Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 17, 1954)

Page scan 0003 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 #:
0003
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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CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Teronto and District By BILL PRESS They say that a newsman, in course of time, becomes case-hardened as he writes of the trials and tribulations and sorrows of mankind but he is human after all, when sadness hits home. Which is to say that this column is being written with a heavy heart as the death of Ray Lewis supersedes all else in thought and recollection following many years of happy relationship. This columnist recalls that Dear Ray remarked, not so long ago, that same of my writing appeared in the first issue of the Digest. Such is the little personal touch, along with countless others, by which she will constantly be rememered. Of tributes there are many, from near and far. In all humility let me say: Ray Lewis is the most unforgettable person I have ever met. We all loved her. The world has lost a_ brilliant woman, Hamilton, Ont., now has three CinemaScopes, the latest installation having been made at Jack Hunter’s Delta Theatre where it was introduced July 5 with the opening of “Knights of the Round Table.” Previously, CinemaScope had been installed in the Famous Players’ Tivoli Theatre and the Odeon Capitol. His many friends in the moving picture field were grieved to learn that Jack Arthur, producer of the grandstand show at the Canadian National Exhibition, went to a Toronto hospital following a heart attack and had been ordered to take a rest. Jack Arthurs condition was blamed on strain in connection with the dispute over the status of performers between the Musicians’ Union and the American Guild of Variety Artists. In the meantime, Mrs. Jack Arthur and Assistant Producer Jackie Rae are carrying on with preparations for the 1954 spectacle. The Ontario Board of Moving Picture Censors has classified the following pictures as Adult Entertainment; “The Long Wait’, “Dial M for Murder’ and “Indiscretion of an American Wife.” “La Ronde” has been given the classification of Restricted Altendance. Three managers of St. Catharines, Verd Marriott, Park Theatre, . Harry Rosenberg, Centre, and Fred Kozlo, Palace, formed the deputation which made the presentation of $525 to the Toronto Variety Tent as the proceeds of the benefit performance at the Palace Theatre for Variety Village. A .Toronto visitor has been Arch J. Mason of Springhill, N.S., on matters in connection with the Mo tion Picture Industry Council of Canada of which he is national chairman. He was also checking on business for his gold-mining company in Nova Scotia. Preparations are going ahead for the annual Canadian Motion Picture Golf Tournament under Canadian Picture Pioneers auspices with Dan Krendel us tournament manager. The green fee for competitors is $2 while the tickets for non-players, including the banquet, are $4. The date is August 12 at the St. Andrew’s Golf Club, North of Toronto. Frank F,. Cybulski, owner of the Bay Theatre, Barry's Bay, Ont., was found dead in the Madawaska River where he had been fishing. According to the police, he is believed to have suffered a_ heart attack and fell out of his boat. At the close of the 11th week in the Canadian Odeon Showmanship Contest for managers across Canada, Don Gauld of the Odeon Theatre, Fort William, was maintaining his lead in the exploitation division with a margin of 16 points over the Hastings Theatre, Vancouver. The Odeon at Trail was third and the Hamilton Capitol; where Nick Langston presides, was fourth. The top showmanship award for the week went to Manager Frank Marshall, Lux Theatre, Vancouver. In the district standing, the Ontario “C” team continued in first place in the standing, the supervisor of this group being Steve McManus of Hamilton. The leader of the “C” district was the Odeon, Brantford, the manager of which is Ed Burrows, Oscar R. Hanson has made a further, and attractive, expansion of his business activities by taking over distribution rights for a brand of liquor produced in Calgary—which suggests that more than oil comes from Alberta, BLAIS HEADS NFB FRENCH FILM UNIT The appointment of Roger Blais, 37, as head of the National Film Board unit producing films in French was announced by Film Commissioner A. W. Trueman. Blais, a graduate of the Fine Arts School in Quebec City, joined the Film Board in 1945 and has directed or produced more than 75 films, Among them are Monastery, Yoho— Wonder Valley, Canada’s Atom Goes To Work, Mr. Mayor and? Backstage. The French unit recently completed a film about the life of a bush doctor in northern Quebec (Le Medecin du Nord) and is making one on the town of Sorel. JULY 17, 1954 THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Entered as Second Class Matter JAY L. SMITH Editor-in-Chief MAX CHIC Associate Editor eo Address all mail to the Publisher CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY, LIMITED 21 Dundas Square Toronto Telephone: EMpire 8-8696 Cable: Raydigest Established 1915. Publication weekly, Subscription: $5.00 yearly — Correspondents — BRUCE PEACOCK...... ....Regina, Sask. JACK DROY............ .Vancouver, B.C. WILL McLAUGHLIN................ Ottawa, Ont, BILL PRESS........ ...Toronto, Ont. HELEN CROWLEY ......... Saint John, N.B. Maritime News HELEN CROWLEY ' A most successful demonstration of Pola-Lite single film 3-D was staged by the General Theatre Supply Company in the Odeon ‘Strand’ theatre, Saint John, N.B., on Tuesday morning of July 7. Among the out-of-town exhibitors who attended this demonstration were Mr. Lloyd Mason of the ‘Capitol’ theatre, Springhill, Nova Scotia. Work on the remodelling job at the “Oxford” theatre, Halifax, N.S., (Odeon-Garson) is progressing very satisfactorily. Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Roddick were guests at a farewell dinner tendered them by the staffs of the ‘Paramount’ and ‘Capitol’ theatres in Halifax, N.S. Mr. Freeman Skinner was master of ceremonies and prepared a diploma in which he passed on to Mr. and Mrs. Roddick the best wishes of their many friends in the Maritimes for their future happiness when they take up residence in Bayfield, Ontario. Mr. Roddick was presented with a Power Saw Motor for his work-shop. The Film Bowling League in Saint John, N.B., ended one of its most successful seasons with a boat trip to Crystal Beach on the “Alfio”. Approximately 30 members attended the outing. Swimming and other sports were enjoyed during the afternoon. In the evening a banquet was held in the dining-room of a local restaurant in Saint John. Entertainment provided included impersonations by James Cole and vocal selections by Miss Florence Rigby. Following the dinner, trophies were presented by Maurice Scully, treasurer of the League. Just as we are sending in this week’s column, we are saddened at the news of Ray Lewis’ death. May we, from the Maritimes, ex press our deepest sympathy to her son, Mr. J. L. Smith, also to the staff of the ‘Digest’ on the passing of its beloved editor.