Boxoffice-March.20.1948

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FROM THE FILES O
Canadian Expansion Program Started ^ ,
For Film Studios, Theatre Chains
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MONTREAL—Completion of a modern
studio on Cote des Neiges Road in the near
future is the first project of a ten-year program
of expansion by Renaissance Film Distribution,
Inc., which was formed to establish
in Canada an essentially Canadian motion
picture industry designed to produce all-
Canadian films of high quality, using Canadian
talent and technical ability.
The company also plans to construct and
acquire motion picture studios, laboratories
and theatres in Canada, to acquire theatres
in the United States and Europe for exhibition
of its films, and to produce, distribute
and exhibit motion pictures principally in
English, French and Spanish versions in all
forms, including television.
The idea was conceived by J. A. DeSeve,
who has a well-knovm record as a business
man and producer of successful motion picture
accomplishment in France and Canada.
Glen Ireton, former Canadian public relations
director for Warner Bros. Pictures,
Preliminaries Completed
For TESMA Convention
CHICAGO—P reliminary arrangements
have been completed for the 1948
trade show and convention of the Theatre
Equipment and Supply Manufacturers Ass'n,
Inc., to be held at the Jefferson hotel, St.
Louis, September 28-30. The theatre supply
dealers will hold their convention at the
same time and it has been indicated that
an exhibitor organization will also meet at
that time.
Roy Boomer, secretary, says 400 rooms and
suites have been set aside and space has
been taken for 100 booths. Exhibit information
can be obtained from Boomer at 4356
West Washington Blvd., Chicago 24.
is general manager of all Enghsh speaking
relations of the company in terms of administration,
production, distribution and
exhibition.
The new studio building was designed by
Paul Lapointe, Montreal architect, and will
be a self-contained unit able to handle almost
any type of interior sound production.
It includes a sound stage i60 feet wide by
120 feet long by 50 feet highi, large recording,
studio, dressing rooms, rehearsal room,
art department, carpenter and plaster shop
where scenery is made, film vault, canteen,
etc. Included also in the equipment are two
mobile generators to supply power for filming
location shots.
A second enterprise is planned on land
acquired on the site of the former Dominion
Park on Notre Dame street, where the company
expects this year to begin construction
on a project to comprise some 20 to 25
buildings, including three large sound stages,
which will be completely self-contained.
Wallis Buys Another Story
NEW YORK—Hal Wallis has purchased
film rights for "Obse.ssion," national magazine
story by Gertrude Schweitzer. Barbara
Stanwyck probably will star in the picture.
This is the third story property Wallis has
acquired in the past three weeks. Tlie others
are "September" and "Sound of Years."
Paramount will handle release on all the pictures.
'Venus' Release Is May 1
NEW YORK—Crystal Pictures, Inc., will
release "Venus of Paris," French production
featuring Viviane Romance, May 1. The
film has English subtitles.
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^O MAKE all
pictures dialog vehicles would
be to turn the progress of the screen
back at least ten years," said Jesse L. Lasky,
first vice-president of Paramount recently.
"The great value of the motion picture has
been its power to touch swiftly upon
action and then sweep away," he continued.
"This would be impossible were all dialog
between the actors to be recorded."
Lasky states that if sound pictures become
the vogue, the present studios will have
to be rebuilt. Either heavy concrete or brick
will have to be used in place of the present
light
materials.
The Pullman Co. is naming three new
Pullman cars in honor of Dolores Del Rio.
One car is to be named "Ramona" in honor
of her forthcoming film for United Artists;
another is to be named "Del Rio," and another
"Dolores" . Gideon Society is
placing 3,000 Bibles in Hollywood dressing
rooms.
The plan, advanced by Sidney R. Kent,
general manager of Paramount, to reduce
radically the number of film salesmen in the
field, has been discarded. In the meantime,
Frank J. Rembusch, national secretary of
the unaffiliated exhibitors, is calling a conference
to create sales resistance against certain
producers. Rembusch advises exhibitors
to resist the weight of salesmen
2,500
calling on 5,000 accoimts.
Twenty New Realart Films
Dated Until September
NEW YORK—Realart Pictures, Inc., will
release 12 features and eight westerns between
now and September 1948. The company
has released 18 features since its formation
last year.
Scheduled for release are "Drums of the
Congo," "Captive Wild Woman," "Timber,"
"Mutiny on the Black Hawk," "Zanzibar,"
"Rio," eight Buck Jones westerns, "Magnificent
Brute," "Sea Spoilers." "Next Time
We Love," "Men of Texas," "Pardon My
Sarong," "My Man Godfrey."
Title Change by 20th-Fox
NEW YORK—"Leave It to the Irish" is
the final title of the 20th-Fox comedy starring
Tj-rone Power and Anne Baxter. The
picture previously was titled "For Pear of
the Little Men." Fred Kohlmar is producer.
Henry Koster is directing.
BOXOFFICE :: March 20, 1948