Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1944)

Canadian Gross For 1943 Totals $52,567,989 A film business survey by the Dominion Government shows that Canadian theatre grosses, exclusive of amusement taxes, totaled $52,567,989 in 1943, or more than double the total of the $24,954,200 gross for 1933, and 36 per cent higher than for the boom yeah of 1930. Yet the use Of theatres in 1943 average only 35 per cent of seating capacity for all performances. The highest average of any city was Halifax, where nine theatres had 49 per cent of their seats filled continuously, while Toronto led the larger cities with 40 per cent. Per capita spending for the last calendar year for film shows was $5.61, compared with $2.70 for each person in Canada in 1936. The proportion of single feature programs increased slightly to 39.4 per cent, compared with the preceding year and the report showed that 32 per cent of all theatres played single bills only. During the year, 1,269 theatres averaged 138 feature bookings and 686 different features were booked, of which 557 were from the U. S., 97 from England and 32 from Russia and elsewhere. In 1943, 561 theatres or 44 per cent of the total, were individually owned compared with 659 independent theatres in 1930, which was 72 per cent of the number operating that year. Last year, amusement taxes were $13,381,361, with patrons totaling 205,826,197, the aggregate gross being 13 per cent higher than 1942 for a new record. Theatre building and buying in Canada continues at a good pace, led by Famous Players-Canadian Corporation, largest circuit in Canada, together with its affiliates. Twentieth Century Theatres, an affiliate of Famous Players, last week announced plans for the construction of a $400,000, 1,200-seat theatre in downtown Toronto, making the third large theatre project for that district announced recently. Famous Players also has purchased three theatres in Medicine Hat, Alta., the Monarch, Empress and Roxy, from J. H. Yuill, effective September 1. A partnership agreement also has been signed by Famous Players for the joint operation of the Majestic at New Waterford, N. S., the contract to be extended to a new theatre, the Capitol, when it is constructed after the war. 30 Injured as Theatre Ceiling Collapses Thirty patrons were injured, none seriously, when a section of the ceiling of the Rialto theatre, Phoenix, Ariz., collapsed without warning during last Friday's evening performance. Those injured were treated for cuts and bruises. The theatre, which is managed by Vaughn Taylor, was examined by building inspectors immediately after the accident, and they reported there was no indication of negligence on the part of the theatre management, or anyone else connected with the building maintenance. About October 1, a new theatre, the 700-seat Fox, will open in Phoenix. Also in the city, Walter Greigg is expected shortly to open the 1,000-seat Azteca theatre, which will show first run Mexican product, and now in construction is the Palms theatre, a unit of the Publix-RickardNace circuit. Warners Has "Devil Boats" Opening in Bayonne, N. J. Last Tuesday night Warner Brothers held the world premiere of its two-reel Technicolor Service Special, "Devil Boats," at the DeWitt theatre in Bayonne, N. J., coincident with the fourth star of the ArmyNavy "E" Flag to Elco, builder of the PT boats upon which the picture is based. Elco employees, high ranking naval officers and state dignitaries filled the theatre's 2,800 seats. Refreshments and a buffet supper preceded the screening. 38 IN NEWSREELS MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 26, No. 101— Allies invade southern France. . . General Pattern leads American army in dash to Paris. . . . The war in the Pacific. . . . Science. . . . American beauties. MOVIETONE NEWS — Vol. 28, No. 192— Paris cries of war. . . . Three powers plan post war peace. . . . Iceland celebrates establishment of new republic. . . . President and running mate Truman confer. . . . Liberated natives happy as Guam returns to U. S. . . . Rubber tires for victory. . . . Navy task force repels Jap plane attack. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 15, No. 299— Fourth front invasion preview. . . . General Patton leads 3rd army. . . . Fighting French in France. . . . War in Pacific. . . . Robot brain joins Navy. NEWS O'F THE DAY— Vol. 15, No. 30»— Eisenhower honors fighting generals. . . . Big Three begin planning for lasting world peace. . . . Task Force 58 smashes Jap in greatest sea-sky hattle F. D. R. confers with Truman. . . . New day on Guam. . . . Mrs. Winston Churchill opens Red Cross Rally. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 102— Dog school days. . .„. Battle for France. . . . The French come home. . . . Paramount News presents: Guam— "I saw it happen!" PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 103— G.I.'s fast on rations. . . . Furs for Autumn. . . . F. D. R. and Truman map campaign. . . . Allies start peace talk. . . . Pacific air fury. RKO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 15, No. 104-Pacific clean up. . . . Battle of France. RKO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 15, No. 105— U. S. task force beats off Jap attack. . . . Eisenhower honors three generals. . . . Iceland becomes a free republic. . . . Synthetic tires in burnup test. . . . F. D. R. and Truman plan campaign. . . . Guam natives under American care. . . . Nuns help Germans to surrender. . . . U. S., Britain, and Russia plan for world peace. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 17, No. 321— The fourth front. . . . The French return. . . . Guam finale. . . . General Patton. . . . Mid-summer snow. . . . The aquamaniacs . . . Christmas in August. . . . Orphans' outing. