Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 21, 1943)

Page 4 OF CANADA LTD. 277 Victoria St. Toronto Now Ready For Dating ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S Greatest The 39 Steps Robert Donat Madeleine Carroll New Prints New Advertising * Current Releases SILVER SKATES Kenny Baker, Patricia Morison, Belita, Frick & Frack, Irene Dare, Danny Shaw A sure-fire boxoffice magnet, breaking records everywhere * DAWN ON THE GREAT DIVIDE All-Star Cast RHYTHM PARADE The Musical Hit of the Year * Coming Soon | ESCAPED FROM THE GESTAPO We predict this will be the hit of 1943 MONOGRAM PICTURES Toronto, Montreal, St. John Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver fle cea a7) soul Brothers Under the Skin A good yarn retains its flavor for a long time and is apt to turn up in the general huzz-buzz of a trade gathering, tickling those hearing it for the first time. That’s what happened last week. It was back around 1919 that Abe Cass, now of Columbia, was hawking film through the backwoods, It was winter in the West and country hotels at that time of year provide little more than nominal protection. Abe, as you may know, has an unusually dark complexion. This was considerably truer in those youthful days, he having all his hair—and none of it silvered by time. He was headed for a certain town to try to sign up a new account. But by the time he reached the town he looked like a hobo off a frelght. He hadn’t shaved for three days, since it would have taken an axe to soften what used to be the water in the hotel pitchers. This fact, added to his twilight hue, made him look not at all like other neatly-dressed members of his calling. Cass called on the exhibitor who, it turned out, understood the difficulties of the road and forgave the salesman his appearance, This exhibitor was a Negro, the only one in Canada in theatre operation, and he was a fine fellow. With the typical generosity of his people, he welcomed Abe and entertained him lavishly. And bought everything Abe had to sell! Thereafter, on the road, Abe kept meeting other film salesmen who brought him regards from the exhibitor. Then, one day, when Cass was receiving another set of regards, he said to the man who delivered them: “I sure made a hit with that exhibitor.” “You sure did,” said the man. “You know what he said to me about you? He said, ‘’m glad that the company gave one of our boys a chance!” You see, the Negro exhibitor, seeing a dark, unshaved Cass in the somewhat dim light of the theatre, mistook him for a member of his race. Though his job never took him back to that town, Abe has always thought highly of the exhibitor. And he tells the story himself. * a * If and When Available In circulation right now is the story of the fellow who phoned a Toronto hotel where dancing and drinking is done in the dining room, inns having that privilege. “I want to reserve two for tomorrow night,” he told the head waiter. “Very well,” replied the head waiter. “I'll save you two tables at the ringside.” “Tables?” shrieked the fellow. “Who cares about tables? I want to reserve two glasses of beer!” i ae Film Men Are Air-Minded A truly representative gathering of Canadian and American film men is a hard thing to organize these busy days. You can, in fact, have such a meeting by accident much more easily than by intention. Providing the scene of the pow-wow is an airport. Last week there was such a casual get-together at Malton Airport. Barney Balaban, president of Paramount, and Austin Keough were there after the Famous Players’ meeting, waiting for a plane to New York. So were Arthur Gottlieb of Film Lab, Wolfe Cohen of Warners and Bill Levey of the Disney organization. Waiting for the Montreal plane were Leo Devaney of RKO and three RKO executives from across the line: Michaelson, short subjects manager; Wolff, New York branch manager, and Poller. Also on hand was Syd Taube, hustling secretary of the Ontarlo Motion Picture Theatres Association, headed for the east coast. There was a pretty mean blizzard in action and the New York plane, due to leave at 5:30, took off at that time but didn’t get off the ground. It did get away an hour later, right after the Montreal flying wagon. April 21, 1948 Graham, Odeon Settle Suit (Continued from Page 1) of the theatre, which had been leased by him to Odeon, or damages, after he had been dismissed as manager because of differences over policy. He remains as manager as one of the terms of settlement, The evidence disclosed that in 1941 Mr, Graham had entered into an agreement with the Odeon by which he leased the Reeneville Theatre and all his equipment to the company at a rental of $1,800 a year, with the right to live in the apartment above, free of rent. The agreement also contained a clause by which they were to engage him as manager of the theatre during the term of lease. The lease also contained a clause giving Odeon the right to renew the lease for a further five years on its termination, on the same terms as the original lease was made. Graham continued to manage the theatre until September of 1942, but disputes arose between him and the company in regard to the management, principally arising out of midnight shows, of which Graham had not approved, and he was dismissed as manager. After considerable evidence was heard, it became clear that most of the difficulties had been caused by a former operator refusing to carry out instructions given by the company and by Graham. Flying Cross Won By Calgary Ex-Usher Pilot Officer Louis M. Cavanaugh, formerly an usher at the Palace Theatre, Calgary, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. P.O. Cavanaugh’s official citation: “As wireless operator, this officer has participated in many sorties involving attacks on various and heavily defended targets in Germany and, more recently, against targets in Tunisia. On one occasion he was a member of an air: craft crew detailed to undertake a mine laying mission. “During the operation, whilst leaving the target area, the aircraft was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and the captain was hit in the leg. PO Cavansugh immediately went to his aid and by observing the enemy’s fire from the ground defences was able to direct his captain to take successful evading action. “He. then rendered first aid to his wounded comrade. PO Cavanaugh’s promptitude and coolness contributed materially to the safe return of the aircraft.”