Canadian Film Weekly (Sep 22, 1948)

VOICE of the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY eet Cee) fs. —Ot————— ll OT ND ee ee “——— «a _— Vol. 18, No. 36 Three. Theatres Planned For BC Three new theatres were projected for British Columbia and one got under way in Manitoba, according to industry construction news ‘in the Dominion. Famous Players will shortly call tenders for its $1,000-seat $250,000 Paramount Theatre in (Continued on Page 12) Lockwood, Mason Get Silver Stars “Great Expectations,” the Cineguild version of the Dickens novel produced by Ronald Neame and directed by David Lean, was chosen as the best British film shown in this country during 1947 by thousands of Canadian voters. This and other results in (Continued on Page 3) TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 22, 1948 Could Gain USA $s By Making More Non-Theatricals Here The Canadian government, in its endeavors to aid Canada’s dollar position through the motion picture industry, has taken steps to induce increased theatrical film pro duction in this country by Ned Depinet Now RKO President Ned Depinet, executive vicepresident of RKO, has been named president, succeeding N. Peter Rathvon, it was reported in New York. Floyd Odlum, chairman of the board, has also resigned and no successor to him will be named. Depinet’s promotion is part of the reorganization of the company undertaken by Howard Hughes, who recently acquired control of it. Odlum and Rathvon are planning independent production. Paul Hollister, eastern adpub chief, has also resigned. UK Challenge Seen In New Odeon-Toronto International tone of the much-publicized opening of J. Arthur Rank’s $2,250,000 Odeon-Toronto has given sup. port to the opinion that the theatre is regarded by the British interests as their first important challenge to American exhibition strength in Canada. Although it is the eleventh Rank theatre to be opened in the Dominion, it is the first wholly owned by Odeon and completes the initial phase of its Canadian building program. Judging by the presence of Lord Winterton, Sydney Wynne and representatives of British newspapers, the Odeon(Continued on Page 12) Faulkner Promoted Bill Faulkner, assistant manager of the .Nortown, Toronto, has been transferred to the Imperial Theatre as treasurer. — Another E Film Union Settles, No Argentina Strike A threatened strike of some 1,000 employees of American film companies in Argentina was averted recently at the last minute. New York executives of the major motion picture companies were linked with heads of the industry in Buenos Aires by radio telephone and decision was made to allow an increase in salaries up to 28 per cent. Concession was accepted by the Argentina film union and strike was called off less than 24 hours before the walkout order came into effect. American companies. But, it was pointed out recently, it completely overlooked the superior possibilities of the non-theatrical production field in helping to accomplish its purpose. It is said that recently Han Tiesler, production chief of Audio Pictures, made this known to representatives of the govern ment, among them Archibald H. (Continued on Page 3) Gloria Henry Cast Gloria Henry as been assigned the lead in Columbia’s “Air Hostess.” $2.00 Per Annum Want More Industr’l Shooting Another Art-Fgn. House In Toronto Completion of the Towne Theatre by the end of the year will give Toronto two movie houses which rely on foreign and art films to attract patronage. To seat 700, the Towne is being erected on the south side of Bloor Street, a few hundred yards east (Continued on Page 3) To Remake 'M' Seymour Nebenzal will remake his former success, the film ‘M.” "Rough Sketch’ Stars John Garfield, Jennifer Jones and Pedro Armendariz will star in Horizon Pictures’ “Rough Sketch,” which John Huston will direct. Columbia will release it. 20th CENTURY THEATRES’ OWN BLDG. Work ‘has started on a building to house Twinex Century Theatres, parent company: of Twentieth Century Theatres, it was announced in Toronto last week by N. A. Taylor, president of the Ontario circuit which operates 60-or-so theatres. Myer Axler, who supervises the company’s construction program, estimates that it will take from six to nine months to complete. To be located just east of Church Street on the south side of Bloor, Toronto, the building will contain three spacious floors, with half of the bottom one above ground level. At present the others at 21 Dundas Square. Taylor interests occupy two floors completely and part of two Among the firms controlled by Taylor and associates which will transfer their offices to the new building when completed are Exhibitors Booking Association, Inter Theatre Services and the head office of International Film Distributors. Kaplan & Sprachman, Toronto architects, designed the building, which is being erected by Harry Davidson. Stanwyck To Star In Film For Hal Wallis Barbara Stanwyck will star in “The File on Thelma Jordon” for Hal Wallis at Paramount and for the third time at the studio will play the role of a murderess. In it the character to be played by Miss Stanwyck kills her aunt, and then captivates the prosecuting attorney, whose task is to convict her. * ‘THE SCREEN’S NEWEST 14 YEAR OLD SINGING SWEETHEART for ‘MICKEY’ ¢ Color Musical starring Lois Butler AGLE LION (Hollywood) HIF from INTERNATIONAL FILM DISTRIBUTORS Limited Republic Studios To Reduce Personnel Republic Studios will drop several hundred employees from the payroll shortly, a move forecast recently by Herbert J. Yates, president. Company has an umusually large backlog of unreleased pictures representing an investment of over $10,000,000. Layoffs are expected to be effective till first of the year.