Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Oct 30 1954)

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Oct 30 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Oct 30, 1954)
Leaf #:
0004
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine",Canad
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System, Canada, 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 23, 2024
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OCTOBER 30, 1954 Poramount Releases The Girl Rush Y. Frank Freeman, Vice-President in charge of Paramount Studios and Frederick Brisson, in behalf of Floyd B. Odlum of Atlas Corp., who controls Independent Artists Pictures, Inc., have concluded a deal whereby the $2,500,000 Technicolor musical-comedy “The Girl Rush,” starring Rosalind Russell, will be produced at Paramount Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film has been in preparation at RKO studios for the past few months. Since “The Girl Rush,” which is the first musical about fabulous Las Vegas, is being produced in VistaVision, which was developed by Paramount, circumstances made it more desirable for Brisson to move the production company to Paramount and thereby benefit from their research and technical handling, since Paramount is completely geared to VistaVision productions. “The Girl Rush” will be Miss “plerer 20th-Fox Holds 2-Day Canadian CRAWLEY Sales Meeting On ’Scope Anniv. The two day 20th Century-Fox Corporation, Canadian Sales Meetin, latest of a series of regional conferences called by Al Lichtman, to formulate plans on forthcoming releases was held at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, October, 21 to 22. Directing the two day meeting, were W. C. Gehring, Executive Assistant Sales Manager, Arthur Silverstone, Assistant General Sales Manager, Clarence A. Hill, Manager of Branch Operations and Peter S. Myers, Canadian Division Manager. The various sessions held during the 2-day meeting covered discussions regarding a new sales policy which is designed to meet each possibility -individually and the handling of CinemaScope releases for the remainder of 1954, to mention a few of them: “Black Widow,” “Desiree,” “Carmen Jones,” and Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and standard films (2D), to be released — “The Out law’s Daughter,” “Devil’s Harbor” and “The Other Woman” and short subjects. The following Canadian personnel attended — Jim Patterson, Vancouver Branch Manager; Bob Cringan, Calgary branch manager and his salesman, J. Gow; Joe Huber, Winnipeg Branch Manager and his salesman, Al Laubenstein; Russell’s first musical in motion pictures and her first film since her Broadway “Wonderful Town” hit, which grossed more than $3,500,000 in just 14 months. WARNER-JAGUAR DEAL A new long-term agreement has been set by Warners with Alan Ladd’s Jaguar Productions. Across the Country (Continued from Page 3) Frank Markey, supervisor of Western Canada for Audio Pictures, formerly working out of Winnipeg, will make his headquarers in Vancouver. Wally Hopp, International-Cinema manager, Is happy with the business being racked up by “Sins of Rome.” e e e Gary Cooper, Hollywood star and his “buddy” Pat de Cicco, presi dent of Bon Bon Candy Co., New York, were in town on their way to the Cariboo on a hunting trip. They were entertained here by old friends Ivan Ackery, Orpheum manager and Wally Hopp, Cinema manager. e e e Al Shackleford, Famous Player partner in four Lethbridge, Ay Alberta theatres, was re-elected Mayor of Lethbridge City. Shackleford is also president of Alberta Exhibitors Association. e e e The Odeon-Kingsway closed for renovations, reopened Oct, 21. e oO e Maynard Joiner, FPCC supervisor, called back from a California holiday to attend the funeral of his grandchild. ° e e The Odeon theatre at Duncan on Vancouver Island, closed for enlargement from 449-seats to 800, will reapen on Noy, Ist. The new Paramount, a 1,000-seater at Kamloops, will open by the first of 1955, Fruitvale, between Trail and Nelson, will have a 400-seat, 35 mm. theatre built by Penticton interests. Town was formerly serviced by a 15 mm. outfit. New house will cost around $75,000. e e es All FPCC outside theatres in B.C. except Chilliwack, are now equipped for CinemaScope, Penticton in the B.C. fruit belt, will have a second drive-in theatre in 1955, Gerry Chernoff, Montreal Branch Manager, Montreal Booker, Art Quintel and Salesman, Bud Stein; Reg March, St. John Branch Manager and his Salesmen Gerald Cass; From Toronto, Branch Manager Victor Beattie, Bookers, Wiseman, James Powis, Bill Turrell, Salesmen, Gordon Lightstone Jr. and Dawson Exely, Bill Reid, Adsales, Emily Barrett, Executive Assistant to Peter Myers and Sam Glasier, Canadian Exploitation Manager. CinemaScope Record Number of CinemaScope theatres, worldwide, 11,100. Number of CinemaScope theatres, U.S. and Canada, 8,100. Number of CinemaScope theatres in Canada, 452. Number of CinemaScope pictures, 97. Now in release, in production or preparation, 84. To be produced abroad, 10. Already produced abroad, 3. CINEMASCOPE 250 Victoria St. Toronto *Trademork Reg. Patents Pending Harry YOUR BEST BUY! : Tushinsky Bros.’ Variable Anamorphic SUPERSCOPE LENS * These lenses are adaptable for SUPERSCOPE ve $995. = Compare before you buy — for the best anamorphic lens it's SUPERSCOPE Available from THEATRE POSTER SERVICE LTD. (Continued from Page 1) Board, the film effectively illustrates the co-operative teamwork of employers, workmen, the medical profession, and the W.C.B., as represented by its staff, in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured workmen and in getting them back to work at their same job. The film will be available for distribution without charge. The Workmen's Compensation Act of Ontario was enacted in 1915 and during the intervening years has become a model for international study. It is recognized as being one of the most outstanding compensation plans in the world. TED ATKINSON, appointed Montreal Seles Manager for Alliance Films. VISTAVISION 157 Rupert St. Winnipeg