Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)

Page scan 000737 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 #:
000737
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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Page Ten The Digest Reviews “Penrod” and “Turn to The Right” () you remember your childhood days? If you do not, see “Penrod,” and it will recall memories that have long been forgotten. Everyone who ever had a happy and joyous childhood will like this picture, as it is a humorous revel of, boyhood life that contains a laugh in every inch of its film. Every bit of humor and naturalness of the original Booth ‘Tarkington “Penrod” stories, featuring Wesley Barry as the trouble-maker and ingenious hero, all of his pals and enemies, have been brought to the screen with much realism, thanks to Marshal Neilan the director and the co-operation which he receives from various motion picture producers who loaned their juvenile talent for this production. ; Wesley Barry is King, Queen and in fact everything as far as the management of the gang is concerned, also as President of the American 3oy's Protective Association which office he elected himself. Naturally there are grown ups in the picture who are rather sedate. that frown on the organization, but when “Penrod” and his gang capture two bandits that are terrorizing the community, the entire neighborhood offers their gratitude. There is a childhood love affair that adds interest to the story, and the picture as a whole is just one big entertainment. It) will be appreciated and well patronized in any class of house. F. A. Brown Trains “Music Hall” National Steeplechase F. A. Brown, the brother of the better-known Mr. Harry Brown, trained “Music Hall.” the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase. ‘Whe horse broke down before he could carry his new owner’s colors, and was transferred to Owen Anthony. a brother of the famous riding family. Anthony said when “Music Hall” cune to him he appeared hopelessly broken down, but finally he got him sound and thought then he would win the National. “Music Hall” is said 10 be a great jumper and a horse that has both speed and stamina. He won the Grand National Steeplechase this veir in ans entry with thirty-two horses. ‘Phe one-reel Steeplechase releised thru: Famous Players. ROY TASH Cameraman FILMCRAFT INDUSTRIES, LTD. Toroxto CANADA 6OMURN TO PAE RIGHT,” which was shown at the Regent Theatre recently, should duplicate the success of the famous stage play of the same name. In recalling the popularity which the original production experienced, we are pleased that the screen version of ‘Turn to the Right” is proving to be one of the best box office attractions of the season. — “Turn to the Right” is an A-1 picture with a moral that hits home. The atmosphere is richly decorative, and pictorially the picture is very pleasing. The stars of the production, although their names are not mentioned, are Harry Myers and George Cooper as the crookedest of crooks and pals of Joe Bascom, which character is played to perfection by Jack Mulhall. The above trio were supported by an excellent cast including Alice Terry, Edward Connelly and Lydia Knott. This picture is one that should appeal to any class of audience, and the exhibitor that plays this feature should have no regrets. The National theatre, Winnipeg, is now managed by Mr. Bailey, who is a partner with W. R. Nichols, in the Rialto. A big week attended the showing of Harry Carey in “The Fox.” CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Art Titles Are Added To “Snub” Pollard Comedies Art titles are now being added to the last of Harry “Snub” Pollard’s one reelers, “Strictly Modern,” a hotel picture and comedy 110 and the one previous “Hail and Hearty,” the costume comedy which covers a period of fifty years. Following a studio preview the two comedies and “Our Gang,” the kiddie-animal picture will be shipped to New York. The following Pollard comedies have just been released: “The Bow Wows,” with Pollard as dog catcher, “Pardon Me” in which “Snub” has himself arrested and “Down and Out,” the comedian being cast as peanut vender. Thru Regal. J. M. Franklin Opens Community Theatre; New One In Halifax The opening of a new theatre in Halifax is evidence of the growing popularity of motion pictures and the skill with which Halifax theatre men manage their houses. The Communitv Theatre on Gottingen Street, which has been recently opened by J. M. Franklin, owner of the Strand Theatre, Hlalifax, and lessee of the St. John Opera House, has already made itself a popular place of amusement. It is a downstairs house beautifully fitted up and furnished with the most modern equipment. © Web Theatre Opens Niagara Falls, Ont. First National Pictures Policy New Theatre AYOR NEWMAN. sand Mr. Swayze, local member of Ontario Parliament, with the entire City Council, attended the opening of the Web Theatre and spoke in high terms of the magnificent spirit shown by the promoters in originating, and = completing this place of amusement at Niagara Falls, Ont. The opening arrangements, details and publicity were arranged by Mr. W. J. Stewart. Exploitation Department of the Associated First National Pictures Ine. A Beautiful Floral Horse Shoe, of American Beauty Roses, from the citizens, In appreciation sat on an casel in the lobby, while a basket of varied colored tulips was received from Kd Hayman of the Cataract Theatre on the New York side of the river. The entire lobby was a mass of palms, ferns and flowers, and each lady was given a flower as a souvenir of her visit. .\ telegram of congratulations and wishes of good luck were received from First National Pictures Jne.. and capacity audiences greeted Google each performance leaving an overflow in lobby. Norma ‘Talmadge in “Loves Redemption” was the attraction chosen for the opening while Buster Keaton contributed ‘The Boat” as the comedy end of the gala occasion. The Web Theatre represents an investment of $80,000 by five men who conceived and carried through this project and who form the directorate. H. Williams, G. Tillis, C. M. Borter, G. A. Briggs, and ‘F. H. Boulter are the enterprising gentlemen. The ‘first initials of their surnames have been adopted as the name of the theatre, the “Web” which is quite original. Mr. Borter was the architect and is to be highly complimented on the construction of this theatre, which is the most modern equipped in the Province, First National Pictures will be the policy of the “Web” and the directors will soon be numbered among the fraternity of Franchise holders of the Associated First National Pictures.