Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 3, 1945)

@ October 3, 1945 <-& Description of Photos on Page 2 FIRST ROW DOWN—(1) Nat Taylor, president of Twentieth Century Theatres; Myer Axler; Raoul Auerbach, general manager, Taylor and Auerbach are shown receiving office radios presented by Axler in behalf of company managers and staff. (2—sitting) Paul Maynard, Alliance; Clair Appel, Odeon; Frank Vaughan, Empire-Universal; Harvey Harnick, CoIumbia; Frank Fisher, Odeon; MHarry Painter, Empire-Universal. (3) J. J. Fitzgibbons; Harry Mandell, comptroller of Twentieth Century Theatres speaking; Hye Bossin, who acted as toastmaster; Haskell Masters, Warner Brothers; Raoul Auerbach; Tom Bragg, vice-president of Odeon Theatres. (4) Mandell, Sam Sternberg, 'B & F; Doug Rosen, United Artists; Joe Cohen; Col. John A. Cooper, chairman of 16 Mm. Association; Charlie Mavety; Robert Mackerrow, Toronto Carpet Co.; Norman Robertson, K.C., Famous Players. (5) Barney Fox, Twentieth Century Theatres; Ben Geldsaler, Famous Players; Jule Allen, Premier Oferating; Robertson; Joseph Singer, K.C. (6) Some Twentieth Centurites — Bill Cupples, AI Hope, Mel Jolley, Preston Salter, Charlie Greenwood, Ralph Tiede, Tom Mascaro, Lloyd Mills (PRC). Behind Tiede is A. H. Weaver, manager cf Dundas Square branch of Imperial Bank. SECOND ROW DOWN—(1) Nat Taylor welcomes the guests. (2) Nat Taylor; the Hon. Leslie M. Frost, K.C., treasurer of Ontario; John J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players. (3) Fitzgibbons; Frost addressing gathering; Bossin; Masters. (4) Ray Lewis, editor of the Canadian Moving Picture Digest, and Hye Bossin, editor of the Canadian Film Weekly. THIRD ROW DOWN—(1) Ben Ulster; Sam Pearlman, Warner Brothers; Jules Wolfe, Famous Players; Charles Dentlebeck, Famous Players; Charles Bochner, Canadian Theatre Chair Co. (2) Fox; Abe Sprachman of Kaplan &...; Harry Soloman, Firestone Enterprises; Harold Kaplan of...& Sprachman, theatre architects; Col. Cooper; Jake Smith: Jee Cohen; Sam Firestone. (3—clockwise from end figure) Jim Nairn, Famous Players; Frank Kershaw, Gencral Theatres Supply; Jack Chisholm, Associated Screen News; Dan Krendel, Famous Players; Mannie Swadron, Twentieth Century Theatres; Al Troyer, Famous Players; Angelo Stevens, Twenticth Century. (4) R. W. Bolstad, vice-president, Famous Players; Bragg; the Hon. J. Earl Lawson, K.C.; Arch. H. Jolley, Motion Picture Theatres \Association of Ontario; Morris Stein, Famous Players; M. L. Axler; Larry Bearg, Famous Players and (in front) Min Habick, Twentieth Century. (5—front row) Sydney Samson, 20th-Fox; O. J. Silverthorne, chief censor of Ontario; Taylor, Bragg, Robertson. (6) Len Herberts, Twentieth Century Theatres; Dorothy Wilson, Regal; Izy Allen, Eagle-Lion-Mono; Hy Goldin, Dominion Sound; Dentlebeck. Photos are by Alan Walker, 16 South Drive, Toronto, and prints may be received via mail by writing him and stipulating row end number as described above. Prints are 50 cents each and cash must be enclosed. <«& Landis, Gargan Star Carole Landis will play the female lead opposite William Gargan in 20th-Fox’s “Precinct 33.” Canadian FILM WEEKLY 20th Cent’y Theatres’ Hits First Decade (Continued from Page 1) in this great effort and prove to all that our business can join in a great common cause and pull its share of the load.” Fitzgibbons was the last in a battery of distinguished speakers from inside and outside the industry who were guests of Twentieth Century Theatres at the dinner, which took place in the Crystal Ballroom, King Edward Hotel, Toronto, on September 24, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the founding of the company by Nat Taylor and Raoul Auerbach, president and general manager respectively of the 54-theatre circuit. Conversion and future prosperity could only be accomplished by joining with other Canadian industries, he said, for the motion picture industry was but an integral part of a national. economy. Following the conclusion of Fitzgibbons’ remarks, Myer Axler, in behalf of the head office and managerial staff of Twentieth Century Theatres, presented both Nat Taylor and Raoul Auerbach with office radios bearing a plate which described the occasion. Taylor Welcomes Guests After proposing a toast to the King, Nat Taylor, president of Twentieth Theatres welcomed the guests. He recounted the early experiences and difficulties of Auerbach and himself and paid tribute to companies and individuals who