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VANCOUVER T>oy Gordon, theatrical promoter from Seattle, is putting on Search for Talent shows at the Odeon Theatre in Victoria each Tuesday and at the Hastings in Vancouver on Wednesday as off-night business builders . . . Numerous beauty contests ai-e being staged in provincial theatres. Miss Vancouver for 1949 was chosen after eliminations at local Odeon theatres and will compete in the Miss Canada contest in Hamilton this summer for the right to go on to Atlantic City. The contest was sponsored by the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the winner was Joan McPherson, former usherette in West Vancouver. Famous Players will hold its annual beauty contest shortly. A new suburban theatre will be built by Dave MacParlane, a local merchant, in his new shopping district. Plans call for an $80,000, 900-seater . . . Mary Eigner, Dominion Theatre head cashier, resigned because of ill health and moved to Edmonton. Phyllis Smith, who was in the show business in New Zealand before coming to Canada, succeeded her. Vivian Todd moved up from usherette to cashier . . . Ronald Houston, a newcomer to the show business, was appointed assistant manag-er at the International Cinema succeeding Earl Barlow, moved to the Capitol. Mark Watkins, oldtime theatreman, was appointed assistant at the Odeon Hastings to replace Agnes Gray who moved to Los Angeles with her family . . . Filnu-owers report that the reason there are fewer theatre sales lately is that owners hesitate to put a price on their places due to excessive new construction costs . . Maxie Chechik, here . from Toronto, said he will not start construction of his planned $100,000 theatre in an exclusive residential district of Vancouver, because costs are too high. Chechik runs the York and Bay theatres here ... It is reported that Seattle interests will buiW a drive-in at Haney, B. C, in the Pi-aser Valley. Paul Harmon of Empire Agencies, Ltd. of Vancouver, representative for J. C. Clancy, Inc., stage equipment company of New York, is equipping the Auditorium here and a new high school in Edmonton with complete stage effects, flood lights, etc. . . . The Alberta censor board is following other provincial censors in using the "Adult" and "Family Entertairmient" classifications . . . Bill Forward, manager of General Theatre Supply Co., was in ChOliwack to install Simplex projectors and soimd in the new Paramount Theatre there which will open early in June. The 900-seater will be the second theatre for FPC there. Theatre and exchange vacations started early this year and many already have left for south-of-the-border and British Columbia summer resorts . . . Amusement park is being erected by White City Amusement Co. near New Westminster on the Pacific highway. The park will include a dance pavilion, roller rink and auditorium, rides, etc. It will open July 1 and will operate aU year. It will be no help to the six small seat theatres in that section, now doing only fair business. . . There will "Concert Magic" kept up the Vancouver record of roadshow picture flops. "Joan of Arc" also slipped badly at the Strand. Higher price pictures are poison at the boxoffice here. Both the above roadshows played only six days to moderate business . be no less than three first ruir Italian pictures here next week, "Shoe-Shine" at the Studio, "La Tosca" ut the Park, and "Paisan" at the Cinema. The foreign pictui'es are getting better reviews in the Vancouver press than the Hollywood product. Hugh Porteous of Oliver, B. C, has been elected president of the Southern Okanagan Film council of Oliver, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls in the interior . . . Jack Cohen, owner of the Crescent and Plaza in Calgary, here on vacation, reports that business was holding up well in the Alberta cow town . . . Earl Barlow, assistant at the Capitol, was on vacation. Walter Hopp from the Oi-pheum is on relief. Odeon Fence Ruled Okay ST. JOHN—There will be no appeal by Franklin & Herschorn from a decision by Justice Doull of the Nova Scotia supreme court allowing Odeon to erect a fence between the F&H Vogue and Odeon Casino. The alley between the two theatres is about 11 feet wide, and Odeon owns about eight feet of it. A steel fence was put up by Odeon, but a court injunction was obtained by F&H to have it taken down. Screens — Arc Lamps — Rectifiers — Lenses — Carbons — Theatre Chairs J. M. RICE & CO. 202 Canada BIdg. Winnipeg, Manitoba Phone 25371 Everything For Your Theatre COMPLETE SOUND SYSTEMS An Expert Repair Department 'Lagoon' Scores 110 As Best in Toronto TORONTO—Trade at first run theatres here showed improvement as the result of cooler weather, which kept people in town instead of hastening an exodus to summer resorts. "Blue Lagoon" at the Odeon-Toronto registered 110 per cent and paced the city. "Flamingo Road" at the Imperial and "Streets of Laredo" at Shea's both carded 105 per cent. "Pa and Ma Kettle" rated a third stanza at the Uptown. (Average Is 100) Biltmore—Slorte Department. File 649 (FC), The Eansan (U-A), reissue 90 Daniorlh, Humber—Mr. Perrin and Mi. Traill (EL); Angel on the Amazon (Rep) 95 Fairlawn—Wake of the Red Witch (Rep); Fabulous Joe (ISR) 90 Hyland—Red River (UA); Three Is a Family (SR).. 