Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 20, 1970)

Vol. 35, No. 10 PUBLISHED BY THE MOTION PICTURE INSTITUTE OF CANADA Toronto, March 20, 1970 Uh ... Minis... and Multis The huge motion picture palaces, now, betimes, termed “chair factories,” are generally conceded to belong to another era — the past. They represented the thinking and requirements of the twenties when motion pictures were the premier mass entertainment and admission prices were low. Distributors then sought theatres with the largest number of seats for the showing of their features. Today, mostly, they seek small theatres. These maxis have been outdated and, in many cases, uneconomic for many years. But tradition dies hard and it is difficult to change the status quo. Nevertheless, it has happened. And so we seem to have come full cycle — back to the infant days of our industry when little theatres were set in converted’ stores (with changes, of course). Now we are in the era of the minis and the mulltis. At this point, it is interesting to observe, that probably the first dual theatre operation on the continent began operation when, in 1948, the Little Elgin Theatre (400 seats) in Ottawa, was erected beside the existing Elgin Theatre (800 seats). One box-office, a common lobby and set of washrooms, and one manager became the method of operation. After some experimentation, the policy of operating each auditorium with a different attraction, proved the most profitable and viable. This operation has been in effect for over two decades. In the last few years, duals have sprouted up all over the United States and Canada, as well as other parts of the world. Inevitably triples and quadruples have followed. There have been many conversions of large theatres into smaller multis. In Toronto, the (Continued on Page 2) First 5-theatre complex marks new era for 20th With the opening of two intimate new cinemas, Backstage 1 and Backstage 2, on Friday, March 20, Toronto’s Uptown Theatre became the first 5-theatre complex in Canada, with each auditorium presenting a different motion picture. Built 50 years ago by Loew’s Theatres, the Uptown has long been regarded as one of this country’s key showcases for top motion picture entertainment and in its earliest years, for live stage presentations. Last summer, shortly after its acquisition from Loew’s, 20th Century Theatres initiated its plans to redistribute the Uptown’s 2,500 seats into five individual theatres. The first phase of the transformation was completed Dec. 25, 1969. The balcony of the original theatre was completely enclosed to become the self-contained 922-seat Uptown 1. This theatre retains much of the elegance of the original decor, but there are a few new appointments such as a six-track sound system and front-row seats: far enough away from the large screen. Uptown 2 and Uptown 3, which opened Jan. 30, 1970, divided the original orchestra section into two auditoria with seating capacities of 600 and 400, respectively. The floor has been lowered six feet to a wholly new reinforced concrete base and both theatres, contemporarily designed, are in pleasant contrast with the more ornate lobby and foyer area. Each theatre is served by fully automated projection booths above them and interconnected by a tiny corridor. The projectionist just pushes buttons to enable the computer-operated projectors to raise the curtain, dim the lights, start the movie and even change the reels. On March 20, the final phase of the Uptown’s redevelopment was realized with the opening of the two new cinemas, built “piggyback” one above the other) in the backstage area of the original theatre. Appropriately, these two small cinemas, with seating capacities of 180 and 150 respectively, are named Backstage 1 and Backstage 2. Many items of the original stage equipment have been utilized in the interior to blend with the colorful, present-day ‘pop-art’ motif which is the basis of both the interior and exterior design. The Backstage theatres are serviced by a single doorman and a single cashier, and may occasionally be used for the screening of 16mm films. The Uptown’s policy is being kept as flexible as possible. When a movie’s appeal levels off, it will be moved into one of the smaller theatres in the complex, thus allowing movies a longer run than they normally would receive. This will hopefully benefit both the public and the distributor. Also, a wide range of motion picture entertainment will be planned to suit the taste of every movie-goer. Famous to sell TV cable interests Subject to approval by the Canadian Radio-Television Commission, an agreement has been signed for the sale of Famous Players Canadian Corp. Ltd. interests in Barrie Cable TV Ltd. and Orillia Cable TV Ltd. to Countryside Holdings Ltd., it was announced by George P. Destounis, president and managing director of Famous Players. Less than a week ago, it was announced by Famous Players that an agreement had been signed for the sale to Bushnell Communications Ltd. of the company’s interests in Metro Cable TV Ltd. and of Famous Players cable TV assets in Metropolitan Toronto. This agreement also is subject to approval by the C.R.T.C. Mickey Stevenson joins National General Mickey M. Stevenson has been appointed general manager of National General Pictures Ltd. of Canada. Toronto. He will headquarter in Stevenson has held key sales posts with Paramount Pictures for the past 23 years and he had been general manager of Paramount’s Canadian distribution operations since 1962. In May, 1969, Stevenson left Toronto to become v.-p., domestic, for Paramount in the U.S. He joined the company in 1946 as a booker and salesman in the Vancouver branch and was later promoted to Toronto branch manager. He was assistant sales manager of Affiliated Pictures, which at one time handled the joint distribution of Paramount and Columbia product in Canada, before being named Paramount’s top sales executive in Canada. Anne, Airport premiere in Montreal benefits Two Universal films, Anne of the Thousand Days and Airport, will premiere in gala charity performances in Montreal on March 26. The performances will be attended by a host of political figures, entertainment personalities and prominent Montreal socialites. The performance of Anne of the Thousand Days will benefit the Montreal General Hospital; the performance of Airport will benefit the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers.