The Bioscope (May-June 1912)

The Bioscope, June 13, 1912. 817 NO SUNDAY OPENING AT FOLKESTONE. COUNCIL REJECTS WATCH COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION. As briefly reported in our last issue, the Watch Committee of the Folkestone Town Council re commended that the Council should grant a licence under the Cinematograph: Act to the Victoria Pier Syndicate, Limited, in respect of the Pier Pavilion, on condition that no cinemat>graph exhibitions be given on Sunday other than between 3.15 p.m. and 10 p.m., the licence vo «catinue for a period of three months. It will be remembered that ihe sppeal ty the Victoria Pier Syndicate against a conviction by the Folkestone magistrates for using inflammable films was dismis A full report of the case appeared in THE Broscope, May 23rd, page 555. The Watch Committee report came up for consideration at the Council’s monthly meeting on Thursday last, an 1 an animated discussion took place. Councillor J. G. Parsons moved that the recommendation of the Watch Committee in regard to Sunday pictures on the Pier be eliminated. He contended that for some time past the Committee had been endeavouring to put an end to Sunday picture performances, and yet it came forward now and asked the Council to sanction such entertainments. Surely the Council would be establishing a precedent which would affect the prosperity and teputation of the town. If this licence were granted others would follow in the same wake. Councillor C. C. Wampach thought it was the duty of every Christian man to do his utmost to prevent the desecration of the Sabbath. Surely there were quite enough days in the week, especially now that the Shops Act had been passed, for people to view picture displays on a week day. Councillor R. G. Wood, J.P., said he was really astounded at the action of the Watch Committee. It was beyond his comprehension. Now when everything was settled, or they thought so, they tead this recommendation that a licence be granted for performances on Sunday evenings. He supposed there was some explanation, but the only explanation he could see was because the application was made by a different person and in a different name. However, he advocated the slimination of Sunday pictures altogether, and his Teason was that the town should be as quiet as Possible on the Sabbath. If they commenced by gtanting this licence they would have to grant other cinematograph licences. They could not show any favouritism. It would mean a busy Sunday and practically everything would be open except the theatre. It would attract people to the town for a “big” time and that was a thing he deprecated strongly on Sunday. Councillor C. E. Mumford spoke in favour of ‘the Committee’s recommendation. In the first Place he asked the private residents to remember what their Sunday was as compared with that of 80 per cent of the other people. The private ° tesident rose ca Sunday rts ee: after sig days’ | oogle rest. He was surrounded on Sunday morning by luxury and _ comfort, and saw the world through drawing-room windows. But what of the other 80 per cent.? The small wage earner went home to a very small house after six days of very hard labour. He asked them to think of that, of those in lodgings, and of their conditions of life. The young, highspirited boy had absolutely nothing to occupy his mind during the whole of the day of rest. It was said that Sunday should be kept quiet and holy. He had had a good deal to do with young men, and the quiet men were not always the holiest. Quietness and holiness did not always go together. He asked whether in this case a compromise was not a good thing, and he further pointed out that the granting of a licence for three months was advised by the Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve). Councillor A. Stace, J.P., held that the Council could not be consistent unless they granted all licences or refused al!. Councillor Kent pointed out that the circumstances in regard to the Victoria Pier were absolutely different from those of other picture shows in the town. There would be no obstruction there. Councillor Harrison pointed out that under the Committees proposal people would be able to attend church threé times on Sunday if the desired without the picture show interfering wit divine service. Councillor E. J. Bishop, J.P., held that the Corporation should encourage everything that tended to discountenance immoral or wrong doing, and they had no right to inflict or enforce their own private opinions on the general public with regard to the Sabbath. He favoured a licence for the Pier, but was absolutely against any other show being granted the same facilities. The Pier entrance was almost outside the town. Alderman A. E. Pepper strongly favoured such innocent amusement for young people in preference to their running about the streets. He contended that Sunday would be a quieter day by the introduction of picture shows of an educational oature. They would keep many out of the publichouse. The picture shows would be over when the public houses were closed. It would be better for men and women too. He would hear both sides of the question before he said, whether he would vote in favour or against any other cinematograph show being granted a licence. The motion to eliminate the Committee’s recommendation was carried by the extremely narrow majority of ten votes to nine. It is interesting to note that Mr. Forsyth, the managing director of the Victoria Pier Syndicate, immediately had bills printed and circulated throughout the town expressing his intention of holding performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the following Sunday.