90 Imperial—Flamingo Road (WB) 105 Loew's—Portrait of Jennie (SRO), 2nd wk , 100 Odeon Toronto The Blue Lagoon (EL) 110 Sheas Streets of Laredo (Para) 105 Tivoli A Connecticut Yankee (Para) 95 University and Eglinton Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 90 Uptown—Ma and Pa Kettle (U-I), 3rd wk 85 Victoria The Big Sombrero (Col); Thundeihoof (Col) - 95 and 'Concert Magic' 'Champion' Best at Vancouver VANCOUVER—It was another blue week for the downtowners. Two newcomers. "The Champion" at the Vogue and "Concert Magic" at the Studio exceeded average to lead the pack. The fight pictures of the last two weeks, "Whiplash," "Set-Up" and "Champion" were okay for the sporting element, but no good for the female trade. Capitol—John Loves Mary (WB) Fair Cinerna Water Front at Midnight (Col); Whispering Smith (Para) Moderate Orpheum Force of Evil (MGM) Moderate Paradise—Last of the Wild Horses (SG); Thunder in the Pines (SG) Fair Plaza—Pitfall (UA) - Average Strand—WTiiplash (WB) - - Poor Studio— Concert Magic (Cardinal Films) Good Vogue—Champion (UA) Good Cooler Weather Boosts Trade At Theatres in Calgary CALGARY—Trade at first run houses here zoomed as rain and colder weather replaced unseasonably hot weather. "The Red Shoes," playing at the Grand at regular prices, drew well. "Words and Music" at the Capitol and "Chicken Every Sunday" at the Palace played to average attendance. Capitol—Words and Music (MGM) Good Grand—The Red Shoes (Rank) Very good Palace Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox) Good High Quality Equipment Used for Canada Films MONTREAL—Film equipment being used by the National Film Board is equal to the highest standard available to Hollywood producers, according to a report made by Gerald Graham, director of technical operations for the board, who recently studied the operation of California studios. "I see no reason why the technical quality of our work, in time, should not be equal or superior to that obtained in Hollywood," Graham said. In cooperation with the Crown company, Canadian Arsenals, the report stated, the board recently produced an optical effects printer. The printer, the first to be made in Canada, was manufactured at a saving in U.S. funds of $20,000 and its design soon will be made available to the film industry in Canada and other countries. 100 BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1949
. . ^ ST. JOHN LTamlet" was presented at the Odeon Casino at Halifax on a three-day, first-halfof-the-week run, reserved seats at $1 afternoons and $1.50 nights. Mail orders were featured, and with coupons reproduced in newspaper advertising. The Casino is the only Halifax booking for the Oscar film . . . Members of the Canadian seamen's union, on strike about two months, canvassed people on the streets and at theatre entrances at Halifax and St. John for signatures to a petition condemning the Dominion government. The strike, coupled with refusal of the St. John longshoremen's local to work the strike-affected steamers until recently, reacted unfavorably on theatre business here and to a lesser extent at Halifax. Prices of senior baseball games in Halifax and St. John appear to be due for hoists; at Halifax to 55 cents and to 50 cents here. Last sea.son the 50-cent tariff was started here, but had to be dropped to 35 and 40 cents because of slipping boxoffice . . H. M. . Armstrong, Fi-edericlon, chief fire marshal for New Brunswick and central figure in the battle over smoking at the :iew St. John Paramount, has been reported as hospitalized. Indications are that the appeal against Ai-mstrong's ban will come before the provincial appeals court in June. Two decisions have gone against Famous Players, the original by Armstrong and the second by county court Judge Jack Barry. Armstrong's standing as a fire prevention expert is questioned by FPC. The Palace in the north end, which has been dark since opening of the Regent, has been looked over as a location for bowling alleys. A plan to use it as a church for Negroes has collapsed because of objections by neighbors. It is now being rented for fraternity meetings by owner Joe Franklin. There had been some talk of converting it to bingo. It is across the street from Lucky Hall, where bingo prevails every week night. The recent death of "Big Ed" Auger started Herman McArthur reminiscing. Mc- Arthur succeeded Auger as manager of the Mutual Film exchange. Although he has a touch of heart di-sease, McArthur continues in film distribution with RKO. He has been selling films for about 43 years, and has been manager of several exchanges here and at Halifax, including RKO. Eveoi for free, and with organ and band music and entertainment and with Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, and opposition leader George Drew and CCF leader M. J. Coldwell as the oratorical draws, the political parties have been unable to fill theatres and rinks hired for campaign rallies in the maritimes. In view of this, maybe film exhibitors shouldn't wonder at being unable to crowd all theatres to capacity for each show. The Empire, Halifax, used its first stage show in many years recently. It was Frank's radio cowboy show, which recently was the first stage bill at Empire, St. John, for about a dozen years. Both Empires are operated by Domerson & 'Vassis. Currently through the maritimes there is a rash of amateur stage shows with some of them priced as high as $1. The local Knights of Columbus staged their annual spring musical show with a big cast for six consecutive crowded nights at SI a ticket in St. 