The Bioscope (Apr 1932)

April 13, 1932 THE BIOSCOPE 13 that were being made by the industry for tax-free scats up to (id. The general result of the campaign was considered to be highly satisfactory, and Alderman E. Trounson stiggested that arrangements should be made for a deputation of Liverpool e.xhlbitors, accompanied by a representative of Head Office, to wait on the Merseyside group of M.P.s at the House of Commons, to communicate first hand information on the serious effects of the tax on local cinemas and to invite them to ally themselves with the effort being made to secure the remission of the tax from the low-priced seats. On the proposition of B. Miller, seconded by Councillor 11. Hamilton Godfrey, it was decided “ that the North Western Branch adopt whatever method of campaign is recommended by General Council.” The Chairman incited F. W. Locke to introduce at the next meeting details of a scheme for the limitation of Press advertising. Owing to the lateness of the hour, it was decided to postpone to the next meeting a resolution from the Northern Branch, recommending a booking holiday for three months, unless exhibitors are able to get full programmes for 25 per cent. 3-Hour Programmes Too Long Southampton Thinks Single Feature Shows Enough A discussion on the length o! programmes and a suggestion that single-feature shows should be sufficient was included in the business of the Southampton Branch at its April meeting, when Major A. W. Banner presided. On the (luestion of the Entertainments Tax a deputation was appointed to meet Members of Parliament in Hampshire in order to impress exhibitors. SECRETARY H. H. C. MITCHENER reported tliat the National Council of Women had become active in the district, and had written to certain proprietors asking that their programmes should be submitted to the Society. He asked that he should be kept informed of any activities of this organisation. The Chairman (Major A. W. Banner) : 'J'his is one of many societies working on similar lines. If we begin sending them copies of our programmes we shall want a special staff to deal with the matter. (Laughter.) ilr. Vallance, of Bournemouth, said that he received a letter similar to the one the Secretary had referred to, and three days later he received a telephone message from the chairman of the organisation asking why the programme had not been sent. Servicing by Fire Brigade -Mr. Buck reported that the (luestion of tlic maintenance of fire appliances in Southampton had been raised. A circular letter had been received from the Chief of the Brigade offering to maintain the equipment in cinemas lor £2 2s. a year. The Secretary said lie had referred the matter to Norinan Hart, who expressed the vieav that it might be advisable to accept tlie offer, although he could find no legal obligation to do so. It was agreed that the matter should be left over until the next meeting, so that the result of inquiries might be reported to the members. Blame It on the Cinema The Secretary recalled a recent police case, in which it was alleged tliat boys who set lire to hay ricks in the Isle of Wight copied Avhat they saw at a cinema. Councillor G. Wrioht said that the Press, which gave prominence to any allegations against the cinema, lived on sensationalism, and he thought it was time there was a body to take up the case for the cinemas. Notliing was ever said of the educational value of the cinema. The Chairman remarked that a committee was watching the matter. Councillor Wright : Then I hope it will get on with the work. M.P.s and E.T. The Chairm.an menfioned that the Members of Parliament for Hampshire constituencies had indicated a desire to discuss the question of the Entertain ment.s Tax with cinema proprietors. It was felt, however, that if they sent a deputation to the House of Cominons it must be in full possession of details concerning the effect of the tax, and he asked members to send the tacts to the Secretary. It was agreed that members should provide the necessary information, and that the deputation should consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Mr. Buck, Captain Kendall, Councillor Wright, and that Mr. Bravery should be invited to attend from Bournemouth. Programmes Too Long There was a long discussion on the double-feature programmes and the length of the entertainment. Councillor Buck said that the matter had come forward because the Empire Theatre was putting on a programme that lasted over three hours, and other liroprietors had felt obliged to take notice of it. He thought a programme of about tw'o hours was ample. It was clear that if one or tw'o houses persisted in giving three hours’ entertainment, or even more, they would all have to fall into line. The Chairman remarked that he did not believe the long programme paid, but some proprietors had had to adopt it because others had started it. He thought that they might mutually agree upon a line of action that would give a reasonable limit to the programmes. It would be necessary to approach the Empire Theatre on the matter. It was agreed that steps should be taken in this direction. There was an intimation that renters had decided that in future publicity matter was to be purchased direct from them, as they believed that the present methods were detrimental to them. The meeting agreed to enter its protest, the ChairM AN remarking that the matter would be brought before the General Council. them the seriousness of the position of many Practical Help for Dundee Dundee Sub-Branch has secured the promise of all possible assistance from Miss Florence Horsbrugh, M.P. for Dundee, in its fight for a reduction in