The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Oct 15, 1941)

Page 2 W FKibiiOR Published Semi-Monthly by the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION HYE BOSSIN Managing Editor Vol. 7, No. 20. Oct. 15th., 1941. Subscription Rates: Canada and U.S.: $5.00 per annum <> 28 Address all communications to The Managing Editor The CANADIAN EXHIBITOR 21 Dundas Square AD. 4318 Toronto, Canada Stein Praises 20th Boxofficers (Continued from Page 1) the first house acquired by the company, a seedy place which fell to him to manage. There were a number of other speakers, including Mrs. Simmons, the only lady at the dinner, whose presence won much comment. Harlad Rankin, Frank “Pop” Meyers, Jack Alexander and Lloyd Gurr had ia turn at speaking up. The toastmaster introduced Abe and Lou Polakoff, Isidore . and Meyer Axler, Ben Pape, Jake Smith and Sam and Ben Ulster. Just before the dinner broke up Bob Brown, in behalf of those present, thanked Mr. Taylor for his services to the event and 20th Century Theatres for its hospitiality. Mayor Conboy Opens Victory (Continued from Page 1) one of the largest and finest neighborhood houses in the Dominion, seating approximately 1,400. The marquee, considered to be the largest in Canada, runs along the full length of the front. The theatre was built as a legitimate house’ and’ such famed thespian figures as Maurice Schwartz, Ben Ami, Paul Muni and Stella Adler trod its stage. Despite the fact that the changes were made in record time, the crowd was generous in its admiration. Many congratulatory wires and over 40 baskets of flowers were received from well-wishers. ''The opening was one of the last of its kind in Canada for the duration of the war. The Exhibitor They'll be Back The boys of the 20th Century brigade are back home after their busy two days in convention. Things are just a little quieter around the film section of Toronto and the King Edward Hotel, where the lads had what we laughingly call their sleep. The convention will be remembered for many things. Men who were just names to each other became personalities and friends. Executives who seemed to govern by remote control from a central point known as the home office became much more human as their men came within the sound of their voices. There was that instinctive friendly reaction and a growing understanding of the difficulties of their tasks as these men of higher official standing tried to justify their past actions to the men under them. Out of the exchange of attitudes, opinions and methods there arose a common bond—a greater spirit of unity in men serving the same organization. And each took home the conviction that the better he did his work, the more he helped himself. So satisfied were all with the results of the gathering that the chief question was “When and where do we meet again?” Make ‘km Listen In the United States today there is a small and noisy group contributing to national dissension at the gravest hour in the history of Democracy. Those of them responsible for the persecution of Hollywood film-makers as warmongers have made a fetish of blind judgment. Their refusal to see the films they condemn as examples can only be explained as the fear of truth. They guard their intolerance zealously. For their own sake they should be forced to see and hear Charlie Chaplin deliver his epilogue to “The Great Dictator.” Particularly these paragraphs: “I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible—Jew, Gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness—not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goosestepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent, and all will be lost.” B.C. Projectionists-Circuits Tiff British Columbia projectionists, members of Local 348, are disputing with Famous Players Canadian Corporation, Ltd., and Odeon Theatres over a wage increase before a three-man arbitration board headed by Judge J. M. Harper. The projectionists are asking for the restoration of a five per cent wage cut in 1930, a further 12 per cent increase and time and a half for time worked after midnight. They are asking for a contract at $65 weekly, while the em ployers have offered to guarantee | the present wage, $54.60, for the duration of the war, adding to it a_cost of living bonus. Senator Farris, appearing for the theatre chains, asked that the finding of the board be accepted by both parties but R. G. Pollock, representing the projectionists together with J. R. Foster, said he could give no such undertaking without the authority of the union. Foster pointed out that the present wage request was $10 dollars less than the scale of 1930. October 15th., 1941. 20th C T Men In Pow-Wow (Continued from Page 1) history of the company, which was established in 1934. Mr. Taylor, explaining the peculiarities of the company’s structure, said that the term “20th Century Theatres’. was a general cne used to describe different groups whose operational affairs were administered by his organization. “Because of this,” he pointed out, ‘‘much more is required of each manager in the way of individual enterprise. Each theatre must pay for itself —and not be maintained out of the profits of the successful ones.” After emphasizing the open-door policy of company executives to men with managerial problems, Mr. Taylor introduced Raoul Auerbach, who took the floor and explained many ticklish problems of booking. Good films weren’t always available. Managers, he suggested, should work out the meams of making picture appeal to public curiosity. “It isn’t always necessary to originate an idea,’ he contended. “A man who knows how to recognize an idea and use it is valuable.” “Campaign the picture,” he concluded. “And remember that we believe in working together.” Mr. Taylor then introduced Harry Mandell, who took care of the legal work in the formative stages and is still with the company as a comptroller. Mr. Mandel pointed out that an operating company sells only service and that such a commodity could be saleable only as long as the managers were devoted. to the task. He stressed the importance of loyalty and praised his associates for their ability to command it. Meyer Axler, supervisor of maintenance, spoke of the importance of the manager knowing as much about his theatre as_ possible. “There are moments when knowing what a switch is for and where it is will save the house money and the patron inconvenience,” Axler said. Careless reception for the public and difficulties in getting supplies were matters that came under his consideration. Lloyd M. Mills, supervisor, described methods of exploitation and singled out managers for praise. He gave instances of almost-forgotten films breaking boxoffice records because of selling them to the public. Also introduced were Frank Meyers, office manager, and Barney Fox, head booker. The only lady manager in the chain, Mrs. Simmons of the Crown, Toronto, received a warm welcome from the crowd. Officers of the company expressed themselves as being highlypleased with the results of the convention and announced that it would be an annual event.