Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jan 24, 1948)

Page 4 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Toronto and District By BILL PRESS HE deputation of the National Committee of Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association of Canada, headed by Chairman J. J. Fitzgibbons, converged on Ottawa during the week of Jan, 12th to discuss trade problems with high-level government officials. On the one hand, for the deputation proper, was the demand for the abolishment of the Federal 20 per cent War tax on theatre grosses at a time when the-cinemas are competing with the higher cost of living for the attention of the public. Principally for J. J. Fitzgibbons, as the spokesman for the Canadian film industry as a whole, were the conversations with cabinet and deputy ministers on a number of different subjects of pressing importance in ad: dition to the war-tax matter. The Famous Players president said he would be talking about a number of things and that he would be in Ottawa for the better part of the week. This was taken to mean that he was concerned with the import-economy regulations affecting the film business. Mr. Fitzgibbons was forced to forego attendance at the fourth birthday banquet at Toronto of the Famous Players 25-Year Club because of matters of state importance but he was looking forward to the similar club gatherings at Winnipeg and Vancouver where, according to plans, he would be accompanied by Vice-President R. W. Bolstad and Jimmie Nairn. What he talked about with government, representatives was not known exactly. _ Fitzgibbons, himself, declared it would be better to refrain from discussing the points for publication at the present juncture. The situation appeared to have its bargaining possibilities, however, with the theatres seeking the abolishment of the time-worn tax on grosses and the government searching ways and means to restrict imports in order to conserve Canadian funds in relation to international financial balances. Even while the discussions were under way, it was reported that the government, apparently through Rt. Hon. C. D. Howe, Minister of Reconstruction and Supply, had removed 35 mim. projection machines from the banned list of imports but would place such equipment on the control-quota list effective Feb. lst. This easement would have the effect of permitting the entry of projectors for nearly-completed theatres in Canada. No change was made in the 16 mm. projectors, imports of which are still banned. x 8 Among Toronto trade men who recently visited the Eastern section of Ontario were E. J. Harris, general manager of Gawmont-Kalee Limited, and Harold Kay, representing the National Booking Company. Because of confusien among business executives over the who and where of the new austerity import regulations, the Dominion Government has prepared a directory of responsible officials. Those who want to find out what goods are prohibited or restricted are referred to the nearest Collector of Customs and Excise. Any complaints of hardship are to be sent to Emergency Import Control Division, Department of Finance, 490 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Information on desired importation of structural steel, machinery and other capital goods is obtainable from the Emergency Import Control Division (Capital goods), Department of Reconstruction and Supply, 385 Wellington Street, Ottawa. For travel allowances, you are referred to any bank or the Foreign Ixchange Control Board and for new sources of imports the Foreign Trade Service Department of Trade and Commerce (Import Division), Ottawa. x ke x The Aliredales, a local group of bookers and other members of the film trade and allied fields, have heen organised for quite some fime now. Most recent affair, and from all reports its most gala one, was a Christmas Season Party at Charlie Mavety’s Circle M Ranch. x Ok Norman Allin, long experienced circuit booker in the Toronto film colony, made his departure for Detroit by air the other day with the prospeci of becoming located in the States. For some time he was in the head office department of Canadian Odeon. x * © Harold Bell, U-A booker, and his wife, were blessed with a baby girl, Catharine Mary Bell. * * 8 Any hope of an early abatement of dimout regulations in practically the whole of Ontario was washed out by the announcement at the middle of January by the Hydro-Ilectric Power Commission that the power shortage had become more critical than ever. ee ee The Famous Players’ Algoma at Sault Ste. Marie is doing niccly with its Saturday morning movic club, a portion of the program being broadcast from the stage cach week. «» =m » Dewey Bloom, M-G-M Canadian publicity and advertising director, and his wife, Jean, have recently returned from a three-week cruise to Nassau, Miami and Havana. New Year’s Eve was spent in Havana, dancing under an exotic tropical setting at the Fl ‘Tropicana. ng Chris Holes, former circutt manager, is once more in theatre circles of Toronto, having taken charge of the Paradise which is a unit of Odeon Theatres of Canada, ™ January 24th, 1948 The Canadian Moving Picture Digest Entered as Second Class Matter RAY LEWIS Editor and Publisher BERT H. WILKES Associate Editor Published by CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY, LIMITED 277 Victoria Street Toronto Tolophone: WAvorloy 4920 Cable: Raydigest Established 1915. Publication weekly. Subscription: $5.00 yearly — Correspondents — A. L. FAIRWEATHER............ Saint Johs, N.B. Winnipeg, Man. Regina, Sask. Vancouver, B.C. ,..Ottawa, Ont. Toronto, Ont. JACK DROY WILL McLAUGHLIN. BILL PRESS At the inaugural meeting of the 1948 Toronto City Council, Mayor R. H. Saunders repeated his pledge that he would continue to wage a campaign for a municipal amusement tax in formally addressing the city hall meeting. He wants the cities and towns in Ontario to take over where the Federal government leaves off and is asking for enabling legislation from the Province. x oe OF The Grand at London, Ont. which was sold by Famous Players several years ago to the London Drama League for a nonunal price of around $35,000, ts being promoted as the headquarters for an all-Canadian stage-drama_ circull, ke Em Michael Hosak, aged 22, was con victed and sentenced to 2 years in the Penetentiary for taking part in a recent hold-up of the cashier of the Hillcrest Theatre, Toronto. On another charge of breaking, entering, and carrying a loaded revolver, Hosak was given an additional 2 years. Owner of the Hillcrest is Nick Dotsch. a Toronto has moved up to first place in the Capital Prise class of the R-K-O 1948 Ned Depinet Drive. Calgary branch ts in second place. x kK ok Martin Bloom, son of B & F's Sam Bloom, is back at the Century Theatre, Toronto, after honeymooning at Washington and Niagara Falls. Martin and wife, Harriet, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, have set up housekeeping on Bayview Avenue. x ww & Sam Hebscher, with Odeon in Ottawa, is scheduled to take over the management of the Savoy Theatre, Hamilton, on Jan. 26th. ee & Since the opening of the Odeon there, Peterborough has become a highly competitive spot. When “Black Narcissus’ went into the Odeon, it faced “Duel In the Sun” at the Famous Players’ Capitol, while the Regent introduced “Buck Privates Come Home” and the Centre was to have “Stallion Road”’, ~~