Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 7, 1948)

January 7, 1948 Odeon, Peterboro De Luxe House (Continued from Page 1) houses are in the final stages of construction. The standard policy of mixing British and Hollywood product prevails in this case as in all the other units of the circuit. The Peterborough Odeon opened with the Royal wedding in Technicolor and “Green for Danger.” Claude Hunter is house manager. The Peterborough Odeon repeats the striking new architectural features which are now becoming recognizable characteristics of these theatres. The visual front includes a large picture window through which the entire foyer is visible from the ‘street. Legroom between seats is 25 per cent greater than average. The cashier’s cage is replaced by a ticket counter inside the lobby with both lobby and foyer doors of plate glass. The auditorium has “built-in _acoustics,’”’ achieved by scientific ally-planned planes and curves in walls and ceiling. In this case, a modernistic design has also been included in the wall treatment. The proscenium arch has been eliminated and both booth and auditorium have been planned to provide for television if, as and when television becomes an actuality for theatres. The theatre was designed by the late Jay I. English, MRAIC, and completed under the supervision of Leslie H. Kemp of Odeon’s engineering and maintenance division. The opening’ created a sensation in Peterborough which though isolated in eastern Ontario, is a concentrated’ highwage area. The city has not had a major new theatre since the days when Gus Hill’s touring operas were the highlights of each season. With the opening scheduled for 8.30 p.m., the street was blocked with wouldbe patrons two hours in advance and the turnaway ran into the thousands. The opening program included a preview of 1948 styles staged by leading Canadian designers with garments shown air-expressed to London the next day as gifts to British film favorites. In addition to Hon. Mr. Lawson, J. Arthur Rank executives at the opening included George W. Peters, vice-president; Clare J. Appel, eastern divisional manager; Frank Fisher, head of Eagle-Lion in Canada; and Don Gauld, Odeon supervisor. aie New Monogram Title “Fighting Mad” has been set as the release title for Monogram’s “A Palooka Named Joe.” Canadian FILM WEEKLY Emp-U °48 List Most _ Impressive Ever (Continued from Page 1) from a standpoint of leading. stars and unstinted production. U-I now has a dozen features completed and shooting is slated simultaneously for an average of five pictures as part of the company’s long-range production plan to film 40 story properties. Current releases are Douglas Fairbanks’ production, “The Exile,” which costars Maria Montez with Fairbanks and introduces Paule Croset; “Pirates of Monterey,” the Maria Montez-Rod Cameron Technicolor film; and Fritz Lang’s Diana production, “The Secret Beyond the Door,” costarring Joan Bennett and Michael Redgrave. In January the Charles Boyer dramatic romance, ‘A Woman’s Vengeance” and Nunnally John-:: son’s “The Senator Was Indiscreet,” which stars William Powell, will be offered. Powell’s popularity is greater than ever since his fine performance in “Life With Father,” which is yet to play at popular prices. These will be followed in February by Michael Kanin’s “A Double Life,’ in which Ronald Colman stars, and “The Naked City,” the film which Mark Hellinger, whose sudden death late in December, shocked the film, theatre and newspaper world, considered the best among all his productions. March will see the release of Chester Erskine’s screen version of the hit play, “All My Sons,” Theatre Owner Fined For Excessive Noise Joseph Alexander Aird, owner of the Passe Temps’ Theatre in Montreal, was fined only court costs on four charges of causing © “excessive noise” during the past summer by Recorder Roland Paquette recently. Complaint of neighbors of the theatre was voiced when the exit doors were left open to permit for ventilation during warm weather. The fine was made very light by the Recorder when he was informed that a $7,000 airconditioning unit had been. installed, one which met with the approval of the city department. which will star Edward G. Robinson and Burt Lancaster. “Casbah,” the Yvonne De Car‘ lo starrer—with Tony Martin and Marta Torten—will'-be released in April, as will two other outstanding productions with Broadway reputations, “Up in Central Park,’’.a musical costarring Deanna Durbin, Dick Haymes and Vincent Price, and “Another Part of the Forest,’ starring Frederic March, Ann Blyth, Dan Duryea, Edmond O’Brien and Florence Eldridge. ’ March will be remembered for his great performance in ‘the Academy Award-winning production, “The Best Years of Our Lives.” : Three Technicolor spectacles will be released in early summer —Walter Wanger’s “Tap Roots,” starring Van Heflin and Susan Hayward; “Black Bart;” and “River Lady,” starring Yvonne De Carlo, Dan Duryea, Rod Cameron and Helena Carter. Universal-International’s story roster is drawn from leading Broadway stage hits and bestselling novels. Among the stage properties are “Harvey,” You With It?” “Mexican Hayride,” “Bloomer Girl” and ‘“Portrait in Black.” The novels are Edna Ferber’s “Great Son,’’ Hans Habe’s “Aftermath,” Frederic _Wakeman’s “The Saxon Charm,” Gabrielle Roy’s “The Tin Flute,” Roman McDougald’s “Purgatory Street,” MacKinlay Kantor’s “Midnight Lace,’ Thomas W. Duncan’s “Gus the Great” and Henry Morton Robinson’s ‘The Great Snow.” Of special interest to Canadians is the filming of Miss Roy’s “The Tin Flute,” a Canadian story with a Montreal locale, which won the GovernorGeneral’s Award. Paramount To Film "Father's Day' “Father’s Day,” story of an Indiana town in 1910, will be put in production early in 1948 by Paramount with a cast headed by Veronica Lake, Mary Hatcher, Mona Freeman, Billy. De Wolfe and Roland Culver. William Russell will direct and Daniel Dare will produce the film. Vol. 18, No. 1 Jan, 7, 1948 .HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada. Entered as Second Class Matter. Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. “Are Page 3 GLENN IRETON Appointed head of Englishlanguage operations for Renaissance Films Distribution, © Ine. Airline Terminal Circuit Formed Another development of the air age was made recently when Airlines Terminal Theatres, Incorporated was registered as a Michigan corporation. Formed for the purpose of installing and operating short subject motion picture theatres at major airports, the Company has already contracted for, and will soon open, its first unit. Planning for auditoriums of the small “intimate” type, the Company will operate its theatres along the same lines as the highly popular news-short subject theatres currently drawing large crowds in all major cities. In addition to motion pictures, there will be a direct press teletype news service for patron information. However, going a step further, the Company also introduces VISU-MATIC — a small screen alongside the motion picture screen whereby the audience will be kept informed of arrivals, departures, and personal messages as relayed from the terminal dispatchers. The idea was developed by Charles E. Skinner, one of the directors. While present plans call for the development and operation of these short-subject theatres exclusively at airports, the Company is prepared to use new developments along specialized short-subject lines such as might be made available through extension of television. Final Title Set ‘Dangerous Illusion” is the final title for Producing Artists’ film; formerly known as “Prelude to Night.”