The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 39 Gaumont-British Super in Coventry} On the application of W. J. R. Sanders, of London, acting on behalf of Leslie Pell, Secretary of the Gaumont-British Corporation, licences for cinema exhibitions, music, dancing and the presentation of stage plays, were granted by the Coventry magistrates during the past week in respect of Coventry’s latest place of entertainment, the Gaumont Palace, Jordan Well, Coventry. The new theatre, wnich is rapidly nearing "completion, will be the largest in the city, having a seating capacity in the neighbourhood of 2,500. It stands on the site of the old Coliseum, which was used as a dance hall for a number of years and was pulled down about a year ago. Coroner’s Remarks at Gornal Inquest The mystery of the origin of the fire which destroyed the Alexandra Picture House, Lower Gornal, near Dudley, on Thursday evening, August 27th, reported in our last issue, remained unsolved at the inquest held on the operator, Danks, who unfortunately lost his life. In returning a verdict of accidental death, Mr. Green, the Deputy-Coroner for Dudley, remarked, “ How the fire commenced remains a mystery which none of us can clear up.” A most searching inquiry into all the circumstances was made, and the Coroner remarked that one thing which emerged from the evidence was the difficult position Danks (the dead operator) was in in the room. “ I am not satisfied,” he said, “ that it was a proper room for the purpose ; it does not seem to have had proper ventilation, and it was entirely open to the other rooms. Whether it is in accordance with the regulations it is not for me to say.” Exploiting Natural Resources “ Something out of the ordinary ” is the motto of the Central Cinema, Stourbridge, and this was well maintained in the theatre’s exploitation of the film “ Africa Speaks.” The miniature garden, which for some time has been a special feature of this house, was utilised to the full. In the centre of the pond a full-sized flamingo was built up with rose petals and bull rushes around, together with goldfish in the pond and suitable notices were displayed. “ This is only a little of ‘ Africa Speaks.’ Come and see the complete film at the Central Cinema.” Young Trade Poetess Edith Croudace, daughter of a former manager of the Bordesley Palace Theatre, is a Birmingham youngster who may become a real poetess if she continues to follow her juvenile bent. She is only 13, yet she has written many verses and stories, some of which have been published in a Shrewsbury newspaper. Her poetry shows considerable imagination and power of expression. G.B.P. and K.T.’s Next Meeting We have been asked to announce that the next monthly meeting of the Birmingham Court of the Guild of British Projectionists and Kinema Technicians will be held at their headquarters, the Malt Shovel Inn, Birmingham, on Sunday, September 27th. The details of their special lecture on this occasion will be announced later. By the way, the address of the secretary, F. Burrell, is now 2 5, Croydon Road, Erdington. Public Urge for Renewal of Licence Several thousand signatures have been ap" pended to a petition which is to be presented to the Warwickshire County Council for the renewal of the licence of the Colonnade Theatre, Leamington, which was revoked recently following a prosecution. It is urged that the exits are safe and that the proprietor has satisfactorily entertained the public for thirteen years. Here and There The directors, managers and staffs of the Northfield Cinema and the Bournbrook Theatre held their first annual outing to Rhayader recently. The journey was made by charabanc, with a break on the homeward way for tea at Ludlow. * * * The directors, manager and staff of the Palladium Cinema — one of the houses on the Brettell Circuit — -have made a presentation to A. Maund, chief operator, whose wedding was recently reported. * * * S. Everton, the genial general manager of Stafford Entertainments, Ltd.— an enterprise controlling the whole of the entertainment centres in Stafford — has now returned again to harness after a short stay in Wales for reasons of health. Notts and Derby <Reprt«entative : W. Bernard Steremon, "Hillside Sohool," 7, Noel Street, Nottingham, and "The Nottingham Journal," Parliament Street, Nottingham. Telephone: Nottingham 45J4D Picture houses in Nottingham have had to contend with both flood and fire during the last few days. The flood was at Leno’s Picturedrome, Radford Road, Nottingham, one of the houses owned by Highbury Cinemas, Ltd. It occurred towards the close of a matinee performance last Friday, when, during the course of a tremendous downpour occasioned by a thunderstorm, water burst in under the doors, despite the efforts of the staff to avert the peril, and swept down the gangways. The cinema slopes downwards towards the screen, the downstairs portion being slightly below street level, with the result that there were soon several inches of water at this end of the house. Those present ploughed their way through the water to the exits, several taking off their shoes and socks. The fire occurred at the Elite on Sunday nigbt, but this proved to be a very minor affair, although a huge crowd assembled to watch the proceedings. A defect in a large electric sign caused the fusebox to /catch fire, and clouds of smoke poured out of the top of the building in its vicinity, but the firemen soon had matters right. Doncaster and District “ Carnival ” Week St. Leger week is regarded locally as a week of carnival, and following their usual custom, the exhibitors of the district have gone “ all out ” to appeal to the visiting racegoers. Congratulations are due to C. Vernon Taylor, the energetic manager of the Picture House, who