: <strong>Feb</strong>ruary \ i Laurie Launches a Brokerage Firm Toronto—After an association of 30 years with the film exhibition and exchange business in the Dominion, A. J. "Archie" Laurie lias organized his own enterprise, Laurie Theatres, Ltd., with offices in the Film Exchange Bldg., following his resignation as assistant general sales manager of Empire-Universal Films, with which company he had been identified since its inception six years ago. Laurie made his start as manager of the Vitascope, Montreal, in 1910 after which he managed the Canada. Moulin Rouge and Midway theatres in that city, then joining N. L. Nathanson in Paramount Theatres, Toronto, the forerunner of Famous Players Canadian Corp. He was with the Strand, Ottawa: Alhambra, Toronto; Regent, Oshawa: Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie: Lyric, Kitchener, and Pantages, Toronto, after which he became identified with film distribution joining L. Ernest Ouimet in Specialty Film Import, pioneer Canadian distributor for Pathe, and going to Regal Films when the latter acquired the Ouimet interests. For a period. Laurie was Montreal branch manager for Canadian Educational Films which was absorbed by Empire. Laurie Theatres will engage in theatre brokerage and as a film booking and general service bureau with one department devoted to the handling of premiums. Laurie recently spent several weeks in Florida for a rest and toured a number of American cities to arrange for the handling of various agencies. CAILCGIARY QLAIRE APPEL, who made an airplane trip of the Dominion from Halifax to Vancouver to arrange exploitation for "GWTW" at Canadian key cities, struck enow clouds after leaving Winnipeg and the plane detoured to Edmonton. He arrived in Calgai-y traveling by bus, causing a delay of one day. On his return from the coast, Appel picked up his daughter, Mrs, Nat Taylor, and her young son, who accompanied him on his return flight east. Mrs. Taylor is the wife of the local RKO manager. Maurice Colhourne, loho gave the theatre in Canada such a blast in the N. Y. Times, would have been envious of the near-capacity house draivn by Ruth Draper. A one-woman show xvith no sets, props or supporting cast, this American actress got an enthusiastic reception at $2 top. the same scale that brought a thin house to Colbourne here, two weeks earlier. J. B. Baron of the Grand went to Winnipeg to complete arrangements for renovating and equipping the Walker in the Manitoba capital, which he has leased from the Peg city council. Bunny Goldin of the Kinema is on leave of absence. He is spending a iveek in Winnipeg, and Jack Cooperband comes from his house in British Columbia to pinch-hit at the westend suburban house. Two days delay in arrival of reserved seat tickets from Toronto whetted the appetite of fans for the premiere of "Gone With the Wind." Troops Entertained Toronto—One of the gala events of the season for troops in training at Exhibition Camp here was the entertainment in the Music Hall organized by Jack Arthur, district manager of Famous Players and an outstanding Canadian producer for many years. The program, under the title of "House of Variety," was heard over the coast-to-coast network of Ski Sport a Film Subject Montreal—A locally made motion picture is being presented at the Princess this week where the Canadian Pacific Railways' "Ski-Time in the Laurentians," is being shown. The film was produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and was the Associated Screen News and directed by John R. McDougall. featured by this method in barracks across the Dominion. WillMM II THE METROPOLITAN is to present "The Democratic Way," a film which originally was made to be presented to King George VI on his visit here last year. The film goes back to the year 1914 and includes shots of holders of war medals and veterans on parade. Don Gauld has effected a tieup with the Independent Order of Daughters of the Empire which will net him visits from various veterans' organizations in the city. Harold Bishop reports a strong advance seat sale at the Capitol for his showing next week of "Gone With the Wind." Formulation of some definite policy at the Playhouse seems still to be in the making. While the house has been showing oldtimers for the past few weeks, this week's feature is a first run, "School for Husbands." Quizz shows and contests are PEG rounding out the bill. "Balalaika." at the Capitol, luas tied up by Harold Bishop through the medium of letters to the Women's Music Club and advertisements in Fred M. Gee's popular Celebrity Series program in which Nelson Eddy, star of the film, is soo7i to make a personal appearance. H. Sabblut lias been honorably discharged from His Majesty's forces and now is with Grand National in Winnipeg . . . H. A. Bercovich of the Rex, Regina. is in the city. Troop Pictures Hypo Newsreel Interest Regina, Sask.—Newsreels have become mighty vital to all theatres in Saskatchewan within the past two months. The more recent issues have shown plenty of pictures of the Canadian troops "somewhere in Great Britain" and, as almost every hamlet, town and city now has units well sprinkled with their men, audiences hopefully throng every showing in the chance of seeing father, son or boy friend "over there." Added interest on the part of everyone is whipped up by the weekly radio broadcasts from Britain through cooperation of the British Broadcasting Company and Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Many theatres, even in the cities that previously got along well without newsreels, have had to add them now. The major theatres, as a result, have taken to using airmail in getting prints as fast as possible. Almost any time someone recognizes the pictured personality or group shown it means a line or two in the local paper when some proud parent or friend phones the editor. V lie TO KM A HLAN BROWN, director, and Richard Maedler and William C. Zubiller, cameraman, all representatives of "March of Time" spent a few days here filming the part that Victoria is playing in Canada's war effort from the standpoint of naval, military and air organizations. "The Great Victor Herbert" and the J March of Time special. "Can Stalin Help, I Hitler." ivas held over for three days at the Capitol. "Assassin of Youth" which showed at the huana cigarettes, received the hearty en-| dorsement of women's clubs and educa-. i tional groups in Victoria, many of which attended the picture in groups. The "Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo" icas met with great enthusiasm when it played' at the Royal Victoria (F-P) Theatre. The fact that Ian Gibson, one of the main '. dancers was a local boy until joining thel group caused much interest and gained^ considerable -publicity in local newspapers [ "British Intelligence," which showed at the Dominion, was a topical picture foi Victoria, due to the large number of soldiers, sailors, and members of the air force which are stationed in and around the city "Torpedo Raider" loas held over at thi. F. H. Kershaw and Mrs. Kershaw have Plaza due to the large crowds that were returned from their holiday trip . . . Dave demanding to see the picture which showet Copelan, Columbia general manager, is a British cruisers fighting tvith a Germar visitor here , . . J. B. Barron of Calgary, battleship in South American loaters. Tlu who recently negotiated a lease for the picture had a particular appeal to th< reopening of the Walker, is in Winnipeg. British and Canadian sailors in the city. Ruth Draper in her character sketch^ was well received at the Royal Victoria After completing her show, Ruth Drape turned over the proceeds to the Red Cros, Society. 74 BOXOFFICE : <strong>17</strong>, 194'
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