Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

Page Fourteen J. P. O’Loghlin Promises Standard of “Sisters” Will Lead J. P. O’Loghlin, president of the Standard Films, Limited. the Canadian releasing company for the American Releasing Corporation, put over a big thing when he gave a private showing of “Sisters” at the Imperial theatre recently. Everybody who is anybody in the film world was present at the screening and the expressions of admiration and congratulation were loud and frequent. It is generally recognized that if J. P. can keep up the standard of that picture, he will go far in this province. Mr. O’Loghlin says he can and will and that he is going to surprise exhibitors before very long. A. E. Smith Leaves St. John; Takes Charge Montreal Exchange Many friends in St. John, N.B., and the territory will greatly regret the departure of A. E. Smith, who has been in the ctiy about five years with the Famous Players. Mr. Smith has been promoted to the Montreal office. On Saturday evening Mr. Smith was the guest of honor at a very enjoyable dinner held at the Johnston House, “Loch Lomond.” There were fifty guests present. Mr. Bernstein acted as master of ceremonies and Jack Kraker as toastmaker. After a splendid dinner had been enjoyed a good programme was carried out, Messrs. Melody, Cross and M. Begg taking part. Mr. Smith, who is undoubtedly one of the most thoroughly liked managers among the film exchange heads in the city, was presented with a very fine wardrobe trunk as an expression of the regard in which he is held. In an able speech Mr. Smith voiced his thanks and stated that he would never forget his stay in the city by the sea. Mr. Smith leaves at once to take up his new duties. H. L. Nathanson To Manage Toronto Office Regal Films H. L. Nathanson, manager of Regal Films from Fort William to the Pacific coast, with headquarters in Winnipeg, returned April 28th from a trip to Toronto. He intends to visit the offices between here and Victoria, B.C., and on his return in about two weeks’ time he will be transferred to the management of the T'oronto office. Mr. Nathanson is a brother of N. L. Nathanson, managing director of Regals in Canada. Fred W. Crosbie, who recently purchased Mac’s Theatre in Winnipeg, has also taken possession of the Royal theatre in Selkirk, Man. ‘Educational Two-Reel Christie Comedies Ideal C. H. Christie states that Al. Christie will return to the studios from Europe early in July to take active charge of all production. This means that Christie himself will pick all stories and casts and very often, in addition to supervising all pictures, personally direct. Christie calls attention to the fact that the two-reel comedy has come into its own stronger than ever this year. “As one of the best motion picture critics recently said, Comedies used to be the backbone of the film industry and programs were built around them. Exhibitors got away from that fundamental for a time, and filled up their programs with all sorts of novelties, eliminating the comedy. Now they are getting back to this essential element, with the realization that the highest class of comedies are deserving of space on every bill, regardless of what other novelties are shown. The last lap of our present year’s product is winding up with a bang, with such pictures as “Oh Promise Me,” “Tis the Bull,” “Fair Enough,” “Any Old Port,” “Cold Feet,” “A Hickory Hick,” and “Bucking Broadway,” a big New York picture which is yet to be completed. Exhibitors In Winnipeg Preparing For June Manitoba Elections Now that the Manitoba Elections are booked for June the Exhibitors Association of the province has entered on a vigorous campaign to support only candidates favoring the abolishing of the present amusement tax and changing the present membership of the Censor Board. Each candidate in the city will be asked to attend one of the weekly luncheons of the Exhibitors to give expression to his views. Camera Classics Making Hit At The Province, Winnipeg Camera Classics, the Canadian made reels of very interesting entertainment, have been attracting wide attention by patrons of the Province theatre, Winnipeg. Each one is an improvement on its predecessor. Alberta Censor Board Ban All of the Arbuckle Films The Alberta Censor Board has put the ban on all Arbuckle films. No decision has been reached in Saskatchewan, and in Manitoba the exhibitors have informed the Famous Lasky Film Exchange that it is too early to bring these films before the public for judgment. Google __CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Exhibitor Buys Two Theatres Only One Boxoffice for Returns Jake Dawson, who has been operating the Kitsilano Theatre in Vancouver for the past ‘eight years, recently sold his interests here-to R. E. Berry, who has a small chain of theatres in the Interior of the Province. Berry, in the first place, purchased the building known as the Kitsilano Theatre from the owner and was about to take possession when Dawson’s lease expired. Not to be outdone, Mr. Dawson promoted a community theatre project, selling stock to the patrons of the Kitsilano Theatre with the intention of erecting a large modern theatre in the neighborhood of his old house. When Berry discovered what he was up against he was forced to approach Dawson with an offer to buy his Community Theatre plan, the old Kitsilano could never operate at a profit with a new theatre operating in the district. Mr. Dawson sold Berry on his own terms several weeks ago. From present indications it will be many years before the new tenant of the Kitsilano theatre can show any profits on this Vancouver theatre, buying as he did, two theatres and having only one box office to make him returns. Small Theatres in Vancouver and Victoria Changing Hands A shuffle in the control of a num ber of the smaller theatres of Van couver and Victoria is indicated in reorganization incorporations granted today. The theatres affected have all been in the hands of other holding companies until this change. Their head offices are now all in Vancouver. The incorporations are: Strand Theatre (Victoria) Limited, controlling Columbia Theatre, Victoria, $20,000, Vancouver; Strand Theatre (Vancouver) Limited, $20,000, Vancouver; Variety Theatre Limited, $10,000, Vancouver; Royal City Theatre Company Limited, $20,000, Vancouver; City Theatre Company Limited, $10,000, Vancouver. Robert Scott, Manager of Canadian Universal Film Co., expects the B. C. print of “Foolish Wives” within the next few weeks, and is arranging for a big screening of this much heralded subject. Wiley Pettis, former manager of the Empire Theatre, North Vancouver, arrived in the city recently from California. He is looking for another theatre here. Fred J. Elkins, former manager of Specialty Film Import, Ltd., has joined the staff of Regal Films, and will handle the short subjects. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGEST