The Bioscope (Nov-Dec 1930)

36 THE BIOSCOPE November 12, 1930 News from the Territories From “ The Bioscope’s ” Special Representatives Manchester and Liverpool (Representative: Fred Gronback, 18, Coningsby Road Anfield, Liverpool. Telephone: Anfielal289> D. C. Williamson, chairman of the Liverpool E. T.U. Strike Committee, announced on Friday that the cinema dispute on Merseyside was not necessarily at an end, but was at the moment in abeyance. F. N.P. Carnival Ball First NationalPathe, Ltd., Manchester, are to hold a carnival ball at the Plaza Ballroom, Manchester, on November 28th. Dancing will be from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. , and prizes will be awarded for the best fancy dress costumes. There will also be a cabaret act. Bert Bushell, F.N.P.’s Manchester branch manager, is organising the function. Tickets are 4s. each, including refreshments. Liverpool's Clean Bill “ No complaints have been received from the police or any member of the public as to the character of the films shown at any of the cinemas during the last 12 months,” states the annual report of the Theatres and Public Entertainments Committee of the Liverpool Justices. During the year plans for the erection of six new cinemas have been approved. The number of places licensed by the City Justices for public entertainment is as follows : — Theatres, 14 (13 theatres also hold music-hall licences, 8 have in addition a cinematograph licence) ; premises holding cinematograph licences and used regularly as cinemas, 68 (of these 2 hold music-hall licences, 31 have licences for dancing, music and singing and 35 have licences for music and singing) ; premises holding cinematograph licences for occasional exhibitions, 2 ; premises licensed for dancing, music, singing or other public entertainment of the like kind (other than music halls), 156. Late Converts to “ Talkies ” Two Lancashire cinemas, the Empire, Bury, and the Alliance, Wigan, commenced showing talking pictures over the British Acoustic system last week. The Empire is one of the theatres of Red Rose Cinemas, Ltd., of which I. Jacobsen is the principal. Remembrance Day at the Cinemas Alderman Edwin Haigh and Jack Haigh, of Liverpool, have put in many hours’ work in an endeavour to make the sale of Flanders poppies at the cinemas an independent effort on the part of the trade. Last week, father and son visited all the Liverpool cinemas to make arrangements for the sale of the poppies by the cinema staffs. Wide Screen for Universal Theatre The New Oxford Theatre, Manchester, is now equipped with the Hall Giant Expanding Screen, by means of which a picture 32 ft. by 24 ft. can be shown, compared with 20 ft. 6 ins. by 15 ft. on the old screen. The size of the picture can be varied by means of control switches in the operating box. Sunday Show for Colwyn Bay In giving permission for the Cosy Cinema to be used for a Sunday evening performance in aid of the Earl Haig Fund, the Colwyn Bay magistrates let it be known that the decision must not be taken as a precedent. “ This is not the thin end of the wedge for Sunday opening,” replied Mr. Osborn, for the Cambria and Border Cinemas, Ltd., “ for the proprietors of the cinema are not eager to open seven days a week.” Sunlight Film British Instructional Films are at work on a complete film of Port Sunlight. Birmingham and Midlands (Representative: O. Fordjones, " Winona," Hugh Road, Smethwick, Birmingham. Telephone: Smethwick 289> The whole of the renting organisations in the Birmingham district have agreed to supply free programmes in connection with the suggested special Sunday concerts which, it is understood, will take place during a period extending from January to May, the proceeds of which are to go to the Benevolent Fund. This feature last year proved financially helpful to the Fund, and it is hoped that proprietors who have not as yet communicated the date of their particular show to F. R. Dace, secretary, will do so, as an early notification will considerably facilitate the renters’ work in providing the programmes. Technical Committee Forty-two cinemas have joined the Technical Committee scheme which was commenced last year by the C.E.A., and it is interesting to note that, whereas last year 22 fires were reported, so far for the present year there have only been ten, some of which, it is understood, were of only a trivial nature. Christmas Tree Fund Collections in Birmingham cinemas for “ The Mail Christmas Tree Fund ” (an organisation which provides for Birmingham’s poor at Christmas) will this year be taken on December 4th, 5th and 6th. Lewin Samuel has undertaken to supervise the distribution of the collection boxes, as in former years. Hospital Sunday’s £3,157 Collections from the Cinema Hospital Sunday effort have this year so far brought in £3,157, and it is hoped that other amounts outstanding will advance this sum to the total of £3,500 originally aimed at. Trade Show at the Forum The first trade show at the Forum, which opened during the past week-end, took place on Tuesday last, when Wardour Films showed to Midland exhibitors their film “ Compromising Daphne.” All present were favourably impressed with the very fine acoustics appertaining to this hall. Challenge to Exhibitors I have been requested to offer a challenge to the exhibiting side of the trade to a football match against the renting section. On the renting side it is suggested that the team shall be confined to the renting managers and representatives, whilst on the exhibiting side it shall be confined solely to the exhibitors. Managers desirous of accepting this challenge are asked to get in touch with Vic Smith at the local office of Universal Pictures. Ballroom for Brookville, Coventry A. N. Colburn, manager of the Brookville Theatre, Coventry, writes to the effect that the new ballroom extension has been completed and was opened on Saturday last. Operators Do Not Want Strike The Cinema Operators’ Branch of the Electrical Trades Union reported at their meetingin Birmingham that the impression had been made that the only action they desired to take against theC.E.A. was to strike. The Secretary (Councillor W. Lewis) said they were anxious for the public to know that this was not true, and what they wished for was to meet the representatives of the Association and discuss the position. They were awaiting a further letter from the C.E.Abefore deciding on any further action. Late Start Trade Shows There have been many complaints of lateregarding the difference between the advertised time of commencement of Birmingham trade shows and the actual time of starting. During" the past week instances have been cited where the show has been delayed 25 minutes and 28 minutes, much to the annoyance of exhibitors who have travelled from Coventry and other outlying areas. I pass this complaint on to renters for their consideration. Some little time back, renters insisted on the doors being closed at thetime of commencing the show, and the exhibitor finding himself on the wrong side of the door was left in the cold. The result was that there was a general endeavour to arrive on time, but the prolonged delays of the past week or so will domuch to induce them to revert to the old method. Ideal Cinema To Reopen The Ideal Cinema, King’s Heath, which has bsen closed down for a period for the installation of Western Electric apparatus, alterations and reconditioning, will reopen at the end of the present month. A group of revellers at the Birmingham Cinema Carnival at the Edgbaston Assembly Rooms. In the picture arelmany prominent exhibitors, including Messrs. Frewin, Buckley, Hewitson, C. Brettal, J. Rutter, Lewin P. Samuels, Wally RobertSxand A. G. May