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LEO  COMES  ^ 
DIAMONDS! 


GRETA 
GARBO  in 
INSPIRATION 

The  best  she’s  ever  done  ! Oh  baby, 
wait  till  they  see  her  in  silks  and  satins 
again  in  this  up-to-the-minute  man- 
and -woman  story!  With  popular 
Robert  Montgomery,  Lewis  Stone, 
Marjorie  Rambeau. 

Directed  by  Clarence  Brown. 

Another  of  tlx  gems 

METRO  - COLDWYN  - MAYER 

are  adding  to 


MIN  AND  BILL  (Dressier-Beery)  NEW  MOON  (Tibbett-Moore)  PAID  (Joan  Crawford) 

JENNY  LIND  (Grace  Moore)  REDUCING  (Dr.ssic-Mo.an)  MADAM  SATAN  <c«n  b.  j« 


mui.)  BACHELOR  FATHER  d.„„,  PASSION  FLOWER  (Kay  Johnson-Charles 

Bickford)  and  still  more  to  come 


TRADER 

DANCE,  FOOLS, 

HORN 

DANCE 

Says  Motion  Picture  Herald  : “ A work  of 

Says  Motion  Picture  Daily:  “JOAN 

epic  proportions.  Many  people  will  want 

CRAWFORD  cones  through  with 

to  view  the  film  a second  or  third  time. 

another  talker  that  has  box-office 

This  film  unquest  onably  excels  anything 
we  have  yet  seen  on  the  s cree  A p cture 

one  sees  once  in  a lifetime.” 

written  all  over  it.  Its  great 
audience  stuff. 

PARLOUR,  BED- 
ROOM AN  a BATH 

Says  Motion  Picture  Daily:  “Pre- 
view audience  near  hysterical 
howls.  Laugh  panic.'  Says 
Hollywood  Reporter:  “Box-office 
from  lirstto  last.  Ariot!  BUSTER 
KEATONS  gold  mine!'’ 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


I ' 


v He  has  even  eclipsed  his  OWN  record  for 


* speed  in  News  Service.  Mike  is  now  a world 

champion. 

HAVE  YOU  SHOWN  THIS  WONDERFUL 
NEWS  REEL? 

CAPTAIN  CAMPBELL  SMASHES 
ALL  RECORDS  FOR  SPEED 

THE  PRINCE  AT  JAMAICA 

THE  ENGLAND  v.  IRELAND 
RUGBY  MATCH 

o ■ 

BOOK  ’BUSMEN  TAKE  TO  THE  AIR  Alu*. ys 

There 


British 

Movietone  News 


The  Established  N a 

me  for  Sound  News  with  the 

Public 

Distributed  by  FOX 

FILM  Co.,  Ltd.  13,  BERNERS  STREET, 

W.1 

February  jo.  iJ3i 


4*0* 


TrtdHi 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


Chas  Austin,  in  Vot  f/e if; 
one  of  the  de/icious/g 
funng  Gainsborough 
Extravogargas. 

" Rip  roarinq  bur/esaue" 

'film  Renter 

frevastutinq...  Chariie  Austin 
oui/i  /save  t/?en?  he/p/ess" 

Cinema. 


"AROMA  OF  THF  SOUTH  SEAS*  BULL  RUSHES' 
WHO  KILLED  DOC  ROBIN?"  "MY  OLD  CHINA" 
HOT  HEIR'  & another  to  be  announced  later. 


Each  over 


and  count  for  British  feature  Quota 


IDEAL  FILMS  Ltd.,  76/78,  Wardour  Street,  W.l. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


your  Winning  7ip  for 

LESLIE  HENSON  HUGH 


Q Mot- 

by  I DEAL- GAINSBOROUGH  out  of  i AN 


TO  BE 

Over  a Course 
on  MONDAY, 
at  the  PALACE  TH 

ALL  SEATS  NUMBER 

APPLICATIONS  MUST  BE  RECEIVED  NOT 

FOLLOW  FORM!! 

LESLIE  HENSON  • HUGH  WA 

and  the  appropriate  garment  on  Dorothy  Boyd  - 

Owners:  IDEAL  — 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


9 


7ke  Bop-Office  Stakes 


WAKEFIELD  GORDON  HARKER 


‘tyOMyukfcf 

HAY  drainer:  VICTOR  S AVI  LLE 


RUN 

of  8,885  feet, 

FEBRUARY  23rd, 

EATRE,  at  8.30  p.m. 

