The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Aug 1, 1941)

Page 6 Republic Signs Al Pearce & Gang M. J. Siegel, President of Republic Productions, Inc., has concluded a deal with Harry C. Arthur, well-known exhibitor sand chief executive of Fanchon & Marco, for Al Pearce and his gang, radioland’s renowned entertainers, to star in “Marines On Parade.” It will be one of Republic’s biggest production efforts for the 1941-42 season and is budgeted for over $500,000. Among those who will make their screen debut in ‘Marines On Parade” are Pearce; Arty Auerbach who is known as “Kitzel” on the air show; William Comstock who is ‘“‘Tizzie Lish’” and Arlene ‘Chatterbox’ Harris, and they will be augmented with outstanding names from the motion picture field. Miss Famchon and Mike Marco, of Fanchon & Marco who handle Pearce and his gang, will join Republic to be associate producer of “Marines On Parade.” Aiding them will be a staff headed by Bob Cannon, producer of the air show which goes out over CBS) on Friday night. The Exhibitor Hays Pans Propaganda Pix In a ringing statement to the! industry Will Hays, president of the MPPDA, declared against propaganda as such on American screens. ‘Those who demand that the screen subordinate its wholesome function of recreation for any cause, however sincere, are sadly mistaken,” he said. “Significance is not achieved at the expense of entertainment; it is the result of entertainment,” Hays declared vigorously, adding: “Pictures do not need any other horse to ride in order to play their part in the preparedness of mind and body which results from recreation. “There is no fear industry will ever be far behind public demand in the production of entertainment for the nation. But it must be éntertainment. The informational, educational and inspirational elements on our screens are growing. That is as it should be. But when the public lays down its money at the box-office, it is primarily for entertainment.” Hays, who compared entertainment and recreation to machine ‘tools ‘“mecessary to bring human YOUR BUSINESS IS LIGHT Quality of projection light determines the quality of the picture on the screen that patrons pay to see. The High Intensity Carbon Are gives a_ brilliant, snow white light—the best light for projection. “One Kilowatt” high intensity arcs give 50 to 80 per cent more screen light than low intensity lamps at no increase in operating cost. Ask for a Demonstration NATIONAL HIGH INTENSITY PROJECTOR CARBONS provide the snow white projection light needed for natura! color reproduction CANADIAN NATIONAL CARBON CO. LIMITED CARBON SALES DIVISION Halifax, Montreal, TORONTO, Winnipeg, Vancouver machinery to the height of its efficiency,” declared that Hollywood’s creative capacity “is up to the highest possible demands of the theatre-going public.” Referring to the recent b.o. recession, the MPPDA prexy declared that “those whose hopes of the screen fiall with every seasonal drop in theatre attendance have been weeping too soon,’ referred to the July 4th pickup and observed, “it is natural that theatre attendance should be somewhat affected by the preoccupation of the millions with the news of the flaming events which are happening in the world today.” “But this,’ he contended, temporary condition.” To those few ‘‘on the fringes of the industry” who would break the Picture Production Code to improve b.o. appeal, Hays made this tart answer, ‘‘Only those in whom originality is dried up believe they need to pick themes or treatments in the gutter.” Hays continued: “The fact is that if there ever was a time when the highest possible standards of wholesome entertainment were demanded of the industry the time is today, with millions of our youth being prepared in body and mind for the task of national defense that faces the nation.” Turning to the industry’s role in national defence, the MPPDA head said that he thought the industry “can take some deserved satisfiaction’”’ from its contribution. “Public morale must be maintained . .. The industry is doing its part without stint,” asserted Hays. ‘Moreover, it is a task achieved under freedom, not under the duress of dictatorship which can create only propaganda.” aes isa Studios’ List of Short Subjects Here’s the short subject setup for this and the mext season according to announcements: 1940-41 1941-42 Columbia. 00... 130 140 IMG Mi er ee 718 718 Monogram — — Paramount 86 85 PRG ee 2S Bae 2, 4 6 ASL LC 0 ) Oat a oe Rr 85 86 Republic 12 12 ZOCK-FOX occ 52 52 * OY NGG Se IR a Der oe — —_ Universal oo. 71 71 Warner 0385. As 86 86 ML Ota Ss fis oe ae uo 604 616 Columbia, Republic and Universal released four serials this season, propose repeating next. August lst, 1941 Mystery Story— Whodunwhat & Why Don’t know why this story belongs here except that a projectionist relayed it. This unreeler has candid cameramania. He spends most of his money on movie shots of scenes that please him. The other day he was shooting some lakeshore scenery and included a man and woman who were sharing it. The man approached him. ‘How much do you want for that roll of films?” he asked. The projectionist explained that he didn’t want to sell, since it contained some other shots. “Then how much for the films and camera?” “The camera,” answered the projectionist, ‘‘cost me_ three hundred dollars. Three hundred and fifty buys it.” The man dug a roll of bills out of his pocket, took the camera and walked away. — Patriotic Bingo “Bingo for Defense’ has made its appearance in Windy City theatres. The game features $25 or $50 in Defense Stamps as prizes. In addition, a $50 or $100 Defense Bond is put up as a Jackpot prize, with the pot increasing weekly until it is won. Singles NG The Essaness circuit of Chicago, iafter experimenting with single features at five houses for two weeks, has resumed with duals at all of them except one. Poor business was given as the reason by Emil Stern, circuit executive. The experiment was conducted in territories where competing houses played double bills. THE SUCCESS of your THERTRE depends upon GOOD EQUIPMENT consult ENERAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY Ltd. 104 BOND STREET e TORONTO 336 MAYOR STREET MONTREAL pa es fret renner te