The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Nov 15, 1941)

November loth, 1941 The Exhibitor Page 7 DOMINION-WIDE. GATHERING __[Bioff, Brown With business conditions chang-@treal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vaning almost daily and with the|couver, with a sub-office at Cal present picture so vastly different gary, and a staff of Service En from even a few months ago,|gineers are continually employed coupled with a sincere desire on the part of both the executive and those in the field, to do everything in their power to maintain a thoroughly efficient service organization and at the same time to assist Canada’s War Effort, it was decided to call in representatives from each district—from Coast to Coast—that the Company’s pans for the immediate future might be laid before the field men and the wrinkles ironed out. To this end, Dominion Sound Equipments Limited, Canada’s only National Theatre Supply organization, held a general conference recently in Montreal, attended by representatives from as distant points as Vancouver and Halifax and all intermediate districts. The work of Dominion Sound is not confined to the supplying and servicing of high quality Motion Picture Sound Equipment to theatres, plus other accessories, and of Celotex Acoustic Materials for sound treatment of all public buildings; but that their services have been called upon for matters of national importance in today’s fight for freedom. For instance, to quote from the formal report of the Conference :— Dominion Sound Equipments Ltd. handle a complete line of theatre equipment, both projection and sound, representing exclusively in Canada such well-known lines as RCA Photophone, Northern Electric Mirrophonic sound equipment, Motiograph and Century Projectors, Ashcraft Arc Lamps, and Robin Imperial Generators. In ,addition to these exclusive lines, the Company supplies to theatres throughout the Dominion all miscellaneous booth equipment, rendering a truly ‘National Theatre Service.” Dominion Sound Equipments Limited have had over 13 years experience in servicing sound equipment. District offices are maintained at Halifax, Mon| es in rendering service to theatres equipped with Northern Electric, RCA Sound Equipment and others. The company is a subsidiary of the Northern Electric Company Ltd. and, therefore, is affiliated with the Bell Telephone Laboratories and the Western Electric Company. This ‘connection provides access on the part of the Engineering Department to valuable research and development work which from time to time emanates from these well-known organizations. In addition to these connections the RCA Victor Company Limited of Canada, and the RCA Company in Camden, N.J., furnish valuable sound and service data, and connections are maintained with Electrical Research Products Inc., the Altec Service Corporation, the Society of Motion Picture Engineers and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition to the theatre supply business, the Company also renders a National Acoustical Service and is the exclusive outlet in Canada for Celotex Acoustical Products. The Acoustical correction of theatres, auditoriums, churches and other public gathering places is becoming increasingly appreciated and noise quieting of offices, restaurants, hospitals, schools, factories, etc., is becoming increasingly necessary in these days of increased activity. Dominion Sound Equipments Limited have recognized this fact and are in a position to meet these demands. In 1938 arrangements were made by the Company to provide service for radio and directionfinding equipment on Merchant Vessels which are equipped with International Marine Radio Equipment, and since the War, this work has been considerably increased and the engineering staffs of the Company in Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, and Vancouver have been extremely busy in this i important field of service. Another recent field of activity has been the supply of Airplane Engine Test Equipment and the Acoustical treatment required for these stacks where these engines are mounted for test purposes. The noise generated by a highpowered Airplane Engine is intense and must be reduced when these stands are located close to where people must live or work. Dominion Sound Equipments Limited, have been doing a lot of this work for the Dominion Government and the large Airplane Engine manufacturers. An outstanding fact about this organization is that 23 per cent of the staff with the Company when war was declared in September, 1939, are now with the Canadian Active Forces. This Company is an example of a truly Canadian ‘company carrying on under war conditions. Charlie Chan Bows Out The Charlie Chan series, which holds the record as the longest continuous series, has been dropped by 20th Century-Fox. Since its inception 10 years ago 26 features have been built around the Earl Derr Biggers character. Of these Sol M. Wurzel produced more than 20. The last one, recently completed, is “Castle in the Desert.” Charlie Chan on the screen was introduced by E. J. Parke, who was superseded by the late Warner Oland -after his first effort. Oland played in 14 Chan pictures and was replaced, at his death, by Sydney Toler. Toler played the last 11 efforts. The studio had it in mind to cancel the series at Oland’s death but fans insisted on its continuation. The collapse of the foreign market is blamed. Those seated at the table are Directors and prominent guests—names as follows (left to right): R. Lindahl, Celotex Corporation; W. R. Ostrom, Toronto District Manager of the N.E. Co. Ltd, and a Get Jail Terms William Bioff, convicted extortioner of more than $500,000 from the motion picture industry, was fined $30,000 today and sentenced to 10 years in pi:son. George E. Browne, former president of the A.F. of L.’s International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined $20,000. Bioff was Browne’s ‘“personal representative’ and west coast leader of the union. Bioff and Browne were convicted Nov. 6 after a trial of 17 days. They had been indicted for violation of the anti-racketeering law, conspiracy and extortion. Each had been liable to a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and $30,000 fines. Although the indictment charged they had extorted $550,000 from four major film companies, witmesses ran the figure up to $887,000 which they said was collected on the union leader’s threat of calling nation-wide strikes. Selznick Signs Carter Blake Carter Blake, who has_ been general manager for Alfred de Liagre, Jr. and associated with him in the production of many Broadway stage successes, the last of which was “Mr. and Mrs. North,” has been signed by David O. Selznick and placed by him in charge of talent. Blake will have offices on both coasts where he will search for, test and cast new and old talent for forthcoming Selznick productions. Blake was general stage director last summer at Company’s theatre in Santa Barbara, California, and for several years has been director of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Director of D.S.E.L. R. D. Harkness, Vice-President & General Manager of the N.E. Co. Ltd., and Vice-President and Director of D.S.E.L. M. K. Pike, Vice-President of General Sales Division of the N.E, Co. Ltd., President of D.S.E.L. F. E. Peters, General Manager and Director of D.S.E.L. W. Carswell, Vice President in Charge of Accounts and Finances of the N.E. Company Ltd., Turnbull, Of “DUS .EL Ls eAse 3D3 Assistant Chief Engineer of BAS Op Bega Ox and Director of D.S.E.L.. L. Curran, Halifax District C. Pearson, Manager of General Sales Manager D:S:E.L. the Selznick.