The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

48 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. ROUND THE MANCHESTER TRADE. March 3, 1923. | THE WEEK’S ACTIVITIES IN THE NORTHERN CENTRE. Dame Rumour—The K.R.S. and the Press—Cricket Trophy for Competition—Presentation to Tom Preston—The Kinema Exchange and Its. Future—Famous-Lasky’s Successful Ba'l—Exhibitors Strong for Simultaneous Signing of Contracts. AME RUMOUR, who has frequently enjoyed ‘* pic-nies ” D amongst the Lancashire trade, has now got busy regarding the local K.R.S. centre. According to ‘ this fickle jade ’’ a split is mooted, and a local trade journal is mysteriously advertising in its pages as follows : | ‘* exhibitors, prepare! Support at all times the Independent renters. You will know why shortly ”’ According to a writer in the same journal, we are told-‘‘ that at the K.R.S. meeting, held in Manchester on Wednesday (the 21st ult.) the independent renters were referred to in any but complimentary terms.’’ ‘* That local renters not in the K.R.S. should meet together immediately to discuss the new situation that has arisen.’’ ‘‘ That things are likely to get serious, and combined action is needed.’’ Furthermore, the writer goes on to say ‘‘ that we have been asked to deal at. length with this subject in our next issue, and we shall do so."’ The K.R.S. and the Press, As mentioned in our last issue, the annual general meeting of the local K.R.S. centre was held at Pathé Frére’s offices on Wednesday (February 21), and to this the representatives of the trade Press were invited, subject to the approval of the gathering. Two pressmen only put in an attendance, the writer, and another who is not the author of the remarks previously mentioned. They had not been long present, however, when thev became the subject of a resolution as to whether they should stay or not, and a majority of five to four was in favour of their retirement. Their subsequent reports were based on information supplied by the late sceretary, Mr. Frank Collinson, and they are not unnaturally surprised in view ol the fact that it was evidently the will of those present that the proceedings of the meeting should remain secret, that so much of what transpired should be common knowledge. The writer of the notes previously referred to has presumably stumbled upon an unorthodox ‘‘ reporter,”’ and the result may be a great deal of useless discussion which the presence of real pressmen throughout the proceedings would probably have avoided. If the pressmen are excluded the socicty has only itself to blame if garbled reports are circulated. After all, the reporters have no axes to grind, which, perhaps, cannot truly be said of those who had the privilege to attend the mecting. C.P.M.A. Meet. Whilst on this subject it is probably worth while mentioning that the C.P.M.A. held a mecting at the Grosvenor Hotel on Tuesday last, which it is understood was to be the annual mecting. Following a procedure established in connection with the previous meeting the representatives of the Press were not invited. Maybe matters of ‘fa private nature ’’ were being discussed, and, if so, it is to be hoped that these will be better respected than some referred to above appear to have been. It's a very funny thing in the kinema trade, but just those matters which are left out of the secretary's official reports do have a habit of leaking out, and probably not always in truce perspective. Perhaps it’s worth while to say again the reporter has no axe to grind, and Dame Rumour can never beat Mr. Pitman. | oe RS | Presentation to Tom Preston. A handsome silver cigarette case, suitably inscribed and subscribed for by the local staff of the Kuropean Offices, was the gift handed to Tom Preston last weck-end on severing his connection with the firm «aud people concerned, to join Kilner’s us local branch manager. This week he has been in London to see ‘* The Blue Lagoon,’’ and will have lots to tell his exhibitor friends about his new goods next week. Competition Invited for Cricket Trophy. The Manchester Kinema Trade Sports’ Association cricket team hold a cup, the Vivid Challenge Cup, which is in their possession by virtue of victories over Liverpool and Sheffield trade teams. But they are not selfish. They think there ought to be a ding-dong trade fight for this very desirable . trophy. Therefore, they want all challengers within a reasonable radius to get busy. Jiceds, Sheffield, Birmin'sham, Manchester, and other trade teams not too far away is suggested, but the matter, of course, is open for discussion, The Manchester Trade Cricketers hold this cup, but they are willing to forfeit it to their masters! A Managerial Appointment. I am glad to mention that Tommy Hall, who up till a short while ago, was identified with Gorton Cinemas, Ltd., and managed the Olympia, Gorton, has concluded a temporary retirement by his appointment to the management of the Scala Theadrome, Bury. ‘ Tommy ”’ is a sinart manager, and his friends wisn him all the best. ** Simultaneous Signing ’’ Wanted. ‘xhibitors here, whether they be members of the C.E.A., C.P.M.A., or no organisation, have one subject upon which they are in full sympathy and agreement, i.c., the simultaneous signing of contracts. Since it was first mooted some months ngo, it has gradually dawned upon many. showmen that this is something they have known they have wanted for a long time, but couldn't correctly name. Now it has been defined, and they want it badly. Whatever other parts of the country ery for, Lancashire will shout for the simultancous signing of contracts until they get it. And it may sound funny (as one of the showmen said to me) to the renters, but thev expect ‘‘ it'll come,” Lancashire News for Lancashire Audiences. Phone 310 PARKSTONE NEWS SERVICE THE FIRST AND ONLY LANCASHIRE NEWS WEEKLY —— To run in conjunction with your Regular Topical —— POST: STUDIOS, L¥YTHAM. Why Don’t YOU Give It a Run? Telegrams: “ Parkstone’’ A knock-out competition between Liverpool, .