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

September 16, 1922. THE FILM RENTER é& MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 39 NOTES FROM THE LANCASHIRE | TERRITORY. Hargraves of Morecambe—Not Meant for the Pulpit—Beginnings at Morecambe— Art Metal Interests— Public Appreciation—Kinema Trade Carnival. (By WM. HY. HUISH.) N Friday in last week I happened to be in Morecambe, O and was privileged to be present at the Palladium as one of a family gathering celebrating the 57th birthday of the popular. manager, Harry Hargraves. Having honoured the toast of my friend, whom I have numbered amongst my acquaintances for a number of years, I prevailed upon him to allow me to include him in my biographical sketches. Harry informed me that he was born in that very delightful but sleepy old town of Clitheroe, on September 8, 1865. In consequence of his reserved and thoughtful disposition during his school days his friends decided to make him a minister of the Gospel. Not Meant for the Pulpit. Being connected with the United Methodist body, and very practical ag well as being united, they therefore, before they allowed their young aspirant for the ministry to preach to their flock, called upon him to mount the pulpit in an empty chapel with only his judges as auditors and to preach a triul sermon. In Harry’s own words, when it came to his turn, he talked about everything else but religion, the result being he wae disqualified. His parents then apprenticed hini to the shop-fitting business, and in time he developed into an expert worker in brass. For a number of years he followed his trade in his native town, and fitted up a number of important shops in the East Lancashire area. . Beginnings at Morecambe. Fn 1895 he went to Morecambe and acted as clerk of works during the building of the Albert Hall and Queen’s Market Hall. On the completion of this job the owners of the estate appointed Harry Hargraves their agent. He applied to the Licensing Justices for a musie and dramatic licence for the Albert Hall, which wae granted, and the same licence exists to-day. For a number of years during the Morecambe season the Albert Hall was one of the most popular places of entertainment, and during that period Harry staged a good number of very successful productions. The first kinematograph picture shown in Morecambe was at the Albert Hall, and in these early days they had to produce their illuminant by means of the old gasbags. More than one prominent man in Morecambe. to-day considered it a privilege in boyhood days to be allowed to sit on Harry's gasbag. The Albert Hall from this early beginning became the premier kinema in the town. Acting on the advice of Mr. Hargraves, the owners of the estate decided. to clase the Queen's Market Hall and to convert it into a kinema. Therefore the present Palladium was. designed and built under the supervision of Mr. Hargraves. On Bank .Holiday, 1919, it wag opened to the public. It has a.capacity of 1,100, every seat giving an uninterrupted view of the pictures; it is a firstrun house and very popular with the residents and visitors. Art Metal Interests. The popular manager of the Palladium is a man of many parts. He was ‘an art student in his early days, and was appointed: teacher at the Storey Art School, Lancaster, and he continued to hold this appointment until the Google outbreak of war in 1914, Art metal-work was his particular hobby, and he has been awarded prizes in many quarters, incuding a diploma at South Kensington School of Art. For a number of years he took a great interest in the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, and for five years acted as superintendent of the Morecainbe section. On relinquishing this position, the medical fraternity of Morecambe and district presented him with a very handsome marble clock in recognition of his valuable services to them. Public Appreciation. During the past 27 years the Morecambe cstate has changed hands three times and on cach oceasion Harry Hargraves has been taken over ag one of the assets. His present directors in February, 1921, entertained him to dinner at the Grafton Hotel in recognition of his quarter of a century’s service, and the chairman cf directors (Mr. Enoch Hill) on the occasion of this dinner was supported by the Mayor of Morecambe (Alderman J. Birkett) and a number of well-known residents. Some very nice things were said about Harry on thie occasion, and he was presented with a silver tea service. Dr. Watterson (medical officer) referred to him as a man of great energy and lovalty and stated that “‘he had never been held up, and no one could hold him down.’’ On the formation of the Morecambe Entertainment Proprietors’ and Managers’ Association, Harry wae appointed to the position of hon. secretary, and he still retains that position. The third annual carnival at Morecambe commences to-day, and when this function was organised three years ago Harry Hargraves. as secretary of the Entertainment Proprietors’ Association, took a very active part in its formation. The question of Sunday opening of the kinemas is a matter that very much concerns Harry Hargraves, and on three occasiong he has applied to the Licensing Justices for permission to open on the Sunday, but failed. He, however, informed me that he has not given up hope and intends to try again. Kinema Trade Carnival. The executives and committees have been appointed to organise the forthcoming Carnival, which will be held at the Ice Palace, Manchester, on October 18, under the joint auspices of the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Joint Voluntary Hospitals Commitiee and the Kinema Trade Benevolent Fund. Mr. A. Wilkinson. has been appointed chairman, Mr. Philip Harrison (Famous-Lask¥, vice-chairman, Walter Stott hon. treasurer, and Wm. Hy. Huish organising secretary. Morecambe Ekection Result. On Monday last Mr. Harry Levante, manager of the Winter Gardens, Morecambe, was defeated in a by-election for councillor in the Torresholme Ward, the result being as follows: Gardner 418, Levante 878. There will be another election in the ‘ward next year, when I understand Mr. Gardner will be again opposed by Mr. Levante.