Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 6, 1945)

Page 2 Theatre Hold g Solves Duals? (Continued from Page 1) that part of the double bill which was mainly responsible for drawing him to the Hollywood. He may, if he pleases, remain for the rest of the program. No matter what time he enters, the film he came to see will be on one screen or the other. Smoking will be permitted in either the annex or the main auditorium, so that the smoker may enjoy that privilege while the non-smoker is not exposed to what he considers an annoyance. The double bill has always had opposition from a powerful minority of the patrons and this solution will be a welcome one. There will be a common entrance and foyer and the patron need walk just a little further to reach the annex. Nearest to the projected scheme to have been in operation in Canada was that of the Loew’s Theatre in Toronto in the days of its Winter Garden. The program and the schedule were the same in both units, two prints being used. The innovation will be studied closely by other circuits and perhaps initiated where the situation warrants it. Canadian FILM WEEKLY — New Distrib Setup For Rank Films (Continued from Page 1) Rank and Nathanson spent considerable time discussing mutual interests and apparently came to agreeable conclusions about a number of things. Whether the announcement means the creation of an organization with a new name, offices and personnel, as it seems to imply, or whether the facilities of another organization will be used is not known. It is understood that it will not come under the Empire-Universal banner, and it is likely that the Rank product being handled by that company will be turned over to the new one. Esquire Films, within the jurisdiction of O. R. Hanson but a Nathanson enterprise, also offers British films, mainly Ealing product, to which Rank has acquired distribution rights. Rank product has not been confined to Empire-Universal in Canada, for “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp” is being distributed by United Artists. In December, 1944, it became public that Empire-Universal was contemplating the establishment of a company to handle British films, to be known as Eagle-Lion Distributors. This is the name of Rank’s international distribu KOM! SSE S SENN | The Show I . Yes, the Show pee your equipmen times it's your most Safeguard it with Dom! must go t breaks down. In these t valued possession. i Sia ee — | Must Go On on, but it won't if nion Sound Service. Dominion Sound Equipments LIMITED Head O Besucoss, af WALIVAR TORONTO l A National Theatre Sound Equipe ai specially trained pers , ¥ fechnical service, €q¥'P {fice: 1620 Notre Dame Street West, Mo winnmietG ntreal s eroina caroanr vancouve Service, such as maintained by Dominion Limited, means I fo provi i aay and supplies for theatres. —an organization with a ide regular and emergency tion organization, although Paul Nathanson and John Davis had stated during the announcement of the merger of both Odeons that the deal had nothing to do with distribution. However, announcements of staff appointments did not follow as expected and Eagle-Lion Distributors lapsed. To New York J. Arthur Rank visited Montreal and Ottawa before returning to Toronto, then headed for New York, where he arrived on June 4. In Montreal he and his party were the dinner guests of Mr. C. D. Coleman, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and in Ottawa he met the Honourable Malcolm MacDonald, British High Commissioner. In New York Mr. Rank will address a special meeting of the Independent Theatre Owners Association. He is expected to visit Minneapolis later to consult with members of the milling industry, his leading interest. In addition to Mr. Rank, the party includes G. I. Woodham Smith, legal adviser; John Davis, managing director of Odeon Theatres of Great Britain; Barrington Gain, financial adviser; and Jock Lawrence, public relations counsel. Several days after his arrival in Toronto executives and. department heads of Odeon had a chance to meet their British employer at a luncheon in the Library, Royal York Hotel. Paul Nathanson, T. J. Bragg and Mr. Rank spoke, the latter emphasizing the responsibility of those present to their company, industry and country. Kid Clubs Start The British leader was present at the opening in Canada of one of his pet projects, Odeon Movie Clubs for Young Canadians. The scene was the Colony Theatre, Toronto, and 600 youngsters took it in. Mr. Rank spoke to the children, bringing them greetings from the British members of the club and expressing the hope that they might eventually visit and entertain each other. The program was made up of an “Our Gang” comedy, Disney’s “Dumbo,” and two shorts made especially for this work by Rank’s production unit in Britain. Slides reminded the kids to be good in this way or that. There was a concert by the air cadet band, which had paraded to the theatre, some words from “The Chief,” in this case Manager Hillard Conway, a sing-song and a mass pledge. June 6, 1945 PAUL NATHANSON The program will be extended as soon as practicable, with Tom Bowyer of Odeon in charge. Press Reaction Most of the interest of members of the press in Rank’s presence apparently arose out of the possibility of motion picture production in Canada on a commercial scale. Despite the fact that he was careful not to give the impression that he intended anything beyond educational and industry films, his answer that he would be glad to see films with Canadian backgrounds made by his units was connected with production in Canada by some. According to the Hollywood Reporter he had the intention of producing pictures in Canada in an effort to build a “truly Canadian motion picture industry” and that his first ventures, educational and children’s films, “would be followed by features with Canadian backgrounds.” Hollywood Variety gave the impression that Rank had Canadian-made features in mind for the future, to be aimed at the British Empire and American markets. Roly Young of the Toronto Globe and Mail adressed an open letter to Rank in which he pointed out that the stage was thriving in the United States and Great Britain. ‘Many years ago,” he wrote, “there was 4 thriving theatrical industry in Canada, which the motion picture industry systematically exterminated by the simple process of buying up all the available theatres and either turning them into movie theatres, or in many cases, by simply charging them off to the local movie houses and keeping them closed so that the stage shows could not find any place in which to perform.” He then asked whether Rank’s company would maintain a closed door policy if Canadian drama and opera became available,