The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

44 THE BIOSCOPE August 26, 1931 scheme of complete reconditioning and redecoration, has reopened with sound. “ Classitone ” is the system installed. Sadler Entertains the Press An invitation extended to the members of the Press in Birmingham by G. G. Sadler, manager of the Futurist Theatre, to view a special presentation of Paramount’s “ Monte Carlo,” at the conclusion of last Friday night’s show, drew a representative gathering. The Futurist is a house where the personal touch is strongly in evidence, and on this occasion friend Sadler had expended much thought and care to present this film agreeably and effectively. Special lighting effects were inserted to emphasise titles and other features, the result of which was very pleasing. Sound at Loughborough Theatre Royal, Loughborough, the undertaking of Warwick Major, is being equipped with Western Electric sound system with Kalee No. 8 projectors, the latter being supplied by the Birmingham branch of E. A. Langrish & Co. Stoke-on-Trent Monthly Meeting Abandoned Owing to illness, and members being away on holiday, the monthly meeting of the North Staffs Branch, which should have been held last Friday (August 21st), bad to be adjourned, only four members together with T. A. Grant, the Branch Secretary, being present. The July meeting also had to be adjourned owing to the poor attendance. An Experiment at Crewe The Mihalv sound system, w'hich is in operation at the Grand, Crewe, will next week show a further advance in its already excellent results in so far as the “ talkies ” are concerned. Manager G. Hooks has made to the sound system adaptations witich will enable himself or any other person to make a speech to the audience while he sits in the quietness of his office, which is some distance away from the screen. Trials have been very successful. Doncaster and District Arcadia “ to Talk ” Rapid progress is being made with the extensive alteration scheme in hand at the Arcadia, which is to reopen at the end of this month as a cinema equipped with Western Electric apparatus. This will make the sixth cinema in town, excluding the suburban halls, and in view’ of the fierce competition now extant its progress will be watched with interest. The Arcadia was opened as a legitimate theatre by a local company about nine years ago, but in the opinion of their managing director (Harry Russell, the noted comedian and “ panto ” producer), the “ theatre ” is not appreciated by Yorkshire people — Doncastrians in particular — and as support in this direction is lacking, a change-over to films has been found necessary. The proprietors of the Palace Cinema and Grand Theatre apparently hold an opinion contrary to that of Mr. Russell’s for the Grand is also being turned inside out and an ambitious transformation scheme is in progress. The building is to reopen within the next few w’eeks, when first class comedy and drama will be staged. A Rumour Denied A rumour has apparently gained currency to the effect that the Empire at Ashwicke-leStreet has closed down. Far from this being the case, structural alterations have recently been carried out at this hall, B.T.-H. sound equipment installed, and everything is going as merrily as depressing industrial conditions will permit. It is interesting to note that until the first try-out of the sound installation here, Manager Camplejohn had never heard a “ talkie ” ! Furthermore, he has never yet visited a theatre other than his own where sound pictures are shown ! Our “ Civil ” Servants Does the authority of an Excise Officer warrant his intrusion in the box office without first notifying the manager of his presence and purpose ? And has he the right to move about the audience during the screening of a picture, disturbing patrons for inspection of their half ticket ? If not, a certain official w’ho visited a local cinema one night last week has overstepped his authority. A particularly absorbing film was being shown w’hen he began his itinerary, and the management w’ere anything but pleased by the way the patrons w’ere annoyed and their attention distracted from the screen. South Wales Swansea All-Talkie Swansea, the second largest town in Wales, has now followed Cardiff’s lead and has become 100 per cent. “ talkie,” the last silent house in the town, the Palace, reopening as a “ talkie ” house on Monday. Coincident with the wiring the Palace was redecorated and reseated throughout, several thousands of pounds being spent on the improvements. The “ talkie ” installation is R.C.A. Bedwas Workmen’s Hall The annual meeting of the Bedwas and Trethomas (Mon) Workmen’s Hall Cinema was held last week. The report of the year’s trading and accounts was read by the secretary, W. J. Milson, and was approved. The management committee for the ensuing year was elected as follows: — -John Lexon, 'John Ryall, T. Wyatt, J. Davies, T. Vaughan, ,E. Cave, E. Davies, A. Farmilo, T. James and A. Rosser. Irish Free State (Representative: Joseph P. Sandes, 43, St. Joseph's Place, Dorset Street, Dublin) Winter Attendances in Summer It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. It would be inaccurate to say that