Canadian Moving Picture Digest (June 23, 1956)

PAGE SIX Ben Sommers Again Heads Man. Exhibs Winnipeg: An excellent turnout was reported for the 10th Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Exhibitors’ Association, which was held at Nate Rothstein’s Marlborough Hotel here, Monday, June 1 Ith. Ben Sommers, owner of the State Theatre, Winnipeg, was re-elected President of the Association for a second term. Also re-elected were Harry Hurwitz, Ist Vice-President, Harry Prygrocki, 2nd Vice-President, Ken Beach, Secretary, and Bob Hurwitz, Treasurer. Board of Directors elected include Tom Smerchanski, John Ferguson, Ernest Diamond, Harold Bishop, Mesho Triller, Dave Carr, George Miles, Bill Minuk, Dave Rothstein, and Richard Miles, all of Winnipeg, and J. Ferley, Winnipeg Beach, P. J. Lowe, Cartwright, A. Todd, Morris, W. Kendall, Morden, D. R. Gerrard, Somerset, and W. Gladys, Arborg, Man. A number of important reports were presented by the various committee heads, including report on civic affairs given by Ken Beach, who also presented the treasurer’s report in the absence of Bob Hurwitz; Mesho Triller reported on the Projectionists’ Examining Board; Harold Bishop reported on the tremendous work conducted by the Public Relations Committee; Ben Sommers reported on the National Committee and National Council Meetings, on the Amusement Tax, and gave the President’s Report on the year’s activities. Discussions were held on the amusement tax question, the business tax, the National Council Public Relations Committee, with special reference to the Oscar Derby which was such a success, Daylight Saving Time, Bingo, Sunday Shows, Minimum Call Hours regulations, etc. Guest speaker at the Banquet was Winnipeg Tribune Publisher Fred Auger. Eddie Foy Jr. In “Pajama Game” Hollywood: — Eddie Foy, Jr. has been signed to re-create his original role of Hines in Warner Bros: film version of the New York hit musical comedy, “The Pajama Game,” starring Doris Day and Carol Haney. CANADA-U.S. (Continued from Page 1) States and Canada and symbolizes the principle of freedom under God on which the governments of the two countries are based. The guests included dignitaries and civic leaders of the U.S. and Canada, and clergy of both countries representing all faiths. The monolith, designed especially for the Garden with the American flag on one side and the Canadian flag on the other, was presented by the Hon. Judge E. J. Ruegemer of St. Cloud, Minn., National Youth Guidance Director, on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and D. J. McKenzie, President of International Peace Garden, accepted the gift. The Ten Commandments monolith is placed just a short distance from the now famous cairn, unveiled when the Garden was dedicated in 1932, with its bronze plaque bearing the inscription: “To God In His Glory—We Two Nations Dedicate This Garden and Pledge Ourselves That as Long as Men Shall Live, We Will Not Take Up Arms Against One Another.” The presentation of the Ten Commandments monolith is a major event of the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ program, not only placing The Law on which ALL law of free peoples is based where visitors to the beautiful park may see it, but also serving to dramatize the amity which has existed so long between the U.S. and Canada. The Fraternal Order of Eagles, numbering nearly 900,000 members, have pledged themselves to post in every public place, wherever possible, the Ten Commandments, In every community where the Eagles is represented, members work actively through churches, schools and other civic organizations, to implement their Youth Guidance program. An_ integral part of this is designed to ensure that every child knows—and obeys —the Commandments. James Daley Added To “Strike A Blow” Cast Hollywood: James Daley, who has distinguished himself as a star of television, motion pictures and the theatre has been signed to play the role of the father in “Strike A Blow,” which © stars James MacArthur, the 17-year-old son of Helen Hayes and the late Charles MacArthur. Also starring in the picture which Stuart Millar will produce for RKO is Kim Hunter, with James Gregory and Jeff Silver. “pIerrrT Veteran Showman Dies From Fall Victoria: J. M. “Jock” Robertson, veteran Famous-Players theatre manager, and for many years manager of the Capitol Theatre here, died last week as the result of injuries suffered in a fall down the rear stairs of the Atlas Theatre, of which he was currently manager. A charter member of the Famous-Players 25-Year Club, “Jock” Robertson came into the company with its incorporation in 1920. For 25 years he was at the helm of the Capitol Theatre, before transferring to the Atlas. “Jock” had just returned to work after recovering from a recent operation. He had been in the basement of the Atlas inspecting the theatre’s cooling system, when he took the fall which resulted in his death from concussion. Hit Song For Hutton Starrer Hollywood: Bryna Productions has acquired a Harry WarrenJohnny Mercer song to be used as a title tune for its forthcoming film “Spring Reunion,” which will be released by United Artists. Starring Betty Hutton and Dana Andrews, the movie went into production recently with Robert Pirosh directing for producer Jerry Bresler. Malden In “Piersall” Hollywood: Karl Malden, Academy Award-winning actor, has been signed by Paramount to portray the famous baseball star’s father in “The Jim Piersall Story.” Malden will co-star with Anthony Perkins, who has the title role in the VistaVision production based on the best selling book, “Fear Strikes Out”. JUNE 23, 1956 U.A. Week Heads For All-Time High Toronto: Charles S. Chaplin, Canadian District Manager for United Artists, advised The Digest this week, that as of Monday, approximately 1,600 feature playdates in over 850 Canadian theatres had been definitely set for U.A, Week, July 1-7. This compares with 1,412 feature playdates in 786 Canadian theatres during the U.A. Week last year, when the Canadian District won first place in the Drive, although none of the Canadian branches placed in the first three. This year, with two weeks’ intensive booking still to go, and last year’s figures already beaten by a wide margin, Chaplin is hopeful of not only again achieving top district, but confidently expects at least one or two of the Canadian branches to also be included among the winners. Co-Star Ralph Meeker In “Run Of Arrow’ Hollywood: Ralph Meeker has been signed by RKO for a costarring role in “Run of the Arrow,” which Producer-Director Samuel Fuller put before the color cameras June 18. Meeker joins a cast which is rapidly becoming one of the season’s more interesting star groups, with Rod Steiger, Sarita Montiel and Brian Keith already secured for other stellar assignments. Team Blyth-0’Connor Hollywood: Ann Blyth has been set for the key co-starring role opposite Donald O’Connor in Paramount’s “The Buster Keaton Story,” which Robert Smith and Sidney Sheldon are co-producing and writing, with Sheldon also directing. feather your nest with the greatest thing yet ASN’ TRAILERS are the best you can get. *ASSOCIATED SCREEN NEWS 2000 Northcliffe Ave., Montreal @eeeeeeeeeeeeseeereeeseeeeeeeeee ©000000008008008908000080888 88