The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

32 THE BIOSCOPE October 28, 1931 Change of Address From last Monday (October 26th), Smith’s Transport, Ltd., whose address has hitherto been Marriott Square, Suffolk Street, will be 20, Bright Buildings, John Bright Street, Birmingham. Changed Hands The Picture House, Cannock, one of the houses on the Bayliss Circuit, and of which Frank Williams is manager, has been now acquired oy the Coalville Theatres, Ltd. of which Chas. Deeming is the principal. It is announced that Western Electric sound system is to be installed. Leicester and District Help for the Hospital Leicester Royal Infirmary should benefit to a considerable extent as a result of the performances which took place at 17 local cinemas on Sunday evening. From the moment the appeal for assistance was made through the Leicestershire Branch C.E.A., there has been a wholehearted desire to respond, and it will be no fault of exhibitors if the total contribution is not a handsome one. Troc's £112 Some indication of this may be gathered from the fact that at the new Trocadero, where the special hospital performance was given last Sunday week, the splendid sum of £112 was realised. It is perhaps necessary to explain the reason why the Trocadero was in advance of the others. It was due to arrangements having been made for important alterations to be made in connection with the cinema as last Sunday, and which could not have been postponed. With Gyrotone I understand that the cinemas under the control of Fisher and Baum at Sileby, Mountsorrel, and Anstv have recently been installed with the Gyrotone sound apparatus and that the results are very satisfactory Doncaster and District <Representaiive: F. Lyons, 1 1 1, Palmer Street Doncaster) A 3,000 Seater 1 Following my note of last week regarding the rumours of “ 3,000 seaters ” going up in town, and the unlikelihood of any such project materialising, I noticed a huge sign has been erected over a vacant site in one of our main thoroughfares. From this may be gathered that plans have been drawn up and the site covering 3,000 square yards has been prepared for building a “ huge super cinema, dance hall and restaurant,” and the owner of the property, a well-known local optician, is prepared to join in the formation of a company to push forward the scheme. Considering present industrial conditions, and the fact that the town is now “ over-seated,” he would be well advised to stick to his “ specs.” and leave speculation in cinemas alone. This scheme, by the way, is not connected with the “ Westminster ” project previously referred to. An Election Manoeuvre Many district cinemas have been utilised by political parties during the last few days, and still many more have been badly hit by counter attractions in the form of evening meetings. But the menace in Rossington has been effectively removed by a strategic move on the part of Sam F'arnsworth, manager of the Hippodrome. In offering the free use of his hall for afternoon meetings, he secured an undertaking from all local parties that they would remain hors de combat during the evenings. Surely he deserves a medal as big as a man hole cover. Pontefract Innovation In anticipation of big business during the presentation of “ City Lights ” at the Crescent, Pontefract, enterprising Will de Gose instituted morning matinees with considerable success. I understand that the innovation is in the nature of a precedent, and early shows will be the policy during all big runs in the future. Bentley “ Flood ” Exhibition Following up their private donation to the relief fund on behalf of the flood victims at Bentley, the management of the Coliseum also organised a special concert and exhibition on Sundav which has been voted one of the most successful held in the district. Warm expression of thanks and appreciation to the management and staff were voted by the Chairman of the Bentley Council. In a Few Lines Mid-week matinees are being instituted at the Goole Tower, which is still controlled by W. H. Orbell. “ On the Crest of the Sound Wave ” is the very effective slogan adopted by the management of the Queen’s, Castleford, which is now “ talking.” Stoke-on-Trent Film Transport Following upon a discussion on the transport of films in the district by members of the North Staffs Branch at their meeting last week, T. A. Grant, the Branch Secretary, has been informed by Mr. Deane, of the Potteries Transport & Cinema Supply Company, that in order to meet the members, as he promised to at the last meeting, his company are arranging economies, and they will adopt a maximum rate of thirty shillings for the carriage on films to and from Birmingham. Roll Tickets Mr. Grant also states that the local customs and excise officer has been interviewed with regard to the question of printing on roll tickets, and the latter states that no exception will be taken to a ticket stating “ Admission (say) ninepence, including tax.” The amount of tax need not be given on the ticket. With, regard to automatic ticket machines, a notice must be exhibited on the public side of the pay box stating the prices of admission, and whether they include or exclude the duty. Transfers With regard to transfers, the position is rather difficult as the regulations provide that the ticket shall show how the tax is calculated, but the local excise officer states that no exception will be taken to such a ticket as the following : — 6d. to 9d. TRANSFER 3d. inch add. tax — id. Exhibitors are asked to note