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

60 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. February 3, 1923. Trade in the Yorkshire Territory. From our Leeds Correspondent. UEEN VICTORIA STREET in Leeds has, during the last few years, developed into the film street of Leeds, but probably the next few years will witness a clearance of the renters’ offices, for the property is in big demand as shops, which was their original purpose. The expiration of the present leases will mean a wholesale clearance. Meantime, several renters in other parts are already making changes. Renters’ Removals. Following the removal of Pearl Films, now cosily installed in their new offices in Lillie’s Chambers in Albion Street, Mr. J. Chilton, of the Hepworth Film Service, Ltd., is removing to new premises at 41, Gall Lane, near the Corn Exchange. This, owing to the new Celluloid Act, which takes objection to the present film offices and stores at 29, Guildford Street being under the licensed premises of the Commercial Hotel. ‘* Jack ’’ Evans, of Associated First National, is leaving Cross Arcade, off Queen Victoria Street, for offices in the building at the corner of Infirmary Street and King Street, which was formerly the Hotel de Ville. The man who is seeking offices in Leeds these days gets some rude shocks at the rents demanded. Talk to a film renter about the lowering of the price of film hire! What a tale he will tell you! Fox Staff Dance. Mr. W. W. Jay, the Yorkshire manager of Fox Films, had a staff dance in his offices in Queen Victoria Street on Friday night. ‘There were about forty of the staff and their friends present, and quite a gay and happy time was spent. Over thirty could take the floor at a time, and the others—well, they were well catered for! Arthur Braithwaite’s Change. Arthur Braithwaite, who for the last four years has been with the Greta Film Service and the General Film Renting Company, and who, prior to the war, was with the New Century Film Service and Pathé Frére’s, has now joined the European Motion Picture Company to handle serials, two-reel comedies, dramas, and all short stuff throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Cleckheaton’s Latest. A splendidly equipped new kinema—the Savoy Picture House —has been opened at Cleckheaton. It will accommodate 1,225 people, all in tip-up seats, and there is, in addition to adjoining café, smoke-room and lounge for waiting patrons. Oak panelling and plaster work in fawn, brown, and blue make a tastefullydecorated interior. From All Quarters. Harry Heath, on leaving the management of the Theatre Royal Picture House, Bradford, to take up a similar appointment at the Grand Pavilion, Scarborough, was presented with a silver cigar case, suitably inscribed, by the staff of the Bradford theatre. Tom Mercer has left the management of the Capitol at Meanwood, and Mr. John Mackenzie, the managing director, has taken charge. The Bijou Picture Palace in the Market Place at Doncaster has closed down, to be reopened as a billiard hall. It has already been theatre, meeting hall, and skating rink. Best Things from Renters. Charlie Thompson is handling ‘‘ Southward on the Quest,’’ the picture of Shackleton’s last Antarctic expedition, for M.P. Sales in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Mr. Bayley, of Gaumont’s, is shortly to hold a Realart week. Mr. W. W. Jay, of Fox Films, hopes shortly to offer ‘‘ If Winter Comes,” a copy of which is now on this side of ‘‘ the pond.” COMPETITION OF KINEMAS AND THEATRES— Continued. but the draft would first be submitted to the branches. The Chairman pointed out that at the last branch meeting at which the subject was discussed, he was unable to be present. He did not agree with the proposal, arguing that even if such a clause were included in the contract exhibitors would continuo to show slides announcing that a certain film would be shown at a specified date; exhibitors would not be bound by it. If that were so what was the use of the Association, asked J. Binmore, and the Chairman replied that many clauses in the old contracts were not observed. Harry Harcourt said if a contract was drawn up and agreed to by both sides it should be a point of honour with both renters and exhibitors to carry it out. The Secretary explained that when the New Palladium was opened in Plymouth, the manager, R. C. Eady, asked him whether there was any local rule with regard to the advertising of a second-run film, because in London exhibitors had an agreement among themselves that the second run should not be advertised before the first-run rights had been exploited. The Chairman’s view was that it was purely an internal matter of advertising on the screen, and he did not see how they could contro] it. H. Harcourt thought they could, and instanced the case of an exhibitor who paid £100 for the first run of a film. A competitor might secure the second run for £10, and surely it was not fair for the latter to advertise before the first-run man had screened it, that he would show it on a certain date. That sort of thing meant that the first-run house stood a very much worse chance of getting back its £100 than it would otherwise do. The branch would have been very disappointed if they had not taken up this matter. The miners at Seaham Colliery, along with the local D. and D. Soldiers’ Club, have purchased a large hall in the village. The hall is being converted into a club, and it is intended to erect a kinema hall upon its large garden. Up to the present the scheme has received considerable support, so that it is highly probable building operations may be started within the next few weeks. Mr. W. H. Govier, manager of the Coliseum Kinema, Newport, has installed a special wireless apparatus in his office, and he is hoping to shortly give his patrons an entertainment.