ED  AND  RESERVED. 

LATER  THAN  THIS  FRIDAY,  FEB.  20th. 

PUT  YOUR  SHIRT  ON 

KGFIELD  • GORDON  HARKER. 

Mary  Jerrold  - Barbara  Gott  and  the  other  Cady  Riders 

GAINSBOROUGH 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


, 


RENEE  CLAMA 


(Of  “Journey’s 

AL 

GORDON 


A SUPERLATIVE 


AN  IDEAL- GAINSBOROUGH 
PICTURE 


TRADE 

THURSDAY,  FEB 
At  the  PALA 

At  8.30 

ALL  SEATS  NUMBER 

APPLICATIONS  MUST  BE  RECEIVED  NOT 
FEBRUARY  23rd. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


11 


Terrific  Clash  of  Passion 


** 



End*  Fame) 


SO 


ELSA  LANCHESTER 


HARKER 

BRITISH  THRILLER/ 

- 

SHOW 

RUARY  26th, 

CE  THEATRE, 


p.m. 

ED  AND  RESERVED. 

LATER  THAN  FIRST  POST  NEXT  MONDAY, 


Written  and  Directed  by  V.  Gareth  Gundrey. 
Recorded  by  R.C.A.  Photophone  System. 


The  PALACE  Theatre, 

Cambridge  Circus,  W. 

FRIDAY,  FEB.  20th,  at  3 p.m. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


The  Greatest  All-Dialogue  Drama  of  the  Great 
Outdoors  yet  presented.  All  the  Thrills  of  a 
Lifetime  Crowded  into  Eighty  Minutes  of 
Grand  and  Glorious  Entertainment. 


LONDON  TRADE  SHOW 


February  IS,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


13 


HERE  IS  A BILL  BOYD  EPIC 
—ANOTHER  TRIUMPH  FOR  P.D.C. 


P.D.C.  presents 

Bill  BOYD . 


/ 

\ 


14 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  193 1 


presents  — 


LONDON  TRADE  SHQW- 

THE  PALACE  THEATRE 

CAMBRIDGE  CIRCUS,  W- 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24th 

at  3 p.m. 


February  IS,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


15 


Who  Killed 

Bernard 

Barrington 


With  HORACE  HODGES 
STEWART  ROME 
and  ANNE  GREY 

Directed  by  SINCLAIR  HILL  lt  s a 

From  the  story  by  LESLIE  HOWARD  GORDON  , . ^ 

Produced  by  Associated  Picture  Productions  Ltd.  >.  M 

at  the 

CRICKLEWOOD  SOUND  STUDIOS,  LONDON,  W picture 


16 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Boats 


Hunt 


GEORGE  O’BRIEN 

Skipper  of  the  Mystery 
Ship 


rman 


JOHN  LODER 


German  Submarine 
Officer 


MONA  MARIS 

The  Dancer  Spy 


TRADE  SHOW 

NEW  GALLERY, 
Regent  St.,  W.l. 

TEES.,  FEB.  24th 
at  11  a.m. 


MORE 

FOX 

HITS 


EAST  LYNNE 
GIRLS  DEMAND  EXCITEMENT 
NOT  EXACTLY  GENTLEMEN 
MR.  LEMON  OF  ORANGE 


THE  YANKEE  AT  ^ _ 

KING  ARTHUR’S  COURT  MOKE 


FOX 

HITS 


BODY  AND  SOUL 
DOCTORS’  WIVES 


18 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  1 8,  1931 


^ sgOC-eSS  "fauiw* 

9Y\c^%?o^in9 
°\kf  v°°  " 

cY0^  °rt  s^^er 


wefe  OLr^'d'NWCh 

b* 

-S&*1  - 


g^TlCL 


"Going  to  be  Immensely 
Popular  all  over  the 
world." 


News-Chronicle 


very 


de 


finitely 


^eV$S°fF'Ct 


f//m 


^q^IC  FILMS 

(Recording  by  R.C.A.  Phot< 


"Welsh-  Pearson- Gainsborough  Productions,  Directed  By  Geo.  Pearson 


23rd  YEAR. 

SUBSCRIPTION : 
Home 

10 '6  per  annum. 
Abroad 

30/-  per  annum. 


“ Independence  and  Progress” 


(FOUNDED  BY  JOHN  CABOURN) 


Faraday  House, 

8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  London,  W.C.  2. 


