Kinematograph year book (1944)

236 The Kinematograph Year Book. Arthur Cunningham. Formerly in business in Leeds as tip-up chairs and furniture manufacturer and specialist in the fitting up of theatres. Equipped some of the first picture houses in this country, in about 1897, and has been interested in pictures ever since. Joined up with the late Sydney Carter and formed New Century Pictures, Ltd., about 1905. In 19 19 he was elected a member of the Leeds C.C. One of the first members of the Council Cinema Defence) about 1908 (new the C.E.A.,) first vice-president, in 1917. When New Century Pictures was sold to Denman Picture House* Ltd., was retained as managing director. Chairman Londesborough and Capitol, Scarborough, and Queens Theatre, Leeds. Ex-president of Cinema Veterans, on Board of Management of the C.T.B.F. for 20 years, delegate Leeds Branch C.E.A. Has a national reputation as an organiser for charity, having raised over £20,000. Addresses : 645, Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, and Tower Crest, Heysham, Morecambe. Phones : Leeds 66541 and Heysham 17. L. W. Dalton. Pioneer film publicity man. Joined M.P. Sales in 1910 to edit the Pictures, first fan paper, and take charge of advertising for Biograph, Kalem, Lubin, etc., and later Famous Players, Journalistic experience includes editing magazines for Pearsons and Amalgamated Press. Founded Star Illustration Works, Ltd., on discharge from Army in 1918. Address: — Star. D'Arblay Street, W.i. Phone : Gerrard 3033, Demetre L. Daponte. Born 1896. D. Sc. , L.S.C. (Antwerp). Mechanical, optical and illuminant research work. In charge of the study of "Persistence of vision," at the Sorbonne, Paris. Study of stereoscopic projection which established the Pulsograph system. Research work on colour photography. Gave lectures and demonstration on stereoscopy at the British Association and Royal Academy. Financed many mechanical, chemical and optical inventions, managing director of DufayChromex, Ltd. ; Spicer-Dufay (British), Ltd., and Dufaycolor, Ltd. ; of British Industrial Laboratories; Polvfoto (England), Ltd., and of Dufaylite, Ltd. Club : R.A.C. Addresses : 1416, Cockspur Street, S.W.i, and Fairlie Place, Withdean, Sussex. Phones : Whitehall 6747 and Preston 3018. Alfred Davis. Born 1899. Joined the Army when 15, served throughout the war, at 18 being made a Captain. After the war joined the Davis' Pavilion Circuit, being made a director and controlling the film booking and publicity departments. Joined Board of Gaumont-British on its formation in April, 1927, and was appointed Film Booking Manager. Retired end of 1928 to take control of Davis' Theatre, Crcydon. Director of New Era National Pictures, Ltd., until July, 1932. Chairman, London & H.C. Branch, C.E.A., 1937. Now at War Office in charge of screen entertainments for the troops. Address : Marble Arch Pavilion. Phone: Mayfair 1811. Basil Davis, M.I.E.E. Born August 1892. Responsible for design of over 130 of the largest installations, including new stage lighting at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Regal Cinema, Edmonton ; Tteeadero, Eltpheht and. Castle ; Gam'ck. Southport ; Davis, Croydon ; Curzon, Mayfair; Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street; Paris Cinema ; also many A.B.C., Donada and G.-B. houses. Grown up in trade with the original Davis Pavilion Circuit ; three years chief engineer to G.-B., four years consulting engineer to G.E.C., two years consultant to B.T.-H. Sound Equipment, Ltd. Now Squadron-Leader R.A.F. Address : 56, Fountain House, Park Lane, W.i. Phone: Mayfair 3540. H. Victor Davis. Entered the Industry in 1911. After fourteen years' service in the C.E.A., Mr. Davis was in 1927 elected Vice-President of the Association and President for 1928-9. Endowed with the eloquence of the Welsh, he has always been called upon when missionary work was to be done, one of the most notable of which efforts was in connection with British Film Week in 1924. He served on the Joint Committee for British films in 1925-6. He resigned in 1940 as delegate of the South Wales Branch (which he founded) on the General Council of the C.E.A. Chairman and comanaging director Abertillery Theatres, Ltd.; managing director Ebbw Vale Theatres, Ltd. ; proprietor, Public Hall, Newbridge. Retired 1940. Phone : Newbridge 32. John H. Davis. Joint Managing Director of Odeon Theatres, Ltd., and Associated Companies. Address : 49, Park Lane. London, W.i. Phone : Mayfair 7811. G. W. Dawson. Fellow of the Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants, director RKO-Radio Pictures, Ltd., and RKO-Radio British Prod., Ltd. Entered film business in 1921 with Ideal Films, Ltd. Joined RKO-Radio Pictures, Ltd., as secretary, 1930. Appointed director RKORadio Pictures, Ltd., 1936. Address : Dean House, Dean Street, W.i. Phone : Gerrard 5640. John Richard Dearn. Born in Sheffield, 1870. Accountant by profession, formerly a Fellow of the London Association of Accountants from its inception in 1905 and Fellow National Association of Auctioneers. Has holdings in several Sheffield Picture Companies. Formerlv Managing Director, Victory Palaces (Sheffield), Ltd. Address:— 55, Vivian Road, Firth Park, Sheffield. H, R. A. de Jong*. Born 1901. Educated at Bedford School. Entered film business in 1927 as supervisor for the Gaumont Company on French production. Later became Berlin and Central Europe, representative of the Gaumont Co. until 1930 being transferred in that year to Copenhagen. Became assistant to managing director of British Acoustic Films in 1931. Appointed director of British Acoustic films and the following subsidiary companies in 1933 ; G.-B. Equipments, Ltd. ; B.T.P. Sales and Service, Ltd. ; Electrical Fono-films Co. ; A /s (Copenhagen) ; Nordisk Films Kompagni (Copenhagen). In 1943, became joint managing director G.B-Kalee, Ltd. Addresses: Film House, Wardour Street, London, W.i ; and "Little Bartons," Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berks, phone : Gerrard 9203.