Kinematograph year book : 1931 (1931)

Who's What in the Trade. 239 H. Bramwell. [Unity Picture Palace, Sheffield.] Began as a programme boy at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield, later took up management for Dan heno at the Varieties, was engaged by Lord John Sanger, as Sheffield representative, for three seasons, on the ground now occupied by the Empire, and subsequently was business manager for Sam Lockhart's International Circus. Nineteen years ago took over the management of the Imperial Hall — -the second place in Sheffield to adopt the films. Upon this small beginning the present Unity Picture Palace was built, and to-day Mr. Bramwell is a conspicuous figure in the film industry of Yorkshire. Held the position of Chairman of the local C.E.A., besides holding the ViceChairmanship of the Charity Carnival since its inception. Treasurer, Kinema Trades Sports Club and Kinema Trades Staff Ball. Address : — ■ Unity P.P., Langsett Road. Sheffield. W. A. Brewer. Joined Gaumont Co. in 1910; two years branch manager in MaijChester ; eight years general manager to the company. Address: — i W'essex Gardens, Golders Green N.W. Phone: — Speedwell 2831. Billie Bristow. Served in advertising Agency, on editorial and advertising staffs of Sunday and daily newspapers. Assistant Studio manager and then publicity manager for Broadwest. Publicity manager for Fox and P.D.C. Started ovvii business in 1919, made it a limited company, resigned and became exclusive publicity manager for New Kra. Started independent press agency in March 1929. Controlling publicity campaigns for James Cruze Productions ; Archibald Nettlefold, Stoll Picture Productions ; George King Productions ; Piccadilly Pictures ; and opening campaigns for Brixton, Streatham, Old Kent Road and Finsbur) Park .Astorias and the Metropole, \'ictoria. Address : — 72 Shaftesbury Avenue, W.i. Phone : — Regent 3737. J. Frank Brockliss. [Foumler of J, Frank Brockliss, Ltd.] Born 1879, at Kensington. Educated Kensington Gardens Preparatory School , St . Charles College, Kensington, and the Polytechnic. Entered trade in 190Q. Director and owner of several companies connected with the industry, and Managing Director of his own firm, J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd. For several years chairman of the I..A.K.M., and chairman of the Committee of B.B.F.C. During the War in charge of British Military Kinemas. 1921 to 1925 was working at the Paris office, when he established the Soc. Anon, des Films Loew-Metro, b^ing managing director of that company, and 1925 to 1927 was managing directorof First National Picturt s, Ltd., England, 192S-29, organised Continental business J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd., under title Sociat.i Anonyme FVancaise Wilton-Brockliss Tiffany, Head Office, 6, Rue Laniennais, Paris (8e) and continues to take an active part in the affairs of both companies. Clubs : — R.A.C., Eccentric (London), Sporting Club de France (Paris), and Screen (Xew Yorkl. Address : — 14, Lovelace Road, Surbiton-on-Thames, Surrey. Jack Brockliss. Directorof J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd., Managing Director Powers Distributing Corporation, Ltd., Director Equestrian Club, Ltd. Bom 1901 at Kensington. Educated at Dulwich College and afterwards speni severeil years in America studying business methods and practical engineering. Returned to England 1920 and soon afterwards joined the Board of J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd. Organised the Powers Distributing Corporation, Ltd., in order to handle the sales of Powers 6B Projectors in Great Britain and Ireland. Clubs : — Old AUeynian, Old Grammarian, Spencer Park .-Vthletic and Surbiton Golf Clubs. Address: — "Fourteen" Lovelace Road, Surbiton, Surrey (Kingston 4223) and 58, Great Marlborough Street, London (Regent 4776). Lt.-Co!. A. C. Bromhead, C.B.E. [Late Cliairman, The Gaumont Co., Ltd., and 0} Gaumont-British Pictures Corporation, Ltd.] Colonel Bromhead founded the original Gaumont business in London in 1898 in the form of an agency for Leon Gaumont of Paris. Opened one of the first film studios in this country, and one of the first Kinematograph theatres. He was one of the pioneers of the film hire service, and the originator of the " exclusive " film and " booking by contract." With M. Gaumont exhibited " Chronochrome " in 1913. In 1914 the Gaumont Co. constructed and e<]uipped the first large modern film studios in London. In 1922 the Gaumont Company came entirely under British control, the majority proprietary interest being acquired hy Col. Bromhead and his British associates. In 1922 the Company installed a large plant of the most modern automatic machinery for developing at their laboratory at Shepherd's Bush, and considerable extensions were completed early in 1927. In the same year a large new studio was built and in 1929 the first sound-proof studio in England was constructed for the production of " Talkies " by the British Acoustic process. The Gaumont-British Picture Corporation formed in 1927 to acquire "The Gaumont Co., Ltd." The Ideal Film Renting Co. and the W. & F. Film Service, Ltd., together with a group of 22 theatres, subsequently acquired the ordinary share capital of Denman Picture Houses, Ltd., General Theatre Corporation, Ltd. and P.C.T., and other companies thereby achieving control of more than 300 theatres and becoming, under the Chairmanship of Col. Bromhead, the most important concern of its kind in Europe. Col. Bromhead withdrew from the Chairmanship and severed his connection with the Gaumont British Corporation and its associated and subsidiary companies in August, 1927. Club: Royal Societies. Address: 37, Ladbroke Grove, W. Phone: Park 2810. Reginald C. Bromhead, F-C.A. Associated with the Gaumont Company since 1903, Mr. Bromhead was appointed secretary in 191 5, becoming Joint Managing Director in 1921. Managing Director Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Ltd., and subsidiary companies, 1927. Vice-Chairinan, Denman Picture Houses, Ltd. ; Vice-Chairman, General Theatres Corporation, Ltd. January, 1929; Joint Man. Dir. and Vice-Chairman P.C.T. and subsidiary companies. Resigned August, 1929. Fellow Institute of Chartered Accountants, Past-President K.R.S., Chairman Executive Committee, Kinematograph Sports Association, Cinematograph Trade Provident Institution and I'enevolent Fund Committees. Clubs: — Royal Societies, St. James's. Private Address : —9, Cavendish Road, St. John's Wood, N.W.8.