The Canadian Independent (Jan 1, 1938)

Jan. 1, 1938 ‘20th Century and _ Famous Test Can— adian Copyright Act Famous Players Canadian Corp. and 20th Century Fox ‘Corp. Ltd. are said to be ap‘pealing a decision of the Dominion Court which granted Frances Day and Hunter Ltd. an award of $1,046.35. Action was taken for the use of the title “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” for a motion picture distributed in Canada. Edwin P. Kilroe, counsel for 20th Century-Fox is said to have offered $1,000,000 in settlement before the award was given. The purpose of the appeal is to test the strength of the Canadian Copyright law made in 1931 which grants protection to a title, as part of the work if the article is original and distinctive. Chicago Attempts To Outlaw Duals An attempt to outlaw dual bills by city ordinance is being made in Chicago. Alderman A.C. Lindell has been appointed chairman of a council committee to draft a measure making it unlawful for a theatre to play two features on a single program. Hearing on this bill will begin at once. Ww N. A. TAYLOR Lew eee mee SRS RSS EES SEES ERE REESE SEE EEE EKER EES ‘THE CANADIAN “Gu /SSUED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ‘WR /NDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS ARIEL TERRI AS RAY APR Re PASE ATEN ME ALTE ROL WISHING OUR MANY FRIENDS THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON Exhibitors Booking Association Ban On “Spain” Lifted Judge Louis C. Levinthal of Philadelphia ordered lifted the ban placed on “Spain in Flames” by the Pennsy]lvania Board of Censors. The ban was. invoked nearly a year ago when Governor Earle declared the picture to be Loyalist recruiting propaganda. The subsequent ruling of the Court was to the effect that supression of a picture of ‘“‘current events’ was comparable to the supression of the right of free speech. Judge Levinthal, in a much-applauded judgment expressed the fear that censorships invoked to curb our enemies opinions today may be used tomorrow to supress our own most cherished convictions. Columbia Opens Prod. Offices In British Columbia Columbia has opened offices in the Empress Hotel, Victoria, B.C. with Jack Fier in charge, preparatory to furthering plans for quota production of pictures with Central Films Ltd. Two screen plays by a Canadian are said to be in present preparation. Central Films is adding another studio to the two-year old Willows erected for Canadian quota pictures. ws R. AUERBACK SESS SSS SSR SSR KER RES SSSR ES ENE SESS ES | be Pictures Inc. CBC Hooks Up With Jello 23 stations on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. network will be linked with the Jack Benny-Jello series on Jan. 2. This makes it the biggest hookup enjoyed by any radio pro gram. | Joint Trade Practice Meet Postponed Ed Kuykendall, President of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Association of the U.S. has set back the hopes for an united front meeting of all independent organizations to enact a trade practice program to be later endorsed by distributors. Mr. Kuykendall let it be known that they would not available for such a meeting, until after the first ef the year. Mr._Harry Brandt, head of the ITO of New York, who initiated the move to eliminate trade _ practice abuses by means of a concerted move, was informed of the postponement, after Mr. Kuykendall had accepted an invitation to attend the joint meeting set for December 14. Mr. Nathan Yamins president of National Allied, has shown a greater willingness to co-operate than has Mr, Kuykendall. It will be recalled that Mr. Kuykendall has been working on his own organization’s 10-point program for some time. It is thought unlikely by other members of his organization that an united front will be achieved, or that the president will be in a position to commit his organization to the proposed Brandt program. The Season's Greetings — * MR. J. I. ENGLISH M.R.A.LC _ Ned MS Page 5 PATRONIZE THE ADVERTISERS WHO MAINTAIN (7. ‘ST BUILDING NEWS Deseo ee The new Somerset theatre, Ottawa, will have its gala opening on New Year’s eve with “‘Vogues of 1938.” The Somerset is a 750-seat, thoroughly modern house, owned by Mr. H. Berlin of Ottawa and will be operated by his son. Mr. Henry Falk, well-known Toronto builder, who recently completed the Elgin theatre, Ottawa, was in charge of construction. _The Capitol theatre, Winnipeg, closed for a general overhauling, was re-opened on Dec. 18. The Imperial theatre, Toronto, Famous Players’ firstrun downtown house, was thoroughly renovated and re-equipped for a Christmas eve re-opening. The Orpheum Theatre, Montreal, has raised its admission prices since refurnishing and booking United. Artists’ product first-run. The Brock and Kenwood theatres, Toronto, formerly owned and operated by Sam Lent, have been taken over by the 20th Century Theatres Ltd. T he Belmont theatre, College St. Toronto, was closed on Dec. 20. Preview of “Old Chicago” Collosal The new 20th CenturyFox picture “In Old Chicago,’ produced by Darryl Zanuck has been previewed to the wild acclaims of the beholders. It is predicted that the picture will gross $5,000,000. The spectacle of the burning of the city at a cost of half a million dollars, is said to be one of the most impressive scenes yet filmed. Reports are that the picture is great even without benefit of this spectacle. [kkk kk ee ee ee ee ee ee et TY GREETINGS OF THE SEASON INDEPENDENT POSTER SUPPLY 277 VICTORIA ST. TORONTO ;