Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 8, 1942)

Page 6 Warners to Film Davies Book Robert Buckner will be the producer on “Mission to Moscow,” to be filmed by Warner Bros. from the best-seller and private papers of former U. S. Ambassador to Russia Joseph E. Davies. Buckner returned to the coast over the week-end following conclusion of arrangements between Ambassador Davies and H. M. Warner for the screen rights to the timely material. = xp ak Robert Cummings will play the male lead in ‘‘Princess O’Rourke,” the picture that will mark the debut on the Warner Bros. lot of Norman Krasna as writer and director. This will be the second time within a year that Warners has borrowed Cummings from Universal, the previous occasion having been for “Kings Row.” Also announced for the cast of “Princess O’Rourke’’ is Charles Coburn. It will be his fifth picture in succession at Warners, the others having been “Kings Row,” ‘In This Our Life,’ “The Constant Nymph” and “George Washington Slept Here.” * ad x Capt. Hewitt T. Wheless, Flying Fortress pilot whose heroism was lauded by President Roosevelt in a nation-wide radio address, will portray himself in an Army Air Force film, ‘Beyond the Line of Duty.” It will be directed by Lew Seiler. The production will be filmel at Randolph Field, Texas, and will depict the fliers’ military life from the time he received his training at that field through the exploit which won him the President’s commendation. "Flying Fortress’ Big in London For the first time in their history, the Warner Theatre and the Empire, MGM’s show house, not only shared the world premiere of a picture, but are presenting a simultaneous run of “The Flying Fortress,’ produced by Warner Bros. on this side. The deal, arranged by Max Wilder of Warners and Sam Eckman of MGM has had the trade buzzing for the past week, following the dual opening. The Warner and Empire stand almost side by side on Leicester Square and have always been the two keenest competitors in the! West End. “Flying Fortress,” coming along right on top of the 1,000-bomber raids over Cologne and Essen, was considered too hot a picture for the Warner capacity alone, and the Empire was quick to suspend its regular policy in| order to take advantage of the occasion. xs sald Canadian FILM WEEKLY “ht / CONTRIBUTED BY CANADIAN SHOWMEN @ SL: FOR CANADIAN SHOWMEN 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. ‘(Pets is how Harland Rankin of the Centre, Chatham, celebrated the first anniversary of the theatre’s opening: A local taxi company donated 15 free rides on the Anniversary Week to holders of lucky numbers on programs. A special welcome sign from the management was shown after each feature and special stage lighting effects were arranged for special appeal. Local bands were promoted for the opening of the feature each eveming. The bands consisted of the Sea Scouts Bugle Band, Chathara Kiltie Band, Second Kent Bugle Band, Military Band and Pipe Band, Boys’ Band. These paraded through the main street. The manager, Harland Rankin, and the assistant manager, Tom Early, welcoming the patrons in formal attire, wearing white coats, tuxedo trousers and patent leather shoes. On Wednesday night, which is the regular stage night for the theatre, a local Hit & Run novelty show was produced which brought the house down. The cast consisting of local High School talent. A presentation was made to the management by the Mayor of Chatham, presenting the key of the city to Mr. Rankin and flowers to Miss Chatham and Miss Carron. A Centre Theatre Birthday Cake was sponsored each night by members of the Red Cross, who sold pieces at 10c. clearing in the neighborhood of $60.00. Each cake contained 6 passes to the Centre Theatre. The cakes were beautifully iced, carrying a candle for the 1st Anniversary. After the stage show Mayor Hubbell posed for many pictures in a frivolous mood dancing with Miss Chatham and also holding the girls on his knee. These pictures are to be sold at a premium with the monies to be turned over to the Red Cross. Our local radio station which broadcast the Mayor’s speech also made daily comments of the Centre Theatre Anniversary during their news broadcast. Special window cards were placed in the leading store windows and the Anniversary can be called quite successful. TJ ES VICARY of the Opera House, Orillia, held a mock election parade. Kiddies carried banners reading “Henry Aldrich for President.’ It sure must have been an all-out event, as Les is calling an encore for his enthusiastic patrons. * * * o {pe a little string around your finger,’”’ says Ralph Tiede, of the Century, Trenton. As each patron entered the theatre, an attendant handed him a small length of colored string. No explanation was given at the time, but just before the breaking of the show, Ralph asked his audience via the screen, ‘“‘Are you forgetful? If so, use the colored string you received on entering, tie it around your finger so that you won’t forget to see (feature).” a ae oe }LE2 COYLE of the Granada, St. Catharines, tells us that for “Blossoms in the Dust” he used small cards in every Beauty Shop in town and had better results than from any other form of advertising. * ae a OR “Two Yanks in Trinidad” a very timely firecracker motif was used throughout the campaign by Bob Brown, Vanity, Windsor. Newspaper ads carried exploding firecrackers with copy: “Hot as a firecracker—Explosive Action — Romantic Dynamite.” Heralds were delivered in firecracker form. ‘Three _ separate street ballys, with small boys carrying huge firecrackers, had “Two Yanks in Trinidad” fastened to the fuses and additional copy om their backs. These ballys paraded around the city in different directions. Two standee cutouts used in front, flags around the theatre, and Army Week decorations tying in with the picture helped to round out a very attractive campaign. m x Re Boe BEREZIN, Elgin, Ottawa, finds that by constantly plugging the cool atmosphere in his theatre he has boosted business considerably. For a triple laugh week, Bob featured the idea of a “Surprise Laugh Show” using three V’s for “Very Very Very Funny.” NEE eee eee... July 8th, 1942 RKO Magazine For Service Lads RKO Radioites now in the nation’s armed services are going to keep in touch with each other and with their former office associates through a new company house organ which made its debut last week. Called The Salute, the publication, which is a supplement to Flash, the regular house organ, is in two colors, size 5” x 7”, printed on magazine stock. Circulation is confined strictly within the RKO Radio Home Office, Studio, and branch offices, and to ex-RKO Radioites currently in the fighting forces. Jack Level is the editor. Magazine will have no regular publication date but will be issued as often as availability of material makes it practicable. * x * Walter Reed, young, dark and handsome leading man discovered a few months ago, has been assigned an important role with Pat O’Brien, Randolph Scott and Anne Shirley in “Bombardier.” Reed was picked from a group of unknown stock players recently for his first break in the not yet released “Army Surgeon.” This led to the romantic lead opposite Lupe Velez in the just completed “Mexican Spitfire’s Elephant.” A look at Reed in that film convinced Producer Robert Fellows and Director Richard Wallace that he was the logical candidate for the role of the young army flier in ‘““RBombardier,’’ which starts next month at RKO Radio studios. Disney Film to Show Air Victory Walt Disney, whose “Bambi” will soon be released by RKO Radio, has acquired the screen rights to Major Alexander P. de Seversky’s “Victory Through Air Power,” and will make it into a feature picture for exhibition sometime this fall. Every available artist in the studio not engaged on government pictures is already occupied with “Victory Through Air Power,” a premium volume of the Book of the Month Club. Disney, while not yet divulging his plans for treating this timely book, states that it will be dramatically entertaining at the same time that it faithfully illustrates de Seversky’s theory that the United States can and will master the Axis with an overwhelming air force. Long range bombers from American bases can wipe out Japan, de Seversky states, and in his screen treatment Disney will show how it will be done.