The Exhibitor (1952)

14 EXHIBITOR The International Scene Canada William Winterton, Capitol, Saskatoon, is the new president, Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association, which held its annual meeting in Saska¬ toon. He succeeds George R. Miller, Wynard, who retired after several terms. Con¬ siderable discussion centred about the high express rates during the one-day meeting. It was suggested that lighter cans could be used for shipping safety film, thus reducing both express and insurance rates. Other matters handled included the report of the National Committee of Motion Picture Exhibitors Association of Canada and the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada, offered by P. W. Mahon. Vice-presidents elected were A. Lundholm, Swift Current, and J. D. Wat¬ son, Regina. Directors are D. L. Hood, Hudson Bay; J. D. McKenzie, Estevan; Fred Falkner, Tisdale; G. M. Miller, Kelvington; A. Crawford, Watrous; H. Hum¬ phrey, Grenfell; W. Pyle, Rock Glenn; N. Armstrong, Whitewood; Les Payne, Prince Albert; C. Marshall, North Battleford; H. Durham, Shannavon; N. Warner, Saskatoon; H. Gunn, Regina, and G. R. Miller, Winyard. With another showmanship contest already on the planning boards, a special industry luncheon was held by Odeon Theatres of Canada Limited to honor Al Jenkins, manager, Vogue, Vancouver, win¬ ner of the “John Davis Showmanship Drive.” In making the presentations to Jenkins, David Griesdorf, general man¬ ager, Odeon, reminded his audience, made up of all distributor executives and local Odeon managers, that the effort on show¬ manship was not only expended on British pictures, but upon all pictures, and that after the drive is over, there is no let up. He pointed out: “Business is not only better because of showmanship during these drives, it is also better afterwards. There is no drastic let-down either in business or showmanship because the momentum has been set up. Our man¬ agers have gained a tremendous lift in interest, and have acquired a great wealth of ideas that they know can work, and they do put these ideas to work.” The general manager pointed out that if each theatre in the Odeon group had submit¬ ted a campaign during each of the 13 weeks of the contest, there would have been a maximum total of 1,222 campaigns. As it was, 1,130 campaigns were received. Jenkins, a modest sort of fellow, who looks very much like his boss, Dave Griesdorf, received three cheques from the company, as well as a trophy to keep for himself and the grand prize trophy. Quietly, Jenkins accepted the tributes of his company and the kind words put forth by Ilye Rossin, trade paper editor, and Harvey Harnick, president, Canadian Mo¬ tion Picture Distributors’ Association, as well as the applause of 100 persons. The occasion was spiced by one of Canada’s best known speakers and also Odeon president, Leonard W. Brockington, who, Americo Aboaf, vice-president in charge of for¬ eign sales for U-l, was recently welcomed by Herbert Tonks, eastern and far eastern super¬ visor, and staff in the Tokyo office. Seen, left to right, are sales manager G. Nakatani, Aboaf, Tonks, and P. Fehlen, company office manager. with his razorsharp wit, keen sense of timing, and thoughtful and considerate material, had every one on the edge of their seats, eager not to miss any of his bon mots. Jim Hardiman and Wanie Tyers carried through the theme of the contest, jet-propulsion, in the very deco¬ ration of the room, with airplanes hanging from the ceiling, favors from the various air transport companies, napkins from the aircraft companies, and two young ladies from the company’s head office dressed as flight hostesses, but with a touch of show¬ manship in style. Besides winning the Odeon contest, Jenkins was also winner of the 12th annual Motion Picture Digest showmanship contest. Second prize winner was Bill Trudell, Famous Players Can¬ adian Corporation, manager, Capitol, London, who submitted three campaigns. He was followed by Elliott Brown, Odeon, Victoria, who, last year, was winner of the “J. Arthur Rank Showmanship Con¬ test.” A special award was