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JAY L. SMITH EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
VOL. 46, NO. 45
CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE
AR OF PUBLICATION 1915-1954.
FIRST WITH THE FILM NEWS IN CANADA Published by CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY LIMITED
RAY LEWIS FOUNDER 1915-1954
TORONTO, NOVEMBER 6, 1954
Canucks Producing Mare Film
Meridian Productions New Co. Nabs Bell For One-Reeler Film
A contract for the production of a one-reel film for theatrical distribution was signed this week between the Marilyn Bell Corporation
OOK time out during a visit to
New York last week, to see two of the new season’s most important productions, Paramount's “White Christmas” and Warner Bros.’ “A Star Is Born”. I knew, of course, that I could see both of these pictures at screenings in Toronto, but I was most anxious to see them in their regular runs, where I could check audience reaction as well as entertainment values.
In the case of “White Christmas”, I particularly wanted to see it at the Radio City Music Hall, with the new horizontal projection about which Barney Balaban had waxed so enthusiastic to me a couple of weeks before, and of course, I was concerned with seeing the first motion picture produced in VistaVision, under the best possible conditions.
I am happy to report that all the advance notices I had read about the picture, and about VistaVision, were fully justified in every way. From a technical standpoint, “White Christmas” in VistaVision is outstanding in clarity of focus, and I doubt if Technicolor has ever been seen to better advantage. From a box-office point of view, it cannot help but be one of the top grossers of the year, in fact
of any year, for who is there that knows anything about our Industry, that will not tell you that a marquee boasting a cast headed by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, 1s a cinch to attract SRO business.
When you add to that marquee strength, the music of Irving Berlin, including the title song which has become a classic of popular music, the new value of VistaVision, the always important value
(Continued on Page 4)
and Meridian Productions Corporation.
Ottawa Theatres Adopt Art Policy
Foreign films are going strong in Ottawa these days, with four first-runs showing them almost exclusively, another two days a week, and a house across the river at
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Marilyn Bell, the pretty teenager who conauered Lake Ontario, will star in this Canadian produced film as predicted in the Digest some weeks back.
Meridian Productions was formed by Julian Roffman and Communications of Canada, a public relations company headed by Ralph Foster and Arthur Wells. Organized as a film production service (Continued on Page 3)
Jack Arthur, ‘Mr. Showbusiness’ Pioneer Of The Year Dinner Set
A certain number of tickets to the annual Pioneer of the Year Award Dinner, to be held in the Crystal Ballroom of the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, on November 25, will be made available to non-industry
people who may wish to be among those present when Jack Arthur, Will McLaughlin and Charles Stephenson are honored, it was stated by Tom S, Daley, chairman of the committee. Tickets are valued at $7.50, with Dan Krendel head of the ticket committee. (Continued on Page 3)
Keep yours) (on
IRVING HcRMAN {See Page 3)
Alta. Exhibitor Gives $100 Scholarships
Mr. and Mrs. W. Godwin, owners of the Norwood Theatre, in Delburne, Alta, believe civic leadership will pay exhibitors even in the smallest communities.
The Godwins, whose theatre is
(Continued on Page 12)
Para And 20th-Fox Rid Polio Project
Since Labor Day, both Paramount and 20th Century-Fox have been supplying gratis 16mm features through General Films for
the needs of polio patients at King George Hospital, Winnipeg. Because the majority of polio victims are in iron Jungs, no more than four of them can see a program at a time which is projected on the ceiling. Members of the (Continued on Page 4)
Associated Screen News Stages Film And Television Workshop
The first motion picture and television Workshop to be held in Canada, planned for the benefit of companies interested in the pro
duction of films for these two fields,
studios of Associated Screen News Limited on December 6, 7 and 8.
The announcement was made by Wm. J, Singleton, general manager, who explained that the Workshop's extensive program is being planned for the study of basic and factual material in motion picture and television production through the media of discus
(Continued on Page 4)
will be staged at the Montreal
Censorship Campaign By Catholic Group
The Catholic Women's League has announced a new campaign through its many parish organizations in Canada for tightened censorship of moving pictures at theatres and increased control of
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