Boxoffice-October.01.1955

^^
Probe Is Demanded
Of Vancouver Bingo
V'ANCOl'VKH Tluircniull mvostuiauoii into
all biiiso operations in the city was demanded
by Alderman Bill Orr who said game operators
may be getting money not legally theirs.
Orr's demand that the attorney general
look into" the operation of bingo in Vancouver
came during a city council discussion
in which Alderman Anna Sprott charged
that a monopoly controlled the game in
Vancouver.
Giving rise to the discussion was the application
for a bingo license by the Pacific
Curling Club, which had been previously recommended
against by police.
Alderman Earle Adams said he felt bingo
in moderate form is all right. "But," he
warned, "we don't want it to reach the stage
where private club managers and owners are
making a big thing of bingo at the expense
Df people patronizing the game."
Alderman George Cunningham pointed out
the dangers "of other forces taking advantage
for their own gain" and scored the
oractice of "taking a rakeoff from the revenue
of a gambling game to promote amatevuauses."
Both the FPC and Odeon theatre circuits
[ave the rise of the bingo craze here as one
Df the main reasons for closing 14 houses in
:he past few months.
rV Fiqhtcast Fails to Hurt
Film Version Playings
TORONTO—The closed-circuit TV presenation
of the Marciano-Moore fight at Loew's
Uptown—the first such hookup in Canada
lid not kill the actual motion picture of the
e scrap in Yankee Stadium insofar as
r. ronto was concerned,
Ir. quick order, the 20th Century Theatres
lead office booked the film into its major
ive-theatre group here, consisting of the
Xiwntown, Glendale, State, Scarboro and
ATestwood. The response was excellent.
The 2,700-seat Uptown was jammed with
ocal "ringsiders" at the flat rate of S5 per
.eat where the audience gave vent to its
excitement. The regular newspaper film re-
'iewers. however, expressed the opinion that
;howmanship was lacking in the TV version
>f the ring battle. Incidentally, the fight
ilm was also shown at the Independent Astor
lere.
Newsboys' Mothers Guests
f^\ Telegram-Movie Party
TORONTO- The Toronto Telegram staged
1 theatre party for the mothers of its local
-^ lewspaper carriers at the Famous Players
-3 Jniversity and Eglinton September 21. A
eature of the morning program was the adance
screening of "Love Is a Many-
Jplendored Thing." Both theatres were
:.;4>acked.
The audience at the Eglinton was addressed
:.e well-known commentator, John Fisher,
was introduced by Bert Brown from
amous Players head office. The speaker at
he University was the Telegram's Frank
"umpane. introduced by Assistant Manager
Hewitt.
J-t
•i\ Proceedings were enlivened by a drawing
ifjr copies of the book, autographed by author
Ian Suylin. on which the picture is based.
jlOXOFnCE :: October 1, 1955
Ontario MPTA Directors
Discuss Annual Confab
TORONTO—Tlie forlhcomliiK convcntloi
of the Motion Picture Theatres A.ss'n of On
tarlo, .scheduled for October 31 at the KIuk
Edward Hotel here, wa.s the niiiln subject at
the September meeting of directors. Arrangeincnts
were di.scu.sscd for the luncheon fcnture
of the convention program. An outstanding
speaker Is promised. His identity
win be announced following confirmation
President E. G. For.syth. assistant general
manager of Canadian Odeon, will be the
chairman.
Notice was received that the Saskatchewan
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n will be holding
Its annual meeting October 3 at Reglna
when delegates will be named for the industry
conventions here during the week of
October 31. Tlie Maritime Exhibitors Ass'n
will meet October 12 at St. John.
Xurlain 8:30' Policy
Revived by Astor
TORONTO—Tho "Curtain at 8:30" policy
has been revived at the independent Astor
on Upper Yonge street by Fred Fink who has
called it a parttime art policy. The arrangement,
which consists of a picture presentation
at 8:30 p.m. one evening each week had Its
start September 22 when the feature was
"Love of a Clown."
A parttime art policy is also in effect at
the Grant on Oakwood avenue, a Canadian
Odeon unit. Italian and other continental
pictures are being shown the first three days
of the week. The plan was inaugurated by
"L 'Ultima Nemica." the next attraction being
"Destino di Donne."
The Century at Kitchener. Ont., operated
by 20th Century Theatres, is presenting
European features such as "Der Obersteiger"
and "Blick in Die Welt," while the Kent at
Windsor is going full blast with a foreign
policy.
Hamilton will have two theatres with a
semiart policy when the Roxy reopens
October 7 as the Hyland under Odeon
auspices. The original there is the Cinema.
Interesting is the fact that these theatres
are in the 600-seat class, the size said to have
been hardest hit by TV competition.
CARY GRANT IN VAN(t>l\M:
Greetinc the star of "To Catrh :\ 1 Im l
on his arrival in (he Kritish Columbia
mclropoiis arc Charles Doctor, manacrr
of the Capitol Theatre. Famous I'layers
Canadian circuit, left, and Bob I.llthlstone,
manaKcr of Paramount FUm.s.
Vancouver.
Maritime Ass'n Will
Meet on October 12
Mnrltin:'
will
ro!
Otti.U-r 1^'
mtrul Den"
here
'
Pre M .,
basil.
-..i.i
awa:'
r
M.:: !-
cm (ii.i iMi ..1 ...
.
Motion
Picture Plon when he addressed a dinner
of the Kiwanis Club here on "The Importance
of a Theatre to the Business Community."
The audience was swelled by the presence
of representatives of the St. Thomas Board
of Trade and a number of theatre managers
in
the district.
Jolley has accepted an invitation to be the
guest speaker at the meeting October 12 of
the Maritime Provinces Motion Picture E5chibitors
Ass'n at the Admiral Beatty Hotel.
St. John, when a number of outsiders. Including
retail executives, are expected to be
present.
The Admiral Beatty Hotel Is also to be
the scene of an Important gathering October
11 of the marltimes branch of Canadian
Picture Pioneers, members of which will attend
theatres session on the following day
S. C. Guy, 54, Stricken
RIVERS. .MAN — S. C. f. 'hf
'
Rex Theatre here, died re . .i
visit to Regino, Sask. Guy .i , Hex
August 1, 1953, from S. Karby. He wiut M
years old and Is survU-cd by hl.s wife, three
.son.s and a daughter.
Sneak Previews New Policy
TORONTO— Advance screening.s have become
increa.'iingly popular a,'; promotion
stunts around Ontario. The latest to adopt
the plan Is Aliens Waterloo st Waterloo. Ont,.
where the new policy calls f'^- < lifuk nrpvlew
ever>' Thursday night
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