Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 10, 1942)

Juno 10th, 1942 Champ Juke Girl’ Is lreton'ss Idea The contest beauties have a new sister, the “Juke Girl’—and just when it looked as though the charming exhibitionists of various sorts had faded out the public fancy. On June 3rd a number of the phonograph fiends lined up en the open stage of Toronto’s Sunnyside Park for weeding and selection. It remained for Glenn Ireton, Vitagraph’s vigorous hired booster, to come up with the contest idea —in advance of local bookings of “Juke Girl,” which features Ann Sheridan, Ronald Reagan, Richard Whorf and George Tobias. Listed to do the public appraising were Roly Young, Helen Allen Rai Purdy, Monica Mugan, Ray Lewis, Hye Bossin, Eddie Guest, Jim Cameron and pappy Ireton himself. Ireton hooked up with Ontario Amusement Machine Association, the juke box boys, for this one. Toronto winner gets a free trip to Montreal in time to help select a local copy on the stage of the Capitol Theatre, said local copy being booned with a trip to Quebec City. The Vitagraph exploiteer: got space from the screen scribes for the contest by admitting brazenly in his press release that ‘‘it’s all a press agent’s brainstorm to popularize the title of Warner Bros. latest starring vehicle for Ann Sheridan, entitled ‘Juke Girl’.” The boys and girls dropped their guards in surprise. Norine McLaughlin, a beautiful redhead, was the winner. She tied with Billie Hallam, the ex Miss Torento for the judge’s choice and the audience gave her the decision. Plenty of press space and photos resulted. Ottawa Bow for "Birth of a Baby’ Pioneer Films’ long-awaited social picture, “Birth of a Baby,” gets its Canadian premiere in Ottawa tonight. Various Dominion health councils and Officials have given the picture their wholehearted sponsorship. The film, which bows in at the Regent, Ottawa, a Famous House, was made by the Maternal Welfare Committee of the United States. John Barrymore Buried in LA John Barrymore, famous star of stage and screen, who died last week. was buried with a brief, simple Roman Catholic ceremony in the Mausoleum of Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles. One hundred invited guests were present. Canadian FILM WEEKLY a These are the days when we are on the most intimate terms in our history with the cousins across the line. Adversity has made them our allies as well. The motion picture has had much to do with eliminating any modern mental barriers between us. Canadian and American film men, socially and on business, have long forgotten about the border as a dividing line. A mere straw indicates the wind and small things are the greatest evidence of our friendship. It is with these thoughts that we lead into a tale about a chunk of expensive alloy molded into a symbol of personal and international affection. This symbol is a loving-cup, tall and elegant; a fine example of the trophysmith’s craft. On it are two crests, one draped with the Union Jack, the other with the Star-Spangled Banner. Below them, in raised lettering, is this unique dedication: PRESENTED BY THE BOYS AS A YULETIDE OFFERING to the KING AND QUEEN In loving memory of a pleasant trip to WINDSOR CASTLE Christmas, 1910 Then follows a list of donors. Such informality in dealing with the throne is interestarousing. The custodians of the trophy couldn’t explain it. But investigation turned up an unusual story A Man and His Friends Back of the ornamented vessel was a man who strode lustily across the Toronto scene some thirty-five years ago. He was John D. Bingham. A versatile man interested in boating, photography and music, his friends were recruited from the arts, lively and otherwise, on both sides of the border. This we learned from Isidore Witmark, the famous music publisher, now retired, whose name was one of those on the trophy. A fine host, Mr. Bingham’s lodge at Dorsett, Ontario, was the rendezvous of a gay and talented crowd. It was known as “Windsor Castle.” After a Christmas party the appreciative zanies honored host and hostess witk the loving-cup, on it dubbing them “King and Queen.” It is said that Mr. Bingham, with a grandiloquent gesture and a twinkle in his eye, sent it to Buckingham Palace. It was rejected as a gift. \A Tale of Love Charles D. Bingham and Isidore Witmark were close friends. Many of the American guests were sponsored by Witmark. Now retired, several years ago Witmark issued an autobiographical book, “From Ragtime to Swingtime,” whick is a history of the popular song in America. In it he referred to the days of the Binghams. To us he wrote that his fondest memories of the past are of ‘Windsor Castle’.” News of the loving-cup, his letter said, “brought back happy and sad memories. I say sad because most of the fellows on that ‘trip are not with us any more. ‘King Bingham was a grand man and so was his queen. It was at his place that yours humbly was first stricken with romance. And the lady became Mrs. Witmark. Unfortunately, she passed away some years ago. “Part of our honeymoon was spent at ‘Windsor Castle’.” This Relic of Happy Hours... Where the loving-cup has been since Mr. Bingham’s passing sO many years ago is a mystery. So are its present whereabouts. When last—and first—we saw this relic of happy hours it had fallen on bad days. It rested on a bailiff’s shelf—seized for somebody’s room rent! pI A Token of Esteem Page 7 Green, Director Joins Columbia Alfred FE. Green, well-known Hollywood director, has been placed under long term contract by Columbia, and will report on June 1, for his initial assignment. Green recently completed the studio’s “Meet The Stewarts,” which, with William Holden and Frances Dee headlined, will be released this month. oS * ce Jack Shay, Ed Laughton, George Neise and Byron Shores joined the cast of ‘He’s My Old Man,” Columbia’s father and son aviation drama, now in work under the direction of Sidney Salkow. Pat O’Brien stars in the senior role, with Glen Ford as his son, and Evelyn Keyes in the feminine lead. Young Douglas Croft portrays Glenn Ford as a boy. * * * of the eight young housewives who will play important parts in “Blondie For Victory,” latest of this popular series of comedies based on Chic Young’s daily cartoon strip, were signed yesterday. The additions are Helen Dickson, Bessie Wade, Lorna Dunn, Minta Durfee, Ruth Cherrington and Volta Boyer. Jean Inmess and Edyth Elliott were previously assigned to similar roles. All the old “Blondie” favorites are again seen in the lineup for “‘Blondie For Victory,” including Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, Danny Mummert, Jonathan Hall and Daisy the dog. Frank Six Strayer, who directed all the previous “Blondies,” is at the megaphone. Aussie Public Against Sunday Shows A recent poll by the Australian Institute of Public Opinion showed that 71 per cent were against the opening of theatres on Sunday. Eight per cent voted yes, while the rest were undecided. American soldiers raised such protests against the lack of Sunday shows, a fixture in the USA, that Melbourne and Sydney now allow one theatre to open Sunday night for soldiers and their girl friends. Selznick to Make Dressler Life Story Marie Dressler, the late beloved Canadian-born star who died some years ago, will be immortalized by David O. Selznick. Though a shooting script is ready, production will not begin for a while. Selznick distributes through | United Artists. — ee OOO