The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 12, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 33 News from the Territories From “The Bioscope’s” Special Representatives Manchester and Liverpool Representative: Fred Gronback, 18, Coningsby Road, Anfield, Liverpool. Telephone: Anfield 1289) “ A ” Films Trouble It seems that Liverpool exhibitors are not yet out of the wood in regard to their troubles over the exhibition of “A” films to juveniles. A further meeting of members of the North Western Branch of the C.E.A. was held at Liverpool on Wednesday last, to discuss developments, the business being private. G. Dudley West, secretary of the Branch, has advised members by circular as to the position. Up to the Eyes Owing to the floods which occurred at Altrin* cham, Bowden, and Hale, certain local cinema shows had to be abandoned. At Hale Cinema the light failed during the matinee on Wednesday last, and the evening performance had to be cancelled. The engine house at the Altrincham Picture Theatre was flooded in the afternoon, but as a result of the efforts of the staff, the water was cleared in time for the evening performance. There was, however, a delay of about threequarters of an hour owing to the abnormal rainfall. Wigan “ Bust-up ” For causing an obstruction by releasing balloons, some bearing free tickets for admission to the Wigan County Playhouse, a summons was issued against a Wigan “ stunt merchant ” a few days ago. A large crowd gathered, chiefly mill girls and children, and as they chased the balloons, accidents were narrowly avoided. Defendant was ordered to pay costs. Simplex Installations Recent installations of Simplex machines with Western Electric 3A sets, have been made by J. Frank Brockless, Ltd., Manchester (manager, W. Chilton), at the Victoria and Empire Cinemas, Blackburn ; the Grand, Great Harwood ; and the Grand, Lancaster. New Eamm Equipment Kamm “ talkie ” equipment has been installed in the Uxford Cinema, Penmaenmawr (North Wales). A number of minor improvements have been carried out at the theatre. Four Northern Counties (Representative : Thos. F. Burgess, 242, Wingrove Avenue, Newcastle-onTyne) Inspection by Justices Not Acceptable At the Guisborough Court last week Sir Alfred Pease, chairman of the Bench, voiced a strong protest against the proposed regular inspection of halls licensed for entertainments by local magistrates. The protest arose from a letter addressed to the Bench by the Clerk to the North Riding County Council, in which he put forward the suggestion that once each year the licensed halls should be inspected by the Justices. Sir Alfred intimated that he did not intend being made a Government Inspector. He considered the magistrates were already doing all they possibly could to see that the law was properly carried out, and it was not a part of the duty for which they were appointed to be saddled with the responsibility of certifying such premises as being safe. Efficient inspection, it was pointed out, was already being conducted bv the police, and the Bench agreed to reply to the communication that the regular inspection of the halls was already being conducted, so far as the Justices were concerned, by proxy. Crippled Children See “ Africa Speaks ” Over two hundred children from the Sanderson Home for Crippled Children attended the Globe Cinema, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tvne, on Saturday afternoon last for the purpose of seeing the film “ Africa Speaks.” The performance was thoroughly appreciated by the youngsters. Staff Outing The staff of the Hippodrome, Silksworth, together with their friends, spent an enjoyable day’s outing at Knaresborough, Yorkshire. Favoured with ideal weather conditions the party, in charge of manager J. French, took full advantage of the occasion by exploring this historical and interesting spot. Leeds and District (Reprejentative : H. S. Pitts, 'Yorkshire Evening Post," Leeds, or Leyburn Grove, Bingley) No Good for Exhibitors Bank Holiday here did not bring the big “ houses ” and bumper box-office receipts that some holidays bring ; some managers report the worst holiday business for years. Both Monday and Tuesday, the main holiday days, were very fine, and people crowded up to Roundhay Park gala. Still, exhibitors cannot complain after having got through the summer as well as they have done. The unsettled weather of June and July did them a very' good turn. “ Roses ” Encounter Filmed Yorkshire’s annual Bank Holiday cricket encounter with Lancashire, this time at Bramwell Lane, Sheffield, was filmed for the “ talkies ” for the first time at Sheffield last week by British Movietone News. The arrangements had been made by Francis Harris, manager of the Albert Hall, and were carried out under the direction of J. Lawrence, the Leeds branch manager of Fox. Fox Films to Remove Joe Lawrence, Leeds manager of Fox, intimates that in the near future he will leave his present offices in Trinity Street, for more commodious premises in Aire Street, adjoining the