Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 28, 1948)

Page 10 ———— Canadian FILM WEEKLY January 28, 1948 Nine From VA ln 20 Vets Inducted Into Two Houses Open Famous 25-Yr. Club Third Ready Soon Next Few Months (Continued from Page 1) L. Sears, president. Three others are completed and will be released later on the 1948 program. Seven more are in the editing stage and three are in front of the cameras. The nine destined for selling this winter and spring are: Enterprise Studios’ “Arch of Triumph,” from the famous novel by Erich Maria Remarque, starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Charles Laughton and directed by Lewis Milestone. The Benedict Bogeaus-Burgess Meredith all-star comedy, “A Miracle Can Happen,” with James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour, Victor Moore, Fred MacMurray, Burgess Meredith and Paulette Goddard heading the impressive lineup. King Vidor and Leslie Fenton directed the threepart story, the writing of which was shared by Arch Oboler, John O'Hara and Laurence Stallings. “Sleep My Love,” a drama coproduced by Mary Pickford, Buddy Rogers and Ralph Cohn under the Triangle Productions’ banner and starring Claudette Colbert, Robert Cummings and Don Ameche. Story is by Leo Rosten and St. Clair McKelway. “So This Is New York,’ produced by Stanley Kramer’s Screen Plays Incorporated for Enterprise Studios from a famous _ short story by Ring Lardner. Film introduces radio star Henry Morgan and he shares top billing with Dona Drake and Virginia Grey. “They Passed This Way,’ produced by Harry Sherman for Enterprise Studios and which stars Joel McCrea, Frances Dee and Charles Bickford. Seymour NebenzZal’s “Atlantis,” with Maria Montez, Dennis O'Keefe and Jean Pierre Aumont starred. Sam Bischoff’s “Intrigue,”’ with George Raft and June Havoc sharing stellar honors. “Red River,” produced and directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne. J. Arthur Rank’s “Man of Evil,’ starring James Mason, Phyllis Calvert, Stewart Granger and Wilfred Lawson. The three other films scheduled for later release in 1948 are Cagney Productions’ “The Time of Your Life,” starring James Cagney, with William Bendix, Wayne Morris, Jeanne Cagney, James Barton and Paul Draper; Roach’s comedy, “Laff-Time,” and Edward Peskay’s “The Angry God” in Fullcolor. ‘The Gallant Blade" Larry Parks and Marguerite Chapman will star in Columbia’s “The Gallant Blade.” Hal (Continued from Page 1) and their induction brought the total membership to 131, which includes those who became members since the club’s inception several years ago. Members receive a diamond-pin, the choice of a watch or a victory bond, a certificate and two extra weeks’ vacation. Highlight of the evening was the presentation of these by R. W. Bolstad, vicepresident of the company, introduced by Morris Stein, eastern division manager, who acted as toastmaster. Prior to the dinner the ladies had the corsages of their choice pinned on them by one of three smartly-uniformed Famous Players usherettes. Before the ceremonies the guests were entertained by the Gay 90s Quartette, Clarence Causten and Johnny Perkins with violin and piano accordion, and the radio singing star, Giselle. When the Crystal * Ballroom activities were over all moved to Vanity Fair for dancing and further entertainment as the guests of the company. “We have had the good fortune to have the right leadership from the right people at the right time,’”’ Stein said in introducing Bolstad and referring to John J. Fitzgibbons, Famous Players’ president, who was absent in Ottawa on important business for the motion picture industry. “They and you have made it possible for us to become more than just the leaders in entertainment. You have made it possible for us to become a national institution as well.” Bolstad revealed that Famous Players had grown in 25 years from 60 theatres to 350 administered by the company, partners or associates and that in that time its property investment had increased from six to 24 million dollars. It catered to four and one-half million patrons each’ week. He disagreed with some claims that a person stayed with one firm because he feared the uncer Dilley New Head Of Lakehead Exhibs C. Dilley, manager of the Colonial Theatre in Port Arthur, Ontario, was elected president of the Lakehead Motion Picture Exhibitors Association at a recent meeting. Association is composed of exhibitors from the Twin Cities, Port Arthur and Fort William, and surrounding district. N. Novack of the Royal Theatre, Fort William, was voted in