Canadian Film Weekly (May 2, 1945)

SS SP. May 2, 1945 Still Lively On Post-War Front (Continued from Page 1) plans were highlighted by the recent announcement of Paul L. Nathanson from Vancouver that his Odeon circuit would spend the huge sum of $7,500,000 on building 50 new theatres in the Domion after the war. Jay I. English, architect for the firm, returned from Britain some time ago. There he inspected the theatres of Odeon’s partner, J. Arthur Rank, and announced on his return that Canadian Odeon’s post-war houses would follow their architectural pattern. Odeon are still acquiring interests in theatres as well as doing some outright buying in various parts of the country. The latest addition to the circuit is the Victory, in Mission, British Columbia, a modern fireproof 625-seat house, which brings to 29 the number of Odeon theatres in the West Coast province. Famous Players is also strengthening its position in British Columbia, its plans being complete for a second theatre in Kamloops, and another one in Kelowna, where it has a 15-year lease on a site that will carry a $100,000 house. Canada’s largest circuit has also entered into a partnership agreement with C. C. Plummer, Flin-Flon, Manitoba, covering the operation of the Northland Theatre. Hugh Summers, present assistant-manager of the Strand, Brandon, is the new manager. In Edmonton the Strand, a theatrical landmark, has been purchased for $150,000 by the Strand Realty Co. by its tenants. It’s a Famous Players operation. The Fingold circuit in Ontario, in which Ralph Dale and Dick Main recently became partners, is reported to have acquired the Simcoe, at Sutton, from Simcoe Theatres Limited. It is a six-day house seating 304 and brings to eleven the number of theatres in the circuit. Bill Noble, manager and part owner, remains as manager. Basic alterations are now underway, transforming a former hotel building in Lucknow, Ontario, into a theatre. The building was purchased by Rexford Ostrander, from Mrs. D. C. Tayolr. Cranbrooke Theatres Limited, recently purchased a _ property adjoining their Star Theatre in Cranbrooke, British Columbia, for future alterations and extention plans. RKO Buys ‘Kneeling’ RKO has acquired “All Kneeling,” the Ann Parish novel. Book has been a top-seller since 1928 and was once optioned by Joan Fontaine. _out of her in a few hours .. Canadian FILM WEEKLY aia ; a One Things Leads to Another Ralph Clark, who filled the Wolfe Cohen spot as WB’s Canuck gee em until Ben Kalmenson lured the truant Haskell Masters back into the trade corral, was in to say goodbye. Sorry I missed him. Ralph’s a real nice guy. The Warner lads gave a blowout in his honor, with Masters emceeing. It’s pleasant to see the exuberant Mr. Masters enlivening our little world again. Colorful, that’s him . . . Sam Kunetsky of UA’s Montreal branch is serving a stretch in Ontario for the company ...I hear UA will preem “Colonel Blimp” in Ottawa before a parade of notables ... Al Jeffery, UA boss, is coming back to condition and should be adding a little class to The Square soon ... To reader LAC Nield, RCAF, Newfoundland, about to be mustered out: “Thanks for those kind words-and good luck.” ... Invitation from Marc Hirsch of the Eglinton, Toronto, to have a 10.30 a.m. look at “Adventures in Music,” a fine film. “It’s high time you paid me a visit,” writes he. What’s the idea of holding a screening in the middle of the night? Gord Sinclair, who gives with that CFRB “Headliners” program, told the folks about Ben Norrish of the ASN the other 11.55 p.m... . Helen Goldstein, with Emp-U for years, switched to the Ray Lewis enterprises on May Ist . 4 . Bess and Marion Minarsky of the 20th Century Theatres head office staff are on pins and needles about their brother, Archie. His prison camp was freed but no word has been heard about him. + + + Of All Things The Lucky Strike team ran second in the Odeon bowling derby and was presented with a beribboned, single-handled, enamelled loving cup. Kennedy, Laurie, Fisher, Vaughan. Dale and Main filled it with beer and passed it around . . . Denying that he was headed for Washington, John Grierson said: “Washington? The fishing is no good around there.” That’s an argument that any rod and reel (fishing) man can understand this time of year... The April 21st issue of Saturday Evening Post had an interesting yarn by Pete Martin called ‘Beautiful by Five O’Clock.” Told how Joe Pasternak picked out a car-hop gal and made a celluloid Cinderella . Jimmy Powis, Fox booker, wants to thank exhibs for the prompt return of prints during the anniversary. The trade responded so whole-heeartedly that there was pressure on prints and the cooperation made it possible to keep everyone happy . . . Haven’t seen Frank O’Byrne around much, which means that he’s mighty busy . . . Ralph Foster, formerly head of the NFB’s Graphic division, is en route to Australia for a stay of several years. * 2 a Observanda The town takes on a big-time tang just before each V-Loan, when the stars stop by. Saw a stickout of a radio show recently which starred Bea Lillie, Frederic March, Florence Eldridge, Raoul Jobin and your partner, the Hon. J. L. Usley, minister of finance. Under the auspices of the Maple Leaf, army newspaper, it was strictly for overseas listening and the audience, made up of veterans, had a great time. The music was arranged by Percy Faith and conducted by Sam Hersenhorn. Production was by the CBC’s ace whipper-upper, Rupert Caplan, and it ran as smooth as a movie. Harold Kay, Monogram’s Toronto branch manager, a guest of Caplan’s, gave yours truly a break by sharing the invitation. You usually see the top local radio folks on hand. Wells Ritchie, CBC newsman, was sauntering by and sneered, “What are you movie guys doing at a radio show?” “Spying,” we told him . . Someone pointed out that L. S. B. Shapiro, Canadian war correspondent, was wearing a USA uniform during his Victory Loan clip. The answer to that is that Lionel, a Montreal lad, is the only correspondent to be accredited to two armies—the Canadian and American—and can wear either uniform . . . Incidentally, he had an excellent article in Maclean’s recently about the chances Canadian photogs take ... Sgt. Harry Bochner, brother of Charlie Bochner, was killed in action recently on German soil. He had been in the service four and a half years. Page 9 Grierson Denies Stories of Move (Continued from Page 1) said. “Canada and the United States have a common point of view on many things.” The Americans, government officials and members of the film industry alike, are also known to be admirers of the smooth relations between the Canadian commercial motion picture industry JOHN GRIERSON and the government sponsored field. Since American public and private officials, faced with duplicating structures established several years earlier in Canada, have often visited this country for purposes of study, there is nothing unusual about Grierson being occasionally in Washington in a frinedly capacity. His experience as head of the National Film Board and — for a short time — the War Information Board should make him a_ valuable source of advice. There was apparently nothing new or different about Grierson’s most recent Washington visit and the significance placed on his presence in the American capitol by newspapers is far out of line with its actual purpose. Oscar Winners In Col. Short A summary of 17 years of Academy Awards will be prepared by Ralph Staub as one of the Columbia Screen Snapshots for the current season. The reel will feature the 34 male and female top stars who have been recipients of Oscars, starting with the 1927-28 awards to Janet Gaynor and ‘Emil Jannings, and will present them in scenes from the pictures for which they won the awards.