Canadian Film Digest (Aug 1971)

SHOWMANSHIP UNIVERSAL’S ‘UNISELL’ SHOWMANSHIP DRIVE From available information it would appear that Universal Films (Canada) is the only major distributor to do something tangible about encouraging Showmanship in the promotion of its attractions. Earlier this year a bulletin went out to every theatre manager in Canada outlining the plan. It naturally applies to Universal’s product only. Managers were asked to submit their sales campaigns, and it was emphasized that this did not mean the Preparation of large and elaborate campaign books, and each month three winners would be selected with a variety of prizes including tape recorders, radios, golf carts, luggage and a variety of other valuable gifts. At the end of the year the First Prize winners will be brought to Toronto for a gala dinner, where one of the participants will be named ‘Universal’s Showman of the Year,’ and will be awarded an all-expense trip to Los Angeles for himself and his family. Barry Carnon, Universal’s Ad-Pub chief in Canada says that the response has been terrific, and names the following as winners for June. FIRST PRIZE goes to Lin Martyn of the Odeon Victoria Theatre in Thunder Bay for an outstanding campaign on RAID ON ROMMEL. Lin received a Panasonic tape recorder, and. his assistant Al Richert won an RCA portable radio. SECOND PRIZE of an RCA AMFM radio went to John Bernard of the Odeon in Vancouver for his king-size selling job on ANDROMEDA STRAIN. THIRD PRIZE, an RCA Victor radio went to Don Menzies who manages the Capitol in Calgary for an outstanding promotional job on RED SKY AT MORNING, CANADIAN FILM DIGEST VANCOUVER PIC IN GALA PREEM One of the most dazzling openings on the West Coast greeted the Warner Bros. picture McCABE AND MRS. MILLER at the Capitol theatre in Vancouver. The picture deals with a smalltown entrepreneur, (Warren Beatty) and a bordello madam (Julie Christie) as they establish a flourishing gambling and prostitution business in a remote and rugged area at the turn of the century. The film was produced in the Vancouver area, the choice being Robert Altman’s (MASH., BREWSTER McCLOUD) because he felt the cold, bleak weather would help capture the mood of the story. Attending the opening were the stars, Julie Christie and Warren Beatty, as well as a number of the supporting actors, Mrs. Robert Altman and one of the producers Mitch Brower. Press, Radio and T.V. personalities from across the country attended the cocktail party and champagne dinner which followed the premiere showing. Left to right: In Vancouver for the Canadian Premiere of “‘McCABE AND MRS. MILLER" at the Capitol Theatre July 8th were co-producer Mitchell Brower, Mrs. Robert Altman whose husband directed the film and stars Julie Christie and Warren Beatty. RE: THE REINCARNATE The Canadian feature THE REINCARNATE was classified by the MPAA as‘R’. In view of the fact that it has been generally classified in Canada as ‘Adult Entertainment’ which equates roughly to the ‘GP’ rating of the MPAA, the decision was taken to appeal. The Executive Producer, Mr. N.A. Taylor appeared before the appeal board and pleaded the case for the appellants. The decision of the appeal board was to change the status rating of the film from ‘R’ to ‘GP’. DAN‘dy LINES If you want to meet some of your old Industry friends, drop in at Sam Golden’s Tailors on Eglinton Ave. any Saturday morning. In the past few weeks | enjoyed meeting and kibbitzing with Dr. Leo Lazare who used to run Drive-Ins for Twentieth-Century Theatres in Sudbury and is now practicing Psychology in Toronto, Freddy Fink who also managed and booked theatres for Twinex, and is now a top executive with the Teperman organization, and Morris Diamond, recently retired as G.M. of International Films. If you want to see them in all their mod plumage, and exchange quips about the ‘Good Old Days’ drop in at Sam’s. He'll even buy you a cup of coffee. 21