The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

qo THE F1.M RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. SCOTTISH -NOTES. (From our Glasgow Correspondent.) HAD the pleasure of present at a recently-held exhibition ef talking pictures given under the auspices of the Cimaphone Sxindicate in the Parkhead Public Hall, and this demonstration was attended by a large munber of Press representatives and other interested parties. The inventor, Mr. Frank Ermest Mosley—who, by the way, is a Glasgow man-— claims to have successfully arranged for synchronisation between voice and picture, and this exhibition certainly demonstrated clearly the value of the talking picture in’ entertainment, publicity, and propaganda work. being A Good Word. Speaking at a recently-held mecting of the Dunfermline Rotary Club on the " Kinema as an Educator,’’ Provost Norval said that what the future held for this popular means of instruction and wmnusement it would be rash to prophesy, but there was no doubt that the kinema had become a necessity to modern social life. He (the Prevost) felt certain that the kinematograph would in future have a permanent and assured place in thé lives of the people as a means of recreation and amusement ** because of the simple fact that it is accessible to all classes, even down to the poorest in the community.” Oi Great Historical Value. In the course of his further remarks Provest Norval suggested that eversthing should be done to save for future generations films which were of great historical value. He argued that a from the written record and performed by actors, could not possibly impress in the same way as a film which had been taken at the actual time, and which portrayed the real, living personages who took part in the event. This particular meeting of the Dunfermline Rotary Club. Tomight add, of the kinematograph industry, recreated historical event, constructed: solely was attended by several well-known members whe were much interested the Provost's interesting and iHuminating address. Sunday Shows. Glasgow magistrates are now showing more leniency as far a> Sunday kinema shows are concerned, and on a recent Sunday there were no fewer than three such kinematograph entertain nents Leing held in various halls for charitable purposes. The kinemas engaged for these purposes were the Palace Theatre Helen Street Picture House in Govan: and the Kinema House in Renfield Street; and Iam pleased to say that in cach case there was an overflowing audience. A number of other Sunday kinema shows for equally good objects, I understand, are also being arranged, for which permission is also likely to be obtained, in the Gorbals: the necessary civic I had the pleasure of shaking hands with my old friend, Mr. Rob Lawson, on his flying visit to Glasgow recently in) connec. tion with the trade show of ‘t Foolish Wives."" | Mr. Lawson has not vet forgotten his many old friends in the city where he was located for so many vears, and I and all others were delighted to hear of his continued success as publicity manager of Universal. * IDEAL’S” STARTLING NEW PROGRAMME. See Open Letter in this issue. Google December 23, 1922. BARROW-IN-FURNESS NOTES. (By our Own Correspondent.) ; A N application was made to the Barrow magistrates this week for the extension on Christinas Day of the licences of several local picture houses. Mr. T. A. Morgan mentioned that this concession had been inaugurated during the war and had been continued and was found to Answering the presiding magistrate rs to the nature of the films, Mr. Morgan stated that details of the class of the films to be shown would be submitted if necessary. The Chief Constable remarked that the extensions had been granted before and there had never been any suggestion that the films shouid be of a semi-religious character. The Chairman hoped that the programs would not be composed of comedies. The Chief Constable : They do show them, Igo to them. = Mr. Morgan : The Chief Constable : There are no exagyerated comedies—not in their opinion. The magistrates granted the application. A similar application, on behalf of Mr. H. Rainey, for the Gaicty Picture House, Whitehaven, was also granted by the bench in that town without any quibble as to whether the pictures would be of such a nature as to induce innocent laughter on Christinas day or night. There is a better. outlook for the picture theatres in Barrow and South Cumberland now that there is | going to be more employment for the shipbuilders and engincvers and also the iron and steel workers, iron ore miners and various kindred artisans. be a good thing. I know. Not the exagverated comedies. This last twelve qmonths, remarks the manager of a_ large picture house in’ Barrow, has been the worst on record. Most of the theatres are dtknplee holding their own. Some proprietors have only booked films up to the end of March so that they could close down if trade did not the summer until such tines as there was more mouey about. Now that the outlook has brightened, it is hoped that none of the theatres will require to close even temporarily. improve for months or OWNER’S RISK ON CARRIAGE OF FILMS. POINT of general interest arises as to the Jiabilitw of railway companies when carrving films at owner's risk rate. Exhibitors know that the usual result for any non-delivery occurs is a denial of Jiability by the railway company because the filuis are said to be carried at the owner's risk. A member of claim) when the C.E.LA. was twiee let down through his films being carried beyond their destination, and in each case the railway company denied liability. The matter was brought before the C.MVA.. which instructed Mr. Norman Hart to support the member's claint for compensation. — This was done, and, after much correspondence and many interviews, the company paid both claims. It is useful to add, therefore, a short note of the law regarding the liability of a railway company when carrying films at owner's risk rate. The Law on the Subject. While the railway company is carrying films at owner's risk rate by a specified route, the railway company is protected from any claim arising through delay in delivery... As soon as the railway company diverts films ‘to another. route, and starts them on another journey it is no longer protected, and it makes no difference that the misdelivery is caused by the inadvertence of the company’s servants. It should be noted that a claim will only succeed in the circumstances set out above, and does not apply in the case of late delivery when films have not been over carried,