The Bioscope (Mar-June 1914)

THE Bloscope, JUNE 11, 1914. 1103 The Lord Mayor and President Poincaré at the Gaumont Palace. (By Our Special Corcesponden:, John Cher) Last Iriday night the Gaumont Palace Hippodrome was closed to the public, and the great building the scene of a brilliant svirée de gala, given by the City of Paris in honour of Sir T. Vansittart Bowater—Lord Mayor of London— the Aldermen of the City of London, and the representatives of the Citv of Westminster and the London County Council. The Gaumont Palace is now officially one of the sights of Paris. In its way it ranks with the Opera House, both buildings being offi cially recognised as the respective homes of cinematography and music. It was the first occasion on which the President of the Republic, his military and civil escorts, and the Municipal Council of Paris had attended a picture theatre. It was a_ splendid idea on the part of those in charge of the festivities to remem. ber the cinematograph and its universal appeal to the people of all nations. It wasa splendid thing for the — cinematograph trade in veneral to be henecured in such a manner, and finally, it reflected the highes: praise on Monsieur Leon Gaumont for having conceived and perfected a moving picture show werthy of the presence of President Poincaré and _ his esteemed guests from across the Channel. The magnificent hall was transformed into a veritable palace. Three hundred fauteuils were taken away in order to clear sufficient space fer the construction of the presidential box, in which were hung superb Gobelin tapestries, worth over two thousand frances. An enormous sum of money was expended on the masses of flowers and palms which decorated the vast auditorium from floor to ceiling. Every tier was lined with gigantic garlands of fresh roses of all colours. Add to this the blaze of artistic little electric lamps and groups of women dressed in the smartest of Paris creations and you will pave a RE ES penta reproduc“FLYING A. ”—Y WANT THE BEST FILMS —WE tion of the picture which the Palace presented las: Friday night when the President of the Republic and the Lord Mayor were received by Monsieur Gaumont. The seven specially selected films constituted a ‘‘ perfect cinematograph programme.’”’ Seldom, indeed, I should imagine, has such a collection of moving pictures been exhibited at a single entertainment. It is worthy of note that the orchestral and choral accompaniments contributed in a very large measure to the success of the spectacle. This was especially noticeable in ** The Song of the Sea,’’ a musical exhibition of some of the finest seascapes ever cinematographed. The visitors were first shown the ** Gaumont Graphic’s” report of their visit to the french capital. Then tollowed a display of (;aumontcolor pictures, including the review before the King at Windsor. In the second part of the entertainment, further trichrome films __ of flowers, views of Holland and Belgium, and President Poincaré and the King of Spain were projected. Scientific cinematography was represented bv a picture entitled ‘In the Depths of the Ocean.” Two of the most popular productions ‘‘ The Voice of Patriotism ’’ and ‘“‘L’Agonie de Byzance,’’ completed the programme. The company were immensely enthusiastic, and in conyersation with some of those present | learnt that most of the guests from London were amazed at the standard of perfection of Gaumont films, the Gaumont way of exhibiting and the Palace Hippodrome. Gaumont BUSY AT BIRMINGHAM. Messrs. Beck and Windibank, Limited, of Clement Street, Birmingham, have just completed some very extensive furnishing contracts, notably at the Picturs House, Rice Lane, Liverpool; the Majestic Picture House, Daulby isha pEESR PO and the Alhambra peg VE “Beauty " S& Palace, Norma