Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jun 1921-Apr 1922
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)
Leaf #:
00073
Language:
English
Collection:
Global Cinema, Hollywood Studio System, Early Cinema, and Canada
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
New York Public Library
Sponsor:
Google Books
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:

Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Editors: Merrick R. Nutting (1917-18), Raymond S. Peck (1918), Ray Lewis (1918-19 and 1920-54), Walter Greene (1919-20), Jay Smith (1954-57)

Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1917-57) was initially a Montréal-based rival of the first film paper in Canada, Toronto-based Canadian Universal Bulletin (1915-18, edited by W.A. Bach 1915-17, J.W. Cambridge 1917-18, Raymond S. Peck 1918). The two periodicals were combined in 1918, keeping the Digest name, but moving production to Toronto with Peck as editor. Canadian Moving Picture Digest assumed The Bulletin’s volume numbering and always claimed 1915 as its year of origin. Ray Lewis (née Rae Levinsky) was a writer and playwright, who spent time in early Hollywood’s publicity departments. She briefly took the Digest helm in 1918, then long-term editor, later owner and publisher, from 1920 until her death in 1954. Under Lewis’s leadership, the trade paper claimed to serve as a voice for independent exhibitors and advocated for a Canadian cultural presence in cinema, particularly emphasizing British films as a way to keep a distance from Hollywood. Lewis's editorials were notable for their advocacy, wit, and critique of American dominance in the Canadian film market. While initially positioning herself as an outsider, she became integrated within the industry and a true insider. She even had an ongoing correspondence with Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, advocating for the industry as a whole and supporting British film imports. She was well-known at Toronto’s Dundas Square film row as well as in New York and Hollywood. Variety’s Sime Silverman called her “the Girl Friend in Canada,” and she delighted when U.S. writers not “in the know” presumed “Ray” was a man’s name. Lewis was later an inaugural member of the Canadian Picture Pioneers, eventually the group’s first female president and Pioneer of the Year. After she died in 1954, her son Jay Smith took over editorial duties until Canadian Moving Picture Digest was bought by Nat Taylor’s Film Publications of Canada in 1957. Taylor incorporated the legacy journal into a joint masthead for Canadian Film Weekly (1942-70), which subsequently dated its roots back to the 1915 origins of the film press in Canada.

– Jessica Whitehead and Paul Moore, March 2024

Further Reading

  • Whitehead, Jessica, Louis Pelletier and Paul Moore, “‘The Girl Friend in Canada’: Ray Lewis and Canadian Moving Picture Digest (1915–1957).” In Daniel Biltereyst and Lies Van de Vijver, eds., Mapping Movie Magazines: Digitization, Periodicals and Cinema History, 127-52. London: Pagrave-Macmillan, 2021.

Date Added:
June 13, 2024
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bak Realart’s latest Justine Johnstone picture, is the latest Star Franchise production to be an nounced for release. Other pictures released this month are ‘‘The Magic Cup,’’ with Constance Binney and ‘“‘The House That Jazz Built,’’ a Wanda Hawley production. The story of ‘‘Sheltered Daughters,’’ by George Bronson-Howard, presents Miss Johnstone as Jennie Dark, a girl who is brought up in seclusion by her father. She is not even permitted to read the newspapers lest she learn of the world’s wickedness. Jennie therefore becomes a bookworm and cares little for other things. But if her environment is narrow her escape from danger was not less so, and before the story closes the question arises that has perplexed s0 many parents—is it wise to protect a girl too much? The answer is found in the climax of the story. All of the action takes place in New York City and in consequence many familiar places are shown in the picture. The Joan of Are statue on Riverside Drive, with the Hudson River and the Palisades in the background, form one of the locales. Another landmark is the Pennsylvania Terminal. Scenes taken there were recorded under unusual difficulties owing to the interest of the travellers and others who thronged the station. Page Fourteen Digitized by Go gle INA CLAIRE GA” LY WITH A PAST” Latest Parisian Costumes worn in “Sheltered Daughters,” Justine Johnstone “S HELTERED Daughters,”’ Another feature in the production is the style show. This is shown when Jennie Dark, the heroine, goes to the shop of a Fifth Avenue modiste and is persuaded to try on some of the latest creations from Paris for the benefit of a fastidious customer. “A dozen mannikins were used in these scenes and the costumes said to be the latest in the Parisian mode, were secured by Realart from a number of leading French costumers who provided advance exclusive models for the fashion show. ‘Sheltered Daughters’’ was directed by Edward Dillon and photographed by George Folsey. Miss Johnstone’s supporting cast includes Riley Hatch, Charles Gerard, Warner Baxter, Helen Ray, Ed na Holland, James Laffey, Dan E.* Charles, and Jimmie Lapsley. The seenarist is Clara Beranger. This is Miss Johnstone’s third Realart picture, the other two being “Blackbirds’’ and ‘‘The Plaything of Broadway.’’ Through Regal. ’ NOTED SCOTCH NEWSPAPER WRITER AND CARTOONIST AT THE REALART STUDIOS HE LATEST addition to the editorial staff of Realart’s West Coast studios is Ewart Adamson, noted Scotch newspaper writer and cartoonist, who will prepare continuities for Mary Miles Minter and Bebe Daniels productions. Mr. Adamson’s experience is a varied one. In addition to his work as a writer and sketcher for London and Scottish publications he has had experience in various enterprises in Canada as well as in mining in the Malay states. : As a journalist Mr. Adamson’s work has won him staff positions with such publications as London “‘Tllustrated Bits,’’ London ‘‘Sketchy Bits,’’ Dundee ‘‘People’s Journal,’”’ Dundee ‘‘Evening Telegram,’’ Singapore ‘‘Times,’’ and the ‘‘Lonsdale Spectator,’’ Vancouver, B.C. _In the world war Mr, Adamson participated in the first Allied raid which resulted in the capture of German prisoners. He is one of the few survivors of thjs raid which took place at Ploeg Street, known as ‘‘Plug Street,’’ and which has been recorded as a notable exploit in British Military history. Numerous Studio Staff Famous-Lasky British Producers The studio staff is numerous, well organized, enthusiastic, and there is a fine spirit of loyalty and comrade ship shown throughout. Major Chas. H. Bell is the alert and energetic General Manager, with J. Sloan as the Assistant Manager; G. W. Budden is Secretary of the company and head of the Audit Department; L. B. Lestoeq is Casting Director; L. Dawson, Art Director; N. Gregory Arnold, Assistant Art Director; C. McDonnell, Chief Cameraman; Rosenthal, First Cameraman; B. Evans, Chief Scenic Artist; A. Stewart, Location Manager; Miss M. de SaintMartin, Costume Designer; J. S. Morgan, Chief Engineer; A. J. Moss, Chief Carpenter; F. Mills, Property Master; A. Barnes, Draper. Two directors are at present at work in the studios, namely Donald Crisp, with Assistant Director Claude H. Mitchell, and Miss Margaret Turnbull as scenarist, and Paul Powell, with Assistant Director R. J. Cullen, and Miss Mary O’Connor as scenarist. The coupon attached to Regal’s Summer Offer of Pictures is worth money. Read It! Use It Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY