The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jan-Feb 1923)

48 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. . COMPETITION February 3, 1922. OF KINEMAS AND THEATRES. Plymouth C.E.A. Definition of Watch Committee. BOOKING T a meeting of the Devon and Cornwall branch of the C.E.A. at Plymouth on January 23, the chairman, Mont. Gilpin, replied to the article, ‘‘ A Stupid Boycott,” in Tar Firm Renter and Movine Picrure News of January 18. The bottom of the whole argument, he said, was knocked out by the fact that Fleet Phctoplays had now booked the film to one of the kinemas. Moreover, it was not true that the film was offered to all first-run houses before the theatre was asked to take it. success, but their threat of a boycott in this case was effective. They won, and the end justified the means. It should not be overlooked, however, that the first threat of a boycott came from the other side because one or two exhibitors were told in effect that if they did not book the film on the renters’ terms, the’ film would certainly go elsewhere, and those who knew local conditions did not want to be told what ‘that meant. In support of this J. Binmore said one exhibitor was asked to pay £500 for the film and to give his decision the same night, while R. C. Eady, of the New Palladium, was given half-an-hour to make his reply to the offer of the film. The Secretary (C. H. Rundle) said when the essen sent its telegram to Fleet Photoplays threatening that if ‘* Flames of Passion ’’ weré booked to the Theatre Royal before being offered to local exhibitors the latter would cease booking films with them, the film had not been offered to all the first-run houses in the town. It was the day after the conference between the renters and exhibitors that Bruce Hacking, managing director of Fleet Photo Plays, saw the manager of the New Palladium and gave him half-an-hour to decide whether he w ould book the film on the terms put forward. Even in cases where the film was offered to first-run kinemas before the theatre, it was done, according to Harry Harcourt, at an impossible price. What was said in effect was: ‘‘ If you don’t give us £500 we will go to the Theatre Royal.” Seating Capacity of Plymouth Picture Houses. The Chairman said this was not a local controversy, but a matter of principle, and the fact that it was being taken up by various branches in the country showed its importance. The claim that there was not in the town a kinema sufficiently large for super-supers was not correct, because in addition to Andrew's Picture House (P.C.T.) and the Savoy (Biocolour’s) there was the New Palladium with a seating capacity of nearly 3,000. In a hall of that kind the film would pay well, even though it were shown only twice a day. The Sceretary said they were informed that the aces of ‘* Flames of Passion "* had classified Plymouth as a £500 town. Against that one kinema made an offer that would have produced £350 and probably £450 if the drawing power of the film was what was represented. Therefore, the £500 would easily have been exceeded by subsequent runs. The Chairman observed that the most extraordinary thing about the controversy was that the film was, after all, going to a kinema at a lower price than the manager originally offered for it. He reported on the result of the deputation sent by the branch to the Chief Constable of Plymouth regarding the showing of films at the Theatre Royal, where ‘‘ Orphans of the Storm ”’ is being screened this week. Jn receiving them the Chief Con The article told them that boycotts were never a “PLAMES OF PASSION.” stable was accompanied by the chairman of the Watch Committee and a very full discussion followed. They argued that it was unfair that the theatre should compete in the showing: of films with the kinemas, who had made the industry what it was, especially as the theatre butted in only when super-supers were to be shown and charged very high prices because people expected to sce something extraordinary. The unfairness was the more pronounced because the renters did not offer these films to the kinemas. They also pressed the question of observance of the regulatiens. The Chief Constable and chair: mian of the Watch Committce received the deputation very sympathetically, though they regarded it more as a matter of sentiment than of business. The thing that affected the question most, however, was the observance of the regulations, and that would have to be taken into consideration when the licences were renewed. The present licence of the Theatre Royal expired in June and in the meantime the proprietors could sereen the films they had booked, but exhibitors could and should seo that the regulations were carricd out to the letter as kinemas were compelled to do. When the application for renewal was made in June exhibitors could oppose if they chose. Figping the Theatre Royal.. Harry Harcourt claimed that Plymouth had opened out @ very big question, and in trying to help. themselves they had helped exhibitors in every part of. the country, for all were affected, at any rate in the big towns. The deputation were asked to submit their complaint in writing to the Watch. Committee, and it was up to them to do it. The drawing up of the protest was left to ‘the deputation, the Secretary pointing out that they must send it in eometime before licensing day. It was suggested that Torquay and Exeter members should co-operate, but the Secretary pointed out that they did not come under the same licensing authority. If, however, similar cause of complaint occurred in those towns, the branch would support local exhibitors in dealing with it. Pointing out that some people would go to a theatre to see a film when they would not attend a kinema because of prejudice, C. Budge argued that if these big films were shown in kinemas rather than miss them those péople would attend, especially if they knew there would be no chance of seeing _the films at the theatre. J. Binmore said the kinemas would make a big fight against the theatre during the coming week, because while the Theatre Royal had ‘‘ Orphans of the Storm,” the Savoy was screening ‘she Game of Life,’? and Andrew’s Picture House, ‘‘ Fascination.” G. Mudge, of the Savoy, being unable to attend, sent a message that he would support anything decided upon in regard to the Theatre Royal. Question of Second Runs. On the question cf advertising second-run films before the first-run: rights had been exploited, Harry Harcourt reported that as instructed hy the branch he bronght it before the last meeting of the General Council, who decided that the sub-committee should draw up a clause for inclusion in the new contract, (Continued on page 60).