Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 10, 1942)

June 10th, 1942 RANK REID, of the Park, Chatham, has a program made up with his complete June attractions. These are handed out to patrons when leaving the theatre. They are also distributed through a cafe close by. The cafe owners, by the way, pay half the printing » /costs. aft bd AX all out effort by Steve Mc Manus of the Bayview, Toronto, is tied up with a druggist in the district—running a Baby’s Photograph Contest for the month of June. Steve has his program for the month printed on a folder type card, on the back of which he asks the mother of every baby to enter her young hopeful’s picture. Each week two photographs are posted in the lobby of the theatre. Upon declaration of identification to the theatre manager, the mother or father of the child will receive a prize donated by the druggist in question, who sends out personal letters enclosing a program of Bayview Theatre Hits for the month of June. Wilcox Ready For four Producer Herbert Wilcox is in Toronto for rehearsals of the special Canadian tour, for the benefit \ of the Air Marshal Fund for the RCAF. Mr. Wilcox announced the complete cast of distinguished players who will donate their services in performances throughout Canadian cities of a two and a half hour show featuring Noel Coward’s “Still Life,’ Monckton Hoffe’s short play “The Lady Who Wishes To Be Known as Madame,” and a forty minute musical divertissement. The cast of players, who will join Mr. Wilcox include: Anna Neagle, C. Aubrey Smith, Colin Keith-Johnson, Lady Hardwicke, Robert Coote, Richard Gaines, Victor Carrel, Moyna McGill and David Tihmar. The tour opens at Toronto on the 15th at the Victoria Theatre, and plays at the Capital Theatre, Ottawa on the 17th, and at His Majesty’s Theatre, Montreal, on the 19th. The company will play at Winnipeg on June 23rd, Regina on the 25th, Edmonton on the 27th, Calgary on the 29th, Vancouver on July 2nd, Victoria on July 4th. The orchestra of 60 and the y stage company of 400 will be drawn from the RCAF, the Northwest Mounted Police, the Army, Navy and Women’s Air Service. Famous Players of Canada have donated their theatres, staff and lighting to the tour, the playwrights their plays, and Mr. Wilsox his services. ==, oe ay Ww. g Canadian FILM WEEKLY CONTRIBUTED BY CANADIAN SHOWMEN FOR CANADIAN SHOWMEN y | Contributions to this column will be greatly appreciated from any member of the motion picture industry, from coast to coast, whether he has chain affiliations or is strictly independent. Address all letters to “What Did You Do?” c/o Film Weekly 21 Dundas Sq., Toronto, Ont. OR ‘South American George” Bob Brown of the Vanity, Windsor, had a street bally. This was carried on at the busy intersections, at the busy hours and consisted of an accordian player, a tap dancer, a tango dancer and a singer, all dressed in Argentine costumes. It caused a great deal of interest and brought many snappy comments. * * * N “Volga Volga’ Stewart Gil lespie, of the Marks, Oshawa, did some advance work with the Russian population. He dug up a Russian typewriter and had a very inviting letter written in Russian and sent out to the Russian section of the town. This letter read as follows. ‘‘To The Russian People of Oshawa I, as the manager of the Marks Theatre, take pride in announcing to my Russian friends a picture of great interest, the title of which is “Volga Volga.” It is scheduled to appear here Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It is a prize winning Soviet musical comedy, filmed on the banks of the Volga and on the waterfront of Moscow. It stars Orlova, captivating Russian film actress and features many of Russia’s greatest musicians and choral groups. This picture is one of the few photographed in Russia at war and was convoyed to Canada with great difficulty. The presentation of this film affords a great oportunity to Oshawa Russians to view the achievements of their native Russia and I regard it as a pleasure to be able to bring it to you. I hope you will all avail yourselves of this opportunity and come out for a very enjoyable time!” MEL STEPHENS, of the Granada, Dunnville, had an advance campaign on “No Greater Sin.” He had one-sheets, window cards and heralds all through