Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Sep 25, 1954)

SEPTEMBER 25, 1954 Canadian In Dragnet A former CBC news announcer and National Film Board commentator, Willard Sage, from London, Ontario, has a key role in Warner Bros, “Dragnet.” Appearing as recently as 1950 in Montreal Repertory Theatre plays Sage, as a result of his work in “Dragnet” has obtained a number of lead parts in some TV jalfhour dramas. “Dragnet,” starring Jack Webb, its creator, will soon be seen on Canadian screens. The radio dramatizations of “Dragnet” have been heard in Canada for a number of years. The TV series has recently been added to the CBC’s TV schedule and is now seen weekly. Filmed in WarnerColor, the WB release will have a day and date opening Friday, September 24th, at the University and Eglinton theatres, Toronto. Keep Your Eyes On MURRAY SWEIGMAN The advent of Superscope, the Tushinsky Bros.’ variable anamorphic lens in Canada, marked one more step, in the growth of Theatre Poster Service, started 10 years ago by Murray Sweigman with one lone employee. Today Sweigman’s one-man operation has developed into a major source of supply for Canadian theatres, for all and any type of promotion and display material. Murray Sweigman began in the industry 18 years ago and worked for N. A. Taylor’s theatre circuit for 8 years. He started his career as an office boy and left-in 1944 to form his own firm, Independent Poster Co., now known as Theatre Poster Service. Today, Theatre Poster Service, which has grown steadily both as to service and size, represents National Screen Service, the National Flag Co. who produce fluerscent displays and is the exclusive distributor in Canada for Superscope. With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, the firm last week began negotiations to acquire a building in Vancouver and so round out its Western activities. Murray Sweigman is 33 years of age and has been married for ten years. He has a son and daughter. —eE——————————— sss THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST, Entered os Second Class Matter. Jay L, Smi Jack Droy, Yoncouver, B.C.; Wilt McLaughlin, Ottawe, Ont.; Across \h the #7" Country Toronto and District The second issue of “The Barker’, official publication of Variety Clubs International, contained an inspiring account of Toronto's Variety Village. Toward the close of their engagement at the Canadian National Exhibition as grandstand headliners, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans made a tour of the school to the delight of the students. e es e With the juveniles back to fall studies, the Odeon Movie Clubs started up again Sept. 11 with the holding of first “meetings” of the season at a number of units in Ontario with a variety of stunts and contests as well as election of officers. e e e At St. Catharines, the independent Centre Theatre arranged for the presence of a matron each school day from 4 to 6 P.M. so that pupils could attend performances before supper. e e e Manager Len Bishop and the big crowd had an exciting night at Toronto Shea's on Wednesday, Sept. 15, for the first stage presentation of talent for Simpson's Red Feather Revue of 1954. The show was extra to the regular program topped by “Sabrina’—well worth the price of any admission. e e e The United Church at Winchester, Ont., was the scene of a pretty wedding Sept. 11 when Rev. Thomas N. Mitchell officiated for the marriage of Marjorie Jean Crummy, lovely local girl, to Clarence Leslie Chamberlain of Peterborough, former manager of the Winchester Theatre and now directing the Ottawa Glebe Cinema. Following a reception, the happy couple left on their honeymoon tour to Western Ontario and the U.S. e e e Manager Bill Burke of the Capitol Theatre, Brantford, has come out with splash announcements for a “Famous Fall Film Festival” as « boost for the current season. He listed the following coming attractions: “The High and the Mighty”, “Rear Window”, “Sabrina”, “Knock on Wood’, “Gone With The Wind", “Susan Slept Here” and “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers”. Maritimes It would probably be difficult to find anywhere a more faithful theatre patron than Mrs. H. S. Hall of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, who has attended the local ‘Capitol’ since it opened in ‘I 937’. Mrs. Hall who is 96 years young never misses a change of program rain or shine, enjoys all the shows and doesn’t know what she would do if she didn’t have the ‘Capitol’ to attend. This theatre is operated by Mr. A. A. Fielding, well-known Nova Scotia Exhibitor. e e e Mr. L. A. Sprague’s shots of the thrilling chimney rescue of Mr. F. J. Essen of Toronto, President of a Chimney Inspection and Maintenance Company who became stranded atop the 150 foot chimney of the McAvity plant on Rothesay Avenue in Saint John, N.B. were accepted by the Associated Screen News in three reels for International distribution—Paramount’s—Metro’s and Universal. e e e The Lancaster theatre, the ‘Gaiety—Mr. L. A. Sprague, Proprietor, will be opening with CinemaScope next month, The opening feature is ‘Lucky Me’—Warner Bros. Prairies Star theatre at Unity, Sask., operated by Harry Selinger, is being lengthened by 33 feet and the roof is being raised. The renovations will make room for a CinemaScope screen, Seating capacity will be considerably increased and the building will be fully air-conditioned by next year, Seating now is 300 and this will be boosted to 440. Many changes will be made in the projection room equipment, (Continued on Page 6) ASSOC. SCREEN (Continued from Page 1) i same time pointed to the attention which Canadian TV expansion is now receiving by all motion picture companies in the Dominion. “Canadian expansion in the television field is now receiving the full attention of all motion picture producers,” said Mr. Cummings. “Due to the added interest shown by advertisers in the use of television, Associated Screen News has completely re-equipped its Montreal studios and is adding a number of new personnel to keep pace with its increased production in this field.” Mr, Cooper, who recently resigned as Advertising Sales Representative of the Reader's Digest, took up his duties with Associated Screen News on September 20th, with headquarters in Toronto. QUE. THEATRES (Continued from Page /) pated. New group is L’Association des Proprietaires de Theatres de La Province de Quebec, Inc., (or the Association of Theatre Owners of the Province of Quebec, Inc.). Head office is at the Montrose Theatre, and at the first official meeting, the following directors were elected: Elie Tabah, Edouard Gauthier, Albert Berthiaume, Gaston Vadnais, Lucien Dame, Ville LaSalle, Honore David, Charles A. Magnan and Paul E. Lauziere. ODEON THEATRES (Continued from Page 1) ed with the prize presentation luncheon in honor of the winners of Odeon’s last showmanship contest, which was known as “The Odeon Big Show.” The meeting with the Quebec managers is set for Monday and Tuesday, October 4 and 5, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Montreal. Sessions have been set aside for discussion of all phases of theatre operation, at both gatherings. IiGEST 1rroes FEBRUARY 15, 1921 Charles Dentlebeck, chief projectionist for Famous Players left for Winnipeg to attend the opening of the Capitol thea tre, there. —Reprinted from the Canadian Moving Picture Digest. th, Editor-in-Chief; Max Chic, Associate Editor, Correspondents; Bruce Peacock, Regina, Sask; Bill Press, Toronto, Ont.; Helen Crowley, St. John, N.B. Address all mail to the Publisher, Canadian Moving Picture Digest Company, Limited, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto. Telephone: EMpire 8-8695. Cable; Raydigest, Estoblished 1915, Publication weekly, Subscription: $5.00 yearly,