Boxoffice-May.31.1971

I
. . The
. . . The
OTTAWA
pred Robertson's Mayfair in the south end
had a smash hit—but not of the movie
type. A large car went out of control on
Bank Street and crashed into the theatre
entrance, smashing several doors and wrecking
the concession stand. The auto just
missed the boxoffice. which was showered
h\ broken glass. Cashier Mrs. W. Lahy was
uninjured, although badly frightened. An
1
-year-old girl on the sidewalk was rushed
to a hospital because of cuts and bruises.
After a clean-up,
the show continued without
interruption, the program consisting of
"Monique" and "Inga."
The federal government came out with
the information that its large building project
on the downtown site which includes
the Famous Players Regent had been delayed
again, although the theatre was bought
back in January 1964 for the proposed development,
then leased to the Famous Players
circuit. FP has now intimated that the
Regent's operation may be concluded December
31. The circuit recently opened the
piggyback Place de Ville cinemas nearby,
while work is proceeding on the Capitol
complex, with its multiple theatres, only a
short block away.
Mary Pickford, silent screen star, donated
a miniature compact, with an authenticating
letter in her own handwriting, for
an auction in the French embassy here to
mark the 50th anniversary of the Save the
Children Fund. A fashionable gathering was
in attendance for the occasion. The gift
from the celebrated Canadian was claimed
by Hon. Adolf Schmidt, U. S. ambassador
to Canada.
The National Film Theatre conducted a
club showing Thursday night (13) in the
John Huston series of the feature film "The
African Queen," along with the Peter Lorre
picture, "Dcr Verlorene" . Canadian
Film Development Corp., a government
agency to provide financial assistance for
For
aLOHai
EXHIBITORS!
IN HONOLULU . .
BEST ON WAIKIKI
BEACH!
(Call your Travel Agent)
.
SPECIAL TRAILERS
DRIVE-INS
Announcements
Merchant Ads
ORDER ALL YOUR SPECIAL
~ TRAILERS FROM
THE
INDUSTRY'S
"OWN"
WW
domestic feature production, has given consideration
to a proposal for sponsorship of
a theatre circuit as an outlet for Canadian
films. Michael Spencer, CFDC executive,
contended that the financed pictures were
not being properly distributed by commercial
exchanges.
The film industry of this country has a
new monthly magazine called the Canadian
Film Digest, issued by Film Publications of
Canada, Toronto, which formerly produced
the Canadian Film Weekly. The initial
issue
of 72 pages has information about film exchanges
and their product, plus other data
Citizen and Journal have introduced
handy lists each week of brief comment
on features playing at all local theatres,
including the drive-ins. This news coverage
is in addition to the regular critical
reports which follow the opening of an
engagement.
Holdovers included "Love Story." Elgin
2, 21st week; Odeon Cinema 2,
"M*A*S*H," 13th week; Place de Ville
Cinema 1. "Little Big Man," seventh week,
and a third week for "Ryan's Daughter" at
the Nelson and "Lawrence of Arabia" at
Odeon Cinema 1.
Lewis Twin Cinema Is
Under Way in Ontario
HESPELER, ONT.—The first Jerry Lewis
cinemas for the province of Ontario are
now under way with the construction of
twin cinemas in Hespeler (Waterloo County).
Gerald Entman, president of Network
Cinema Corp., announced that the 700-seat
houses will be located in the Parkway Mall,
Highway 24 and McDonald Cartier Freeway.
The Lewis twin cinemas are a showcase
for Multiple Automated Cinemas of Toronto
and Ottawa, covering the province of
Ontario. As area director for Lewis, the
company is in the process of negotiating
additional sites, with further construction
announcements expected shortly.
TORONTO
^7ally Crouter, CFRB Radio's early morning
man, who also is a barker in the
Variety Club of Ontario, has returned with
other barkers from the Variety Clubs International
convention in Las Vegas, Nev. On
the first show after his return, Crouter told
his large audience of the fine reception given
there to this city's tent.
"Super Joe," an animated eight and a
half minute short designed and produced in
this city by Cinera Productions, is soon to
appear in many North American theatres
accompanying "The Last Rebel." This is the
first big break in animated films for Cinera,
which won the assignment over an American
counterpart. The company is owned by
Terry Cake, administrator, and Vladmir
Goetzelman, creative director. Both have
had extensive experience in film work. "We
couldn't be more pleased," said Cake. "At
last Canada can prove it has top talent right
here—instead of losing out to American
companies."
Astral Films announced the appointment
of Miss Marilyn Kennedy as director of
advertising and publicity, effective immediately.
Miss Kennedy, who is bilingual, has
had several years' experience in the film industry
with Paramount Pictures, 20th Century-Fox
and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where
she was in charge of group sales in this city.
"The Reincarnate," the locally produced
Meridian Films feature, broke the house
record on each of its three opening days at
the Uptown 2 here during a recent weekend.
At midweek, too, it is certain that "The Reincarnate"
also will establish a house record
for its first week at the Uptown. Another
locally made feature, "The Crowd Inside,"
opened Friday (7) at Uptown 3. Al Waxman
was the producer and the film is being
distributed by National General.
'Love Story' in French
Debuts in Quebec City
MONTREAL—The French-language version
of Paramount's "Love Story" began its
career in Quebec City, while it continues to
attract crowds in Montreal. Romeo Goudreau.
Paramount Pictures branch manager
in the province of Quebec, decorated the
wall of his Montreal office with a giant
"Love Story" poster to reflect the "Think
Big" campaign for the picture.
Don Drisdell, head of the booking department
for United Theatres-Cinemas Unis
Limitee, the Quebec subsidiary of Famous
Players, signed the contract for the North
American premiere of the French version of
"Love Story." The popular, world-acclaimed
film opened at the Empire Theatre in Quebec
City.
Children's Charity Aided
By Filming of 'Face Off
TORONTO—Shooting for the feature
film "Face Off" took place all day Monday
(24) at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
Hockey scenes, with many NHL players,
were photographed and the public was admitted
for a nominal fee. Proceeds will be
donated to a children's charity.
"Face Off" is an Agincourt production
directed by George McCowan.
Appointment of 4 Members
Is Announced by CFDC
TORONTO—Mrs. Doris Shadbolt. Vancouver;
Jean Guy Fredette, Montreal, and
Miss Marcelle Racine, Montreal, have been
appointed to five-year terms on the sixmember
Canadian Film Development Corp.
Dave Silcox of Toronto has been appointed
for two years to complete the term
of resigning member George Elliot.
BOXOFFICE May 31, 1971