The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Apr-Jun 1922)

$4 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. June 17, 1922. THE TRADE IN LIVERPOOL. (By our own Correspondent.) *‘ Cocaine”? Barred in Liverpool— The Four Seasons ’’_Still Running Away— Famous-Lasky Shows—Light Subjects’ Success. T a special meeting last week of the Liverpool Justices’ Theatres and Entertainments Committee, an adjourned application, on behalf of the management of the Futurist Picture House, Lime Street, was considered for permission to exhibit the much-talked-of film, *' Cocaine.” Mr. Edwin Berry appeared for the applicants and stated that the film, which is intended to serve as a warning against the dangers of drug taking, had been shown, by permission of the licensing authorities, in a number of places, including Manchester. On behalf of the applicants be extended an invitation to the Bench to attend a private exhibition of the film. Application Refused. The Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr. Stuart Deacon, Chairman of the Bench) announced that, having regard to the fact that the film had not been approved by the British Board of Film Censors, the upplieation would be refused, as also would similar applications by the licensees of the Riee Lane, Garrick, and Royal Super-Kinemas for sanction to have runs of the film as subsequent dates. The matter has formed the subject of much conversation locally, some people holding with the attitude adopted by the justices towards the film, and others asking the very pertinent question : *t If the production is good enough for the Manchester public, why not for Liverpool?’’ The Liverpool magistrates concerned would uppear to be the only persons who can supply a satisfactory answer. ‘* The Four Seasons.’’ F. W. Ingram had much that was interesting to narrate when I paid him a call the other day at the well-appointed establishment of the Ideal Film Company in Tarleton Street. It was his intention to make a comprehensive trip over the North Wales territory during the current week, commencing at the popular seaside resort of Prestatyn and working down as far as Aberystwyth. Mr. Ingram is eagerly anticipating the new Ideal issue, ** The Four Seasons,"’ which will be offered to exhibitors at an carly date. It will be trade shown to Merseyside exhibitors on the 27th inst. at the Prince of Wales Picture House in Clayton Square. Still Running Away. Mention of the great Ideal success, ‘* The Runaway Mxpress,’’ elieted from Mr. Ingram the information that the demand for this thriller continues unabated. Said Mr. Ingram, ‘t I have not yet heard any single exhibitor who has had a run of the film say anything but what is highly complimentary regarding it, and particularly does this remark apply to its drawing powers.” Despite the fact that by this time it has been pretty well shown in all parts of the territory operated from the Liverpool office, inquiries for vacant dates are still forthcoming. In St. Helens the film has had a remarkable, and probably unique, experience, having been booked in that comparatively s:malt town for no fewer than five runs within a period embracing only from six weeks to two months. Short Features. Mr. Ingram added that ‘ The Tumaway Express" is by no moans the only film with tremendous drawing powers which Ideal are handling at the present time. ‘ We have the stuff,” he said, ‘‘ which the exhibitor wants, and ‘The Runaway Express’ has inercly proved the justification of this claim. We are at present specialising in a comprehensive variety of novelty and short feature films, which have now firmly established them Google selves in popular favour, and are even attracting into the kinemas, where these films form items on the program, patrons who are inclined to be chary during the prevailing hot weather.”’ Famous Lasky Shows. A trade show by Famous-Lasky's at the Scala of ** Boomerang Bill,’ a drama of an unusual type, featuring John Barrymore, attracted a representative attendance of exhibitors. Chatting with August Denton, the manager of the Liverpool establishment, he informed me that they had effected what, in the present state of trade, ean only be considered as highly satisfaetory bookings on two films which had been screened for the benefit of the trade the previous week. These are‘ The Cradle’? in Which the principal réle is sustained with customary brilliance by the great sereen favourite, Ethel Clayton: and ‘ The Law and the Woman,” which features Betty Compson. For vesterday (Friday) a trade show had been arranged locally of *f Travelin’ On,” a Famous-Lasky Paramount’ production, from the pen of W. 8. Hart, who also plays the leading part. First National's Offerings. C. Bennett was informing me, when J chanced across him: in the city the other day, of recent doings in connection with the enterprise known as Associated First National, He stated that, by courtesy of Walturdaw’s, they have opened an establishment at 13-15, Great Ducie Street, Manchester, and from there the whole of the operations for the extensive Lancashire territory, North Wales and the Isle of Man will be controlled under Mr. Bennett's personal dircetion, At the Liverpool end bis assistants will be Ernie Colton and J. Ruth, whose local address is 5, Slater Street; and in Manchester, T. Preston. The telephone number of the Manchester office is ‘Central 1713,°' and the telegraphic address ‘' Firnatex.’’ Incidentally, Mr. Bennett mentioned that he is handling a set of ‘ Kineto Reviews,” which are a weekly issue. He had also arranged to hold, at the Palais de Luxe, Liverpool, on Monday, a trade show of a comedydrama, entitled ° Scrambled Wives,’ which affords that favourite little screen artiste, Marguerite Clark, scope for a display of her wonderful talents. ‘* Penrod,’’ a Marshal Neilan) production, featuring Wesley Barry, will be released for the United Kingdoin on December 18 next. Further, Mr. Bennett teld me there will shortly be another big pre-release of a film called ** Men, Women and Marriage,”’ particulars of which I hope to be able to give in the course of the next week or two.” Light Subjects’ Success. W. Baines reports that he is doing gratifying business at the present time with a number of light subjects. Since last I called upon him at the office of the Premier Services in) Dale Street, he had negotiated the purchase of a big batch of pictures, including about twenty-five Metros, which, when previously offered in’ the Merseyside territory, were booked upon only a smnall scale. Kinematograph Renters’ Society. At a meeting of the Lancashire Committee of the Kinematograph Renters’ Society, held last week in the Liverpool theatre of Pathé Fréres, Mr. J. 1. Gilchrist, of the Imperial Film Company, Ltd., was elected chairman, and Mr. J. Sunderland, of Vivid) Exclusives, treasurer. Both gentlemen thus become members of the executive committee, together with Mr. J. Hodson (General Film Renting Company, 1920, Ltd.). Mr. F. Collinson (Holywell) still retains the office of secretary.