The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 30, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 31 “ The Unholy Garden ” United Artists Phoenix, 3 Samuel Goldwyn presents Ronald Colman in “ The Unholy Garden,” which will be presented to the trade at the Phoenix at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6th. In this adventure Colman is seen as Barry Hunt, a gentleman adventurer, a rogue with a motley crew of murderers, thieves and other outcasts, hiding from the police in a Sahara outpost camp. Spying, intrigue, flying desert rides and murder are some of the thrills promised. Estelle Taylor, Fay Wray, Warren Hymer, Tully Marshall, Ullrich Haupt and Lawrence Grant are among those who appear in support. WEDNESDAY "Branded'’ United Artists New Gallery, 11 Buck Jones will be seen in " Branded,” his latest Columbia production, to be trade shown by United Artists at the New Gallery on October 7th at 11 a.m. In unfolding the plot, the director, Ross Lederman, gives us a whirlwind melodrama with bronchobustin’, shootin’ and laughs galore and a charming romance that brings in Ethel Kenyon as the heroine. Other members of the cast include Wallace McDonald, Philo McCullough, A1 Smith, John Oscar and Clark Burroughs. Board of Trade Evidence Clause 32 of the Films Act provides that trade shows of films to be registered must be announced to exhibitors or their agents at least seven days before showing. On form “ D ” applicants for registration must give the names, dates of issue, and pages of the Trade Papers in which such notification has been given. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 Branded (United Artists), New Gallery. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 The Virtuous Wife and Night Shadows (United Artists), Phoenix. Skyline and Professional Guest (Fox), Prince Edward. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 Fifty Fathoms Deep (United Artists), Phoenix. Honeymoon Harmony, Cab Waiting and My Wife’s Gone to the Country (Paramount), Carlton. The Bells (P.D.C.), Prince Edward. MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 Border Law (United Artists), New Gallery. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 The Blue Express (Atlas), Academy. Street Scene (United Artists), Phoenix. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Range Feud (United Artists), New Gallery. Warner Dramatics Warner Bros.’ Amateur Dramatic Society, which has the distinction of being the only dramatic society run by a renting house, has already resumed its winter activities, and " The Rising Generation ” is being staged at the King George’s Hall (Y.M.C.A.), Tottenham Court Road, on Friday, October 16th. Twenty-five per cent, of the profits is to be handed to the Film Trade Benevolent Fund. Seats, numbered and reserved, are from Is. 6d. to 3s. Application to Warner Bros., 13-14, Newman Street. SCOTTISH By Councillor A Glasgow Site Objection to a propsed valuation of £50 on hitherto unoccupied land at 650, Cumbernald Road, Glasgow, on which a picture house for the Riddrie district is in course of erection, was made on behalf of the Scottish Cinema & Variety Theatres, Ltd., at a Valuation Appeal Court in Glasgow, last Wednesday. Mr. Waddell, for A.B.C., stated it was hardly fair to stifle him with taxation immediately he began to develop the land. He suggested that the ground should be entered as “ nil.” The price of the ground will be approximately £2,500. When the Assessor, Alexander Walker, suggested that he had erred oa the generous side, Mr. Waddell retorted that it was a taxation of land values, the machinery for which, of course, was not yet in operation. Mr. Walker maintained that if he was building on the ground the appellant was using it. Mr. Waddell replied that the ground was no use to him until the picture house was completed. It was not a revenue-producing subject until then. He asked for a reasonable time to build his property. The Court decided in favour of the appellant, and Mr. Walker asked for a stated case. Cinema Assessments At the Land Valuation Appeal Court held last week, facts concerning Edinburgh Cinemas were disclosed. The assessed rental of the Caley Picture House was reduced from £6,000 to £3,500. To run such a cinema as the Caley, it was stated, would cost £400 a week. The rental rate per seat in the leading cinemas of Edinburgh ranged, it was stated, from 25s. to 84s. The Caley Picture House Co., Ltd., appealed for a