Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 9, 1944)

Page 12 OF CANADA LTD. 277 Victoria Street, Toronto. * Monogram HITS THE JACKPOT WITH THREE HITS Breaking records in every theatre shown to date and will do the same for you WHERE ARE YOUR CHILDREN? Jackie Cooper, Gale Storm, Patricia Collinge and an allstar cast * WOMEN IN BONDAGE Gail Patrick, Nancy Kelly, Bill Henry, Gertrude Michael, ° H. B. Warner Here is a picture, every woman in Canada is waiting to see * Belita in LADY LET'S DANCE Belita is a revelation and a dance sensation James Ellison, Frick and Frack (world’s greatest com edy skating team), Walter Catlett, four top bands — Eddie LeBaron, Lou Bring, Henry Busse Variety—“Belita’s skating is sensafionzl, and her solo number is a show stopper. LADY LET’S DANCE is a real esczpist picture— 100% entertainment for old and young. * The new “big name” company in the industry. MONOGRAM PICTURES Toronto, Montreal, St. John, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Rank’s USA Outlet To Be Universal Universal may distribute in the United States those films marked for that market by J. Arthur Rank, leading English film figure. Barrington C. Gain, representing Rank, and Dr. Alexander Galperson of Two Cities Film Co., a Rank unit, held conferences with American officials withAmerican distribution in mind. Universal's top executives, headed by President Nate Blumberg, were present. No announcement of any decision has been made yet. Five American companies have been bidding for the distribution of 15 British films, some budgeted at $1,600,000, such as ‘Henry V,” made by Two Cities,. which turned out “In Which We Serve.” Because Rank owns 25 per cent of Universal and handles its product in Britain, it is thought that the company will be favored on this side. The films are being made with an eye to the American market. “We propose to make these films as acceptable to American audiences as your own Hollywood Minor Changes in Ontario Rules (Continued from Page 1) to the regulations, a requirement that film exchanges in the future must be not more than two storeys in height, has been in practice by the exchanges for a long time. Four branch offices have been built in various parts of the country during the past 18 months and all have anticipated the regulations. Such two-storey branches must be situated at least 50 feet from the wall of any building occupied as a school, theatre, church, hospital or other places of public assembly. They must not be occupied as a private dwelling, multiple dwelling or hotel. Screening rooms, it is stated, must have a capacity for not more than 35 persons. All films in ‘vaults must be in containers and nothing but film or film cement must be stored in them. Junk film must be stored in closed containers having a capacity of not more than 200 pounds each. Films in such containers must be moved into vaults overnight to an amount not exceeding 500 pounds. Theatre and film exchange inspection authority has been extended to fire marshals, deputy fire marshals, district deputy fire marshals, inspectors and assistants to the fire marshal. product,” said Gain. ‘'To that end we will import American writers, directors, dialogue experts and scenic artists to help ‘slant’ our product for this market.” Gain has authority to make deals in behalf of Rank. It is unlikely that any deal made with Universal by Rank will affect the present distribution of his films in Canada. Most of these are at present handled by Empire-Universal as part of the deal with General Film Distributors. Manager Promoted T, K. Montague last week took over the management of the Odeon chain’s theatre in Brampfon, Ontario. For the past three years he has been manager of the Alexander Theatre, Wallaceburg, Ontario. Ask That Kids See Lassie A letter in the Montreal Star shows how many people feel about the outmoded law in Quebec which stops children from seeing movies even when accompanied by adults. Here is the letter: “Sir,—As the mother of growing children, I find it hard to explain to them the justice of our Quebec laws, in prohibiting such films as ‘Lassie Come Home’. The children are at a loss to understand why, because of a tragedy which happened so Jong ago that it is now history, they are refused admission to modern fireproof movie houses, when accompanied by adults. ‘“Consequently, children are crowded into halls, basements of churches, socials, etc., for special showings of films, and these places are considered safe for fire escape purposes, something which I fail to understand. “At a time when children hear so much of the horrors of war, would it not be expedient to show them films depicting the bravery of our soldiers and sailors, such as ‘In Which We Serve’, etc? Naturally not all films are suitable for children, but, on the other hand, there is no reason for them.to be deprived of supervised films. “Tighten fire regulations, but do not deprive children of pleasure because of what happened years ago, in a building which probably should have been condemned anyhow. Let us hope that something will be done immediately.—-F.S.L.” February 9, 1944 FPCC Buys Up Strand, Vcr (Continued from Page 1) under the supervision of L. J. Bearg, FPCC chief in that area. Ownership is now vested in Strand Theatre Company (1944) Ltd., incorporated under the Companies Act on January 3, 1944, as a subsidiary of Famous Players. Third theatre in Vancouver, in capacity, the Strand was built in November, 1919, at a cost of $300,000, as the Allen Theatre and member of the Allen transCanada chain. Following several reorganizations, it was acquired by Dewees, who later sold a half interest to Famous Players. The theatre, for several years, featured the Fanchon Marco shows here, and has presented some of the best-known concert and opera stars on the continent. Vancouver’s largest house, the 2871-seat Orpheum, is operated by Famous Players, which administers 14 houses in Van _couver. Odeon Theatres controls 15 theatres in Vancouver but their 12,660 total of seats is outnumbered by FPCC’s 13,873. Dewees is interested in several situations with FPCC. Ottawa Man Fined Ambrose P. Nolan, manager of the Little Theatre, Ottawa, was fined $50 and costs in city court” for overcrowding. Nolan explained that he had asked for a standing room permit end was under the impression that this had been granted. a 4 4 , 4 , { ‘ 4 ‘ ‘ i 4 4 4 4 %,