Cinema News and Property Gazette (1913)

April 2, 1913. rill-: CINEMA. '7 THE SITUATION FROM A RENTER'S POINT OF VIEW. We have received 1 In ■ following letter From Mr. I ■. Hendi 1 son, of Newcastle, which, in pursuance of our policy ol giving all sides equal publicity, and without necessarily endorsing anj of the opinions expressed, we publish as coming from one ol the oldest renters in the business : To the Editor oj 1 in. Cjnem \. I)i \k Siu. The position arising out of the action taken by Messrs. Pathe* Kreres is su important to the ordinal) renter that he is obliged to give mon than casual consider 1tion thereto. At considerable cost and with great tare large businesses have been built up, the solvency and ultima) profit «>t which essentially depends on permanency. It is quite clear that without the aid ol the renter neither manufacturer nor exhibitor could have put before the public the succession of novelties which, as everybody knows, bathe absolute cause of the great spread of cinematograph exhibitions. The exhibitor could not at the >tart, and cannot even now, provide himself with films at first hand, and mak • a profit. The manufacturer cannot supph his own products on hire to exhibitors and secure a remunerative return to carry on his business. With this in view, it is surely not t' o much to expect that the renter should have the respect t both manufacturer and exhibitor alike. One firm hopes b) the exploiting of the produet of several makers besides their own to dispense with the renters. This, after their own position has been built up by the renters, indicates a surprising lack of fair play, but may still be called business. Now, the renter must secure himself, and incidentally the exhibitor as well, l>\ taking such steps as will provide against the contingency of other exploitations "I a similar character. The exhibitor need have no fear of such a precaution limiting the supply of film novelties; it will really continue the present succession, whereas the manufacturers combining for the purpose of distributing direct would eventually result in limiting novelty for the sake of greater profit. This is the view of the position I take as a renter, and although I have fought as strenuously as anyone against film licence, 1 am bound tn recognise that it is the " onlj waj " to meet the situation. Some inconvenience maj arise to small renters, but this will surely In only temporary, as anyone really in business can easily qualify. Nothing inimical to the exhibitors will be found in the operations of the ,:. ment ; in fact, the most severe features in connection the, with is founded on their own suggestions. They were tl; first to declare opposition to Messrs. PatWs action, and it is to meet this difficulty that the agreement has been drawn up. A combination such as they bar would be as detrimental to the renters as to themselves, and I am bound t>> confess that in recent negotiations I have < 1 served no desire on the part of manufacturers to brinr; any such combination about. By the agreement the renter is in no way hindered or penalised under it except as regards the value the film may have at the end of twelve months, and therefore is under no extra need to advance prices. lb cannot, bow lower prices to meet fishing expeditions. I end as I l> the renter is the one thing needful for manufacturer and exhibitor. Yours truly, '.■id. Henderson. Newcastle, April 1, 1913. TOPICALS FROM AN AEROPLANE. fhe Topical film C< ,'s exploits at Olympta on Thui last were of considerabli interesl to throngs of people, the official cinematographing ol the Exhibition by this rapid I) progressing firm necessitating their photographers ascending downwards (by means of the Acme Co.'s telescopic ladder) for the purpose 1 t adding to the series a general panoramic view from the centre avenue. Messrs. Harold I Harrison Ward appeared to be quite as much at bon. mid-air as on terra lirma, but there is small cai Mr Will Jeapes Starting FOR lli~ Sky-Trip with Mr. Pilrre Verrier. mark in this when we remember that in their experienced and indefatigable chief, Mr. Will Jeapes himself, they have so admirable an example of nerve and resource. It was this gentleman who ascended with Mr. Pierre Verrier (the gold medal winner) at Mention on Easter Monday, and secured the interesting pictures from the sky for tl issue of the " Budget." At 8 o'clock on Monday evening the iS by 24 enlargement, showing Mr. Verrier and Mr. Jeapes in the aeroplane, kept crowds at the ["epical Co.'s Exhibition stand, and it is satisfactory to record that it was responsible me profitable inquiries concerning the " Budget." The Topical t'o. were indebted to Mr. Wilson, of the " Daily Express," for special facilities granted to cinematograph the Hendon air r.