Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Sep 25, 1954)

PAGE TWO Ou the Geam ‘ open for next season. Walked in on George Enos at the N.B. Censor Board, and found him sitting reading the latest issue of The Digest. I think he must have been expecting me. From St. John I flew to Halifax for my first visit to that city, and there spent a couple of very pleasant hours with Jim McDonough at the Capitol, where “GWTW?” was lining them out still in its second week. Also spent some time with Malcolm Walker, who operates a successful small circuit around Halifax. Malcolm advised that he had considerable success last year with a “Curtain at 8:30” policy in the Armview, Halifax, and was _ considering going back on the policy this Fall. In Montreal, I talked to Alex Adilman, and his many friends across Canada will be glad to know that while he is still confined to his home, he is feeling much better, and hopes to be back in his office in the near future. George Destounis gave me the full treatment on his recent jaunt to Europe. Said he had a marvellous time; the only trouble was the trip was too short. Bill Lester raved about the business “The Kidnappers” did at the Kent Theatre, and Bill Elman waxed _ enthusiastic about “GWTIW” business at Loew’s. Arrived back in Toronto just in time to attend the Odeon “Big Top” Luncheon at the Royal York Hotel. This was the first of these Odeon Showmanship luncheons I had attended, and I must admit being greatly impressed with the all-out spread they put on. The circus atmosphere -of the Showmanship Drive was retained for the luncheon, complete with sideshow, clowns, dancing girls, gypsy fortune-feller, and centre ring, where during the luncheon several outstanding acts were presented. Mr. Brockington read a message of greetings from J. Arthur Rank and John Davis, and gave the toast to the Queen and the President of the United States, the latter in honor of Walter Brooks of the M. P. Herald, who flew up from New York to attend the luncheon. In the absence of Dave Griesdorf, who unfortunately was home ill, “Ted Forsythe, assistant general menager of Odeon, presented the prizes to the winning managers in this Sth Annual Odeon Showmanship Contest. As previously reported in The Digest, first prize-winner was Nicky Langston. currently manager of the Capitol, 2 (Continued from Page 1) Hamilton; with second prize going to Don Gauld, popular Lakehead manager for Odeon. Incidentally, while on the subject of Odeon, note considerable to-do in the American trade press on Mr. Rank’s announcement that he will acquire as many theatres in the U.S. as may be necessary to bring his British pictures to a mass American audience. Most industry leaders in the U.S. welcomed the idea of Rank buying into the exhibition field, but considerable speculation was aroused as to the status of a Rank exhibition and a Rank distribution organization in respect to U.S. anti-trust Jaws. Time will tell. MARILYN (Continued from Page 1) tor (who has won his spurs on the American scene), a leading radio writer (famed for his dramatic scripts), and a film distribution company, which has access to American and British markets. This group must at this time remain unnamed, as their offer is being negotiated with Marilyn Bell's advisers. The Digest was informed by this group that if their offer is accepted, they will produce a short with the objective of having it available for theatrical showing in about a month. In producing the short, the group feel they can test the vossibilities of Marilyn’s acting potential, as well as capitalize on the current publicity and interest in the young swimming star while keeping her at home in Toronto and at school. If successful, this first venture could lead to the making of a feature film based either on the young idol of Canada or on a story built around her. This type of film production would add to the already established prestige of Canadian film-makers won by the National Film Board, Crawley Films, and others. Trans World Customs Acquired By Fox Lou Fox, brother of Abe (Columbia) and Barney (20th Century Theatres) and a well known figure in the industry, has taken over Trans World Customs Brokers from Rose and Charles Rotenberg. The Rotenbergs have left for California, where they will reside, Trans World is located at 277 Victoria St., Toronto, in the film exchange building. “plerek EMPIRE-UNIVERSAL (Continued from Page 1) sales manager, pointed out. Extremely diversified in subject matter, they include drama, comedy, adventure, spectacle, romance, music and action. And in virtually every case the casts are headed by names with boxoffice pull. The release schedule, as forth by Plottel, is as follows: “The Black Shield of Falworth,” Technicolor CinemaScope production starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. “Dawn At Socorro,” Technicolor western starring Rory Calhoun and Piper Laurie. “Naked Alibi,” fast-moving melodrama starring Sterling Hayden and Gloria Grahame. “Bengal Brigade,” Technicolor adventure story starring Rock Hudson and Arlene Dahl. “Four Guns To The Border,” outdoor Technicolor action film starring Rory Calhoun and Colleen Miller. “Sign of the Pagan,” Technicolor CinemaScope story of Attila the the Hun which stars Jeff Chandler and Jack Palance. “Ricochet Romance,” hilarious comedy starring Marjorie Main and Chill Wills. “So This Is Paris,’ gay Technicolor musical starring Tony Curtis and Gloria DeHaven. “Destry,” Technicolor western drama starring Audie Murphy and Mari Blanchard. TV FOR HALIFAX (Continued from Page 1) panels and roof slab. It will house the television transmitter and transmitter control equipment. According to CBC officials, plans are still under way to have a “picture by Christmas” on CBHT. This will be an advance film and television recording operation. Plans for permanent CBC television studios on Bell Road are being studied at present and conStruction is expected to start early in 1955, NEW RULES (Continued from Page 1) Cinematographs Act is that all screentowers of drive-in theatres must be designed by a registered engineer. "Towers must be built to withstand wind velocity of 25 pounds pressure per square foot and be certified as meeting this qualification by a registered engineer, In addition, all drive-ins of new construction must provide individual speakers for each vehicle. The regulations also demand that a suitable fence be provided to prevent spread of paper. set ™ SEPTEMBER 25, 1954 Copyright Test Case Watched By Exhibitors The outcome of a case before the Canadian Suvreme Court is expected to clarify the jurisdiction of the federal copyright appeal Board in determining the annual fee schedules for the performance of musical works. Canadian exhibitors are interested in the outcome although the test case actually involves radio station CHML, Hamilton, and the CAPA of Canada. The resulting judgment could affect the system of performing-right fees for all users, including theatres, under the government-board procedure. The board normally sits at Ottawa in January to pass upon changes. Anderson New Head NFB TV Film Unit The National Film Board last week named Robert Anderson as acting head of the Board’s television films unit, replacing Bernard Devlin who has resigned as executive producer to engage in freelance work in Montreal. The Board, however, retains an option for first call on Devlin’s services as a freelancer and he will continue to produce the NFB’s French-language TV feature, “Sur le Vif,” a weekly series of 15minute programs to be carried by the CBC. Anderson, who assumes responsibility for producing the Englishlanguage TV series, “Window on Canada,” and “On the Spot,” has been a member of the Board’s production branch for the past 12 years, coming from the CBC where he had been an executive producer. Universal Profits Up The earnings of the Universal Pictures Company and its subsidiaries for the thirty-nine weeks ended on July 31 exceeded those reported for all of the last fiscal year. The recent report showed net income of $2,636,415 for the thirty-nine weeks after provisions of $3,400,000 for taxes and $250,for contingent liabilities. The net was equal, after preferred dividend requirements, to $0.49 each on the 988,574 shares of common stock outstanding. For the thirty-nine weeks to Aug. 1, 1953, earnings were $2,051,008, or $1.87 each on 999,306 shares after provisions of $3,300,000 for taxes and $250,000 for contingent liabilities. The motion picture company, in its annual report for the fiscal year ended last Oct. 31, showed a net income of $2,616,856, or $2.35 a share.