Canadian Film Weekly (May 3, 1944)

Page 6 od Dole H 6 RE cosing oe cl Limited 0 Ss if 2” oA A LY The Film That Exposed the Treacherous Sadism of Japan Hara r oe Kirt Formerly the sensationally Prophetic Picture “THUNDER IN THE EAST’ Starring CHARLES BOYER MERLE OBERON JOHN LODER “In every way a screen drama of enormous power.” —New York Times. “Tense, thrilling ... keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.” —New York World-Telegram. A new and greater PRC delivers 24 features and 16 Westerns, with bigger and better stories, stars and productions. You can rely on PRC. Producers Releasing Corporation LIMITED Executive Offices: 2771 Victoria St., Toronto, 2, Ont. ‘Ganadian FILM WEEKLY AZ 1 | with Hye Bossin enici Theatre Espionage ’ This story, if by some lucky chance it reaches the eyes of certain non-theatre folk who happened one evening to see a man going through obvious but strange motions without apparent reason, will clear up a mystery. The man with the motions was a theatre manager demonstrating a sense of humor and proving that he is a man not to be taken lightly. It was almost time to close the boxoffice when this manager noticed a stranger buy a ticket and, instead of using it, walk away. He watched the man with the untorn ticket cross the road and establish an observation post in a doorway. A checker, sure enough. For the information of the non-theatre folk mentioned earlier, a checker represents either the distributor of the film or the owner of the theatre—or anyone interested in determining the number of tickets sold. Each ticket is numbered. The checker, after buying his ticket, counts the number of persons who enter after that. The boxoffice receipts must balance with the checker’s finding. If they don’t the manager is under suspicion. So, when the next ticket was sold, the manager walked slowly and majestically to the edge of the curb, faced the observation post, raised his hands ceremoniously above his head, and tore the ticket in half for the checker and all to see. This he did after each new ticket was sold. Then a line of traffic led by a street car passed by, obscuring the checker’s view for a few seconds. When the view was clear again the checker saw the manager waiting at the curb. This time the manager raised but one hand. On it, jutting out prominently and being waved for emphasis, were three fingers! * % * One Thing Leads to Another The alleged chronic crying of exhibitors, which is becoming film folklore, was the theme of a story told the other day. One exhibitor, known as a wailer on principle, was complaining bitterly about the exhorbitant price a certain film had cost him and how, because of it, he had lost money. And so on. “When did you play it?” someone asked. “It opens tonight,” was the reply... Another yarn is about the small-show operators arguing whether Margaret O’Brien was five years old or six. “What’s the difference?” spoke up 2 listener. “She'll be eight before her current picture gets to my house!” ... A lady was amazed to hear this bit of dialogue in front of the Film Exchange Building: First fellow—‘How are you doing?” Second fellow: “Last night I died.” The amazed lady didn’t know that they were managers talking about attendance .. . Variation of an old theme: “Stick with me, baby, and you'll wear nylons.” . . . Whatever became of the guy who used to put the pins in new shirts after the metal shortage put him out of a job? He’s putting cellophane wrappers on cigars. You could throw Nick Londos with the effort if takes to unwrap one. * * * Takes and Mistakes Many persons are anxious to get into the theatre business and those in it are asked constantly about available opportunities. Evidence of this desire is the story that an outsider paid $17,000 for a certain theatre with less than 300 seats, a white elephant of long standing which has cost many a man many a dollar. The place is without projection equipment and needs new seats. The new owner is said to have ordered new seats and on being asked for his licence number, asked: “Licence? What do you mean, licence?” . . . Did you hear about the manufacturer who came to his partner with news of a government garment contract during the time buttons were almost impossible to get. “We got the labor and the cloth,” he said. ‘Yes,’ sneered his partner, “but what'll we use for buttons—money?” .. . Sign on a vacant lot in a Toronto suburban area: “This property purchased by Famous Players for post-war development.” ... That swell letter from Dave Coplan, published in the last issue and credited to Sam Glazer, came to Louis Rosenfeld. That’g one I blew. Why? I haven’t the slightest idea. Very thoughtful of Louie to allow it to be used—and then it’s reported wrongly! OnThe Square May 3, 1944 Alta. Pioneers Elect Officers (Continued from Page 1) bers were added to the district roster of 37. It was the second meeting of the branch. Horace Lackey, president of the Calgary projectionists’ local, brought greetings. Jack Reid, president of the Calgary Film Board of Trade, was one of the speakers. Captain Robert Pearson, Alberta chief censor, was the guest speaker at the banquet in the evening. He gave an account of censorship problems and _ said that, despite rebuffs and fault~finding, he had found theatre men to be good fellows. Another speaker was Alex Entwhistle of Edmonton, oldest Pioneer in the district ,who recalled that he was attracted to the business when someone brought an old Edison sprocket to him for repair. Other guests were Ted Carey, RKO, Toronto; George Annabelle of Stettler; Matt Park of Wetaskiwin and Victor Armand of Winnipeg. Officers elected, besides Egan, were: vice-president, Vernon Skorey; secretary, Vernon Dixon; directors, W. Kelley, Reg. Dodderidge, Walter Wilson, Dan Boyle, Mike Burlock, Horace Lackey, A. Brown. K. A. Leach is past president and honorary president is Alex Entwhistle. New members were: Shepard, of the Garry and Biggar, Sask.; William Ramsay, Opera theatre, Canmore; I. F. Shaker, Capitol, Hanna; Arnold Entwhistle, Edmonton; Dan A. Boyle, Empress, Macleod; Horace Lackeye, D. B. MacKenzie, W. Johnston, Dale Leach, projectionists_of Calgary; W. Kelly and Reg. Dodderidge, branch film managers. Theatre Books Must Be Clear (Continued from Page 1) missioner of Excise (now Deputy Minister of National Revenue for Customs and Excise) under the War Revenues Act can be followed in every similar instance. An estimated assessment was made by the Comissioner of Excise and action was taken against the theatre operator for failure to pay that amount. The court upheld the right of the Commissioner to make the assessment and ruled that, since it was lawfully made, it did not have the right to interfere. The theatre operator was forced to pay the amount of the assessment and in addition fined $100. A fine of $50 had been imposed previously for failure to divide the admission ticket in two parts and give one half to the patron. Frank — 2 ®