The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE SCOTTISH By Councillor Uphall Reopening Those passing through the West Lothian village of Uphall on Monday of last week immediately “ sensed ” that there was “ something out of the ordinary ” happening ; and they were right. The Uphall Cinema, which has been practically reconstructed was reopened then, and folks flocked from the surrounding district to witness the opening ceremony. T. P. Nathaniel presided over the gathering assembled outside the cinema and called upon Mrs. W. M. W. Wilson, a well-known local lady, to open the main entrance door. In a few well chosen words she expressed the delight it gave her to declare the cinema open. The Chairman presented her with a beautiful salad bowl as a memento of the occasion. The hall was filled to overflowing and prior to the screening of the first picture tribute was paid to Messrs. Bryce and Lvall for the enterprise they had shown in installing such excellent plant for the screening of “ talkie ” pictures by Mr. W. M. W. Wilson. Mr. William Bryce thanked Mr. Wilson for the kind things he had said and assured the patrons that the best possible pictures would be secured for their entertainment. The wide screen has been installed, and also an extra “ talkie ” equipped projector to work in conjunction with the wide screen. The building is a very cosy one, and every seat commands a fine view of the screen. The following were the contractors on the extension : Building work, T. P. Nathaniel ; plaster and slater work, Mr. Paris ; plumber and electrical work, C. V. Campbell ; joiner work, Mr. Morrison ; painter work, D. Smith ; T. Roberts, Bathgate, was the architect. “ Accurate ” Checking Up Scotland Exhibitors in the West of Scotland who have not yet modernised their pay-box system are getting an opportunity this week of having an ocular demonstration in their ovm theatre of the merits of the ticket-issuing machine which Accurate Check Taker, Ltd., London, supplies. The energetic secretary of the firm has come north, and judging from the list of appointments he has made with cinema proprietors, the “ Accurate ” system looks like superseding the old roll ticket method in a number of Glasgow and district cinemas. Doing Things Better at Dunfermline The Alhambra, Dunfermline, one of the best managed and most up-to-date houses in the Kingdom o’ Fife, is adding to the comfort of its patrons by erecting a crush hall to accommodate those for the pit and stalls, thus putting them on a par with the patrons for the balcony, who are already catered for in this respect. The plans for the new' crush halls were submitted at a sitting of the Dunfermline Dean of Guild Court last Thursday. After minor adjustments had been agreed to. the burgh engineer said it wras a very desirable addition to the building. He had no objection to offer, and the plans were passed. Organ for Regal. Greenock Associated British Cinemas’ Greenock house, the Regal, is being equipped with a cinema organ, which will be an innovation in the seaport town. Harry Millen, organist at the Opera House, Kirkcaldy, for the past five years, is being transferred to the Greenock hall when the installation is completed. He is a master musician and should soon be as big an attraction in “ Sugaropolis ” with his musical interludes as he has been in the “ Lang toun.” A Faulkner Function That grand old show'man, A. H. Faulkner, who controls the Picture Palace, Stenhousemuir, and the La Scala, Grangemouth, made one of his too few appearances on Monday evening of last week, when he presided at a social gathering held in the former house after the public performance had terminated. The occasion for the function was to honour Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winton, whose marriage took place recently. The bridegroom is one of the projectionists at the Picture Palace, and the bride is a granddaughter of Mr. Faulkner. The company included Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Bishop, and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Thom (Grangemouth). The health of the guests of the occasion was proposed by Mr. Faulkner. Subsequently, L. B. Truman, 35 s SECTION James McBride manager of the Palace, asked Mr. and Mrs. Winton’s acceptance of a silver tea service, the gift of the management and staff. Mr. Winton suitably responded. A brief but enjoyable musical programme was sustained by members of the company. Before dispersing, David Melville, in a few words, paid tribute to Mr. Faulkner’s hospitality, and in reply, Mr. Faulkner said nothing gave him greater pleasure than to spend a social hour or tw'O with the members of his staff. Bigger and Brighter Coliseum The big event of this week in cinema circles in Glasgow was the reopening of the Coliseum on Monday last. Since May a whole army of workmen have been engaged in the reconstruction and extension of the house, and the effect of the alterations has been to make the Coliseum look more like a picture house than ever — spacious, comfortable, with a seating capacity of 3,500. The whole theatre has been reseated and the arms of the chairs are now fitted with soft rubber pads, and below each seat is a hat rack. A splendid view can be obtained from any part of the building. The boxes which formerly adjoined the stage have been removed, and this has allowed many more seats to be added to the ground