Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 30, 1956)

Page scan 0002 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Jun 30, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 30, 1956)
Leaf #:
0002
Language:
English
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System, Global Cinema, Early Cinema, and Canada
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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JUNE 30, 1956 DRIVE-INS (Continued from Page 1) theatres, were the two drive-ins at Oakville and Midland; these, together with the Brampton Drive-In have been turned over to Ralph Dale and Odeon’s Regional Theatre Circuit. Also under management of Ralph Dale and the Regional Circuit, are five Ontario Drive-Ins formerly operated by Twinex Century Theatres, for owner W. B. “Bunny” Herman. These five are located at Coppercliff, Cornwall, Pembroke, St. Thomas and Sudbury. The tenth Odeon ozoner is located at Calgary, Alta., and is an OdeonBarron operation. This is the 17th Ave, Drive-In, acquired by Odeon and J. B. Barron this year from the original owners, L. Jones and We Ve Cole: Operation of drive-in theatres is something entirely new for the Odeon circuit, as there are no drive-in theatres in operation in England, nor do Odeon operate drive-ins. anywhere else in_ the world, according to the company’s executives here. Whether the knowledge acquired through operation of the ozoners in Canada will lead the company to acquire similar theatres elsewhere in the world, remains to be seen. Famous Players Canadian Corp. are this year operating five driveins in Ontario, including two near Hamilton, one near Niagara Falls, one at Windsor and one at Brantford; a sixth F-P ozoner, located at London, was sold last year and is now the site of a giant shopping centre. In addition, Famous operate drive-ins at Port Arthur, Regina, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon, as well as one at Moncton, N.B., while affiliated companies, such as Twinex, Premier, F. G. Spencer Co., operate a number of additional ozoners. 2 Canadian Branches U.A. Prize Winners New York: In the recently concluded second lap of United Artists’ Fifth Anniversary Drive, the Montreal branch, under the management of Sam _ Kunitsky, walked off with first prize money for group three, while his brotherin-law, George Heiber’s Toronto branch, copped second money in group two, being nosed out by the St. Louis branch for first place. In the first lap of the current drive, the Montreal branch finished second in their group. “piercer Across Country Toronto The Saturday Morning Movie Club at the Odeon Theatre, Kingston, continued to operate for the season until June 16 largely because of interest in special program features including the weekly appearances of Billie the Clown, a local favorite. For the final performance Jimmy Good, the Yo-Yo champion, appeared on the stage for the Kingston Yo-Yo championship contest. ® e e The Twilite Drive-In at London, Ont., introduced its big CinemaScope screen, measuring 56 by 110 feet, on the night of June 18 with the presentation of “Red Garters” and “Living It Up.” This operation gets second run in London for many of the M-G-M releases which otherwise play Loew’s Theatre exclusively in that city. * e & The Famous Players’ Skyway Drive-In at Hamilton had a special attraction all during the week of June 18 in a series of baton-twirling contests in five age classes for amateur performers. The finals were staged Saturday night when trophies were presented. Maritimes Members of Saint John, N.B.’s Jewish community gathered in the Admiral Beatty hotel last Sunday night for their Negev dinner during which Mr. J. M. Franklin was honoured. It was announced that a tract of land in Israel will bear the name of “NACHLA FRANKLIN” as a tribute to services which Mr. Franklin has rendered the Jewish community throughout the Maritime Provincess — Canada, and the United States. & e e Mr. Hilly Cass, General Manager for MGM Pictures of Canada Ltd. is visiting Saint John this week, conferring with local Manager Mr. G, Eric Golding. Winnipeg Winnipeg Motor Products advertise “Free! Free! Season Pass — Admits Driver and all occupants to the Eldorado, Airport, Pembina and Starlite Drive-In Theatres, with your purchase of any ‘Used Car or Truck.’” td * e Visitors to Winnipeg included Len Reinhorn, Regina; Arnold Bercovich, Regina; Mr. and Mrs. Nic Kopel, and Mr. Joe Kowbel, Melville, Sask. The Nortown, Regina's newest and most modern theatre, is scheduled to close on June 30th, indefinitely. The Management, Regal Amusements Ltd., are considering converting the theatre to a night club. Vancouver Apparently no sale is contemplated of the Colonial Theatre here, followed the recent death of Hector Quagliotti. The theatre is being operated by Quag’s daughter, and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Dunn. The 873-seat theatre is the only one in the downtown section operated by independent interests. « ° e The mother of Ken Leach, Famous Players partner in Calgary, died in Spokane, Wash., recently. She would have been 100 years old her next birthday. ‘ * e * An usher shortage looms to frustrate theatre managers here. The reason — the girls can earn considerably more elsewhere, with their nights off. Average rate here is 85c per hour, with many theatres using the split-hour shifts which tie a girl down for about 11 hours daily. e e . There appears to be no shortage of product here, as many exhibitors claim, with two theatres in Vancouver and a Drive-In in the Fraser Valley on a triple bill diet. PAGE THREE PIONEERS (Continued from Page 1) on Thursday, Aug. 16. Heading the committee for the gala affair again this year, is Dan Krendel, who did such an outstanding job as chairman last year, when a turnaway crowd of over 300 members of the industry were unanimous in their verdict that the tournament was one of the best-run film gatherings we have ever had here. Several innovations are planned to make this year’s event surpass even the success of last year. Again, in addition to numerous golfers’ trophies, all who attend will receive a prize, estimated value of which exceeds the cost of a ticket. Because of the limited dining capacity at St. Andrew’s, sale of tickets will again be restricted to 300, on a first-buy, first-go basis, after member needs have been satisfied. Those interested in attending the Tournament are strongly advised to get their tickets EARLY, so as not to be disappointed, as were a number last year. Don’t forget, the Tournament is being held one month earlier than last year, when perfect weather for golfing and loafing, can almost be guaranteed. Serving with Dan Krendel on his committee are Joe Bermack, Chet Friedman, Fergie Martin, Al Perly and Andy Raush. Shirley Booth’s Next Hollywood: “Next of Kin,” a play by Lonnie Coleman, has been selected by Hal Wallis as Shirley Booth’s next starring vehicle for him. It will be a Paramount picture. FOR SALE | YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL USED or RE-CONDITIONED THEATRE CHAIRS ALSO NEW BRITISH-LUXURY CHAIRS AVAILABLE SPRING EDGE STEEL BOTTOM SEAT CUSHIONS AND FULLY UPHOLSTERED BACKS—SPRING BACK TYPES ALSO. CARPETING, ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL TILES AND LINOLEUM We are Factory Agents At Bargain Prices Drop us a line — we will give you photographs and_ full information. “LA SALLE" RECREATIONS LTD. Theatre Chairs, Carpet, Linoleum and Tile Division 945 GRANVILLE ST. MA. 5034 VANCOUVER 2, B.C, THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST, Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa. Jay L. Smith, Editor-in-Chief; Correspondents: Bruce Peacock, Regina; Libby Bookhalter, Winnipeg; Jack Droy, Vancouver; Will McLaughlin, Ottawa; Bill Press, Toronto; Helen Crawley, St. John, Address all mail to Publisher, Canadian Moving Picture Digest Company. Ltd., 501 Yonge St., Toronto. Telephone: WAlInut 1-4352, Cable: Rayd igest. Est 1915, Publication weekly. Subscription: $5.00 yearly.