Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 29, 1942)

: abandoned in the theatre tonight. =~ old, and we believe that the only @ 6 April 29th, 1942 Baby Left In Theatre (Continued from Page 1) ‘It is a little boy about three weeks thing the matter with the youngster is that he’s hungry. Is there anyone who can offer assistance ?”’ There was—Mrs. Lloyd Menard, mother of a three-weeks old baby. She took the child and attended to his immediate comfort, changing his clothing and feeding him. On the baby was pinned a note reading: “Baby Richard. Please take him to a Catholic orphanage. I’m so very sorry.” The wailing of the baby in the ladies’ lounge attracted the attention of Violet Browning, theatre matron. She turned him over to Geraldine Dougherty, an _ usherette, and called Mr. Brown. Examination of the _ clothing failed to reveal any identifying marks. A description of the young woman believed to be the mother of the child is in the hands of the police. The incident received much publicity in Windsor and other cities and Bob Brown is getting a royal kidding about it. Red Cross Film Ready for Release The much-heralded Red Cross film, ‘‘There, Too, Go I,’”’ for which a special film committee was formed, will be released on April 30th. It was screened the other day for leading distributors and exhibitors who were pleased with the picture. Col. R. S. McLaughlin of Oshawa, much interested in the progress of the film and its auspices, also watched its initial unveiling. Much of the picture was made in England and featured in it are Queen Elizabeth and the British star, Anna Neagle. Lt.Cooper Honored Lt.-Col. John A. Cooper, who is a member of the Central Council of the Canadian Red Cross Society, was honored at its recent Ottawa meeting with election to the National Executive Committee of the organization. Lt.-Col. Cooper, identified with many war efforts activities, is head of the Motion Picture Distributors Association. e Theatre Opening Newest and probably last cinema ‘opening in Toronto was that of the Westend Theatre on Thursday evening, April 23rd. Located on “.avety: street, near Dundas, the < westend, formerly known. as the Spfeston has been dark for ten years. ‘ A 600-seater, theWestend is owned by Principal Investments. Page 3 Square Jammed Session The musty Victoria Theatre, long the stronghold of vaudeville and legit and in recent years quiet but for an occasional overnight occupant, was the scene of something last week-end that must have sent the shades of its old-time idols into a snake dance. Movie house managers from nearby came over to gape at a picture out of the Victoria’s past—a packed house, clogged lobby and a lineup. And at $2.40 tops. What caused this flashback of the living theatre in action was the visit of a pint-sized performer and occasional film star, Miss Molly Picon, in a Yiddish musical comedy. Brought to Toronto by Impressario Joe Eisenberg, Miss Picon and her company pulled them in from town and country. For two evening performances the house scarce had one of its 1928 seats unfilled. Even the matinee did powerful business. Ferg Martin and his staff from Famous Players had the time of their lives keeping the crowds moving smoothly. a The pert Picon’s visit even caused revivals of her films in the Corned Beef Belt. The most expensive seat in the house cost its occupant $121.20. He had his pocket picked for all but $1.20 of that amount. Maybe there’s something in this thing called “flesh” to bolster gasping movie boxofifices. Hollywood Prayer Under the above title I have received an interesting parody. The author prefers to remain anonymous but the piece is too good! to share his silence: Our fathers who are in California Hollywood be thy name Thy cinemas come Thy stills be dumb in Los Angeles as in New Haven Give us this day our daily newsreel And forgive us our censorship As we forgive those who show double features before us. Lead us not into musical comedies But deliver us from wild westerns For thine is the King Kong, the Powells, and the Gloria Swansons For ever and ever, ah me! Home Sweet Home Here’s how to avoid insurance, annuities, social security, pensions and all schemes designed to protect your old age—get a job at the Imperial. You’ll pass gracefully through youth and middle age in the company of other congenial old-timers in Mr. Tom Daley’s gigantic and plush grotto. Some of the lads are serving life. Mr. Daley’s mob of stalwarts have served a total of 290 years. Why, Daley is just a Johnny-come-lately, having served a mere 19 years with Famous Players. Tommy Marsden takes down the ribbon for sticking around the longest—26 years. Archie Prentice has been stage manager for 23 years and George Robinson has been on the staff for 22. Les Liscome, building superintendent, has been checking up for 21 years; Al Massey projectionist, has been unreeling for the firm a matter of 20 years—well, you get the idea. The girls and boys, it seems, take one look at the Imperial and sing out: “Home at last!” Takeups Marjorie Foley of Paramount became Mrs. Nat Keeney and moved to Waterbury, Conn. The boys and girls of head office gave Marj a chest of flatware as a giveaway for her getaway... Edgar Selwyn, famed producer from Toronto, is gravely ill... The bangup finish of the Leafs to capture the Stanley Cup cost Ben Ulster a pretty penny. The Leafs had lost three in a row and Ben gave his managers, Morrie Sasloff of the Ace and Alex Eckler of the Broadway, 10 to 1 that they would blow the series! ———— aaa nneEEEEEEE EEE EEEREEEREEEEOnenenmmnneniemented a Army Film Loop Grows (Continued from Page 1) more than when the last figure was taken. Since December the programs per week have risen from 383 to 425. These figures are just part of the growing demand, since there are 400 army camps in the nation, many of which are not yet showing pictures. The committee is working hard to get more prints of product. Originally such product was two years behind commercial showings. This period was reduced to one year and is now generally nine months. Within the next month United Artists intends bringing in some 16 mm. prints of its product. The figures do not include Newfoundland. The four service organizations who co-operate with the distributors to see that the army is well supplied with film entertainment are the Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the YMCA. Films for service entertainment are being made in the USA on a larger scale now, the result of that country’s entry into the war. Before that keeping Canadian camps supplied was considerable of a problem, though the studios were ‘co-operative. Mr. N. L. Nathanson, who is honorary chairman of the committee, made several trips to New York to acquaint executives with the committee’s needs. Royce Robbed The Royce Theatre, a Premier house, was robbed last week—the fourth time in six months. The receipts were not handy so the thieves removed a small radio. Irving Fields is manager. ee ees eee ee We Have Several Thousand Used and Reconditioned All Types THEATRE CHAIRS FOR SALE —At Bargain Prices— Our reconditioned chairs look as new and fine enough for any theatre anywhere. SPECIAL 1820 V. Fine full dd 7 = phe m4 ully padded velour: seats poesia tn acta ese ls, Have large stocks of used chairs in Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Vancouver. 5,000 yds. new British carpet just arrived. WRITE FOR FULL PARTICULARS La Salle Recreations Ltd. (Theatre Seating Division) 945 Granville Street Vancouver, B.C, ten | theatre