Kinematograph year book (1944)

256 The Kinematograph Year Book. New York, 1918 to end 1910. ManagingDirector of Goldwyn, Ltd., London, 1920 to 1924. Managing Director of Producers Distb. Co., Ltd., 1926 to 1930. Since then Managing Director of G.S. Enterprises, Ltd., and George Smiths Productions, during which period 55 features have been produced. Director of New Georgian Productions. Criterion Film Prodts. President of K.R.S., 1925-6. Deputy Chairman British Film Production Asscn., 1939 ; 1940-43. Liaison Officer Min. of Labour, E.X.S.A., supervising all factory and war workers' entertainment. Club : Constitutional, Northumberland Avenue, S.W. Herbert Smith. Born 1901. Supervisor of production and director, British Lion, Beaconsfield. " On the Air," "Night Mail," "In Town To-night." "Soft Lights and Sweet Music," "Calling all Stars," "I've Got a Horse," 1938, "Home from Home, "and " All atSea," 1939. Address : Beaconsfield Studios, Beaconsfield, Bucks. Phone: Beaconsfield 555. Ralph E. Smith. Born in Queensland, 1900. Entered the Distributing side of the Industry in 1923. Transferred to the Exhibitor side, 1028, in charge of country theatres for the Union Theatre circuit, and as Assistant to the Managing Director. Returned to distribution in 1932 as Branch Manager in Queensland, for British Dominions Films, Ltd., became District Manager for N.S.W. and Queensland, in 1934, and General Sales Manager of Gaumont British Dominions Film Distributors, Ltd., early in 1936. Appointed London representative of British Dominions Films, Ltd. ; Hoyt's Theatres, Ltd. ; and Hsrschell's Film Laboratories, in March, 1938. Addresses : Sackville House, 40, Piccadilly, W.i, and 34, Matlock Court, Kensington Park Road, W.n. Phones : Regent 1455 and Park 8307. 3. W. Smith. Born 1889. Entered trade in Canada, 1910. Returned to England in 1913 and established business as film exporter, renter, and producer. Since responsible for many British productions. Chairman and managing director of British Lion Film Corpn., Ltd.; pioneer of exploitation of British films in Canada ; managing director of Anglo-Canadian Distributors, Ltd., who control distribution throughout Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland of all principal British producing companies, Appointed member of the Films Advisory Committee to the Board of Trade, 1934 ; appointed President of the K.R.S., April, 1940, to May, 1943. Club : R.A.C. Addresses : 76-8, Wardour Street ; and Sheepcbte Cottage, Denham, Bucks. Phones : Gerrard 2882 and Denham 2629. Cecil R. Snape. Born 1888. Joined the Trade in 19 n, becoming General Manager and Secretary of the Kinematograph Trading Co., Ltd., and its associated concerns. After the war (during which served as photographer in the R.F.C. and R.A.F.), spent much time in America in connection with some of the biggest productions of those days. Editor of "Empire News Bulletin" and later of "Universal Talking News" since No. 1; 1937, apoointed Editor " National News " ; 1938, joined'Pathe Gazette. Appointed editor, T94r. Address : 30, Ovington Court, Brompton Road, S.W. 3. Phone: Kensington 6084. Joseph Somlo. Born 1885. Studied law in native AustriaHungary, entered Film Industry in 1908, formed Projectograph Film A. G., Vienna ; later, Nordisk Film Co., Vienna. Became Overseas director of Ufa, Berlin, in 1919 ; entered partnership with H. Fellner in 192 1 : came to London in 1933 and formed Somlo Films, Ltd. Formed with Victor Saville, in 1935, Victor Saville Productions, Ltd., which produced "Storm in a Teacup," "Dark Journey," "Action for Slander," "South Riding" at Denham Studios for United Artists' release. In 1938, associate producer of "The Mikado," in technicolor, for G. F. D. Produced in 1939 " On the Night of the Fire," "A Window in London," "The Arsenal Stadium Mvsterv," for G. F.D. ; in 1940, "Old Bill and Son," "for G. F. D. ; in 1941, " Alibi," for Brit. Lion. Address : Somlo Films, Ltd., 17, Berners Street, W.i. Phone: Museum 1900. Paul Soskin. Executive producer and director of Conqueror Films, Ltd. Born Russia, 1905 ; studied architecture and took degree University of London. Qualified architect ; travelled Continent studying styles in European cities. Entered film i ldustry as art director, and later became an editor and associate producer. In 1934 formed own company, and produced film versions of "Ten-Minute Alibi" and "While Parents Sleep"; then "Two's Company " for U.A. In 1936 : "The Shadow on the Wall," U.A. In 1940: "Quiet Wedding" for Paramount. In 1341 : "The Day Will Dawn"— "The Avengers " in the U.S. for Paramount. In 1942 : "Dear Octopus" for Gainsborough Pictures. In 1943 : "Signed With Their Honour." Address : 7, Park Lane, W.i. W. J. Speakman. Born 1903. Joined United Electric Theatres, Ltd., in 1916. In America, 1923-5. Managing director of Hippodrome (Eliesmere Port), Ltd., Doman Enterprises, Ltd. ; Bateman Enterprises, Ltd. ; Golborne Cinema Co., Ltd. ; B. & S. Cinemas (Lancashire), Ltd. ; B. & S. Cinemas (Wigan), Ltd. ; B. & S. Cinemas (Roscommon), Ltd. ; B. & S. Cinemas (Warrington), Ltd. ; B. & S. Cinemas (Audenshaw). Ltd. ; 13. & S. Cinemas (Farnworth), Ltd. ; and B. & S. Cinemas (Chorley), Ltd. Chairman and managing director of Capitol Sales (Liverpool). Ltd. ; general manager of Capitol (Edge Hill Ltd. ; chairman, Cinematurians ; member local committee C.T.B.F. ; Home Guard Kinema Liaison Officer (Major), Western Command. Addresses: 126, Bold Street, Liverpool 1 ; Stag Hotel, Garswood, near Wigan ; and " Dorain," Queen's Drive, Wavertree, Liverpool 15. Phones .v Royal 5106, 5438. 0. A. Spencer, Ph.D., F.R.i.G., Hon. F.R.P.S. Born 1901. Demonstrator and later lecturer Chemistry Dept., Imperial College of Science, South Kensington, 1920 33. Joint managing director Colour Photographs, Ltd. ; President, The Royal Photographic Society, 1936-38. A dit ess : Kod?k, Ltd., Harrow Wealdstone. Phone : Harrow 43 So. ^ Coun. F. J. Spickernell. Born 1 871. After period in army started furniture business, stood for City Council unsuccessfully and turned to film exhibiting. Built Regent, and later Plaza, Portsmouth. The latter was the first house outside London to instal W.E. equipment, which gave him