Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Mar 27, 1948)

Page scan 0009 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Mar 27, 1948
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Mar 27, 1948)
Leaf #:
0009
Language:
English
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, Early Cinema, and Global Cinema
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Canadian Media Magazines Project, Paul Moore and Jessica Whitehead
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:
April 11, 2024
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Page 10 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Winnipeg News By J. J. CONKLIN HEATRE managers in Winnipeg agree with Hollywood authorities that a different standard should be worked out in arriving at the Academy Awards. Local theatre men arrange their slates of Oscars but they always do not measure alongside the official announcement, as judged here and down in California. The verdict seems to be on a level different to what patrons of the theatres urge should be the deserving ones, and a manager of a theatre keeps closely in touch with the opinions expressed by his patrons. Winnipeg thinks that probably a higher standard in acting and directing should be inaugurated in Hollywood. Such a step appears to be coming which will no doubt be more in liné with Canadian This year may prove it from opinion, wood. J. Miles, President of Western Theatres Ltd., is in California having an enjoyable rest. Henry Morton, President of Manitoba Attractions Ltd., is at present in Victoria, B.C.; and Sam Weiner, Supervisor, for many years, of many Main Strect Theatres, is in Florida. N. Rothstein, President of Rothstein Theatres Ltd., and owner of the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg, has, with associates, purchased the Barry Hotel in Saskatoon, Sask., for $88,000. This hotel was damaged by fire two years ago, with a loss of several lives, but extensive improvements are now in March 27th, 1948 The Rex Theatre, at Tache and Marion, in St. Boniface, is now under new management, being directed by Bill Moore. Gift nights and Vaudeville have been introduced on the programmes. ok oe The annual reunion of the management and staffs of the Winnipeg theatres was held in the Marlborough Hotel on Tuesday, March 2nd, being attended by 450 guests. ‘T'wo ball rooms and two orchestras were provided under the sponsorship of the Western Pioneers Association, and an enjoyable time was had by all. oko It was of interest to many here to see the report of the U.S. income office that Winnipeg-born star, Deanna Durbin, was tied for second place in earners of the larg all reports coming here from Hollyprogress, and it will be reopened est incomes last year in that shortly. country, NEW MODERN For Sale Popcorn Machines are on the Embargo List... Purchase Now While They Last! "7 (COUNTER MODEL $825.00) (FLOOR MODEL $875.00) Offering These Exclusive Features ® | LB. POPPING PAN ® POPS 1 LB. OF CORN EVERY 99 SECONDS @ 25 AND 60 CYCLES ® SIMPLE MAINTENANCE ® STAINLESS STEEL Moderately Priced... Pays For Itself Quickly THEATRE CONFECTIONS LTD. 284 KING STREET EAST TORONTO ELGIN 0141 ELGIN 0141