Telephone  : 

Temple  Bar 
7921,  7922. 

Telegrams  : 

“Gainsaid,  W estrand 
London.” 


No.  1272.  Vol.  LXXXV1.  FEBRUARY  18th,  1931 


PRICE  6d 


In  Brief 


JVIO  child  “apparently  ” under  the  age 
l " of  seven  is  in  future  to  be  admitted 
to  cinemas  in  the  L.C.C.  area.  Page  21 


D RITISH  producers  have  pledged  their 
support  to  a scheme  of  the  E.F.A. 
for  the  propagation  of  British  films 
throughout  the  Empire.  Page  20 


RMANUEL  Cohen,  editor  of  Paramount 
Sound  News,  has  sailed  for  England 
in  connection  with  the  launching  of  that 
newsreel  in  Great  Britain.  Page  21 

REPRESENTATIVES  of  about  40  com- 
* ^ panies  attended  a meeting  of  pros- 
pective stallholders  at  the  Brighton  Trade 
Exhibition.  Page  21 


ASPECI AL  advance  review  of  “Out- 
ward Bound,”  which  the  L.C.C. 
together  with  Surrey  and  Middlesex 
County  Councils  has  passed  for  exhibi- 
tion, appears  on  page  20. 

T HAYES  Hunter  is  to  direct  “ The 
• Man  They  Could  Not  Arrest  ” for 
Gainsborough.  Page  26 


A/IURRAY  Silverstone,  of  United  Ar- 
tists,  confirms  that  his  company 
will  distribute  John  Harvel’s  “Cap- 
tivation.” Page  27 


A N appeal  for  fair  play  in  connection 
with  Sunday  opening  is  issued  by 
theatrical  interests.  Page  23 

A RESOLUTION  to  the  effect  that 
**  25  per  cent,  should  be  the  maximum 

percentage  for  a full  feature  programme 
was  passed  at  last  week’s  meeting  of 
the  C.E.A.  General  Council.  Page  40 

RANDOLPH  E.  Richards  automatically 
*■  * becomes  Vice-President  of  the  C.E-A., 
Councillor  J.  Pollard,  the  only  other 
nominee,  having  withdrawn  his  name. 

Page  20 

'I  1 HAT  20  per  cent,  of  the  cinemas  in 
the  county  are  dangerous  is  the 
amazing  report  of  the  county  architect  of 
Warwickshire.  Page  22 

D RITISH  Instructional  issues  details 
of  its  plans  for  resumption  of 
activities . Two  feature  productions  are 
scheduled.  Page  27 


This  Censorship  Business ! 


Let  us  look  at  this  Censorship  business. 

The  British  Board  of  Film  Censors  refused  to  issue  a certificate 
approving  the  film  interpretation  of  Sutton  Vane’s  “ Outward  Bound.” 
Warner  Brothers  were  dumbfounded  ; those  who  saw  the  picture 
were  moved  unanimously  to  protest. 

Arthur  Clavering  wisely  decided  to  submit  the  film  to  the  London 
County  Council,  the  Middlesex  County  Council,  and  the  Surrey  Council. 
These  bodies  have  authorised  the  public  exhibition  of  the  film  in 
theatres  under  their  jurisdiction  subject  to  a proviso  that  it  must  not 
be  seen  by  juveniles  under  16  ! 

Other  bodies  exercising  powers  of  local  autonomy  will  no  doubt  do 
ikewise — perhaps,  we  may  hope,  unconditionally. 

For  to  our  mind  this  insistence  upon  the  exclusion  of  juveniles  is 
merely  a gesture  of  good  grace  from  the  responsible  official  bodies  to 
the  Board  of  Film  Censors. 

The  unvarnished  truth  is  that  however  much  the  film  industry 
owes  to  the  existing  system,  there  are  flaws  in  the  established  code 
which  lead  to  absurd  anomalies  and  incongruities  in  the  rulings  of 
the  Censor. 

The  sole  object  of  Censorship  is,  or  should  be,  to  keep  the 
screens  clean.  It  is  not  the  function  of  a Censor  operating  in  a 
democratic  state  to  pander  to  the  idiosyncrasies  of  any  sect  or 
sects  in  religions,  or  political  thought.  While  there  are  certain 
standards  of  good  taste,  well-defined  codes  of  decency  common  to  the 
British  public  as  a whole,  there  are  certain  policies  upon  which  public 
opinion  is,  and  always  will  be,  divided. 

