The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

10 THE BIOSCOPE November 11, 1931 Exhibitor Revolt Being Organised For Concerted Attack On High Rentals (By Our New York Representative, Ernest A. Rovelstad ) Exhibitors throughout the whole country are to be invited by David Barrist, new chairman of the board of managers of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, to unite in a drive to reduce film rentals. A meeting was called for Thursday in New York to determine the feasibility of summoning a national convention of exhibitors on the problem. * * * The United States Department of Justice is continuing investigation of protection systems on film rentals. Complaints are being received from exhibitors in various parts of the country, according to John H. Amen, Special Assistant Attorney -General in charge of film cases. * * * H. G. Wells on Illiterate Showmen H. G. Wells makes a number of pungent observations about the industry on his arrival in U.S.A. for a tour of several weeks, and not the least was his point that " the cinema has become so pretentious that the cinema habit of its patrons is being broken.” As for the producers, “ What dreadfully illiterate persons these showmen are ! ” The novelist explained : — " Why, do you know, they come to me Everyone responsible for the cinema industry’s section of the Lord Mayor’s Show, which surprised and delighted large crowds of Londoners on Monday, is deserving of the highest praise. The British Kinematograph Society had arranged the exhibits, which consisted of five flat lorries and a trailer. The first car was symbolical, showing the sciences employed by the moving picture — • Chemistry, Optics, Electricity, Photography, Architecture and Acoustics. The second car represented the birth of the industry — a large Zoetrope working, and one of the very first movie cameras. The third was the Progress Van. Beneath the spread wings of a herald were grouped, on one side cameras, and on the other side projectors, of four periods showing the progress made between 1900 and the present day. On the aprons of this van were shown the evolution of the theatre from the penny gaff to the super. The fourth was a complete working studio, with a scene being actually shot, with lamps switched on and sound engineers at work. The fifth van was the projection van on which Mickey Mouse was shown on two screens as the procession moved along. A trailer carried a large motor generator supplying current to the studio and projection lorries. The following firms contributed to this cinema section, which provided a big boost for the British film industry : — Art decoration by Cinema Signs, Ltd. ; symbolic dresses by L.C.C. Training School, Barrett Street, W. ; sound recording and every now and then for a picture on peace, and I refer them to ‘ The King who was a King.’ Then they ask me what it is about ! It is available in English, German and French, and they want me to tell them what it is about ! " One American producer asked me to submit a 2,000 word synopsis of it. If they cannot find out what it is about by reading it, I shall never be able to tell them.” To recent assertions in various quarters that some signs in the sky portend that the stage may yet turn the tide of dominance against the screen, Mr. Wells observed :• — " I sometimes suspect that the talking picture is just educating an audience and giving it appetite for the" stage. ” The silent picture was another art, a swift plausible medium, but the talking picture — how often so absurd. We see a man a half a mile away and we hear him talking. The silent picture had breadth and scope. Now, they drag the infernal microphone around, and there is such an infinity of difficulty and labour that the entertainment is squeezed out. It’s all too much bother.” Yet Mr. Wells feels that in time the “ sound picture,” as opposed to the “ talking picture,” so highly dependent on dialogue, will become great. reproduction by The Gramophone Co., Ltd. (H.M.V.) ; apparatus by W. Vinten, Ltd., British Acoustic, and Kershaw, Ltd. ; studio accessories by Gaumont British ; storage batteries by Edison Storage Battery Distributors, Ltd. ; mobile generator by Duncan Watson, Ltd. ; motor floats by Bowler & Mack ; daylight screens by Blunt & McCormack ; Spanish costumes and uniforms by M. Burman, Leicester Square ; wigs by J. H. Spaans, Lisle Street, W.C. ; historical apparatus lent by R. W. Paul, A. S. Newman and Will Day. The whole exhibit was arranged and supervised by Leslie Eveleigh. New Bishop’s Stortford House E. E. Smith’s Venture At Bishop’s Stortford on Monday afternoon, Rear-Admiral Murray F. Sueter, M.P., opened the new Regent Cinema, the venture of Ernest E. Smith, who controls the town’s only other picture house. Rear-Admiral Sueter was supported by local J .P.s. “ Trader Horn ” was the first feature. The opening was preceded by a lunch at the Railway Hotel, when Mr. Smith was complimented on his venture and on the fact that local labour and materials had been employed as far as ever possible. A description of the Regent, which has 1,000 seats, appears on page vi. Exhibitors Take Mayoral Office Trade Well Represented at the Elections In Monday’s mayoral elections the trade was well represented, and among those who will hold office for the coming twelve months are several well-known personalities with exhibitor interests. To all of them The Bioscope and the trade generally offer congratulations . At Hull, Alderman R. W. Wheeldon, whose cinema interests in the town are a matter of common knowledge, has reached the pinnacle of municipal success in being elected Lord Mayor. Alderman Wheeldon last year held the office of Sheriff of Hull. In his views he is Independent. * * * Alderman M. P. Cryer, who controls picture houses in Keighley, Bingley, Haworth and other places in the Bradford district, became Mayor of Keighley. He is a Conservative. * * * Councillor Joseph Pollard, who controls cinemas in Notts, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, and is a prominent member of the Notts and Derby Branch of the C.E.A., becomes Mansfield’s Mayor. He has been a member of the Town Council for six years, sitting as a Citizens’ League representative. * * * Alderman R. T. Dockeray, chairman of the Electric Theatre Co., Barrow-in-Furness, a Conservative member of the Council, was elected Mayor of Barrow-in-Furness. * * * Alderman J. T. Mears is the " Independent ” Mayor of Richmond. Alderman Mears owns cinemas at Kensington, Richmond and Sheen. * * * John Harris, a member of the firm of Harris Bros., who are proprietors of the Grand Theatre and the St. George’s Hall, Falmouth, both " talkie ” houses, has accepted an invitation to serve as Mayor of Falmouth for another year. This will be his fifth term as chief magistrate. The huge cut-out for the Progress Van in the Lord Mayor’s Show in course of preparation by Cinema Signs Cinema Industry’s Fine Showing Success of Lord Mayor’s Show Display