Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 14, 1943)

VOICE. of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE A a INDUSTRY Vol. 8, No. 16 TORONTO, APRIL 14, 1943 $2.00 Per Annum Nova Scotia Admissions Zoom Ticket Sales Have Doubled Since Beginning of War Paid admissions to Nova Scotia theatres last year were increased over the year before by 2,378,654, it was disclosed by the annual report of the Nova Scotia Board of Censors. The total of paid admissions during the fiscal year just ended ——————— Will Try Four Midweek 12.05s Permission to hold four Wednesday midnight shows for war workers whose hours interfere with showgoing at the usual time was granted last week by R. C. McMullen, director of the ‘Theatre and Film Section of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. The pro (Continued on Page 4) Theatre Men Hit Alaskan Trail Everett C. Ethridge, for 14 years assistant manager of the Capitol, Edmonton, under Walter P. Wilson, has been given leave of absence by Famous Players to engage in theatre management for the USA services along the Alaska Highway. He is now at Dawson (Continued on Page 2) MGM Cartoon for Victory Loan Ottawa has acquired gratis from MGM the negative of “The Blitz Wolf,” a cartoon, for use during the forthcoming Victory Loan. Several hundred prints in 16 and 35 mm. will be distributed. Sunday Service Shows Being Talked Again A representative from Ottawa was in Toronto last week to discuss the possibility of opening a theatre on Sunday for troop entertainment with the head of one of Canada’s leading circuits. It seems that, despite a report from Ottawa that the military had yielded to the requests of church groups and dropped the idea, the matter of these Sunday shows is very much alive. The IATSE has been asked to provide projectionists. They Just Can't Get Together About three years ago Andy “Lefty” Sinclair of EmpireUniversal and Roy Lerner of PRC, close pals, decided to take a whack at Hitler. Onwilling to be separated by even such a stern task, both boys joined the Royal Canadian Navy. Every time one lands at the home port, he goes looking for the other. But the same thing has happened all the time. When one finds the other, it is only to say good-bye — with barely enough time for that. It seems that they’re always passing each other going in opposite directions. As one comes in the other is embarking for another crack at the sea wolves. They both live in hope of spending a couple of days together, like other sailor pals. Theatres Get Games Vancouver theatres asked the public to drop in games for the boys who spend many lonely hours at Naval outposts or aboard ship. The Vancouver Women’s Naval Auxiliary conducted the drive, which lasted a week. 20th Century Houses Switch Managers Twentieth Century Theatres has announced several changes in its managerial staff. Steve McManus leaves the Bayview, Toronto, to replace Mel Jolley at the Century, Trenton, Ont. Jolley moves to the Marks, Oshawa, taking over from Bob Berezin, who goes to the Bayview. ®was 12,480,922. Attendance at theatres in the leading Maritime province has more than doubled since the war. In 1939 the number of those who paid their way into motion picture houses was 5,703,301. Total revenue received by the Government from this source during the fiscal year amounted to $312,981 as compared with $274,605 in the previous year, representing an increase of $38,376 and show (Continued on Page 2) O'Loghlin Re-elected J. P. O’Loghlin of 20th CenturyFox was re-elected president of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association in Toronto last week. Leo M. Devaney, RKO, was re-elected vice-president. Montreal Film Veteran Dies Frank Wamnicker, a Canadian film veteran whose popularity extended throughout the Dominion, died in Montreal last week after an illness of two years. Highly regarded, Warnicker’s long span of service had reached from distribution to exhibition. For the last 26 (Continued on Page 2) Trailer Fights Show Vandalism Theatre vandalism, which is increasing every day, has managers at their wits end trying to find an effective and graceful means of combatting it. Managers have no desire to disturb the enjoyment of the patrons by ejecting or arresting vandals at work but would : (Continued on Page &) Single Bills On Way Sure As Shootin’ The impending reduction of the number of features to be issued by Hollywood, a consequence of the manpower and raw stock shortage, has some of Canada’s leading exhibitors thinking hard. The double bill will be affected. The patron, a Montreal Exhibs Fined Joseph Cytrynbaum, proprietor of the Majestic Theatre, Montreal, with Mrs. Bertha Adler, was fined $10 by Judge J. C. Langlois for allowing patrons to stand in the aisles, passages and corridors of the house. Midtown Fire Drill Midtown, Toronto, was the scene of a fire drill and lecture conducted by Inspector Waterman. Many managers attended from other theatres. it is expected, will accept more single bills in friendly fashion. This lack of resentment, however, is no guarantee that he will retain the same marked interest in motion picture entertainment. That’s why the knitted brows among exhibitors. Unless steps are taken almost immediately to accustom the public to less reelage for its money, a sharp clash between the public’s expectations and the industry’s ability to meet them. is inevitable. An overall policy of single bills, (Continued on Page 2) IT’S A FURLOUGH OF FUN—JIVE, SONGS AND MUSIC—ANOTHER TREAT FROM UNIVERSAL! ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’ And what a cast!—Allan Jones, Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean and Spitalny’s Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra,