Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)

Page scan 000724 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jun 1921-Apr 1922
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)
Leaf #:
000724
Language:
English
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, Early Cinema, and Global Cinema
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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TORONTO, CANADA. Page Nine Digest Reviews ‘“‘No Parking”’ and “‘A Sailor Made Man’”’ “No Parking,” the FducationalChristie Comedy which was shown at the Allen Theatre during the week of April 2nd, is full of good comedy, fast action and many surprises. Neal Burns, Helen Darling, Baby Jane Hart and “Laddie,” the dog, are the only principals in this picture, and they make a group of players that should appeal to any class of audience. The entire story revolves around a young man and his wife going to California in their flivver from Iowa and being barred out of all apartment houses because of their baby and dog. How they finally land a home, which “lands” them on the wrong lot but lands them a find in “oil” is amusingly and interestingly told. Educational’s comedies have established themselves with picture patrons and even the first flash of the trademark occasions the smile of anticipation and good cheer to prevail. “No Parking” keeps up the standard of ‘Ihe Spice of the Programme.” Out of town proprictors and managers of picture theatres seen in Montreal last week included: P. Goyette, Princess theatre, Brownsburg; A. Drapeau, Imperial, Quebec City; M. J. Williamson, Arlington, Winnipeg ; Tommy Trow, Imperial, lhree Rivers. April 10th, 1922. Kditor, Moving Picture Digest, Toronto, Ont. Dear Sirs :— On the strength of your article regarding “Ten Nights in a Barroom,” which appeared in the Canadian Moving Picture Digest of March the 25th, I booked it for two days and am well satisfied for so doing. I played it on Monday and ‘Tuesday, April 3rd and 4th. The first night I had a fair house, but on the second night I had to turn the people away; should of had it three nights. Your journal was the means of me booking this subject and ] have actually made more out of it than will pay for the Digest for the next 40 years. This is just one instance where it pays to take the Digest. I think your journal might be called, “The Exhibitors Friend.” J. A. MORRISON, Morrison’s Star ‘Theatre. One of the best efforts of Harold Lloyd’s screen career is “.\) SailorMade Man,” which was shown at Shea’s Hippodrome last week. This is Mr. Lloyd's first feature comedy it being four reels in length, and an excellent production filled with mirth provoking situations which should appeal and please any audience, the elaborateness of this picture is outstanding, many Oriental sets being used, which as a rule are very seldom seen in comedies. As is usual in the Harold Lloyd comedies, numerous new stunts are introduced which register very effectively; especially clever is the scene where Lloyd slips on a piece of soap and in so doing knocks out the champion prize-fighter of the navy. Special mention is due Mildred Davis for her work and as the ferocious looking Oriental, Dick Sutherland, is to be highly commended. The picture is full of pep throughout the entire four reels and the action accelerates as the film proceeds until the final fade away which is in ” its nature a surprise, being entirely different than the usual close-up. As a box-office attraction this feature should prove a winner. “A Sailor-Made Man” released by Specialty Film Import. EE CE I PE GET MY PRICES on Motiograph Projectors Wotton Revolux Generators Minnsa Gold Fibre Screens and General Theatre Supplies. Special Prices on Genuine Baird Parts for Powers and Simplex Machines. Write for Descriptive Folders and Prices. J. H. COLEMAN 57 Appleton Ave. Hill. 3076w Toronto, Ont. ROY TASH Cameraman FILMCRAFT INDUSTRIES Limited Toronto Canada Subscribe to the Digest $2 per year Google Gull Lake. Sask. March 18th, 1922. The Digest, ‘Toronto, Ont. Dear Sirs :-— Of my last year’s subscription you must have missed sending my copy at least 2 months. Hope this will not happen again. It's not the cost of same, but it’s the “Digest” that I do not want to miss. Wishing your Canuck Journal all the success it deserves, SAMUEL Ro TYLER For Sane.—One Powers 6.\) Projector, completely overhauled. in excellent condition, 2,000 foot magazines, usual accessories. Gundlach lenses and 110 volt Grid Rheostat, hand or motor driven. Must be sold at once. No reasonable offer refused. One Bell & Howell Inductor, 110 volts, 60 cycle, gives 40 to 65 amps A.C. to are. New. This transformer will be sold cheap for quick sale. One Gold Fibre Screen with frame. Very slightly damaged in one place. Bargain for somebody. Outside of the very slight defect mentioned (a horizontal tear 3 inches long), the surface of this screen is like new. What offers? J. H. Coleman, 57 Appleton Avenue. All Leading Theatres In Winnipeg Play Paramount Blue Ribbon Week W. A. Bach, general manager for Canada of the Famous Lasky Film Service, Toronto, spent the past week here in conference with the western manager, Carl Weeks, completing arrangements for Paramount Blue Ribbon Week. All the leading city theatres but one, the Allen, will run Paramount pictures the week of April 17, Mr. Bach was ill with influenza while here and had an affection of the ear, also. Exhibitors of Ottawa Observe Holy Week; Play “The Rosary,” Associated Ist National Exhibitors of Ottawa, Ontario, paid special attention to requirements for Holy Week by presenting appropriate features. Harry Brouse, proprietor of the Imperial theatre, booked “The Rosary” for the week before Easter, while Manager J. T. Moxley of the Russell theatre offered a special production, “The Eternal Light,” which is released through the Catholic Art Association, as the Holy Week attraction at that house. Musical numbers at various local theatres were of a religious nature.