as vice-president and Lloyd Palmer of the Lyceum, Port Arthur, was named secretary. tainties of the future elsewhere or hoped for greater personal gain. “A man or woman stays on the job because he likes the company he works for and the people he works with,” he said. ‘It is only through length of service that you develop the quality of leadership.. Your loyalty is traditional with Famous Players.” The speaker congratulated the Allens, who operate the Premier circuit and are partners, for building up industry and company manpower in the vital pioneer days. Wires were read from Fitzgibbons and the world head of the company, Barney Balaban. Other messages to the gathering and individual members came trom Eddie Zorn, Winnipeg; Arthur Hirsch, Montreal; and from the staff of the Seneca, Niagara Falls, to Jack Ward. Jule Allen, head of Theatre Holding Corporation and an early partner, was introduced as “the dean of the industry’’ when called on. He praised those members of the club who had entered the business through his company and were now with Famous Players, with whom he and his group looked forward to many more years of association. Speaking to all who received the benefits of membership in the 25 Year Club, he said ‘You have earned this with your long years of service and devotion.” Norman Robertson, KC, earlier had proposed the toast to, the ladies, which was replied to humorously »y Ray Lewis. Other speakers were Harry Jarmain, who spoke for the projectionist members; Noel Barrow of head office; Ben Geldsaler, chief booker and buyer; Larry Bearg, eastern division Manager, who was about to leave for the club dinners in his area; and James Nairn, head of advertising and public relations. © Those inducted from Toronto district were W. A. Birchall, T. S. Daley, R. L. Downey, B. Geldsaler, T. Hoad, Mrs. BE. Holt, N. L. Jackson, H. C. Jarmain, F. L. Martin, A. J. Massey and G. Morrell. Others were A. E. Cauley, Peterborough; F. G. Doney, Guelph; H. H. Eckert, St. Catharines; A. Fraser, Brantford; J. R. McLennan, Brockville; E. O. Smithies, Kingston; J. V. Ward, Niagara Falls; V. Zuana, Ottawa; and H. Pervis, Palace, Montreal. Partners present were Jule and Herb Allen, Toronto; Sam Bloom and Sam Fine, Toronto; Clarence Markell, Cornwall; Sjmon Meretsky, Windsor; and George Georgas, Owen Sound. (Continued from Page 1) ceived a setback when a permit was refused and one theatre closed to allow for a big renovation job. Odeon .Theatres of Canada opened its second new house in Montreal recently. Named the Mercier, it has a seating capacity of 909 on the main floor and in the balcony and cost approximately $200,000 to build. Manager is Alfred Goulet and it was designed by Henry E. Greenspoon of Montreal. Structure has sever. al innovations, one being a recessed inner court banked with shrubbery, around which the lobby runs in the interior. Unlike Odeon’s recently opened OdeonCremazie in Montreal, it will play English-speaking pictures. Second theatre to open in the Dominion was the. Windthorst Theatre in Windthorst, Saskatchewan. Built by J. A. Johnson, it is the first in the community and seats over 300. B & F’s 1,000-seat Donlands Theatre in Toronto is nearing completion and a tentative opening date has been set early in May. The company premiered the Vaughan, also in Toronto, just a short time ago. It, too, was a 1,000-seat project. Walls are under way for France-Film Company’s $250,000 house in Quebec City and in the same province construction is under way on Phillip Karibian’s 500-seat, $75,000 theatre for Ste. Adele. At present Karibian operates Ste. Adele’s only other situation, the 400-seat Parish Hall. Reports from Acton, Ontario, indicate that a new record for the time required to build a theatre will likely be made by Odeon, whose 725-seat prefaricated job is setting an unbelievable pace. Foundation is in and the Quonset framework has been erected and the steel covering is being put on. Supplied by National Theatre Sales, Ltd. of Toronto, the house is the first of several under way in Canada and is the second house in Acton, the other being Gregory Theatres’ 258-seat Gregory, which operates three days weekly. Contract has been awarded by Edwin C. Hill of Richmond Amusements Ltd. for the erection of the 600-seat $150,000 structure in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and the Enderby, Quebec, Town Council has approved a permit for the erection of a theatre there. Odeon’s 698-seat Garrick Theatre in Halifax, NS, has been closed temporarily to permit of $20,000 worth of renovation work,