Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 19, 1954)

JUNE 19, 1954 S YOU probably know by now, having read the announcement in last week’s Digest, my son, Jay L. Smith, who came up from Phoenix, Arizona, just to pay me a Mother’s Day visit, has decided to stay in Toronto, and has already taken over the direction of Alliance Films. I do not need to tell you that I am very happy to have him back with me, and with Alliance, and I am equally grateful to that God-given Arizona sunshine for having given him back his health. By the time you read this, the rest of the family will be, here, also, as Jay’s wife, Jean, is at this writing, driving up from Phoenix with my grandson, Ray Lewis Smith, Jr.,’ and my little granddaughter, Joan Louise Smith. It will be wonderful to see them all again, and to know that they are here to stay. In this world of uncertainty and strife, the family is one rock to which we can still anchor our lives, and when you are not feeling just up to par, the sight of your loved ones at your side, is both an encouragement and an inspiration to get well just that much faster. While on the subject of my son's return, I must pause for a moment, to express my heartfelt thanks to Joe Marks, for the great help he has given me during the past year, and the fine job he performed as General Sales Manager of Alliance, a position which he accepted temporarily at my earnest request, just a little over a year ago. Joe has been capable, loyal and industrious, as he was when he worked for David Selznick, and while I know he doesn’t need it, any time he should ask for an endorsement or recommendation, I will be proud and happy to accommodate him. 4 Fete: of my very good friends at Famous Players have announced their intention of retiring. Bob Roddick, for many years manager of the Capitol Theatre, Halifax, and for many years, Maritimes district manager for F-P, is retiring shortly. I have known Bob Roddick for more years than I care to put in print, and he has always been a wonderful friend to the Digest, and a strong supporter of the Digest Showmanship Contest. I still recall with pleasure the visit I had with Bob a few years ago when I visited the Maritimes, and Bob took me for a tour on a British warship that was anchored in Halifax harbour. The other member of the Famous family who is planning to take a well-earned rest is my old friend, Eddie Zorn, Winnipeg District Manager for F-P. Again I hate to admit that I have finally passed my 39th birthday, but I can recall with pleasure some wonderful visits with Eddie Zorn in Winnipeg about 25 years ago, when Walter Davis was managing the Metropolitan Theatre, and I was invited to Winnipeg to address an exhibitors’ convention. To both Bob Roddick and Eddie Zorn, I would like tu express my thanks for their many years of friendship with Ray Lewis and The Digest, my compliments for the many years of outstanding service they have rendered Famous Players and their communities, and in conclusion to join with their hundreds of friends across this vast Dominion of ours in saying to both these gentlemen, “Good-bye, good luck, and God Bless You." IN eanae to the grapevine, a good time was had by all at the farewell party for Jim McDonough at the Connaught Hotel, Hamilton, last Thursday, given by Dan Krendel and the Famous Players District “B” managers, on the eve of Jim’s departure for Halifax, to take over the Maritimes District from Bob Roddick. Over sixty of Jim's friends turned out in Hamilton to wish him God-speed, and to congratulate him on his promotion. Presentations were made to Jim by Dunc Campbell, President of the Hamilton TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (3 eTg eS eae PAGE THREE Presents Managers’ Association, and by William Cranston, General Manager of radio station CKOC. Dan Krendel presented Jim with a desk set on behalf of the boys and gals of “B” District, Famous Players, which was inscribed with the following words: “Health, Happiness and Success.” In making the presentation, Dan commented on the heart-warming response of the many people who gathered on such short notice to pay tribute to a man “who never asked anyone to do a job he wouldn’t do himself’, a man, Dan added, “Who always has had the courage of his convictions.” Both Jim and Dan recalled their 13 year association, and Jim, in thanking those who were present, stressed the fact that “no one taught me as much as Dan, Dan's confidence,” continued Jim, “in my doing my best at all times, became my personal Rock of Gibraltar.” Other speakers were John Dydzak and Magistrate Harry Burville of Hamilton, with Hye Bossin proposing the toast to Jim at the start of the festivities. HE following day, I understand, Jim was invited over to the Hamilton Spectator, where, at an informal meeting in the office of Alex Muir, the General Manager, Jim was presented with a club on behalf of Alex Muir, John Robinson and Herb Gildae of the Spectator. Present at the affair were: Representing the Hamilton Theatre Managers’ Association: Messrs. Kent Craig, Mickey Langston, Mel Jolley, John Miller, Oscar Lang, Ted Wilson, Bus Hodgins, Dunc Campbell, Al Ford, Bill Walkey, Bill Woodbeck, John Claus, Martin Winchar, Tony Pasteleck, Bill Dickson, Jim Sardo, John Dydzak, Ken Woods, Don Edwards, Cliff Dodd. Representing Famous Players, “B” District: Messrs. Dan Krendel, Herb Chappel, Ted Doney, Vern Hudson, Eddie Lansborough, Mel Jolley, Paul Turnbull. Guests: Messrs. Max Chic, Hye Bossin, Lloyd S. Gurr, Ben Palter, John Robinson, Reg Freeland, Bill Cranston, Lyman Potts, Lloyd Westmoreland, Bill Danforth, Ted Tavender, Lloyd Taylor, Dick McCabe, Herb Gildae, Alex Muir, Steve McManus, Eddie Stephan, Roy Whitsed, Bill Burke, Buzzy Blondell, Harry Hopper, Denny Wilson, Eddie Hucura, Jack Sirman, Art Fitzgibbons, Ken Wells, Art Mitchell, Barney Fox, Roy Miller, George Fairley, and Magistrate H. Burville of Hamilton. Tivoli Theatre Staff: Messrs. Lorne Killman, Nick Rizzo, Fred Baldassari, Vic Baldassari, Doug Mickleborough. I WOULD like to add my voice to the chorus and congratulate Jim on his promotion, not that it comes as very much of a surprise, for since the days when he managed the Palace Theatre in Guelph, through his years at the Tivoli, Hamilton, he has been a consistent competitor in the Digest Showmanship Contests, so it was obvious to me, at least, that only great things could be in store for James McDonough. I would also like to congratulate John Ferguson, who succeeds Eddie Zorn as Famous Players District Manager in Winnipeg, Don Edwards, who is promoted from the Nortown, Toronto, to the Tivoli, Hamilton (I have known Don since he was an usher at the Eglinton), Mike King, who moves up to the Nortown, Joe Cardwell who moves to the Alhambra, and Robert Campbell, who was assistant manager at the Capitol, Sudbury, and now bhecomes manager of the Bloor.