Boxoffice-March.06.1948

. . . Lorraine
. . . The
. . The
. . Katherine
. . The
Canadian Productions Future Seen FORT WILLIAM
In
Educational-Documentary Field
MONTREAL—Production of motion pictures
in Canada seems likely to develop
chiefly in the field of educational and documentary
films, the Royal Bank of Canada
indicates in a recent monthly newsletter.
The letter goes at great length into the production
possibilities in the country, past and
present efforts, the volume of theatre business,
and points out that production in Canada
is economically impossible on regular
features without great export business. The
best features from Hollywood, the report
notes, bring in gross Canadian rental revenues
of about $200,000, and average features
may gross $25,000 or less. By contrast, the
cost of production runs from $250,000 into the
millions.
"Difficult problems have faced the movie
industry in Canada. There are many financial
hazards, besides pressure toy groups of
one kind and another. Being an art, the
motion picture is subject to all the criticism
of artists, moralists and writers . . . and is
as neglected In financial support for its production
as is the artist.
"Canada's entertainment movie making
business is a study in red figures. Very few
Cardinal Films Establishes
Branch Office in St. John
ST. JOHN—Cardinal Films of Toronto has
opened an office in St. John, being located
temporarily in the International Films exchange.
Dave Brager, St. John, has been
named maritime representative. He was formerly
with B&L Theatres in the head office.
Cardinal is handling Screen Guild, Goldwyn.
Hopalong Cassidy and Laurel & Hardy reissues.
Denies Charges
MONTREAL—Ben Etison, motion picture
operator, pleaded not guilty before Judge
T. A. Fontaine to a charge of showing uncensored
16mm films. He was released pending
trial. He is accused of showing of two
uncensored filrns, "Warsaw Rebuilt" and "We
Survive," before a meeting of the Polish
Democratic society.
Gets Character Role
In Metro's "Julia Misbehaves," Winifred
Harris drew a character role. Greer Garson
and Walter Pidgeon are the stars.
WINNIPEG
\xraync Kins and his orchestra will perform
here March 18-20 at the auditorium in
connection with the annual carnival sponsored
by the Kinsmen club. Proceeds of the
show will go towards a new children's hospital
in the city.
Donald Wolfit and his Shakespeare company
will return here for a single performance
of "The Merchant of Venice" at the
Playhouse March 13. The Wolfit company
previously played four nights and two matinees
to excellent houses.
of the more than 20 entertainment films
made here with Canadian capital have returned
their investment. One made so little
money that not even the theatre ushers could
be paid, according to an article by Hugh
Kemp in Maclean's. Another lost about half
a million dollars.
"If a Canadian-made feature could return
its original cost from theatre rentals in Canada
there might be some hope for a permanent
production industry here.
"Despite forebodings, full-length feature
pictures are being made in Canada. January
21 this year saw the premiere of 'Whispering
City.' produced in both English and
French (La Porteressei by Quebec Productions
Corp. in a studio at St. Hyacinthe,
Que. Two others, 'Le Pere Chopin,' made oy
Renaissance Films, Montreal, and 'Bush Pilot,'
by Dominion Productions, Toronto, have been
completed in the last two years.
"The documentary film is well established
in several countries, notably Canada, Great
Britain, the U.S. and Russia. It is a practical
way for even small population countries
to enter movie production and make an
individual contribution to world cinemas."
CALGARY
JJxceptionally heavy snow and blizzards continued
all last week, keeping film salesmen
close to town. A few had ventured out.
With a seeming lift of the storm the previous
weekend, and tales of landing in drifts and
being held up at hamlets came in. Only
main highways were being cleared off immediately
and business was especially hard hit
in small towns and country points.
William Guss, MGM salesman, came in
with a sad tale of delay. At the mountainside
ten miles west of Fernie, B. C, a snow
slide 30 feet high blocked the road. It
took a crew of men with a rotary plow some
ten hours to clear a one-way passage. As
time passed, waiting cars lined up behind,
the number increasing to 50 cars and trucks.
Guss said it was interesting to watch the
cavalcade slowly wind its way through the
defile, then speed the last ten miles to
warmth, shelter and comforting refreshment.
Vernon Dixon of International Film Distributors,
who has been roughing it modestly
in the basement below the office of Eagle
Lion Pictures, is now in possession of his
modern offices in the newly constructed annex
to the film exchange building, \5fith
fluorescent lighting, light colored walls and
natural finish wood furnishings, the offices
have prodded majors in the original buildings
to modernize their premises likewise
...CM. Hoar has sold his Ritz Theatre in
Saskatoon, to George Dealtry, who will continue
the present policy of daily picture programs.
Romantic Femme Lead
Betty Ann Lynn has the romantic feminine
lead in "Chicken Every Sunday," William
Perlberg's production for 20th-Fox.
Qne of the first stage shows seen here in
the last 14 years will be at the Orpheum
March 15, 16. The Donald Wolfit company of
London, England, comprising of a cast of
over 30, will present three Shakespearean
plays, "Macbeth" at a matinee and "The
Merchant of Venice" and "The Twelfth
Night" at evening shows. Advance sales are
very big and it looks like a sellout at $3 tops,
according to P. Tickell, Famous Players
resident manager.
Business last week was off here, not only at
the first runs but at the subsequents as well
Lundberg resigned as cashier
at the Fort and was replaced by Patricia
Glover Gemmond, cashier at
the Capitol, also left and was replaced by
Joan Weibe, former usherette.
Theatremen at the Lakehead are anxiously
waiting the decision of the government on
whether the 20 per cent tax will be taken off
censorship branch of the Ontario
government is strictly enforcing the regulation
requiring all
theatres to place the classification
of "adult entertainment" in their
ads also on hanging signs under their marquees
and certain sizes of snipes on all posters
used.
A little incident happened at the Capitol
that is worth repeating. A man who had not
been to a show for years because he is hard
of hearing was coaxed to go to the Capitol and
try the hearing aids there. He was so pleased
that the next day he went and bought his
own aid . . . With spring just around the
corner and vacation time near at hand theatre
managers here soon will be welcoming visitors
from across the line ... A recent visitor
was E. A. Zorn, FPC division manager.
The Lyceum in Port Arthur has installed a
very attractive candy bar and popcorn machine.
The Lake in Fort William installed
a candy and popcorn bar about two weeks
ago and is doing a good business . . . The
Lakehead Exhibitors Ass'n has decided to invite
all the assistants to at least four or
more of its meetings each year. It was
thought the attendance of assistants would
broaden the meetings' viewpoint and encourage
helpful suggestions . progress of
the two theatres under construction in Port
Arthur has been speeded because of better
weather. It will not be long before steel
beams for the roofs will be raised.
Theatre business was a little better last
week . Royal is doing well with its
Saturday morning kiddy program. School of
the Air, which is broadcast. Using local
talent, this matinee has been going for several
years and is popular with the kiddies,
who line up nearly a half hour before the
boxoffice opens . . . R. Tindall, doorman at
the Capitol who has been in the hospital with
pneumonia, is back on the job once again.
Phone Bally for 'Kissing'
YARMOUTH. N. S.—For the local showing
of "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," arrangements
have been made by Franklin &
Herschorn, owner, and Syd Wyman, manager
of the Community, for a telephone greeting
from Mark Stevens in Hollywood to his great
grandmother, Mrs. Bower, on the Community
stage. An amplifier will allow everybody in
the Cormnunity to hear the conversation.
Stevens appears in the film.
114
March 13, 1948