The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Sep 15, 1941)

A = as SUMMARY of World-Wide Motion Picture NEWS = Uy CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE. VOLT, NOT: Pascal Takes Bow At See Debut of aio Barbara’ Ottawa—The Elgin theatre, Ottawa house of Twentieth. Century Theatres, was the scene on September 11th of one of the most brilliant openings in the capital city’s history. The occasion was the Canadian premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Major Barbara” as a motion picture. So great was the demand for invitations to the premiere from local citizens and personages in Ottawa for war purposes that the audience barely had_ breathing room. Guests had a hard time getting through the crowds that clogged the vicinity of the theatre. figure and producer of “Major Barbara,” was called upon to present himself to the audience. He was introduced with a_ witty speech by Leonard W. Brockington, K.C., former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canad (Continued on Page 2) +S Gens Gait ORS: September 15th, 1941. Famous Keeps MGM’s Product Elgin. Ottawa 20th Cent’y House, in Gala Premiere Grierson’s Service Term Extended John Grierson, chairman of the National Film Board, hiad his term of office extended for another three months, according té an announcement from the Prpemene of National War: Services: Grierson was brought to’ Ganda from an executive position in the British film industry several years ago. He has been im charge of all film activities of the Dominion government for a few years, his term having been extended several times. | Lieut. Allen Busy Gabriel Pascal, famed world film | 1 COLNE. Lieutenant Gurston Allen of the son of Jule Allen, is chairman of the War Efforts Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Under Lieutenant Allen’s super vision the Committee has furnished all camp messes in Military District No. 2. Shows Foil Hitler’s Plots & Plans Haul in Heaps of Pots & Pans The theatre’s aluminum collection, which. was carried on in conjunction with the Dominion-wide Aluminum Drive, added tremend ous piles to the general heap of} that much-sought metal. Theatres from coast to coast reported an enthusiastic response {to the offer |, of gratis shows for discarded utensils. Chatham, for instance, pulled in 3365 pieces and the town took great pride in the score. Photog|! raphers from the Chatham Daily News iand the Windsor Star recorded the haul. Two Kitchener theatres got 1200 of the assorted kitchenware out of 1,000 kids and the Village, Toronto, “took 400 from 650 customers. Small town collections were especially large. In many places the free reelage unwound for standing room only. Everyone connected with the theatres handed their services over on a plate. Local merchants. provided the trucks ‘that took the aluminum away and Boy Scouts helped the loading. The aluminum collection, sched ‘uled for September 5th and 6th, ywas allowed to continue wherever yresults made that worth while. A mumber of theatres followed the original matinee with amother on the next Saturday. | Drive officials expressed them‘selves as being highly pleased with ithe results. An idea of the theaitres’ contribution to the drive may be gathered from the fact that ‘there are 270,000 seats in Ontario alone and these were mostly filled. HIBITOR Official Organ of the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION $5.00 Per Annum Fizgibbons-Connors Ink Deal For Leo’s 1941-2 Outlets in Dominion It has been officially announced that Metro’s 1941-42 product has been secured by the Famous Players Canadian Corporation. J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of that organization, signed the deal on Saturday, September 6th with Tom Connors, General Sales Manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. pS Ete ick 2 as ie Gould Tries Finny Shenanigans Ted Gould of Regal almost started an international incident the other week-end at Arthur Gottleib’s Quebec fishing lodge. Brother Gottleib throws these occasional good-will gatherings. Boys from both sides of the undefended border swap tales, toasts and tangle with the finny tenants. In the Canadian delegation were Gould, Abe Cass, Wolfe Cohen jand Dave Coplan. Gould hooked a _ big bass. “Four pounds,” said Ted. ‘‘More like three,” corrected the boys. “No,” persisted Ted. ‘“Yes,’ insisted the boys. They wagered. The boys were right. Mr. G. was somewhat short of fish. Mr. Gould bedded his fish down. A while went by devoted to other topics. Then the big bass man joined the group again and brought the talk back to his catch. He demanded a recount—and got it. The bass weighed more this time. But not enough. Mr. Gould wias more than disappointed. He was greatly puzzled. He jerked the bass. Out of its mouth rolled the revelation of his perfidy— a big pebble. But apparently not big enough. It had been sneaked in by the sleight-of-handy Mr. Gould. First he ran out of fish. Then out of stone. But not out of nerve. He just laughed. For that matter, so did everybody. All in fun. The disposition of the MGM product in Canada for the coming year has been a much discussed question in exhibitor circles since it became known that the current contract had not long to go. The Famous-Metro deal took many by surprise. The exceptions to Famous preference extend to four cities, Hamilton, Moncton, London and Toronto, where earlier arrangements covering first runs will continue. These include Loew’s, London, and Loew’s and Uptown, Toronto. Trade Observes Reconsecration Canada’s motion picture theatres have joined whole-heartedly in Reconsecration Week, which. is being marked between September 10th and 17th as part, of the Winthe-War effort. The observance was proclaimed by Premier King on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Dominion’s participation in the war for freedom. Throughout the land _ lobbies, fronts, screens and marquees serve to honor the men in uniform and give expression to the country’s determination to stand behind the soldiers and the cause. A seven-minute short, ‘Song of Lib (Continued on Page 2) Roth New Supervisor Syd Roth, partner of Jake Smith in the Kum-C and Revue theatres, Toronto, has become a supervisor with 20th Century Theatres. Roth will hamdle, besides his own theatres, the Brock, Kenwood, and Astor. The latter house will be added to the 20th Century string on April ist, 1942.