Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 1923-Apr 1924)

Page scan 00086 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Apr 1923-Apr 1924
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (April 1923-April 1924)
Leaf #:
00086
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System, Global Cinema, Early Cinema, and Canada
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
New York Public Library
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:
July 31, 2025
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TORONTO, CANADA. “Plant Life” Beautiful Urban Popular Classic One of the most beautiful of the Urban Popular Classies, which are being released through Vitagraph, is “Plant Life,” in which the strange story of seeds and their curious formations are screened. The great salmon streams of Oregon and the life of the salmon from the time it battles and leaps up rushing mountain torrents to spawning fields until its capture, is told in “The Silvery Salmon,” another one-reel Urban Classic. Exchanges are receiving this week, “The County Fair,” in which “Ma Plunkit” describes what she saw there. “Playing It Wild” Vigorous Vitagraph Western “Playing It Wild,” in which Wil liam Duncan and Edith Johnson are — co-stars, is the most vigorous and swiftly-moving Western picture that Duncan has made under the Vitagraph banner. Duncan plays a cowboy who becomes the owner of a newspaper in a Western town. The character is carefree and youthful and gives this. star full opportunity for all his talents. “Playing It Wild” has a good vein of humor and a love story of real heart interest. C. Graham Baker, whose original story it is, has provided many laughs, and for thrills the Duncan fans are sure to like it. In the cast with Duncan and Miss Johnson are Francis Powers, Dick la Reno, Edmund Cobb, Frank Beal, Robert Ef. Reis and Harry Todd. Miss Tisdale Leaves For Summer Vacation Miss Tildale, secretary of Mr. Clair Hague, general manager, Canadian Universal, has resigned to avail -herself of a much needed rest and vacation. Since 1916 Miss Tisdale has been a faithful associate of Universal, and it is with great regret that Universal parts with her services. Our very bset wishes to Miss Tisdale for a happy vacation. California is on the list of stopping-off places Miss Tisdale will visit. Her holiday will cover many months. Henry Thompson, Musical Director, Capitol, Montreal Opens Studio, Winnipeg _Henry Thompson, for a year muSical director of the Capitol, Montreal, has opened a studio for teaching vocal work in Winnipeg, and is accepting numerous concert engagements. Loy \ sOOQIe Befor OWE. Read The Digest Advertising Pages. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Will have to take off our hats to Vitagraph for this one. It certainly made a hit in our house and we doubt that in our twelve years experience we ever got more favorable comments on a showing than on The Ninety and Nine—-T. H. smith, Princess theatre, Colchester, Ill— Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—The Ninety and Nine proved:one of the biggest surprises since I have been an exhibitor. Truly a record breaker. The Flirt was a good money maker for nic, but The Ninety and Nine outdrew it both nights. My patrons were very enthusiastic in their praise. I used twentyfive of each style, two styles, window cards supplied by Vitagraph on this picture. This picture did not have much of a first run, hardly any newspaper space being used to exploit it, which makes its drawing power all the more a surprise. —J. KE. Stocker, Myrtle theatre, Detroit, Mich—Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—A splendid feature which will hold interest to the very end. Fire scenes very good, and advertising can be got from Vitagraph that gets the patrons in. —W. T. Biggs, Unique theatre, Anita, lowa——Small town patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—A picture that got the business for me and seemed to please the majority. —-Itrnest Vetter, Majestic theatre, Homer, Mich.—Small town patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—A perfect audience picture. Good cast, good story and fine protography. The fire scene ts great—Chas. Prokop, Rex theatre, Wahoo, Nebr.—Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore——A remarkable’ picture from standpoint of thriller as the last reel is taken up with thrilling forest fire that seeins real to the hard-boiled ones, even. Story is good and holds up at regular . admission price. An extraordinary melodrania—W. H. Brenner, Cozy theatre, Winchester, Ind—General patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with a special cast—One of the best melodramas in years. If properly exploited will get the husiness and please 95%.—C. R. Hatcher, Grand Opera House, Meridian, Miss.— Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Great. Picture fine, but paid too much for it. Lost money. Cold wave hit us-—Lewis & Brisco, Princess Theatre, Elwood, Ind—General patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore,—Fire scene equal to The Storm. A fine picture. Just as good as My Wild Irish Rose.—F. Guy, Bradely Opera House, Tecumseh, Mich—Small town patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Played this picture as against Manslaughter and Oliver Twist and will venture to say that we knocked ’em for a goal. This picture is wonderful—Paul 1, Shew, Rivoli Theatre, Clinton, Ind— Gencral patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Very fine picture from every point of view. It will back up any exploitation you give it. The forest fire scene is great. Proved a good box Office picture for two days.—Anderson & Weatherby, Gem theatre, Omaha, Neb. The_above reports clipped from THE Page Five _The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Vitagraph has one great picture in The Ninety and Nine. Had more good ° comments than any picture that I have run. Forest fire starts where others leave off. Sure great. Photography great. Fine story and the acting of Warner Baxter wonderful. Class A A picture. A money getter for any exhibitor—Ray M. Rector, Columbia theatre, Anadarko, Okla.—General patronage. ° The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore—Entitled to take its place among the best pictures of the year. Intensely human story. Censor proof. In seven big reels. An excellent cast. It is gratifying to recommend this picture as one of the finest we have ever seen. Truly worthy of the name of “special.” Book it—A, j. Steggall, Opera House, Fayette, Iowa— College town patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with a special cast-—Old time melodrama, but it went over. Good punch scene. Business good. All seemed satisfied. Get the film trailer from your exchange. It is a good one. On seven reels—Chas. H. Ryan, Garfield theatre, Chicago, Ill—Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with a special cast~-A very enjoyable picture. Very well done. Colleen Moore shows to particular advantage in this. In fact I think it’s her best since Broken Chains. Took well here.—S, C. Chapman, La Salle theatre, Chicago, Ill1—Neighborhood patronage. The Ninety and Nine, with a special cast——Wonderful. Better than the ordinary specials. Be sure and book it. You inake no mistake—W. P. Sayers, O. K. theatre, Hill City, Kans—General patronage. | THE NINETY AND NINE, with a special cast.—Biggest business for over two years. Pleased everyone. A lu-lu_life-saver, yea, a record breaker in every respect. Railroad angle should be played up strong. The exhibitor who doesn’t use this and use it quick is deaf, dumb and ’ blind as a bat. Vitagraph Paper on this very effective. Good window cards. Picture well produced. Thrills well executed. Gets everyone talking and boosting. Come on, give us more of these dog fights that really get the money—FRANK C., BUCKLEY, Princess theatre, Superior, Wis. The Ninety and Nine, with Colleen Moore.—Here 18 a picture worthy of every exhibitor’s atteniton. Wil] please everyone and make you good money if you buy it right. Play it up as a railroad drama and a real forest fire that makes The Storm by Universal look like a Sunday picnic. The start of the Picture has many touching scenes that will please the women. An all around good bet.— C. J. Goetz, Beverly theatre : Wis.—General patronage. Janesville, The Ninety and Nine, with a i cast—A very interesting picture of incl: dramatic type, well acted, splendidly directed and the kind of story that holds the audience. Those who see it first day will boost. Good box office picture — Rosenfield, Hopp & Co., Fort Armstrong theatre, Rock Is] aa tronage: Stand, Tll—General pa + EXHIBITOR’S HERALD