Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 10, 1956)

Page scan 0002 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 #:
0002
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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NOVEMBER 10, 1956 “DIGEST PAGE THREE Across Toronto Apart from Famous Players’ customary “Show of the Week” at eight theatres in key neighborhood situations in Toronto, “Thunderstorm” had a first-run engagement along with “No Place to Hide” at four combined theatres, the Famous Players’ Bloor and Oakwood and the B & F Century and Beaver. The series of special Sunday showings of European features under the auspices of Canadians for United Nations, the performances being spaced a month apart, had its start at the Astor Theatre, Toronto, Nov. 4, with the presentation of “Two Cents Worth of Hope”. The proceeds are earmarked for UNESCO and the U.N. Refugee Children’s Fund. The Palace Theatre, Hamilton, had a three-performance engagement on the two days, Nov. 5-6, including one matinee of the National Ballet of Canada. The same Odeon Theatre has booked the stage show “Brigadoon” for three nights, Nov. 19-21. Maritimes The Gaiety Theatre at Lancaster, N.B., owned by L. A. Sprague, is closed each week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and open remainder of the week. The Capitol Theatre at St. George, N.B., one of the B & L Circuit, is also operating on a similar policy. & e e Peter Herschorn has been in Sydney, N.S. during the past week, attending to details in connection with the closing of the FranklinHerschorn Drive-In theatre there. Maritime Provinces Drive-ins were wrapped up for the season last week — or, in some cases on the previous week-end. e ° es Tom Mackey, manager of the Drive-In at Sydney, N.S., is transferring to the Dundas Theatre in Dartmouth for the winter months. James Bullerwell, manager of the Community Theatre at Yarmouth, N.S., is quite a huntsman and is spending his vacation engaged in his favorite sport. e e ® “High Society”, MGM’s big grosser has completed eleven days’ play in Halifax and nine in Saint John — in the latter city it shifted over to Famous Players’ Capitol Theatre for the last three days of its run. MGM’s other big attraction ‘Tea and Sympathy” is now playing the Paramount Theatre at Sain John, N.B. to very satisfactory business. At Odeon’s Strand, Saint John, is another of the year’s most popular pictures, “Reach For the Sky”, a J. Arthur Rank production. Winnipeg Visitors to Film Row this week, included Izzy Reinhorn of the Regal Amusement Theatres in Regina; Mr. and Mrs. F. Melkoske of Beausejour, Man; Mr. Meloche of Pontiex, Sask; Mrs. Todd of Morris, Man. se e e Ralph Zelickson, the Astral branch manager, has returned from a visit to his Toronto head office. ® a e Quite a few of the motion picture industry personnel took in the semi-final game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week-end, at Regina. Charlie Krupp of Associated Theatres, made arrangements for a chartered plane to take the football fans to Regina. e e e 8x10 black-and-white and color photos of ELVIS PRESLEY and JAMES DEAN are proving to be hot sellers at Woolworth’s and Kresge’s department stores throughout Western Canada, and should help to boost the popularity of the pictures featuring these two stars. the Country The Rialto Theatre is in the process of changing its policy from last run Winnipeg, to first and second run, with one change per week, instead of two. 3 e e The ELMER THEATRE SAFETY CLUB became reactivated in Winnipeg this week, with 11 theatres participating, spearheaded by Famous Players and Western Theatres. e e 2 Comic books are proving to be the regular stand-by, and the best medium of improving kiddies’ matinee business on the prairie provinces. Vancouver Only new picture that registered at the first-runs this week was “Solid Gold Cadillac” at the Vogue. ‘Reach For The Clouds” is still strong in its fifth week. e e e Most of the ozoners in B. C. and Western Canada not already shuttered, will call it a day after the Armistice Holiday, which is big out here. The drive-ins report a fair season’s business this year. The Cascades Drive-In at Burnaby will not remain open for the full season this year, closing out at the end of this month. oS e e Owen Bird, President of the B. C. Exhibitors Association, and Myron McLeod of the Powell River Amusements Co. will attend the meetings of the National Board in Toronto later this month. e e se Frank Vaughan, head of JARO, in for a visit with local manager Jack Reid. 2 @ es Mrs. Eskestrand, owner of the Academy at Maillardville near New Westminster, which was destroyed by fire some weeks ago, will not re-build the theatre. Instead she will build a shopping centre on the site. Some of the re-opened houses in this area are having a bleak time, and may well be sold for real estate. J e . The Blue Law forces claimed a victory when the Supreme Court ruled that City Council does not have the right to authorize commercial Sunday sports. Vancouverites voted in favor of Sunday Sports by a big majority in the last elections. s e e Johnny Bernard, formerly assistant booker at Odeon District Office has been appointed manager of the re-opened Kingsway Theatre, local suburban house. & e e Paramount have replaced former booker Mel Hayter with a girl cashier here. Christmas New Years Order your holiday trailers from ASN* In Eastmancolor or black and white In English, in French or bilingual Order now without delay. * ASSOCIATED SCREEN NEWS 2000 Northcliffe Ave., Montreal 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: WAlnut 1-4352. Cable: Raydigest. Est 1915. Publication weekly, Subscription: $5.00 yearly.