Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 27, 1954)

NOVEMBER 27, 1954 Loew's Dividend Directors of Loew’s, Inc., last week declared a regular quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share on the outstanding common. stock, payable Dec. 24 to stockholders of record on Dec. 7, 1954. Keep Your Eyes On GEORGE ALTMAN During Industry Week in Toronto, it is fitting that a man who serves both exhibitor and distributor well should be chosen for our weekly spotlight. George Altman, head’ of Mavety Film Delivery Service, found his way into our industry via a path that has become his stock in trade, meeting people. George with his father was operating Altman’s Chop House in the years 1931-38 and this is where he met his many film trade friends, resulting in his entry into our business. George joined Paramount in November of 1939 as a sales man under’ the then Toronto branch manager, Jack Hunter, leaving for Warner Bros. in 1940 to become Ontario salesman. He stayed with Warners up to 1946, when he resigned to take over the management and distribution of an educational hygienic picture, “Mom and Dad,” through Canadian Hygienic Productions Ltd. “Mom and Dad” was personally handled by George across Canada, and did the selling, exploitation and advertising himself. During this period he acquired an interest in a number of drive-ins, which he subsequently sold before taking over Mavety Film Delivery in May, ‘1950. A member of the Variety crew for the last three years, he has conducted a one-man “scrap campaign,” raising $11,600 to date, and winning for him the Heart Award in 1953. Believing in community work he has been honored along with his co-chairman Lionel Lester for the job done for the United Jewish Welfare Fund this year. Mavety and the name Altman have become a byword at every important crisis faced by our industry in these parts. The job done during the railway strike a few years back, the preparations undertaken at the threat of this year’s railway strike and the wonderful job done during the height of the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel are just a few that should be mentioned here. George has other attributes, among which are his lovely wife Lillian, and Terry, his 13-yearold son. RES THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST, Entered os Second Class Matter, Jay L. Smith, Editor-in-Chief; Max Chic, Associate Editor, Correspondents: Bruce Peocock, Regine, Sask; 4 Across Country Toronto and District Manager Russ McKibbin of the Imperial Theatre, Toronto, expects “White Christmas” to remain there until real winter comes because he has offered prizes for the patron who guesses the date of the first snowfall of four inches in the local area. Over at Shea’s, Manager Len Bishop was taken up by 35 people during the first week of “Rear Window” when he offered free admission to every person wearing a leg cast similar to that worn by Jim Stewart in the picture. ° ° oO The Windsor Board of Education granted permission for high school students to take time off from classes to attend special morning or afternoon performances of “Julius Caesar’ at the Capitol Theatre during the week of Nov. 15, reduced prices prevailing. Manager Joseph Lefave arranged the details with the school board because of the interest in Shakespeare by the students. e e e The Academy Theatre, an independent 400-seat theatre at 1286 Bloor Street West, Toronto, has been re-opened following the installation of a number of improvements including CinemaScope equipment, new screen and sound and new-type seats. e o e For the engagement of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” at the Capitol Theatre, Brantford, Manager Bill Burke arranged an appropiate stunt in the staging of a square-dancing contest for prizes among local “sets,” this feature being presented on Friday night. e e ° The London Free Press had a splash of Christmas colors, green and red, for a full combination page which was arranged by Manager Bill Trudell of the Capitol Theatre to tie in with the engagement of “White Christmas.” A number of London merchants used space to promote the sale of Christmas gifts and there was a nice boost for the Capitol and the new Paramount VistaVision process. ° e e Jack Arthur was given increased cause for happiness, prior to installation as the Pioneer of the Year at the big awards banquet, when the International Federation of Musicians and the American Guild of Variety Artists buried the hatchet, thus establishing a five-year truce. Ottawa Ray Tubman, district supervisor and resident manager of the Capitol Theatre, led a large contingent of local show people to Toronto to see the Trade Fair and attend the annual meetings of film industry organizations at the King Edward Hotel. ° e ° VistaVision was introduced to Ottawa movie-goers with the opening of Paramount's White Christmas at the Capitol Theatre. All the fanfare and reams of advance publicity that accompanied the coming of CinemaScope were absent on this occasion, yet audience re-action to the new process has been most favorable. Large crowds attended the opening, patronage has been increasing daily despite the upped prices, and everything points to new box-office records being set. Prairies Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Lieberman have returned from an extended trip to the West. In Edmonton Mr. Lieberman attended the unveiling of his brother's monument, that of the late Mr. Jay Smith who had been in the theatre business in the West for many years and passed away early last summer. Mr. and Mrs, Lieberman visited Vancouver, Seattle, Detroit, and met their son Stanley in Toronto on his way home from Japan on leave. He is at present visiting his parents, ° e e Mr. Graydon Matthews, International Films Ltd., has been appoint ed Chairman of a General Committee to arrange the annual Chrisumas (Continued on Page 7) ft (Continued from Page 1) from J. Arthur Rank quirin a number of U.S. theatres, will, are sure, study closely the re trends in the U.S. market as as come abreast of the recent surge in British film grosses Canada. The pattern in Canada was ve similar to that taking place in the U.S.A. at the present time. Brith films received very little plz time in this country before Rani interests took over the Odeon circuit. This in itself did not in here, and this is the lesson that can be drawn from the experiences in bs Canada. 5: The one thing that has put British films on the face of the Cana— tres to play them in but the showx manship behind their release. The Odeon head office advertising department, Odeon managers work— ing with JARO’s publicity and ad-— vertising head in Canada, Tom — Knight, have in the Jast few years — chalked up a good portion of the success of Rank films here. A British film released in Can— ada now gets a top flight promotion campaign, backed up with original and clever ad campaigns for newspapers, a national ad campaign in widely read weekly papers and slick magazines, in addition to exploitation of a high calibre, that has won first place in many showmanship contests, both here and in the United States. Film after film has been treated to a national tie-up similar to that of major U.S. product, “Man With a Million,” a Dominion Store and Nash Motor promotion, “Malta Story,” a tie-up with Everhot Tableware, etc. This in short is the success story behind such pictures as “The Kidnappers,” “Doctor in the House,” garnering the extended playing time they have received. Claude Parker Dead Ottawa Entertainer Claude E. Parker, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Norton Parker of Toronto, died in an Ottawa hospital on November I4th tol lowing a lengthy illness. Mr. Parker resided in the Capital city for many years and was well-known ip show business. He originated the tremendously popular Alfie, Andy and Mary program which Was heard over an Ottawa radio station during the Christmas season and on which he held the copyrights. Jack Droy, Vancouver, B.C.; Will McLaughlin, Ottewa, Ont.; Bill Press, Toronto, Ont.; Helen Crow St, Joh isher, Conadia : Digest Company, Limited, 21 Dundos Square, Toronto, Telephone: EMpire 8-8696. Cable: ads ng Boor te ee fate > wat 4 the a ee Meving Pieters