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The cinema
February, 1929
Musée des Pionniers et des Chanoinesses, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba


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This parish bulletin issue describes the popularity of the cinema in Notre Dame de Lourdes. The first cinema was inaugurated in 1928 and even people from neighbouring towns come watch these movies.
Excerpt from the bulletin:
Our cinema shines -Just opened, our cinema caught the attention of Oblate Fathers in Edmonton who hastily corresponded with us, and, through us, with the Bon Cinéma in Montréal. After two months of negotiations, here are the positive results.
-1. Establishment of 4 parish cinemas in Edmonton and surrounding areas;
-2. Hope of soon opening 4 more;
-3. Immediate acquisition of three units in Montreal.
Cinema has become so popular that those centres in the West, who were to borrow our programs after usage in Lourdes, will probably choose to act on their own behalf.
We are not displeased by this, quite the contrary; it is even by our own advice that this resolution was made. But (and there is a but), the repercussions are that we let ourselves be put at a disadvantage by Alberta. While Manitoba has more than risky adventures, the good cinema, flourishing in the East, passes over our heads to go serve our neighbours in the West, more aggressive than we are. And the Bon Cinéma franchise we dreamed of establishing in Winnipeg could very well decide to take up residence elsewhere.
It is high time we regained lost time. "Many Catholic cinemas, and flourishing cinemas", that should be our focus. And when we lucky enough to have one in our possession, give it moral... and financial support. Programs like Judith, Rosemonde, l'Auberge des deux routes, should fill up the house. Or should we say that our parishioners don't desire quality? God forbid! We plan to show, within a month, La Soeur Blanche, of international renown. We will advise in time. Each of you knows that we have nothing to envy from the best cinemas in Winnipeg. Let's get to work then and next time, not one bench, not one chair shall remain unoccupied!