The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Oct 15, 1941)

A Semi-Monthly SUMMARY of World-Wide Motion Picture NEWS VOE! 7,<NOe20. CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE | XHIBITOR ——~ King Edward Hotel, Toronto, is Seene of Two-Day Meeting as Boxofficers and Exees Talk Biz With General Manager Nat A. Taylor in the chair, almost 50 managers and executive officers of 20th Century Theatres took part in the business session conducted on the Mayor Conboy Opens Victory © Before an unusually large predinner crowd which had lined up from 5.30 p.m. on, Mayor Conboy of Toronto officially opened the Victory Theatre, the Queen City’s newest 20th Century house, on Nov. 9th. Isidore Axler, manager and proprietor introduced the city’s chief magistrate. The opening was symbolized by the mayor snipping the white tape that stretched across the stage. “TI wish to congratulate all those who had a part in making this a beautiful place,’’ Mayor Conboy said. ‘Nowhere will you find a finer or more pleasing theatre... We are fortunate that we have a place like this in which we can relax, be entertained and thus help renew our morale.” Also present were Controller Fred Hamilton and such wellknown theatre figures as Nat A. Taylor, Raoul Auerbach, Lloyd M. Mills and Harry Mandell. A number of out-of-town managers, here for the 20th Century theatres convention, were on hand. The Victory, formerly the Strand, is at the corner of Spadina and Dumdas, an important intersection. The house has been redone from wall to wall and is (Continued on Page 2) Holt Estate Taxed The estate of the late Sir Herbert Holt, formerly connected with Famous Players Canadian as director and known to have been associated with Lord Beaverbrook in the English film industry, will yield something like $10,000,000 in death duties. Gould is President At the recent annual meeting of the Toronto Film Board of Trade officers were elected for the next year. President is T. J. Gould of Regal and vice-president is Joe Plottel of Vitagraph. Ed. H. Wells is secretary. ee LT closing day of the two-day convention. "It's an Ill Wind—' Says Hilly The most consistently amniable fellow around our area is Hilly Yuden. He’s eversmiling and devoted to life, love and the pursuit of a flip quip. The other day Nat Taylor brushed wupagainst him. “How’s’ business ?”’ asked. Nat. “Wonderful! Wonderful!”’ enthused Hilly. “The theatre up the street had a line so long that we were selling tickets to the tail end!” Held in the King ‘Edward Hotel, Toronto, on October 9th and 10th, the participants were drawn from each of the company’s 38 situations in the province of Ontario. In his speech, which high-lighted the session, Mr. Taylor discussed the position of the company and the relation of the front-enders to. it. “We want men with spirit and ambition,” he said. “We like men with initiative and spunk—no-men with something to say. And we'll try to provide for every manager with some form of added remuneration wherever possible.” The event was the first in the (Continued on Page 2) Hanson Opens New Exchange Plans Two More Companies. Ottawa has issued a Dominion charter to Pioneer Films Ltd., an independent exchange owned by Oscar Hanson, who recently severed an 11-year association with N. L. Nathanson and his enterprises. Thee new company represents Mr. Hanson’s return to the Canadian film industry, in which he has operated for many years. Two more companies, one dealing with theatres and the other 16 mm. films, have been organized by Mr. Hanson and charters applied for. Negotiations for product to be distributed through Pioneer Films are going on at the moment. The new firm will handle both American and British films, a number of the latter being ready. Its offices will be on the third floor of 277 Victoria St. and will be open in several weeks. Each company is owned solely by Mr. Hanson, who still retains his shares in the Nathanson enter prises. Referring to these holdings, he said: “My relations with N. L. Nathanson are still friendly. He can acquire my stock if he wishes or I’ll keep it. It’s ali the same to me.” Those companies with which Hanson was associated and in which he still holds stock are Empire-Universal, an exchange owned by Canadian Universal Films Ltd., a holding company; Esquire Films, which distributes English pictures; Associated Theatres, a booking body; Sovereign Films, distributor of 16 mm. films; and Sterling Films, which controls Foto-Nite. Mr. Hanson is associated in the Palace Theatre, St. Catharines with Douglas Fairley. This house opened on October 10th. Though most of the deals for Odeon were handled with his help, he has no financial interest whatever in that company. Official Organ of the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION roo STORER eon Per *°y Men in P 20th Cent’y Men in Pow-Wow Stein Praises 20th Boxofficers Speaking iat the closing dinner of the 20th Century Theatres convention, Morris Stein, present to pass on the greetings of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, paid tribute to the assembled managers and their company for providing the major chain with the fairest and finest competition wherever each organization has competitive situations. “As your competitor,” he said, “I am not ashamed to say that we have to be on our toe§ wherever you are. We watch you closely— your ideas and methods. And we have learned a great deal from you. Your work has glamor, flash and showmanship. And _ that’s what counts in this game.” Mr. Stien was one of the few outsiders present at the dinner, which was held in the Yellow Room, King Edward Hotel. It was a lively event gaily presided over by Nat Taylor, whose humorous asides, stories and personal introductions of the speakers did much to make it a happy two hours. ' Mr. H. Freedman was called on by Mr. Taylor and reassured those present of the interest of the home office in their personal welfare, as well as that of the company. Charlie Stevenson followed and gave some interesting reminiscences of (Continued on Page 2) USA Tax Effect American theatres’ generally passed on the 10 per cent tax on movie admissicns to the public. The new impost began on October 1st. Iti applies to all admissions, with the exception of those under 10 cents for children not yet 12 years of age. In Detroit eertain houses charging 15 cents for children will absorb the tax. The theatres of that city have agreed to raise the price to the next largest multiple and include the tax. This gives the theatre an extra penny in many cases, cd ed Na