has been extraordinarily busy of late in his preparations. The many visiting patrons who favour this house will find numerous improvements have been made and an effective redecorative scheme has been carried out in the large cafe and spacious entrance foyer. Mr. Taylor is also responsible for an ambitious flood-lighting scheme at the front of the house. No effort has been spared in order to make the week, as in previous years, a record breaker, and as Mr. Taylor is a keen showman it isn’t likely to be otherwise. Grand Reopened After being closed for over three months, during which time considerable structural alterations have been made, the Grand reopened on Monday last. To mark the occasion the directors invited about 40 guests to dinner. Several prominent townspeople were present and also the heads of the firms employed in the rebuilding scheme. The chairman, Major M. E. Clarke, read a telegram from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Russell (of the Arcadia) expressing their wishes for the success of the enterprise. Later in the evening the party visited the “ second house ” of the show. Arcadia Scheme The extensive alteration scheme in progress at the Arcadia is proceeding apace, but it has been found necessary to defer the date of reopening, and this is now provisionally fixed for September 12th. In conversation with me a day or two ago, Harry Russell stated that stage presentations do not enter into the future policy of the new Arcadia. But nevertheless the entire stage equipment is being retained. I have heard it stated that a well-known local trade technician is to take over the management here. Denial of this story should not be necessary in view of the fact that W. C. Clayton is already installed as assistant to Mr. Russell. Power Failure Considerable inconvenience was caused to houses running afternoon shows on Tuesday, when the electric current failed owing to a breakdown at the Corporation Power Works. The stoppage lasted forty minutes. The programme at one hall was cancelled, but the rest carried on when circumstances permitted. “ Outward Bound ” The local authorities have sanctioned the screening of “ Outward Bound,” and the film will be put on at the Palace in the course of the next week or two. Normanton The New Majestic Normanton’s latest cinema, the new Majestic, was opened on Monday, when “ The Queen’s Husband ” was screened. Built for a local company, Normanton Theatres, Ltd., the theatre replaces the old Palace on a site in High Street, and has a seating capacity of 900. Further details are given elsewhere in this issue. Southern Midlands A whole section of brick wall, 20 feet high, at the front of the new cinema being erected on the site of the old Poly, in London Road, St. Albans, collapsed on Thursday, and several tons of bricks crashed. The fall was caused by a subsidence set up by the recent heavy rains loosening the chalk soil under the wall, and, as a precautionary measure, heavy traffic was diverted. Economy at Hitchin The directors of Hitchin Playhouse, Ltd., were stated at the annual meeting of the company to have surrendered their fees. It was reported that no dividend was possible on account of the acquisition of more land for emergency exits, a costly installation of “ talkie ” apparatus, and redecoration and reseating of the entire theatre having practically exhausted their receipts. The Company now possessed a thoroughly equipped cinema, and the directors were practising strict economy. The chairman, W. O. Turves, said it would soon be possible to adjust their charges so that it would be less expensive for families to take seats in the Playhouse than consume fuel at home. W. N. Blake said that by the end of September the company would have its capital intact, and the theatre in tip-top condition to earn money. He had not seen another theatre so tastefully decorated as the Playhouse. The capital, it was stated, stands at only £2,500. All but 5 of the 78 shareholders are residents of, or connected with, the town. Portsmouth and District The capacity of the Eastney Electric Theatre, Eastney Road, Portsmouth, is to be considerably increased by alterations and improvements, which are now being carried out. The plans have been approved by the Portsmouth Watch Committee, and on the completion of the alterations the licence will be endorsed, fixing the seating accommodation at 829 instead of 500 as at present. Theatre to Become Cinema Alterations are contemplated to the Theatre Royal, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, to render the premises suitable for cinematograph exhibitions. Hitherto the theatre has been used only for stage plays. Application has been made to the Watch Committee for the necessary cinematograph licence, and the Committee are recommending to the City Council that this should be issued as soon as the alterations have been completed in accordance with the plans submitted. New seating accommodation will also have to be provided, it being a condition that the theatre shall fall into line with the local cinemas as to the installation of 20 inch seats. A.B.C. Take Over Another A.B.C., Ltd., have now extended their interests to Portsmouth, having taken over the Gaiety Picture House, Albert Road, Southsea, from Mr. Louis Zeid. The Gaiety is one of the latest of Southsea’s inemas, and has an authorised seating capacity of 1,382, with room for extension. Mr. Frank V. Hilberv, formerly of the Savoy, Brighton, has been entrusted with the management of the hall, South Wales According to a Welsh evening newspaper, Constance Talmadge, her husband, T. Netcher, Jack Mulhall, and several screen favourites, have been spending a holiday at St. Donat’s Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s magnificent Welsh