Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Aug 21, 1954)

Page scan 0002 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Aug 21, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Aug 21, 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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4AUGUST 21, 1954 Prizes Donated To Pioneers Robt. Simpson Co., Canadian Film YWeekly, Twinex, JARO, MPTAO, Canadian TTheatre Chair, National Theatres, B & F. F.P.C.C., Odeon Theatres, Royal Bank, tEmpire-Universal, Imperial Bank, M.G.M., $St. Andrews Golf Club, Toronto Telegram, $General Films, 1.F.D., David Ongley, Tops Restaurant, Barnes-Davidson, Ben Ulster. Mayvety Delivery Service, Adfilms Ltd., 4AS.N., Sovereign Films, Can. Automatic 'Confs., United Artists, Astral Films, Car‘dinal Films, Columbia Pictures, H. M. Mas'ters, Paramount Pictures, Premier Opcratiing, Theatre Posters, Allied Theatres, Independent Theatres, Bank of Nova Scotia. __—d Provan, Sainthill-Levine, General Theotre Supply, Grand & Toy, Oriole Park | Feirways, Shopsy’s, Northern Electric, Hill(crest Motors, George E. Shnier Co., York | Confections, Perkins Electric, Revere Electric, H. M, Barnett, Pepsi-Cola Co. Polarmat, Calvert Distillers, Super-Pufft, Johnny Shapiro, Maple Leaf Press, T.C.L., Brown's Sport & Cycle, Biltmore Theatres, Ben Granatstcin, Seagram’s Distillers, Ford Drugs, Disney Stores, Can. Premium Distribs., London Luggage, Maple Leaf Ball Club, Pictorial Display, Regent Press, SilYerwoods, Eveready Printers. Wm. Mara Co., J, L. Francis Co., Hiram Wolker Ltd., Gooderham & Worts, Photo Engravers, Frank Kavanaugh, Foto-Nite, Denforth Wines, Labatt’s, O’Keefe’s, General Distributors, Clayman Cleaners, Brodey-Draimin, Birks, Bond Desk Co., Dave Gordon, Walter E. Jaques & Son, Som Vinsen, L. R. Greene, Peerless Films, Borden's, Wm, Neilson Ltd., Rowntrees Ltd., Walter M. Lowney, Moir’s, Planters, Coca-Cola, Crosstown Motors, Continental Can, Alliance Films, Dominion Sound, Cole's Sporting Goods, Lesleyann Cosmetics, Superior Press. Keep Your Eyes On KEN JOHNSON Ken Johnson, Fun Fare columnist for The Toronto Telegram, estimates his movie viewing career as only a mite shorter than his newspaper career. He was born in Peterborough, Ont., of a family long associated with the printing trades in England. He saw his first movie at the age of three in a little upStairs theatre in Port Hope. “It was a Krazy Kat cartoon,” he says. “I remember seeing Krazy Kat pluck the crescent moon out of the sky, peel it like a banana and eat it. I cried a little. I was much more of a sentimentalist in those days.” Educated in Owen Sound, Johnson started his newspaper career there on The Sun-Times. Two years later he moved to The Windsor Daily Star, where he concentrated on sports but found time to write a few theatre reviews. He later moved to The Canadian Press in Toronto, shortly going to The Telegram in January, 1949, He worked as sports department desk man and make-up man, was briefly on the city desk, then took over The Telegram’s Fun Fare column in February, 1953. ~“pIererT Across the Country Toronto and District The talk of Hamilton was the personal stunt put across by Manager Nick Langston of the Capitol, winner of the 1954 Canadian Odeon showmanship drive, his personal appearance as a man of means forming extraordinary exploitation for “Man With a Million.” Borrowing a $6,800 Cadillac and decking himself out in formal attire including a top hat, Langston made an extensive shopping tour with a $1,000 banknote, also borrowed. His experiences were many and varied, all leading to exceptional publicity. Once he thought he was “out” the $1,000 when a cafe cashier dashed from view but Nick’s qualms were calmed when she returned with the explanation she could not get the $999.80 change for his 20c purchase. Greater Toronto got its 16th CinemaScope when the new technique was introduced with the showing of “The Robe” at the Capitol Theatre, New Toronto, a 1,042-seat unit of Premier Theatres. Ottawa has its third CinemaScope installation at the Nelson of 20th Century Theatres, the others being the Capitol and Odeon Theatres. e e e Gerald Brown, who operates the Brockville Drive-In, figured in the sport news with the announcement he had signed to