Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 1, 1956)

Page scan 0002 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Dec 1, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 1, 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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SS ay DECEMBER 1, 1956 Fire Razes ‘Peg Beach Theatre Winnipeg: George Ferley, 10year-old son of theatre owner John Ferley, was credited with saving the members of his family during a flash fire which broke out in the Highway Theatre, Winnipeg Beach, on Saturday morning, Nov, 17th. The theatre building, in which the family lived, was razed. Cause of the fire is unknown. George woke about 3:30 a.m. to find the building in flames. He roused his parents, and with his younger sister made his way out of the building. Neighbors and firemen were able to save some furniture and clothing, and the blaze was prevented from spreading to adjoining summer cottages. Loss was estimated at $15,000, which is partially covered by insurance. The building, built some 20 years ago, was originally a resort hotel, but was remodelled a few years ago as a theatre. Loew's Dividend Toronto: Marcus Loew’s Theatres Limited, Toronto, has declared an extra $1 dividend which will be paid along with the regular $1 payment for the fourth quarter of 1956. 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 cnc eigenen eA ECA ET ~7 : ~“RIGEST Across Toronto Very few drive-ins were continuing to operate in Ontario with Christmas only a month away. The Auto-Sky at Ottawa suspended operations last week with the announcement: ‘“We’re Closin’, Because We’re Frozen’. The Windsor D-I and the Clappison were among those operating two nights weekly on Friday and Saturday. Country A number of Ontario units of Odeon Theatres (Canada) Limited are featuring two-day engagements of a touring stage show called the Harlem Rock ’n’ Roll Revue, the dates including St. Catharines, Brantford and London. For the performances Nov. 28-29 at the Odeon Theatre, London, the stage was enlarged to accommodate the presentations. Incidentally, Manager Ken Davies and staff of the London house were presented with a courtesy plaque from the JARO headoffice, the ceremony being conducted by District Manager Steve McManus. Maritimes F. Gordon Spencer attended the meetings of the Motion Picture Industry Council held last week in Toronto, and accepted the special Pioneer Award for James Whitebone, who was unable to make the trip to Toronto. e a e William Boudreau, manager of the Capitol Theatre, Dalhousie, N.B., has been elected President of the Knights of Columbus Club in Dalhousie. He is also President of the town’s Rotary Club, and is on its Board of School Trustees. Winnipeg With winter setting in a number of smaller theatres are closing, either part time, or for a few months. The theatre in Elbow, Sask., has closed their doors Tuesday and Wednesday in November and December, and will close altogether for January, February and March. The theatre in Lake Lenore will be closing shortly for the winter months, while theatres at Rouleau and Yellowgrass have already closed. e € e Mrs. M. O. Miniely takes over the Community Theatre at Yellowcreek, Sask., from W. Lasko. e J e Messrs. Harry and Bob Hurwitz spent a few days in Toronto where they attended various meetings and functions, as delegates of the Manitoba Exhibitors’ Association. e @ o Charlie Krupp, Associated Theatres, and Sam Swartz, Garry Theatre, also spent a few days in Toronto, taking in Pioneer meetings, etc., as well as the Grey Cup game. e s se The Crescent Theatre, Winnipeg, will close on November 30th. e ® e Mrs. Rosalee Brisson, booker at Western Theatres, leaves the 3 Company at the end of the year. Mr. Al Smith (Smitty), formerly of 20th Century-Fox and M.G.M. becomes the new Western Booker, as of Monday, Nov. 26th. Vancouver W-B’s “Giant” is just that at the Orpheum, a real blockbuster, which is making it tough for everything else downtown. It looks like a new house record. To date, it’s running ahead of “War and Peace” grosses which were also solid for four weeks. “Ack” had to ring in an extra show late Saturday night, with patrons getting home around 2 a.m. o ® e Charlie Chaplin gave the small seat Studio the best week’s business in a year on the reissue of “The Gold Rush” at 90c top. PAGE THREE + an ‘ ) Ou the B | “a CAM ---(Continued from Page 1)" Lethbridge, Alta., thanked the distributors on behalf of all the exhibitors, not only for the luncheon, but for the fair manner in which they have been dealing with the exhibitors this past year. While there is still a long way to go before exhibitors and distributors in Canada can have a complete understanding of each other’s problems, a big step in the right direction has apparently been made. Now, perhaps, exhibitors and distributors will combine to publicize and exploit the many outstanding motion pictures that are reaching our screens, now and in the months to come, and with both branches of the Industry working together, it should be no problem to win back a good portion of that socalled lost audience that we once had or to gain a new one. One positive action that can result in many new or renewed theatregoers, is the so-called Oscar Derby, or Academy Award Contest, sponsored last year by the Publicity Committee of the Motion Picture Industry Council. So successful was it last year, that even before it was over, exhibitors, participating newspapers and _ prize donors expressed a desire to see it continued on an annual basis. The report given to the Industry Council by the Chairman of the Tublicity Committee, Charles S. Chaplin, so definitely demonstrated the value of the contest that the Council not only voted to continue the project, but appointed H. C. D. Main as special co-ordinator to handle the many details involved in getting the campaign going. FOR SALE YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL USED or RE-CONDITIONED THEATRE CHAIRS ALSO NEW BRITISH-LUXURY CHAIR 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: WAlnut 1-4352. Cable: Raydigest. Est. 1915. Publication weekly. Subscription: $5.00 yearly.