The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Sep-Oct 1922)

September 2, 1922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 43 NOTES FROM THE LANCASHIRE TERRITORY. Harrison of Blackpool—Early Days in the Industry_Bolton and Blackpool---Good Music and Keen Showmanship—Addenbrooke’s Benefit. (By WM. HY. HUISH.) SHERE is a little township in Yorkshire, situated just over T the border, and close to the town of Todmorden, which glories in the name of Ripponden. It was in this charming spot that the subject of my biographical sketch, Arthur Richard Harrison, in the vear of Our Lord 1878, made his entry into this world. At the age of two Arthur had made such great progress that his parents decided that Ripponden would be too small for him to display his energies. They, therefore, migrated te the City of Manchester, and it was here that he received his early education. His parents were never bothered with the inevitable question, ** What shall we do with our boy?” Arthur having decided this question for them, Very early in his career he had taken a faney to his father’s watch, and, having pulled it to pieces and put it together again, he proved to his parents that he had a mechanical mind. Having been so successful with his father’s wateh, he then tackled the family clock, whieh was of the cuekoo variety. He was far more successful with this, for after pulling it to pieces and putting it together, he found that he had six wheels and two springs left over. The clock, however, kept splendid time, but the cuckoo no longer announced the hours by coming out and saying, “Cuckoo, cuckoo.’ It simply pushed out its tail and shouted, ** Hoo cook, hoo cook.”’ Early Days in the Industry. this kind it decided After more adventures of was to apprentice Arthur to a scientific instrument = maker, and thus in) the year 1900 he found himself interested in the manufacture of — kinema projectors, and under a patent of one Oulton, of Leeds, the Biorama was put on the market. Arthur Re Harrison, who had assisted in the manufacture of this machine, joined Mr. Hargraves at the Empire, Rochdale, where the first machine was installed, and aftera senson at the Empire went on tour, Our friend remained on tour for eight vears, and in 1908 returned to Bolton to open the Hippodrome in that town, having been appointed the first manager, Bolton and Blackpool. He then went South for a short season, and acted as resident manager at Weston-super-Mare. — Sir Walter de Frece, in the meantime, having purchased the Hippodrome, Bolton, he appointed Mr. Harrison his resident manager, he occupying that position for seven years. At the end of that period the property was sold to the Bolton Theatres Co., Ltd., and Mr. J. F. Elliston toidk over Mr. Harrison with the purchase. Here he remained as manager for four years with that well known Northern showman, J. F. Mliston, as his chief. During the time Mr. Harrison was located at Bolton he beeame financially interested in the Empire Picture Palace, Stalybridge, and the Empire Picture Palace, Famworth, and was appointed a director of both these halls. He alsp became interested in the Imperial Picture Palace, Blackpool, and left the Hippodrome, Bolton, to take up the position of managing director there. When Blackpool Entertainments (1920), Ltd., was floated, and this company purchased the Hippodrome, Princess Theatre, and Imperial Picture Palace, Blackpool, Mr. Harricon was retained as manager at the Imperial, but on the retirement of Mr. J. A.W. Stanburv as general manager of the Blackpool Mntertainments, three months after the company had been formed, Mr. Harrison was appointed general manager Mr. Harrison devotes Google practically all his attention to the Hippodrome, this being one of the inost popular places of entertainment in Blackpool, the seating capacity being close on 2.000. 0 Mr. Harrison still retains his position as director of the Empires, Stalybridge atul Farnworth, Some very original mechanical and electrics] effects have been introduced into the Hippodrome by him, and he is a past master in the art of publicity. Good Music and Keen Showmanship. He is a great believer in good music, and the orchestra at the Hippodrome, together with the grand fouremanual organ, is greatly appreciated by music lovers. Mr. Harrison informed me that he is convinced that true showmanship in running a kinema is more necessary than ever, and although good publicity is very essential, he considers that every showinan should see to it thit the goods he offers are what he represents them to be, | Mr. Harrison is a very quiet and unassuming man, but very painstaking and original in his method of management. His directors place the greatest confidence in him, and he is looked up to and respected by his brother managers, Addenbrooke’s Benefit. _ On Wednesday in last week I was invited by the papular manager at the Tower, Morecambe; Mr. Addenbrooke, to be one of his guests on his benefit night. Iam pleased to say it was a bumper, the Tower being full to overflowing. The festivities lasted from 7 p.m. until midnight, and the true carnival spirit prevailed during the whole of the evening. Preston Guild Bombshell. I visited Preston the other day just after the Commissioners of Customs and Excise had announced their intention of ealling upon those who had let windows and stands for the viewing of the Preston Guild) procession to pay entertainment tax. I found those concerned up in arms against the Commissioners’ decision, and in the opinion of most people the intention of the Act has been strained by these officials in order ta) secure revenue, This is a question that will not only affect Preston, and one prominent shopkeeper in the tewn informed me that, so far as he was personally concerned, he would refuse to be bound by He considered it was a question of such great importance that the decision of the Commissioners should be tested in’ the luw courts. I am oof the opinion, after having discussed the position with many prominent men outeide the entertainment world, that this action of the Commissioners will convince the general publie that thetr liberties are being seriously interfered with by the enter. tainment tax duties, and oa great opportunity now presents itself further to interest the public on this question, so that when the time comes for another fight to be put up public opinion will be on the side of the entertainment industry. the decision of the Commissioners, A Sign of the Times. On Saturday last the promoters of a bazaar (which was held in Lloyd George’s country at Llandegfanan), in order to dodge the entertainment tax, did not. charge for admission, but invited those who attended to place their contribution in a bowl at the door. Tam given to understand that the experiment was a great suceess, many people placing silver coins in the bow! not only when they entered, but when they left.