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

‘October. 21, 1922. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEIVS. 35 MANCHESTER KINEMA TRADE CARNIVAL An Effort for Trade HE third Manchester Kinema Trade Carnival, which took place at the Ice Palace, Cheetham Hill, on Wednesday evening last, was uot quite so well attended as its prede. cessors, but, nevertheless, in some ways it was an improveinent on them. Whether it achieved its object of raising a considerable sum of money to assist the Manchester and Salford Hospitals’ Fund and the local Trade Benevolent Fund, will be revealed later. Screen notabilities on this occasion were very searce, and Mr. Whyndham Standing, of *t Smilin’ Through “ fame, and Mr. Hargreave Mansell, who appeared in ‘ Dick's Fairy ’’ and other films, were the onlv two present. There were few trade visitors from other parts, and on tlic whole the industry was not strongly represented. The Chicf Constable of Manchester (Sir Robert Peacock, M.V.O.) attended, the Mavor of Salford (Alderman G. Barker) and the Mavoress of Salford were also present and distributed the prizes to the successful competitors. Specialities on this occasion included the sclection of six ‘* Talmadge protégé’? aspirants from the ladies present, who were immediately and in the presence of the audience filmed. Mrs. Bonrrdman, wife of Mr. FE. Bourdman, cf the Palais de Luxe, Chorlton, was among those chosen, The Grand Parade took place, as usual. at midnight and was a picturesque sight—beauty, artistry, novelty and humour being effectively blended in the costumes worn. Sir Robert Peaeack and Mr. Whyndham Standing were on the judging committees, and their selections for awards included a number of people prominently connected with the trade in these parts. Tn the and Public Charities. humorous aceon those successful were Harry Clegg (Whitehall, Openshaw), as ‘* Widow Twankey,’’ and little Dorothy Hall, the young daughter of G. Hall (Princes, Openshaw), quaintly and cleverly Miss Seligmann, manageress of the Clarion Film Agency, was once again among She was artistically clad as ** Aladdin.” Perey Whiteley (Triangle Picture House) and Mrs. Whiteley both won prizes. The latter, who was costumed after the etyle of the bride in ‘S Smilin’ Through,’’ won a cheque for 10 wuineas, presented by the First National Pictures, Ltd., and was loudly cheered when she handed it back for the Hospitals* Fund. A. EE. Wheeler (Provincial Productions), in Red Indian costuine, was also a prize-winner, The value of the prizes for this function must have excecded vreatly anything given at the two previous carnivals, and comprised useful and ornamental articles, in silver for the most part. Among the donors of special prizes were Mr. F. NormanWright (managing dircetor of the Frum Renter axp Movina PrerurrE News), Councillor W. Millward, ‘t Beacon Carbons,”’ Messrs. Lewiss and Mr. W. A. Taylor. After handing over the prizes to the winners the Mayor of Salford said some nice words about the kinema trade, the members of which, he remarked, always rallied to the aid of a good cnuse. He is in favour of the abolition of the tax. The Committee responsible for the arrangements of this affair worked exceedingly hard and deserve praise for the efforts. The financial results will be anticipated with interest. dressed as‘! some chicken.” the prize-winners. “FROM MANGER TO CROSS” FOR MANCHESTER. ANCHESTER is to have the honour of the first provincial presentation of the famous film ** From Manger to Cross,’’ which, after being exhibited to 600.000 people in the Albert Hall and Queen's Hall, London, vincial tour at the Oxford Street Picture House on November 6, The picture was made in the Holy Land—the only Biblical story that has ever been produced in that country—and, although the British Board of Film Censors do not approve of any picture in which the figure of the Christ appears, this picture not only received their support, but also that of the London County Council, which makes a condition of its licence that only films approved by the Board shall be shown at the theatres under its jurisdiction. A epecial permission was granted on July 11 Jast in a report of the Theatres and Music-halls’ Committee of the Council. begins its: pro A Bishop’s Tribute. It is interesting to note that « on Good Friday last the Bishop of London, speaking at the Tondon Pavilion after seeing the fitm the day before, said it was eo. great that ‘‘ nothing, not even the Passion play of Oberammergau, brought home the life and work of Jesus as did this great film,”’ and on fhe Fiaster Day following | referred to it at great length in his Sermon. dn. St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Provincial Cinematograph _ Theatres, of which Tord Ashfield is the head, ‘are so impressed with the magnificerit Google drawing power of this film that they have decided to cpen the autumn season with this film on November 6 at the Oxford Street Picture Theatre for one week, thereafter. showing it for vesimilisr period at their theatres situated all over the country. Mr. Yeend King, Vice-President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, was so struck by the picture, which Se saw at Queen's Hall, that he has painted a very remarkabl> picture of a from the film -Christ on the Mount of Olives. This is now being reproduced in colour by the Medici Society, for sale throughout the country, and will be the greatest art effort m the history of the film industry. Its publication will coincide with the opening of the autumn season for the film. scene Ireland Demanding the Picture. Captain R. Henderson Bland, who plaved the Christus in the film, has written a book illustrated by scenes from. the film, forming the most amazing confession of an actor vet written. This will be published by Hodder and Stoughton on November 3. and will contain a foreword by the Bishop of London, who says : “TIT thought the film, ‘From Manger to Cross," most touching—nothing could exceed the reverence with which it was produced. I hope. that the message it contains will: so home to the hearts of many thousands.”’ Meanwhile all Ircland is demanding this film, which the Free State Government are anxious that the people should «ee. /In Wales, too, there is a big demand for it, and from the Highlands of Scotland many letters have been received by Sit H. Trustram Eve, to whose foresight and ‘publiespirit is due the ‘fact that the people of this country owe the opportunity of secing g° Alm that has s sw wayed the millions all over ‘the w ofld.