The  granting  of  a Censorship  certificate  to  a spiritualistic  film  does 
not  offer  direct  offence  to  the  susceptibilities  of  the  anti-spiritualist. 
He  may  be  intolerant  of  its  exhibition,  but  he  need  not  see  it.  The 
Censor  betrays  a misplaced  solicitude,  for  he  is  really  at  pains  to 
abolish  from  the  screen  anything  which  may  annoy  those  least  tolerant 
of  a point  of  view  opposing  their  own. 

By  banning  a beautiful  work  such  as  “ Outward  Bound,”  and  at 
the  same  time  passing  any  number  of  films  in  which  night  clubs, 
brothels  and  other  cesspits  of  human  oglery  are  publicised  as  high- 
lights, the  British  Board  of  Film  Censors  is  making  itself  look  ridiculous 
in  the  eyes  of  all  thinking  people. 

If  the  present  system  is  to  be  saved  from  suicide — and  the  industry 
may  have  something  to  lose  by  its  supersession — -the  Censor’s  Rules 
must  be  drastically  overhauled. 

And  they  must  be  freed  from  the  Romish  taint  which  has  so  often 
led  to  farcical  exposure  of  the  non-statutory  constitution  of  the 
Censorship.  The  British  people  can  still  read  about  mediae valism. 
But  they  can  no  longer  tolerate  it. 


— Let  the  Public  Decide  !— — 

" The  Bioscope  ” suggests  that  Warner  Brothers,  in  collaboration  with 
exhibitors  running  " Outward  Bound,”  arrange  a card  ballot  of  patrons 
on  the  following  questions  : — 

Do  you  agree  with  the  Censor’s  opinion  that  this  film  should 
not  be  exhibited  to  the  public  ? 

Did  any  part  of  the  picture  offend  you  on  religious  grounds  ? 


20 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


British  Producers  United 

Pledge  Support  for  Empire  Association 

Colonial  Office  Scheme  Next  Week 

A definite  move  to  organise  British  producers  and  to  formulate  a scheme 
for  the  propagation  of  British  films  throughout  the  Empire  was  carried 
a step  further  last  (Tuesday)  evening,  when  Capt.  W.  Fitzpatrick  Lewis, 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Empire  Film  Association,  addressed  a repre- 
sentative gathering  of  British  production  chiefs.  Michael  Balcon  (repre- 
senting Gaumont  and  Gainsborough)  took  the  chair,  and  others  present 
were  John  Maxwell  (British  International),  H.  Bruce  Woolfe  (British 
Instructional),  T.  A.  Welsh  (Welsh-Pearson),  Dr.  R.  Becker  (A.S.F.I.),  J.  B. 
Williams  (W.P.  Films),  Sir  Gordon  Craig  (New  Era)  and  Messrs.  Pearce 
and  Ould,  representing  Stolls  and  Associated  (Radio)  Pictures  respectively. 

The  meeting  heard  from  Capt.  Fitzpatrick  Lewis  full  details  of  the  aims 
of  the  E.F.A.  and  pledged  their  support. 

At  a meeting  next  week  the  producers  will  consider  a draft  scheme, 
which,  at  the  invitation  of  the  Colonial  Office,  the  members  of  the  Film 
Group  of  the  F.B.I.  have  prepared  with  the  object  of  stimulating  the 
distribution  of  British  pictures  throughout  the  Colonies  and  Protectorates. 


‘ Outward  Bound”  to  be  Seen  Here 

Censor  Over-ruled  by  Local  Bodies 


“ Outward  Bound  ” is  to  be  seen  in  this 
country,  and  the  public  will  be  able  to  express 
its  disapproval  or  otherwise  of  the  rule  of 
censorship  under  which  the  Rt.  Hon.  E. 
Shortt,  K.C.,  declined  to  certify  the  film  as 
suitable  for  public  exhibition.  The  Censor 
has  not  budged,  but  the  London  County 
Council,  in  collaboration  with  representa- 
tives of  the  Middlesex  and  Surrey  County 
Councils,  has  consented  to  the  public  exhi 
bition  of  “ Outward  Bound  ” in  the  theatres 
under  their  jurisdiction,  on  condition  that 
the  film  is  not  exhibited  during  the  time  that 
any  child  or  young  person  under,  or  appear- 
ing to  be  under,  the  age  of  16  years  is  on  the 
premises  ! In  places  outside  the  London, 
Middlesex  and  Surrey  County  Council  areas, 
before  this  picture  can  be  shown  it  will  be 
necessary  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  local 
councils. 