had, through cooperation and kindness during the years of development, assisted in their good fortune. Taylor paid particular tribute to the exchange men, many of whom he characterized as his personal friends, and thanked them for their understanding and help in the first years. He was especially grateful to those who had been his business partners until recently, calling attention to the vital role they played and the amity which had marked their dissociation. The present staff also won his thanks. In telling of the beginning days he spoke warmly of Charlie Stephenson, manager of his first theatre, which was owned in partnership with Fred Brown. The theatre was the College, Kitchener, now the Century. Stephenson, absent through illness, is today in charge of the company’s advertising. Raoul Auerbach maintained the spirit of reminiscence, proffering his personal appreciation and giving a special nod to the Hon. J. Earl Lawson, K.C., now a director of Odeon Theatres and Empire-Universal, who had been a one-time associate. Upon withdrawing Taylor called on Hye Bossin, editor of the Canadian Film Weekly, to act as toastmaster and introduce the speakers who were to follow. Frost, Bragg Speak A better understanding of mutual problems would arise if various representatives of sections of the industry, along with those of competitive companies, would meet with some regularity for an exchange of ideas, Tom J. Bragg, vice-president of Odeon Theatres, told the gathering. Bragg, who was the senior officer of Odeon in the city in the absence of Paul Nathanson, brought the congratulations of his associates. The Hon. Leslie M. Frost, Provincial treasurer, who has jurisdiction over the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection branch of Ontario, revealed that he and others in public office had come to realize how important the effort of the motion picture industry had been during the war and what a share such companies as Twentieth Century Theatres, as part of that industry, had in charting the future. Haskell Masters, speaking for the distributors, provided a humorous interlude and capped it with a serious appreciation of the founders of Twentieth Century theatres. Among the speakers were Joseph Singer, K.C.; Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary of the Motion Picture Theatres Associa tion of Ontario; and Harry Mandell, comptroller of Twentieth Century Theatres. Congratulations to the company and its heads were offered by each speaker in the course of his address. Because many of those present were from other parts of the province and had never seen most of the industry persons they had read about at one time or another, the latter were presented to the gathering. Toronto Ballroom May Play Movies The vast Queensway Ballroom, located in what was called the Palace Pier, at the mouth of the Humber River, has been enquiring about exhibition regulations with a view to showing movies as part of its entertainment. The place has a dance policy, with occasional name bands being booked in. Page 3 To Odeon BILL FORMAN He has been appointed to the head office booking staff of Odeon Theatres by Frank Fisher, chief booker and buyer. Recently of the Toronto branch of Empire-Universal, where he served in the same capacity, Bill succeeds Zeke Sheine, who resigned to join Allied CoOperative Theatres. A likeable Jad, Bill Forman got into show business 17 years ago as an usher at the Astor Theatre, Toronto. In more recent years he was theatre manager for Firestone Enterprises, from which company he withdrew to enter the armed forces. After two years in the service he returned to civil life, joining the advertising department of Emp-u, then being promoted to the booking department. Sydney Cohen Now Empire-U Booker Sydney Cohen of Empire-Universal ad sales department has been switched to the booking staff of the Toronto branch, succeeding Bill Forman, who is now with Odeon Theatres. Andy Sinclair, Cohen's assistant, moves into the spot vacated by the latter. Technicolor Plans 30-40 British Pix In an 18-month program Technicolor is planning to expand it’s plant in Britain to handle 30 to 40 feature -films annually, stated Natalie Kalmus recently in New York, before leaving for a four month trip to the United Kingdom. Mrs. Kalmus, color director of Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, also announced that Technicolor will be associated with British interests in the production in Spain of “Three Cornered Hat.”