Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 12, 1944)

Vol. 9, No. 2 Jan. 12, 1944 HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Wea Meckly, Address all communications—The Manzging Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada, Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 23 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Phone ADdelaide 4371. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario ‘A Dead Horse’? That noble steed, the legitimate theatre, is not “a dead horse,”” according to Ernie Rawley, who manages the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, livest barn of the living drama in Canada. We used the phrase in commenting editorially on the charge by S. Morgan Powell of the Montreal Star, supported by the Windsor Daily Star, that the “movie trust” since 1925 had been gobbling up theatres. These houses “were either turned into secondrun picture houses or shuttered entirely, thus effectively keeping stage competition out.” To that we answered that “Had the legitimate theatre any power to remain in competition with the movies on a wide scale, or had there been a public preference for it, enterprising business men would have erected theatres to house its attractions. The legitimate theatre served entertainment needs while there was no other choice.” Then we quoted the phrase, “What's the use of kick ing a dead horse?” A more logical view of the real place of the legitimate theatre in public entertainment, says Rawley, would serve the best interests of the film industry in the long run. The attitude of the production side of the industry coincides with that of Rawley. The stage is still the main source of sldlled players, the best training ground for future motion picture actors beyond the studios. Almost every studio has backed stage productions to acquire story material with popular favor before it reaches Hollywood. Studio scouts search the stage for future stars. Until now, however, studio angels have been satistied with a New York run and a tour into the present limited territory, although 20th Century-Fox planned to back several stock companies. Is There a Market? Rawley agrees that the legitimate theatre isn’t what it used to be and may never again attain its pre-movie status. But there is a great demand, he says, in many Canadian centres for occasional visits. That the cities are supporting the legitimate stage today cannot be denied. The smaller centres have the same preference but that doesn’t help them any. The Royal Alexandra manager says that smaller centres, usually off the regular route, have supported stage attractions warmly. In these instances movie exhibitors have suspended film programs to allow live entertainment. The public obviously wants it, says Rawley. The theatre operator makes money on it. It helps the industry at the source. So, he asks, why shouldn't operators yield one night or so each month to a stage attraction? There are distribution and exhibition methods and policies involved. But there is nothing that public demand cannot overcome, Canadian FILM WEEKLY Sabotage Probe Does a Fadeout (Continued from Page 1) conclusive,” said Leslie Blackwell, Attorney General of Ontario. ‘In the opinion of the Fire Marshal a probable explanation was that the damage to the elevator was done accidentally by one of the workmen who may not have been expert in the work. There was nothing in the evidence to indicate the damage was done by saboteurs with the intention of damaging the building or injuring any person.” Film men and representatives of the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection Branch of Ontario met during the week to arrive at new regulations and architectural changes that would add to the standard of safety. The conference has considered co-ordinating branches in theatre and film exchange inspection. In order to provide greater fire protection and public safety, as well as give additional space in co-ordinating various branches, the removal of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau and the Censor Board from the Parliament Buildings is now under consideration. “We are considering complete revision of rules relative to the motion picture industry,” stated Provincial Treasurer Leslie M. Frost. At present municipalities have certain authority as well as the province in theatre inspection, while the province has control of film exchanges and the storing and handling of films. The Treasury Department is seeking additional space for new auditing machines and the space now occupied by the Motion Picture Bureau may be acquired, when present plans are completed for new quarters for the bureau and the censor board together with storing films. Bro. of Col. Cooper Knighted by King Sir Ernest Herbert Cooper, who was knighted by King George in the New Year’s honors, is a brother of Col. John A. Cooper of Toronto, chairman of the board of directors of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors’ Association. Sir Ernest returned from England at the ‘outbreak of the war of 1914-18 to serve as a subaltern in the 198th Buffs Battalion, CEF, which was commanded by Col. Cooper. Sir Ernest joined his brother’s unit at Camp Borden and served in it at home and overseas. Sir Ernest is serving as coordinator of industries for Northern Ireland in the British government but maintains a residence in Ireland. January 12, 1944 Paper Order Is Relaxed (Continued from Page 1) from the applications and pro visions of the said Section 10 for and during the period December 31st, 1943, to March 3ist, 1944.” Section 10, headed ‘Advertising Posters and Bills,” reads: “No person shall display after December 31st, 1943, any printed poster, bill or card advertising any event for which. an admission fee is charged except on the premises where that particular event is to take place or on a 24 sheet poster panel, or in or a public conveyance.” The right to use printed posters and cards away from the theatre premises, added to those advertising articles allowed after the order was announced, puts the exhibitor in a very good position to keep alive interest in his attractions. He may continue as in the past. It is now permissible to distribute heralds, time schedules, program announcements, and to use posters—the latter providing that no new locations are established. It was explained to the administrator that the distributors have large stocks of imported paper on hand for films that would not be played out for many months to come. Under the application of the original order an exhibitor would have been limited to a scanty number of sheets and stills for general use. A record must be kept by distributors for two years, subject to instant inspection by representatives of the administration. Odeon Theatres Operates 87 (Continued from Page 1) Wilkie, Sask—population 1,220; open 6 days; 300 seats. Olympia, Assinibola, Sask. — population 1,333; open 6 days; 500 seats. Roxy, Saskatoon, Sask.—population 43,027; open 6 days; 915 seats; Roxy, Selkirk, Man.— population 4,915; open 6 days; 420 seats. Roxy, Beardmore, Ont.—population 500; open 4 days; 400 seats. The newly-acquired houses will give the Paul Nathanson chain a total of 87 theatres, according to Haskell Masters, general manager of the company. Odeon recently took over three theatres in British Columbia— Rio, Ladysmith; Sapperton, New Westminster; and Marpole, Vancouver,