The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1913)

THE Broscope, OcToBER 30, 1913. 399 TWO REMARKABLE CHILDREN. At the Arts Centre, Mortimer Street, last week, we saw an excellent “ variety ’’ entertainment, which had been organised mainly for the purpose of introducing to film manufacturers two wonderfully clever children, Miss Betty, a seven-year-old actress and vocalist, and Little June Tripp, a youthful dancer, who has been trained by Anna Pavlova, and who appeared with her at the Palace Theatre. Miss Betty is certainly one of the most astonishing infants one remembers. She is in no way a “professional prodigy ’’—that most objection. able type of child—but a dear little young and natural, with a touch of unmistakable genius. She sings and recites with an artless simplicity which is quite irresistible, and one can imagine that her unaffected manner, combined with her marvellously keen humour and intelligence, will render her invaluable to the film manufacturer who is fortunate enough to secure her services. Little June Tripp is an equally finished artist, and as remarkable a dancer, for her age, as one has seen. If she continues as she has commenced, there is no doubt that the future will find her prima ballerina assoluta. Meanwhile, she would make the most delightfully light, dainty fairy queen in a children’s play that one could imagine. NO INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, The Davison’s Film Sales Agency, of 18, Charing Cross Road, W.C., inform us that, despite the recent fire at the 8. & C. works, in Endell Street, all their releases will be delivered to date. Mr. Davison reports excellent business and, a growing demand for all the subjects he handles at his premises. Digitized by Goc gle irl, merry, TRAWLINGS FROM GRIMSBY. (By OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) This vear has been an extremely good one for the Picture Playhouse, Kent Street, and since the adoption of the continuous performance, big queues have been a nightly occurrence. The seating accommodation for 500 persons has become much too small, and alterations are to be put in hand immediately for the enlargement of the hall to a capacity of 1,000. In the course of a chat I had with the genial manager, Mr. T. Protheroe, the other day, he _ informed me that he proposes to install between 600 and 700 3d., 200 to 300 6d., and about 50 gd. seats Permission has been obtained from the Freemen of the town, who are the ground landlords, to the conversion of five cottages adjoining the theatre, which have been bought by the management. The alterations will not interrupt the performances, which will be carried on as usual. Mr. Protheroe, who has been in charge here for two years now, is very pleased with the satisfactory progress the theatre is making. To find Freemasons as owners of a cinema theatre is surely novel, yet such is the case at Cleethorpes, where the Cleethorpes Empire, Limited, a company composed of local Masons, has taken over the Empire Theatre. Councillor E. J. Brockway, the managing director, expressed himself to me a night or two ago as being well satisfied with the business done up to the present, and as regards future prospects he is most optimistic. The theatre is closed down for a fortnight for renovation and redecoration, and will reopen on November toth, with “ Adrift on Life’s Tide ’’ (Hepworth), as the leading feature. It 1s proposed to add an up-to-date café to the premises, which already contain a billiard room, and the Freemasons’ headquarters. The secretary-manager, bythe-bye, is the ever-smiling Mr. T. D. Bell, the late Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United footballer. “Bread Cast Upon the Waters’’ (Broncho), and “ The Snare of Fate’’ (Vitagraph), have been showing at the Gaiety Cinema, Wintringham Road, where the one house nightly arrangement seems to please patrons. Practically three hours of pictures are given at popular prices. Mr. Harold Newham, M.I.S.M., an accomlished local pianist, has recently been engaged by the Gaiety. ‘“«The world and his wife’’ have been attracted to the Strand Cinema de Luxe during the latter half of last week by ‘‘ East Lynne,’”’? while ‘‘ The Black Circle ’’ was the topline for the early part of the week. At the other hall, under the control of Messrs. Higgins and Littlewood—the Lyric—the star films have been “ The Tiger Lily,’ “Birds of Prey "’ (Kalem), and the fourth part of “What Happened to Mary.” The ‘‘Wanda Treuman series has been exclusively secured by the Paragon, and last week, the first of the series, “An Eye for an Fye’’ was shown to appreciative audiences. ” A SPORTING NOTE. Quite an exciting football match was played on Messrs. Andrews’ Pictures ground at Bowes Park recently, between Ruffells A.F.C. and Andrews’ A.F.C., when the former won by a substantial margin, Mr. T. Finucane scoring no less than seven, and D. M. Hollanby and T. Matthews one each. Both teams are anxious for further dates, and would be obliged if the secretaries of football teams in the Trade will kindly send along their vacant dates and venue of grounds. Original from NEW YORK,PUBLIC LIBRARY