Canadian Film Weekly (Oct 31, 1945)

—— ra. ae | MALCOLM WALKER Recently elected president of the Nova Scotia Allied Exhibitors Association. New, Larger Theatre For Aylmer, Ontario Theatre Holding Corporation will build the new theatre previously reported as being in prospect for Aylmer, Ontario, it is announced by William R. Watt, manager of the Strand Theatre, Simcoe, Ontario. The new building will be erected on the site of the present Capitol Theatre, already owned by Theatre Holding, and will take in the adjoining property as well. It will have a seating capacity of 500, Wells, Beveridge Back in Ottawa (Continued from Page 1). ries, has become production secretary of the NFB, succeeding Jack G. Ralph. Ralph was named to succeed Dr. Malcolm Ross as director of distribution, following the resignation of the latter. One of the most of experienced of young Canadian film makers, Beveridge produced such excellent documentary shorts as ‘‘Look to the North’ and “Break Through.” Art Wells, the NFB’s newsreel representative in London, who was also responsible for the increase in exchange of newsreel material between this country and Britain, is now in charge of a newsreel unit. The Canadian Army Overseas Newsreel, exhibited overseas, benefitted from his selections. In Ottawa he will work to keep up the high percentage of Canadian clips in newsreels distributed in the USA. Canadian versions of USA-made newsreels now contain 40 per cent Canadian subject matter. Canadian FILM WEEKLY | October 31, 1945 Ontario Exhibitors In Annual Session (Continued from Page 1) dropped. ‘‘The situation calls for a rebirth vf showmanship,” he claimed, making the point that distributors and exhibitors would have to work hand in hand to maintain revenues. Continued good relations were necessary if the flow of good pictures from all distributors was to be maintained as a guarantee of business. Bamberger, with a distinguished record of service to the industry in many ways, has been with RKO for 13 years. In 1922 he was head of exploitation in Canada for Paramount, being stationed in Toronto, and he expressed himself as gratified to see many friends he had made during his Canadian sojourn. At the conclusion of his remarks RKO’'s Frank Sinatra tolerance reel, ‘“‘The House We Live In,” was screened. Mayor Present Mayor Robert E. Saunders welcomed the members in behalf of the City of Toronto and praised their contribution to the war effort. Another speaker welcomed was J. J. Fitzgibbons, chairman of the Motion Picture War Services Committee, who told the listeners that he was grateful for their support during his period of service, saying that he was sure that they would provide the same whole-hearted effort for whichever person led the industry’s future patriotic effort. “We have proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that we can be a hard-hitting team in any kind of an emergency that comes up,’ he stated. “Each of us is carrying our share of the load in Hamilton Managers Ass'n Names Execs Kent Craig, recently appointed supervisor of the United Amusement Company theatres in Hamilton, Ontario, was elected president of the Hamilton Theatre Manage A Association for the next yee at a recent meeting. Also elacted to the executive were James McDonough, Tivoli Theatre, vice-president; and Mrs, Jean Gregory, Windsor Theatre, secretary-treasurer, George Stroud, Palace Theatre; Lloyd Gurr, Century Theatre; Louis Rosefield, Westdale; and Lang of the Delta were elected to the board of directors. S. Gallagher, of the Hamilton Victory Loan committee, addressed the managers at the meeting and was assured of full co-operation in the present campaign. every community in which we show our pictures.’ The speaker, at the conclusion of his remarks, drew a warm ovation when Taylor pointed out that the industry owed him its warmest thanks for his unselfish and unstinting leadership. At the head table were Sam Fine, Joe Garborino, Jack Hunter, Herb Allen, Clare Appel, Arch H. Jolley, Leo Devaney, Leon Bamberger, Floyd Rumford, Ed Warren, Harry Alexander, William Summerville, Jr. and Morris Stein. Business Session A minute of silence was observed in memory of the late ‘Morris Milligan, a director of the association, who passed away earlier this year. This took place at the beginning of the business session, which followed the luncheon after an adjournment of ten minutes. Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary, reviewed his period in office for the year, discussing the addition of several regional branches and the war effort of the theatres. Jolley won praise for his fine work. There are 291 theatres in the association, 97 of them Independent, it was revealed by William Summerville, Jr., chairman of the membership committee. While expenditures were greater during 1944, said Joe Garborino, treasurer, the association was financially sound. Elected as directors were N. A. Taylor, Morris Stein, Jack Hunter, Joe Garborino, Herb Allen, William Summerville, Jr., Ralph Dale, Ed Warren, Floyd Rumford, Sam Fine and E. S. Meehan. The board is sprinkled liberally with Independents and theatre operators from various points in Ontario. The board will elect officers fom its ranks shortly. Melchior Guest at Calgary Dinner Lauritz Melchior, Metropolitan opera star, who made a successful film debut in MGM’s Technicolor musical ‘Thrill of a Romance,” recently visited Calgary, Alberta, as guest of honor at the anniversary dinner of the Royal Danish Guards Society. W. Guss, Regal branch manager in Calgary attended the dinner, A tribute was also paid Melchior when the numbers which he sang in the picture were played on a recent Voice of Victor program over the CBC network. Isman Welcomed To Queen City (Continued from Page 1) at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, last week. Those present were guests of Empire-Universal and were welcomed by A. W. Perry, general manager, who acted as chairman. Welcoming Isman, John J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players, pointed out that Toronto as a film centre had been an important stepping stone to greater things in the world industry. He cited as examples Phil Reisman, Wolfe Cohen, and Dave Coplan. Others who spoke were Tom J. Bragg of Odeon Theatres and Nat Taylor of Twentieth Century Theatres. “I sincerely appreciate your warm welcome,” said Isman in thanking the guests. “I want to thank the company for the opportunity of coming here and hope to vindicate its faith in me.” He called for a silent toast to those members of industry who had passed on during the last few years. At the head table were William Weiss, Allied Co-Operative Theatres; Sam Bloom, B & F; George Beeston, Empire-Universal; N. A. Taylor; M. J. Isman; A. W. Perry; J. J. Fitzgibbons; T. J. Bragg; _~ Ben Geldsaler, Famous Players; Morris Stein; Larry Bearg; Famous Players. An additional touch of humor was provided by traps being hung around the walls, each tagged with the name of a circuit. The allusion was to Isman’s entering the industry as an ex/+hibitor at The Pas, Manitoba, trapping country. Film ‘Dick Tracy’ Morgan Conway will play the lead in “Dick Tracy,’’ RKO's film version of .the famous picture strip. Transfer Manager Gordon Bregman, manager of the Grant Theatre, Toronto, has been transferred to the Colony, succeeding Hilliard Conway. Reginald Watt, winner of the DFC as a Flight Lieutenant in the RCAF and formerly of Saskatchewan, will manage the Grant. Para Exec Passes Walter B. Cokell, treasurer of Paramount Pictures Incorporated, passed away recently in Bronxville, New York. He was 57 years of age. Starting with Paramount in 1920, Cokell became assistant treasurer in 1933 and was named treasurer shortly afterwards, ¢ r vo