Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 11, 1956)

Page 4 VARIETY GAME (Continued from Page 1) in the Prince George Hotel. Indications were that a record yield was in sight but rain, which came in the late afternoon, kept a potential 15,000 attendance down to about 6,000. Some $5,000 worth of ticket reservations weren’t picked up and, of course, most of the window business was eliminated. Griesdorf delivered a detailed report, praising the management of the Toronto Baseball Club for the many ways it contributed toward a reduction of expenses and an increase of the take. Chet Friedman came in for a hefty pat on the back for the way he took over the souvenir program in an emergency, its value financially being emphasized by the reduction of income from the gate, Al Troyer also did a great deal for the program. Others were lauded. Harry and Ben Smith did fine work, with considerable personal expense involved, in getting Red Buttons and Paul Winchell. Ed Derocher and Harold Myers carried the major task of ticket distribution and they let it be known that Tim Daly, that great old-timer who works for Conn Smythe at the Maple Leaf Gardens, sold $950 worth of pasteboards, while Harold Kay got rid of $600. J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr. got warm acknowledgment for gathering the prizes, a task in which he was aided by Friedman; George Altman for doing the hauling through his Mavety Forwarders; Joe Bermack, who was _ helped by Claude Alexander, for organizing the sale of programs at the stadium; George Cuthbert of General Theatre Supply for the sound system; Gerald Peters for his work on the entertainment program; Robin Logan of AGVA for his co-operation; and Willie Gold of the Barclay for permitting his musicians to appear. The matter of music shows the devotion of musicians to Variety’s cause. Walter Murdock, musicians’ union head, gave a special okay to Dennis Stone’s orchestra, which accompanied the show, and Cliff McKay and his Aylmer Holiday Ranch outfit, one of the evening’s leading attractions. Though it rained, taking the press out of clothing due to be worn on the job in a short time, wetting music sheets and endangering wood instruments, the musicians insisted on playing. Griesdorf also thanked Harvey Harnick, Fund-Raising chairman. During the meeting Bill Cupples of the Park, Welland, presented the Heart Fund with a $350 cheque, the proceeds from a Sunday evening show in St. Catharines. It was put on by the Niagara Peninsula Theatre Managers Association. George Altman also added another $500 to the proceeds from his scrap drive. CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY PICKFORD LEADS HALL OF FAME First five selected by over 500 USA motion picture editors and critics for inclusion in the new Motion Picture Hall of Fame are Toronto-born Mary Pickford, D. W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille and Charles Chaplin, in that order. Jesse L. Lasky announced the winners drawn from those busy between 1910 and 1920. Lasky announced the results from Westhampton, Long Island, where he was presiding over a three-day Cavalcade of Film Classics. Proceeds were earmarked for the building of a museum and hall of fame. The committee, of which George Murphy is chairman, has on it, among others, Miss Pickford, Richard Barthelmess, Charles Brackett, Irene Dunn, Cecil B. DeMille, Ginger Rogers, Rosalind Russell, James Stewart and George Blackwell, head of Celebrity Service, who is NY representative. Few if any Canadian critics or commentators were asked to vote. LIVE THEATRES HAD BAD YEAR Canadian stage organizations of repute are having financial trouble, despite the spread of live theatre through Stratford and summer presentations. Ottawa’s Canadian Repertory Theatre has become the Repertory Theatre of Ottawa, which assumes the $4,500 deficit and will seek $500,000 for a theatre building that will include school, These will help create income. studio and exhibition facilities and stores. The Ottawa group, of which the chairman and managing director is Reginald Malcolm, will first seek $15,000 for a 20-week season next winter under Ian Fellows, Productions Director. At the annual meeting of the Montreal Repertory Theatre Chrystie Douglas, president, reported a serious financial condition. Despite greater attendance increased costs caused an operating loss. The MRT also has a building project. "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison’ John Huston will direct 20thFox’ Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. Joins "Buffalo Grass' Cast Edmond O’Brien has joined the cast of WB’s Buffalo Grass. THE PERFECT PICTURE PAIR — ELIMINATES DISTORTION! es ark and LOMB Give the clear, crisp, sparklingly brilliant screen images which are reflected in the number of paid admissions. Today’s audiences demand the best — Bausch & Lomb Projection Lenses will help you give it to them. Four series of these superb lenses are available to fit every type of projection condition—from the smallest neighbourhood theatre to the largest drive-in. GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLY ‘i: 861 BAY ST., TORONTO, ONT. EM. 4-9307 BRANCHES: Halifax, N.S.; Saint John, N.B.; Montreal, P.Q.; Ottawa, Ont.; London, Ont.; Timmins, Ont.; Winnipeg, Man.; Calgary, Alta.; Edmonton, Alta.; Vancouver, B.C. July 11, 1956 NEW NY STUDIO (Continued from Page 1) in a converted building in Manhattan a dozen blocks from Times Square, and the establishment of Galahad Productions, Inc., an independent producing firm which shortly will begin filming an annual output of features at the Center. The announcement by Himan Brown, former radio and TV producer who heads both companies, was followed by one from Daniel T. O’Shea, president of RKO Radio Pictures, that his company will release four Galahad features a year for the next three years. The first film, Brave Tomorrow, goes before the cameras on July 9, under Mende Brown, studio manager and executive in charge of production. O’Shea said that New York had many advantages for production along the lines of that of London and Paris. For the past two years the 200 by 100 square-foot building at 221 West 26th Street has been renovated to meet the requirements of motion picture making. The sound stages — one 37 feet high, the other 27 feet high — are completely sound-proofed, cut off from all street noises and the vibrations of low-flying airplanes, including jets. A third sound stage, with 5,000 square feet, is being fitted and is expected to be ready shortly. The Production Center includes facilities for movie-making literally from the roof to the basement. The flat-surfaced roof will be used for outdoor sets while the basement houses upto-date film vaults. The fivestorey-high building provides also ten equipped editing rooms, 14 dressing rooms, three makeup departments, six production offices and the largest carpentry shop in the East for the construction of sets and scenery for films. The building site, in what was at the turn of the century the heart of New York’s theatrical district, Old Chelsea, has its origins in the early days of motion pictures. The base for studio operations of the Famous Players-Lasky organization, it was headquarters for Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky from 1914 to 1920. When the film industry moved to Holiywood, the studio became an armory, which now comes full circle with its conversion by the Browns. To Direct RKO's 'Underdog' Joseph Newman will direct RKO’s Underdog. Diana Dors In RKO Film Diano Dors, top British star, has been signed by RKO to star opposite George Gobel in I Married a Woman.