Canadian Film Weekly (May 6, 1942)

VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY Vol. 8, No. 19 TORONTO, MAY 6th,: 1942 $2.00 Per Annum Ottawa Coos at Film Industry Esquire Gets Soviet Product Esquire Films, under Archie Laurie, has acquired Cosmopolitan’s franchise on a term deal and will distribute Artkino’s product in Canada. Cosmopolitan, headed by Louis Coldoff and Herman Shawn, has handled the ‘Soviet product in the Dominion for many years. Shawn will act as Cosmopolitan representative at Esquire. The deal gives the Esquire organization, which recently established offices in the big Canadian cities, all films released up till now under Cosmopolitan auspices, as well as the new product. Currently showing and being (Continued on Page 3) Bootleg Movies A new kind of illegal business has arisen in conquered France, where Hollywood movies are barred. For something around $1.10, which is twice as much as the usual cinema fee, the devotee of American-made films can see one in a private building or small theatre. There seems to be loose sound equipment around, which is being put to use under the noses Of the Gestapo. ‘Swadron to Kingston Manny Swadron has taken the reins at the Tivoli, Kingston, a 20th Century house. Swadron separated himself from the Tivoli, Hamilton, a Famous Players unit, where he was assistant to the popular Jack Purves, manager. Reg Book with Vicary Reg Book has become house anager of the Geneva, Orillia, f ander Supervisor Les Vicary, who : eid that theatre and the Opera ouse for 20th Century Theatres. Book was formerly assistant manager of the Centre, London. ARTKINO OPENS The Secret of His Success There's a story around about the moneyed refugee who wanted to go into business and kept discussing the idea with an American friend. “People tell me to go into the silks substitute business,” he said. ‘'They say the stuff is going like hotcakes.” A week later he was back. ‘I think I'll go into the nut importing business. I hear they're going like hotcakes.” Another week passed before he returned. ‘Did you make up your mind?” the American friend asked. “Oh, I’m in business, all right, and doing well,” said the refugee. pains . “Which did you chose?” asked the friend. F : “Neither,” was the reply. “I’m selling hotcakes!” Breather Used at "King's Row’ Showing The Regent, Sudbury, playing Warners’ “King’s Row,”’ offers the patrons an intermission in the middle of the film. The ads explain that it’s catch their breath for the terrific last half of the smashing finish.” The audience was satisfied with the breather. Fox's ‘Moon’ Twentieth Century-Fox has acquired screen rights to John Steinbeck’s Broadway hit, Moon‘is Down,’ for $300,000. Six studios bid for it. : Appreciation of War Effort Grows at Dominion Capital 1 Ottawa is growing increasingly sweet on the Canadian cinema industry. This is the newest observation of many high-ranking film executives who have been round-tripping between their offices and the capital city since the war began. SS “to allow audiences to “The, Peculiarly enough, it was the vastheartedness and superabundant zeal of the industry and its people from the beginning days of the war which caused it to receive only minor expressions of appreciation. Its efforts were taken for granted—and drew only an occasional official nod from Hoa. J. L. Isley. Assured of the industry’s co-operation, officials turned to matters which required more attention. With the war several years old, it becomes possible to note obvious comparisons over a period of time. This caused it to dawn on many officials that the industry’s great contribution had been almost completely on a voluntary basis. A (Continued on Page 3) Thirteen Houses Otf AF of M Ban When the American Federation of Musicians ended their 30-year agreement with IATSE in April 182 theatres in Canada and the United States were removed from the AF of M’s blacklist. Fourteen theatres lifted from the list of houses banned to union musicians are in Canada. -The~ following houses are now okay for AF of M men: ; Lyric, Hamilton, Ont. Granada, Hamilton; Ont. Imperial, Montreal, Que. Princess, Montreal; Que. Palace, Montreal, Que. (Continued on Page 2) Meyers in RCAF Reg Meyers, assistant manager of the Grand, Sudbury, has joined the RCAF and will be replaced by Louis Simons. Bill Cupples is the manager. Famous Beats Para’s Bowlers Last Game Rally Does the Trick In a special post-season bowling match last week a Famous Players’ quorum of mixed quints hauled a like collection from Paramount into the old encampment. The FP pulverizers whisked the win out of Para’s closing claws with a Jast-game rally. The Bond street boys and beauts hopped into the finale with 82 to the good and limped out 15 to the bad—1176 to 1191. Both teams were somewhat under seasonal form. Neil Troy, who whacks the wooden decanters with vast vigor, | sparked Famous, along with Syl Gunn. For Paramount Alma Wilson -gave the last-set of rubber girdles in town a fancy whacking but it didn’t help. Thelma Golden’s customary gilister was dim med—but comes this time o’ year and Thelma, famed softhall heaver, must have a sphere she can dig her fingers into. Tom McKee, usually a solid scorer, got more bad breaks than a broken windshield. Sundry partisans of both crews, among them Del Goodman, Jimmy Cameron and Hugh Burns, watched and gave out altemate sounds of glee and dismay. Especially Hugh, who was caught between conflicting loyalties. He wagered against his home team, Paramount, but cheered for them—most of the time. Though he left before the decision he took no chances on making: a profit on Paramount’s misfortune. This he did by awarding Coca Cola bonuses to timely strikers. Another year, another chance. In line with the boxoffice boom on Soviet screen fare Artkino is opening an office in Hollywood. The idea is to promote American versions of Russ features, the first being N. Napoli has arrived and is doing the negotiating. HOLLYWOOD OFFICE “Girl from Leningrad.”