Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 4, 1954)

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Dec 4, 1954
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 4, 1954)
Leaf #:
0006
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:
June 13, 2024
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DECEMBER 4, 1954 NEW LOOK (Continued from Page 6) 70 National Sanitarium Association — Christmas Seals. “During the year _ theatres throughout the Province made use of the 14 Emergency Shows stored in 13 focal points throughout Ontario:— “Cochrane, Empire, Int. Film Dist.; Hamilton, Granada, RKO; Kingston, Capitol, Columbia; London, Capitol, Paramount; North Bay, Capitol, Empire-Universal; Ottawa, Capitol, RKO; Owen Sound, Centre, Empire-Univ.; Peterboro, Centre, J. Arthur Rank; Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, J. Arthur Rank; Sarnia, Odeon. Paramount; Sudbury, Capitol, Warner Bros.; Timmins, Broadway, United Artists; Timmins, Palace, Columbia; Windsor, Capitol, MGM.” Jolly received high praise from Chairman McCulloch for his diligent and effective work. The following directors were elected: Morris Berlin, Ottawa; Jack Clarke, Toronto; Louis Consky, Haliburton; E. G. Forsyth, Toronto; Angus Jewell, Cannington; Lionel Lester, Toronto; Dick Main, Sutton; Harry S. Mandell, Toronto; J. D. McCulloch, Petrolia; Russell Simpson, Renfrew; Morris Stein, Toronto, and William Summerville, Jr., Toronto. 29 Officers & Reps MPIC Of Canada OFFICERS: J. J. Fitzgibbons, C.B.E., Chairman. D. Griesdorf, R. Bolstad, C. S. chairmen. Bill Lester, Secretary-Treasurer, Arch. H. Jolley, Executive-Secretary. Honorary Chairman. Chaplin, Vice Maritime Motion Picture Exhibitors Association: A. J. Mason. * Alberta Theatres Association: A. W. Shackleford, Roy Chown. Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries: Wm. Lester, Basil C. Salamis, John Ganctakos, Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors Association: David Rothstein, Richard Miles, Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhibitors Association: J. D. McKenzie, J. Lundholm. Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontorio: Morris Stein, J, D. McCulloch, H. C. D. Main, Harry S. Mandell. British Columbia Exhibitors Association Len B. Johnson. Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association: Peter Myers. Charles Chaplin, Frank Fisher, Clare Appel, Theatre Equipment Dealers’ Association: (Canadian Associated Members) L. M. Bleackley. Association of Motion Picture Producers & Laboratories of Conada: Wm. Sinaleton, John Chisholm, MPIC (Continued from Page 1) of distributors in roadshowing of pictures on special terms when he addressed the opening session in what was his concluding statement before retiring as chairman after two terms in office. He declared that the industry was following a short-sighted policy in its dealings with small-town and neighborhood exhibitors. He believed that the policy, if continued, would cause small theatreowners to close their doors and deprive their communities of the greatest form of mass entertainment. The retiring chairman called for endorsement of the Canadian Motion Picture Institute, proposed by N. A. Taylor, to encourage better public relations and this project was later adopted with major alterations after considerable discussion. The Institute was approved as a Public Relations Committee of the Motion Picture Industry Council which THE MOVIES ARE GOOD FOR YOU fashion refresh men They give you a great lift... they and women menrefresh the heart tally and physicaland mind... they ly. t are like a gleam Your local movies of welcome light are the Nation’s in the drab monobest . . . In them tony of everyday you will find all affairs... the desirable eleMovies are a tonic ments of the presfor you... They ent-day orts and bring you entersciences, the mestainment, news sages and enter tainment of which from every corner i ive you re will of the world, impressive drama, newed strength and all the beauand hope for toties and challenges morrow. Attend of the genius of the movies and imagination, all of enjoy life ot its which in welcome best. . In our columns you will find daily a wide choice of screen offerings from which to choose. Savannah Morning News SAVANNAH EVENING PRESS A 6 col. ad carried on a regulor news page by the above papers. would control its operation on the suggestion of J. J. Fitzgibbons. The new committee is to have a representative board of directors on behalf of distributors, exhibitors and other