The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

November 11, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 23 News from the Territories From “The Bioscope’s” Special Representatives Manchester and Liverpool (Representative: Fred Gronback, 18, ConiDgsby Roadt Anfield, Liverpool. Telephone: Anfiefd 1289> New Pathe Premises Pathe Pictures, Ltd., whose local manager is P. Lloyd, have opened offices at 19, Hardy’s Buildings, 1, Cateaton Street, Manchester. Before joining Pathe’s, Mr. Lloyd was on the staff of Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer. At Liverpool, J. Lewis is the manager for Pathe’s. Thirteenth Annual Dinner Superstitiously minded people need not be disturbed because of the fact that this year’s annual dinner and ball under the auspices of the North-Western C.E.A. will be the thirteenth. There was argument three or four weeks ago as to whether, in view of the state of the country — that is how the pessimists put it — a trade function should be held, but superstition lost. Thirteen has triumphed. The committee of renters and exhibitors who are arranging the dinner and are setting out to prove that thirteen can be made a lucky number, is composed of Alderman E. Trounson, J.P. (chairman), J. R. Dovener and H. D. Nisbet (vice-chairmen) and B. Allman, A. S. Barber, L. Blond, G. Dartnall, C. O. Davies, J. Edwards, J. A. Fearnett, R. Duncan French, P. E. Giles, T, Gillick, H. Goodman, L. Hampson, J. Hodson, W. J. Hughes, W. Humphreys, W. W. Jav, J. Lewis, W. J. McAree, C. F. Mott-Cowan, C. F. McGregor, A. Russell, R. P. Rutherford, T. R. Saronie, W. J. Speakman, W. C. Scott, W. Peel Smith, A. Sydney, W. Walker, A. Wigley and E. L. Williamson and G. D. West (secretary). The date, Thursday, December 3rd ; the place, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool ; tickets, dance, 10s. 6d. ; dinner and dance, £1 Is. Muzzling Order Modified Up to now Southport exhibitors who enjoy permission to open their theatres on Sundays have been restricted in their choice of films to silent subjects, the supply of which is quickly drying up. When representations were made to the magistrates for authority to show articulated pictures they demurred, but promised to consider the application at a later date. They have now done so, and last week granted the application made on behalf of six cinemas in the centre of the town for withdrawal of the restrictions in the licences prohibiting “ talkie ” films being shown on Sunday. G.B. Staffs Birkenhead and Wallasey section of the Gaumont-British circuit, under the supervision of R. G. Butler, will hold its annual staff dance on January loth, probably at the Empress Ballroom, New Brighton, it is complimentary to the circuit that the social amenities of cinema staffs are generously encouraged. Turned Down H. Finnis, manager of the Super Cinema (Gaumont-British), Birkenhead, asked the Birkenhead magistrates last week for permission to give a performance on Sunday, November 29th, in aid of the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund. They refused on the ground that it would be a breach of the Sunday Observance Act for the cinema to open. Four Northern Counties (Representative : Thos. F. Burgess, 242, Winprove Avenue, Newcastfe-on-Tyne) Sunday Concert Not Permitted Blvth magistrates last week refused to grant permission for a concert in the Theatre Royal, Blyth, on Sunday evening. December 27th in aid of the Blyth Fresh Air Fund. The Chairman said that, so far as the law was concerned, he Bench had no power to grant the application. Whitley Theatre Converts It is announced that the only legitimate theatre in Whitley Bay, the Playhouse, will shortly change completely over to “ talkies.” This theatre was reopened on May 18th this year, after having been closed down for the carrying out of an extensive rebuilding scheme. During the alterations provision was made for an upto-date operating box. Cinema Changes Hands The Grand Cinema, Brotton, near Saltburn, Yorkshire, which has been controlled for several years past by T. H. Lord, has now been taken over by Mrs. C. Miller, who has had the hall completely renovated and A.W.H. sound equipment installed. Another Sunday Licence Refused An application for a seven days licence for the Coquet Picture Hall, Amble, was refused by the Amble magistrates last Friday. The application was made by Mr. White, solicitor, on behalf of the proprietors, who pointed out that under the present conditions people from Amble had to go to Alnwick and Ashington for their Sunday cinema entertainments. On behalf of the police, Superintendent Spratt said he had always favoured the opening of cinemas in the town on Sundays. Leeds and District (Representative: H. S. Pitts, " Yorkshire Evening Post," Leeds, or Leyburn Grove, Bingley) A Bradford Cinema’s Reopening The old Thornton Road Picture House, Bradford, which has changed its management and