The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

24 THE BIOSCOPE November 11, 1931 Silents Going Silent Nottingham’s few silent cinemas are dropping out one by one. At Bulwell, the westerly mining suburb, the Palace is now standing idle, and Olympia, which the Widdowson interests also own, is being run in its place as a “ talkie ” house instead of a music-hall. Sheffield and District (Representative: George W. Hopkinson. 60, Peveril Road, Ecclesall, Sheffield, S.W.) Admission Price Increases A tabulated list of admission price increases has been prepared by the Sheffield Branch of the C.E.A. for its members, and has been made public so that patrons may know exactly what they have to pay. Some of the cheapest admission prices in the country operate in Sheffield and its suburbs. Twopenny admission will remain as at present ; 2Jd. will be increased to 3d. ; 3d. to 4d. ; 4d. to 5d., and so on up to 9d., which will remain as at present. The only increases above 9d. are in Is. 3d. seats, which will in future be Is. 4d., and in 2s. 4d. seats, which will in future be 2s. 6d. I have heard of one cinema in Sheffield which is to retain its present prices throughout, and is to make no increase. Doncaster and District (Representative: F. Lyons, 1 1 1, Palmer Street Doncaster) Bargain Matinees The management of the Picture House this week fell into line with the rest of the local halls in introducing “ bargain ” matinees, and in future all tickets will be issued at a substantial reduction up to 4 o’clock. It is interesting to note that the Picture House were actuallv the originators of the cheap matinee in this district, during the industrial crisis of 1926. Armthorpe Scala Sale A solitary bid of £4,000 was made for the Armthorpe Scala, which was offered for sale, under order of the mortgagees, at the Danum Hotel on Tuesday, and the lot was withdrawn. Built at a cost of £12,000, the Scala is practically a new theatre, opened only two years ago. Rest of the Tale The Oxford Theatre at Mexborough has closed its doors for the time being so that extensive structural alterations may be made prior to the installation of sound equipment. The hall will also be thoroughly renovated and redecorated. *' * * The only cinema in Swinton is up against competition in the form of a “ free theatre,” actually a local church hall, which is being used by the Swinton Players’ Dramatic Society. Leicester and District Value of Sunday Shows Upwards of £1,000 was realised at the Sunday evening performance at local cinemas in aid of the Leicester Royal Infirmary. This excellent result was obtained with a minimum of publicity but the utmost goodwill on the part of exhibitors. The response was so gratifying as to indicate the potential value attaching to Sunday Opening whenever the law permits. Melbourne for A.B.C. This week the Melbourne Picture House came under the control of A.B.C., and, with the Prince’s, affords a second house in this group. Considerable internal improvements have been effected, the old “ talkie ” apparatus having been removed and replaced with the latest Western Electric system. A Turner sound screen has also been installed. Gilbert Boddy will continue as manager and will have the co-operation of Syd Parsons, manager of the Prince’s. Stoke-on-Trent Film Competition Dodo Watts, the British film star, is to revisit Stoke-on-Trent shortly to assist in the direction of film tests in connection with a fresh competition sponsored by the New Roxy Cinema, Hanley, which was declared open by Miss Watts a few weeks ago. Outdoor shots, including local scenes, will be included in the competition. Harry Buxton’s Idea An announcement concerning a film of real life in the Potteries which it was intended to make was made by Harry Buxton, chairman of Regal Cinemas (Warrington), Ltd., on Thursday evening, when Alderman G. H. Barber (Deputy Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent) and one of the pioneers of the cinema trade in the city, presented prizes won in the Roxy’s recent slogan competition. Mrs. Florence Burrows The funeral took place at Burslem, Stoke-onTrent, of Mrs. Florence Hinde Burrows, who was for many years manageress of the Coliseum, Burslem. The cinema trade was well represented, and the foremen from four Burslem cinemas — the Palace, Globe, Palladium and Coliseum — acted as bearers. West of England Plymouth’s New Supers The Gaumont Palace, Plymouth, is to be opened with “ The Ghost Train ” on November 16th. The new Mayor of Plymouth (Aid. J. P. Dymond) has consented to perform the opening service, but there is some talk of Lady Astor, M.P., taking part in the ceremony if her Parliamentary duties will permit. The new theatre will add to the architectural beauties of Plymouth, being quite distinct in its way. It has been built to the plans of W. H. Watkins, F.R.I.B.A., of Bristol, who has been prominently associated with the design and construction of some of the finest super cinemas in the country. R. E. Eady, who for many years has successfully run the Palladium, Plymouth, has been entrusted with the management. The Regent, Plymouth’s other great super cinema, is to be opened on November 