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Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 10, 1954)

Page scan 0009 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Apr 10, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 10, 1954)
Leaf #:
0009
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, Early Cinema, and Global Cinema
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Canadian Picture Pioneers, 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:
May 23, 2024
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VANCOUVER NEWS By JACK DROY A new application to open a drive-in theatre on Musqueam Indian reserve, south of Marine drive, in Vaucouver has been referred to the Town Planning Commission. Proposed ozoner which was turned back on protest of residents some time ago, would be built on the reserve (Federal property). The president of the North American Indian Brotherhood said the reserve land has been allotted to Edward & Victor Gurin, native Indians, and urged aldermen to “give us a chance to earn a living.” He said the “Tomahawk” theatre would be staffed by Indian ushers and featuring a store where native handicrafts would be sold. He said the reserve proposed site of the ozoner is outside the city limits, despite assurances from aldermen that they weren't. A surplus of qualified projectionists is a possibility in British Columbia with circuits converting to 1-man in a booth in place of two under the new Jaw. The ozoners, however, will take up the slack at least for the summer. It is understood that many over-age booth workers will retire and be taken care of under the union welfare nlan with most of the 25 cent increase recently granted projectionists being paid into the fund. Projectionists were given a 25-cent-an-hour increase under the new contract. Competition is keen at Mission in the Fraser Valley with both theatres playing Hollywood Night — FotoNite, and giving dishes away every night of the week. Many theatre managers have put over full pages of co-operative advertising in connection with the advent of their wide screen. Bill Baillie of the Famous Players Art Shop is building some standout fronts for FPCC downtown theatres, Bill Forward, manager of General Theatre Supply Co. in hospital for surgery. WARNER’S HONORS CANADIAN ENVOY His Excellency Arnold D. Heeney, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, and Mrs. Heeney, were honored guests at a luncheon given by Jack L. Warner at Warner Bros. Studios, The Ambassador was there to inspect the recent elevation of the local Canadian vice-consulate to full consular status. Honored with the Heeneys at Mr. Warner's luncheon were Leslie Chance, newly appointed Canadian Consul general, and Mrs. Chance. Other guests included Blake Owensmith, Canadian coordinator for the AMPA, Barbara Warner and screen stars Doris Day, John Wayne, Virginia Mayo, Michael O'Shea and Jeanne Crain, CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST APRIL 10, 1954 Charles Boasberg, RKO General Sales Manager, accompanied by Charles Levy and Leo Samuels, of the Walt Disney Corp. in Toronto, to confer with Jack Labow, RKO Canadian General Manager. @ N.F.B. enters ten 16 mm. films for Golden Reel Awards at the first U.S. Film Assembly, arranged by Film Councils of America, competing with four hundred and thirty entries and wins eight awards out of its 10 entries. ® The Toronto Transportation’s subway, in addition to being a convenience is now a source of entertainment, on which the children stay for five rides, paying for one only. After being officially opened March 30th, it registered 1 million passengers in three days. @ Friends in the film trade in Winnipeg, will regret to hear that A. A. Heaps, former member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, died at Bournemouth, England, Monday, April 5th. He Was on a visit to England. ® Arturo Toscanini, the world’s most famous conductor, conducted his last concert with the N.B.C. Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. He was 87 years old on his birthday March 25th, on which day he signed his letter of resignation to David Sarnoff, Board Chairman of R.C.A. eS 20th Century-Fox cancels its two million dollar suit against Marlon Brando, who failed to appear for The Egyptian. Mr. Darryl Zanuck announces that Brando will do the lead in Desiree, with shooting in June. ® The show of the week at seven Famous Players Toronto neighborhood houses, Shane and The Maze was held over, which has not happened for a long time. e Walter Wanger’s Allied Artists big hit, Riot In Cell Block ila opened Monday in five Twinex First Run Toronto Theatres with lineups. @ Universal’s Glenn Miller Story, Loew’s Uptown, Toronto, continues to do big business in its 6th week. ® Rose Marie, M.G.M. CinemaScope Musical still playing to capacity business third week, Loew’s downtown, Toronto. a