the Entertainments Tax and its total abolition from the seats up to and including (>d. Mr. Dingle M. Foot, the senior Member for Dundee, has promised to meet a deputation when he visits the city at an early date. These facts were reported to a meeting of the Association held last week — Victor Hamilton, Kinnaird, presiding — by the Secretary (Miss McIntosh). She stated that in writing the M.P.s she had sent some information regarding the effect of the Tax on Dundee cinemas. Miss Horsbrugh had written stating that she had submitted the figures to Major Elliott, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, asking him to give them his careful consideration and let her know his opinion on them. The following deputation was appointed to meet Mr. Foot and discuss the question with him : Jliss McIntosh, Harry Dickens, W. S. Edwards and A. E. Binnall. More Interference Ernest Jackson drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that their cinemas in Dundee were being subject to an extensive inquiry on the part of the Dundee Juvenile Organisations Committee. Mr. Jack.son also raised the danger to the cinema industry of having still another set of inspectors to contend with, if the Lord Provost's Committee of Dundee Corporation were able to get their ideas incorporated in an .\ct of Parliament t hat was meantime passing through the House of Commons. It was agreed that this question be raised at the meeting of the Scottish Executive, and that the Corporation be asked to remit the proposal back to permit of the C.E.A. considering how it was to affect the industry. Our Luxurious Divan Tub TIP-UP EASY CHAIR FROM 25/. 50,000 recently supplied to the leading Glasgow Cinemas. REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS of all kinds carried out without interfering with business. Keenest estimates without obligation. Write or Phone for our represenlative to call PATERSON’S LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1832) 79, HOWARD ST., GLASGOW. Telephone ... CENTRAL 5289 SCOTTISH NOTES By Councillor James McBride Glasgow’s Cinema Sundays — Grand Result Every member of the Glasgow cinema trade who did his bit to make a success of the 1932 Cinema Sundays deserves credit for the magnificent result. iJespite the few exhibitors “ who sulked in their tents ” and the severe industrial depression, the handsome total of £2,9.50 has been raised — a decrease of £137 on the previous year’s total. The allocation arranged with the Lord Provost of Glasgow — that his Fund should receive one-third, local infirmaries and charities one-third and Scottish Cinema Trade Benevolent Fund one-third — has resulted in a bigger sum being allocated to local charities and the Trade Fund. The following comparisons will be of interest : — 1931 1932 £ s d Lord Provost’s Charitv (One-half) Fund ^ 1..544 0 (i Focal Infirmaries and (One-fourth) Charities .... .... 772 0 4 Scottish Cinema Trade (One-fourth) Benevolent Fund .... 772 0 3 £ s. d (One-third) 983 7 9 (Onethird) 983 7 10 (One-third) 983 7 9 Totals .... £3,088 1 1 £2,950 3 4 All the Trade organisations will be represented when the cheque for the Lord Provost’s Charities P'und is handed over to Sir Thomas Kelly in the City Chambers next Monday. Montrose Rival Schemes A few weeks ago The Bioscope exclusively announced that a National Circuit and a North of .Scotland company were after sites in Montrose. The Scottish promoters have won the first round, for they have completed the deal for their site, which is situatecl in John Street. Alister MacDonald, the Premier’s son.who is the architect for the cinema being erected in Elgin, will also design the Montrose house. Pert & Co., Montrose, have secured the builders’ contract. Cinema Club Cameos President William Shaw made his debut as chairman at the monthly luncheon of the Cinema Club last Friday. Members and friends to the number of 50 made a cheery start for the president’s year of office. .After the “ eats,” reference was made to the various indoor and outdoor functions that were being arranged. Trade “ gowfers ” are being especially well catered for by the Sports Committee of the Club. Willie Bendon has again taken on the editorship of the Bulletin : his “ purple patches ” in the current issue qualify it for an “ A ” certificate ! Glasgow Centre’s (K.R.S.) New Officers At the annual meeting of the Glasgow Centre of the K.R.S. last Wednesday the following were elected to the various offices for the ensuing year : — Chairman, William Carruthers (Fox) ; vice-chairman, William Bendon (United Artists) ; representative to General Council, Horace Coxall (Coxall’s Film Service) ; representatives to Scottish Cinema Trade Benevolent Fund, Alf. Baker (P.D.C.), William Arthur (First National) and Mark Cowan (Universal) ; secretary, A. Levy. Kirkcudbright Picture House Reopened Last Friday night a red letter event took place in the town of Kirkcudbright, when the Provost, Town Councillors and other civic dignitaries were present at the reopening of Kirkcudbright Picture House. The hall, which has been closed for structural alterations and redecoration, has now been brought thoroughly up to date. Councillor N. H. MacAlister’s enterprise in this direction was favourably commented upon by Provost Millburn. Singleton’s Scotstoun Plans Sanctioned Glasgow Dean of Guild Court last Friday sanctioned the plans for the super cinema which The Bioscope exclusively announced some time ago was to be built in the Scotstoun district of the city by a company in which George Singleton is the leading light. The capacity of the new house is to be 2,000,^ and it will occupy a prominent site on Dumbarton Road.