present offices of Radio Pictures. More “ Talkies ” at Halifax The Victoria Hall, Halifax, has been fitted up with “ talkies,” and shows are being given for the first time this week. This new arrangement will not interfere, however, with concert bookings for the hall. Birmingham and Midlands (Representative : O. Ford-Jones, " Winona," Hugh Road, Smethwick, Birmingham. Telephone: Smethwick 289) Worth-While Business Despite the holiday fever and the two real days of sunshine of the August recess, picture houses in the Midlands generally did worth-while business. Whilst all houses cannot report capacity business, many approached this standard. On Tuesday at the Piccadilly, Stratford Road, many were unable to gain admission to the afternoon matinee, there being an extensive queue still waiting 15 minutes before the commencement of the show. The Plaza — Bromsgrove’s new “ talkie ” house — also reports exceptional attendances, as does also the Newtown Palace, Newtown Row. Bromsgrove Goes “ Talkie ” Those of the community who say there is no demand for the Sunday opening of cinemas should have attended Bromsgrove on Sunday of the past week, on the occasion of the opening of the Plaza Thatre — Councillor T. McDermott’s new venture, when half-an-hour before the doors were scheduled to open upwards of a thousand would-be patrons were assembled for admittance to the special charity performance which marked the opening of the house. The opening ceremony was performed by County Councillor Victor Drurv, Esq., chairman of the Bromsgrove Urban District Council, who was supported by G. C. Gadd, the architect, and J. T. Banks, the chairman of the Bromsgrove Saturday Hospital Committee, to which charity the proceeds of the show were given. Eulogistic reference was made to Councillor McDermott’s enterprise, which that evening had made history in that it was the commencement of the talking picture era in Bromsgrove, and the wishes of all were offered for its success. Wanted — A Better Censorship The Birmingham Cinema Enquiry Committee is arranging a national conference to be held in Birmingham on November 14th, to discuss “ How best to get a Government committee of inquiry into the subject of a better censorship of films.” Representatives, it is announced, will be invited from all the large cities and towns. Coventry House Reopened The Globe, Coventry', which closed to the public for a fortnight, opened again on Bank Holiday Monday, after complete redecoration, general reconditioning, and reseating. Allied Arts and Crafts Guild of Birmingham were the contractors for the decorations, which have been carried out in a scheme of panels in cloud effect having a surround of blue, apricot and gold. W. W. Turner, of King’s Heath, were responsible for the seating. Leamington Hall Shut Following on the conviction of the proprietor of the Colonade, Leamington, for breaches of the regulations of 1923, Warwickshire County Council has withdrawn the licence for the premises, which have now been closed. It is understood that an appeal against the conviction is pending. Coventry 100 per Cent. The Crown and the Prince of Wales, Coventry, have during the past week “ signed up ” for B.T.-H. equipment, and will open with audible films early' in September. Coventry's cinemas thus become 100 per cent. “ talkie,” of w'hich four installations are B.T.-H. Stoke-on-Trent No Reduction For some months now one of the principal items of discussion at the meetings of the North Staffs Branch has been concentrated on electricity charges in the City. It was eventually' agreed that two members of the Branch should interview Mr. Yeaman, the City electrical engineer, with a view to seeing if anything could be done with regard to a reduction in the charges for supplies to cinemas in the district. At the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation Electricity Committee meeting Mr. Yeaman reported an interview with two representatives of the Branch (T. A. Grant, the Secretary, and Mr. Cotton), but the Committee decided to inform the Association that no reduction could be made in the charges at the present time. No Go Negotiations for the purchase of the Opera House, Macclesfield, which was destroyed by fire some time ago, it is understood, have fallen through. The syndicate of local gentlemen whose intention it was to reopen the hall have been confronted with unforeseen difficulties, and have decided not to make the purchase. Permission Granted After discussing the matter for over an hour, the Committee of the Crewe Town Council have given permission to Harry Hooks, manager of the Grand, to show the film “ Her Unborn Child.” Leicester and District No Slump There was nothing approaching a “ slump ” in entertainment circles here last week, notwithstanding the large number of cinema patrons who were away on holiday. Several managers I have spoken to expressed their gratification that returns were above normal, and at several down town establishments queues were of daily occurrence both afternoon and evening throughout the week.