Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 20, 1946)

Page 8 Are They Frank Or Foolish? Sign advertising the lunch counter in a Yonge Street department store reads: “No Better Food—No Better Service.” Plenty of places, because of conditions, are all out of better food and better service but they don’t advertise the fact. Or perhaps this advertiser meant “Better Food — Better Service.” Reminds me of the firm that advertised the quality of its goods as being “next to none.” The ad was changed hastily when a sharp-eyed reader pointed out that “second to none” was meant. They’re Back The boys are home at Famous Players. Fred Brown and Jim Cameron are back with Jimmy Nairn, as is Charlie Wilks, who rejoined Jack Barker’s art department. Lou Karp is around also and will soon be booking again. A Great Example of Devotion to Duty Donald Stevens, projectionist at the Granada, St. Catharines, suffered a stroke recently while at the machines and fell to the floor. He rang for the usher, who helped him up, made a perfect changeover and stuck with the job until help arrived. A taxi took Don home, which he left for the hospital shortly after. Along with the stroke, which arose from a sudden heart disturbance, he developed pneumonia. Manager Raoul Auerbach of 20th Century Theatres wrote him a warm letter of praise and thanks. Hats off to a game guy with a fine sense of responsibility. Something Else That Mildred Pierce Did “Doll Face” at the Victoria and “Mildred Pierce” at the Imperial got neighborly and the latter sent the former the following letter — with the assistance of that pen-handy Glenn Ireton, whose script for the crack WB color short, “Forest Commandos,” had much to do with its rave-preview qualities: Dearest Doll Face— S-0-0-o you're the horrible creature who’s been telling people what Mildred Pierce did! Frankly, I should think you'd have your own screen full, what with Perry Como and Dennis O’Keefe on your neck— and Carmen, that comic-bomb Miranda, at your throat! If you want 2 few tips, slick chick, come up and watch me handle Zachary Scott, who tries to prove that in the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to what he’s been thinking all winter! With motions of love, (signed) Mildred Pierce. P.S, Hmm! What I DID!! Some Notes About Folks You Know Howard Stephenson, Charlie’s boy, just signed for 26 weeks in the Pacific with a USO unit. He’s teamed with his wife Ann. Howard and Ann quit the Miami entertainment scene to go with the USO and the former was here for a day to see his dad. Those are mighty handy book _ing calendars being handed out to the trade by Johnny Poole of Paramount Posters. Jack and Jean Sherwin are in Miami. Jack was WB Toronto branch booker before he quit to enter business for himself. Ty Power and Annabelle asked to see “The Seventh Veil” during their Montreal visit and it was screened for them at Associated Screen News. The film, outgrossing anything in Britain, is attracting much attention in the trade and James Mason should become a top North American star overnight because of it. One of the early returns in our BO poll named him as the chief attraction in the theatre of the voter. Ernest Ouimet, that grand ploneer, is awaiting some specially-designed equipment, held up by priorities, to make a test on his third dimension idea, on which he has worked for years. The Eclipse, Toronto, has changed hands but we haven’t the details. Frank Kershaw, who recently quit General Theatre Supply, is in town. Joe Starkman, who left Goldhar and Soloway to enlist, is now a customer’s man at Bain-Newling, assisting Max Raber, who used to be with Columbia. He’s a grand lad and here’s hoping it becomes worth his while. That was quite a campaign Keith Wilson put on for the Regah, Hagersville. It was its second birthday under Pete Barnes and Keith got full-page co-op ads. He plugged a new-show-everynight idea. Arna Mann and Flo Simmons of 20th Century Theatres are thrilled by the success of Judy Holliday in a new Broadway play, “Born Yesterday.” She’s their cousin and her work has won great acclaim. Overlooked Time Magazine saw that there was a Man of the Year but how about the Word of the Year? My nomination: “Sorry!” ae nn. nN oe Sy LS Canadian FILM WEEKLY SQUARE It Looked Just Like A Hospital Train Jay Smith and Paul Maynard went skiing in the Laurentians recently and were joined later by Dick Main and Ralph Dale. Six days after he arrived Paul cracked an ankle. Dick Main, being smaller and speedier, sprained an ankle much faster — two hours after he checked in. It was a case of poetic justice, for Dick, an efficient fellow, blamed inefficiency and lack of skiing skill for the Maynard mishap. Thereafter there wasn’t much te do but sit around the bar and absorb anaesthetic. They did. The pain must shave been severe for they absorbed much. Then feeling the need of friendly sympathy, they began phoning their friends in Toronto. The trip home attracted much attention, for they changed trains with the help of wheelchairs. Maynard and Main pooled good legs and managed to make the various inside stops — smoker, bar, washrooms — without the help of Smith and Dale, the well-known comedy team who, to be different from their vaudeville namesakes, were getting laughs instead of giving them. Archie Laurie went down to meet the train when it arrived in Toronto, prepared to decorate the boys for action in the Battle of Quebec. The lads laughed their way through things, using their adversity to give Laurie his morning smile. But by now I’ll bet the joke is over and those limpy limbs are just a nuisance. Oh yes! Early in their stay I received a wire from Paul saying that Jay Smith, the great skier, had broken an arm and leg while showing off. It was strictly a gag with an O. Henry finish, for it worked the other way around. Big Boy Blue Fellow I know felt like breaking off one of the limbs of the law recently. He parked at 4.29 in a 4.30 no-parking zone, leaying the motor running while he picked up a parcel. It was 4.31 when he got back. A cop had tagged the car and was sstill there. My friend explained things and told the cop he thought he was being too zealous in handing out a ticket where a minute was involved. ‘It only takes me 30 seconds to make out a ticket,” answered the cop coldly. 7 February 20, 1946 MAJOR LARRY PAULSON Formerly of the film industry in the Toronto area, he has become Paramount’s general manager for India. Larry Paulson Is Para India Chief (Continued from Page 1) industry started when he joined Twentieth Century-Fox back in 1927 as a salesman in the Toronto branch where Bill Gehring, now western sales manager for 20thFox, was then branch manager. At that time the company’s offices were at 187 Victoria Street, and the late Jim O’Loghlan, who died several year's ago, was Canadian general manager. In 1934 Paulson was appointed general manager for the China territory for Fox and_ served there until 1938, when he returned to the United States and became sales representative in the Denver and Des Moines territory for the same company. In 1943 he entered military service and spent 34 months in the China-Burma-India theatre. Paulson will serve under J. E. Perkins, head of the Far Eastern, New Zealand, Australian and South African division of Paramount, in his new job. Greene Returns Richard Greene, 20th CenturyFox star who has been serving in the British Army since the outbreak of war, returned to Hollywood last week after a few years’ absence. He will be seen next in “Forever Amber.”