Boxoffice-11.11.1950

I
1
O'Rourke
. . The
. . For
. .
. . . Columbia
. . Western
. . Mrs.
T
1ST.
JOHN
C^nce a month on the stage of the St. John's
Cornwall, one of Newfoundland's newer
theatres, a giveway is held under the auspices
of a local food manufacturing fir.n. Two
prizes are offered, both products of Newfoundland.
The giveaway is accompanied by
songs and music by local talent .
"Stars
I in My Crown" at the Royal. Truro. N. S..
Manager Clarence Fraser gave patrons his
personal recommendation.
For "Treasure Island" and "Beaver Valley"
at the Halifax Paramount, Manager Freeman
Skinner had a local food store chain sponsor
a treasure hunt. Prizes totaling $600. were
offered to the holders of lucky number keys.
The prizes were grouped in a treasure chest
in the Paramount lobby and included electrical
appliances, radios, shavers and a bus
trip for two to Nova Scotia.
The winter home of J. M. Franklin was undamaged
by a series of big blows that
rampaged along the Florida coast. Before
heading north from Miami last spring, the
theatre owner covered the windows with
shutters. This saved the windows and interior.
One palm tree was a casualty. The usual
southward trek of the Franklins will start
between November 15 and 30, after a week's
trip to Montreal and a final inspection tour
of F&H theatres in Nova Scotia.
"It's in the Air" and "Come on George,"
both starring George Formby, were booked
for three days at the Garrick, Halifax .
I
After 17 months in hospitals at Moncton and
East St. John. Mary Hogan is back at her
home here near the Mayfair, where she was
cashier for a dozen years.
Les Sprague, managing partner with Tom
in the Gaiety. Fairville. N. B.. is a
skilled photographer with both stills and
[ films. He Is showing some on his screen for
extra draw . Dominion Sound Equipments
HaUfax branch supplied a new public
address system and stadium chairs for the
Halifax Forum.
:lt
At the Empire, Demerson & 'Vassis offered
"Strange Woman" and "Young Widow" on
one bill at 33 cents top and with an adult
Tlie Palace in the
entertainment label . . .
north end. used for many years for films, has
been rented to Fred Clark as a public dance
spot. Repairs following a fire have been completed
by Franklin & Herschorn, owner.
Back Home on Theft Charge
TORONTO—Accused of stealing $700 from
a circuit theatre on Queen street, where he
had been employed. David Ralph Satin has
been brought back from the U.S. by immigration
officers to face early trial. Satin is said
to have walked away witli the money when
he was sent to the bank to deposit the
receipts.
Change 'Torero' Title
"Death in the Sands" is the new title of
the Republic picture formerly called "Torero."
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE
Fof Drive-ln Theatre
10-2 - 12-2 - 14-2
Solid or Stranded
ecliate Delivery From Stock
C. E. McCarthy Speaks
On COMPO in Canada
TORONTO—The Motion Picture Theatres
A.ss'n of Ontario in its annual convention
here recently heard Charles E. McCarthy of
New York, director of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, say that the industry
"as a whole is in a position, for the first
time, to meet slanderous criticism from the
outside."
McCarthy spoke to some 200 theatremen at
the convention luncheon.
In other convention action .showmen returned
the old board of directors with one
change Harland Rankin of Tilbury was named
to succeed Ben Ulster of Toronto. Association
members also decided to renew their
fight against bingo competition and they
heard a report by Dick Main of Torontu
on television.
McCarthy told the showmen that over the
years "the industry has permittd enmities
to be formed and it is high time for COMPO
to come into existence.
"We had been wonderful in sailing our
product." he said, "but we were a dismal
failure in selling ourselves. In public relations
we were novices of the worst sort."
He said that television was a very serious
threat to the industry in some parts of the
states and that theatres had been held up
to ridicule in TV programs.
"Television in its present form is nothing
more than an advertising medium." he said,
"and it should not cast slurs on our business.
COMPO affords the agency whereby
the whole motion picture business can spring
into action in its own defense."
Dick Main, in his report on television, expressed
the belief that TV influence on
theatres in the States was exaggerated. A
local ball game, he said, "is far worse competition
for a theatre than television ever
would be."
Other factors than TV. such as increased
community recreation and the five-day week,
are affecting theatre business, he said. He
said that television programs are limited by
the amount of revenue they take in and he
added that such shows could not measure up
to the standard of film theatre entertainment
until the TV industry could collect
money from the people at home.
Renamed to the board of directors were
Clare J. Appel. Odeon Theatres; Morris
Berlin. Somerset Theatre. Ottawa: Sam Fine.
Bloom & Fine Theatres; Stan Gosnell. manager
of the Uptown, Toronto; H. C. D. Main,
MONTREAL
. . . Bill
Wisitors to Filmrow included Paul Gendron.
co-owner of the Riviera. Drummondville;
Princess. Princeville; Warwick, Warwick,
Que., and the Victoria. Victoriaville . . . H.
Harnick of Toronto, sales manager for Columbia,
called at the local office
Bourne, formerly with Montreal Lithographing
Co.. has joined the display department of
United Amusement Corp.. as assistant artist
is releasing a single reeler,
"Did You Know That?" proceeds of which
will go to the Quebec branch of the Canadian
Motion Picture Pioneers for charity.
Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries held its
annual meeting and banquet at the Windsor
hotel Tuesday (7) ... Ted Atkinson, manager
of Cardinal Films, has received prints of the
first three of ten Zane Grey reissues,
Thundering Herd," "To the Last Man" and
"Fighting Caravan" . Suzanne Paquette-Goyette,
professor at tlie Conservatoire
Lassalle, recently, sailed on the Liberte
for a pilgrimage to Rome and a tour of the
continent.
Montreal Botanical Gardens, maintained by
the provincial government, has resumed motion
picture presentations. First films of the
current season deal with "the cell structural
unit of life" . . . Canada will be cautious in
implementing a ban on amusement constructions
similar to that being enforced in the
United States, a government official states.
He added that no restrictions are being
drafted now.
Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne received
a tremendous welcome on their first personal
appearance at His Majesty's in "I Know My
Love" . Quebec Drama league offered
two films, a National Film Board production,
and "Simplified Staging," a color
picture dealing with the decorative aspect of
the theatre. Philip Presner. secretary-treasurer.
Montreal Posters exchange, is on the
sick
list.
Capitol, Listowel; Harry S. Mandell, 20th
Century Theatres; J D. McCulloch Iroquois
Theatre. Petrolia; Roy Miller. Lincoln. St.
Catharines, retiring president; Lou Rosefield,
Westdale, Hamilton; Floyd Rumford,
Kineto. Forest; Morris Stein. Famous Players
Canadian, and Harland Rankin.
Rankin and McCulloch are new executive
members. The board will elect new officers
for the coming year at its executive meeting
later this month.
Screens — Arc Lamps — Rectifiers — Lenses — Carbons — Theatre Chairs
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202 Canada BIdg. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone 25371
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BOXOFFICE November 11. 1950 105