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

58 TRADE TIIE FILM RENTER’ & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. ‘September 30, 1922. IN THE MIDLANDS. (By our Birmingham Correspondent.) The Justices’ Warning—New Dudley Hall—Nothing Doing—The Penalty of Delay—Surveyor to Birmingham Justices— An United Effort—The Smethwick Empire— Stoll’s New Manoger. Tc Chairman of the Birmingham Licensing Justices (Mr. G. A. Bryson) made some pointed remarks at last week's Sessions concerning promoters of kinemas, who, after securing the authorities’ approval to carry out schemes, failed to fulfil their undertakings to commence building operations within a reasonable time. At the previous Sessions the promoters of two suburban schemes were refused an extension of time, and bluntly informed that when they were actually in a’ position to construct the new halls they could renew ‘their DH ations for a provisional licence. ee Not a Precedent. In May Councillor G. F. McDonald and others interested in the erection “of x new kinema on the Alcester Road, King's Heath, undertook to start building within four mouths. = The site was occupied by a number of cottages, and owing to the operations of the Rent Actes they have been unable to, get rid of the tenants. On their behalf, therefore, an application was made for a six months’ extension, and, under the excep. tional circumstances, the Justices granted it. In) doing so, however, the chairman remarked that they did not want) any more applications made for permission to build kinemas, and then to find the schemes had been dropped. They did) not like the idea of extending the period allowed for commencing building operations, and their decision must not be regarded as setting a precedent for other cases. New Dudley Hall. From Dudley comes the news of a scheme for providing that town with a thoroughly up-to-date kinema, with a’ seating : capacity" of 1,400," v company is being floated with an authorised vapital of £40,000, to take over the Criterion Picture “House and land at the rear. | Under the scheme the existing building will form: the entrance and erush hall fer the new ‘house which is*to be erected at a cost of £15,000, Nothing. Doing. The proprictors of the Wolverhampton kinemas last week sought to obtain singing and dancing licences, but were cessful. The first application came from the Queen's Picture House, Mr. A. Turton explaining that the object was not to introduce variety turns, but simply songs or dances to improve the presentation of special films. Opposition was forthcoming from the local music halls, and when the other exhibitors realised the advantage the Queen's Picture House would gain if the Justices acceded to Mr. Turton'’s request, they all applied for similar licences. Unhsuc The Penalty of Delay. With the exception of the Picture House, Victoria Street, the Wolverhampton Justices renewed the whole of the kinematograph licences. A vear ago it was stipulated that the sanitary accommodation at the Victoria Street hall must be improved, and a promise was given that that should be done. Although couneel for Mr. Jackson regretted the delay, and undertook that the work should be carried out within six weeks, Alderman Craddock (chairman) said he did not think he had ever been so misled over a house. Fighteen months ago Mr. Google Jackson promisad to carry out the improvement sugvested, but hota single brick had been interfered with. Surveyor to Birmingham Justices. _ Mention of licensing sessions reminds me that the position of surveyor to the Birmingham’ Justices, rendered vacant by the retirement of Mr. FLW. Rinder, has just been filled. Prior to entering the service of the Corporation as an assistant architect in the building survexor’s departinent, Mr. H. Lawrence held a similar post with the Dunlop Rubber Co., Birmingham. During the approaching tour of inspection by the Justices in readiness for the annual Licensing Sessions, Mr. Lawrence will have the benefit of Mr. Rinder’s assistance in his dealings with the local exhibitors and their managers. An United Effort. On November 5 Birmingham and district exhibitors will make their annual united effort on behalf of the city hospitals. At its last meeting the Kinema Hospital Committee fixed that date, and also decided to ask the exhibitors in the neighbouring towns of Smethwick and West) Bromwich to join hands with Birmingham in making an united appeal Hitherto there has been no great effort by the trade in those beroughs, although individual exhibitors have raised sums for their own hospitals. The committee are quite willing that the proceeds of the special entertuinments given at the Smethwick amd West Bromwich kinemas should) be allocated to local institutions, but are anxious to see an united effort in the adjoining districts which form part of the Birmingham C.B.A. territory. Hospital Sunday effort realised £1,800 for medical charities. goodly Last vear’s Birminghain’s The Smethwick Empire. Little surprise was expressed by Midland exhibitors when it heeame known that Mr. EK. Hewitson, vice-chairman of the Birmingham C.E.A., had purchaeed the Smethwick Empire. This up-to-date entertainment hall, which was only built a few years ayo, has a seating capacity of 1,800, and is an admirably equipped musie hall. After being closed for several months it came under the hammer at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham. last week, and was knocked down to Mr. Hewitson at £14,350. Its previous owners were Messrs. Hicks and Black. Stofl’s New Manager. In Mr. John Jacobs, who now has charge of Stoll’s interests in the Birmingham territory, exhibitors will find a man wh> has had) experience on both sides of the trade. © More than a decade ago he was proprietor of a small cireuit of picture houses on the Forest of Dean side of Gloucestershire. He becaine general manager of the Broadwest Co., when that firm opened up a renting organisation. in London, and retained: that position until the firm closed that branch of the business. In 1918 he entered the service of the Stoll Co., and had charge of the Glasgow branch, which he opened, until he came to Birmingham a fortnight ago. He reminds exhibitors that his first Midlana trade show will take place at. the Futurist on Wednesday next, when he will screen ‘' Running Water,’’ from the story by A. EF. W., Mason. — This will be followed later in the month by the Metro production, ‘* The Silver Lining.”’