Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 30, 1943)

Toronto Robert Donat MICKEY * PECOS Ann Corlo through OF CANADA LTD. 277 ‘Victoria St. PIONEER THE 39 STEPS Madeleine Carrol THUNDER OVER THE CITY Edward G. Robinson THE GREAT Mickey Rooney MONOGRAM | ESCAPED FROM THE GESTAPO Dean Jagger, Mary Brian, John Carradine STRANGER FROM Johnny Mack Brown SPY TRAIN Richard Travis Catherine Craig SARONG GIRL Distributed in Canada MONOGRAM PICTURES Torento, Montreal, St. John Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver : Canadian FILM WEEKLY m1 The SQUARE Call Him Gypsy Bill If ever the Gypsies change their ancient customs and costumes, which have remained the same for many centuries, it will be the fault of Bill Harper and the movies, Bill manages the Ace Theatre in downtown Toronto. The Gypsies like the place and the kind of movies shown there. So they come to the theatre in their spangles, bangles and jangles. Gypsies, being among the most uninhibited people alive, give vent to their emotions out loud. The other day he heard some bangles jangling during a musical short. There was a Gypsy dancing in the aisles. They’re noisy otherwise also, carrying on between each other and all together when something on the screen captures their collective fancy. Added to that, they make the customers nervous, many a one hastily transferring his wallet into an inside pocket when he finds a Gypsy is his neighbor. So mild-mannered Bill gave them a right royal talking to and barred them for a while, demanding first a change in their ancient costume. Now they come dressed like the rest of us and keep quiet. Suspiciously quiet. Let’s hope they don’t make off with the projection equipment one of these days. % = & People Come and People Go— Living accommodations are particularly hard to obtain in Oshawa, home of war-winning vehicles. So Mel Jolley is using his advantages as a showman to help solve the problem. Mel, man ager of the Marks, is running Foto Nite. The other week he offered $200 for the first name chosen, $150 for the second—and $10 for any information leading to.the rental of an apartment!... The Midtown double bill last week raised the eyebrows of marquee readers who think along certain lines. The marquee advertised She Has What It Takes and It Ain’t Hay. ... Wilf Freeman, local boy who plays bit parts in Hollywood under the name of William Dudley, is in town for a spell. Wilf, last seen here in “Blossoms in the Dust,” just got his discharge from the USArmy. .. . Farmer Frank Meyers of EBA, 2 country boy who has been showing the city slickers a thing or two for 2 long time now, rivals Scattergood Baines in homely philosophy. He gets off many a good saying, one of his favorites being: “One hand washes the other—and both wash the face.’”’ ... Don Quick, part time cashier of the Royal, Bowmanville, often has to look up from his books to sell a ticket. So Don just led his form and has been praised as one of the brightest pupils in the school. um m o The Coming of Age While it is popularly said that the motion picture industry, especially Hollywood, hasn’t grown up yet, the closing of a theatre often causes sentimental farewells. Last week in Elmira, Ontario, Howard Schedewitz, still in the movie business, sold the old Regent Theatre, scene of many happy hours in that hamlet. The new owner acquired the property and the contents of the theatre are belng sold now. The building will be used for things other than theatrical. The passing of the Regent from the life of the community brought reminiscences and regrets from the citizens. The coming of sound caused it to stop playing pictures in 1930. The countryside being inhabited largely by Dunkers, Mennonites and others whose religious principles were against movie-going, it was considered a bad investment of the additional money required to convert it. In other days the house was crowded with people enjoying themselves with “The Cohens and Kellys,” “The Sea Hawk,” “The Ten Commandments” and all the celluloid landmarks. For 25 or 80 years it was a popular place. The Regent will be missed, as it was the only place large enough to accommodate a local gathering of extra size. June 380, 19438 (Some Camps Ask Y Adjustments (Continued from Page 1) business policy. The officers making the requests are said to regard the percentage policy as fair but its operation at this time was knocking certain plans askew. The revenue of military theatres is used for recreational purposes, such as the building of bowling alleys and athletic courts, and the sudden reduction in money available for such schemes has upset things somewhat. Commitments were based on revenue from theatres before the new policy went into effect. They would like a temporary adjustment in order to keep their arrangements. A meeting was held in Toronto last week between the interested parties, at which Wolfe Cohen, general manager of Vitagraph in Canada, was chairman. Among those on hand were Brigadier James Mess and Captain Gurston Allen, for the army; Flying Officer R. C. Vaughan, for the RCAF; Sub Lieutenant Oakley, for the Royal Canadian Navy; Flying Officer Lang of Camp Borden; and Squadron Leader Lamport of Jarvis. The percentage method was used by England and the USA long before Canada. Halifax Houses Collect Books Bob Roddick, always prominent in war effort work, has been collecting magazines for the services and his work has won him welldeserved appreciation. The Halifax theatres have contribution chests in their lobbies with cards on them inviting the public to bring their old magazines to the theatres for collection and distribution to the men in the services. In a letter from the Central Magazine Exchange in Halifax, Mrs. F. H. M. Jones, the chairman, expressed that organization’s appreciation for the co-operation of the theatres. She wrote: “May we take this opportunity of thanking you personally, and your associates, for the valuable help that they have given to our organization by allowing your theatre to become a central collecting point for magazines, “Could you suggest any way that the public at large be asked to make more regular contributions of their up to date issues? One order for destroyers and corvettes alone requires about 4,000 magazines, The majority of this number proceed overseas, and because of time lost in transit we try not to give them magazines older than six weeks.” ©