is now known as the Tatler Cinema, was reopened last week. The Tatler is one of a chain of 17 cinemas now controlled by Regal Cinemas, Ltd., under the control of Harrv Buxton. The Rev. A. B. Swift, “ the Parson Showman,” who is to be manager of the cinema, introduced Miss Dodo Watts, who declared the theatre open. The Tatler cinema is equipped with Western Electric. Matinee prices are 3d. and 6d. to 5 p.m. and evening prices 6d. and Is. A Cinema Carnival Miss Rene Clama, the star of several recent Gaumont and Gainsborough films, presented the prizes at the annual cinema and fancy dress carnival dance held in the Majestic Ballroom last Wednesday by the Junior Organisation for Leeds Jewish Charities. Exhibitor’s New Enterprise Frank T. Thompson, owner of the Harehills Picture House, Leeds, is opening out the new Golden Acre Pleasure Park, near Adel, Leeds, which is to have a miniature railway, through charming woodland scenery, a 16-acre lake, a golf course, cafe, summer houses, waterfalls and fountains. Pathe’s New Office Syd Child, who has taken over the management of the Leeds branch of the new Pathe Company, with Alec Tinker as traveller, has opened an office in Film House, Mill Hill. Exhibiting Changes Tom Palmer, of the Theatre de Luxe, has taken over the Manor Picture House, Beeston, from Harry Hopkins, of the People’s Palace, Meadow Lane, and John Francis Tidswell, of the Victory Picture House, has taken over the Electric Picture Lounge from the late George H. R. Booth. The licence of the Regent Picture House, Torres Road, has been transferred from Edward H. J. Lee to James Louis Mannix. Cinema Closed Down One of the older cinemas in the suburbs — the Carr Crofts Cinema at Armley — closed down a fortnight ago and is still untenanted. Birmingham and Midlands (Representative : O. Ford-Jones, " Winona," Hugh Road, Smethwick, Birmingham. Telephone: Smethwick 289) Fox Frolics The Annual Staff Dance of the Birmingham Branch of the Fox Film Company has been fixed to take place on Friday, November 27th, the venue being the Market Hotel. Station Street, Birmingham. Dancing will be from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets can be had from any of the Fox Company staff, or direct from J. Pattinson, the branch manager. Lights Out Owing to a breakdown in one of the main electric supply cables, a large part of Hall Green and Shirley was plunged into darkness a little after 10 o’clock on Tuesday night, with the result that the audience at the Robin Hood Cinema had to leave by the aid of the emergency gas light. Late Wire The Palace, Cheadle, Staffs, has relinquished the showing of silent films, and is now equipped with the B.T.-H. sound system. Sutton Coldfield Says 99 As a result of the recent Cinema Hospital Sunday at Sutton Coldfield charities will benefit by £99. The Mayor — Councillor J. A. Oldbury — has made the following allocations :■ — Sutton Coldfield Cottage Hospital, £50; Princess Alice Orphanage, £17 ; Watson Homes, £16; Hill and Four Oaks Nursing Association, £16. No Cinemas, No Grant The closing of Coventry cinemas on Sundays was mentioned at the annual meeting of the Coventry Philanthropic Institution during the past week as one of the causes of a decrease of more than £30 in the balance in hand compared with the previous year. Openings The Stirchley Pavilion, the largest cinema in the area over which the Birmingham licensing magistrates have jurisdiction, having a capacity of 2,500, is due to open on November 28th. The plans for this house were prepared by Harold H. Scott. * * * The Gaumont Palace, Redditch, which has been erected upon the site formerly occupied by the Public Hall, having a seating capacity of between 900 and 1,000, opens on November 23rd. Notts and Derby (Representative: W. Bernard Stevenson, "Hillside School," 7, Noel Street, Nottingham, and "The Nottingham Journal," Parliament Street, Nottingham. Telephone: Nottingham 32 1 1 > Revised prices came into operation in Notts and Derbyshire on Monday. Fred A. Prior, Secretary of the Notts and Derbyshire Branch of the C.E.A. , issued, for the information of the public, a notice giving the old prices and the new, adding, “ The rate of tax on the present admission prices of 9d., Is., Is. 6d. Is. 8d and 2s. is not increased, and where these prices are already operative no alteration whatsoever is justified.” Elite Stands Away Although it was understood that the recommendation of the Branch would be accepted by all members, the management of the Elite, of which Walter Bentley is the managing director and E. Wilmot-Carlton the resident manager, announced that the directors of that cinema had, after considering the position, decided to make no alteration whatever to the prices at the Elite. I understand that a certain amount of feeling has been caused by this decision, which was not anticipated by those interested in, other houses in the centre of the city.