Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 14, 1942)

January 14th, 1942 Canadian FILM WEEKLY Columbia Steps | Theatres Study Raid Precautions Up Program Anticipating an increasing pub lic demand for entertainment dur@::: the war emergency, Columbia Pictures executives announced that during the early months of 1942, they will place before cameras more important productions than have been filmed during any previous entire year in the company’s history. That fact thtat bookings of Columbia Pictures during 1941 have established an all-time record, according to the announcement, is responsible in no small measure for the accelerated production activity now planned and paints the way toward the organization’s bigger year in 1942. Gearing to studio to keep well ahead of the nation’s need for diversified screen fare of highest quality, and with a more impressive backlog of finished pictures on hand than it was ever before listed, the company will launch its new, record-breaking shooting schedule immediately following New Year’s. Meanwhile, the studio is rushing to completion for release early in 1942 such productions as the Marlene Dietrich-Fred MacMurray co-starrer, ‘‘Tonight’s Our Night” (formerly “The Lady is Willing’’), produced and directed by Mitchell Leisen; the Jack London classic. ‘‘Adventures of Martin { Eden,” produced by B. P. Schul= berg and Samuel Bronston with Glenn Ford, Claire Trevor and Evelyn Keyes in stellar roles and with Sidney Salkow directing; and “Trinidad,” starring Pat O’Brien and Brian Donlevy with Janet Blair, which was directed by Gregory Ratoff for producer Sam Bischoff. : ik = x = Alexander Hall, Columbia’s ace director of sophisticated laugh films, will be at the helm for “He Kissed The Bride,” in which Melvyn Douglas will have the starring male role, opposite an outstanding feminine co-star soon to be annouced. The feature is a fast-paced comedy with a New York background, from the play by Gina Kaus and Andrew P. Solt. Hall and Douglas recently made together the successful Columbia comedies, ‘(He Stayed For Breakfast,” and “This Thing Called Love.” Mr. Hall is also responsible for the studio’s “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” and “Bedtime Story,’”’ soon to be released. * a = Besie Wade, Forrest Taylor and Nim Corey were added this week to Columbia’s new Charles Starrett-Russell Hayden co-starring western, ‘Down Rio Grande Way,” which replaces “After the Alamo,” the early title. Rose Ann Stevens plays opposite the starring team, with Davidson Clark, Norman Willis, Bud Buster, Joseph Eggenton, Paul Newlan. Canadian managers recently received instructions re conduct in blackouts. Bob Roddick of Halifax, a member of the Maritimes com| mittee and Jack Purves of Toronto, who is a member of the Provincial Civil Defence Committee made exhaustive studies of the requirements of the various Air Raid Precaution authorities across Canada. The information was pooled to provide the most comprehensive and best possible guidance. Suggestions were added by various supervisors to meet purely theatrical problems, such as temporary boxoffices inside the theatres for continuance of the sale of tickets and signs for the necesary explanationg to the public. The American exhibitors have applied themselves vigorously -to defence theatre problems. The theatre defence bureau of the Los Angeles Defence Council issued 26 tips last week to operators in that area. They are worth reading and keeping on file. Following are the 26 pointers: 1. Programs to continue uninterrupted; patrons to remain in theatre during alerts, air raid warnings, blackouts and actual attacks. 2. Entire theatre personnel to attend semi-weekly, regular “panic prevention” drills. 8. At least two or more of theatre personnel, including manager, to take Red Cross first aid courses. 4. Theatre managers to serve on local civilian defence councils. 5. Staff members to learn operation of lighting switches. 6. Emergency light equipment to be installed or prepared. 7. Bach staff member to be fully familiar with alarms and signals, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to precautions and emergencies. 8. No theatre to remain in operation without proper and responsible manpower, on duty every moment. 9. Theatre personnel to reflect cheerfulness; house to be a haven of relief from screaming headlines. 10. Emergency lighting switches should be painted white, enclosed in red circle. 11. Box office drains should be more frequent; change funds to be held to a minimum. 12. Check first-aid kits for each theatre; advise with local Red Cross as to proper equipment under existing conditions. 13. Check all exits, without fail, immediately preceding every opening. 14. Check all ceiling suspensions, such as chandeliers, etc; remove and place in storage if there is any doubt as to their safety. 15. Every theatre should be | thrown open to the general public as a refuge in case of actual attack; managers to contact local defence council regarding this and abide by their instrucions. 16. In the event power is interrupted, be prepared to offer some kind of impromptu entertainment from stage; community singing should be considered. 17. Under present conditions, much care and thought should be given to children’s matinees. 18. Do not repeat rumors; do not discuss troop movements; do not mention troop concentrations. 19. The National Anthem should be presented at least once during each complete performance. : 20. Wherever possible, theatres should be made available for morning classes of Red Cross or other worthy organizations active in defence efforts. 21. Install efficient ‘‘page” system in theatre; inform physicians, nurses and others on constant call about such service. 22. Theatre owners should consider making vacant store space available to governmental and defence organizations. 23. Do not break theatre show if there is a troop movement within the immediate vicinity of your theatre; in the event a major break comes at such a time, manager should request from stage that patrons remained seated until trapps have passed. 24. Make the theatre a community leader in proper presentation of the American flag and the national colors. 25. Adhere strictly and constantly to every possible precaution in proper handling of films to eliminate fire hazards; check booths to assure this. 26. Instruct your staffs constantly in every phase of your operation until doing the right thing becomes habitual; remain calm and employ sound, common sense at all times. False Start Chargeable A new one on the studios was the successful claim against Loew’s, Inc. in the New York courts by Conrad Noles, an actor told to ready himself for a screen test by MGM that was never made. The studio told him to hold still for four weeks. He waited ten without the test, then looked for work again. He was awarded $1,500 on the grounds that, while the studio didn’t have to hire Noles, it owed him a screen test at the time. Noles claimed that he had turned down work while waiting. Page 7 Fantasia Returns ‘To Broadway Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” which bowed out of Broadway after a | record-breaking run of fifty-one weeks solely to permit “Dumbo” to make its premiere, returned on a continuous run policy to New York’s Broadway Theatre on Saturday, January 10th. Demand has mounted for a return engagement of this RKO Radio release, both by those who missed it and by others eager for a second study of some special sequence. Disney and his staff have for months been at work on a popular version of “Fantasia,” which made entertainment history through its originality in combining the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra of 103 instruments with animation. The fifty-one week Broadway run of “Fantasia’’ represented the longest one in talking motion picture history. Walt Disney’s ‘‘Dumbo” at the New Gallery is breaking all wartime records with daily intake mounting steadily. Second Week looks set to exceed heavy opening by a wide margin. Film is in for |an extended engagement. Standing line forms at 10 o’clock jin the morning with house doing far above ‘capacity. The same enthusiastic reception is also noted in the provinces. * od od Maurine Watkins has been signed by RKO Radio to write the ! screen play of ‘Behold the Bridegroom,” the George Kelly stage success recently purchased. The picture version will be produced by Reeves Sspy whose current schedule also includes ‘“There Goes Lona Henry” and “‘Bombardier.” Miss Watkins came to Hollywood following the success of several plays written for George Kaufman and other prominent producers. Her screen plays include “I Love You Again,” “Libeled Lady,” “Up the River,” and “Search for Beauty.” : THE SUCCESS of your | THEATRE depends upon ‘| GOOD EQUIPMENT consult GENE THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY ita. 104 BOND STREET TORONTO