The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

THE BIOSCOPE July 15, 1931 SPEAKING PERSONALLY Philip Martell and his orchestra of 16 at the Orpheum, Golders Green, are being disbanded consequent upon the acquisition of that house by A.B.C., whose general policy does not include the use of orchestras in its houses. The Orpheum orchestra has always been a big attraction, being generally regarded as one of the finest in the suburbs, and is composed of instrumentalists all of whom are capable of first rate solo efforts. Martell, who has led them practically since the opening of the theatre, is himself a violinist of distinction, who has made himself thoroughly popular with Orpheum patrons. Educated at the Guildhall School of Music, he secured his first important post at the early age of 16, when he became musical director at the Biograph, Victoria. He has subsequently held a number of successful cinema and hotel appointments, culminating in that which he is now concluding. To a Bioscope representative Martell was emphatic in praise of his “ boys,” and said he would dearly like to keep them together as a team. F. B. Boddington, general manager of the New Oxford Theatre, Manchester, has been appointed by Universal Pictures, Ltd., to fill the office of general manager of the Theatre Royal, Bolton, in addition to his present duties. • His headquarters will continue to be at the New Oxford. Noel Fleming, who has been assistant manager to E. E. Lundy for the past fifteen months, first at the Olympia and latterly at the new Forum, Liverpool, has been appointed manager of the Prince of Wales Picture House, Liverpool, in succession to W. Thornton. The cinemas named are in the A.B.C. circuit. T. Warner Crook, assistant manager of the Trocadero, Liverpool, gave patrons of the Plaza Cinema, Allerton, a pleasant surprise a few days ago, when he was acting as relief manager for Mr. Mudge, who was on holidays. Mr. Crook is a qualified musician, having been musical director in the silent film days at some of the G.B. and P.C.T. cinemas. During the musical interlude at the Plaza he gave a fine violin selection from the stage, accompanied by the Wurlitzer organ. His playing delighted the audience. W. Thornton, who for the last few months has been manager of the Prince of Wales Picture House, Liverpool, has transferred to the Carlton, Boscombe, another A.B.C. hall. Mr. Thornton came to Liverpool from Bournemouth. He took over his new duties on Monday. G. G. Saddler, of Paramount Film Service. Manchester, will shortly succeed J. Anthony as general manager of the Futurist, Birmingham. A native of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, he has been with Paramount at Manchester for the past six months, before which he was with East Anglican Entertainments, Ltd., at King’s Lynn. W. Garner has been appointed second operator at the Picture House, Walsall, in succession to W. Stone. He has for some time past been on the operating staff of the Regent, Hanley. J. A. Neilson, has resigned his position as area sound inspector for Gaumont BritishP.C.T. in the Midlands. C. J. Hembrow has been appointed area sound inspector for the Gaumont British Midland Circuit in succession to J. A. Neilson. He has had a wide experience with Western Electric, for which organisation he was in France and Belgium for a considerable period. He was also for a short time sound engineer at the Rink, Smethwick. BIOSCOPE PUBLICITY PULLS " Last week, definitely through the medium of your paper, I entered into an arrangement with a wellknown export company for the supply of kinematograph apparatus for abroad, and a letter from them received this morning has prompted me to write and place on record my deep appreciation.” W. CLARK [Proprietor), Central Kine-Apparatus Exchange, 130, Wardour Street, W.l. R. H. Smith, who has represented Gaumont as a salesman on the Northern territory for several years past, recently underwent a serious operation from which he is making satisfactory progress. His many trade friends in the North will be pleased to learn that he is looking keenly forward to resuming his duties in a few weeks’ time. Joseph Anthony, who is known to Midland exhibitors as the popular manager of the Futurist, Birmingham, has left the theatre to become manager of the Brixton Astoria. A native of Edinburgh, he’ went to the Futurist from the Havelock, Sunderland. His stay at the Futurist will be memorable from the fact that it was under his management that the first talking picture was introduced to the Midlands in March, 1929. Before taking up cinema management, ” Joe ” Anthony was associated with numerous musical comedy and comic opera companies as a character actor. W. Stone has left the operating staff of the Picture House, Walsall, to take up an appointment in Birmingham. F. J. Studd, go-getter manager of the Beaufort, Birmingham, holidaying at Dinard, wrote The Bioscope: " In case I’m missed from the Beaufort, I’m vacationing here, where the weather is gorgeous and the cinemas punk.” That must be a new colour ; we’ve only heard of blue ones. Harry G. Watkins, for many years with J ury-Metro-Goldwyn and recently with Gaumont at their Bristol branch, has now joined Warner Brothers as Vitaphone Shorts representative for South Wales and the West of England. Jack Warner Coming Jack Warner, vice-president in charge of production at Warner Brothers and First National studios, sails on the “ Bremen ” on Saturday next, July 18th, for London, where he will make an important announcement on Warner production plans for the next year Harry Heath, manager of the Cinema House, Sheffield, has now made a good recovery after an attack of appendicitis. E. Freedman, son of M. Freedman, the well-known Huddersfield exhibitor, has succeeded in passing the final examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. G. Greenwood has taken over supervision of the Branch Road Picture House and the Harehills Cinema, Leeds, in succession to H. Masterman, who takes over management of Pioneer Pictures, Dewsbury. Mr. Greenwood goes to Leeds from Holmfirth. Milton M. Matthews has relinquished his position as manager of the Plaza, Newcastle, Staffs, after serving 4 1 years at that theatre. He is well known in the Potteries for his pleasing personality and general knowledge of the trade, which covers 20 years. He is one of the old school of operators, having served 15 years in that department — four years at the Cinema, Newcastle ; three years at the Victoria Theatre, Hartshill ; and eight years at the King s Theatre, Newcastle (now renamed the Savoy). Mr. Matthews can be addressed at 32, Roberts Avenue, Newcastle, Staffs. Emmeline Telford, only daughter of Councillor and Mrs. J. W. Telford, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, was married last Wednesday to Cecil C. Cuthbert, of Low Fell. Councillor Telford is well known in Northern cinema circles, being one of the directors of the Brighton Cinema, Newcastle-on-Tyne, which office he has held since it was opened in 1911. Douglas Austen Dick, organist of the Playhouse, Edinburgh, figured as the bridegroom in a marriage that took place recently in the famous blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green. The other participant was Miss Connie Dent. Mr. and Mrs. Dick are evidently going to tie the marriage knot very securely, for they are to have a church wedding in Hanley later on in the year.