Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 10, 1956)

Page scan 0000 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Nov 10, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 10, 1956)
Leaf #:
0000
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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—e——— JAY L. SMITH EDITOR AND PUBLISHER VOL. 48, NO. 45 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE FIRST WITH THE FILM NEWS IN CANADA Published by CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY LIMITED RAY LEWIS FOUNDER 1915-1954 NOVEMBER 10, 1956 Canadians Seek Film Knowledge Response Overwhelming For ASN’s Movie-Making Course Montreal: Despite all the gloom that has been evident in motion picture circles in Canada the past couple of years, the Industry still has considerable attraction for students and Canadians already engaged in By JAY L. SMITH On The beam Famous Players executives back from the Western Divisional Conference in Edmonton, were enthusiastic over the results of their meeting there. Reports are that the managers and partners are really optimistic over the prospects of increased attendance with the new crop of outstanding films currently in release and on their way. Incidentally, a statement is promised from F-P executives next weeks on the proposed changes in first-runs in Toronto, as a_ result of the approaching loss of Shea’s Theatre, and the expected tie-up of the University for one year with “The Ten Commandments”. Some policy changes in regard to Montreal first-run houses are also expected, as the Capitol will also be tied up indefinitely when “The Ten Commandments” opens there in December. JARO’s “Battle of the River Plate” was the honored film for the Royal Command Performance held last Monday in London, England. — As usual, there was a gala turnout of celebrities, including a number of American movie stars, who were presented to Her Majesty, The Queen. Reports from London indicate that the Rank Organization has another winner, of a caliber equal to “Reach For The Sky”, in “Battle of the River Plate’. It is due to open in Canada the end of this month. Peter Myers, Canadian District Manager for 20th Century-Fox, advises that his company’s release of the CinemaScope version of “Oklahoma” will probably open in a number of key situations across Canada around Christmas. 20thFox executives are very high on the prospects for “Oklahoma” in the domestic market, as are RKO (Continued on Page 4) “Ten Commandments” Advance Sale Big Toronto: Tom Daley, manager of the University Theatre here, where Cecil B. DeMille’s production of “The Ten Commandments” opens Friday, November 23rd, reports a tremendous advance mail order business on tickets for the (See “COMMANDMENTS” Page 4) other industries. This has been proven by the tremendous response to the seven months’ course in film production announced by and being sponsored by Associated Screen News here. However, a good proportion of those engaged in taking the course, are more interested in film production for television, than any other aspect. With a total capacity allowance (See ASN COURSE Page 5) Variety Club Elections Nov. 20 -Installation Banquet, Dec. 13 Toronto: Dave Griesdorf, Chief Barker of Variety Club Tent No. 28, announced at the nominating meeting held last week at the Prince George Hotel in Toronto, that the canvasmen for the Toronto tent, will be held in conjunction with a dinner meeting at the Prince George, Tuesday evening, November 20th. All barkers are urged to attend, and a record vote is anticipated. No nominations were made from the floor at the nominating meeting last week, with the result that the names of those recommended (See VARIETY Page 4) 3 Re-Openings For Maritimes Theaires Saint John: Three theatres in the Maritimes that have been closed down, are now re-opened under new management. Malcolm E. Walker has sold his Roxy Theatre in Shubenacadie, N. S., to R. Hatfield, and his Rio Theatre in Petitcodiac, N. B. to L. Pollack, and both theatres are again in operation. In addition, F. J. Mumford has sold his Roxy Theatre in Kingston, N. S., to R. G. Veinott, and this theatre is also re-opened. annual elections for a new crew of NFB To Appoint New Distribution Officer Montreal: The National Film Board, early in 1957, plans to send a distribution officer to New Delhi, India, to promote wider distribution of NFB films in South and SouthEast Asia. The posting will be for a period of two and one-half years, (See NFB DISTRIBUTION Page 6) Al Iscove Joining 20th Century-Fox Toronto: Al Iscove, who resigned several months ago from Paramount’s Toronto office to enter the real estate business, will rejoin the motion picture industry next Monday, November 12th, when he becomes a sales representative for 20th Century-Fox, operating out of Vic Beattie’s Toronto Branch. Al Iscove was for many years a salesman for United Artists in the Toronto Branch, and for the past few years, prior to his resignation, had been with Paramount. His many friends in the Industry will be happy to welcome him back. Seven New Members Inducted Into F.P.C.C.’s 25-Year Club Edmonton: Seven new members of Famous Players’ 25-Year Ciub from the Western Division were inducted at a dinner marking the close of a three-day session of the company’s partners and managers in the Hotel: Macdonald, Edmonton. The presentations were made by J. J. Fitzgibbons and R. W. Bolstad. Four of the new members—three projectionists and a building superintendent — were members of the staff of Edmonton’s Pantages Theatre (now the Strand) when the (See FAMOUS PLAYERS Page 6) Two Theatres Close Winnipeg: The Starlite Theatre at Qu’Appelle, Sask., owned by C. D. Stranger, closed recently, leaving the town without a theatre. The Arlington Theatre, Winnipeg, owned by Western Theatres, is scheduled for closing Noy. 24th.