Meantime  it  has  been  arranged  that  this 
Warner  and  Vitaphone  film  version  of  Sutton 
Vane’s  stage  play — run  on  several  occasions 
in  London  with  the  full  approval  of  the  Lord 
Chamberlain — will  be  pre-released  at  the 
Regal,  Marble  Arch,  on  March  16th. 

In  view  of  the  special  trade  interest 
aroused  by  the  Censor’s  extraordinary 
decision  against  the  picture,  The  Bioscope 
publishes  the  following  authentic  review  of 
“ Outward  Bound,”  written  by  John 
Carstairs,  wno,  representing  The  Bioscope, 
was  privileged  to  view  the  film  in  U.S.A. : — 

" OUTWARD  BOUND  ” 

" The  film  version  of ' Outward  Bound  ’ 
is  obviously  a picture  made  for  prestige 
rather  than  public  popularity. 

“As  a picture  it  is  tremendous  and  is 
most  beautifully  presented.  There  is  no 
reason  in  the  world  why  it  should  be 
banned — there  is  not  one  scene  that  can 
offend  at  all — the  dialogue  is  practically 
word  for  word  as  written  by  the  author 
and  played  hundreds  of  times  on  the 
London  stage.  The  story  has  been  most 
carefully  adapted  and  is  a truly  excellent 
and  sincere  production. 

" The  producers  were  very  careful  not 


to  tamper  with  the  material  at  all.  In 
consequence,  one  sees  the  stage  version. 
Yet  with  the  addition  of  interesting  angles, 
fog  effects,  and  a lot  of  attractive 
material  that  the  play  could  not  show — 
all  of  which  helps  the  story  along  without 
adding  to  difficulties  of  presentation. 

” Leslie  Howard,  as  the  young  drunk, 
gives  a great  performance,  though 
perhaps  just  a little  marred  by  over 
acting.  Beryl  Mercer,  Montague  Love, 
and  Alec  B.  Francis  are  as  good  in  this 
as  in  anything  they  have  ever  done,  and 
the  supporting  cast  is  an  excellent  one. 

" Dudley  Digges,  as  the  Examiner, 
was  great.  His  was  a thumbnail  portrait, 
and  he  avoids  all  the  pitfalls  open  in  a part 
which,  above  all  others,  might  make  a 
touchy  Censor  strike. 

The  acting  honours,  however,  go  to 
Helen  Chandler  and  Douglas  Fairbanks, 
Junior. 

“ Their  parts  are  the  most  difficult  of 
all ; but  they  play  together  beautifully. 
Not  one  false  scene,  not  one  scene  over- 
played a fraction.  Excellent  timing,  for 
which  credit  goes  also  to  the  director. 

" I know  of  only  one  reason  why  a 
captious  British  Censor  might  not  like  to 
pass  this  picture. 

” Towards  the  end  an  ambulance  is 
used  : Presumably  it  is  a London  one, 
but  it  sounds  that  usual  U.S.A.  police  and 
fire  syren  ! 

Will  You  Help  ? 

The  friends  of  John  Howard,  a Pendleton 
(Manchester)  cinema  manager  (who  is  await- 
ing trial  at  the  Manchester  Assizes  on  a 
charge  arising  out  of  a motor  car  accident  in 
which  a girl  was  killed),  have  opened  a Fund 
to  assist  him  to  meet  the  big  expenses  he 
will  be  put  to  in  connection  with  the  pro- 
ceedings. Will  any  friends  and  sympathisers 
please  send  contributions  to  the  Fund 
Treasurer,  R.  W.  Ashworth,  at  11,  Dronfield 
Road,  Pendleton,  Manchester. 


Vinten  for  Buenos 
Aires 

British  Cinema  for  Empire 
Exhibition 

It  is  interesting  to  learn  that  at  least 
one  representative  of  the  British  cinema 
industry  will  attend 
the  British  Empire 
Trade  Exhibition  at 
Buenos  Aires  to  be 
opened  by  the  Prince 
of  Wales  on  March 
14th. 

