December 26: Phantom of the Paradise opens; Nicholas Bawlf; Kane, Manitoba.

December 26, 1974 - Phantom of the Paradise begins its run at the Garrick Cinema on Garry Street. The movie became a cult classic in Winnipeg and it played at the Garrick until May 1, 1975 before being picked up by other venues through to late 1976.

December 26, 1887 - The Hon. D.H. Harrison (Cons.) is sworn in as premier of Manitoba after the resignation of John Norquay.

December 26, 1914 - Winnipeg grain merchant Nicholas Bawlf dies in Winnipeg.

In the 1880s he founded the N. Bawlf Grain Company with a single granary. By the mid 1930s the company had grown to 150 grain elevators throughout the prairies. He was one of the founders of the Winnipeg Grain and Produce Exchange and his Bawlf Building acted as the first Grain Exchange Building. 

December 26, 1958 - Eddie ‘Dynamite’ James dies. He played football for the Winnipegs, Regina Pats, Winnipeg St. Johns and Regina Roughriders in the 1920s and 30s. He is a member of the CFL, Manitoba and Canadian Sports halls of fame.

December 26, 1951 - John H. Kane dies. Kane was an American businessman who came to Manitoba in 1906 and founded the farming community of Kane, Manitoba. (For Kane history book.)