The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

November 11, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 21 New Hollywood Star Peggy Shannon, appearing in Paramont pictures Watch Committee as Censors Sheffield Delegates Its Power Travel Series for Gaumont From New York to Cairo The Gaumont Company have secured an entirely novel series of travel subjects. All parts of the world are represented in the series. The first six are titled as follows : — “ Up and Down New York,” " Calling on Cairo,” " Heart of a Nation,” “ Top of the Old World,” " Dutch Treat ” and " Boston Common and Proper.” It is probable that one or more of these films will be screened at impending presentations of high-class subjects. W.E. Introducing Changes Operating Department Moves to Cricklewood Important personnel and other changes are being effected by Western Electric. The headquarters staff of their operating department, covering installation, merchandise and service sections, is being transferred to Western Electric’s Cricklewood branch, and R. C. Meeker, at present service manager, is to be appointed operating manager in charge of these three sections. He will report to R. M. Hatfield, managing director. Western Electric believe that the transfer will greatly improve service to theatres, as Cricklewood is the centre of their engineering and research activities and also houses a plant for mechanical and acoustic testing. The theatre emergency service for the London area will still be maintained at Bush House. Peggy Shannon’s New Contract Peggy Shannon has signed a new contract with Paramount, according to an announcement from the company’s Hollywood studios. Miss Shannon recently completed a leading role in " The Road To Reno,” and has a role opposite Richard Arlen in " Touchdown.” W.E. Small Set for D.C. Western Electric have completed the design of a new motor to operate from direct current for use in conjunction with their 3-A type equipment. The Western Electric 3-A set heretofore has only been available for A.C. power supply. R.C.A. Set for “Mauretania” The s.s. Mauretania, the most popular liner under the Cunard banner, is to be fitted with R.C.A. Photophone portable reproducers. The latest, low-priced P.G.— 29 type R.C.A. equipment has been purchased by the Cunard Company. Topical Supplement lo-night (Wednesday) Gaumont Sound News will issue a special supplement to all subscribers, containing Armistice Day pictures and Opening of Parliament scenes. Sheffield City Council decided on Monday to vest in the Watch Committee the power to decide the question of the local showing of any film which has not received the certificate of the British Board of Film Censors. The power is given without restriction or condition. It will be recalled that some time ago, after the local Watch Committee had decided that ” Outward Bound” should not be shown in Sheffield, the full Council, after a lengthy debate, reversed the decision. Alderman E. G. Rowlinson, introducing the resolution, said it was designed to over To enable exhibitors who installed the early range of R.C.A. equipments, R.C.APhotophone are about to launch a scheme of modernisation for making these earlier types of reproducers virtually all-mains operated, and capable of the high standard of reproduction now achieved by the latest range of Photophone all-mains equipment. The scheme is divided into two main come a very unsatisfactory state of affairsThey desired to remove the constant seesawing and unreal division of the Council in regard to the question of film censorship locally. Councillor Garnett said it was to be hoped that if the resolution was passed the Watch Committee would show a little more discretion in the future. In the past, members of the Committee had had the impression that because a film did not receive the certificate of the Board of Film Censors it was because the film was condemned, and they had had the spectacle of the full Council withdrawing from an untenable position. sections : — (l) Modifications to lower operating costs ; (2) modifications to bring reproduction up to the high standard of presentday achievement. The cost of each section of the modification scheme has been kept as low as possible compatible with efficiency, and represents an -investment which should amply repay all exhibitors using early types of R.C.A . Photophone equipment. R.C.A. Launch Service Scheme Modernisation of Earl/ Sets