'Vincent's auditorium, which seats 840 . . The sharp climatic change from warm Florida to extremely chilly St. John brought a cold to Mrs. Frankie Franklin, wife of Joe Franklin. Exterior Theatre Lights Still Under Regulation TORONTO—Although most of the restrictions on the use of electricity have been removed following last w-inter's crisis, exhibitors in Ontario will continue to come under the regulations of the Ontario hydroelectric commission. The latter has removed the ban on all interior lighting but theatre marquees, outdoor advertising and display windows cannot be lighted between the hours of 7 a. m. and 6 p. m., according to the latest order. The ruling means that marquees cannot be illuminated until the evening hours from Monday to Friday inclusive but tliey can be turned on at any hour on Saturday or Sunday. Australian TV Expected Within Next Three Years MONTREAL—Television in Australia is "a practical po.ssibility" within three years, says Postmaster-General Cameron. He reports tenders for television services in Australia will be submitted to the first meeting of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board in Melboui'ne. FoDowing consideration by the board, the plans and tenders will be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet. "Our objective is to have the most up-todate system in the world," he said. "We should get assistance from overseas because we now are i-egarded a very important in the scheme of things from the defense angle and trading." MONTREAL f^harles Chaplin of United Artists was here from Toronto. Chaplin formerly was Montreal district manager, and his visits to the scene of his old activities are always welcomed by a host of fUm friends . . . Jack Roher of Toronto, president of Peerless Films, was here for a week on business. Eloi Cormier, salesman for the same concern, left on a fortnight's selling trip to Abitibi. H. M. Masters, Toronto, was here on business. . . Larry . . Jean Ouimet, former booker with Empire- Universal, joined Sovereign Films as salesman, and Joseph Dorfman, former salesman at United Artists, replaced him at Empire- Universal as booker-salesman Sheehan, secretary to Mel . Johnson, manager of the public relations department at United Amusement Corp., has joined the RCAF band and will play the bagpipes . . . F. Brown is auditing the books at Paramount . Mr. and Mrs. Chouinard, owners of the Princess and Imperial theatres in Quebec City, visited Filmrow exchange. Signed as Technical Adviser Cpl. Bruce Carruthers of the Royal Canadian Police has been ticketed for technical adviser for United Artists' "Mrs. Mike." TORONTO ôl. John A. Cooper, 81, affectionately regarded as the patriarch of the Canadian film industry, was elected a vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross society at the annual meeting of the central council here. He is chairman of the 16mm Motion Picture Distributors Ass'n of Canada and also holds office in the Musical Protective society . . . Win Barron advises that the Paramount short, "The Lambertville Story," is the choice of the Canadian Father's day committee as "The Father's day picture of 1949." President J. L. Smith of Alliance Films has i-eturned to his Toronto office after a business tour through the west to Vancouver . Assistant Chief Barker Morris Stein of Toronto Tent 28 is scheduled to give a report at the dinner meeting of the club on May 31 on the San Francisco International Variety convention at which he represented Canada. . . . The Because of the Victoria day holiday May 24, the independent Rio in central Toronto ran all-night shows starting late on Monday. The Rio is the only theatre in Canada to attempt around-the-clock operation Community at Hamilton, which recently reopened with a foreign film policy, played "The Kite" for one week following a week's engagement of "The Lost One." Mrs. Yvonne Taylor held "Quartet" for a seventh week at the International Cinema here while "The Guinea P*ig" concluded a two-week run at the Towne Cinema May 21. R. B. Baxter's Rex Theatre at Tecumseh has joined the Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, it is reported by executive secretary Arch H. Jolley . . . When "Joan of Arc" played the Famous Players Century at Hamilton, a set of table silverware was presented to a woman patron as an attendance prize twice daily during the week. Manager Tom Daley of the Toronto, originally from Halifax, has been named as a judge for the beauty contest at the Halifax bicentennial celebration in June . . . Chairman J. J. Fitzgibbons of the national committee of the Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'ns of Canada, says the annual meeting probably will be after June 27, the date of the federal general elections. Solly Ginsler, former Toronto exhibitor and film salesman now with Un:ted Ai-tists in Detroit, was back home for a visit . . . Lan-y Graburn of Toronto was here for the Odeon The wife of P. H. Fisher, general opening . . . manager of Eagle Lion of Canada, is in the hospital. USED THEATRE CHAIRS All lol3 in A-1 condition at only $3.75 each. Now locâted along Canadian border. All chaiTs guar* anteed and full refund will be made if dissatisfied. Terms offered if so desired. Contact us today while the selections ore unlimited. ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 1046 BROADWAY Phone 5-5055 ALBANY. N. Y. ENTRANCE AND EXIT FLOODLIGHTS DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 729 Baltimore K. C, Mo. BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1949 101
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TOTAL NET PAID CIRCULATION EXCEEDS
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WSIGAIS.TOO! /' ft HWTTî^^^WI BARK
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viuciiio liU^T îiy uf inv ifiuun .
