Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 24, 1954)

Page scan 0005 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jul 24, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jul 24, 1954)
Leaf #:
0005
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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PAGE SIX CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Vigorous Sales Policy for RKO in Canada Under the leadership of Jack Labow, RKO Canadian General Manager, RKO in Canada has initiated a new and vigorous sales policy, which in recent months was reflected in the special dating of “French Line” in Odeon houses throughout Ontario and the day and date booking of Walt Disney's “Pinocchio” in 10 Fantous Players theatres in Toronto as well as an additional 15 across Canada. The selling of the two pictures was tied in with tailored exploitation campaigns and in the case of “Pinocchio”, saw the development of one of the most exciting promotional tie-ups Canada has ever seen. Pinocchio Day, which was sponsored both by the Toronto Evening Telegram and Loblaw’s was so successful that both parties are now considering making it an annual event. Mr. Labow, who with Meyer Nackimson, Toronto Branch Manager and Harry Cohen, Montreal Branch Manager, attended an Eastern-Canadian sales meeting, presided over by James R. Grainger, President of RKO, stated on his return, “RKO will use every one of the ayailable wide-screen processes for its pictures, suiting each picture to the process which will enhance it the most.” Bearing witness to the above statement, was the announcement by Mr. Labow, of the coming release of “The Conqueror,” in CinemaScope and Technicolor, a group of 5 in Superscope and “The Girl Rush,” starring Rosalind Russell, to be filmed in VistaVision. RKO has two 3-D pictures now in release. RKO's release schedule which came up for discussion at the head office sessions, evoked, “our troubles are behind us”, from Jack Labow, on his return from New York. The conferences opened with a screening of RKO's ‘Susan Slept Here,” which had its world premiere in San Francisco on July 14. Plans for the release of the Technicolor comedy, starring Dick Powell and Debbie Reynolds, were discussed following the showing. During the session, Grainger outlined plans at the RKO Studio, including films in progress and those scheduled for future production. He discussed ‘The Conqueror,” Robert Stillman’s “The Americano,” Benedict Bogeaus’ ‘Passion” and “Cattle Queen of Montana,” Allan Dowlings “Night Without End,” Frederick Brisson’s “The Girl Rush,” and King Brothers’ “Syndicate” and Indian Fighter.” Edward L. Walton also addressed the sales executives. Further sales talks were conducted . by Boasberg and division and district managers. Among the current product discussed were “Sins of Rome,” Benedict Bogeaus’ “Silver Lode,” “The French Line,” “Son of Sinbad,” “The Big Rain-. bow” (tentative title), Walt Disney's “Pinocchio,” Samuel Goldwyn’s “Hans Christian Andersen” and King Brothers’ “Carnival Story.” FOTO-NITE ANNIVERSARIES A Toronto group of 18 theatres are now in their 5th consecutive year of Foto-Nite. In Winnipeg, 19 theatres are in their 4th consecutive year of Foto-Nite presentation. In the city of Vancouver, 10: Famous Players Theatres are in their 10th consecutive year of presenting Foto-Nite. _ In Ottawa, 7 theatres are now in their first year of operation. In addition to the pool situations, some 200 other theatres are presenting Foto-Nite regularly, some of which are in their 15th consecutive year of FotoNite operation. Warner Bros. Perfect Aperture Device CinemaScope pictures may now be projected to the maximum height as well as the maximum width of the theatre stage through the installation of a simple new aperture device perfected by Warner Bros. and now ayailable to theatres as standard equipment, it was announced by Jack L. Warner. The aperture device is adaptable to any size theatre and any size screen largest image possible in his auditorium, “With this device,” said Mr. Warner, “the screen will have no more unused space, Every foot will be utilized for the picture.” Developed in Warner Bros,’ Research Department, the aperture attachment was put into operation for the first time for the world premiere showing of “King Richard and the Crusaders” at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, The screen image of the CinemaScope and WarnerColor film, starring Rex Harrison, Virginia Mayo and George Sanders, was increased in height from 16 feet to 19 feet, the maximum proportions permitted by the structure of the theatre. The full and allows the exhibitor to obtain the in both height and width. width of 42 feet, in use before the aperture was placed on the projection machine, was retained. The aspect ratio, stated Mr. Warner, was the pleasing proportion of 2.2 to 1, New apertures, inexpensive to install, will soon be made available to all exhibitors, he said. “The increase in size of the screen image at the Egyptian Theatre,” commented Warner, “demonstrates again the extreme flexibility of CinemaScope and its adaptability for any theatre so that the most eye-appealing results may be obtained in projection and in enjoyment by audiences of the motion picture,” JULY 24, 1954 Dear Friend: We are happy to announce the 3rd Annual Canadian Picture Pioneers’ Golf Tournament. The date—Thursday, Aug. 12th. The time—From 12 noon to ??? The place—St. Andrew’s Golf Club. Tickets are priced at $4.00, plus green fees for golfers which will be paid separately prior to tee-off. All who have been to Pioneer Golf Tournaments know what marvellous times they haye—those who will be attending for the first time are in for a pleasant surprise -.. and this year’s will surpass any ever! 3 This is one of the rare times each year that showbiz people can get together to have a ‘whale of a time’. (We particularly welcome out-of-town visitors.) The day’s main event, naturally, is the Tournament. But the programme for non-golfers will keep EVERYONE happily entertained. Here are a few of the events to take place: 1. Putting Tournament for all non-golfers! 2. “Knock-Out” Gin Rummy Tournament during the afternoon! 3. Gorgous Gals in attendance! 4. Bundles of prizes for nongolfers, as well as the Tournament participants! 5. Delicious dinner! 6. Drinks! 7. Special prizes for non-industry golfers! 8. Special souvenir score cards, with putting-scores’ space. Putting prizes for Touranment golfers! 9. Surprise package for everyone in attendance! 10. Free drinks for everyone at the 10th hole! And this is only PART of the programme! The committee is so confident this event will be outstanding, that we are selling tickets with a moneyback guarantee. How can you lose? ; Contact the following committee members (all at 277 Victoria Street) for tickets: Tommy Knight, JARO; Joe Bermack, Peerless Films; George ’ Altman, Mavety Film Delivery. As there are only 250 tickets, be sure to order yours without delay to ayoid disappointment. We'll see you at St. Andrew’s Golf Club on Thursday, August 12, for the Canadian Picture Pioneers’ Third Annual Golf Tournament. Yours sincerely, Pioneer Golf Tournament Committee,