that if they make application to the excise officer, permission to use their present tickets will be given for a period of two months from November 9th. Portsmouth and District Metamorphosis The King’s Theatre, Southsea, belonging to the Portsmouth Theatres, Ltd., began its career as a “ talkie ” theatre this week. For many years, the King’s has been regarded as one of the leading provincial theatres, and it has been much favoured in the past for the first productions of new plays. Nearly all the successful Aldwych farces had their preliminary run there, prior to London production. Cosham House Open Again Cosham Picture House, High Street, Coshain, Hants, after a long period of closing, has been reopened by Mrs. Bertha Crocker, of Victoria Grove, Southsea, who has taken the hall over. The building has been entirely redecorated and reseated, and central heating has been installed. There is authorised seating for 545 people. South Wales Opposed to S.O. All Parliamentary candidates in the West Wales area were questioned on behalf of Baptist associations as to whether they were in favour of Sunday Opening of entertainment. The candidates who replied to the question commented that they were opposed to Sunday Opening, but, if Sunday Opening became an established fact, they were not in favour of the exclusion of Wales from a Sunday Opening Bill, as the question was a national and not a sectional one. A Kindly Act The management of the Queen’s, Cardiff, performed a thoughtful and kindly act on Monday, when “ Tell England ” opened its run at the house. Invitations to see the picture were sent out to patients at Rookwood House, a military hospital near Cardiff, which is still full of men seriously wounded on various fronts during the war. Invitations were also sent to the Cardiff Branch of the British Legion. Election Results Vivian Aldridge, manager of the Capitol, Cardiff, arranged last night (Tuesday eveningWednesday morning) to have all election results ’phoned immediately to the house from a local newspaper, the results then being flashed on the screen. Permission was specially obtained to keep the cinema open until nearly 2 a.m. this (Wednesday) morning. Irish Free State (Representative: Joseph P. Sandes, 43, St. Joseph's Place, Dorset Street, Dublin) Protest Against the Duty It will be remembered that some months ago the Free State Government imposed a duty of 15 per cent, on all American imported films and 10 per cent, on British films, the whole burden of which tax fell on the exhibitors. It is felt now that this burden is more than the local theatres can stand, and Associated Cinemas have decided now to put their case before the renters urging that they should bear at least part of this expense. This seems only just, especially in view of the fact that not only do the cinemas not share the benefits of the exemption from entertainments tax which the “ human ” theatres and concert halls enjoy, but that any additional attractions such as orchestral and variety turns, are provided at the expense of the local management. Hollywood Has a Gamble In connection with the present Hospital Sweepstake for the November Handicap, Tony Reddin, Dublin representative of Paramount, has received a cable from Hollywood asking him to enter subscriptions on behalf of Clive Brook, Ruth Chatterton, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, Jack Oakie, Nancy Carroll, George Bancroft. Eugene Pallette, Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper. Disaster Averted During the week a fire occurred in the operating room of the Grand Central Cinema, Dublin. Owing to the promptitude of an operator in closing the fireproof shutter, only a slight damage was sustained, but the operator was severely burnt. Concentrating on Derry W. L. James, having relinquished his interest in the Sandford Picture House, was the recipient of a presentation from the staff.* Mr James owns a theatre in Derry, which will now occupy all his attention. Northern Ireland (Representative : George Gray, Fort Garry, Cregagh Park, Belfast) Censorship We are once again to have a dose of censorship battles, as this week will see the Belfast Police Committee once again giving consideration to the matter and, if needs be, malting some recommendation to the Corporation. In any case, hopes are held that something definite may be decided upon and thus end the long run of uncertainty upon the matter. Other Corporations. it is stated, will base their regulations on the lines adopted by Belfast. Bill Returns Billy James has returned to take personal control of the Midland Picture House, Derry. Prior to leaving the Sandford Cinema, Dublin, where he has been in command for some time, he was presented with a wristlet watch by the staff. Police Objections Police objections, on the grounds that the safety requirements of the 1931 regulations were not being carried out, led to a prosecution at the Kilkeel Petty Sessions of the proprietors of the Royal, Kilkeel, Alex H. Wilson, P. Tinsley and F. M’Brinn. The case was adjourned for a month on their solicitor’s request, he pointing out that they were trying their best to get the requirements fulfilled as soon as possible. The Bench stipulated that the house must not be opened until the police had been advised. Congratulations Sam Eagleson, of the Picture House, Ballymena, is being congratulated on having become the father of another daughter. Incidentally, the football team of which he is hon. secretary*, Ballymena, have entered the final of the Irish Gold Cup.