He  is  Charles 
Vinten,  son  of  W. 
Vinten,  the  well- 
known  engineering 
principal  of  W.  Vin- 
ten, Ltd.,  specialists 
in  cinema  apparatus. 
Mr.  Vinten,  Junior, 
sailed  on  February 
7th  from  Tilbury  on 
the  Highland 
Monarch,  taking  with 
him  two  Vinten 
sound  reproducers, 
which  he  will  instal 
[Charles  Vinten  and  run  for  the  six 
weeks’  duration  of 
the  Exhibition. 

The  installation  which  he  will  demonstrate 
is  100  per  cent.  British  and  comprises  Kalee 
projectors  lent  by  Kershaw  Projector  Co., 
mains  amplifier  lent  by  the  General  Electric 
Co.,  and  the  Vinten  Soundheads  and  first 
stage  amplifiers  (an  all-mains  set). 

This  installation  is  identical  to  those  which 
W.  Vinten  has  installed  in  private  theatres 
and  laboratories  in  this  country.  The  films 
to  be  demonstrated  for  this  purpose  are  also 
100  per  cent.  British.  They  were  produced 
by  Cecil  Hepworth  for  Wiggins,  Teape  & Co., 
Ltd.,  the  well-known  papermakers,  on  the 
Fidelytone  system  invented  by  Mr.  Crowther 
and  his  associates  of  Fidelity  Films,  Ltd. 
These  films  were  recorded  at  Worton  Hall 
on  this  British-invented  and  British-built 
apparatus.  The  only  thing  about  these  films 
which  is  not  British,  in  fact,  is  the  language, 
the  recording,  of  course,  being  in  Spanish. 

The  installation  will  run  in  a theatre  con- 
trolled by  Commercal  & Maritime  Film 
Service,  who  have  the  cinema  rights  for  the 
Exhibition. 


RICHARDS’  WALK  - OVER 
C.E.A,  Vice-President  Elect 

Councillor  J.  Pollard  has  with- 
drawn his  name  as  one  of  the 
candidates  for  the  Vice-Presidency 
of  the  C.E.A. 

His  resignation  means  that 
Randolph  E.  Richards  auto- 
matically becomes  the  Vice- 
President. 

Mr.  J.  Langham  Brown,  on 
behalf  of  the  Notts  and  Derby 
Branch,  thanked  Councillor  J. 
Pollard  for  having  allowed  his 
name  to  go  forward,  in  spite  of 
certain  responsibilities  which  made 
him  reluctant  to  do  so.  He  was 
assured  of  the  whole-hearted  sup- 
port of  his  Branch,  and  had  only 
consented  to  stand  at  the  strong 
request  of  the  Branch.  Mr.  Lang- 
ham Brown  felt  that  he  ought  to 
make  that  explanation  to  the 
delegates. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


21 


Emanuel  Cohen 
Coming 


L.C.C.  Blow  at  Matinees 


To  Launch  Paramount 
News 

Emanuel  Cohen,  director  oi  Short  l'eature 
production  for  Paramount  Publix  Corpora- 
tion and  Editor  of 
Paramount  Sound 
News,  sailed  for  I, on- 
don  on  the  Europa 
yesterday  (Tuesday) 
in  connection  with 
the  launching  of  the 
British  release  of  the 
News  on  March  2nd 
Me  is  due  to  arrive 
on  the  22nd  and  his 
first  step  will  prob- 
ably be  to  make  a 
detailed  inspection  of 
the  elaborate  techni- 
cal facilities  which 
have  been  installed 
at  Acton,  where,  dur- 
ing the  past  few 
months,  a complete 
newsreel  laboratory 
and  production  plant 
has  been  erected. 

At  present,  as  is 
to  be  expected,  veiled  in  secrecy,  the  new 
Acton  plant  is  known  to  include  devices  for 
the  ultra-rapid  handling  of  news  film  which 
at  the  moment  are  actually  in  advance  of 
anything  that  the  chief  laboratory  of  the 
Paramount  Sound  News  itself  at  New  York 
possesses. 

Stringent  precautions  have  been  taken  at 
Acton  to  avoid  anything  more  than  general 
details  becoming  known  of  the  nature  of  the 
technical  equipment  which,  it  is  said,  will 
give  the  new  issue  unexampled  facilities  for 
speed  of  output,  but  it  is  anticipated  that  as 
soon  as  the  news  is  launched  some  notable 
advances  in  newsreel  equipment  achieved  by 
the  research  experts  of  Paramount  Sound 
News  in  the  last  few  months  will  be  revealed. 