the district. He also contacted a great many Doctors, Clergy, Military Officials etc. and sent invitations to these for a preview of the picture. He also had cards 8 x 12 put in every public rest room. These read ‘You owe it to yourself, you owe it to yourself, you owe it to your family to see ‘No Greater Sin’.” x * m ON the Charlie Chaplin festival, Charles Smith, of the Royal Theatre, North Bay, had heralds delivered to the homes, schools, and the people on the streets. He had spotlights focused on a gaily colored marquee. This was visible from quite a distance and attracted much attention. = * * RNIE WARREN, of the Mid town, Toronto, put out a substantial campaign on “Jungle Book.” The marquee was dressed with a cut-out 24 sheet, which was stretched acros the front. It was very colorful by day and very effective by night, as it was illuminated with 150 watt projector spots, tied into the regular flashing border. The usherettes wore “Kepis” with the title ‘Jungle Book”’ stencilled on in flitter. This was used two weeks in advance and Neon stage letters were used at the same time. A particularly effective standee cutout was used four weeks in advance and in front of the theatre currently. This was made up of 20 stills and cut out lettering. Special one sheets were | used, also large sized heralds plugging the ‘‘Mysteries of India.” These were delivered free inserted in Liberty Magazine. They also came through with a snappy plug on their Saturday morning radio program and bulletinized all members of their Victory Club, totalling over 500. Readers, scene cuts etc. were gratis. Bed EpOMaGy MASCARO, of the Capitol Theatre, Belleville, map = a Page 5 @ r= the George Formby picture, “On The Beat,’ Max Philips, of the Regent, Sudbury, promoted samples of wallpaper and had trick heralds made up and sold on the angle, ‘“‘We’re tearing the paper off the walls—crowds to see Formby etc!” = RANK MILEY, Jr., of the Granada, Napanee, got a front page notice on the Grand Victory Legion to the effect that the children in four weeks had collected over four tons of scrap for the IODE. td * ad a * OR “Sailors On Leave” Ralph Teide, of the Century, Trenton, built up interest by a display out front, announcing that the first ten sailors on leave (in uniform) would be admitted free of charge to witness same. Writes he: “I didn’t know so many Air Force boys wanted to be sailors.” Film Folk Lead In Big Wages Motion picture stars and producers led the nation’s money-earners again in 1941, according to reports filed with the American Securities and Exchange Commission. L. B. Mayer, managing director of Loew’s Inc., whose 1941 earning were listed at $704,426, had the highest income. The highest paid movie star, Clark Gable, was in second place with earnings of $357,500 from Metro-Goldwn-Mayer. Third was Nicholas M. Schenck, president and director of Loew’s, with $334,204. On the basis of filings revealed thus far, the following film folk were among the biggest moneyearners: L. B. Mayer, managing director, Loew’s, Inc., $704,428. Clark Gable, M-G-M actor, $357,500. Nicholas M. Schenck, president and director, Loew's, $334,204. Darryl F. Zanuck, president, ped out a campaign for “On The 20th Century-Fox Film Corpora Sunny Side’’ which included various window tie-ups with restaurants, sporting goods stores, boys wear, etc. Also a throwaway sheet listing all stores tying in on this deal. These were spotted prominently in all business’ establishments, street cars and private homes. Max also had a lobby set piece made up, plugging the children’s matinee, admission for 3-10’ records. Large 5’ dummy record was set behind, powered by motor, copy plugging both Formby’s latest recording and Charlie Chaplin’s latest picture, as the “Laughter Cue for ’42.” tion, $260,000. Charles Boyer, French movie star, $220,833. Ginger Rogers, actress, 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation, $215,000. Mayer’s earnings showed an increase over his 1940 figure, which was $697,048. Others who topped the $200,000 mark for 1941 included Universal Pictures’ Deanna Durbin with $203,166, and Bing Crosby, whose mark for 1941 included Universal Pictures in 1940 but was not listed by that company for 1941. Decca records reported his earnings were at $100,640.