The Bioscope (Mar-June 1914)

> er 1100 vedition inAbyssinia and the district of the Nile. These pictures are of absorbing interest, and with a commentary lecture by a member of the expedition, should prove an umque entertainment. An extensive iour in the provinces has been arranved at the conclusion of the run at the London Opera House. We hear that the Magnet Film Companv’s magnificent version of Gr. R. Sim's immensely popular melodrama, ‘The Lights o’ London,” Is continuinye to prove one of the very bigvest successes this Company have ever handled. It 1s particularly eratifvine to learn, moreover, that the film is showing itself co be a recerdmaking production, not only for the proprietors but also for the exhibitors who book it. At Homerton, for example, although a large sum was paid for the picture, the price was covered within the first two days by the box office receipts, and equally pleasant results are recorded frem all cver the country. In view of these facts, it is scarcely surprising to hear that the film is beine rebooked everywhere, one Nportant circuit of theatres having taken it a second time at practically the same price as that paid for the first run. Apart from the intrinsic excellence of the film, which has already been reviewed at length in THe Bioscopr, the facts that the original play is now running at the Aldwych Theatre, and that the story thereof is appearing in serial form in Answers are naturally helping considerably to keep the production constantly in the public eye, whilst the name of the vastly popular author, Georve R. Sims, is in itself a money magnet. / A curious case arose at Scarborough a few months ago when Mr. W.. Kitchingman, manager of the Aquarium, one of Scar borough's leading and best known places of entertainment, apphed for a renewal of his cinematograph licence. The Aquarium is one of those seaside resort places of entertainment where there is a continual round of pleasure— different forms of amusement in different parts of the place, and the cinema has played an important part at the Aquarium for the last sixteen vears. Mr. Kitchingman was told, however, chat his cinema licence would be suspended at \Whitsuntide unless he forfeited a liquor cence held for a bar near to the cinematograph theatre. On Wednesday of last week, however, there Was a special sitting of the licensing justices at the local police court, presided over by the Mavor (Mr. C. C. Graham) to hear an application by Mr. Kitchineman, through Mr. J. Whitheld (solicitor) for the further renewal of the Aquarium cinematograph Licence. “tr. Whitfield explained that the former application was granted subjest to ‘glen WANT av S "FLYING A> 21 i fea = Janene ~ [re Broscope, JUNE 11, 1914. tion cf certain conditions, of wlich he was afraid the full eifect was hardly realised by the magistrates who imposed them. The pictures had been shown at the Aquarium for sixteen vears. So far as his clients were aware, the pictures had been shown at the Aquarium lonver than at any other place in the town, and practically continuously during that time. luring the whele of that time there had never been a single coniplaint as te the character of the pictures shown and, so far as Is clients were aware, there had never been a complaint in any other respect, and it did seem stranve that conditions should be imposed which would make it impossible fer pictures to be shown. | The condition to which he was referring was that during any entertainment at which pictures nieht be shown the bar should be closed for the sale of drink. During the summer months. a‘ the Aquarium, there was-a twelve hours’ continuous entertainment, and in the winter there was an entertainment from & p.m. ull about 16.30 p.m. If that condition was to be imposed, and pictures shown, the bar would be practically closed day after day during the important times. It would mean that the licence, which was, of course, of considerable value, would be surrendered. Counsel added that a similar objection had not been raised in any ovher place in England. Mr. Kitchingman gave evidence. and_ the licence was granted until April 5. 1915, subject to the closing of one door whilst pictures were being shown, and to this the manager agreed. According to a Press report, Dr. Charles Stelzle, of New York, is organising a big campaign in the autumn whereby over 1,000 churches in many cities in the United States will be supplied with a weekly moving picture entertainment. Dr. Stelzle will be the managing director of a company now being incorporated, and in an interview he stated that they intend to start with sixty centres, with an operator for each, who will give one show in one church in each city each mght. “In the next few years,” says the Doctor, “the great stories of the Bible will be filmed in an original setting by sympathetic artistes, and mission fields in foreign lands and the United States will be interpreted through the fascinating film.” Announcing in our issue of last week that Mr Neighbour had acquired the rights of “ The Cloister and the Hearth,’’ we inadvertently gave the wrong numbers of the address of Renters. Limited, which should be 118 and 120, Wardour Street, .W. Mr. McDowell, director of the B. and C. Rincmatograph Company, Limited, asks us to cmphatically contradict the rumour to the effect that he has left the company. THE BEST FILMS — WE\HAVE THEM “BEAUTY.” gh