Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 6, 1943)

Page 2 Canadian FILM WEEKLY January 6, 1948 — mes) Booze Cut Will Boost Boxoftice (Continued from Page 1.) ~f AAO Wee LN Vol. 9, No. 2 : NG Beka! [KREE RS SVE HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 21 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., Sth Floor, Zi Dundas Square, Terento, Ont., Canada. Phone ADelaide 4310. Price S cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter A Good Citizen Though the motion picture theatre has now become inseparable from the war effort of every community, the true relationship of the theatre to the people of each island of human habitation is best expressed in their regard for those who personalize the industry for them—the theatre manager. The theatre manager has taken his place with the permanent and important people of the community, such as the leading public servants. The legislator, the minister and the theatre manager are the leaders in all public endeavor. Many theatre managers are now deeply rooted in the places which they serve and these have won us the affections of the citizens. This is the 25th year of service for Pat Drohan, manager of the Capitol, Chatham, Ontario, and the wave of congratulations is the surest sign of the popularity of himself and the industry he represenis. Of Pat the Chatham Daily News wrote: Entertainment, relaxation, amusement and recuperation are necessary features in an enjoyable and successful life. The man who caters successfully to this side of human nature is performing 2 service to humanity which is beyond measuring. Hoe is a public benefactor who may not always receive proper recognition in keeping with the important role he performs in a community; but the merchants of Chatham and citizens generally join today in extending congratulations to 2 man who has been performing this duty in Chatham for over 24 years. That man is A. P. (Pat) Drohan, Manager of the Capitol Send It In! Generous donations are pouring in every day to the local chairmen and to the general chairman of the Motion Picture Committee of the Canadian Aid to Russia Fund. Offers to book the eight-minute Russian reel, “Children ‘at War,” which Esquire is distributing, are many. The rentals of this short go directly to the Aid to Russia Fund, as do your donations. Artkino, New York, donated the short and Associated Screen News is making the prints gratis. The main question, however, is: “Have you done your share yet?” Don’t lag behind the others, thinking that they will be so generous that your contribution isn’t important. Every last dollar is important. The Russian people require food and clothing so that it will not be devitalized physically and mentally. It must retain its energy to keep alive the will to win. It needs its strength to continue civilian support of Russia’s brave soldiers, who are guarding your door tonight. Without Russia’s destructive and demoralizing effect on the Nazi war machine, that machine might today be ravaging our own countryside. Show your awareness of Russia’s help to us by helping them. Send your cheque, made out to the “Aid to Russia Fund,” to your local chairman or to the general chairman, Herb Allen, at 21 Dundas Square, Toronto. Remember, the industry is paying the costs of its own campaign and the total amount of your subscription goes to the fund. laws on the boxoffice, the American Business Men's’ Research Foundation, a Prohibition organization supported by leading business men and recipient of a Carnegie Foundation grant, reveals that during Prohibition in the United States the average attendance of movie theatres rose to 100,000,000 weekly admissions. In 10 years time, covering the repeal period, admissions dropped 45 per cent to 55,000,000. Wartime prosperity has caused admissions to increase in number again. Figures such as the above are not available for Canada but there is no doubt that the cause and effect have a mative application also. So important did the Prime Minister consider the problem that he took a special broadcast to inform the people of the reasons for the restrictions. He made special reference to the loss of man-hours to the war effort and to the dangers of intemperance by soldiers. The sale of spirits in Canada, he revealed, has increased 3742 per cent since the outbreak of war. The American Business Men's Research Foundation has carried on a continued attack against drinking scenes in the movies. It has distributed literature on the subject far and wide, sought press support and invited all reached to write to Will Hays condemning inclusion of drinking scenes. Between WNov., 1941, and April 1, 1942, it conducted a survey, on the subject. The survey, the Foundation claims, showed that in 84 out of 1i4 pictures some 250 drinking scenes were shown, with but 16 offering disapproval of the habit. In the others the results of imbibing were shown to be pleasant— or the characters were not affected at all. Other pictures made favorable references. One of the main points of attack is that movie drinking has a tremendous effect on the future habits of the young. In pointing out that the drinking habit affects the boxoffice, Charles R. Jones, executive vicepresident of the Foundation, said, “This ability to get your competi tor to advertise your product and not even pay for it is the very peak of advertising smartness.” The present situation brings back the opposition of the late Carl Laemmle, then president of Universal, to the return of the saloon in the United States. In 1932 Laemmle, in connection with the 27th anniversary of Universal, came out flat against complete repeal three months before Pro hibition was removed. Pointing © out that he was speaking from a straight business standpoint, he condemned the inclusion of drinking scenes as clever liquor propaganda, asked that they be deleted and instead trailers be made to combat the return of the saloon. If the United States . should emulate Canada in its treatment of the liquor industry, as it has in many things pertaining to the war, the task of the theatre in wartime will have an even greater importance. Dames Make News. This is the staff of the Cartier Theatre, Montreal—an added attraction to the patrons. Miss L. Levasseur is captain of the girls. George R. Watkin is the manager and C. E. Grenier the assistant manager. joined up. The girls have replaced the boys who