Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 17, 1954)

Page scan 0002 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jul 17, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 17, 1954)
Leaf #:
0002
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 18, 2024
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JULY 17, 1954 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST PAGE THREE Jay Presents S OLD as Show Business itself, is the tradition that “The Show Must Go On.” A part of Show Business from the age of 4, when she first trod the boards with Sir Henry Irving, Ray Lewis was the very last person who would ever permit such a tradition to be broken. Thus it is that without interruption or delay, The Digest continues on its way towards its 40th Anniversary, saddened by the loss of its Editor-in-Chief, but secure in the knowledge that the fruits born from the seeds which Ray Lewis first planted back in 1915, and nurtured through these past 40 years, fruits of her knowledge of the Motion Picture Industry,. not only in Canada but throughout the world, will not disappear from the scene, but will relive in the continued publication for the next 40 years, of the Canadian Moving Picture Digest. As Ray Lewis’ son for nearly 40 years, and her closest business associate for about 20 years, I humbly feel myself qualified to continue the traditions of service to the Industry to which she devoted her life. I realize, as you do, that I cannot promise you the inspirational and brilliant editorials that have filled the pages of The Digest in the past. I do, however, solemnly promise that these pages will always be dedicated to the service of the Industry as a whole, and that only the best interests of the exhibitors, distributors, producers, and allied fields, will be served at all times, to the best of my ability. T THIS time I would like to thank everyone who has been so kind to me, my family, and our associates, on this sad occasion. To the gentlemen who served as Honorary Pall-bearers, thus publicly acknowledging their affection and esteem for Ray Lewis, go my sincere gratitude, These gentlemen included Messrs. John J. Fitzgibbons, David Griesdorf, Sam Fine, Nat Taylor, Oscar Hanson, Clare Appel, O. J. Silverthorne and Percy Hermant. My warm thanks, also to her very good friends, Gordon Lightstone, Reuben Bolstad, and her nephews, Alex Levinsky, Frank Maron, Milton Graff and David Josephson, who served as active Pall-bearers. Literally hundreds of wires, cables, letters and cards have poured into the offices of The Digest and Alliance Films, and to my home, since Ray Lewis’ passing, and I do want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your words of comfort, and to publish, at least a few, of the wonderful messages received. Canadian Moving Picture Digest Co. Ltd. I was deeply grieved to learn about Miss Ray Lewis this morning, and I am writing these few lines to express my sympathy and condolence to her family and the members of her staff. My heart goes out to all of you in this bereavement. Miss Lewis was an outstanding leader in the motion picture industry and through her constructive editorial pages did much to promote its advancement and success. Sincerely, Ned E. Depinet Max Chic, Associate Editor, Canadian Moving Picture Digest. Shocked and deeply grieved to receive the sad news this morning. In the passing of Ray Lewis, the Motion Picture Industry in this country as well as in Canada, has lost one of its Pioneers and stalwart supporters. It was my privilege to know Ray personally. She was an outstanding leader and loved by everyone. Her loss to the industry, therefore, is as great as it must be to you and your associates on the Moving Picture Digest. To all of you and to her family I extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Barney Balaban, President, Paramount Pictures Corp. Jay Smith, Alliance Films Ltd. Please accept sincere condolences on your great loss. David O. Selznick Jay L. Smith, Words fail at this time to express sympathy, the greatest thing one leaves in this world is a good name. I am sure the name of Ray Lewis will always be cherished and remembered by all who knew her. Extend our sincere condolences to your family. Syd Taube, Jules Bernstein, Sid Goldstone, Ben Cronk. Jay Smith, c/o Alliance Films Ltd. Have just this minute heard news of mother’s passing. Please accept sincerest sympathy from wife and self. Steve Doane, N.S. Board of Censors. Max Chic, Associate Editor, Canadian Moving Picture Digest. Please extend to the family of Ray Lewis my kindest thoughts on the passing of a wonderful lady beloved and admired by thousands in the States and Canada. Ray was a dear friend for many years and was always a champion of the motion picture business Her enthusiasm and loyalty for this business and for its individuals will be deeply missed. God Rest Her Soul. Sincerely, Si Seadler, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Canadian Motion Picture Pioneers, c/o Canadian Moving Picture Digest. All Pioneers were shocked to hear the sad news about Ray Lewis who was a great constructive force in the industry for the many years she was associated with it. Our deepest sympathy to her family. Jack Cohn, President Motion Picture Pioneers. ‘Jay L. Smith Just heard the sad news of your mother’s passing: her Tale is Told, all our sympathy. Gerald and Gordon Spencer. Jay L. Smith, Shocked beyond words, heartfelt sympathy on your great loss. Berti and Maurice Elman. J. L. Smith, Alliance Films My very sincere and heartfelt sympathy. Jack Hunter. Jay L. Smith and Family Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your great loss. The Ziff Family, Parkway Theatre. Jay L. Smith, Alliance Films Italy and the Italian Film Industry have lost a great friend stop Accept my condolences also in behalf of Mr. Giulio Manenti. Pietro Bullio, Scalera Films. Jay L. Smith, Alliance Films My deepest sympathy Jay in your sad bereavement. Dave Coplan. J. L. Smith It is with deepest sympathy that I learn of the passing of Miss Ray Lewis, your loss is indeed great but this day and age has lost one of its finest personalities, there is no question but that she will find her deservedly rightful place beyond this realm. Regards, ‘ Ernest A. Wheipley. Max Chic, Canadian Moving Picture Digest The staffs of Motion Picture Herald and Motion Picture Daily join me in expressing heartfelt sorrow on the death of the distinguished Ray Lewis. Martin i Sia 3 i uigley. (Continued on Page 3) Quigley