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 17, No. 322-Nazi rout increases in France. . . . Post-war planning parley. . . . New freedom for Iceland. . . . Democratic team for 1944. . . . Scientific tires get the works. . . . Natives on Guam given medical care. . . . Task force routs Jap air attack. . . . Sailboat race thrill. ALL AMERICAN NEWS— Vol. 2, No. 96— Bud Billikin Day draws 50,000. . . . Malcolm Jackson gets Lehman appointment. . . . Dr. Hilton is named to Boxing Commission. . . . Washington designer shows his hats. . . . 46,000 see West trim East. . . . F. D. R. at Pearl Harbor. Actors Guild Seeks Wage Stabilization Amendment The Screen Actors Guild shortly will present to the Treasury Department its proposed amendment to the wage stabilization ruling, which would require prior Treasury approval on the employment of all free lance players earning more than $1,000 per week. The Guild is preparing a letter elaborating its views, for transmission to the Treasury Department, and is prepared to send a delegation to Washington to argue its points. As yet, -no date has been set at which producers will agree upon a reply to the Treasury proposals of a month ago. Set Xmas Holiday Dates on "Lake Placid Serenade" A dating record is announced, by James R. Grainger, president and general sales manager of Republic Pictures, who reports that "Lake Placid Serenade" has been dated in 40 key cities between December 15 and January 15. Mr. Grainger accomplished this record by showing exhibitors 4,000 feet of the ice-skating production numbers. The film is backed by the largest advertising and publicity appropriation in Republic's history. Mr. Grainger also announced that Republic playdates for a four-month advanced period indicated the company's gross would exceed the same period last year by over 50 per cent. Jacobs Named Universal Manager in Trinidad Saul Jacobs has been appointed manager in Trinidad by J. H. Seidelman, vice-president in charge of foreign activities for Universal. Mr. Jacobs^ former head booker in the company's Washington exchange, will succeed Ken Goldsmith, who is coming to New York at the end of the month for a new foreign assignment. March of Dimes \l Nets $4,667,520 In 1944 Drive Figures indicating the success of the 1944 March I of Dimes drive were announced Tuesday by Nicholas M. Schenck, national chairman, who announced the results of the final audits completed by Miller, \ Donaldson & Company, certified public accountants. The total theatre collections reported by state chairmen nationally was $4,667,520. In the 1942 drive, $2,122,340 was collected. The drive set a record in the number of theatre; that participated and reported. A booklet, giving! a detailed report on the drive, showing collection^ 1 theatre by theatre, is being prepared and will b£* mailed to theatres. In announcing the final results, Mr. Schenc| . paid tribute to the sincere effort put into the drive ,«k by theatre owners, managers, and their staffs. Hei* pointed out that the money raised through ther,af industry drive already has been put to use. The]co\ National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis hasiot been called upon to rush forces now fighting severe outbreaks in North Carolina, Virginia, Kentuckj and northern New York. Ml tb : I i; ioi Petrillo Defies Recording Order ■:ri. ' s: (lei i: :,£ 1 : ail rim James Caesar Petrillo's American Federation o'ihei ■ro: Musicians has defied the National War Laboi Board's order to lift its ban on the making o:tJ1^ recordings for Radio Corporation of America ancjg Columbia Recording Company. Joseph A. Padway, counsel for the musician': union and for the American Federation of Labor explained : "We cannot comply with the order o the board, because in this case the war effort is no' involved." Because two of the WLB member: agreed with Mr. Padway, the non-compliance casi has been sent to Fred M. Vinson, director of th< Office of Economic Stabilization. The board's opinion was split between laboi members and public members, the public memberiAilDl taking the position that any strike in wartime ha^tm potentialities for harm in other industries througl the bad example it sets. Also involved in the dispute is the union': defiance of an order to end a strike at StatioiPS ESTP, Minneapolis. r ne " ( Jure [■& L (MY :erile ib, Warner Office Workers Get Wage Increase Eligible Warner Bros, home office "white col lar" workers received a six per cent wage increasi last weekend under a contract with Motion Pictur Office Employes Local 23169, AFL. The increase was given to an estimated 500 o the company's 600 office workers who have beei, with the company one year or more who ai eligible for union membership. The wage increase was the final one under th original two-year contract between the compan; and the union, which expired August 10 and ha been extended until September 9 while negotia tions on a new contract are in progress. ;i [j letf IF : Shuberts Take Back Warner House in Philadelphia Warners' Shubert theatre in Philadelphia i back in the hands of the Shubert theatrical inter ests. Purchased last year by Warners, it wa believed at that time that the circuit would opet ate the Shubert as a second run house, havin sold its Keith's and Karlton theatres to Williar Goldman, leaving the circuit without a second ru house in the mid-city zone. According to repor the Shuberts will reopen the house about the mid die of September, with the current Broadway mu sical hit "Oklahoma" as its first offering. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, AUGUST 26, 194 •ASLi ii ol |1 ice i 1 ger. W r. If pubt '* » it], nisv (& Oil