Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 2, 1956)

Page scan 0003 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jun 2, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 2, 1956)
Leaf #:
0003
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 30, 2024
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sR PAGE FOUR Universal’s 30 for 1956-57 Toronto: As reported in last week’s Digest, A. W. Perry, EmpireUniversal President, has announced that his company will release some 30 Universal features for the 1956-57 season. In addition to “Away All Boats”, the list includes: The Price of Fear, starring Merle Oberon, Lex Barker and Gia Scala, story of a woman’s frantic effort to cover up a hitand-run accident. Congo Crossing (Color), starring Virginia Mayo, George Nader and Peter Lorre, a fabulous adventure story laid on the edge of the Belgian Congo. Toy Tiger (Color), starring Jeff Chandler, Tim Hovey and Laraine Day. Second starring vehicle for the young discovery of “The Private War of Major Benson”. A ‘different’ type of movie that will have the strongest possible appeal for family audiences. Francis in the Haunted House, starring Mickey Rooney, Virginia Welles, Paul Cavanagh and Francis. Mickey Rooney succeeds Donald O'Connor in the popular “Francis” series, which have always been top money-makers for the small town exhibitors. Outside The Law, starring Ray Danton, Leigh Snowdon and Grant Williams. A hard-hitting modern story of a policeman and his wayward son, with Ray Danton, the sensation of “I’ll Cry Tomorrow” in his first starring role. Written On The Wind (Color), starring Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone. This was also screened at the Studio, and Perry advises it packs a terrific dramatic wallop. Unguarded Home (Color), starring Esther Williams, George Nader and John Saxon. This is the first dramatic role for Esther Williams, a completely off-beat casting that will create exceptional interest. Saxon is being hailed as the new James Dean. Deadly Mantis. Presently uncast, this is another science-fiction story along the lines of the highly successful “Tarantula”. Istanbul (CinemaScope and Color). Starring Cornell Borcher, Errol Flynn, and John Bentley. Miss Borcher’s second vehicle for Universal, filmed on location in Turkey, is a thrilling story of intrigue in the Middle East, introducing English star John Bentley, rated a top new find. Kelly And Me (CinemaScope and Color), starring Van Johnson, Piper Laurie and Martha Hyer. Story of a down-and-out hoofer who is adopted by a German Shepherd dog, and with the dog rises to Hollywood stardom. Raw Edge (Color), starring Rory Calhoun, Yvonne DeCarlo, Rex Reason and ‘Mara Corday. An ac @ tion-packed Western. Mole People, starring John Agar and Cynthia Patrick. Another fascinating story for the science-fiction addicts. The Great Man, starring Jose Ferrer, Joanne Gilbert, Dean Jagger, Keenan Wynn, Julie London and Ed Wynn. Adapted from the best-selling novel, it is likely to be the year’s most controversial film. I’ve Been Here Before. Still uncast, but being rushed into production in order to be the first picture out dealing with the current hypnoticreincarnation fad. Cory (CinemaScope and Color), starring Tony Curtis. A reverseCinderella story with a new twist. My Man Godfrey (CinemaScope and Color). Remake of one of Universal’s most successful comedies. Cast to be announced shortly. Behind The High Wall, starring Sylvia Sidney and Tom Tully. A new switch on “big house” stories, with the warden as the villain. The Goddess (CinemaScope and Color). First picture to star Berlin Festival Award Winner Martanne Cook, it is a heart-warming story of a stowaway from Europe. Title is only tentative, and refers to the Statue of Liberty. Night Runner. A suspensepacked tale of a bride who realizes she is married to a murderer. The World and Little Willie (Color), starring Tim Hovey. Another family-type film aimed at firmly establishing Hovey as the juvenile star of the decade. Dark Waters. An unusual type of thriller, loaded with suspense. Interlude (CinemaScope and Color), starring June Allyson and Rossano Brazzi. A great dramatic story with a symphonic music background. To be filmed in Europe. Step Down to Terror. Another suspense-thriller to be produced with a top cast. Battle Hymn (CinemaScope and Color), starring Rock Hudson, Dan Duryea and Martha Hyer. The tremendous true life-story of Col. Dean Hess, who was tagged “the killer parson”. A picture dealing with the Korean War, that will rank with “To Hell and Back” and “Away All Boats” as one of Universal’s greatest hits. Alf Perry stated that this is the strongest program of potential hits in Universal’s entire history, and that he is happy that Empire-Universal can offer its Canadian exhibitor-customers such a powerful package of diversified entertainment. ~“RIGEST U. A. WEEK (Continued from Page 1!) Chaplin, Canadian District Manager for United Artists. The Canadian District, and its six branches will compete with the U.S. districts and branches in the one-week special campaign, which forms part of U.A.’s 5th Year Drive. Prizes of three-weeks salary will go to each member of the winning branch. Personnel of the secondplace branch exchange will win two weeks’ salary, with one week’s salary going to the members of the branch placing third. Chaplin stated that the Canadian branches will go all out to place among the winning exchanges. In last year’s U.A. Week, the Canadian district came first, placing 1,412 features in 786 theatres in Canada during the week. This year, Chaplin is aiming for 1,650 feature playdates in 1,000 Canadian theatres. The most outstanding lineup in the history of U.A. will be available for booking during U.A. Week, including “Alexander The Great,” just now going into release, plus five new films announced for June release. These are Crown Productions’ “A Kiss Before Dying,” in CinemaScope and Deluxe Color, starring Robert Wagner, Jeffrey When U.A. and Loew’s Theatres were 24-sheets on the “Alexander The Great’’ JUNE 2, 1956 Col. Title Changes Hollywood: The final release title of the Sam Katzman feature formerly known as “Shakedown on Biscayne Drive” will be “Miami Expose,” it has been announced by Columbia Pictures. The late Edward Arnold, Patricia Medina and Lee J. Cobb are starred in the film. At the same time it was announced that the Warwick production co-starring Anita Ekberg, Victor Mature and Michael Wilding will go out as “Zarak.” Hunter, Virginia Leith and Joanne Woodward; “Nightmare,” a PineThomas production, starring Edward G. Robinson, Kevin McCarthy and Connie Russell; BelAir Productions “The Black Sheep,” starring Basil Rathbone, Akim Tamiroff, John Carradine, Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi; “Shadow of Fear,” a Roxbury Production, starring Mona Freeman, Jean Kent and Maxwell Reed, and “Star of India,” Raymond Stross’ Technicolor production, starring Cornel Wilde and Jean Wallace. In addition, Stanley Kramer’s “High Noon,” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, is being put into national re-release, in June, and will be available for U.A. Week bookings. unable to rent bill-board space for the engagement at Loew’s Downtown & Uptown Theatres, Toronto, Archie Laurie, U.A.’s Canadian Advt. & Publicity Director, and Jerry Collins, Loew’s ad-pub director here, dreamed up a really novel stunt, in a walking 24-sheet, broken up in 9 sections, and carried through the streets of Toronto by nine costumed bearers, The stunt created such terrific interest that it will be used across the country.