coach the Galt team in the Ontario Hockey Association during the coming season. Last winter he was the pilot of the Quebec City Aces and previously had directed the Oshawa Generals: He keeps busy winter and summer. e oe eo The date of Aug. 20 has been set for the ceremony to mark the completion of the $250,000 improvements to the Famous Players’ Tivoii Theatre in Hamilton where the big project got under way last May without interruption to shows, Everything from marquee to back wall has been improved. The Tivoli was the first in Hamilton to have “Talkies” and it had an installation of CinemaScope this year. Don E. Edwards, formerly of the Toronto Nortown, took over tha management last month following the promotion of Jim McDonough to district manager at Halifax. Prairies The Bienfait, Sask., branch of the Canadian Legion has installed 100 seats in the Legion theatre. The seats were bought from Charles Doerr who recently acquired the theatre at Melita, Man., and is making extensive changes, including new seating. e e e Newly-opened drive-in at “Calgary is the 17th Avenue Drive-in Theatre, operated by W. V. Cole and L. L. Jones. Theatre, with accommodation for 500 cars, boasts the largest outdoor screen in Calgary and one of the largest in Canada. It has CinemaScope facilities, a cafeteriastyle snack bar and a glass-enclosed projection room. e e ° Owned by Mike Pluhator and Sons, a new 300-car drive-in has been opened at Wadena, Sask. The screen tower is adjustable and can be lowered for the winter season or for repairs. The screen can be raised or lowered by means of a winch and cable device. Vancouver “Mrs, MIKE” is dead. The life of the motherly philosophical Vancouver lady who was known all over America because of the best-seller and the movie “Mrs. Mike", ended in Calgary, in her 73rd year. She was better known as Katherine Mary Flannigan, who married Sergeant Mike Flannigan of the Royal North West Mounted Police in 1903. She died after a short illness in C algary. e e e Newsreel and TV cameramen had a field day in Vancouver shooting the British Empire Games events for world-wide coverage. There were 35 camermen covering the gamey and the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh here to see the Commonwealth races and swimming events, Cameramen came from England, South Africa, Australia and the U.S. Ticket sales for the games reached $385,000. (Continued on Page 6) oe OE UN PAGE THREE THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Entered os Second Class Motter JAY L. SMITH Editor-in-Chief MAX CHIC Associate Editor ° Address all mail to the Publisher CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY, LIMITED 21 Dundos 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 .. St. John, N.S. Gleart Club (Continued from Page 1) crewman of Toronto's Tent; the committee who organized the gala affair and the title chosen “Heart Club of Montreal” confirmed the year-long efforts in Montreal to launch a new Variety Tent. Newspaper publicity referred to the benefit night, “as the forerunner of a local branch of Variety.” The Heart Club committee which reads like a Who’s Who of Montreal showbusiness follows: THE HEART CLUB COMMITTEES—TRUSTEES: Frank Selke Sr., Jules Dupre, and Raymond Allen. PUBLICITY: Howard Huston, Bruce Taylor, Bud Hall, Bob Johnston, Clary Booth, Bill White, David Bier, Tom Cleary. TICKET SELLING: Bill Lester, Bill Devault, Bill Murray W. Elman. STAGE SHOW: Gerry Chernoff, Tom Blythe, Gerald Soetermans, Fred Weisman, Allan Maclver, A. Gagnon. PROGRAMME: Oscar Richards, Norman Rea, George Rance, M. J. Isman, David Goodman. SPORTS: Frank Selke Sr, Jacques Plante, Butch Bouchard, Gerry McNeil, Jean Beliveau, Doug Harvey, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Red O’Quinn and Virgil Wagner. Duel (Continued from Page 1) ization, and N. A. Taylor, head of IFD, last January, but could not become operative until “Duel” was re-released in the United States, According to New York the deal is for the one picture only, and no arrangements have been made tor the other Selznick pictures now being put into re-release in the U.S. “Duel in the Sun” was originally released in Canada by the Selznick Releasing Organization, and subsequently by SelznickAlliance Releasing Organization.