Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 1, 1956)

PAGE FOUR FAMOUS (Continued from Page 1!) capacity to 1,709, making it the sixth largest theatre in the Queen City, exceeded only by the Imperial (3,373), the Uptown (2,743), Shea’s (2,836), the Odeon-Toronto (2,318), and Loew’s (2,096). The Hollywood has for years operated on a double-bill policy, and with its dual auditoriums, it has been possible for patrons to choose which of the two features they wish to see first when entering the theatre. It is believed that when the theatre is taken over by Famous Players and converted to a de-luxe first-run, it will operate on a single-bill policy. For years the Hollywood was one of the most profitable outlets for first-run British films, and a number had spectacular engagements at the Allen house. However, just a few years ago, Odeon Theatres opened the Hyland, a 1,357seat de-luxer, almost next door to the Hollywood, and proceeded to release first-run J. Arthur Rank features in the new theatre. This cut into the Hollywood’s British film patronage considerably, although the Allens still continued to show several first-run English features per year at the Hollywood, as well as having some very successful first-run engagements with offbeat French and Italian films, some dubbed in English, others with English titles. The balance of the playing time was taken up with subsequent runs of American and British product. The policy of the Hollywood, for years, has to say the least been flexible. If a picture continued to draw, it could run for weeks at the Hollywood. If it failed to draw, it could come out after one night, or even after one matinee. At one time, it was a standing joke that the Hollywood mamager never knew what was playing until he checked with his head-office at noon. However, Herb Allen and Sol Allen, who between them looked after the buying and booking of the Hollywood, have made very few mistakes since the house was first opened, and as a result the theatre has consistently shown a substantial profit. Tentative date for switch-over of the Hollywood to Famous Players is reported to be December 2st. Announcement in respect to possible personnel changes is expected within the next week or ten days. Acquisition of the Hollywood is only the first move on the part of Famous Players to strengthen their position in Toronto, with the pending loss of Shea’s, and the apparent tie-up of the University for many months with “The Ten Com Records Scuttled By New British Film Toronto: Following ‘a glittering Royal Performance and a spectacular premiere, “The Battle of the River Plate” has now set an alltime record for any Rank Organization film in its opening week at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London, according to reports received at JARO offices here. It has even beaten the record set by “Reach for the Sky,” which in Britain alone has cracked over 150 house records and continues to set many new ones in Canada. “The Battle of the River Plate,” a spectacular movie version of the defeat of the German pocket battleship “Graf Spee” in December, 1939, is in VistaVision and Color by Technicolor. Starring John Gregson, Anthony Quayle, and Peter Finch as Captain Hans Langsdorff, the Rank Organization movie will have a simultaneous Christmas premiere in the following Canadian cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, London, Winnipeg, Victoria. Joey Faye Cast New York: Joey Faye, one of Broadway’s best known comedians, will play an important role in “Cross-Up,” which William Berke is producing and directing for United Artists release. The picture, being shot in its entirety in New York, stars George Montgomery and Geraldine Brooks. Faye was previously seen on the screen in MGM’s “The Tender Trap.” °° mandments.” A number of other deals are reported to be under consideration, or negotiation, but nothing definite has been set at this writing. One possible factor holding up important decisions is the Toronto Civic Election, which is scheduled for next Monday. On the ballot is another attempt to get the voters te approve construction of a new City Hall on the site where Shea’s Theatre now stands. If this proposition is again turned down by the voters, it is possible that City Council may grant Shea’s another stay of execution, so to speak, and Famous might keep possession of the Bay St. showplace for another year. However, there is nothing definite to indicate that City Council, even if the City Hall is turned down, may not still insist that Shea’s be torn down, and the Civic Square constructed. It is hoped that within the next two weeks all these questions will be settled, if not once and for all, at least for the next few months. “BICECT