branches of the business, with financial support to be forthcoming from each group. The film companies would be expected to contribute $15,000 of a total $40,000 for the plan which would be given a two-year trial. Nat Taylor was named a director at large for the experimental start and named temporary chairman. At the Tuesday morning session of the Council, C. J. Appel, chairman of the standing public relations committee, announced two developments that brought a thrill ~“pIECECT to the delegates from all parts of the country. One had to do with the expansion by the Toronto Telegram of its moving picture coverage which, it was hoped, would prove an encouragement for other newspapers and publications. Appel described the second promotion program, launched as the “Canadian Film Estimates” by a co-operative group of 12 women’s, patriotic, school, community and religious societies, which immediately found enthusiastic favor on the part of Council delegates. This innovation consists of a series of recommendations in bulletin form for the information of the associated associations after the pictures have been viewed at special screenings. It was pointed out by Clare Appel that assurance had been given by the ladies that comments on pictures would be favorable, otherwise there would be no recommendations or observations. J. J. Fitzgibbons immediately urged that wide trade publicity should be given this co-operative undertaking, saying that, unless the periodic lists went to the exhibitors and others, the value would be lost. Copies of the bulletin should be sent to every daily and weekly newspaper in Canada, he felt. “This is one of the answers to get the people back to the theatres,” Fitzgibbons declared, with enthusiasm. Dave Griesdorf, C. S. Chaplin. Archie Mason, Morris Stein, Dick Main and others spoke in support of the “Canadian Film Estimates” and suggested means of distribution, in order to give wide effectiveness to the project. Stein further suggested that all regional reports of meetings and other activities should be sent to a central office for general exchange of information throughout the industry. os ee ee New Sask. Theatre Opened By Rothst 5 The fourth theatre in Yorkton, Sask., the Tower, was officially — opened Monday, Nov. 15, by Labor Minister C. C. Williams, with Mayor C. G. Langrill assisting at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 710-seat theatre, built at a cost of $200,000, is owned by Nathan Rothstein, president of Rothstein Theatres Lt., and his son, Dave, general manager of Winnipeg. W. J. Johnston is superintendent of Rothstein theatres in Yorkton and Roy Smith is manager of the Tower. The house was planned by F. F. Lemaistre, Winnipeg, and supervised by John Novakowski. The Tower is the Rothstein's 12th theatre in Western Canada and their fourth in Yorkton. They opened their first theatre in Yorkton in 1929. The L-shaped theatre is 100 by 120 feet, with wide screen, stereophonic sound, 30-ton air conditioner unit and up-to-date facilities throughout. Mr. Williams reported that 18 theatres, including 11 drive-ins had been opened in Saskatchewan this year. Chairman was Ken Mayhew, editor of the Yorkton Enterprise. Those participating in the opening ceremony included Rex Kemp, president of the board of trade. Jack Shortreed, manager of radio station CJIGX; W. Johnston and R. Smith, theatre managers; Dave Williams, of Regina, chief inspector of theatres, and Nat and Dave Rothstein. Prior to the opening, recruiting units of the army and air force set up their exhibits in the street and in the theatre building. First show was Danny Kayes “Knock on Wood.” Across the Country ---(Continued from Page 3) lation of 1,250 will have a second theatre, being built by the Wouters family of that town. e Ross Beesley of Associated Screen News is on a visit to Loronte and Montreal. In Montreal he will attend a technical Workship on TV and motion picture production at ASN Studios December 6, 7 and &. Rosy ix cameraman for ASN in Western Canada. Frank Markey, Audio Pictures supervisor for Western Canada, hex left for Toronto to join the head-office stat} ef Audio Pictures. Charlie Doctor, Capitol manager, made an excellent tie-in with the Vancouver Herald who sponsored a contest on Vancouver's unsolved crimes with a $100 prize for the winner, Picture was WB's “Ring of Fear.” ° Ivan Ackery, manager of the Orpheum, tied in a local Sewing Machine Centre in a “Know Your Facts” contest with the winner being drawn from the stage for his showing of “Dragnet.”