The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 26, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 25 Universal British Plans New Company Formed Production at Blattner Studio ? The Bioscope understands that to undertake the production of British films for Universal Pictures a new British company, styled Mutual Pictures, Ltd., has been formed. Carl Laemmle, in company with David Bader, is expected to arrive in London about September 1st to complete arrangements. Henry MaeRae, Universal director, arrives to-day (Wednesday) on the " Aquitania," accompanied by an assistant director, Norman Tracey. Mr. Laemmle is to see John Drinkwater, several of whose plays will be considered as possible subjects for Universal production here. Notable among these is “ Bird in Hand.” Blattner Studios, Elstree, are likely to be used by Universal’s British production company. Clifford Kemp Convention The Clifford Kemp Film Service, Ltd., recently held its first annual outing to Hornsea, 42 members of the organisation and their friends attending. Lunch was served at the Oberon, the party afterwards spending a few happy hours, bathing and rambling. During the early evening the company’s first Convention was held at the Alexandra Hotel, with Clifford Kemp in the chair, supported by the following executives of the company : Messrs. F. W. Blatch (secretary and general sales manager), G. F. Mayo (general manager of theatres), A. H. Stone, L. Wolstenholme and J. T. Wilcock (directors). 1 he Chairman opened the conference with a hearty speech of welcome to the various staffs of the Scunthorpe, Rothwell and Bradford theatres, also those of the Leeds and Newcastle offices of the Film Service. Mr. Kemp, in a brief and sincere address, stated that the company’s activities were ever increasing, and although conditions in various industries were not of the best he was pleased to state that the Clifford Kemp Film Service, Ltd., had had a most successful year, largely due to the whole-hearted cooperation and loyalty of the executives and staff. Others who spoke included Mr. Blatch Mr. Symmons and Mr. Mayo. W.E. Now On “Sharing Terms”! New Effort To Assist Small Cinemas R. M. Hatfield Announces Novel Plan In continuation of their efforts to meet the demands of small cinemas for sound reproducing equipment of a quality equal to that in the large West End cinemas, R. M. Hatfield, managing director of Western Electric Co., Ltd., announces that Western Electric are prepared to instal their sound reproducing equipment in a limited number of cinemas suitable for their 3S-FD, 3A-F and 4U-F types of apparatus, under a plan whereby payment for the equipment, its installation and servicing would be made weekly on the basis of a small percentage of the gross receipts. With this announcement a closely guarded secret is revealed, on which the trade has been waiting for some weeks with extraordinary interest. Electric are willing to cast their lot with exhibitors in the ups and downs of the trade. Full details of this plan can be obtained from Western Electric’s head office in Bush House, Aldwych, London, or on application from the following Western Electric salesmen : — Birmingham. — F. H. D’Arcy, Western Electric Co., Ltd., 1/2, Waterloo Street, Birmingham. Manchester. — A. C. Robertson, Western Electric Co., Ltd., Old Colony House, South King Street, Manchester. Newcastle. — G. E. Moore, Western Electric Co., Ltd., Imperial Buildings, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Wales. — R. H. Baker, Western Electric Co., Ltd., Dominion House, Queen Street, Cardiff. West of England. — W. L. Mcllwraith, Western Electric Co., Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, London. W.C.2. Ireland.— W. L. Mcllwraith, Western Electric Co., Ltd., 7/8, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. Leeds. — A. R. Wood, Western Electric Co., Ltd., 6, Britannia House, Wellington Street, Leeds. Scotland. — N. Lindop, North British Hotel, Edinburgh, or Western Electric Co., Ltd., 22a, West Nile Street, Glasgow. ” In reaching this decision,” Mr. Hatfield said, “ we were largely influenced by the unusually good credit experience we have had with 1,500 British exhibitors. The business integrity of the British exhibitor is of such a high order that we are willing to cooperate with him and let the weekly payments to us fluctuate as the box-office receipts fluctuate. We are convinced that the small exhibitor, by installing Western Electric apparatus, will get better reproduction of his pictures and that his box office receipts will increase.” Mr. Hatfield pointed out, further, that in previous efforts to make available high-class reproducing apparatus to small exhibitors, Western Electric had tried to simplify its equipment and to spread the payments over more extended periods. This new plan is a departure from previous lines of effort, and in effect is a declaration that Western R. M. Hatfield Annual Theatrical Sports Big Cinema Trade Interest The annual theatrical sports, held at Stamford Bridge Sports Ground on Saturday last, attracted a great deal of representation and support from the members of the film industry. Apart from the fact that the Vice-Presidents and patrons included a large number of well-known film trade personalities, the list of tributes and prizes included the G. A. Appleby Memorial Shield, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Appleby (Strand Electric) ; the silver challenge cup presented by the Entertainments Protection Association ; silver challenge cup presented by Carl Brisson ; a silver cup presented by Sir Oswald Stoll ; and a silver cigarette case presented by Strand Electric Engineering Co. The events included a half-mile handicap for cinema employees only, a special challenge cup being presented by the C.E.A. London and Home Counties Branch. The winner was K. G. Lucea, employed by GaumontBritish. The film industiy was well represented among the winning competitors. C. G. Bowtle, of Gaumont-British, won the mile cycling handicap ; S. J. Hodgin and W. Cox, of Gaumont-British, took first and second respectively in the quarter-mile running handicap ; Miss Lily Boxall, of Gaumont-British, won the 50 yards ladies’ and gentlemen’s three-legged race ; G. H. West, Strand Electric, secured second prize in the mile walking handicap ; and J. Clark, Strand Electric, was second in the halfmile running handicap. W. H. Clark, of First National Pathe, came in first in the one mile running handicap, with A. D. G. Tasker, of the Central Cinema, and J. Clark, of Strand Electric, as second and third. The events of the whole afternoon were in every way a complete success.