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'PuUe Scît^ Exhibitor-CommunitY Re
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NEW CLEARANCE REGULATIONS CREATING
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. . The Things Looking Rosy, Para.
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ON BROADWAY! 010 ioflW WEEK !tft
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I HOtiyWOOD REPORTER N THE BOOKINGS
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, Davis of expression. Nothing In t
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I AVES OF RAVES FOR MONOGRAM'S SEA-
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I EING Grouped on the stage of Grau
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YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON THE COMPAN
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OP&M^> / -pRAisel Box-office power
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'iôUeftiMMcC ^cfront Kramer-Stillm
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CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
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Profit Producers The mammoth lobby
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Screenings and Tieups With Bookshop
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New MPAA Section Headed by Harmon N
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. . . Ernie . . Nate . . Bob . . W.
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. . Arnold . . Herman . . New . . .
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State Labor Board Certifies lA Loca
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(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6
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Harold extreme Personnelifies SDG F
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sd(McC(M ^cfront By JOHN SULLIVAN n
Page 49 and 50: 'Belvedere' Continues at High Mark
Page 51 and 52: . . Manager PORTLAND TSu'is Morgan
Page 53 and 54: . . . Exhibitors . . . The . . Hele
Page 55 and 56: Allied Rally at Peoria Draws 40 Sho
Page 57 and 58: . . Herman District Heads Study New
Page 59 and 60: NORTH CENTRAL CONVENTION RE-ELECTS
Page 61 and 62: ALLIED INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS O
Page 63 and 64: . . Eph Booth Fires Darken Two Iowa
Page 65 and 66: SPEAKERS TO DRIVE-IN BY PLANE—The
Page 67 and 68: Drive-In Theaire Ass'n Formed in Pi
Page 69 and 70: Midweek Dark Night At Suburban Hous
Page 71 and 72: . . Boyd 'Strangers' Pulls 110 For
Page 73 and 74: . . Betty . . Betty . . Charles . .
Page 75 and 76: 8,000 See Bond Rally Kickoff in Bos
Page 77 and 78: . . . Loew's Reissues Stand Out At
Page 79 and 80: Drive-In Regulation To New Hampshir
Page 81 and 82: . . Ray . . Clever . . William . .
Page 83 and 84: Griffiih Suit Recess Until Last of
Page 85 and 86: theatre. An example of this is the
Page 87 and 88: . . . George . . . M. Rio Grande Sh
Page 89 and 90: Rebirth of Stage Entertainment Seen
Page 91 and 92: ORIGINAL MEMBERS RECEIVE TRIBUTES O
Page 93 and 94: Western Adventure Patron Taste No P
Page 95 and 96: U . . The . . Dottie Transit Strike
Page 97 and 98: . . Irmgard . . Another . . Wives .
Page 99: Armview Vaudeville Does Good Busine
Page 103 and 104: BOXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR H
Page 105 and 106: and Fine.—Mrs. Pal W. Murphy, Que
Page 107 and 108: CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHA
Page 109 and 110: CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHA
Page 111 and 112: APRIL 30 CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LO
Page 113 and 114: ana iraae press reviews, ine piua a
Page 115 and 116: 1 Happy Vol. 20th Century-Fox I Pro
Page 117 and 118: Opinions on Current Productions; Ex
Page 119 and 120: RATES: 10c per worcL minimum Sl.OO.
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