Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 27, 1949)

; + so “a " m® ton, Ontario, has been decided upon by Harold Grasser. So many changes have been ordered by the Theatre Imspection Branch that rather than rebuild Grasser will go out of business. The structure is over 30 years old POWER BREAKS have been affecting theatres throughout Ontario. Most recent interrupiion occurred in Stratford, where two blackouts caused long delays in the programs of the town’s two houses. FIRST DEPARTURE from the rule which bans kids under 15 from movie houses in Quebec is the privilege granted only to the Theatre des Compagnons, Montreal. Children between the age of seven and 16 are allowed in and all programs are approved by theatre officials and the General Film Council. Adults, to enter, must be accompanied by a child. TRADE PAPER, Variety, reports from New York that J. J. Fitzgibbons of Famous Players and two of his bosses, Barney Balaban and Adolph Zukor, got together with George Weltner, Paramount foreign chief, and John Davis, head of Odeon Theatres throughout the world. The story said “it’s understood that the Par toppers may divert some of the Hollywood films slated for the FP-Canadian circuit, a Par subsid, to Rank’s Odeon chain of Canada.” Paper says that the meeting was “marked by cordiality” but some think an international squeeze play was in the offing. The Variety article says that the Hon. J. Earl Lawson, KC, suffering from glandular fever for months now, might be well enough to return to his post by autuimn. Canadian FILM WEEKLY we sus SCENE AT SIGNING OF BRITISH LION-CANADIAN DEAL This photegreph wes taken in London following completion of a distribution desl for Conede between British Lion Film Corporation and Eagle-Lion Films cf Concda. P fod From left to right: O. R. Hanson, president of Pioneer Films Limited, who is Concdicn representative for London Films; Sir Arthur W. Jarratt, deputy chairmen cond mencging director of British Lion Film Corporation; Anna Neagle, the Enslish ster whose films are among those arranged for; Mrs. O. R. Hanson, who cccompsnied her husband to Britain; and Herbert Wilcox, producer-director of the Anna Necgle films. The contract calls for 19 films, among which will be severc] from Sir Alexander Korda. OUPCHER QUEBEC SALES REP FOR UA Joseph Oupcher, who had been with 20th Century-Fox for 15 years as branch manager in Marseilles and Paris, is now Quebec sales representative for United Artists, Charles Chaplin announces. Over a year ago he came to this country and settled in Vancouver, where he conducted his own business. Recently he gave this up to join UA’s Montreal office and Mrs. Oupcher and their two children are now settled in that city. ‘ Chaplin described him as 41 years old, as having an exceptionally pleasing personality and speaking remarkably good English considering the comparatively short time he has been in Canada. “He is an excellent addition to the motion picture industry in this country,” said Charlie, ‘and I am sure that he-will gain the confidence of exhibitors throughout the Quebec territory.” SEVEN JUNE CONSTRUCTION AWARDS Seven construction awards for the alteration or erection of theatres in Canada were made during the month of June. These totalled $400,000. Ontario led with two amounting to $175,000. Next came BC with two valued at $110,000, then Quebec with one worth $75,000, location of which is Montreal. Alberta and Saskatchewan had one each, the former for $60,000 and the latter for $10,000. SAFETY FILM GAINING IN USA One-sixth of the total number of release prints now, in circulation in the USA are on the new Eastman Safety Film, known technically as High Acetyl Film 5302, and by September Ist it is expected that the proportion will have risen to one-fourth. While this figure is much higher than was anticipated a few months ago when the safety stock was introduced, the use-of the film has become so popular that the only limiting factor is the backlog of prints already made on old-type stock. Comparatively little difficulty was experienced in changing over to the acetate base, although handling, casing and splicing are different. It was estimated that almost a year would elapse before the new film would be in use in Canada, but with the increasing quantity being made it will be a much shorter time. The National Film Board has already released one short printed on the safety film and this is being checked for durability, etc. Should safety stock come into general use, authorities believe it may herald a new day in theatre safety. It might easily mean the end of the Quebec province ban on children under 16 attending theatres, with adults or alone, brought on by a disastrous fire in the Laurier Palace Theatre in Montreal in January, 1926, in which a large number of children were killed in a holiday-time disaster. The ban officially denies children entrance to theatres for “security” reasons, but it was a direct result of the blaze. ‘ July 27, 1949 New Legit House For Montreal Montreal will have a new 1,500-seat legitimate theatre in September, 1950 — the first house of its kind built privately in Canada for over 40 years, showmen say. They also point out that no such structure has been erected in New York for over 20 years. G. W. McGregor of New York, who built the Craig Theatre, now the Adelphi, there in 1927, and his USA associates will provide all the capital. McGregor has planned the theatre, which will stand on Guy Street, since 1937. Its stage will be 70 feet deep and 85 feet wide and it will be able to stage Metropolitan Opera attractions, large ballets, etc. The extrd demand for tickets will be met by offering two-week engagements. There will be two large garage floors below the theatre and an elevator will run from them into the theatre. The theatre will share a site with an apartment hotel, in front of which will be a marquee 238 feet long, and theatregoers may stand here out of the rain while waiting for taxis or their cars. Pedestrian patrons may enter the theatre through the hotel. The Metropolitan Opera Company will play a two-week season before going to Philadelphia in 1951, while during the summer a high-class English stock company will carry on for 14 weeks. The theatre will be air-conditioned and is expected to set new standards in the legitimate field when finished. Get Feminine Leads Ruth Roman and Virginia Mayo will have the feminine leads opposite Milton Berle in Warners’ Always Leave Them Laughing. U-I Borrows Star Universal International has borrowed Marjorie Main from MGM for a sequel to Ma and Pa Kettle, titled Ma and Pa Kettle in New York. Percy Kilbride will again be Pa Kettle. Jennifer Jones Wed To David Selznick Jennifer Jones, screen star, and David O. Selznick, film producer, were married aboard a yacht off Genoa, Italy, last week. Later a second ceremony was performed at the Genoa City Hall. Ernest J. Stroud, the Yacht’'s British captain, performed the sea marriage, while Dr. Paolo Lacarelli, Genoa’s head of vital statistics, read the civil ceremony. Witnesses at both were Mr. and Mrs. Leland Hayward and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Jourdan,