The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jul-Aug 1922)

‘August 26, 1922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 49 THE TRADE IN WALES. (By our Cardiff Correspondent.) South Wales Still Struggling — The Trade Show Question — Manager’s Transfer — Raised to the Bench — Cardiff Changes. OTWITHSTANDING the hope expressed a few wecke ago that the trade boom had started in consequence of the demand for Welsh coal, 1 now fear that the day is a long way off when Welsh exhibitors will experience really good At the moment things are in a terrible state. Right throughout the teeming Welsh valleys there ig such an absolute lack of inoney that halls are empty, and it is quite a common occurrence to find at shows which are running features that only twenty people are present. These things have been going on for a long time in South Wales, and exhibitors are preparing themselves for a continuance of these depressing conditions. Until the wage of the collier is increased we cannot expect to find much improvement in the Tot of the picture-hall pro-prictor, Since the kinema leapt into popularity some years ago in the principality, the miner and hig family have been the greatest supporters of the sereen, But to-day they are compelled by force of circumstance, by lack of (money—many not receiving two pounds a week for their work in’ the pit—to retrench, and, consequently, much of the revenue for the kinema has been taken away. — Hosts of exhibitors have closed their books, and travellers continue to come back with depressing tales. The Trade Show Question. One hardly knows what is going to happen through the agitation on the part of some of the Welsh exhibitors in connection with the holding of trade shows outside the Kinema Exchange. The controversy has developed over the past week, and some very strong things are being said on both sides. Briefly, the position is that exhibitors claim that it is the duty of the renters to support the Exchange, and hold all trade shows within the precincts of the club. The renters’ attitude is that it is in.possible to exploit some of the big films, supers, for instanec, in the limited accommodation at the club. I have spoken to a number last week, and they all pledge their loyalty to the club, but emphatically state that there are subjects that are impossible to show in the theatres of the Exchange in High Street. Candidly, one must sympathise with them. There is the question of the orchestra, for instance: while the projection and general comfort are excellent, it is useless to attempt to put a big orchestra into these theatres. Still, it is to be hoped that some amicable arrangement will be come to, for just now both sections have enough to do without dabbling in the trifling personalities which the subject is occasioning, business. Manager’s Transfer. ; Mr. A. Samson is rejoining Mr. Leon Vint, and will open the aconstructed Palace at Barry Dock next week. Mr. Samson is well known in the territory. For many years he was manager for Mr. Leon Vint, and in 1915 enlisted in the army. On his) discharge he joined the Albany Ward Circuit, and renatined with them for three-and-a-half years, managing the firin’s theatres at Salisbury. Exeter, and Chepstow. friends wish him the best of luck in his new post. His inany Raised to the Bench. The kinema industry in Swansea is represented in the new list of magistrates by the appointment of Sir Charles Ruthen, chairman of directors of the South Wales Kinema Company, Which controls the Atbert Hall, opened in Swansea a fortnight By the way, the new building is a popular rendezvous, and excellent business: is reported. ao, Cardiff Changes. Mr. A. 5S. Whittaker, formerly manager of the Olympia, Cardiff, has been appointed manager of the Capitol, Cardiff. On his departure from the Olympia he was made the recipient of a sitver enke stand. | The presentation was made by Mr. Perey Wheeler, who referred to dhe popularity of Mr. Whittaker amongst his patrons and staff, To Mr. H. Baygott also a presentation has transfer from the assistant managership of the Central, Cardiff, to the managerial position of the Olympia. The gift took the form of a silver cigarette case from the staff, whilst some personal friends handed him a ease of tea knives. been made on his Rumours to Reject. I am asked to deny the rumour that Mr. Jack Baggott is severing his connection with the firm of Tilney Brothers, for whem he is the South Wales manager, The confusion seems to have arisen over the fact that his brother, Mr. W. H. Bagyott, has been appointed manager of the Olympia, Another rumour for denial is that Mr. Jack Wilson is resigning his position at the Clifton Street Kinema, Cardiff. In a Few Lines. Mr. Sam Abrahains, who for several years has been the South Wales traveller for Butcher's, has gone to Ideal in a similar capacity in South Wales. His many friends express the hope that he will have the best of luck. i Mr. Bert Spathaky has been appointed manager of the Albert Hall, Swansea, He was assistant manager at the Capitol, Cardiff. T. C. Hayward, of the Gaiety, Manchester, has been appointed ‘cellist at the Capitol, Cardiff. -PROLOGUES IN DEMAND. ‘Associated First National Appoint Special Producer. WwW: “ Man—Woman—Marriage "’ was first presented to the trade at the Alhambra Theatre, London, by Associated First National Pictures, Ltd... it preceded by a most remarkable and unique prologue, This was preduced by Mr. Leon Pollock, under the direction of Mr. Perey Phillipson, sales manager to Associated First National, Its suecess was so unanimous that adaptations were made therefrom and presented at the various provincial trade shows, with the Google was ~ communicate i National’ Pictures, Ltd., 37-39, Oxtord Street, London, W.1. exception of the Leeds trade shows, where a somewhat different presentation was given, The appreciative result of this pioneer work is shown by the many applications from exhibitors which Associated First National have received asking for assistance in the preduetion of prologues to be used when presenting this picture to the public. It has therefore been decided, we are informed hy Mr. Phillipson, to appoint Mr. Leon Pollock as official producer of all prologues to precede ** Man—Woman—Marviage en behalf of Associated First National, and exhibitors who need further this matter should, as soon as possible, Mr.) Perey Phillipsen, Associated First information on with