Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jan 14, 1956)

Page scan 0007 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jan 14, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jan 14, 1956)
Leaf #:
0007
Language:
English
Collection:
Canada, Hollywood Studio System, Early Cinema, and Global Cinema
Format:
periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library, Greig Dymond in memory of David Dymond, 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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PAGE EIGHT MGM WEEK (Continued from Page 1) In Canada, at least, the objective of an MGM subject on every screen will be achieved, Mr. Cass predicted, with over 80% coverage already reportéd as of last week by branch managers. “I wish to thank all of our regular customers and those exhibitors who normally do not play our product, for the unprecedented co-operation extended to our bookers, salesmen and branch managers in guaranteeing that every open theatre in this country will be showing either an MGM feature, short or news reel during the week of February 5-11,” Mr. Cass stated. “Our appreciation,” Mr. Cass continued, “will be expressed to exhibitors in a manner they will best appreciate, good product for 1956. In the next 4 months we will be releasing 12 features with a wide variety of quality entertainment,” Mr. Cass then listed the product up to the end of April. In January, “Ransom!’—(Wide Screen)—Prod: Nicholas Nayfack; Dir: Alex Segal; Cast: Glenn Ford, Donna Reed. “Tll Cry Tomorrow” — (Wide Screen) — Prod: Lawrence Weingarten; Dir: Daniel Mann; Cast: Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Eddie Albert. In February, “The Last Hunt,” — (CinemaScope-Eastman Color) —Prod: Dore Schary; Dir: Richard Brooks, Cast: Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Lloyd Nolan, Debra Paget. “Forever Darling” — (Wide Screen-Eastman Color) — Prod: Desi Arnaz; Dir: Alexander Hall; Cast: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, James Mason, Louis Calhern. In March, “Forbidden Planet”— (CinemaScope-Eastman Color) — Prod: Nicholas Nayfack; Dir: Fred McLeod Wilcox, Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis. “Meet Me In Las Vegas” — (CinemaScope-Eastman Color) — Prod: Joe Pasternak; Dir: Roy Rowland; Cast: Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse, and guest stars Jerry Colonna, Paul Henreid, Lena Horne, Frankie Laine, Mitsuko Sawamura. In April, “Gaby” — (CinemaScope-Eastman Color)—Prod: Edwin H. Knopf; Dir: Curtis Bernhardt; Cast: Leslie Caron, John Kerr, with Sir Cedric Hardwicke. “Tribute To A Bad Man” — .CinemaScope-Eastman Color) — Prod: Sam Zimabilst, Dir: Robert Wise; Cast: James Cagney, Stephen McNally and introducing Irene Papas. STONE (Continued from Page 1) A member of Variety Club and the Ontario Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, Stone also holds the voluntary, unpaid position of Public Relations Chairman, Toronto Branch, Red Cross Society. Along with his Programme Director duties, he will continue to broadcast CHUM’s sports programmes; “All Eyes and Ears,” the radio version of his daily newspaper (Telegram) column, as well as special events. GERNGROSS (Continued from Page 1) pany. The announcement stated that Mrs. Gerngross had joined the company as station consultant, Her last position was as Film Director for CKOC-TV, Kitchener. Her background in Kitchener and in TV generally has provided her with wide experience in programming and in understanding the needs of a station film department. gtter: . That Could Matter! By MAX CHIC The Briish Columbia conciliation board report on projectionists has been made public . . . complete information will be published in next week’s issue .. . the Three Deuces now appearing at the Barclay Hotel, Toronto, is one vocal group that should be seen and heard by all. . . you can still catch their act up to Saturday night. Chet Friedman, MGM’s Canadian publicist became a_grandfather two weeks back . . . his daughter giving birth to a_ lionsized baby girl . . . Paramount Pictures Hockey team won their last game by a score of 6to 1... Peerless Films have set “Champion” and “Home of the Brave” for Easter release with completely new advertising, trailers and prints available. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are touring the US publicising their new MGM release “Forever Darling” . . . included in the tour are Detroit and Buffalo, so close but obviously so far away, for no mention is made of PA’s up here. “piercer JANUARY 14, 1956 ~ Coming” in early 1956 from RKO s ie een