Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 29, 1956)

Page scan 0001 from Canadian Moving Picture Digest

Record Details:

Title:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Date:
Dec 29, 1956
Volume:
Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 29, 1956)
Leaf #:
0001
Language:
English
Collection:
Global Cinema, Hollywood Studio System, Canada, and Early 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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PAGE TWO Canadian Film Opens In New York Jan. 6th New York: An invitational preview showing of “Oedipus Rex,” the film version of the Sophocles drama, will be held at the SSth Street Playhouse on Sunday evening, January 6, it is announced by Irving Lesser, president of Motion Picture Distributors, Inc. The preview is being sponsored by Harry A. Scott, Consul General for Canada in New York. Among the first-nighters wiil be the Consul Generals of Great Britain, Australia, India and New Zealand as well as the permanent body of United Nations representatives. Prior to the showing at 8:40, Mr. Scott will entertain the diplomats at a buffet supper at his Fifth Avenue home. “Oedipus Rex,” filmed in widescreen Eastman color, is an Irving M. Lesser presentation. It was produced in Canada and features the Stratford, Ontario, Shakespearean Festival players, Produced by Leonid Kipnis and directed by Tyrone Guthrie, the picture is being released by MPDI. It will open for regular performances at the 55th Street Playhouse on Monday, January 7. The picture will also have a Gala Washington Premiere late in January, under the sponsorship of the English-Speaking Union. QUEBEC-TV (Continued from Page 1) lish-language TV station in Quebec City which becomes the first city in Canada to have two privatelyowned video outlets. Famous Players Canadian Corp., has a 50 percent interest in CFCM-TV which has operated in Quebec City since July 17, 1954, largely with French programs, and announcement is made that the two stations will use the same transmitting tower and other facilities there. FOR SALE YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL USED or RE-CONDITIONED THEATRE CHAIRS ALSO NEW BRITISH-LUXURY CHAIRS 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. ~“RIGEST To promote MGM’s “TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON,” four stewardesses of Japan Air Lines visited Niagara, Hamilton and Toronto, Here they meet MGM Head Office staff and Sales Manager Hillis Cass, Campaign handled by MGM’s Chet Friedman and Loew’s Jerry Collins, included receptions at City Hall and by provincial Premier Leslie Frost; press reception at House of Fuji Matsu and personal appearance with film clips on the CBC-TV network Denny Vaughan show. More Heads British Money-Making Poll London: Voted overwhelmingly as the top money-making star in Britain today, Kenneth More has ousted such international movie favourites as James Stewart and Burt Lancaster. In the highly successful Rank Organization film “Reach For The Sky”, More won world-wide acclaim for his portrayal of Douglas Bader. In the annual poll conducted among British theatremen by the American trade publication, The Motion Picture Herald, Kenneth More was way out in front, not only in the British star list but also in competition with top American stars. Six other Rank Organization stars are listed in the top ten of money-making British stars. These are Dirk Bogarde, Virginia McKenna, Norman Wisdom, Peter Finch and John Gregson. NFB Films Win Awards Montreal: Films from Canada won awards at International festivals in two cities of South Africa last month according to information received by the National Film Board here. The films were: “Stratford Adventure”, “The Shepherd” and “Rythmetic’ — all produced by the National Film Board. “The Shepherd” and “Rythmetic’ won awards in both Johannesburg and Durban and “Stratford Adventure” in the first city only. Demand for Canadian short films in South Africa has increased considerably in the past two years. In the Cape Province alone more than 100 NFB films were sold this year. Canada’s Oldest Manager Retires Saint John: On his 92nd birthday, December 6th, Captain Samuel D. Herman retired from the management of the Capitol Theatre, Lunenburg, N.S., ending a colorful career in the life of his community. Captain Herman assumed the management of the Capitol Theatre in 1929 when Mr. F. G. Spencer took over the ground floor of the I.0.0.F. Hall and remodelled it into a modern theatre. Mr. Herman was the oldest theatre manager in Canada and in 1949 was made an honorary member of Allied Exhibitors’ Association. Born on Herman’s Island in 1864, he made his first trip to sea at the age of twelve when he sailed to Halifax with his father. He received his Master’s papers at the age of twenty-five—attended a Halifax Commercial school whenever possible during Winter months. Captain Herman retired from the sea early in this century and for ten years was secretary-treasurer of the Lunenburg Gas Company. He later conducted an Insurance Agency in Lunenburg. This grand old gentleman will be missed at the Capitol Theatre Lunenburg, where he served for 27 years. Captain Herman is being succeeded by Arthur Corkum, who has been the operator in the theatre since 1942. Mr. Corkum started his apprenticeship in the Lunenburg Capitol eighteen years ago, then after passing his Government examinations, worked in Halifax for a time. DECEMBER 29, 1956 Outhe Geam ---(Continued from Page 1)- Arthur Silverstone leaves his widow, one son, Paul, now serving in the U.S. armed forces, and a daughter, Sandra, the wife of Bob Stern of the Fox Toronto office. Holiday business in Toronto was exceptionally good, according to reports available at this writing. At Loew’s Uptown, Walt Disney’s “Westward Ho The Wagons” opened to packed houses, as did the other Disney show, “Secrets of Life”, at the Odeon Hyland and Christie theatres. At the Imperial, Paramount’s “Hollywood or Bust”, starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had a typical M & L opening, with big crowds in attendance. JARFD’s “Battle of the River Plate” had a smash opening at the Odeon-Toronto, Fairlawn and Colcny and seems headed for a record run. The same applies to M-G-M’s “Teahouse of the August Moon”, which opened up Christmas Day at Loew’s Downtown. Word reaches us that within the next week or ten days the announcement in respect to Associated Artists (PRM) set-up in Canada will be made. This involves distribution in Canada of the Warner Bros. backlog, purchased several months ago by Lou Chesler. A wellknown film executive in Toronto, will definitely head the Canadian organization. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my many friends in the Trade for their cards and messages which are much appreciated. The Christmas-New Year’s season is a wonderful time of the year, especially for the children. My daughter, who just turned eight, on December 21st, still believes in Santa Claus, and I don’t think I have ever had a greater thrill than the sight of Joanie’s wide-eyed expression Christmas morning. All the work, trouble and aggravation that goes into making a real Christmas for the family is as nothing compared with the satisfaction achieved. And now, to all our readers and advertisers who supported The Digest during 1956, our thanks and best wishes for a happy tnd prosperous 1957. “The Desk Set” Hollywood: Gig Young has been signed to play an important role in 20th Century-Fox’s “The Desk Set,” CinemaScope comedy starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The Henry Ephron production, which will be directed by Walter Lang, is based on the hit Broadway play.