Motion Picture Herald (1953)

Canada Had $11894349481 1932 Gross TORONTO : While total receipts for 3,416 theatres of all types in Canada were up nine per cent in 1952 over 1951, the total number of admissions was up but four per cent. According to a preliminary report issued by the Dominion Bureua of Statistics, a total of $118,434,481, including taxes of $12,975,298, was taken in, compared with the 1951 receipts of $96,319,583, exclusive of taxes. The number of paid admissions was 252,159,125 in 1951, while the new total was 262,950,287. Every province in the country shows an increase, ranging from 20 per cent in Saskatchewan to five per cent in Newfoundland. Summarizing theatre operation in Canada, the report breaks down the different types of theatres in operation, their receipts, exclusive of taxes, the amusement taxes received from that group of houses and the number of paid admissions. In the first group were the regular theatres numbering 1,843, with receipts of $98,851,349, taxes of $12,308,148, paid by 247,732,717 persons. Next group were the 104 drive-in theatres whose receipts were $4,409,426, with taxes of $540,390, paid by 8,379,586 persons. Community enterprises accounted for 657 units, where receipts were $1,702,824, taxes of $96,314, and 5,363,564 persons buying their way in. By provinces, the report indicates that Ontario took the lion’s share of receipts, $40,463,904, with Quebec registering $24,932,302, while British Columbia racked up $9,522,143, all exclusive of taxes. The other provinces, in order, and exclusive of taxes were : Alberta, $6,937,291 ; Manitoba, $4,812,497; Saskatchewan, $4,479,432; Nova Scotia, $3,688,920; New Brunswick, $2,527,474; Newfoundland, $1,1 50,686, and Prince Edward Island, $336,700. The theatres paid out a total of $18,868,116 in salaries and wages. During 1952, 22 new drive-in theatres were opened, with drive-in receipts jumping 32 per cent, compared with a nine per cent gain by the regular theatres. Columbia Pictures Votes Three Stock Dividends Directors of Columbia Pictures Corporation have declared a dividend of 25 cents on the common stock and voting trust certificates for common stock, payable November 5, 1953, to stockholders of record October 22. There was also declared a 2]/2 per cent stock dividend on the stock and voting trust certificates for common stock payable in common stock December 7, 1953, to stockholders of record October 23. Cash will be paid where fractional shares of common stock are due. In addition, the board set a quarterly dividend of $1.06j4 per share on the $4.25 cumulative preferred payable November 16 to holders of record October 30. National Film Service to Handle "Living Desert" National Film Service, Inc., will handle the physical distribution and other aspects of Walt Disney’s first True Life Adventure program, “The Living Desert,” Leo F. Samuels, general sales manager of the newly formed Buena Vista Film Distributing Co., announced this week. The Buena Vista organization will distribute the program, including actual sales, booking, advertising and publicity. All other exchange functions, including hilling, collection, cashiering, servicing of accessories, prints and trailers will be undertaken by National Film Service, Inc., nationwide exchange operation, headed by James P. Clark of Philadelphia. The expanded operation, Mr. Samuels said, will insure complete coverage to the distributor and assure an all-inclusive service to each exhibitor playing “The Living Desert” program. Brandt Dinner Gets Bigger Quarters Tremendous response to the testimonial dinner for Harry Brandt, New York theatre owner and philanthropist, will receive from the Joint Defense Appeal of the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, has forced changing of the date from October 21 to 28, and site from the Sert Room, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, to that hotel’s grand ballroom. The announcement of the change came from Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of United Artists, who is dinner chairman. Vitsyibbons Voices Hride In Industry TORONTO: Pride in his association with the motion picture industry was expressed by John J. Fitzgibbons in his closing address to the Eastern Conference of Famous Players Canadian Corporation managers, partners and associates meeting here. The president and managing director of the company, this year celebrating “one-third of a century of leadership in entertainment,” pointed out “We can be proud of our business regardless of the commercial aspects.” Mr. Fitzgibbons said the motion picture industry had done a great deal towards keeping the avenues of communication open. Others who spoke at the closing dinner were: W. W. O. Fenety, Famous Players partner in Fredericton, N. B. ; Gordon Lightstone, general manager, Paramount Film Service in Canada; Rube Bolstad, vicepresident, Famous Players, and Norman Robertson, a director of Famous Players. The four-day conference started off with a demonstration of CinemaScope at the Imperial, introduced by Alex Harrison, of 20th-Fox, New York. A discussion on the coming year’s product was held at Shea’s with Ben Geldsaler, chief buyer leading, and trailers of the product shown. Other speakers were Jules Wolfe, maintenance, and James Nairn, advertising and publicity. 'l/eUt REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. v ...for the best stereophonic sound! 9356 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif. lAtjs/MG cotPor/ATiof-i j j 161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N. Y. r Specialists in Motion Picture Sound ” MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 17, 1953 31