The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Nov 1, 1941)

Page 2 UF xiii Published Semi-Monthly by the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION HYE BOSSIN Managing Editor Vol. 7, No. 21 Nov. Ist, 1941 Subscription Rates: Canada and U.S.: $5.00 per annum ESE 28 Address all communications to The Managing Editor The CANADIAN EXHIBITOR 21 Dundas Square AD. 4318 Toronto, Canada Nova Scotia Allied Meets W. H. Ouzner, Strand, Sydney Mines, was returned to office as president of the Allied Exhibitors of Nova Scotia at this year’s meeting in Halifax. Also retaining office as secretary-treasurer is T. J. Courtney, Casino Halifax. M. E. Walker, Gaiety, Halifax, became the vice-president. The Board has on it J. Bustin, Imperial, Windsor; F. Gregor, Majestic, New Waterford; N. Green, Russel, Glace Bay; A, Fielding, Capitols, Digby and Bridgewater; P.. Dwyer, Family, Halifax, The character of the organization has altered somewhat from its independent state, Odeon being represented by T. J. Courtney, and Franklin & MHerschorn by Pp. J. Dwyer. The Walker string is also affiliated. N. W. Mason was named honorary vice-president. Quebec (Continued from Page 1) A number of summonses against operators of moving picture houses and theatres have already been issued and those found disobeying -the law will be given -notice to appear in court. WANTED AT ONCE FOR CASH 1500 Used Theatre. Chairs Any Condition State All Particulars BOX . NO. 26—The Canadian. Motion Picture Exhibitor, 21. Dundas. Square, Toronto pe The Exhibitor Yamins re Toronto Member of the Allied State Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors, one of two leading American organizations of that nature, have been squabbling ever since their recent Philadelphia convention. Point of issue is the resolution, supported by Abram F. Myers, general counsel, and the executive board to form an all-industry board. Nathan Yamins, former president and a leading figure, opposed it. He was supported by a majority of delegates. The board resigned. Peace was established when it was agreed to submit the idea to the membership by plebiscite. The controversy between Myers and Yamins continued by letter. To Myers, according to Film Daily, Yamins wrote: “I tried to make it clear that not the intent but the effect of the resolution would be to emasculate the independence of Allied and would result in making Allied into another MPTOA as was done in Toronto.” We wrote to Yamins to explain his Toronto reference. He writes in reply: “My reference, which was known to those who attended the convention, was to the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America which held a convention in the city of Toronto in 1928 or 1929, which I attended. “At that time I was a member of the Executive Committee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, and at the convention in Toronto a vote was passed giving the affilitaed theatres the right to vote, and, in view of the fact that the major portion of the dues was paid by affiliated theatres, this automatically placed the control of the independent Theatre Owners Association of America into the hands of the Hays organization. Subsequent events proved that this was actually so because thereafter the dues of the atfiliated theatres were paid directly by the Hays organization, which, as you know, is the producers’ and distributors’ association, to the MPTOA; and here in America everybody in the industry knows that the MPTOA is nothing but a tool of the Hays organization. “All these matters are known to the exhibitors in this country, and when a reference is made to what happened in Toronto, it isn’t because of anything that was done by the Canadian people that we can point the finger of scorn at, but rather because that happened to be the place where Independent Exhibitors were sold to the Producers and Distributors.” The vote by mail was favorable enough to cause Allied to go further with the scheme. A committee has been appointed to determine the reactions of the various branches of the industry. The MOPTA will be offered a chance to co-operate. Quebec-Made Films The popular’ French-Canadian comedian, Gratien Galinas, whose stage name is “Fridolin,” is equipping studios in St. Denis for the production of 16 mm. films. These will be shown to Frenchspeaking audiences’ throughout Quebec province. Galinas. returned recently from Hollywood, where he studied production methods. Green NFB's USA Man Wesley Greene of Chicago, formerly of the International Film Bureau, Chicago, has been placed in charge of non-theatrical distrib ution in the United States for the. National Film Board of ‘Canada. Greene’s. address continues at 59 East Van Buren Street, Chicago. November Ist, 1941 Ontario Ends Ban On Soviet Films (Continued from Page 1) and most of these were shown in halls. It is felt that growing public admiration for the Soviet’s heroic resistance against the Nazis was responsible for the Board’s action. Russian films in the USA, which lost most of their appeal after the Russ-German treaty, have been making a big comeback. South America and Mexico report many more dates and holdovers. In England and parts of the Empire public protests have forced the withdrawal of “Comrade X”’ and other films that ridicule the Soviet. Russia’s heroic stand has caused the man in the street to be short-tempered with celluloid sneers at Britain’s ally. Silverthorn Explains “There is really nothing you can criticize in ‘Volga Volga,’” explained Mr. O. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Ontario Board of Censors. “It’s all folk music and has no propaganda. I feel that it will be accepted favorably.” The chairman added that no more 16 mm. foreign films would be permitted, these being too difficult to regulate or control because of their being shown in halls and homes. Only features for theatre showings would get consideration. The one exception to the ban on foreign pictures has been the National Film Society, a subscription organization. ‘Their films receive the same scrutiny,” said Mr. Silverthorne, “but their activities are under good auspices.” Cohn Distributes “Volga Volga” created considerable excitement among critics and patrons during its American run. It was highly praised as entertainment and proof that Soviet films are growing up. It was played in every big city and press favor resulted in surprising business. John Cohn of Toronto is responsible for bringing the film to Canada. He expressed himself as having no doubt as to what public reaction would be. “The picture makes no political point whatever,” Mr. Cohn said. “In fact, it criticizes the conduct of a certain type of Russian official. It’s all music and comedy. The Russians are famous for their music and art. You can hear it on the radio and in theatres every day. Hollywood films feature it. So does this one.” There is a large shelf of Soviet features available. Since June five new Russian films have arrived in the USA. England has received two. Quite a numiber have been shown in the USA and _ shipped back after the runs ended. Many of these are musical subjects. tees RE Ney teers tay AO eee erectile. ihanaritha Tillie rl a AS a sSNA LI = an her fl pel BA SS in eta nth