Silent  Trailers  for 
Gaumont  Chain 

Horace  Sheridan,  General  Manager  of 
Winads,  Ltd.,  announces  that  his  company 
has  secured  a contract  to  supply  silent 
trailers  to  the  whole  of  the  Gaumont  British 
circuit. 

It  will  probably  come  as  a surprise  to  many 
in  the  trade  to  know  that,  with  the  Gaumont 
British  halls,  upwards  of  2,000  British 
exhibitors  are  still  using  silent  trailers, 
although  many  of  this  number  are  doubtless 
wired  and  are  relying  principally  on  sound 
films  to  fill  their  programmes. 

I he  fact  that  the  Gaumont  British  circuit 
is  to  be  supplied  throughout  with  silent 
trailers  suggests  that  the  Gaumont  British 
principals  aim  to  secure  some  special  effect  by 
contrasting  with  their  “ talkie  ” programmes 
forthcoming  announcements  without  dia- 
logue. 


New  United  Artists  Star 

Ina  Claire,  the  celebrated  Broadway  stage 
actress,  has  signed  a five  year  contract  wi.yh 
Samuel  Goldwyn  whereby  she  becomes  a .star 
of  United  Artists  along  with  Gloria  Swanson, 
Ronald  Colman,  Charles  Chaplin,  etc. 


C.E.A.  Appeal  for  Compromise  Ignored 

‘'No  Children  Apparently  Under  7” 

The  London  County  Council  decided  yesterday  (Tuesday)  to  adopt  the 
following  recommendations  of  their  Theatres  and  Music  Halls  Committee  : — 

(1)  That  no  child  apparently  under  the  age  of  seven  be  admitted  to 
cinemas  unless  during  the  whole  time  it  is  on  the  premises  it  is  in 
charge  of  a competent  and  effective  guardian. 

(2)  That  standing  by  children  in  cinema  gangways  be  prohibited  except 
in  cases  where  the  child  is  under  effective  control  of  an  adult  who 
is  also  standing  with  the  child. 

These  new  rules  will  come  into  force  at  once  on  all  new  licences,  and  as 
from  January  1,  lf)32,  as  affecting  existing  licences. 

Representations  by  the  London  and  Home  Counties  Branch  of  the  C.E.A. 
that  rule  No.  1 should  not  operate  before  4 p.m.  have  been  turned  down, 
which  means  that  no  child  apparently  under  seven  will  be  permitted  to 
attend  children’s  matinees  unless  in  charge  of  a guardian. 

The  L.C.C.  does  not  suggest  a formula  by  means  of  which  exhibitors 
and  their  managers  can  judge  with  certainty  the  age  of  children  presenting 
themselves  at  the  box-office,  nor  do  they  define  the  qualifications  which 
under  these  rules  constitute  competent  and  effective  guardianship. 

These  rules  will  impose  irritating  conditions  upon  all  London  exhibitors 
and,  if  they  are  observed,  cannot  fail  to  be  instrumental  in  throwing  thousands 
of  small  children  on  to  the  London  streets. 


Brighton  Trade  Exhibition 

Committee  Formed 


On  Monday  a meeting  of  prospective  stall 
holders  was  held  in  connection  with  the  T rade 
Exhibition  to  be  held 
during  the  Summer 
Conference  Week  at 
Brighton  in  June. 
Representatives  of 
upwards  of  40  com- 
panies interested  in 
cinema  accessories 
were  in  attendance. 

R.  Y.  Crow,  Presi- 
dent elect  of  the 
C.E.A., took  the  chair 
and  predicted  that 
the  Exhibition  at 
Brighton  will  be 
quite  as  good  as,  if 
not  even  better  than, 
last  year's  effort.  He 
felt  it  would  be  better 
to  leave  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the 
Exhibition  in  the 
hands  of  those  people 
who  understood  the 
business  and  he  proposed  to  hand  over  all 
the  details  of  the  Exhibition  to  a Committee 
he  would  ask  those  present  to  set  up. 

He  proposed  from  the  chair  that  Captain 
Paul  Kimberley,  O.B.E.,  should  be  appointed 
to  act  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  again. 
This  was  carried  unanimously.  Mr.  Crow 
then  vacated  the  chair  and  the  meeting 
elected  the  following ; C.  Hartley-Davies 
(Organising  Secretary)  ; and  a Committee 
consisting  of  G.  Hall  (Hall  & Dixon,  Ltd.)  ; 
L.  G.  Applebee  (Strand  Electric  Co.)  ; R. 
Gillespie  Williams  (Holophane,  Ltd.)  ; H.  R. 
Shilling  (Kershaw  Projectors)  ; Ivor  Fall 
(Walturdaw)  ; S.  Rayment  ( Kine ) ; L.  W. 
Carter  (Bioscope)  ; Frank  Bowden  (Theatre 
Equipment  Co.)  ; Major  Wright  (Wurlitzer)  ; 
A.  W.  Phillips  (Tungstone  Accumulator  Co.)  ; 
JT,  R.  Schleman  (Western  Electric)  ; G.  C. 


