The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 THETI BIOSCOPE 21 Sidney Bernstein Earl St. John J. C. Graham Major Bell Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip New Theatres to Meet Public Demand Courage and Vision— Not Panic Symptomatic of a constantly growing public demand for better and still better cinemas and screen entertainment, are three new theatre openings which took place on Monday. The Granada, Tooting Broadway, seating 4,000, was opened by Bernstein Theatres ; Paramount opened their new 2,000-seater theatre at Newcastle ; and Standard Cinemas (Mortimer Dent) reopened the Alexandra, Stoke Newington. The real significance of the increase in cinema luxury is that the leaders of the film industry realise that unless they keep pace with public demands the huge capital investments entrusted to the industry will be jeopardised, and the great film production industry, in which are employed many thousands of workers in addition to screen artists, will be unable to meet the strain, already felt, of maintaining staffs at normal strength. It is a great faith, a far-sighted courage and a resolute determination not to be overwhelmed by panic that, in these days of depleted audiences and falling profits, is responsible for the realisation of cinema building programmes in hand — programmes which are designed to effect coordination of small uneconomic theatres into large and more economic undertakings. The same courage should, we believe, maintain confidence throughout the industry in spite of the difficulties which now threaten. Sidney Bernstein’s mammoth new theatre, the Granada, Tooting Broadway, was packed to suffocation for the opening performance on Monday evening. Among the principal visitors were representatives of every section of the industry, including Sam Eckman, Jnr. (M.-G.-M.), R. V. Crow (President, C.E.A.), J. Kennedy (P.D.C.), Michael Balcon (Gainsborough), Arthur Dent (Wardour), Earl Kramer, S. Frank Ditcham (Universal), Alex. B. King, Phil Hyams, Major A. J. Gale, Will Evans, Victor Saville, Joseph Grossman (B.I.P.), Ralph Bromhead (A.B.C.), R. Sutton Dawes (Fox) and G. Jacques (Western Electric). Instead of introducing en masse architects, designers and others responsible for the development of the theatre, each individual walked on to a half-darkened stage, their names being announced through two loud speakers in view of the audience. A further novelty, and one which paid a nice compliment to the hundreds of workmen who had been engaged in the actual constructional work, was provided by the introduction of an impressionistic film suggesting mechanism and labour. Silhouettes of actual workmen were reflected through the screen from the rear, and forming a rhythmic part of the picture. The actual opening ceremony also was as surprising as it was brief. A background representing the front elevation of the Granada had been erected on the stage and a diminutive girl was driven to the " main entrance ” in a Baby Austin. There she alighted and from the steps of the theatre declared the place open. A surprise item in the programme proved to be the original “ Ben-Hur ” film made in one day in 1908 by Sydney Olcott. The posturing of Roman “ crowds,” numbering not more than 20 or 30 people, provoked paroxysms of laughter. It was a staggering example of a quarter of a century's progress in motion picture art. Jack Buchanan, who was unable to appear in person, was able to make a special screen appearance, in which he explained his absence and wished success to the Granada. He was later seen in his Paramount production, “ Monte Carlo,” which was the featured film. " Two Crowded Hours,” the Fox British production, and “ Oh ! Oh ! Cleopatra,” the highly successful Masquer Club production handled by P.D.C., were the supporting items, together with the special Paramount Granada Sound News reel. Probably the most impressive item in the programme, however, was the organ recital given by Alex Taylor on the mighty new Wurlitzer, the stage being flooded in varying coloured lights, and a spotlight picked out a grand piano, which, synchronously operated from the organ console, played as though by invisible hands. At a private reception given in the American buffet — which is a feature of the Granada — -the Bernstein Brothers and their chief staff were highly complimented on the success of the " first night.” Those upon whom particular credit devolves include the manager, Noel Hobart ; his assistant, F. H. Gwynne ; the stage manager, F. Rivers ; the organist, Alex Taylor; the chief projectionist, M. Jenkins ; the theatre engineer, T. W. Waters ; and the chief engineer, W. M. Pope. A full description of the Granada appears on page vii. At Newcastle The New Paramount Theatre, opened at Newcastle-on-Tyne on Monday night, establishes a new standard of cinema architecture in the provinces, as will be apparent from the descriptive matter and pictures on page xi of this issue. It is equally obvious that Paramount established a new record by the remarkable programme provided for the opening night. Francis A. Mangan has used the wonderful stage and lighting effects with great artistic skill, and his stage presentations, notably the ballet, “ A Ladder of Roses,” are of extraordinary beauty. Mr. Mangan also had the happy inspiration of engaging the " Eight Black Streaks,” a troupe of step dancers who show amazing skill in the art in which so many north country men are experts. The fine orchestra, under Anton, the wellknown conductor and violinist, and the Wurlitzer organ, manipulated by Vincent Trippet, are also items that will appeal mightily to the music-loving northerners. Practice has made Paramount perfect in the genial art of entertaining its guests, and the reception given after the Opening Performance — attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and about 700 guests — was one of the most brilliant functions ever arranged for such film trade celebration. Mr. Graham and every other member of his hardworking staff must have realised that the success of the evening was a triumph of organisation. J. C. Graham and Earl St. John entrusted the social arrangements to Pat O’Connor and E. Ayres, in whose hands a flawless and memorable programme was carried through. At Stoke Newington Standard Cinemas’ (M. Dent) latest acquisition, the Alexandra, Stoke Newington, N., reopened on Monday. There, instead of being invited to identify the very latest in Gothic, Byzantine or Renaissance treatment, was a real old London theatre, redolent of a long and honourable past, yet now as immaculate and up to date as any cinema could be. Taking over such premises meant to Standard Chiemas a whole heap of structural alterations, and how skilfully the architect (George Coles, F.R.I.B.A.) got down to his task and yet maintained the spirit of the old theatre is everywhere apparent. With the inclusion of a first-class orchestra, cabaret show, and an excellent “ talkie ” programme, there should be no doubt that the Alexandra will very soon regain its old place as the North London entertainment centre . The official opening was carried out by His Worship the Mayor of Stoke Newington, supported by the Mayor of Hackney. Jessie Matthews and Gene Gerrard were also introduced to the audience. Still the palm for oratory goes to “ Micky ” Dent, who carried the main speech making with the deftness of the past-master politician.