Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 17, 1956)

PAGE SIX ~ Outhe Geam (Continued from Page 1)" garding changes in the first-run setup in Toronto, changes necessitated by the approaching loss of Shea’s, and the expected tie-up of the University Theatre for up to a year with “The Ten Commandments”. However, I have been advised by F-P executives that no definite decision had been made as of last weekend. A Board of Directors’ meeting was held this Monday at the head office in Toronto, and the results of that meeting are not available at this writing. A number of rumours have been floating around the Trade in respect to new first-run outlets for F-P, but some of them are so ridiculous that they do not warrant repetition even as rumours, The decisions will have to be made this week, at any rate, since “The Ten Commandments” is scheduled for its Toronto opening next weekend, In Montreal, Consolidated Theatres, the F-P affiliate is in somewhat the same position as F-P finds itself in Toronto, for the Capitol Theatre will undoubtedly be tied up for months when “The Ten Commandments” opens there Dec. 21st. In order to alleviate this situation, Consolidated are switching the Princess Theatre from a secondary first-run house, into a Class “A” outlet, with the admission scale being raised to bring it in line with the Palace and with Loew’s. The Orpheum and the Imperial theatres in Montreal are already tied-up with Todd-AO and Cinerama. Incidentally, the deal that was being rumoured around the Trade to the effect that United Amusement in Montreal was going to buy out the interests of Arthur Hirsch and the Alex Adelman Estate in Consolidated, is apparently dead, if not yet buried. Tax problems were the bugaboo that wrecked the deal, we are told. Congratulations to Irving Herman of Warner Bros., on the recent birth of a baby son, his second, and the Herman’s third youngster. Congratulations also to the Sam Glasier’s on the confirmation last weekend of their daughter, Linda Mae. New W-B Producer Hollywood: Jack L. Warner announces that Jules Schermer has joined Warner Bros. as a producer. Schermer, formerly a producer at Columbia, 20th Century-Fox and MGM, begins his duties at Warner Bros. immediately. JARO FILM (Continued from Page 1) pocket battleship Graf Spee on December 15th, 1939. This first great naval battle of the Second World War is vividly remembered by North Americans who heard a “blow-by-blow” description on radio 17 years ago. The story which thrilled the free world began when the pride of the German Navy was engaged by the three cruisers, H.M.S. Ajax, H.M.S. Exeter and the New Zealand ship Achilles within a short distance of the South American coast. The three comparatively small naval vessels so severely damaged the Graf Spee that its Commander, Captain Hans Langsdorf sailed his vessel into the neutral port of Montevideo, Uruguay to effect repairs. Then the whole world waited for him to decide whether he should come out and fight at the expiration of the 72hour respite given by the Uruguayan Government, or abandon thte pride of the German Navy. Reports are that the J. Arthur Rank Organization has captured all the tense excitement and thrilling action of this historic event in “The Battle of the River Plate”. The picture is expected to open in Canada around the end of November. The high praise which London reviewers gave to Peter Finch for his brilliant portrayal of Captain Langsdorf in the Royal Performance Film was echoed after the premiere by no less a person than the German Ambassador, Herr Hans von Herwarth. Replying to Mr. John Davis, managing director of the Rank Organization, at a supper party at which Mr. Davis entertained visiting German pressmen, Herr von Herwarth turned to Peter Finch and said: “You were so absolutely real. I thought of you as a real German officer”. Finch said later: “The most amazing tribute of my career”. LESTERS (Continued from Page 1) and is retiring from show business. This will bring the outlets for foreign-language films in the Ambitious City to two, with Odeon’s York Theatre playing a number of Italian, German, and other foreignlanguage product. The Lesters for a time last year operated the Community Theatre, Welland, on a policy of Italianlanguage films also, but gave it up after several months, when the policy proved unprofitable. “piererT FIRE (Continued from Page 1) Sackville, Cape Bald, Cape Tormentine, Shediac and Amherst, assisted the Port Elgin fire-fighters in battling the three-hour blaze. The fire broke out in the basement of the theatre during the first evening show, but all patrons were evacuated without mishap, and there was no panic. The theatre was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mitchell, whose home adjoined the theatre. The house was also destroyed. According to the owners, the film playing the theatre at the time was saved, as well as all household furniture. Damage was_ estimated at $30,000, and both theatre and home were covered by insurance. Xmas Lay-Away Plan Adapted By Theatre St. Catharines: The Lincoln Theatre, St. Kitts, managed by Roy Miller, has a gift lay-away plan for Christmas for patrons through the distribution of coupons with every adult admission for performances on Mondays and Thursdays until Dec. 20, with coupons being exchanged for household articles prior to the end of the year. The merchandise includes toasters, alarm clocks, electric frying pans, electric razors, bathroom scales, steam irons and other lines. Present 2 NFB Films To Japanese Emperor Ottawa: Two Canadian made films have been formally presented to the Emperor of Japan by Trade and Commerce Minister Howe on the occasion of his recent goodwill visit to that country. The films, produced by the National Film Board, are “Land of the Long Day” and “World in a Marsh”, The rather unusual form of presentation was decided upon because of the Emperor’s interest in films. “World in a Marsh”, produced by Michael Spencer of the Film Board and photographed by William Carrick of Toronto, deals with bird and insect life in a pond. It was chosen because the Emperor is a keen student of scientific subjects, particularly marine life. “Land of the Long Day”, also produced by Michael Spencer and directed by Douglas Wilkinson, is an authentic and exciting portrayal of life among the Eskimos of Canada’s Eastern Arctic. Both films are in color. NOVEMBER 17, 1956 W-B Go All Out For New Color Featurette Miami: In advance of the most extensive advertising-publicity-prcmotion campaigns ever to be accorded a_ featurette, a _ special screening of Warner Bros.’ “Chasing The Sun”, a four-reel film in WarnerColor, will be held under the auspices of the Air Transport Association for leading state and city dignitaries, top Air Force officials and industry executives, leading exhibitors in the Southeast, newspaper publishers and radio and television representatives, at the Hotel McAllister in Miami. “Chasing The Sun,” which features the beautiful splendor and entertainment values of such fabulous state attractions as the Cypress Gardens, Monkey Jungle, Rare Bird Farm, Parrot Jungle and Theatre of The Sea, among many others, dramatically presents the virtues of Florida as a tourist state. Picture is expected to play over ten thousand theatres in the United States and Canada to a potential domestic audience of over 50 million people. Also, the film will be distributed in all English speaking countries throughout the world and will be voiced in Spanish, French and German for release in these languagespeaking countries. 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