The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Nov 1, 1941)

A Semi-Monthly SUMMARY ‘ of World-Wide Motion Picture NEWS ~ Bere 7eENOr Oy 253 ese TENOE 2) mex | THE x il CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE BITOR ____ TORONTO, NOVE ‘0, NO" OVEMBER Ist, 194] ——* Police Also Press Drive On Under-Age Entrance Quebec provincial police, directed by Marcel: epee: On Soviet Films K.C., have undertaken a drive against Sunday shows and under-age admissions in that province. . _ All theatre managers who have permitted children, under 20th Century Theatres Shifts Apparently the recent convention of the 20th Century Theatres in Toronto helped bring about some readjustments in the personnel. The boxofficers' got some things off their chests in the heartto-heart talks that resulted from the shoulder-rubbing of staff 'and executives. Gordon Beavis goes from the Grand, Sudbury, to the Marks, Oshawa and Garnet MHeatherly from the Regent, Sudbury, to the Centre, London. The Regent spot will be filled by Vernon Burns, now at the Marks, Oshawa. Mel Stephens, Centre, London, moves to the Granada, Dunnville, replacing Pat Dunne, who moves to the Royal, North Bay. Max Phillips leaves the Royal for the Grand, Sudbury. Jack Reith of Chicago takes over the Midtown, Toronto. Hanson Opens Office Oscar Hanson, who recently severed an 11-year association with N. L. Nathanson, has opened temporary offices at 105 Bond Street for his Pioneer Films Ltd. and other activities. Hanson retains his holdings in 16 years of age to enter their premises or who have presented stage shows on Sunday will be summoned to court under the Sunday Observance Act, a provincial statute. A large percentage of the city’s theatres are reported affected by the drive undertaken under orders of Hon. W. Girouard, the attorney, general. Whether the strict interpretation of the edict would: close shows in cabarets, night clubs, and restaurants on Sunday in the future could not be ascertained. A government official stated:that cabaret shows.would appear to be af fected but that their special cha racters and ‘common _ usage,’ which has force of law, according to the act, might make them exceptions to the act. According to the Attorney-General’s statements in Quebec concerning the Sunday presentations, strict orders have been given to the Provincial Police to see that the legislation be observed and that any stage presentations, vaudeville acts, “or anything else’, several Nathanson enterprises. No| 2re “absolutely forbidden” in any attempt has been made to acquire | Quebee theatres on Sunday. them. (Continued on Page 2) Pioneers of Pix to Mix; Nix Trix at Annual Blather Bee Calling all Canadian Motion Picture Pioneers. The annual meeting of the association of old-time filmites has been announced, the main purpose being to elect officers. The young men (old style) of the magic lanterns, .ex-conductors of horse-andbuggy flickerterias, survivors of a thousand and one _ song-plugger sessions and a million flashes of “One Minute Please’ will gather to hark back—and look forward. There’ll be no sashaying this time. T’ain’t fittin’ these desperate days and the boys know it. But there’ll be joshin’. And _ serious business too. They’re going to figure how to do any possible thing that will help the cause of Democracy and the spirit of the people. To add to their envious record of service. The place: King Edward Hotel, Toronto. The day: Tuesday, November 18th. The time: 12.30 noon. The background: A luncheon. Be there, boy!—if you belong. Extra ! | Fred Brown Boodled During. the 20th Century convention Lloyd Mills, Charlie Stephenson, Fred Brown and some of the lads were killing. time in the lobby of the King Edward Hotel. Fred Brown took to ribbing Lloyd Mills every time they passed the cigar stand. It seems that a 50 cent cigar had caught Fred’s eye. “Gosh,” -goshed Fred, “I’d sure. like to own one of those.” At first Mr. Mills ignored the invitation. After a few times, haunted and taunted, he dug down, bought the smoke and presented it to Fred. “Thanks,” said Fred. “I won’t smoke this for a while yet.” He parked the cheroot in his vest pocket. That night Mr. Brown turned up at the Victory opening party, cigar and all. In ambled Abe Sprachman, the architect. Surreptitiously, he put the snatch on the 50-center. It was -well-puffed by the time Brown found he had been boodled. | “The first time in my life I ever owned a 50 cent cigar,” he lamented, “And I don’t even get to smoke it!” Ray Allen Resigns Raymond Allen, Supervisor for Theatre Holding Corporation and Premier Operating, is ending his connection with those organizations. His resignation, tendered and accepted, is effective on November ist. Allen has been with those firms for 13 years. Allen stated that he isn’t ready to “announce his future plans. Official Organ of the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION $5.00 Per Annum Quebec vs. Sunday Live Bills Ontario Ends Ban The first evidence that the Ontario Board of Censors has relaxed its ban against Russian and other foreign films comes with the | announcement that “Volga Volga,” a Soviet musical, will open a run at the Hollywood, Toronto, on November 3rd. This will be the first Russian full-length film to receive a public showing in Ontario in over three years. Shortly after Russia joined the allies selected clips were permitted insertion into newsreels. Later several complete newsreels of the Russian defence, passed in England, were distributed throughout the Dominion. Many exhibitors felt it inevitable that Soviet features of a non-propoganda nature would cnce again be permitted distribution in Canada. There is no national ban against foreign films in Canada. The situation is the result of Censor Board policy, not legislation. Quebec and Ontario were first to stop the showings and other provinces followed suit. Russian films, mostly 16 mm., had considerable popularity. in Canada’s Slavic areas, (Continued on Page 2) Exhibitors Join Savings Drive Motion picture exhibitors throughout the Dominion are assisting in the War Savings Campaign, which began on October 20th and ends November 20th. The Movie section of the Publicity Committee, manned by Dick Main and Bob Eves, asked all theatres to brighten up the fronts with flags and bunting. Arangements were made to pass on advertising material to managers and exhibitors with film deliveries by Mavety and Harper. Those who pick up their own films can get what they need from the advertising department of Regal, 277 Victoria St., Toronto.