the weather we have been having during August has been phenomenal, but it has been distinctly bad and disappointing. Yet the ill wind and the ill rain have given benefit to the theatres and cinemas. The August Bank Holiday brought brilliant sunshine, with a result that cinemas did not draw even normal business, but since that time, when summer adopted that severe attitude to which we have unfortunately grown more accustomed, the attendances have scarcely fallen below winter returns. ■» A Change Foreshadowed I hear a rumour to the effect that an important change in the management of a ’film corporation, so far as its representation ip Ireland is concerned, will take place shortly. I have received no confirmation so far, but expect more definite information next week. Censor Feels the Strain The Film Censor, Jqmes Montgomery, has been absent from his rostrum for tire past week owing to indisposition. The strain of -Jus responsible duties has not been without its effect on his constitution, and Mr. Montgomery is badly in need of a restful holiday. I understand he contemplates spending some weeks at Achill, as far away from the celluloid American accent as possible. During Mr. Montgomery’s absence the duties of Censor are carried out efficiently by Joseph Holloway, who has been associated with dramatic life in the city for some 40 or 50 years. A Drogheda Date The Whitworth Hall Picture House, Drogheda, will open as a “ talkie ” theatre on August 31st. Northern Ireland (Representative : George Gray, Fort Garry, Cregagh Park, Belfast) Opening Up After their summer holidays most of the Northern Ireland country cinemas are getting ready to reopen, and at Ballyclare the Council have approved of the granting of the licence to M. Logan, who quite recently acquired the local picture house, which he is having redecorated and equipped for “ talkies ” with an R.C.A. set. W. Boyd will be manager of the hall. Last But One With the Sandoro’ Cinema, Sandy Row, Belfast, announcing that it has decided to go “ talkie ” and that it has signed for having R.C.A. installed at once, the Kelvin will be the only silent house remaining in Belfast. The Sandoro’ is to be completely overhauled and the plans also provide for new seating. Diverse Views Diverse views are held in regard to the now being heatedly debated question of new terms for booking films. Renters are almost unanimous that they are booking contracts galore on the old terms, while the exhibitors state that, as far as they are concerned, they are now getting all their films with no guarantee, an allowance for shorts, carriage one way and free posters. How far both these divergent views are correct remains to be seen, but there is talk that renters will in future, when booking halls for trade shows, take exhibitors at their own word and demand reduced terms. Whether they will get them or not is entirely another matter. Appreciated Bangor Borough Council and the Not Forgotten Association are highly appreciative of the thoughtfulness of the management of the local picture house, who, seeing that a party of wounded ex-service men could not be taken for sea trips owing to the rough weather, immediately invited them to be their guests. Plenty for the Public Up-to-Date Settings of “ Deadlock ” A " talkie ” studio and a great air port are two of the up-to-the-minute locations that will give the public more than usual interest in the new Butcher’s Empire production, " Deadlock,” which will be presented simultaneously at the Palace Theatre* London, and in six provincial centres on Friday, September 4th. The air-port scenes were photographed at Croydom Aerodrome and include the starting of a big cross-Channel air liner. George King, the producer, was given special facilities for recording these episodes. This section is preceded by a thrilling and breathless motor chase through the by-roads of Surrey, while the Old Bailey scene is another example of careful accuracy in detail.. The great interest of " Deadlock,” however, so far as actual settings are concerned, will be found in the intimate behind-thescends glimpses at the “ talkie ” studio in which the story of this mystery drama is laid. It is well described as “ a ‘ talkie ’ within a ' talkie,’ ” the problem lying in the circumstances which surround the death of a famous film star, while actually performing before the camera. Its elucidation involves, naturally and convincingly, a demonstration of the main features of talkiemaking apparatus and technique. The interest of the " talkie ” production scenes, which were all filmed at the Archibald Nettlefold studios, will be further enhanced by the presence of such well-known and popular British screen stars as Stewart Rome, Warwick Ward, Marjorie Hume, Esmond Knight, Janice Adair, Annette Benson, Cameron Carr, Alma Taylor and Kyoshi Takase, the brilliant little Japanese actor. A special note should be made of the times of presentation of " Deadlock,” viz., London, Palace Theatre, 3 p.m. ; Liverpool, Scala, 1 1 a.m. ; Birmingham, West End Cinema, 10.30 a.m.; Leeds, Majestic, 11 a.m.; Newcastle, Stoll Picture Theatre, 10.30 a.m. ; Glasgow, Picture House, 11 a.m. ; and Manchester, Paramount Theatre, 10.45 a.m.