Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 23, 1948)

June 23, 1948 Church Gratitude For Theatre Help Although the time is long since past when the theatre as such was regarded as detrimental to the teachings of religion, there are still people who decry movie entertainment as a whole. But yow won't find any among the congregation of the Church of Christ the King in Sudbury, Ontario. At least, we don’t think you will. In the latter part of October, 1947, that church was _ gutted by fire and some 5,000 parishioners were left without a place of worship. But not for long. Stan Andrews, manager of the Capitol Theatre, a Famous Players house, immediately offered the facilities of the theatre, with out cost, to the Rev. Father Humphrey, vicar-general. Light, heat and staff were supplied gratis and an old candy counter was converted into an altar. Since the fire five masses every Sumday morning and vesper services in the evening have been held in the Capitol. During Lent there were two masses said every day, as well as on all holidays and on every first Friday of the month. On Christmas Eve 1,350 attended mass in the theatre. There are many more people attending church services now, for the Capitol seats 1,419 compared with the 750 accommodated by the church. The kindness of Famous Players has been acknowledged from the pulpit and thousands of individual thanks for its help have been received. In about a month the theatre Services will end, for the new Church of Christ the King will be opened, Cast Lined Up For *Singin® Spurs’ Marion Colby has been signed’ for an important singing role and Chester Clute for a featured part in ‘Singin’ Spurs,’ Columbia action musical featuring the Hoosier Hot Shots, Patricia White, Kirby Grant and Lee Patrick. Billy Hill’s Shamrock Cowboys and vocalist Ray Egner will have a featured musical spot. Colbert Clark will produce and Ray Nazarro direct. Jack Paar Added Jack Parr has been added to the cast of RKO’s “Battleground.” USP's "Gentle Sin’ Milton Sperling has purchased “The Gentle Sin,” an original screenplay by Daniel Fuchs, as a starring vehicle for Lilli Palmer, the next on her schedule for United States Pictures, Canadian FILM WEEKLY —— Exhibitors Keep Up Tax Opposition (Continued from Page 1) took no part in the elections from a_e standpoint of opposing the government because of the tax but editorial criticism had been directed at it becauise of the tax, even by pro-government newspapers. In Saskatchewan the provincial government did not impose the tax when the federal regime dropped it but such municipalities as Regina and Prince Albert are among those which have imposed it or contemplate doing so. An election is in prospect in that province and here also public opposition to-the tax may, when joined with other unsatisfactory policies, provide the govermment with some unhappy results. Although the tax is now in effect in several provinces, opposition by the public and exhibitors has not ended, nor has newspaper criticism. In British Columbia H. G. Stevenson, for years. active in the Alberta exhibitors association, wrote his disagreement with the 25 per cent tax to the Honorable Byron Johnson, the Premier. Theatres Hit Hard Describing the amount of the tax as a “shocking total,’ Stevenson’s letter stated that ‘the amusement tax has always been discriminatory because it singles out one industry for taxation” and “A little research on our part has brought to light the fact that the financial position of British Columbia discloses no immediate need that would justtify this unjust tax.” He wrote that “while it is ’ argued that the public pays this tax, a little analysis will bring to light the fact that unless we can fill our theatres, or at least obtain sufficient to defray the overhead, it comes directly out of the pockets of the theatre owners. It takes very little for the small town theatre to be reduced to a state of poverty and very little pressure brings a condition where they throw in the sponge. It first makes itself evident by dropping down to one or two days a week, a lowering in standards, shabby conditions, poor working staff and impoverished product.” Investments of theatre operators, which are large proportionately, are imperiled, stated Stevenson. “The small towns have at best a very slender margin to draw on and in order to maintain the standards which the public demands even in a degree they must have relief.” The high cost of living makes the patrons less able than ever to contend with increased admissions, who were for the most part from the lowest income groups. During the crucial national emergency of the war years that called for extreme sacrifice the theatre industry shouldered the extra burden without complaint as part of its contribution. Now, Stevenson said, there is absolutely no justification for imposing such a “terrific burden” on theatres. Action of the Regina city council in approving a resolution to be submitted to the urban municipalities convention in Moose Jaw next month drew a letter of objection from the Regina Motion Picture Exhibitors Association. The resolution calls for an amendment of the City act so that municipal councils could pass a bylaw providing for a different rate of tax for different classes of amusement. The sponsor of the resolution, Alderman Garnet Menzies, said he was in favor of raising the present ten percent tax. Regina Letter “It is disappointing to us, as it will be to the public, to find that city council contemplates putting the amusement tax back on the theatres,” the association’s statement said. “It is especially disappointing to note that the theatres are to be singled out for special treatment. The theatres in Regina have been among the first to support amateur sports, music, drama and any other form of community enterprise so long as it is for the benefit of those who participate. It must be remembered that from the standpoint of the spectator, who does not participate but merely pays his admission price to watch them, that he is indulging in a form of entertainment the same as anyone else. Why a 20 percent tax on any other amusement or non-essential spending ? “It was suggested in council that the property owners were absorbing more taxation than they should,” the statement continued, “and that by boosting the amusement taxes on theatre prices it would provide additional revenue without hitting the property owner. This is inconsistent because the amount raised by amusement taxes will not materially affect the mill rate, but even if it did, the benefit does not all go back to the property owner. The property owner himself goes to the theatre and pays the amusement tax.” F. S. HASTIE He was promoted by Dominion Sound Equipment from district service supervisor to manager of equipment sales and service in Toronto district. Theatre Opposed To Comfort Station The Odeon Theatre, Winnipeg, voiced its opposition through its counsel to the erection of a comfort station on city property opposite the theatre. Appearing before the civic health committee, C. E. Finkelstein, in behalf of his clients, claimed that women did not like to pass a comfort station on the way to the theatre and patronage would suffer. He also said that the Old National and Orpheum Theatres had found these comfort locations detrimental to business and recalled that a few years ago the Occidental Hotel won $15,000 damages from the city for the same reasons. He stated that if the city proceeded with the plan he would seek an injunction and possibly sue for damages. "Mask For Lucretia’ Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard have been assigned the starring roles in “A Mask for Lucretia,” which will go before the cameras in Paramount’s Hollywood studio in a few weeks with Richard Maibaum as producer. Columbia Contracts Simon As Producer S. Sylvan Simon has _ been signed by Columbia to u longterm producer's contract. Simon recently produced and directed “The Fuller Brush Man,” Edward Small production starring Red Skelton and Janet Blair, for Columbia. Previously he produced and directed “I Love Trouble” for the company and directed “Her Husband's Affairs.”