23rd with Charlie Chaplin in “ City Lights.” The proprietors are the Regent Cinema, Plymouth, Ltd., the licensee and resident director being G. E. Prance and the manager E. B. London. Bristol Branch Dinner The Annual Dinner of the Bristol and West of England Branch of the C.E.A. will be held at the Royal Hotel, Bristol, on Wednesday, December 2nd. As the accommodation is limited, it is desirable that applications for tickets should be made as early as possible to the secretary, Mr. F. A. Webber. Both the National President and Vice-President will be present, in addition to a number of other distinguished guests. South Wales Cyclorama for Cardiff The Park Hall Cinema, Cardiff, is to be completely re-equipped with lighting. The house will be equipped in addition with the new British colour lighting scheme, which incorporates the cyclorama effect. When the new lighting is installed an attempt will be made more or less to infuse colour into the orchestral music of the house. A Swansea Rumour Curious how rumour follows in the wake of definite ventures. Following last week’s news that Newport, Mon., was to have another super (fully reported in The Bioscope), there was a strong trade and general talk that a new super was being planned for Central Swansea. A big central town improvement scheme is now in being in Swansea, and, according to the tale going the rounds, a London syndicate had obtained a site in Heathfield Street and was preparing plans for a 2,500 seater. You may take it from me, however, that there is nothing in it. Northern Ireland (Representative : George Gray, Fort Garry, Cregagh Park, Belfast) Better Than Ever The White Cinema Club has held many successful meetings, but few of them have been anywhere so successful as last week’s annual gathering at the Imperial Hotel, Belfast, when there was a record attendance. Presenting the annual report, F. Spiers outlined the many activities during the year, dealing with the work which had been done in regard to censorship, Entertainments Tax and safety regulations. The membership had increased during the year from 34 fully paid members to 64, which was a record. R. J. Winters presented the financial statement. Although there had been heavy expenditure, the club now had over £100 to its credit, which compared wonderfully well with four years ago, when there was only a balance of £1. The reports were unanimously adopted. Election of Officers W. J. Hogan was re-elected president and D. D. Young vice-president, F. Spiers asking permission to retire from that office. Councillor George Gray was re-elected treasurer, R. J. Winters hon, auditor, F. Spiers hon. secretary and J. Craig, H. Buckley. S. Eagleson, H. M’Mullan, Bob Carr, C. O’Dowda and A. V. Froggatt committee. Censorship Varying views on the question of censorship were put forward when the deputation which recently waited on the Belfast Police Committee gave their individual views. C. O’Dowda, agreeing that they had won every point except one, thought that it was a serious one, and that they were in for trouble in regard to it. It was over the question of the admission of children to see “A” films and children’s matinees. F. Spiers thought they had nothing to fear. The Police Committee had ruled out of order at least 50 per cent, of the points raised by the churches’ deputation. All they had to do was to meet the clergy to see if they could come to some agreement. They had made an offer to indicate what class of films they were showing. Chairman’s View Mr. Hogan thought that they had done very well on the deputation, but on the question of the admission of children to “ A ” films, he was inclined to think that there would be some trouble. D. D. Young urged that it would be far better if the deputation could meet and draw up a fully detailed report, in which all view’s could be given, and then the members could discuss it at length and decide upon their plan of campaign. The deputation agreed to do this. Stray Items Progress is being made with Finney’s new 1,000 seater at Newry. Jack Greenfield, who is managing Finney’s Picture House, Banbridge, w’ill also manage the new' house. * * * Newcastle Urban Council in renewing the licence of Mr. B. Cusack, the owner of the local picture house, decided that he need not proceed with their order of carrying out improvements under the safety regulations, wffiich w’ould have entailed spending £200. * * * Antrim County Council has adopted the model regulations on censorship recently put forward by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and explained in these columns. Financiers Join Paramount Industrial Magnates On Board A cable from Sidney R. Kent, general manager of the Paramount Publix Corporation, New' York, contains information of important new interests which have been added to the board of directors of Paramoimt. Adolph Zukor, president, has announced that the financial scope of the board has been w'idened by the election of the following industrial magnates as directors : — John Hertz, chairman of the famous *' Yellow' Cab ” Company of America ; William Wrigley, Jnr. ; and Albert D. Lasker. No other changes in the board are contemplated.