The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

3S THE BIOSCOPE July 15, 1931 a demonstration theatre, has just been entirely redecorated, the scheme having been executed by the Allied Arts and Crafts Guild. * * * The Grand, Handsworth, is at present in the hands of the decorators. The entire front when completed will be in light and dark stone, which will give a smart appearance against the light green colour of the glaze brick dado. The foyer throughout is to be finished in oak, while the main doors will take on a finish of grained oak in keeping with the inside foyer decorations. Leicester and District Two for Leicester According to the census, Leicester has a population of 239,111. It has 20 cinemas. Allowing one for every 10,000 persons, there is room for at least two further cinemas. These will shortly be forthcoming, viz., in the Humberstone district, where a palatial new cinema is nearing completion, and at Wigston Road, Clarendon Park, where a site has been secured and plans prepared for a cinema to be called “ The Knighton ” — the name of an adjoining village and residential district. R. M. Wright and G. H. Scarborough, well known local exhibitors, are interested in the latter enterprise. Hall for Film Society Leicester Film Society has secured the large hall of the Working Men’s College as the scene of its activities, and where it is hoped to screen the first film in October. Six monthly exhibitions have been arranged. Souvenir Members of the local C.E.A. who visited Elstree studios of B.I.P. recently have each received a large-sized group photograph as a souvenir of the occasion. The photo includes the whole party, together with officials, directing staff and a number of the leading artistes engaged at the studios. South Coast Sussex-Portsmouth Outing The combined forces of the Sussex and Portsmouth Branches of the C.E.A. held their annual outing on Tuesday, July 7th, Henfield being the venue. A thoroughly enjoyable day was spent by a company numbering about 60. Luncheon was served at the White Hart Hotel, of which Leslie Pearn, himself an exhibitor and a member of the Sussex Branch, is the proprietor, J. Van Koert (chairman of the Branch and delegate to the General Council) presiding. In the afternoon a cricket match was played between Sussex (captained by Percy V. Lunch) and Portsmouth, for whom William Blake acted as skipper, the home county winning by a substantial margin. In the evening the party motored to Brighton for dinner at the Regent Restaurant, Gordon Pannell presiding. The toast of “ The Sussex Branch ” was proposed by the chairman, and J. Van Koert, who responded, paid a similar compliment to the Portsmoitb Branch. Following the dinner a special film display depicting the day’s events was presented by George Palmer. South Wales “ Limit of Obscenity ” The Local Government Committee of the Glamorgan County Council has instructed its clerk to make a thorough inquiry into the powers of local authorities over the display of pictorial film posters. The decision was reached after a complaint, by a member of the committee, the Rev. H. R. Protheroe, vicar of Bridgend, that pictorial film posters were being exhibited in public places which reacned the “ utmost limit of obscenity.” Just Silly There has been a ridiculous rumour going the rounds in Cardiff to the effect that the New Imperial, Cardiff, was to be taken over by a group of city amateur repertory players and to be converted into a “ Little Theatre.” There is not a particle of truth in the rumour, and it is difficult to understand how it originated. More for Swansea ? There is talk in Welsh trade circles of a new super being contemplated for Swansea, in the High Street area, and another suburban cinema in the Townhill district. I have been making inquiries, both in trade circles and in municipal circles, but can find no confirmation. I pass the talk on, therefore, for what it is worth. Film With a Local Association The Queen’s, Cardiff, which is now' being redecorated, reopens next Monday with “ The Man from Chicago.” It would be difficult to find a happier reopening feature for Cardiff, for the author, Reginald Simpson, is a Cardiff man and an old newspaper worker in the city. Irish Free State (Representative: Joseph P. Sandes, 43, St. Joteph's Place, Dorset Street, Dublin) Tax Proposals Modified As a result of a consultation with cinema proprietors, the Minister for Finance has modified his proposals to tax cinema entertainments. While he does not intend to alter nis determination to increase the tax on film footage, he will permit cinema proprietors to increase their prices of admission within limits, without increasing the entertainment tax. One member reminded the Minister that the idea of increasing the tax was to compensate the cinemas for the loss of their orchestras, but the effect of the new attitude was to pass the tax from the film renters to the Irish public. A “ Luxury ” The Minister defended his position by saying that it was not possible for the renters and the picture houses to escape from some responsibility in the matter. After all, he was dealing with what was a luxury, and even if the demand showed a falling off, it would inflict no hardship on the community. Whatever the scale of the tax to the renters and producers, the incentive remained to fight the matter out between themselves. As to the alleged shortage