Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 1, 1945)

Pago 2 Aussie Link For Canada Odeon? (Continued from Page 1) led to reports that the RankNathanson interests will expand to that continent. The Australasian circuit has its headquarters in Adelaide. Rank’s activities continue to make news. He is expected to acquire British rights to Bell and Howell 16 mm. equipment as part of his extensive plans in the educational and religious field. Odeon in Canada is planning a production studio for that purpose. Rank now has three production or distribution agreements with Hollywood movie organizations. The latest pact, with RKO, calls for the production of two feature pictures and further developments may be expected if these undertakings work out satisfactorily. This was revealed by Rank at his last press conference in New York before returning to England. Two other pacts call for the distribution of seven British pictures by United Artists and two by 20th Century-Fox. Discussing coming British pictures, Rank declared that as a result of his survey of American audience tastes he believed that “Henry the Fifth” will be highly‘ successful. And ‘Caesar and Cleopatra,” coming to the USA in December, will gross $10,000,000, a “prominent American distribution executive” told him. In reference to the question of distribution of American pictures in Britain, Rank stated again that although the quota system is favored by the Producers’ Association of which he is president, this did not necessarily represent his opinion because he feels that quality on the screen is essential. He also said that most American producers making pictures in England will join the Association but the by-laws will have to be amended to give them an adequate voice. His organization could now make feature pictures in England at a lower cost than those being made in America, Rank asserted, but Hollywood has advantages which would offset Britain’s economical production possibilities. Chief of these appears to be the up-to-date facilities of the American film centre in comparison with which British studio equipment is antiquated, though it has been used to produce wonders. Shirley Grows Up Shirley Temple will play her first grown-up role as co-star with Joseph Cotten in “Suddenly It’s Spring,” for David O. Selznick, Canadian FILM WEEKLY Archie Laurie Tops New Distrib Setup (Continued from Page 1) the appointment of Archie J. Laurie as general manager. Laurie is scheduled to move to the new set-up on August ist from his present post as Republic's sales manager in Canada. He has been an outstanding specialist ARCHIE J. LAURIE for years in the development of Canadian markets for British and American films. Simultaneously the appointment of Laurie as general manager of Monogram Pictures of Canada, Limited, is announced. The Monogram branches across Managers Shifted at Preston, Waterloo Gordon Ringel, manager of the Waterloo Theatre, Waterloo, Ontario, has been transferred to the Park Theatre, Preston, Ontario. Floyd Ertel has been appointed to replace him at Waterloo. These changes were made necessary upon the resignation of Mrs. R. Druckman, manager of the Park Theatre for the past four years. She is retiring from the business and has returned to Toronto. The Preston and Waterloo theatres are both under the supervision of Howard Schedewitz of the Theatre Holding Corporation. Canada will operate in conjunction with the new organization, but separate corporate identities will be maintained. Eagle-Lion will offer twenty or more pictures from its combined studios in Britain and a series from French Gaumont, selected to fill the growing demand in the Quebec territory. The Monogram product will be distributed in its usual manner. The setup here of Eagle-Lion , Films of Canada, Limited, is a distinctively Canadian operation. Further executive appointments are also scheduled to take e‘fect in August. P.G. Demetre, /1, Passes in Ft. Erie (Continued from Page 1) usement Corporation and Confederation Amusements Limited, Quebec theatre circuits, Demetre was also owner of the Medical Arts Building, Montreal, and of the Stamford Park Race Track in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He was making arrangements for “the August opening of the race track at the time of his death. Born in Greece in 1875, Demetre emigrated to the United States as a boy. He came to Montreal in 1898 where he first sold peanuts on street corners. He went into business and established himself in the fruit trade and later opened the Starland Theatre, He also built the Belmont and Plaza theatres in Montreal, now operated by the United Amusement Corporation. Demetre was one of the showmen who fought against Sunday closing of movie houses in Quebec. The case lasted about five years and was taken as far as the Privy Council inEngland before a final decision was given that the Sunday law did not apply to Quebec and that motion picture theatres could legally remain open on the Lord’s Day. Demetre is survived by his wife, two sons and seven daughters. Funeral services took place at the Holy Trinity Church, Montreal. Vol. 10, No. 81 August 1, 1945 Sa nena eae esse es HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor ee Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Published by Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, T. ; Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5. cents each or $2.00 oe ae Dateric; Entered as Second Class Matter. Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Toronte, Ontario August 1, 1945 Pioneers Add 16 To Member Roll (Continued from Page 1) tracted great interest among old-timers in the trade. The board of directors sent a letter of commendation to H. Swartz, complimenting him on the result of the membership drive in the Winnipeg division. Those who were elected to membership are: Toronto branch: Joseph Cohen, Crown Theatre, Toronto; Charles J. Quick, National Film Board, Ottawa. Winnipeg branch: Cecil R. Parker, DeLuxe Theatre, Winnipeg; Joseph S. McPherson, RKO Distributing Corp., Winnipeg; Nat Rothstein, Rothstein ‘rheatres Ltd., Winnipeg; Joseph H. Huber, 20th Century Fox Corp., Winnipeg; Charles G. Haysom, De Luxe Shows, Emmerson, Manitoba; Harry J. Highlands, Rio Theatre, Winnipeg; Harry Miles, Winnipeg; Thos. Crossley, Theatre Displays, Winnipeg; Edmond Saeless, Warner Brothers; Winnipeg. Calgary branch: Frederick P. Broadbent, Capitol Theatre, Edmonton; William H. Duplessis, Strand Theatre, Edmonton; Max L. Adamson, Strand Theatre, Edmonton. Vancouver branch: Robert J. Errington, Lyric Theatre, Vancouver. WARVEY HUNT 2 A me Who has joined the : )* booking and buying ‘, department of Odeon ; 4% Theatres, resigning hi from the head office cus Players to make the shift. Harvey was with Famous Players > for 15 years. New Theatre For Dawson Creek, BC A new modern theatre will be built at Dawson Creek, BC, as soon as a building permit is secured and building materials become available. Construction of the new showhouse is being undertaken by Mr. Phillet, owner of Dawson Creek’s Northland Theatre. FOR SALE Theatre equipment, including doorchecks, directional Signs, wall brackets, mirrors, fire extinguishers, urinals, etc, Apply M. SASLOFF Broadway Theatre, Toronto charge of maintenance,, SS EE en ee