Kinematograph year book (1939)

254 The Kinemaiograph Year Book. The total number of kinemas in Great Britain and Ireland amounted in October to 5,383, an increase of 204 over 1937. The present distribution of kinemas is as follows : — • Wired. Dark. England 4,058 130 Wales 371 16 Scotland 650 54 Ireland ... 304 65 5,383 265 According to financial experts, the exhibition side of the industry notwithstanding the general trade slump and political uncertainty, is likely to maintain profits. It is evident from some of the company reports that in spite of the difficulty of recent months the kinema has rather more than retained its patrons and has demonstrated a financial stability which is a tribute to the intrinsic soundness of its undertakings. The outstanding example of this is provided by Associated British which paid a 20 per cent, dividend as compared with 18 per cent, last year, similar excellent results were recorded by P.C.T 221 per cent., Odeon 10 per cent., A.P.P.T. 6 per cent., Sheffield and District Cinematograph Theatres 10 per cent., which were recently quoted in the " Financial Times" as representative concerns. There have been no spectacular increases to circuit holdings during the year although there have been conversations directed towards an amalgamation of the Gaumont-British and Odeon circuits, which would give, if finalised, Oscar Deutsch a predominant position in the exhibition field with the control of over 500 picture theatres. A number of Odeons have been opened this year which has also witnessed the invasion of Scotland by Deutsch interests. In the provinces there is a tendency for the amalgamation of smaller circuit interests, the most recent being the acquisition by Mr. Hanm.er of Stanley Grimshaw's houses in Xorth West Lanes. Of passing interest is the interest shown by exhibitors in the possibilities of small circuits of intimate kinemas seating between 500 and 750 in the smaller provincial towns, an instance of which is the Rickenya group which has already opened the first of its planned chain of 30 kinemas of this type. Other schemes of a like nature are also being negotiated. Although it is frequently argued by statistical experts that there is a large potential patronage yet untapped, the experience of exhibitors in the larger provincial towns goes to show that the question of overbuilding is still a live issue in trade politics and there has been no let up to the opposition entered against proposals for new halls in districts considered to be already over seated. Unfortunately, however, the organised C.E.A. campaign against this situation, in which, of course, the smaller individual kinema owner is the largest sufferer, has not been too successful. The main difficulty encountered by the C.E.A. in its opposition to overbuilding is the Government attitude that redundancy alone is not sufficient grounds for the refusal of a kinema licence. In some few areas opposition, based ostensibly on surfeit argument, has been successful, but the more numerous refusals of licences appear to have arisen when action has been taken under the provisions of the Town Planning JTl*\ ^*?*\ N^^V THE DEMAND FOR KALEE INCREASES DAILY wc^ w-^