Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Oct 16, 1954)

PAGE TWO Ou the Seam (Continued from Page 1) --—---------- rich overnight, the picture serves to let the peoples outside of Quebec see one facade of Canadian life that in most instances is completely foreign to Anglo-Canadians and the people of other countries. Recently there has been agitation from certain quarters for a Canadian Film Industry, production-wise, that is, with even the suggestion made that the Canadian Government freeze the revenue of the U.S, distributors in Canada, in order to finance such Canadian production. Such a plan could only evolve into something along the lines of the late, but not-lamented British Film Quota, which was attempted in England, with the purpose in mind of building up the British Film Industry, but which instead almost dealt a death-blow to British film production. Canada has grown in stature over the past 15 years, to where it now ranks 4th in World Trade. Investment funds in Canadian Industry have poured into the country from the U.S., Great Britain, and Continental Europe in the billions, because foreign investors knew that Canada was a nation growing strong on the principles of free enterprise, and a minimum of government controls and interference. The Canadian dollar is one of the strongest currencies in the entire world, being at a premium in respect to the U.S. dollar, and far superior to the pound sterling as a medium of exchange. Start interfering with the status quo of Canadian business enterprise, by freezing the funds of American distributors to subsidize Canadian film production, and this would be just the first step towards the decline and fall of the Canadian investment market, as foreign investors the world over would start to withdraw their funds for fear they, too, would be frozen to Satisfy some nationalistic scheme. Today the productions of the National Film Board, financed by the Canadian taxpayers, have won awards the world over in a number of film festivals, while many feature productions by American companies, filmed in Canada because of story content, such as Universal’s “Saskatchewan”, 20thFox's “River of No Return”, 20thFox's “Niagara”, Paramount's “North West Mounted Police”, WB's “I Confess”, U.A.’s “Operation Manhunt” recently completed and soon to have its world premiere at the Princess Theatre, Montreal, have been highly successful @ not only in Canada, but throughout the world, as well. The American producing companies are astute enough to know that when a scenario has a Canadian background, it frequently pays to shoot at least the exteriors in Canada for the sake of realism, but to tie-up their revenue from Canadian distribution in order to force them to produce in Canada, is as backward a step as could be taken by a progressive nation today, Out of every dollar the American distributors earn in Canada, by far the greater part remains in Canada in the form of taxes, advertising, wages, rents, and general distribution expenses. Let us not be greedy, for none of us are too old to remember from our childhood days, the fable of the man who killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. Photo-Engravers Dividend Basis Photo Engravers & Electrotypers Ltd. advises that its dividend payments are now on a semiannual basis of $1 a share. The latest dividend at that rate was paid on Sept. 1 and $1 a share was paid on March 1. Heretofore, the company had paid $1.25 a share in March and 75 cents a share in September. Nickel Show William Farrah, owner of the suburban Strand, Ottawa, Ontario, has set up 10 A.M. matinees for kids with cartoon shows and five cent admissions. Candy and popcorn prices stay at adult rates, however. “pIE€EST Gus Ryder Speaks At Industry Affair The luncheon for champions held last week to honor the Distribution team, winners in the Motion Picture Baseball League had as its guest speaker a maker of champions, Gus Ryder. }Aonty Hall who introduced Gus Ryder to the assembled guests, stated, “his work is close to our hearts and especially to our industry because of his work with crippled children in which Variety Village is so actively engaged in.” “Pride in being a Canadian,” said Gus Ryder, “influenced his decision to go ahead with Marilyn Bell’s swim across Lake Ontario.” His message to Canada’s newest idol before she jumped into the icy waters of Lake Ontario were: ‘“‘you are carrying the torch for Canadian youth.” Gus Ryder also had a message for the winning team and the other guests assembled. Said Ryder: “We must make our kids believe in sports for sports’ sake alone,” a message that the entire gathering heartily endorsed with loud applause. Len Bishop, in his inimitable way, said thank you, to Gus Ryder for being present. Trophies were presented to the winning team, the top batter and the most valuable player of the season before Mr. Ryder spoke. Bert Brown acted as Master of Ceremonies and Andy Rouse got a mental thank you from all those present for an excellent dinner and smooth sailing arrangements. BOOKER» Booker required by large 16mm distributor—the man we require should eventually be able to assume complete charge of our department staff, follow-up, etc, BOX P, CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 21 Dundas Square, Toronto SASKATCHEWAN EXHIBITORS MEET Left to right: F. W. Falkner, Tisdale, Sosk.; H. Gunn, Regina, Sosk.; W. Pyle, Rock Glen, Sask.; D. W. Hood, Hudson Bay, Sosk.; H. Humphries, Grenfell, Sask.; C. Marshal, North Bottleford, Sask.; S. Gunn, Winnipeg, Man.; A. M. Crawford, Watrous, Sask.; His Worship, Mayor Hammond, Regina, Sask.; D, Armstrong, Whitewood, Sask.; J. Lundholm, Swift Current, Sask.; I. Reinhorn, Regina, Sask.; L. Paine, Prince Albert, Sask.; H. K. Durham, Shaunayon, Sask.; G, Miller, Wynyard, Sask.; J, D, McKenzie, Estevan, Sask, OCTOBER 16, 1954 CAN. ADMISSIONS (Continued from Page 1) crease of 69,637. All other provinces reported an_ increase in admissions, the largest being British Columbia, where admissions rose 1,193,083. a Due to increased admission prices, especially for Road Show engagements such as “The Robe”, boxoffice receipts at theatres rose from $98,851,349 in 1952 to $100,889,361 in 1953. Only one province, Ontario, showed a decrease in receipts in 1953, with a drop of $893,123 being reported for Ontario, Largest increase in admissions was registered by Alberta with receipts in that province rising by $739,343 over 1952. A peculiar situation exists in the fact that B.C. admissions rose more than 2% times the increase reported in Alberta, yet Alberta receipts were reported as rising by $61,000 more than the increase for British Columbia. In addition to the regular standard theatre, the DBS _ report showed receipts of $5,862,920 from 174 drive-ins in 1953, compared with $4,409,426 from 104 driveins in 1952. This is an increase of $1,453,494 for 1953, and an increase in drive-in theatres of 70 over the previous year. MARITIME MEET (Continued from Page 1) at the “Paramount” when “White Christmas” was screened Tuesday evening at 11.30 o’clock. Mr. Win Barron, Paramount executive from Toronto, made the introductory remarks. Previous to that cocktail parties were held by General Theatre Supply Company and Dominion Sound Equipments Limited. The Canadian Picture Pioneers met on Wednesday evening in one of the salons of the Admiral Beatty Hotel and meetings of the Allied Exhibitors also took place all day Wednesday with a luncheon being held at one o’clock — prior to which Perkins Electric Company were hosts at a cocktail party. FAMOUS BUILDING (Continued from Page 1) feet and a depth of 135 feet. Final details were worked out recently between Parnell and Sons, owners of the Capitol and Crescent Theatres, and J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, With Mr. Fitzgibbons were R. W. Bolstad, vice-president; John Ferguson, district manager for the prairie provinces; Robert Eves, west division manager, and J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., president of Theatre Confections Ltd. ,