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

April 21, 1924. Affect the Kinema? | e Question Debated C.B A. a — Dissatisfaction with K.R.S.—Benefits _ Insurance. Mr. W. N. Blake supported Mr. McBride and said he saw no advantage in supporting the resolution. Another Meeting. ; : A further méeting was held at the offices of the Society of West End Theatre Managers on Thursday, April 5, when your president and gencral secretary attended. The following resolutions.were submitted at that meeting and passed : (1) That this Joint Committee, being convinced that ‘broadcasting from places of public entertainment is detrimental to the interests of all of those dependent on the industry, strongly recommends the acceptance of the following resolution by the societies and organisations concerned: — (2) This-Joint Committee. being of opinion that the broadcasting of plays, music, songs or other entertainments from places of public entertainment is prejudicial to the interests of all connected with such places, strongly urges the several associations to refuse facilities for such broadcasting. (5) That the organisations who approve of the foregoing resolution be asked to appoint two representatives. to form a permanent Joint Committee to act as may be required. (4) That the several organisations be requested to report not later than April 16 to this Committee the result of their consideration of the above resolutions. and that. this Committee do adjourn to a date to be fixed by the chairman as soon as possible on receipt of the reports. Resolutions (1) and (2) are now submitted for the approval or otherwise of the General Council and, if approved, the General Council is invited to appoint two representatives to a permanent Broadcasting Committec. The Two Sides of the Question. The President said this was a mattcr which demanded the serious consideration of the Council. His own view was that the temptation which listening-in offered to the public to remain at home in inclement weather was a scrious menace to the business. He had actual evide:ce that it did opcrate detrimentally. The General Secretary pointed out that there was another side to the question which, -in the interests of the members generally, should not be overlooked.* Some members had already installed wireless and others considered it an added attraction to their entertainments. It was desirable before deciding what steps to take-to make sure that members generally regarded Broadcasting as undesirable, especially if it included music-hall and dramatic items. “‘ Trifling with Broadcasting.’’ Mr. Matt Raymond said he hoped that the General Council would seek to bring pressure to bear to show up-to-date showmen where they were wrong in trifling with Broadcasting. They were living only for the day, and they should be educated to leave the attractive bait of wireless severely alone and let that body paddle its own canoe. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 8 The Case of Canute. = °° aa abn eaT Mr. F. R. Goodwin said he would be sorry to find that the General Council had adopted a ridiculous attitude. They could as well stop Broadcasting and wireless as Canute. could have stopped the flow of tho sea. For better or worse, wireless was here, and for those who could see it it was a blessing. Councillor A. Cunningham said this was a subject which should be referred to the branches. oo Mr. W. Stephenson said he thought it was a dangerous subject to tackle. He agreed wireless had come to stay, and it would be a great power in the future. Nothing they could do would stop it. It seemed to him from the reports that they were asked to help another section of the Entertainment Industry to try and put a check on Broadcasting on their behalf. ee Mr. E. W. P. Peall thought that they were very much affected, but nothing useful would be done by hurrying, and as there were obviously differences of opinion, the matter should be referred to the branches, which course was agreed ‘to. Competition of Public Houses. i ae | Mr. H. Victor Davis pointed out the competition that was arising through the installation of Broadcasting Sets in.public houses, which they were against. If wireless was allowed in the public house it became more attractive and a competitor of the kinema, and it might be that in the end the .kinema would need to apply for a drink licence to compete with the public house. | | Major A. J. Gale said the matter would want a good deal of discussion as it was.one of the most serious matters that had been before them. He would be one of the last to say it was possible to stop Broadcasting. What, however, was going to make wireless attractive was the nature of the material that could be broadcasted. Unless they adopted some policy, the Council would be saying next year that steps should have been taken before. Many concerned in the other sections of the eitertainment world were anxious that Broadcasting should -be resisted as far as possible by withdrawing or not granting facilities. | | What the Public Want. . Mr. A. ley said they might be interested to. hear his experienecs as chairman of a local radio association. The theatre pieces and similar plays, which were supposed to be of great value to Broadcasting, did not count. Members of his radio association did not want ‘‘ Polly ’’ or the Palace Orchestra, and — pluys they would not trouble about. It was purely the music gs musie that appealed. When ‘t Cinderalla’’ was broadcasted, he was told that, if future programs were to be similar to that, to write to London and tell the director to “ cut it out.’’ It was not the big London plays in the local districts that peaple | looked for, but the music. Mr. T. Herbert Naye said that he had a party at his house in Huddersfield which spent a most enjoyable time listening to music from Manchester and dancing to music from Edinburgh. | They appeared to enjoy themselves as much or more than they would have in a Huddersfield kinema. Circuits Installing Wireless. | Mr. J. McBride referred to the fact that two of the biggest circuits in Scotland already had wireless sets installed. He — mentioned that there was a danger of rousing public indignation if the kinema trade tried to interfere. When a Press paragraph was circulated concerning the meetings held in London, the : ‘* Glasgow Herald ’’ had a leader asking what right the theatrical | people had to interfere? | Mutual Insurance. | | Mr. W. Gavazzi King said that at different times suggestions . Lad been made regarding insurance, which he had brought to . the notice of the Gencral Council without securing much interest _ from the members. The subject had been revived again, and : he once more had a proposal for mutual-insurance. As they (Continued on next page.) “3 :