Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jan 17, 1948)

Page 12 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Vancouver New By JACK DROY DEON’S B.C. supervisor announ ced the following managerial changes in their B.C. set-up. Al Mitchell moves to the Hastings and trades jobs with Al Jenkins who now takes over the managership of the Plaza Theatre. Jack Armstrong, manager of the Paradise, Vancouver, is promoted to the Odeon at Trail, B.C., succeeding Elliott Brown who returns to Vancouver to a house not yet designated. Al Narvey of the Lonsdale, North Vancouver, changes positions with Bob Matherson of the Cambie, Vancouver, Herb Campbell, who was formerly with Famous. Players, becomes manager of the Oak Bay Theatre, Victoria, replacing Douglas Redgrave who resigned. The appointment of two new managers for the new West Vancouver and Victoria Theatres will be made shortly. * * x Two lassies from overseas have been added to the local amusement business. Phyllis Smith formerly with the Odcon circuit in New Zealand, is now cashier at the Dominion and Rhoda Bradley, formerly with Gaumont Theatres in London, is cashier at the Orpheum. ras 58 The first-run theatres here got some of that Christmas turkey this year, and downtown exhibitors are singing happy days are here again. The holiday trade boosted grosses enough to make it the best all-around week since August at the local deluxe houses. “Fun and Fancy Free” was the leader at the Capitol. Paradise with ‘“Christmas Eve” and a Western also had healthy receipts. “Nicholas Nickleby” a British import gave the Vogue a much better than average week. “Thunder in the Valley” at the Orpheum was also very good. x * * Mary Crompton, former head usherette at the Orpheum, is now in the box office at the International Cinema, the new downtown wnt of Famous Players which opened Christmas day. x OK x Theatre Confections Limited played host to the Famous Players managers recently in their new spacious candy warehouse at 36 Powell Street. Occasion marked the opening of their new quarters which will service F-P Vancouver and B.C. outlets. Neil Troy, assistant manager of Theatre Confections, and Kevin Fitzgibbons, who is in charge of the local office, were on hand to greet the boys and explain the operation of the set-up. Incidentally, the managers have been doing a good job of selling candy despite the many handicaps. It is hoped that the new deal will ease the amount of work in this connection somewhat. Lorne Newton, formerly assistant manager at the Capitol Theatre, is in charge of supplies at the new warehouse. The new Odeon theatre at West Vancouver, expected to open shortly, is not waiting for the arrival of Gaumont-Kalee equipment from overseas, but is being equipped with Century projection and sound equipment. Gequipment, however, is expected to arrive in time to be used at the new Odeon theatre at Victoria to open shortly. Ba ier oe Phyllis Dixon, of the Hanson 16 mm. exchange, was called to Winnipeg where her mother ts seriously ill, Mrs, Dixon was formerly with General Films Ltd, at Regina, Saskatchewan. * * s An epidemic of theatre break-ins occurred over the holidays. Four suburban theatres were entered; in one case a gun battle took place between police and the thugs. Losses reported were very small. Juveniles were blamed by the police in most cases, x ok x Captain William Dauphinee of New Westminster, B.C., father of Percy Dauphince of the Dominion Theatre, Vancouver, died this week in his 83rd year. ae Because of the backing up of product through lengthy runs, the Odeon circuit have added two additional first run outlets to its Vancouver chain. Policy now in effect at the Park and Lux gives Odeon six first run houses here. Paradise is now also playing a majority of first-run pictures, in place of their second-run policy. ¢ ¢« Jack Randall, Strand manager, had his first New Year's Eve off in sixteen years, but instead of hitting the high spots, he and his assistant “Mac” Simee, spent the occasion contpleting the many endof-the-year reports and inventories that were necessary in closing the theatre's fiscal year. Dave Borland, Dominion manager, did likewise. FOR SALE THEATRE CHAIRS We now have a very large stock of excellent reconditioned (as new) Theatre Chairs. Quantities up to 1200 of a kind. Immediate delivery. NOW — New all-steel construction spring-edge, highest quality Theatre Chairs available, 7500 yards of imported carpet direct from England and Scotland. Enquiries Respecttully Solicited “LA SALLE’’ RECREATIONS LTD. (Theatre Seating and Carpet Division) S. A. LECHTZIER, Pres. Vancouver, B.C, 945 Granville St. - January 17th, 1948 Vancouver marquee sign at the Strand read “Kiss of Death” — “T's A Joke Son”.??? x ok OK Vancouver again will be the scene of the annual 25-year banquet of Famous Players on January 26th. Three new members will be inducted as -Dave Borland, Dominion ; Tommy Thomson, Grandview; and Charlie Doctor of the Capitol, all of Vancouver, will be taken info the fold. ‘The three boys will also become members of C.P.P. * Ok Ok Newest addition to the Strand Theatre staff is Lillian Wren, who is cashier, replacing Stella Shewack who resigned to become a bride. Irma Pahl, Strand head cashier, announced her engagement. laine Bolster, who was formerly with the Churchill Theaire in Brussells, Belgium, recently arrived in Canada and is a new addition to the Orpheum staff. ey oka ak Ivan Ackery of the Orpheum is working like a beaver in arranging for talent, press tie-ups, programs, etc., for the Canadian Picture Pioneers first movie ball which will be held at the Hotel Vancouver, February. 3rd. Ticket sale starts this week and a big crowd is expected to swell the Benevolent Fund of the C.P.P. Ho Sk! ak Bert Whyte has opened his 300seat New Hamotta Theatre at Haimiota, Manitoba. House will be in competition with the Orange Hall Theatre which is operated by Dick Woods. * Ok Ok Vancouver amusement business was given a going over by a hoaxer who paid us a short but sour visit. He registered at Hotel Vancouver as Frank Capra, Jr., and announced that his father planned production of a $1,000,000 technicolor film here. One paper gave it front page attention, but one newspaperman was not sold and checked with Hollywood and found Capra Jr., was only 11 years old. his imposter even sold the theatremen on the idea and promised to have his stars, John Wayne, Clair Trevor and Jack Holt, here for the Canadian Picture Pioneers Ball. He disappeared with the police on his trail, after promoting a great movie industry for Vancouver, ek Ok Jack Armstrong, manager oO the Paradise Theatre, and his wife, Edna, are busy with the many arrangements made necessary by his promotion to the Odeon at Trail, B.C. The Armstrong’s will be mussed along theatre row here, as they are a very popular couple. * Ok x Bert Pollock, of the Capitol Theatre, who was elected president -of Projectionists Local 348 recently, has refused to take office, as he does not agree with some of the policies of the local. A new President will be elected at the January meeting, ae,