Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 12, 1945)

Page 6 New Seats Will Be Made Here (Continued from Page 1) It was estimated by Jules Wolfe of Famous Players that 70,000 seats would have to be sold annually in Canada to make ’ profitable the erection of a plant for manufacture in Canada which would produce a Kroehler or International seat at a price which would compare with that in the USA. Such a scheme would not be practicable, since the Canadian market could absorb no ‘such amount. Licensing of the Canadian Theatre Chair Company to produce such seats in its plant has provided the answer. The company is at present reorganizing its plant and is expected to be in production in three or four months. Negotiations had been proceeding for some time and the solu ‘tion is a happy one, since Canadian exhibitors prefer to buy a “made-in-Canada product. Seats manufactured or assembled in Canada will be marketed throughout the British Empire. *-Canada’s 1,298 theatres in 1944 contained 712,998 seats and this figure, according to the expansion plans of circuits, Independents and 16 mm. operators, may reach a million within the next few years. J. P. Kane, Halifax e e e Projectionist, Dead John Patrick Kane, projection‘ist at the Casino Theatre, Hali.. fax, NS, died recently at the age of 59. He was well known in theatrical circles in the east coast city, having started as a stage hand at the Academy of Music back _in 1909. He was connected with many phases of theatrical and motion picture work and took part in stage and screen productions in the early part of his career. Zane Grey Story Comedy lead in RKO’s “Sunset Pass,” a Zane Grey story, will be played by John Laurenz. Three-House Start ‘For "Colonel Blimp’ A departure in the way of film openings was made recently when “The Adventures of Colonel Blimp,” a United Artists release, began simultaneous runs at three Toronto houses, the Avenue, Hollywood and Century theatres. Now in general release, the long awaited British picture stars Deborah Kerr, reported to be as breath-takingly lovely as any star Hollywood could produce. Costarred with her are Roger Livesey and Anton Walbrook. Canadian FILM WEEKLY WU aNd be Alice in Odeonland Where in the world will one win a more sincere and devoted friendship than from a youngster? The little boy or girl makes no profession of human relations but responds to mere interest with devotion. With no hope of personal gain or future benefit, such friendship is real gold. It is superior to the quality of fraternity of most adults. It makes better adults of those who are fortunate enough to enjoy it. The boys who are the local chiefs of the Odeon Movie Clubs for Young Canadians, the Rank-Nathanson juvenile wing which has spread to eight cities under Tom Bowyer and Hilliard Conway, now have a number of adventures in friendship they would not trade for anything. They regard them as rare experiences and each has some treasured letters from the kids. Some of these letters are addressed to local chiefs but most, with juvenile directness, have been sent to Paul Nathanson, who is to them the big chief. This is proof of ths fine psychology used by local chiefs, for apparently the children regard them as comrades with authority, persons who, like themselves, have a common loyalty to the big chief. It is obvious that the clubs have taught the children the value of obligation. They feel that their absence from the meeting requires explanation and they do so by letter. These communications have a special kind of humor. Despite misspellings they have more charm and human interest than most slick writings. I wish I could print all of them. They Couldn't Make It “T am sorry I could not come to the shows on Saturday mornings,” one wrote, “because I got’ hay-fever and information of the eyes.” Another couldn’t be there ‘“‘Becauese I have the chicken pox. But I hope I will be able to go on June 30th. I past this year. I like the button and card you sent me, Thanks for them both. You frend.” It was raining, explained a member “and I had a coaled and I would like to come but I couldn’t so I guess that’s all for now good-by.” The manager is, of course, the chief. One Sunday Ken Johnston of the Palace, Galt, Ontario, was awakened out of a sound’ sleep at 9.80 a.m. by an eight-year-cld youngster with a proposition. The boy offered Ken’s wife a pint jar of grasshoppers, one of his prize possessions, if hubby would accompany him to Sunday schocl. Ken did. “I might also mention that I am now unable, as the chief, to ever have a beer in one of the local pubs,” says Ken. “The members frown upcn this sort of thing.” Wannie Tyers of the Capitol, Niagara Falls, also has some heart-warming literature. “I don’t want to sing a song this week,” wrote a member. “But I'll sing a song next week and I wont sing the song I rot. But I'll sing a song of I was standing on a corner Your frend.” Others write at will or whim of their pleasure and reveal home problems. “I have no daddy and mother has to work,” one wrote. Another explained that he would be away because he was having his appendix out. Parents Approve Many letters of approval of the clubs come from parents and some of these are written upon the insistence of the children. A mother with three children who are members wrote that her son was sick “and his only worry is that he will have to miss the club meeting for the next couple of weeks. He doesn’t worry about missing school.” To satisfy him she promised to write and explain his absence. Her children always came home with glowing accounts of the meeting. “Thanks from us, the parents, for the interest the Odeon Theatres are taking in our children.” How the chiefs feel about it can be gathered from Hilliard Conway’s tale of Patsy, ene of eight ragged and dirty brothers and sisters. Patsy decided to accept the invitation to entertain from the stage, and then she‘showed up for her debut with the same clothes but clean and polished. “A new and wondrous little girl who needed no spotlight or accompaniment” was Patsy as she, illuminated from within by December 5, 1945 EDWARD D. WARREN Aurora, Ontario, exhibitor, who passed away last week. B & F Pays $5,000 For Woman's Fall Damages of $5,000 was awarded Mrs. Margaret Brown by an assize court jury in an action against B&F Theatres Ltd, Toronto. The action resulted from an accident in the Christie Theatre, Toronto, when Mrs. Brown fell down the stairs after mistaking the cellar door for the washroom. An additional $317 was awarded the plaintiff’s husband, H: A. Brown. MGM's "Expendable" Is Awarded Medal MGM’s “They Were Expendable” has been awarded the Parents’ Magazine medal for December as the outstanding production for the entire family. Robert Montgomery and John Wayne are co-starred. “some magic, won deafening ap plause for her singing of “Irish Eyes,” explains Hilliard Conway. “To have one child lifted towards her dream was worth untiring effort in this direction.” It was a letter from a mother that shocked Wannie Tyers out of a certain lack of realization and into action. “I am very sorry but my other little daughter is sick in bed with a bad cold, and furthermore, she hasn’t any shoes. But I’ve been treating her for the past week, and she will be alright for next Saturday. She hates to miss the fun today. But I do hope she will get well. I might have to call the doctor yet." ; = The result was the idea of having club members bring their old and discarded toys to each meeting before Christmas, so they could’ be turned over to a local welfare organization,