Just a simple idea . hut see what it does I From Showmandiser section of BOXOFFICE of Jan. 17 issue. Business can be boosted by better showmanship . Scores of practical ideas are presented to help YOU earn more profits from your investment. Read BOXOFFICE- Your Business- Builder Friend BOXOFFICE :: March 20, 1948
Reg New Theatres Sproul In Calgary Territory CALGARY — More new theatres were erected in the Calgary exchange territory in the last year than at any time in 15 years. Vernon Skorey of 20th-Fox told the annual meeting of the Calgary Film Board of Trade. He noted, also, that personnel changes in the industry in this territory were more numerous than ever before. On the Row, the new annex to the film exchange building provided needed additional space for housing exchange personnel and storing film. Elected officers at the meeting were William Guss. president : Doddridge, vicepresident: W. O. Kelly, secretary, and W. O. Kelly, chairman, Robert Radis and V. Skorey, credit committee. Foreign Exchange Crisis To Be Depicted in Film OTTAWA— Stuart Legge, producer for the National Film board in the regime of John Grierson until two years ago, was here briefly to confer with government officials on Canadian scenes for a film which is to be made under the sponsorship of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America. Legge said that the pictm-e will deal with Canada's foreign exchange shortage. He sought some of the negative material from the National Film board but said that some scenes would be shot at border points, including the Thousand Islands international bridge on the St. Lawrence river, to show the operation of Canadian customs requirements. The picture is scheduled for release June 1 through Paramount Pictures, he reported. Fire Damages Theatre In Quebec Border City MONTREAL—Heavy damage to the interior of the Border Theatre in Rock Island. Que., was caused March 8 by a fire. Members of the community fire brigades fought the blaze but as flames gained headway assistance was called from Newport, Vt. The fire was extinguished about two hours after it began. The theatre had been redecorated only a few months ago. To Exploit U.S. Television OTTAWA—The National Film Board has prepared to use television in the U.S. this year to attract toiu-ists. Appearing before a senate committee, Ross McLean, commissioner, said the board was producing short films for television in the States, where he predicted the television audience would reach 5,000,000 persons this year. He made no reference to television prospects in Canada where no commercial imits are in operation through lack of licenses from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Magrath Theatre Opens MAGRATH. ALTA.—The Brewerton Theatre, first motion picture house in this community, opened last week. It is a 255-seater operated by Gordon Brewerton of Cardston, Alta. New Rank Company Will Sbov/manship and Civic MIAMI MEETING — Two maritimes theatremen vacationing in Miami met Gene Autry, singing western star, at a party given for him by Wometco Theatres. In the picture with Autry are J. M. Franklin (left), and Mitchell Franklin (right), father and son and president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, of the Franklin & Herschorn chain. The festivities were held in connection with the opening of Autry's first picture for Columbia. On the day of the party, one of Autry's final pictures for Republic was being shown at the F&H Mayfair in St. John. The star autographed a newspaper ad of the bill. Toronto First Runs Filled by Holdovers TORONTO—In spite of a late cold wave, Lenten observance and plenty of opposition, programs were held over at no less than five Toronto first run theatres. "Gentleman's Agreement" did good business in its third week at the Egllnton and Tivoli. "A Double Life" had a second week at the Uptown and "Cass Timberlane" was at Loew's a second week, and "Nicholas Nickleby" played a second session at the Fairlawn. (Average Is 100) Capitol and Victoria—The Challenge (ZOth-Fox). Dangerous Years (20t)i-Fox) 95 Eglmton and Tivoh—Gentlemon's Agreement (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 100 Fairlawn— Nicholas Nickleby (EL), 2nd wk 95 Imperial—Out ol the Past (RKO) 105 Loew's—Cass Timberlane (MGM), 2nd wk 95 Shea's—Night Song (RKO) _ 110 Uptown—A Double Ute (U-I), 2nd wk 95 Plan 'Art' House VANCOUVER—Vested Estates, Ltd., has filed plans with the city building department for a small downtown theatre to show "art" pictures. The organization, which is independent of other theatre interests, will have a seating capacity of 449 and will be built across the street from Odeon's Vogue. Toronto interests are behind the venture. Stimulate Activity TORONTO— Coordination of public relations and promotional activities of all J. Arthur Rank companies in Canada, as well as closer cooperation in other fields, was assured here last week with the formation of the J. Arthur Rank Organization of Canada, Ltd., under J. Earl Lawson as president. Lawson immediately announced the appointment of James A. Cowan as director of publicity, public relations and advertising for the entire Rank group, with the operation of these departments in the individual companies continuing under present heads as in the past. Among the companies affected are Odeon Theatres of Canada, Eagle Lion of Canada, Gaumont-Kalee and Hanson 16mm Movies, Ltd. "Matters of common interest in the different Canadian companies which, for operating efficiency require maximum cooperation and coordination, will in the future be under the guidance and direction, as far as general policy is concerned, of the new company," Lawson announced. One result of the expansion will be to increase materially the emphasis on special selling and promotion through theatres of both American and British films. Campaigns for the Odeon circuit will be directed by A. J. Laurie, who was general manager for Canadian Eagle Lion until last summer, when he was succeeded by Prank H. Fisher. Mayor H. E. McCallum Asks Sales Tax Split TORONTO—While his predecessor, R. H. Saunders, strongly advocated an amusement tax for municipalities to help finance hospital and relief costs. H. E. McCallum, recently appointed mayor of Toronto, has come out in favor of a federal government subsidy for institutions and welfare agencies. Mayor McCallum urged that 2 per cent of the federal sales tax of 8 per cent on many commodities should be turned over to the municipalities for medical care and charity. Nothing more about his proposed municipal amusement tax for theatre patrons has been heard from Saunders since his appointment as chairman of the Ontario hydroelectric commission at $10,000 a year. Organize Kelowna Co-Op To Build Third Theatre KELOWNA, B. C—This community of 7,000 people may soon have three motion picture theatres. Organization of the Kelowna Cooperative Theatre Ass'n and plans of the company to build a 900-seat theatre at a cost of $130,000 were annoimced last week. The association has taken an option on downtown property on which to build. BUI Dynes, local mechant, is head of the association. Famous Players now operates the Empress Theatre here and has started construction of the 900-seat Capitol, on which it will spend an estimated $200,000. BOXOFFICE :: March 20, 1948
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