The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

THE BIOSCOPE 21 July 15, 1931 TALK OF THE TRADE Invoke B.O.T. Advisory Committee !— Decency and Posters— An Idea for Western Electric— Bernstein’s “ Early Morning Special ” Faraday House, July 15, 1931 Meeting Hatfield, of Western Electric J. E. Otterson’s luncheon to Western Electric licensees and film trade journalists, at the Savoy on Monday, on this occasion took on special significance. Each time Mr. Otterson pays one of his periodical visits he meets his friends at the luncheon table. This time, however, his hospitality provided an opportunity not only for a further chat with the Erpi chief, but was something in the nature of a farewell to E. S. Gregg and a “ welcome here ” to R. M. Hatfield, who, as first announced exclusively in The Bioscope last week, succeeds Mr. Gregg as Western Electric chief in this country. There will be genuine regrets at the departure of Mr. Gregg, whose great personal charm has endeared him to members of every section of the trade with whom he has contacted. Why Not Celebrate by Reducing Service Charges ? My first impression of Mr. Hatfield is that we are fortunate in getting such a successor to Mr. Gregg. He looks the embodiment of good nature. I had not been talking to him for two minutes when I felt I had known him for years. This happy sensation may have been due partly to the fact that Mr. Hatfield and I discovered that both among American and Australian trade journalists — Mr. Hatfield was formerly W.E. chief in Australia —we had several mutual friends, but it was due also to the entire lack of formality in Mr. Hatfield’s make-up. I feel sure he is going to be very popular in London trade circles, and if I might make such a suggestion I would assure Mr. Hatfield that he will be hailed by all “ W.E. ” theatre owners as a gift from the American gods if he were able to commemorate his arrival here by announcing an early revision in Western Electric service charges. Why not, Mr. Hatfield ? Indecency 42 Years Ago It is significant that whenever Authority invokes the law with the avowed object of preserving public morals (heaven help us), that law is a hoary affair. The L.C.C. Entertainments Committee has recently considered four film posters, and in one case has referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police with a view to his considering action under the Indecent Advertisements Act, 1889 ! Maybe, if positive action results, that Act of 42 years ago will be interpreted in the light of subsequent revisions of public opinion as to what is and is not indecent. Indecency is inevitably linked up with motive, and it is certain that the mental outlook of 1889 regarding standards of morality offers an affront to present-day conceptions. The question to-day is whether we might not become more decent as a nation if we were freed from some of these archaic laws affecting to lay down moral principles governing public conduct. Illegal Booking And B.O.T. Advisory Committee As long ago as J anuary 2 1st The Bioscope urged that the C.E.A. should make some attempt officially to check certain booking practices held to be illegal under the Films Act, 1927. For long enough it has been widely known throughout the trade that regarding its Booking Clauses, at any rate, this Act was being seriously flouted by the trade. Now at last, due principally to the initiative of H. Victor Davis, of the South Wales Branch, a resolution is being put forward by the C.E.A. General Council and will be considered by the Joint Standing Committee of the C.E.A. and K.R.S. I have not the slightest doubt that if followed to its logical conclusion this resolution will do much to check current Booking abuses. If, however, the evil is not by that means completely stamped out, I suggest that official action might be taken. After all, there is an Advisory Committee, and to judge by the infrequency with which it has met during the past 18 months or two years it appears to stand badly in need of an opportunity to do something in justification of its continued existence. Here is its great chance. A Cinema In the Woods I have so often listened to the “ grouses ” of exhibitors with theatres right in the thick of a vast moving population that it was delightful while at Brighton during Conference week to meet at least one exhibitor who seems quite complacent concerning his prospects of success, with the cinema in the woods ! He was Captain C. C. Allport, who owns “ The Kinema in the Woods ” at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, surely a theatre unique throughout this country. If there is any other cinema with pinewoods on one side, oak woods on the other and surrounded with heather and wild lilies of the valley — take me to it, particularly if its natural environment has such pleasant reactions on the personality of its owner as this kinema in the woods of Woodhall Spa appears to have. In spite of its unique position, Captain Allport’s theatre is quite successful. “ Talkies ” were installed a long time ago and are attracting patrons from a very wide radius. Summer business holds no terrors for Captain Allport, who can truthfully claim that the atmosphere in his romantic little theatre is fresh from the pine trees. Just imagine what that would be worth to many exhibitors in sultry industrial centres. Shooting a Star On Wednesday, as I was passing St. Martin’s Church, my attention was caught by the unusual spectacle of a rather forlorn Leila Stewart standing in the gutter reading a newspaper. I took a second glance, and saw standing beside her an ancient camera under the focussing cloth of which a figure was composing a picture of the entrance to the church. Looking in that direction I saw the distinguished figure of George Arliss drifting into view occasionally for focussing purposes and then discreetly disappearing behind the pillars. It was rather surprising to find a topical picture of George Arliss being taken in this tedious and old-fashioned way, and I should imagine that Arliss must have contrasted this five-minute ordeal rather scornfully with the speedier methods of American pressmen. I found on enquiry that a series of photographs was being taken of Arliss in various historic London surroundings for the purpose of American publicity. A photograph was taken in the projection theatre by flashlight (shades of Sashalite !) and others in Museum Street (Arliss’s birthplace), on the British Museum steps, at the Old Curiosity Shop and one or two other similar locations. At the British Museum Arliss was photographed beside the statue of George Washington there, as a topical adjunct to his new film dealing with the life of Alexander Hamilton, who was Washington’s right-hand man. A Page-Hogging Publicity ! Incidentally, Mrs. Stewart got wonderful publicity for Arliss in the Evening News last Wednesday, when practically an entire page was devoted to blocks and interview with him. I believe it is fairly easy to get this sort of publicity in America, but it is not often a London paper throws open its news columns so generously. Bernstein s Burlesque If you happen to be in Charing Cross Road early on Saturday morning you will be able to join theatrical and film stars at numerous coffee stalls, which will be lined up there to serve breakfasts. This will not indicate the commencement of a new street cafeteria, but will be the wind-up of Sidney Bernstein’s gala night, which he is holding to popularise the midnight performances of " Late Night Final ” at the Phoenix Theatre on Friday night. Leslie Henson, Nelson Keys, George Robey, Sidney Hayward, Maisie Gay and Cicely Courtneidge, cream of British stage and screen comedy, are attending to do a burlesque of the show after the play is finished. Those who have not laughed away their dentures will be able to eat at the coffee stalls afterwards. No Sponsored Films Here The heavy campaign in favour of sponsored advertising films in America has provoked the inevitable reaction. Exhibitors are reporting irritation on the part of their patrons at paying to see films which are only thinly disguised advertising. The old argument is being brought forward, by the agencies pushing these films, that since the public does not object to advertisements in periodicals there is no logical reason why it should object to advertisements in films, since in each case the advertisements make it possible to give better value to the purchaser. The second part of that argument is obviously untrue and the first part is a false comparison. If every newspaper reader were compelled to read his newspaper through, from page 1 to 16, without skipping anything, he would quickly object to advertisements. In a paper one can select and read at will ; in a film programme one must see everything according to the exhibitor’s choice. It is interesting to hear that many theatres in America are now displaying a notice prominently on their canopies, “ No advertising or sponsored reels shown in this theatre.” OBSERVER New W.E. Chief R. M. Hatfield