The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Oct 1, 1941)

October Ist., 1941. Senate Quiz Super Flop (Continued from Page 1) nesses and prosecutor’s into untenable positions several times. Jimmy Fidler revealed that he reviews pictures occasionally without seeing them; that he holds stock in the studios in question; and that he had a personal row to hoe. Senator Nye admitted that that he had seen but few of the films he claimed were examples of propaganda. The Senator hasn’t protested against German war films in the USA. John T. Flynn, regarded as the brains behind Nye and Co., listed 52 films he considered to be propaganda — and omitted were the German war films. No good can come of the investigation—but there is less embarrassment for the industry than was anticipated. And the evidence of the country’s affection for the movies, taking the form of resentment at the investigation, is heart-warming. Also business for “Underground” and other antiNazi reelage has picked up because public curiosity has been perked up. Canadians are interested but not excited. Many regard the probe as a manifestation of indecision in a country not steeled by the reality of war. The time is approaching when events will prove it to be the nonsense it is. Korda Signs Photog Alexander Korda announces the signing of Rudolph Mate, one of Hollywood’s ace cameramen, to a three-year contract. Mate’s first picture will be the Ernst Lubitsch production, “To Be Or Not To Be.” Camera work will start on October 15. oi Rudolph Mate’s recent photographic triumph was the Korda production, “That Hamilton Woman.” 1 | The Exhibitor On the Square By HYE BOSSIN One of these days some smart cinema outfit will hire Lou Skuce and his masterly gadget to whip up interest in films. The dean and most famed of Queen City cartoonists has worked out a contraption which projects, enlarged to billboard size, a cartoon as it is being drawn. Neat, eh? The crowds in the grandstand at the Canadian National Exhibition thought so too. Skuce’s stuff was the hit of the three-ring show. Lou is recognized as one of the continent’s top cartoonists. His character signature, Lou’s Goose, was famous in Canada long before Donald Duck. Much of his work was done across the line. He’s been back for several years now. Skuce, who was in on the ground floor of animated cartoons, knew Disney well. They both worked for Winsor McKay, who originated the union of moving photography and art. The first type of animation was worked out by Skuce. Actors were photographed in motion and animals were drawn in. McKay produced Aesop’s Fables, in which Skuce had a hand. When the Fables petered out Disney took his mouse out of them and turned it into the world’s most popular creature of imagination. : And who remembers the Unnatural History series of many years ago? Lou wrote the script, drew the characters and directed the filming. There isn’t much in the business that Lou Skuce hasn’t done or doesn’t know. He has worked on musical comedies, pinch-hit Mutt and Jeff for Bud Fisher and authored the famous horse cartoon of the now-vanished New York Graphic, Asparagus Tips. He even worked alongside of Ripley in the old days—and got more dough. bo Po 1 * * Shier Mendelsohn of the Business Messenger Service, who was a championship swimmer in his day, dropped in to comment on our note about Gene Lockhart’s water prowess as a kid in Toronto. Shier was beaten in the across-the-bay swim by Gene, who won it three times in succession, and Shier replaced him as Canadian champ when acting got the better of him. Mendelsohn has snaps of Gene in action during 1910. In those days the Hollywood star was listed as E. E. Lockhart. * cs oo * * Vitagraph’s projection room is getting to be the gathering place of the international airmen stationed in Toronto... They got together to watch “International Squadron” and a week later checked on “Dive Bomber.” Both pictures won expressive praise in several languages ... Flickers On The Square: Glenn Ireton’s gaily-banded hat and Syd Roth’s inevitable pipe. * * ra * * Some film folk who saw Gloria Swanson in “Father Takes a Wife” dug out her 1919 effort, ‘“Male and Female,” for screening. They report that, though she still looks purty and walks youngly, it ain’t the same Swanson. Ah, youth, you golden thing, you! ... The old idol of the silents and ex-husband of Lila Lee, James Kirkwood, is back in pictures after fifteen years. He’s with Chester Morris and Jean Parker in ‘‘No Hands on the Clock.” * * * * * Lieut. Dave Rubin, S.P., of the Navy, dropped in to see old friends while in Toronto. Dave, who used to manage the WestCale, Hamilton, is one of four brothers in the service. Two are in the air force and one in the infantry ... Another familiar face mounted on air force blue is that of Sergeant Allen Ironside, formerly of Associated Screen News. The sarge dropped into his old haunts for a hello or two while here on leave . .. Now managing the Strand, Newmarket is Rosabelle Druckman, Wife of Lieut. Syd Druckman of the Irish Regiment. Manager Ken Craig of the Capitol, St. Catharines, featured the original pitchfork used by the farmer who corraled Hess. It was made in St. Kitts and brought back as a souvenir .. . Tommy Daley, Imperial manager, is one of the air raid wardens for downtown Toronto Most recent staff addition at 20th Cent’y Theatres is red-headed Frank Cavanaugh of Hamilton. He’ll handle the Art Department ... Win Barron, the ex-radio personality, is now Paramount’s publicity man. Page 3 Paramount Gals Big Season We were foolish enough to enquire of Paramount how its ladies’ softball team was getting on. Paramount’s publicity man, Win Barron, with merry cunning, forwarded the following communique: Maurice Milligan’s personally sponsored Paramount Ladies Softball team is still “Among the Living.” They’re no longer “Flying Blind.” (Did I Say That?) If they win the series against Sunday Morning Class they’ll meet the winners of the Simpson’s-Toronto .| Ladies set-tos. After that the Dan forth League winners will stand between Paramount and the City and Provincial championships. © Since this is the second season for the Paramount ‘Madcap Models’—they’re all very young, averaging only 18 years of age— their prowess ought to be the toast of some ‘Glamour Boy.” Paramount has enjoyed a very good season, being undefeated by any United States team in its own backyard. The girls, in their recent trip. to Cleveland, won two games out of three against powerful opposition. They’ve been invited to New Orleans, home of the “Birth of the Blues,” by Jax team, whom they vanquished at the Exhibition. Outstanding in the Paramount lineup is “Sweater Girl’ Thelma Golden, pitcher, who had a no hit-no run game against Chicago in the World’s Championships at Detroit. Also to her credit are 22 strikeouts in one game. When Thelma let’s go her favorite, there’s nothing to do but ‘Reap the Wild Wind.” yA The Paramount team is just that — and that’s Truth.” “Nothing But the HEATING. AND VENTILATING CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS AWA