Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 9, 1942)

Vol. 8, No. 50 Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., Sth Floor, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Phono ADelaide 4310. Price S cents each or $2.00 Ode ear oe They’re Off? ' That was quite a session Ontario exhibs from all points held at the King Edward Hotel. Toronto. to float the new Motion Picture Theatre Owners Association of Ontario. The flicker-hawkers confessed to being auite sick of all the jawing between fractions, factions. sections and whathave-you every time anything comes up. They want a solid and sane setup that will iron out our washing within the trade, instead of name-calling, finger-pointing, facemaking, cop-calling, etc. And they‘re determined to get it. This is a grownup industry and childish conduct in such times as these is the worst picture it ever offered to the public. Turning away hasn’t helped. It must be worked out—and it will.. The roster of directors contains some of the finest theatre men in Canada. If they can’t work out a harmonious program, no one can. But they need your support. They deserve that support. See that they get it. See that we have “A United Front for the Industry,” which is what everyone in the trade is calling for. Make Sure of This In view of the recent convictions in Ontario for aisle congestion, theatre owners would be well-advised to restudy the regulations and attend to anything which has been overlooked. Court action shouldn’t be necessary to help make regulations work. There are a number of things which require regular watching and others that should have been looked after a long time ago in many cases. One Toronto manager was fined in police court the other week in spite of having but a handful of people waiting. He was convicted because he overlooked an important regulation, that which requires that a plan indicating standing areas be placed with the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection branch of Ontario. This regulation reads: “In every theatre all aisles, approaches, passageways, emergency exits and stairways, shall be kept free and unobstructed and the public shall not be permitted to stand in any aisle or approach thereto, except in designated areas, a plan of which has been approved by the inspector and such plan has been properly displayed in the manager's office, for inspection by proper officials.” Such a plan is required in triplicate and must be drawn by a registered architect at a scale of not less than oneeighth of an inch to one foot, and submitted to the inspector for approval. ~The Boston Tragedy The tragedy of the Boston fire, which took the lives of so many persons. was a sad shock to many Canadian motion picture people. Members of every studio and exchange were present at the time the fire broke out and many who lost their lives were well known in Canada. Oscar Hanson, who holds the Monogram franchise in Canada, Haskell Masters and others were hard hit by the news, for a number of old friends perished in the fire. The tragedy reached into the hearts of people everywhere and their grief was deepened by personal relationship. Some of the dead and injured had been our guests not so very long ago. : Monogram was giving a party in honor of Buck Jones, who was ending a good-will tour in Boston. It was truly his last stop. Canadian FILM WEEKLY | New Exhibit Body Dec. 9, 1942 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Gets Big Start (Continued from Page 1) H. Friedman, Circle Theatre, Toronto; Ben Geldsaler, Famous Players; J. Garbarino, Odeon Theatre, Toronto; Haskell M. Masters, Odeon Theatres; M. A. Milligan, Delta, Empire and Queen theatres, Hamilton; N. A: Taylor, 20th Century Theatres; and Eddie Warren, Royal Theatre, Aurora. Exhibitors came from many points in Ontario to participate. The balloting method prevents any individual, regardless of the number of theatres represented by him, from having undue power or influence. ‘Though there is a per theatre fee, the ‘voting right is restricted to owners, partners or representatives, each having one vote. Almost 300 theatres are represented. Ray Lewis, editor of the Canadian Moving Picture Digest; Hye Bossin, editor of the Canadian Film Weekly; and Bill Gladish, Toronto representative of Boxoffice, acted as scrutineers. Taylor, in his opening remarks, explained the origin of the new body. The predecessor of the new all-embracing exhibitors’ organization, was the Independent Theatres Association, he said. The latter body was organized in 1935 to meet the needs of that time. When events caused the ITA to outlive its usefulness and factional strife decreased, the Ontario Motion Picture Theatres Association was formed to succeed it and deal with the new developments in the industry, which are largely governmental. H. Freedman, chairman of the organization committee, made a report. “Because of the enthusiasm of exhibitors and the committee, we were able to accomplish all this in four weeks,” he said. ‘“‘We worked harmoniously all the way and now we’re handing it over to you to carry on.” Syd Taube, permanent secretary, told the meeting of the wide interest in Ontario and pointed out the difficulties ‘of other years. “The government has always turned to the large operators for advice. Through such an organization as this the little man can have as great a say.” A number of similar organizations are highly successful in other parts of Canada. In Quebec, he said, Eugene Beaulac, secretary of the Quebec Allied, had told him, “We don’t care what kind of a theatre owner a man is. We lock them all in the same room and the results have proved fine.” Big Rubber Haul Royal, North Bay, pulled in 5040 pounds of rubber with its Rubber Matinee. Manager Scandrett worked with the IODE. December 9, 1942 Pix Pioneers In Getogether: (Coatinued froma Page 1) was sponsored and originated by the Pioneers, who, as a chartered organization, were permitted by the government to establish a committee of that nature. The Pioneers reappointed officials and elected. the board of directors. J. J. Fitzgibbons, chief of public relations for the war effort committee; George Beeston, auditor; and Dave Ongley, solicitor, retained their posts. The elected board of directors is made up of Clair Hague, Oscar Hanson, Charlie Mavety, Sam Sternberg, Archie Laurie, Alf Perry, Sam Fine, Walter Kennedy, Syd Taube, Ray Lewis and Harry Alexander. Beeston and Ongley also serve. Sternberg, Perry and Kennedy are the new directors. The board will meet this week to elect officers. Highlight of the dinner and fun session which followed the meeting was the gift to J. J. Fitzgibbons of a painting by the late Joshua Smith, famed Canadian painter, by Ray Lewis for the Pioneers. In the absence of Mr. Fitzgibbons, Ray Lewis, after being introduced by J. Earl Lawson, who acted as toastmaster, spoke glowingly of Mr. Fitzgibbons’ work for the Pioneers and the war effort, then placed the painting, “Portrait of an English Girl,’ in the hands of Rube Bolstad of Famous Players, who received it for the honored one. It was a highly sentimental event, since the painting was the work of Ray Lewis’ late husband and, as she pointed out, only the highest admiration could cause her to part with something she cherished so much. Rube Bolstad thanked Ray in a manner that warmed.the heart of all present, ending his remarks. by doing, as he explained, what he thought Mr. Fitzgibbons would have done —kissing her. Several hours of amusement, provided by the members, was topped off with an interesting lecture by Dr. Jocelyn Rogers of the University of Toronto, whose application of engineering and chemical knowledge to the solution of crime has made him famous in that field. Wires were read from J. J. Fitzgibbons and Jack Cohn of Columbia. Mr. Lawson announced that Ray Lewis, secretary, and Oscar Hanson, president, would be given presents for their fine work. Royce Helps Russia Manager Irving Fields of the Royce, Toronto, has announced that he will give 10 per cent of the gross of “Moscow Strikes Back,” playing there this week, to Russian Aid.