The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

16 THE BIOSCOPE August 19, 1931 G.B.-P.C.T. Personnel Adjustments Five Theatre Exploitation Divisions Mrs. Leila Stewart Leaving Warners in November As first announced in The Bioscope some weeks ago, extensive reorganisation of personnel is taking place on the GaumontBritish-P.C.T. circuit this month. Exploitation and publicity are the latest departments to feel the touch of the reorganising hand, and following the division of the whole geographical area covered by the circuit into five different districts, the following appointments have been made : Division 1 : A. S. Whittaker will act as exploitation manager for Greater London, with J. Francis, formerly of the Albany Ward circuit, as publicity manager, both operating from circuit headquarters, New Gallery. Thus Mr. Francis returns to the New Gallery, where he was located when serving under Albany Ward. F. Cooper has been appointed exploitation manager for the West End and the Southern Counties (Division 2), with Mr. Avis as publicity manager. In the Midlands (Division 3), embracing Bradford and Manchester and extending as far as North Wales, F. Harris will act as exploitation manager with H. Miller, formerly of the Marble Arch Pavilion, as publicity manager. H. Brades, working from the Sunderland headquarters, will act as exploitation manager in the North of England and in Scotland (Division 4), and the publicity manager for this district will be Mr. Bardsley. For the Albany Ward circuit in the West of England and South Wales, R. H. Etchells, with headquarters at Yeovil, has been appointed publicity manager. Mr. Etchells is very well known among showmen in London for his originality in connection with cinema exploitation. Entering the amusement world in 1907 he attached himself to cinemas about ten years ago, having since served at the Grand Cinema, Edgware Road, the Lavender Hill Pavilion, The Crown, Coventry, and the Select, Wolverhampton. A. S. Whittaker will, of course, be remembered as a one time prominent member of the Leicester C.E.A. He was for some years at the City Cinema, Leicester, prior to which he had served at the Pavilion, Shepherd’s Bush, and in the exploitation department to Universal Films. Thieleto Direct Gainsborough Films German Producer of “Chemin Du Paradis” Mrs. Leila Stewart, for the past five years Publicity Chief of Warner Bros., is resigning her?positionTas from November 14th. Mrs. Stewart is probably one of the most versatile publicity managers engaged in the film industry, and during a long experience in the trade, through which she lias built up extensive connections with the whole of the British Press, she has served with W. &■ F., United Artists (for whom she acted as the first publicity manager in this country) and Boultons Mutual Leila Stewart FUms Prior to this she was for a considerable time in charge of publicity for the London Opera House, and still earlier she was engaged in Fleet Street. Max Milder, Managing Director of Warner Bros., asked whether he could name Mrs. Stewart’s successor, replied that he could not do anything of the kind, as no appointment had been made and it was " much too early to think about it yet.” At the Rialto Theatre, Coventry Street, where his latest screen musical comedy, " Le Chemin du Paradis,” is meeting with terrific public response, William Thiele, the young German producer, explained to the Press his forthcoming plans for British film production. The Press had been invited to meet Herr Thiele through the courtesy of J. V. Bryson, of Universal Pictures, who are handling " Le Chemin du Paradis,” following on their equally successful exploitation of such foreign language films as " Sous les Toits de Paris ” and “ Le Million,” directed by Rene Clair. The work of Herr Thiele, in its own way> is as remarkable as that of M. Clair in that it creates an entirely revolutionary technique in the presentation of audible screen entertainment. It is particularly interesting, therefore, to learn that Herr Thiele is to direct three British pictures, which will be joint Gainsborough-Fellner-Somlo productions. All three will be musical comedy subjects, and the first, which will be produced at the Poole Street Studios in January, will be written by the author of " Le Chemin du Paradis.” At the moment, according to an announcement by Mr. Fellner, no artists have been engaged, although he expresses a preference for original screen talent rather than the casting of established musical comedy stage artists for the leading roles. William Thiele has had an extensive experience in such work, having both acted and produced in Shakespeare and heavy classical drama as well as in musical comedy. Eight years ago he commenced to produce pictures with Pola Negri and Emil Jannings, and since then he has steadily risen in the scale of motion picture producers. His first " talkie ” was " The Love Waltz,” with Lilian Harvey and Willy Fritsch, which he made for Ufa. More recently he directed " The Private Secretary,” with Renaite Muller, which has achieved success in Germany ; " The Ball,” a French picture, and “ The Girl and the Waiter,” neither of which has yet been shown to the public. He only completed his last picture, " The Love Adventure,” on Saturday last. In view of his forthcoming entry into British pictures as a director of musical comedy, " Le Chemin du Paradis,” which has already played for a year in France and for six months in Berlin, will provide the most interesting basis for speculation. Coronet Reverts to G.B. Notting Hill Theatre Reopened After being shut for several months the Coronet, Notting Hill, reopened on Monday under the control of GaumontBritish. Originally in the hands of P.C.T., the Coronet was taken over some two years ago by a private company styled Hutkenall, Ltd., by whom it was held until recently. While closed the theatre has undergone complete renovation, internally and externally. It has been re-equipped with seating, tabs and draperies, and screen, while the lighting scheme has been com pletely overhauled. A new projection room lias been built at the rear of the balcony, and is equipped with Gaumont machines of the latest type on British Acoustic sound bases. F. G. E. Williams has been appointed manager. Annual Swimming Gala Western Electric Sports Club Owing to the enormous interest created in the film industry last year by the first Annual Film Swimming Gala arranged with such success by Western Electric, it has been decided to hold a second gala on similar lines this year. Arrangements have been concluded by Western Electric to hold this Second Annual Film Swimming Gala at the Great Smith Street Swimming Baths, Westminster, on Friday, September 18th, commencing at 6.30 p.m., and all those members of the industry who desire to compete in the open events should communicate with L. E. Wildash, Western Electric Co., Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, London, W.C.2. Open events include the Ladies’ Relay Race, Gentlemen’s Relay Race, Ladies’ Open Championship, Gentlemen’s Open Championship, Operators’ Race, Directors’ and Managers’ Race, Film Actresses’ Race and Film Actors’ Race. Cups and prizes will be given to the winners of all races, but instead of Cups being won outright, as took place last year, they will be Challenge Cups which can be competed for in future years. With this scheme it is hoped that competitions of a similar nature will be promoted each year. The entrance fee is Is. for each event, or 2s. 6d. for three or more events, and it is hoped that every swimming enthusiast in the industry will endeavour to be present and to compete on September 18th.