Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)

Page Six CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Viola Dana Visits Filmcraft Office Votes Camera Classics the Best Ever ices existing in the mind of the motion picture public is that directed towards the moving picture star. Scarcely a man or woman who is a screen fan—even the sanest people are not exempted—has escaped the vogue of believing wierd unreasonable rumors concerning those other men and women—quite frequently very sane—who work so hard to please the fickle public. Sometimes it is necessary to remind even the industry itself that moving picture actors and actresses are human beings with heads firmly set on their shoulders, and hearts that beat warm and true. This is the general rule and there are really very few exceptions. There is really nothing more delightful in the world than a charming woman who has climbed to success via the footlights or the silver sheet. To meet one of the dainty little creatures whose lovely features grace the screen, is almost invariably a very great privilege. Or: of the most unfair prejud Folks who have lost their faith in human nature should have witnessed a delightful little incident that took place in the “work shop” of the Filmcraft plant a few days ago. No less a personage than the famous, diminutive, joyous Viola Dana, heroine of many delightful screen triumphs and champion of laughter and happiness, appeared in the doorway of the main office of the Toronto producing concern—unheralded and unannounced. “May I come in?” was the naive though delightfully unnecessary query. A tiny girl, weighing less than one hundred pounds, faced an admiring and most surprised office staff. Two roguish blue-green eyes took in the situation with intelligent delight. Brown bobbed curls peeped beneath a droopy brimmed hat. Dimples hovered around the corners of a very pretty mouth. “Why Viola Dana, this is a delightful surprise.” Blaine Irish stepped forward and welcomed the captivating little visitor who had succeeded in paralizing the plant for a whole second. “Well it’s awfully nice of you to say so in view of this uncermonious visit during business hours. But you see when I heard that there was a moving picture studio just a few blocks from the theatre well it was too much for me. And here I am and here you all are and I find I know half of you.” By this time the diminutive star had spotted several former studio acquaintances—the lab superintendent whom she had known when she worked in the east, Blaine Irish of course she had known during the days before the little comedienne’s triumph whisked her off to Hollywood, and a long contract. “IT musn’t forget a very important part of my visit,” said Miss Dana. “Tam so thrilled about getting into the studio and seeing you all that I might forget the big reason for my coming. You see I have heard all about your Camera Classics, and I’m awfully interested. I have never given any thought to pictures in Canada until my trip up here, and now that I have seen a real snow storm and everything, why I’m almost tempted to jump my tour and make a picture with one as an Esquimo princess— do they have them?” Formality and affectation are totally strange meaningless words to Viola Dana. She knows the full meaning, however, of unselfishness and goodwill, modesty, and good nature. On this particular occasion she almost refused to talk about herself—she had come to interest herself about Canadian made pictures. She was curious, interested, enthused over the work being accomplished by the Filmcraft studios—she much preferred to talk Camera Classics, and she did. She fired a regular barrage of questions. She viewed subjects that have been distributed by Educational, and others that have not yet been released. During the screening she sat a little to one side of the projecting room absolutely silent. She was a veteran, a real veteran of the industry at this stage, intent on the film, absolutely oblivious to anything and anybody while the machine was running. As the last subject concluded, she jumped to her feet, again the animated, vivacious Viola, and a flood of words poured out. “I think it is simply splendid, I am terribly excited. I had no idea that anything like it was being done. They are the best one-reelers I have ever seen and the photography, well, we will have to vee our step in Ilollywood, that’s a ead There was no mistaking the sincerity of the star’s remarks in spite of the mischievous tone of the reference to work at Hollywood. The generous words of praise were meant, and Blaine Irish said he felt: more Google than ever that the struggle to overcome popular prejudice against Canadian pictures was worth every bit of energy that the Filmcraft forces could muster. “Don’t stop at the Classics,” advised Viola. “Go ahead and show ‘em all you can do it. T’ll have to go folks, or Pll lose my job. Mighty glad to have seen you all, good luck.” The famous screen star who had arrived at the ‘Toronto studio unannounced tripped out the door—but the parting smile put the Cooper Hewitt’s to shame. Harry Brouse of Imperial Theatre, Ottawa, ‘Books First National Special Picture, “The Rosary” As an attraction for Holy Week at the Imperial theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, Harry Brouse, proprietor of the theatre and also prominent in First National circles, booked the First National special, “The Rosary.” Incidentally, Mr. Brouse has announced a list of bookings extending as far ahead as June 17. All features are listed for a week’s run and the selected list includes “The Prodigal Judge,” “School Days,” “The Conquering Power,” “Get Rich Quick Wallingford,” “Enchantment,” ‘Miss Lulu Bett,” “Turn to the Right,” “The Bonnie Brier Bush,” “At the Stage Door” and “Beyond the Rainbow.” $780.95 Amount of Receipts For Theatre License During 1921 In Ottawa, Ont. (Ottawa Correspondent) Receipts secured by the City of Ottawa, through theatre license fees from local amusement houses for 1921 amounted to $780.95, according to the official civic statistics for the past calendar year. The estimated revenue from this source for 1921 had been fixed at $1,200 but the actual amount fell considerably below this sum through the closing of the Strand Theatre by the Famous Players Canadian Corporation. Receipts from theatre licenses for this year may be even less than during the past year because of the burning of the Dominion Theatre last fall. Moreover, no apparent move is being made to finish the building of the Capitol Theatre this year. Existing moving picture houses in Ottawa, however, are doing a fine business week after week.