Davidson was employed by the film section of the Empire Marketing Board where he was also associated with Grierson. Davidson is one of the pioneers in the making of topical and commercial pictures in the United Kingdom. He is reported to be on his way to the Dominion to take over his new duties. Toronto's Film Society Slates Six Showings Toronto — Although foreign-language films are conspicuous by their absence in Canada because of war conditions, Toronto branch of the national film society has launched another season with a schedule of six performances during the winter at the Art Gallery Theatre. During five years, the local society has presented approximately 100 films, the majority of which had been produced in Europe or the Orient. The policy for the 1940-41 season provides for the showing of at least one Canadian-made film on each program. The feature of the first bill was “Chico,” depicting the life of a boy in Mexico while one of the shorts was “The Bright Path,” which had recently been produced by Associated Screen News for the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission. gECAUSE he has to spend so much time in Winnipeg on business. Jack Zaitzow, who has managed the Princess, Melville, for the past 13 years, has moved to that city with his wife and family and has turned the managership of the theatre over to Fred Gray, projectionist. Zaitzow will handle bookings for the theatre. Charles Stanfield, usher, and Joe Schacter, doorman at the Roxy, Regina, have enrolled in the Navy and are awaiting call. George Sinclair, operator, is already with the Navy. M, /. O'Brien Dies at His Home in Renirew Ottawa — Rated one of the wealthiest men in Canada with assets running into the millions, Hon. M. J. O’Brien, former member of the Senate, died at his home in Renfrew, Ont., in his 89th year after an illness of two years. Among his many enterprises was a chain of theatres which are operated under the name of the Ottawa Valley Amusement Co., the head of which for many years was his son-in-law, the late J. L. Murray, who took an active part in exhibitor movements until his death several years ago. O’Brien was the president of a gold mine and other mining properties, pioneer railway builder, lumberman, munitions manufacturer and the head of various other industries in Canada and the United States. He sponsored one of the Dominion’s flashiest hockey teams known as the Renfrew Millionaires. Among his numerous enterprises he built and operated four O’Brien theatres which are located at Renfrew, Pembroke, Arnprio and Almonte. These will probably continue operation under the direction of his sons. Remodeled Pantages Is Opened as Film House Victoria — The former Pantages, vaudeville theatre, has been wired for sound and opened to the public as the York Theatre. The front of the building was remodeled and there were a few changes inside. Seats remained the same. The 900-seat theatre is constructed so there is an unobstructed view from every seat. Both vaudeville and pictures will be shown. Chaplin’s “Dictator” was booked for the opening night. BOXOFFICE is one of my favorite publications, and I look forward to each issue, particularly The Modem Theatre, which is always kept on file for quick reference." —ROBERT E. BRYANT, Capitol Theatre, Rock Hill, N. C. Thornton Wilder Working On Play in Quebec City Montreal — Thornton Wilder, famous novelist and playwright, has been working for seven weeks in Quebec City on a still unfinished play. He paused in Montreal en route to Chicago where he will lecture at the university. 0 : Behind a Newsreel : VI ■ Montreal — “First-run theatres showed last week a very brief ‘news’ item on Canada’s ‘war guests.’ It comes on for a moment then cuts into something else,” comments The Financial Post. “There is a sad human interest story behind this newsreel. “'The picture was to have been the Canadian end of an epic documentary film of the child evacuee movement. The British shots were being supervised and filmed by the sister of John Grierson, Canada’s brilliant National Film Commissioner. “But tragedy intervened. “Miss Grierson went down on the City of Benares and Canada lost a film which would undoubtedly have been of great historic importance. “Perhaps Mr. Grierson may be persuaded to try again.” Retitled Film Earning Holdovers in Toronto Toronto — The change in the title of the feature, “Gestapo,” to “Night Train to Munich,” for distribution in Canada by Regal Films, Ltd., has apparently been all to the merry from the boxoffice viewpoint. The success of the Canadian premiere at the Toronto Eglinton, where it has already played four weeks to capacity crowds each night, indicates that the public prefers its propaganda in sugar-coated form. Local opinion was that “Gestapo” was something ugly and forbidding and that “Night Train to Munich” might have popular appeal. The inspiration was correct. “North West Mounted Police” has concluded its fifth week at the Toronto Uptown and may also continue for some time. Teamed on Warner Story Hollywood — “The Man They Couldn’t Kill,” story by Sidney Biddell and Frederick Frank, has been purchased by Warner. Metro Story Buy Hollywood — “Gilded Lady,” story by Robert Andrews and Barry Trivers, has been purchased by M-G-M. Fred Kohlmar will produce. 118 BOXOFFICE ;; December 7, 1940