floor. A new entrance for stalls has been made in Herbertson Street, and the operating box, formerly at the back of the circle, has now been transferred to a new projection chamber erected on top of the gallery. A rearrangement of prices has been made — the dearest seat in the Coliseum now being Is. 3d. and the cheapest 4d., with further price reductions in the afternoon. The Coliseum must surely rank now as one of the best, and certainly one of the biggest, of the A.B.C. houses. Paramount Hustle A bit of a hustle was put in by Paramount News Service in Scotland recently. The cameramen arrived at Renfrew by aeroplane from London, refuelled and went north to Lossiemouth to film the Premier, returned again to Renfrew, where they got pictures of the Dunoon Cowal Games, and returned again to London that evening. Riddrie Hall Nearly Ready The new A.B.C. house at Riddrie, as far as construction is concerned, is finished, and the interior fittings are being pushed ahead. It is expected that this new suburban house, which will seat 2,000, will be ready for opening within the next couple of months. A Regal Treat Robert Pagan, organist of the Regal, Glasgow, has been giving Regal patrons the benefit of Our Luxurious Divan Tub TIP-UP EASY CHAIR FROM 25/ 5,000 recently supplied to the leading Glasgow Cinemas. REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS of all kinds carried out without interfering with business. Keenest estimates without obligation. Write or Phone for our representative to call PATERSON’S LTD (ESTABLISHED 1832) 79, HOWARD ST., GLASGOW. Telephone ... CENTRAL 5289 his holiday experiences, as all last week he wa presenting an organ story in the form of a holiday sketch. The effects were extremely good, and the whole thing was very warmly received and appreciated. Edinburgh Provost for Pathetone It is anticipated that Lord Provost Sir Thos. B. Whitson, of Edinburgh, will be heard in a speaking commentary prefacing views of Edinburgh, to be shown in a forthcoming issue of the Pathetone Weekly. W.E. Still Going Strong Two new Western Electric 1932 sets were inaugurated on Monday last — at the Regent, Renfield Street, Glasgow, and at the West End Cinema, Paisley, replacing other systems already in use. Trade Invalid His many friends regret to hear of the serious illness of Andrew Reid, of Andrew Reid Film Service, who is lying seriously ill at home with an internal complaint. The best wishes go out to the genial Andrew for a speedy recovery. Burglars Visit Bendon The light-fingered gentry paid a visit to the offices of the Bendon Trading Co. one evening last week. The discovery was made when the office was opened in the morning, but only the acquisition of a small amount of cash and a few stamps had rewarded their labours. Sammy was thankful that they had overlooked the Cinema Club cash box. Managerial Changes in Glasgow Robert George, who was for many years the right-hand man of his brother, the redoubtable “ Jimmy,” when the latter ran the Premier Pictures, Cambuslang, has again found a niche in the industry. Robert has taken over the managerial reins at the Dalmarnock Picture House, Glasgow, in succession to Manager Hawkes who recently vacated that position. A managerial vacancy has also occurred at St. Enoch Picture House, Glasgow, through the resignation of Manager Brown, who has controlled the destinies of St. Enoch in a very able way for a number of years. Latest Batch for B.T.-H. The directors of the Empire Picture House, Fraserburgh, who are also the owners of the other local picture house, which is equipped with Western Electric sound apparatus, have decided to instal B.T.-H. at the Empire. They are going out to bring the Empire into line with the finest houses in the North, and, in addition to installing “ talkies,” a complete scheme of renovation and several alterations to add to the comfort of patrons are to be carried out. B.T.-H. has also been the choice of the company controlling the new Carrick Cinema, Maybole, which was opened last week, and, last but not least, Angus Pickard, of the Black Cat Cinema, Parkhead, Glasgow, has signed up for B.T.-H. apparatus, which is to be installed towards the end of this month. BIG REDUCTIONS IN EXIDE PRICES Battery users in general will welcome the announcement just made that most of the wide range of Exide batteries will be substantially reduced in price. High value for money has always been a very notable feature of the productions of the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd. It is therefore particularly pleasing that increased trade and reduced manufacturing costs have now made possible the selling of many Exide types at a lower price. Needless to say there is no alteration in the quality of any Exide battery which is now obtainable cheaper than formerly. On the other hand, many types have actually been improved, either in their detail fitments or by advanced methods of construction. A very big price cut has been made in all Exide low tension batteries for wireless work ; 25 per cent, is a general figure indicating these reductions. Actually, in some instances, the reduction is over 25 per cent. Both free-acid unspillable and jellyacid portable set batteries are included in this range. There is no doubt that at the reduced prices the highly efficient range of Exide long-life batteries will greatly increase their already world-wide popularity.