reduction of valuation to £2,543, R. McLaughlin, secretary and general manager of the theatre, stating that in 1929 the old Caley Picture House was entered at a yearly value of £1,100. In 1930, during the course of reconstruction of the premises, the assessor paid them a visit and fixed a temporary assessment of £500. Later, on completion of the premises, the assessment was increased to a total for the year of £2,575. For this year the assessor proposed to put an annual value of £6,000. Witness then submitted the following table showing the accommodation and assessed rentals of other picture houses in the city : — Assessed Rental Rent, Rate 1930-1931. per seat. No. of Seats £ s. d. Rutland 2,122 2,650 25 0 New Victoria.. 1,999 2,550 25 6 Playhouse 3,028 3,785 25 0 Caley 1,907 6,000 62 11 Our Luxurious Divan Tub TIP-UP EASY CHAIR FROM 25/ 50,000 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 tor our representative to call PATERSON’S LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1832) 79, HOWARD ST., GLASGOW. Telephone • • CENTRAL 5289 SECTION James McBride The seating accommodation in the Caley, said witness, was less than any of the others mentioned, and the price of admission was less. The Caley also had no foyer and no stage, while the others had both. For the New Picture House in Princess Street, the figures were : No. of seats, 952 ; assessed rental, £4,000, including the cafes ; rental rate per seat, 84s. The Caley, said witness, had no cafes, and the Princess Street picture houses must, in his opinion, be regarded in a different category from the others. In cross-examination, witness said when the Picture House was let on a lease to Federated Estates, Ltd., the rental was fixed at £9,880. The Company paid the rent for a year, and also paid £1,000 when they renounced the lease. Thomas Ormiston, C.B.E., said he thought a rent of £2,500 would be a reasonable one for the Caley. The cost of the running of a picture house of the type of the Caley would be about £400 a week. Mr McLaughlin, in re-examination, said the average weekly drawings at the Caley for 73 weeks amounted to £480 a week. Counsel for the Assessor claimed that the Caley had advantages over the other three picture houses named in the table which justified the valuation of £6,000. The Court decided that the assessment should be reduced to £3,500. Cinema Club Chat With the coming of autumn, the sports committee of the Cinema Club (Glasgow) are endeavouring to get the various outdoor competitions brought to a conclusion. Entrants for the King Golf Trophy have not been very enthusiastic in playing off their ties, and Convener Sammy Bendon is now chasing the laggards, so that the final will be played before winter comes. The Bowling Competition for the Square Film Cup has been drifting, too. Truly the Sports Convener’s lot is not a happy one. The monthly luncheons of the Club are to be resumed on Friday, October 8th, and the arrangements for same are being made this week by the Executive Committee. Armadale Staffs Joy Day Fine weather, splendid catering and good company were features that contributed to the success of the annual outing of the staff of the Star Picture Theatre, Armadale, which took place on Sunday of last week. The venue for the day was the Auld Toon o’ Ayr. The motor run on the outward and return journey gave the Armadellians an opportunity of Hewing the beauties of Ayrshire. Manager Hill and his staff were in fine fettle, and along with their friends had a real joy day. Grangemouth Discusses Civic Film A suggestion from the Scottish Travel Association that Grangemouth Town Council should have a film of the town taken for the purpose of showing in England was considered by the civic rulers at their meeting last week. Some levity was displayed during the discussion, but latterly it was agreed to find out the approximate cost of making such a film before taking any action. Pathetone Novelty Measuring Degrees of Sound A unique instrument, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, which at a glance measures the degree of sound emitted by the human voice and obviates the necessity of employing intricate calculations, was demonstrated in the Pathetone Weekly studio in Wardour Street on Monday afternoon. It was demonstrated by the Gramophone Co., to provide an item for " Pathetone Weekly.” Many will remember that this instrument was exhibited at the Radio Exhibition at Olympia, and caused much discussion. /