Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 20, 1946)

awa Page 10 Canadian FILM WEEKLY February 20, 1916 As Others See Us Those Theatre Munchers (From the Brantford Expositor) One gathers, from current hints in trade journals, that some enterprising moving picture theatre concerns may be toying with the idea of installing devices for the making of popcom, and installing them, moreover, in the lobbies or foyers of their theatres—of all places! To an individual lacking any sense of the aesthetic, or to one given to attending the movies for the main purpose of munching foodstuff, any protest will probably be meaningless. But to the great majority of theatre patrons, who have long suffered from the nitwit im politeness of those who mistake a theatre for an eating-house, the prospect of popped com in crackley paper bags, obtainable at the very door of the cinema, is scarcely short of appalling! In the event of this imbecile notion being carried into actual practice, citizens wishing to enjoy a talkie, in preference to having the words drowned out by disgusting masticatory noises from the rear, will have little choice except to blacklist and boycott shows which put popcorm profits ahead of patrons’ paidfor privileges. The only alternative that comes to mind would be for the managements to construct soundproof galleries or hutches in which the munchers might be segregated. By the same token, those theatre syndicates which feel themselves in public duty bound to make candy and other comestibles available to those who seem unable to keep their jaws still for even a short two hours, would be rendering a real service if they would insist upon the packaging companies delivering the chewy goods in noiseless, wrappers. Motion Picture Theatres Obeying the. Law (From the Niagara Falls Review) There has been a suggestion in some quarters that children are permitted to go into moving pictures at all times, unaccompanied .or not; that they play “hookey” and go to the theatres instead of to school. That, quite evidently is not true in Niagara Falls, where the management of local theatres strictly observe the law in that respect. The law is quite clear and is as follows: “A child under the age of sixteen years unaccompanied by an adult shall not be permitted to attend any exhibition by cinematograph, moving picture machine or other similar apparatus for admission to which a fee is charged, except on Saturday of each week, and on school, public and legal holidays, between the hours of 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.” And penalties can and are imposed for infractions, with fines ranging from $20 to $200 for each conviction. There has been some criticism that crime pictures are too common, but it is pointed out by the Ontario Board of Censorship that great care is taken with such pic _ tures and at least half a dozen pictures, now circulating across the line, are being held up for Ontario and probably will be banned entirely. Intelligent people agree that the situation as far as moving pictures is concerned in Ontario is well in hand and that both censors and theatre managements are doing a good job. Al Bow to the Movies (From the British Columbian, New Westminster, BC) It is a human habit to become accustomed to marvels and take them for granted. Patrons of motion picture theatres probably seldom, if ever, reflect that within living memory there was a time when anything of an entertainment nature was a comparatively rare phenomenon in most communities. Concerts were given at wide intervals; a travelling company of players sometimes trod the boards of the local “opera house; there were amateur theatricals. In those days it would have seemed incredible that a time would come when the citizen of even a small city could, if so desired, see a different “show” six nights a week, summer and winter. The movies have brought this about. Not only is the entertainment field these days wide and diversified but the cost to its patrons is incredibly low compared with the pre-movie period. When a theatrical troupe had to be transported long distances with its equipment of scenery, properties and what not, the expense was tremendous. Now they can all be sent broadcast rolled up in one small celluloid film. Standpat devotees of the so-called legitimate stage may moum the absence of flesh-and-blood actors. Against this is to be put the screen's ability to present an infinite variety of scene with great realism. The motion picture theatre has something for every taste and every mood. Its patrons may indulge in release of any emotion. If they seek escape, in the jargon of psychology, they can shut out the world of a humdrum existence for hours. This form of indulgence, if it be so considered, has two great virtues; it is unrationed and it involves no moming after headache. RETURN YOUR BALLOT ee REE | Annual Boxoffice Poll of Stars and Films