of films, he was not satisfied that all sources of supply had been fully explored. No Tax on “Human” Drama The “ human ” drama and all concerts w'ill be relieved of all entertainment tax, and with the inevitable increase in the film charges it is thought that the competition between the two forms of entertainment will be less unequal. There is nothing, however, in the terms of the new regulations which will compel the legitimate theatre or concert entertainments to pass the benefits of the tax on to the public. Should this not ensue, the public will no doubt take a serious view of the matter. A Capitol Romance What may be described as a little film romance is the marriage of Charles Wade, stage manager of the Capitol, to Iris Binns, one of the attractive group of filler Girls so long associated with the Capitol performances. Miss Binns is the daughter of the manager of the Margate Picture Theatre, and the marriage is taking place at this delightful seaside resort. Northern Ireland (Representative: George Gray, Fort Gariy, Cregagh Park, beitast) New Terms The Exhibitors’ Section of the White Cinema Club is now once more an active body, with D. D. Young, of the Lyric, Belfast, as chairman, and J. H. Craig, of the Midland, as hon. secretary. A number of private meetings have been held recently to discuss various problems. These have been strictly private, but two decisions have been announced, the first in regard to renters’ terms and the second dealing with advertising. No Guarantees It has been decided that no guarantees be given to renters, and that any percentage paid to a renter must include the whole programme, carriage one way, and posters. If the renter cannot supply the necessary supporting items in the way of shorts, then he is to be asked to make an allowance out of his share to cover same. What action the renters will take in the matter is not yet definitely decided upon by those affected, but it seems hardly likely that any of them will agree without first putting up a fight against the new terms demanded. Advertising With reference to the vexed question of advertising, the exhibitors have come to the decision that in all future advertisements in the Belfast papers exhibitors shall confine themselves to single column advertising. This differs somewhat from the old agreement, which limited the amount of space to single column space of not more than two inches. The old agreement lasted for quite a while, until the advent of “ talkies ,v led to various houses resorting to all manner of sizes in advertisements, and the question now is how long will the present agreement last,' even though there is no limit to the amount of single column space ? The events of the next few weeks will decide whether the agreement will last or not. If the one just entered into is broken, then it will be a case of an advertising war costing the trade hundreds of pounds per annum. Other Matters The exhibitors’ section proposes to carry on with its work of tackling other trade problems, and that it is resulting in the increase in interest in the club is shown by the largely increased membership. When the Ulster holiday season ends, then it will be found that the section will be even more active than it has been of late. Paramount Plans Paramount have altered their plans as far as their super cinema for Belfast is concerned. Originally they had intended to take over towards the end of the present year, but in view of their plans for theatres in other parts of England, they have, very wisely, decided to postpone their programme for Belfast until the end of the coming winter season, and will take over some time in the early part of next year. Work on the super will be carried out during the quiet summer months. Falling Into Line The Northern Government has issued an order bringing into force the same provisions as in Great Britain in regard to unemployment,, health and other national insurance for cinema employees. Exhibitors wish that the Government would be a little more consistent with its step-by-step policy and fall into line with Great Britain in regard to the entertainment tax, but that is not going to be realised for a long while yet, if ever at all. 40 Years at the Door ! Is It The Record ? In The Bioscope of July 1st, R. J. Thompson, commissionaire at the A.B.C. theatre, the Gaiety, Manchester, was reported as having been engaged continuously at that theatre for 22 years. “ How many in the trade can equal this ? ” we asked. Now we hear from J. Parkinson, licensee of the Theatre Royal Cinema, Church Street, Harwen, that one of his commissionaires has been continuously employed at that theatre for over 40 years. The Bioscope issues a friendly challenge to any doorman able to beat this continuous service record. Surely this one must be unique ? Hannah Kass in Europe Miss Hannah Kass, Columbia’s New York foreign manager, and one of the few women holding executive posts in the industry, arrived in Europe recently. Her avowed intention is to obtain a much needed rest. She is also conferring with Columbia representatives in England and the Continent on the outlook for the forthcoming year. “ Columbia in the World Market,” said Miss Kass, ‘‘is a phrase whose meaning has been proved more than superficial since my previous visit. We have gone into the world market with a confidence based on ten years of steadily mounting foreign revenue.”