The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Nov 15, 1941)

November 15th, 1941 Mothers to See Yanks in RCAF Mothers of more than 200 American youths in the Royal Canadian Air Force will be given an opportunity to see their sons on the screen when Warner Bros.’ “Captains of the Clouds” is released. The Americans in the Technicolor special starring James Cagney, with Brenda Marshall and Dennis Morgan, were photographed in sequences shot at three RCAF training fields in Ontario. More than 200 RCAF cadets appear in these scenes and most of them will be in active service overseas when the picture is released. From RCAF authorities, with whose co-operation the picture was made, Warner Bros. is obtaining the addresses of all the Ameri-can boys in the training scenes. When “Captains of the Clouds” plays in the home town of any one of them, his mother will be invited to see it as the guest of ‘the theatre. Grierson to Speak At NY Session John Grierson, Film Commissioner of Canada, will be a fea‘tured speaker at the conference of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, to be held at the Hotel Pennsylvania Nov. 13-15, it was announced yesterday by James Shelley Hamilton, executive director of the Board. Grierson, will talk on “The Co-operation | of the Film Industry with the Government wunder War _ Conditions.” K. T. Stevens has been invited as one of the guests of honor at the annual luncheon to be held .on Nov. 15. New Models New Prices Cc. T. BR. Sound Equipment PERIGINS COMPANY LIMITED 277 VICTORIA STREET 2027 BLEURY STREET ‘ TORONTO MONTREAL The Exhibitor On the Square By HYE BOSSIN The death of Isidore Axler caused sorrow not only in his community and among his colleagues but in the hearts of many foreign-born. He spoke several ianguages. His theatre stood in the heart of the city’s most polyglot area and patrons of many races came to him with their personal problems. Still puzzled by dynamic America, they regarded Isidore Axler as a fine example of the tolerant democracy that is the rule of life in Canada and the United States. He was never too busy to go racing off to help someone in matters that had no connection with business. They knew it and loved him for it. He was a man of great goodheartedness and quiet kindnesses. In his religious community he was regarded as a man willing to serve at any and many tasks that would lighten the burden of life for his neighbors. He had a robust appetite for work and a deep love for people. If he stood outside his theatre on a summer evening he soon found himself holding court. It was inevitable that he should be surrounded in a few minutes. His friendships extended to high places and he used them in behalf of the less fortunate. To his funeral service came people from every walk of life, from the Mayor of Toronto to the merest menial laborer. The very unpleasant weather couldn’t keep them from crowding the synagogue to pay tribute to the man whom each considered a personal friend. ok bo bd * * Sam Freedman of the Centre, St. Catherines, had his institutional advertising campaign noted by the Manager’s Round Table of the Motion Picture Herald. He is well on his way to a Quigley award. ... Ruby Cass, after many years in the theatre business, has resigned as manager of the Kenwood to take an executive post with a large cleaning and dyeing concern. Nice fellow. He’ll be missed On The Square. ... Harry Mandell is distributing Tueros. Why? A baby girl, that’s why. Just what Harry ordered, too. a * a Es The revival of stories about John Griffin, Ontario theatre pioneer, caused Walter Kennedy’s favorite Griffin tale to come up again. Walter worked for Griffin in those vanished days. He knew his thrifty quirks very well. Most Griffin tales take that turn. Once two fellows were loafing in front of one of Griffin’s theatres. “Good morning,” said one as Griffin came along. “Good morning!” smiled Griffin. “Have some cigars, boys. And come with me.” The loafers did. Griffin showed them the house. “Everything all right?” he asked. “I guess so,” replied one. “You guess so?” said Griffin. ‘‘Aren’t you fellows the fire inspectors ?” “No,” was the answer. “We’re actors on the bill this week.”’ “Actors?” hollered Griffin. “Give me back those dog-blasted cigars!” * * % * * Jim Nairn, Famous Players ad chief, was made a member of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers at their recent New York dinner in honor of J. J. Fitzgibbons. The popular James is one of the few Canucks blueribboned thusly....Charlie Stephenson of Kitchener, one of the oldest and nicest fellows in the game around here, is quite ill, Everybody is rooting for him. Charlie has brightened up many a drab day with his lively personality.... Another lad back from a short count because of appendix trouble is Irving Goldsmith, EBA booker. * * * a * Back in New York after a six-week stay in Toronto is Frank Janz of Columbia’s head office. He got to be mighty well-liked in this corner of the land of the maple leaves and we hope he'll be back soon. He’s an expert on figures—statistical, not chorus... Another familiar face seen again in the old haunts is Jack (Scotty) Johnson of Filmart. He was in Vancouver and may go back. . . . Tom Daley, Imperial manager, hasn’t been inside six theatres in ten years. Can it be that the captain hates the sea?... Eleanor Stone accompanied Ray Allen to handle secretarial duties when he left Premier. j R Page 3 Exhibs Study ‘Freeze Decree The Canadian government has: published its Order in Council relating to the recent ruling which froze wages and prices in Canada. The regulations set forth in the document go into effect on November 17th. The basic period between September 15th and October 11th, inclusive, governs future selling of admissions and buying of supplies. The government will continue to recognize special allowances and deals now in practice “which result in a lower net price per unit of goods or services.’ That is, different customers may be charged varied amounts for the same article, provided the special discounts, etc., were in effect before the basic period. Under the law prices fixed during and after the basic period will have to be reduced to the maximum charge. There is nothing to prevent reductions below the maximum set by the basic period. Admission prices may be lowered, but not raised. Film rentals haven’t been touched by government rulings. A fine of $5,000 is provided for violators. Bette Davis Prexy Bette Davis was elected president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences. Other new Officers are: Walter Wanger, first vice-president; Edward Arnold, second vice-president; Rosalind Russell, third vice-president; James Hilton, fourth vice-president; Jane Murfin, secretary; Nat Finston, assistant secretary; John Aalberg, treasurer; Pete Smith, assistant treasurer. Donald Gledhill continues as executive secretray. HEATING AND VENTILATING CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS AUTH | esr adele =e be Soha