picked up by H. H. “Mac” Smee, Famous Players, Regent, Vancouver, for a special presenta¬ tion on “Foto-Nite”. His award stems out of interest promoted in “Foto-Nite” in Vaucouver by both evening newspapers, each vying to out promote the other in promoting “Foto-Nite.” The fourth annual stage show of the 20th Century Theatre Managers’ Club will be held on Nov. 23 at the Victory, Tor¬ onto, it has been announced by Morris Appleby, president. Proceeds will go to benefit the children of Variety Village, project of Tent 28, Toronto, Variety Clubs International. . . . Harold Pfaff was named successor to A. Laurie as secretarytreasurer, Canadian Picture Pioneers, at a meeting of the executive board in Toronto. Laurie recently accepted the management of the Seville, Montreal, fol¬ lowing its acquisition by National Theatre Services. J. W. Cosman is now administrative officer of the National Film Board’s Dis¬ tribution section. Chief of the interna¬ tional distribution and travel program is C. J. Lochnan, and head of the research and reports division is H. Dixon. . . . Wil¬ liam Cullum is the new manager, Regent, FPCC unit in Ottawa, following the shift of Henry Marshall to the Capitol, Tor¬ onto, Marshall’s shift is the result of the shift of Gordon “Tiff” Cook from the Capitol. He will do first -run downtown Toronto houses. . . . Len Bishop, man¬ ager, Shea’s, Toronto, is credited with a tiein with the Canadian Restaurant Association for the engagement of “Where’s Charley?” Anybody named Charles, Charlie, or Charley was eligible for a contest giving the winner a trip to New York. . . . Arthur Murray dancers were on the stage of the Vanity, Windsor, demonstrating the calypso dance during the engagement of “Affair In Trinidad.” . . . Nat Taylor is soon to operate the Tivoli, Calgary, as an art house, as well as the Osborne, Winnipeg. Taylor already operates two art houses in Toronto with his wife. . . . Tommy Taylor, FPCC, had plenty of scraping and polishing to do when J. A. Durie, International Silver, presented Rube Bolstad $100 in coins. The coins had been tossed into a wishing well at the CNE. Four drive-ins are on the planning boards, work is under way on two more, and two standard-type operations have reopened after being renovated. Reopened are Jack Zaitow’s 550-seat Princess, Mel¬ ville, Sask., and the 589-seat Corona, St. Hyacinthe, Que. . . . Four staff mem¬ bers of the Roxy, Yorkton, Sask., were presented with gold watches by Nat Rothstein, president, Rothstein Theatres Ltd., and his son, David, general manager. Occasion was the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Roxy, first house in 10 built by Rothstein. Recipients of the gifts were with the theatre from the opening. Those honored were Mr. and Mrs. John Woods, Ernie Harvey, and Roy Smith. . . . Herb Black, formerly of Winnipeg, has joined the headoffice booking staff of Famous Players in Toronto. He will assist Bob Meyers. . . . “Music From The Films”, weekly CBC program written by Gerald Pratley, returns to the air. . . . Bookings of National Film Board productions by American TV stations increased by 57.1 per cent in the fiscal year ending in 1952 over the year ending in 1951. . . . Edwin T. Wykes, old-time exhibitor who was a Toronto projectionist, passed away. Harry Page, formerly with Monogram and United Artists, joined Toronto sales force of Cardinal Films. . . . Fred W. Falkner, Tisdale, Sask., exhibitor, has been named returning officer for the newlyformed constituency of Humboldt -Mel fort . . . Oscar Hanson, producers’ repre¬ sentative, has a frozen orange juice on a stick gimmick. . . . The Canadian govern¬ ment has appointed a three-man com¬ bines and restrictive trade practices com¬ mission, and intends to get tough. ... A theatre is being planned for a new 20acre shopping centre in Hamilton, Ont. . . . Old circus recordings picked up by Len Bishop, Famous’ Shea’s, Toronto, did double duty for “The Greatest Show On Earth” as Don Edwards, manager, Nor¬ ton, another FPCC unit, played them also over his p.a. system to give a circus ( Continued on page 22) October 8, 1952