The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

xiv THE BIOSCOPE A Cinema Some Features of the Replacing the Picture House, a smaller theatre, the Regent, Crowborough, Sussex, opened on September 3rd. . The venture of Shipman & King, of Charing Cross Road, W., proprietors of the old hall, it stands on the site of the Oddfellows’ Hall in Broadway, the main thoroughfare of the town, and presents a bold elevation of white stone to the passer-by. This elevation is quite one of the building’s features, and is rendered unusual by reason of its stone canopy, which stands out about 4 ft. 6 in. wide above the main entrance. The canopy is at night lit up underneath by a modern system of cube fittings installed by Verart, Ltd., of Regent Street, W. Above the canopy a series of G.E.C. flood lamps illuminate the upper facade, while a Claude General Neon system is added as a final touch. The frontage covers a width of 56 ft. The Prettiest in Sussex Inside, the Regent is decorated in modern style, a green and gold setting being adopted, which justifies the promoters’ boast that their theatre is one of the prettiest in Sussex. The same colour scheme is extended to the draperies and seats, the former being in gold and green, while the latter, supplied by Geo. Pixton & Co., are upholstered in an old gold material. The auditorium consists of stalls and a New Cinema For Normanton The new Majestic Cinema at Normanton, near Leeds, which has been built to replace the old hall of the same name, was opened by Normanton Theatres, Ltd., on Monday (September 7th). The cinema, which has a seating capacity for 900 people, occupies a prominent site in the High Street, next to the Normanton Baths. It has not a showy front, but is of simple yet pleasing design, with a smart terra-cotta facing in blue and white. The building is designed for comfort and convenience rather than for pretentious appearance, but that does not mean that the place is unattractive. There is a long verandah down one side of the house for sheltering waiting queues. The cambered roofs and walls have been treated in a restful decorative scheme of amber and shaded blues and soft pinks. The proscenium and other parts of the ceiling have been decorated with fibrous plaster. Tip-up chairs upholstered in blue velvet harmonise nicely with the colour scheme. The whole of the Majestic’s " talkie ” equipment is the product of a Leeds firm — Electrocord, Ltd.— -and there is the latest perforated screen. Lighting, ventilation and acoustics of the theatre have all been the subjects of especial care and treatment, and the operating box and motor generating rooms are both protected by ingenious devices for dealing with fire should it ever occur. The building was planned by Fred Mitchell and Sons, architects, of Upper Fountaine Street, and the builders were T. Jenkinson & Sons, of Doncaster. MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE In Sussex Regent, Crowborough balcony, and an orchestra well has also been provided, though supplementary music will at present be supplied by the non-sync apparatus. The proscenium opening — 33 ft. wide as a provision against the possible advent of the wide screen — reveals a deep stage, on which flesh shows can be given, dressing-rooms being found adjoining. Lighting of the interior is on a threecolour system installed by Electricity Services, Ltd., of Cannon Street, E.C., and a modern heating and ventilating system has been introduced by G. N. Haden & Sons. Electrical controls are by Maple & Co., while fibrous plaster and carpets were supplied by Hampton & Co. Kalee 8’s and W.E. Behind the balcony is a foyer, through which incoming and outgoing patrons pass. This is connected to the entrance by a stairway leading out of the main vestibule on the right of the incoming patron. Projection room equipment — the suite being at the back of the circle — comprises two Kalee 8 machines, the sound set being Western Electric. A Westone screen is, incidentally, positioned on the stage. Crypto generators have been placed in a room adjacent to the projection room. A further amenity of the Regent is a large car park on an adjoining area of land. This has accommodation for 150 cars. September 9, 1931 A THEATRE (Continued from IN A Page xiii) HOLLOW AT PRESTWICH by the Walturdaw Cinema Supply Co., Manchester, in the operating box, which is also equipped with long focus spots and lime lights. The switchboard is arranged in a niche in the operating box wall. The screen frame is of the Hall steel tubular type with Magnascope masking, by means of which the size of picture can be varied from 21 ft. wide to 34 ft. It is electrically controlled from the projection room in conjunction with Taylor Hobson Magnascope variable focus lenses. From the operating box to the Westone screen, the distance is 120 ft. Western Electric sound equipment with Roxy type horns is installed. Wm. Anderson & Co., Ltd., Manchester, were responsible for the electrical contract. Ventilating and heating plant, installed by Edgar Fitton & Co., Ltd., Manchester, is designed to meet the requirements of the construction and atmosphere of a modern cinema. It comprises a low-pressure accelerated hot water heating plant, together with a special twin-blow-in system of heating batteries and fan, which ensures an adequate supply of warm fresh air on either side of the proscenium arch, and also keeps a clear atmosphere, at the stage end especially. Vitiated air is extracted by means of galvanised iron shafting with suitable hoppers on ceiling, the latter over suitable grilles formed in plaster to harmonise with the decoration, connection being made to a powerful steel plate fan in a separate chamber. A similar arrangement of extract ventilation is effected from under the balcony void. “Imperial” Improvements The Imperial Cinema, Edgware Road, W., which was for many years owned by J. N. Lambert and was recently acquired by Attractive Cinemas, Ltd . , was reopened on Monday, August 31st, following the completion of an extensive remodernisation scheme. Structural alterations included the erection of completely new projection room, rewind and nonsync rooms, and, in addition, the staff rest rooms, etc., have been extended and rehabilitated. The whole of the projection equipment has been replaced and now consists of two Ernemann 2 machines with Zeiss Ikon projectors. R.C.A. sound system has now been adopted. The theatre has been completely redecorated and the interior, with its colour scheme of blue, brown and gold, presents a very pleasing appearance, further enhanced by the new seating and carpets. MARKS A NEW ERA IN SOUND PRODUCTION Easy Operation RAPIDLY ADAPTED TO EXISTING INSTALLATIONS COMPLETE ALL MAINS (A.C.) NO EXTRAS ROTH SOUND EQUIPMENT 159, Queen Victoria St., E.C.4 Telephone Central 6669 CONVERSION OVERNIGHT ENTIRELY ELIMINATES FLUTTER AND TONAL VARIATIONS