Kinematograph Year Book 1942 (1942)

Film Exhibition and Kin&ma Technique 191 renewable items-— footlights, ash trays, vacuum cleaners, advertising boards, etc. He pointed out that instructions had been given to inspectors of taxes to allow reserves on repairs and renewals postponed as the result of the war, and which otherwise would have been executed. KINEMA REPAIR AND RENOVATION. SOMETHING like three or four hundred new places of entertainment have been built since the war started, but as each one of them is a camp institution, their interest to the exhibitor, except as a possible competitor, is by no means as great as that to the equipment supplier. Nevertheless, it is a pity that the Official Secrets Act prevents a description being given of examples of these all-purpose halls, because some of them boast characteristics in design, building or equipment which might well be successfully adapted to the needs of the commercial kinema. While many of these theatres are unpretentious and conform strictly to the barest utilitarian needs, others have been so ingeniously designed and so well equipped that they fully merit the description of " pocket-supers " applied to them by a resentful exhibitor. The erection of the commercial kinema has practically ceased. There are only two records of activity in new buildings, and these are both in Scotland. At Aberdeen, work was proceeding until the middle of the year on the construction of a handsome granite-built house, but operations have since been suspended on this and two other luxury theatres which were to have been erected ; at Dundee, however, the completion is in sight of a new theatre, which A. B.C. proposed to open early this year. There were very few other semi-finished kinemas at the start of the war which were not completed in the first year of hostilities. Some few weie in such an early stage of construction that the stoppage of further work could cause no deterioration of that which already had been done, and these will certainly remain in this condition for the duration. But though there has been no new building, a great amount of activity is recorded in the recommissioning of theatres that have suffered from enemy action. Quite a few, of course, have been irreparably damaged, and await entire rebuilding, others are no longer suitable as picture theatres, and have been leased as store premises for the period of the war. One reason for the latter decision has been the impossibility in many cases of obtaining licences for the expenditure of the maximum amount (reduced last year from £500 to £100) on repairs. This has been the dominating problem of exhibitors in blitzed areas, who previously found that £500 could only effect more or less makeshift and temporary repairs. With the new proviso that no building maybe undertaken at a cost exceeding £100, the matter would be almost insuperable were it not for the fact that in the generality of cases applications for licences have received sympathetic considera+ion of fhe authorities concerned. It has, however, been explained that the limit mentioned by the Government that bomb damage must not be repaired without a licence or that not more than £100 may be spent in one year was not intended to apply to repairs for the purpose of making premises wind and watertight, but new materials must not be used and that the work shall be repairs and not replacements — a door, for instance, might be repaired, but not replaced. Obviously, the expenditure of the earlier sum of £500, if accompanied by careful planning and keen buying, was able to effect some quite satisfactory renovations, judging from the descriptions of many of the kinemas which have been reopened during the year. Many of the materials, such as used bricks, timber and the replacements of equipment, have frequently represented salvage from other bombed premises and theatres. These, with roof coverings of a very temporary nature, may do sound duty until the time comes when proper rebuilding is feasible. It is to be hoped that the exhibitor has availed himself of the quiet period most areas have enjoyed this year of the opportunity to prepare stocks of materials which mav come in useful were intensive bombing to