HANSON (Continued from Page 1) mitted his success of the past to obliterate his concern for the present and because his dedication to human welfare has increased his stature as a human being.” Mr. Frost presented the Award to both Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, stating that without the valiant support and encouragement given Oscar by his charming wife, he would never have been eligible for the Award. The Premier expressed great personal satisfaction in being invited to present the Pioneer of the Year Award, both because of his own association with the film industry, as a result of his twelve years as Provincial Treasurer, under whose jurisdiction the Censor Board operates, and also because of his and Mrs. Frost’s long personal friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Hanson. Although he told little of Oscar’s history within the Industry, Mr. Frost did reveal that Oscar made his start in the film business as a singer of illustrated songs in a nickelodeon at Jackonville, Ill., back in 1913. In accepting the Award from the Pioneers, Oscar Hanson paid tribute to his co-founders of the Pioneers, the late Editor and Publisher of The Digest, Ray Lewis, and the former Canadian General Manager for Universal Pictures, the late Clair Hague. He also paid tribute to a number of other leading Pioneers no longer with us, including Leo Devaney, Jim O’Loghlin, Earl Lawson, and others. And he had particular praise for the Pioneer Benevolent Fund, which looks after the needy of our own Industry. Since its inception, the Benevolent Fund has proven a life-saver for dozens in the Industry, and any one of these cases, Oscar Hanson stated, justified the existence of the CPP. Hy Swartz, President of the Winnipeg Branch of the Pioneers, accepted the special award given this year to the Winnipeg Branch “in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the work of the Picture Pioneers.” The award was made by Nat Taylor, former President of the CPP. F. Gordon Spencer accepted the special award on behalf of James A. Whitebone, who was voted a Pioneer Ancillary Award “honoring him for his life-long service to his country, his community and to our Industry.” Mr. Whitebone, a Labor leader of National stature, is chief projectionist for Famous Players in Saint John, N.B., and the award was presented by J. J. Fitzgibbons, President of Famous Players, and himself recipient of DECEMBER 1, 1956 KUNITSKY (Continued from Page 1) they have emerged as first prize winner for their group in the overall results of the Fifth Anniversary Drive. Each member of the Montreal UA staff will receive a bonus of three weeks’ salary as their reward for winning the Drive. This bonus, added to the two weeks’ salary won in the UA Week Contest, and ithe additional money won in the two laps which Montreal topped, should make Sam Kunitsky and his staff the highest paid film employees in Canada for 1956. NFB Staff Changes Montreal: The National Film Board has announced further changes of senior distribution staff following the recent appointment of C. W. Marshall, Chief of the Canadian non-theatrical branch, to the new post of representative in South East Asia. John Duerkop, senior representative in New York, will transfer to Saskatoon as supervisor of the Prairie Region, replacing C. W. Gray who will fill the office vacated by Mr. Marshall. The New York position will be occupied by J. W. Cosman, Chief of the International Distribution Division. T. V. Adams, Mr. Cosman’s present assistant, will succeed him. All the changes will take place early in the new year. CAPAC Ups CBC Fees Toronto: The Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada has given notice at Ottawa that it proposes to make an increase in performing-rights fees to be collected from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. during 1957. No change is proposed in the CAPAC tariff for privately-owned broadcasting stations. The schedule for the CBC is expected to produce revenue in excess of $256,000, it is stated. No mention is made of proposed changes for theatre fees. the Pioneer of the Year Award just a few years ago. In accepting the award on Mr. Whitebone’s behalf, Gordon Spencer, Managing Director of F. G. Spencer Co. Ltd., the Maritimes’ leading theatre circuit, stated, “Back home we always considered Jim the nation’s most distinguished _ projectionist. This proves it.” Morris Stein, President of the Canadian Picture Pioneers, acted as Toastmaster for the evening and did a particularly fine job, keeping his own speech-making to a minimum and yet capably introducing each of the speakers in turn. George Oullahan deserved a vote of thanks for his work as co-ordinator of the Dinner,