Canadian Film Weekly (May 19, 1948)

Vol. 13, No. 20 VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE TORONTO, MAY 19, 1948 FF ws INDUSTRY $2.00 Per Annum 30 New Ont. Theatres In Year Television, Drive-ins Will Cause Regulations To Be Revised Thirty new theatres were built in Ontario, important alterations were finished in 25 licensed premises, and 20 theatres were being renovated during the fiscal year ending March 31st, 1948, according to the annual report of O. J. Opinion Divided On USA Ruling The decisions of the United States Supreme Court on the appeal of the defendants against the findings of the lower court were. greeted with varying opinions by those affected. It was considered that the anti-trust Consent Decree issued last year (Continued on Page 3) Canada Product n Studied By Rank Plans for the production of major films in Canada and in Australia had been postponed because of the imposition of the British tax on film earnings but would now be reviewed, J. Arthur Rank stated at the press conference in London following (Continued on Page 8) Premier King Likes National Theatre “Personally I have always been in favor of a national theatre and I should like to see one established,’ Prime Minister Mackenzie King said in answer to a question from H. O. White, Middlesex East, in the House of Commons. White praised the London, Ontario, Little Theatre group and called that city “the cultural capital of Canada.” A national theatre has been advocated for many years by leading Canadian supporters of the live drama, with Ottawa the location. Plan Public Relations Program For Trade A public relations program for the Canadian motion picture industry is being given serious consideration and meetings of a steering committee will be held shortly to dis cuss its character and scope. on in the United States by the advertising and publicity committee of the Motion Picture Association of America, which is headed by Maurice Bergman of Universal-International. The Canadian committee was appointed as part of the work of the industry relations committee of the Motion Picture branch (Continued on Page 3) June Lockhart Cast June Lockhart will star in Walter Wanger’s production for. Eagle Lion (Hollywood), ‘The World and Little~Willie.” <Jt’s Audience May Reach Be Such activity is being carried Consolidated Shows Net Profits Increase A net profit of $131,666 is reported by Consolidated Theatres in 1947, equal to 37 cents per class “B” share, after allowing for one year’s dividend requirements in the class “A” stock. This compares with a net profit of $121,606 in 1946, equal to 33 cents per class “B” share on the same basis. Net working capital is shown at $401,933, an increase of $163,320. Mortgage indebtedness was reduced by $69,166 during the year. yond he ustomary A. & C. Followers” — SHOW Silverthorne, chairman of the Motion Picture Censorship and Theatre Inspection branch of the province. The summary, addressed to the Honorable Leslie M. Frost, KC, who as provincial treasurer is senior officer of the branch, revealed that five drive-in theatres were in operation and nine more contemplated during the fiscal year. (Continued on Page 9) Tax Opposed By Liberals, CCF A Liberal government, if voted into power at the forthcoming Ontario elections, would reduce the amusement tax, it was indicated by Farquhar Oliver, provincial leader, in a speech at Islington recently. “A 20 per cent amusement tax in these (Continued on Page 3) I. H. Allen's Televideo Televideo of Canada has been formed by I. H. Allen cf Astral Films to supply product for television stations. Reseat Massey Hall: More Drive-ins Reseating of Massey Hall, Toronto, will be part of the work 1948 Officers Named By B&F Managers of renovation and alteration which will begin this month, end in October in time for the new season, and be resumed the following summer. The orchestra will be reseated as part of the first stage of the work and the two balconies later. The famous auditorium, built in 1894, seats more than 3,200 and is managed by Ross Creelman. The architects in charge are Mathers and Haldenby. The plan to re-establish Massey Hall in new premises uptown, projected in 1944, has been dropped because of current building costs. Other theatre construction news reveals that Joseph Cloet of Delhi, Ontario, is erecting a theatre in Port Rowan with seating for 455, and that the Border Theatre, Rock Island, Quebec, is being rebuilt by P. C. Taylor following its destruction by fire in March. On the Burford Highway, west of Brantford, Ontario, a 450car drive-in has opened under the management of Jerry Campbell, who used to handle the Stoney Creek one. The Brantford drive-in brings the number of such places of exhibition in Ontario to seven, with a total capacity of 4,875 cars. Six are also under construction — two in Ottawa, and one each in Oshawa, Peterborough, Preston and Malton. New Assistant For Palace, Calgary B&F Theatre Managers Association elected its new executive for the year 1948 at a recent luncheon at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto. Art Magee of the Oxford Theatre was voted in as president and Murray Sherriff, relief manager, as secretarytreasurer. MEN’ ss Don Menzies, for the past two years assistant manager of the Capitol Theatre in Winnipeg, has been named to the same post at the Palace, Calgary. Both are Famous Players’ houses and the appointment was made by E. A. Zorn, the company’s district supervisor. ‘ ‘ABBOTT and COSTELLO in ‘THE NOOSE HANGS HICH An EAGLE LION COMING SOON Holl ywood iin [rom WN TPERNATION A ’ STRO SUTORS L ee —_s) le ee eee ini Beet oe