The Bioscope (Apr-May 1915)

THE BIOSeOrs, May 6, 1915. 557 GLASGOW'S SUBURBAN HALLS. Glasgow's total of over 100 halls is spread over a wide area, the extent of which can be imagined when ‘it is mentioned that the city’s area is covered by over 500 miles of streets, and there are few main thoroughfares without one or more halls. During last week I made visits to houses in many ‘parts of the city, and the following notices will give an indication of the business being done and the programmes submitted to Glasgow's “outer population.” In Dennistoun, at the Palladium, patrons are always sure of a good programme. Last week’s star items included ‘‘ The Strange Case of Princess Khan,” “The Escape of the Fast Freight,” “ Sheriff for an Hour,” and “ The Golden Hope.” The comedy part of the programme was particularly streng, and included “ Mysterious Mr. Davey,” “Snakeville’s Blind Pig,’ ‘Conjurer’s New Assistant,” ‘‘Who’s Who in Hogg’s Hollow,’’ ‘‘ Bombs and Bangs,”’ etc., ‘‘Bully Boy.” cartoons and “Topical Budget’ completed a really fine programme. The fine weather caused a slight falling off in business last week, the unusual sunshine keeping people out of doors. At the Parade Cinema, Dennistoun, business is always good, this being one of those houses which has a regular family audience. Messrs. Smith and Welsh cater carefully for their patrons, and reap full benefit. Ideal exclusives are having a run here just now. Last week ‘The Idol of Paris’? did good business, and a hit is expected this week with “How Heroes are Made.” The six-reel Keystone is a feature booked for the Parade in the near future. Down Govan way, where the Dreadnoughts come from, the residents are enthusiastic supporters of the pictures. Six Jhalls within easy reach of one another are all doing exceedingly well, and no complaints were heard. At the Govan Cinema the attendances keep well up to the average. Attractive programmes are _provided, as the following for last week will show: “Law of the Wild,” “ All at Sea,” “For I Have Toiled,’ “Ethel Has a _ Steady,” “Trey 0’ Hearts,” ‘In a Boarding House,” “Current Events,” ‘One Geod Turn,” ‘A Question of Clothes,” ‘Cactus Jim's Shop Girl,” ‘ Call of the North,” ‘ Nabbed.” This week the Cinema sup porters are to witness the first run of “ The Master Key.” The Govan Cross Picture Palace, with its seating capacity of nearly 2,000 was well packed on the evening of my visit, and Mr. Hamilton informed me that this year was as good as last. Three stars a week are the attraction here, and “ Germinal,” ‘Spell of Darkness” and “A Million Bid’’ were the draws last week. Comedy is, of course, strongly represented, and topical me 3 oe found in the programme. peor, fo) the Govan Picture. aie <of MSES 1 gales halls, knows what 1g SAAS Ie eee that they get it. ‘The Old Curiosity Shop,” ‘ Convict, Costume, and Confusion,” ‘‘ Million Dollar Mystery,” “In Taxi 23,’’ and Charlie Chaplin’s were included last week, while this week the great Thanhauser serial will have for a companion “The Master Key,” first run. The improvements in this hall are now completed, and the building is now one of the best of its kind. Opened just before the end of last year, the Lorne Cinema, Cornwall Street, S.S., has soon found a place for itself, and it is now entertaining crowded houses nightly. Mr. A. B. King. the manager, believes in keeping pace with the opposition, and this week will screen “The Master Key,” first run.. Last week Mr. King’s stars were ‘‘A Soldier’s Honour” and ‘‘The Convent Gate.’ Chaplin’s are as popular here as elsewhere, and at least one is included in every programme. To pay a visit to ‘a lordly pleasure house wherein at ease you are entertained” (as the ’ programme has it) is always an event I look for ward to. My visit, then, to the Cinerama last week was not disappointing. A cheery talk with the ever hopeful Mr. Wolstenhulme, and always a good programme to witness the while. Last week “ Trilby”” was the tit-bit, with “ His Fighting Blood” a good second. The afternoon matinees, with “Our Mutual Girl” specially screened for the fair patrons, keep up well, while business in the evenings is as usual, and that is saying crowded houses. Mr. Alex. Gilchrist, J.P., of the Electreum, who, by the way, has quite recovered from his indisposition, reports very fair business. Finely varied programmes, with plenty of comedy, are required here to cope with the near opposition of one of the largest music-halls in the City, and this is just what Mr. Gilchrist provides. The Scenic, Paisley Road, Toll, after passing through several “anxious times,’ is now on the high road to success under Mr. Baker's management. Returns go up week by week, and the programmes provided give much satisfaction. This week Mr. Baker is showing ‘“ The Vengeance of Durand” and ‘The Green Shadow” as ‘‘stars’’ and plenty of fine, lively comedies. Two of the best serials and two star exclusives every week are responsible for the good business being done at the Majestic, Govanhill. ‘ The Trey o’ Hearts” and “ Million Dollar Mystery ”’ are the serials, and the exclusives “ Her Luck in London” and “A Patriot of France.” With such draws Manager Robinson deserves to succeed, and the crowded houses nightly prove that he is doing so. At the Bijou, Cowcaddens, last week, Mr. Metcher had on a very good selection. ‘‘ Trey 0’ Hearts,” “‘ Touch of a Child,” “ His Last Appeal,” “The Corsair,”’ Mere Master of the Mine” and “The Greater ‘Moti sg selections from the week’s_ scre ences \at! “eres GaLIBRA agtracted good audi