Summerfield  (Leyland  & Birmingham  Rubber 
Co.)  ; and  C.  Ii.  Champion,  of  C.  Champion 
& Co. 

The  Organising  Secretary  placed  before 
the  meeting  a rough  plan  of  the  floor  space 
available  at  the  Corn  Exchange,  Brighton, 
where  it  is  proposed  to  hold  the  Exhibition. 
This  adjoins  the  Dome  and  Pavilion  where 
all  the  Conference  Meetings  will  be  held.  It 
was  agreed  that  all  the  companies  requiring 
floor  space  should  send  in  their  applications 
before  Saturday,  March  14,  and  on  March  Hi 
another  general  meeting  of  stallholders 
should  be  called  for  the  purpose  of  allocating 
space.  It  was  agreed  that  the  space  available 
should  be  divided  into  two  categories,  vi/., 
small  and  large  spaces,  and,  if  necessary,  each 
category  should  be  balloted  for,  for  first 
choice. 

Screen  Golfers  Packed  Out 

The  Committee  of  the  Screen  Golfing 
Society,  having  received  over  two  hundred 
applications  for  dinner  tickets  for  next 
Sunday’s  inaugural  dinner,  desire  to  point 
out  that  the  accommodation  is  so  taxed  that 
further  guests  cannot  be  entertained,  and 
that  any  other  members  desiring  to  attend 
must  make  immediate  application  for  tickets. 

The  Screen  Golfing  Society  played  itself 
in  on  Thursday  last  in  most  delightful 
fashion,  when  the  Committee  invited  the 
members  to  partake  of  a cocktail  at  the 
informal  opening  of  the  club  room,  which 
is  the  Bray  Room  of  the  Kit  Cat  Restaurant . 

Jeffery  Bernerd,  who  has  the  scheme  so 
much  at  heart,  was  a most  genial  host, 
ably  assisted  by  H.  T.  S.  Young,  Alec  Braid 
and  others  who  are  so  keenly  interested 
in  the  success  of  the  Society. 

The  cocktail  party  was  an  effective 
appetiser  to  the  dinner  on  Sunday  next,  the 
22nd,  for  which  all  the  tickets  have  been 
sold  out. 


Capt.  Paul  Kimberley, 
O.B.E. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Amazing  Report  on  Warwickshire 

Cinemas 

u 20  Per  Cent,  of  Halls  Dangerous  ” 


A.  C.  Bunch,  county  architect  of  Warwick- 
shire. has  prepared  a report  on  cinemas 
throughout  the  county.  He  states  that  he 
has  inspected  personally  the  43  licensed 
premises  within  the  county.  His  report  is 
an  amazing  one,  and  one  which  ought  not 
to  go  unanswered  by  the  trade, 

" The  conditions  existing  in  20  per  cent, 
of  the  premises,”  lie  says,  " are  such  that 
anything  untoward  happening  would  seriously 
endanger  the  safety  of  the  audience.” 

The  result  of  the  investigation  suggests 
the  necessity  of  the  adoption  of  detailed 
regulation  on  the  lines  of  those  already 
adopted  in  many  counties,  defining  the 
principles  laid  down  in  the  Home  Secretary's 
regulations.  Several  licensees  have  sug- 
gested how  much  they  would  prefer  one 
known  standard  throughout  the  district  in 
order  to  prevent  confusion  and  what  may 
amount  to  unfair  competition.  It  is  im- 
portant to  note  that  the  condition  in  20  per 
cent,  of  the  premises  are,  ill  his  opinion, 
actually  dangerous. 

With  the  exception  of  the  boroughs,  no 
technical  advice  has  been  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Justices.  Frequent  inspections  are 
carried  out  by  police  officers  who  have 
definite  orders  that  they  are  to  exercise 
such  supervision  as  to  ensure  that  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Act  are  complied  with. 


Pathe-Natan  affairs  — referred  to  exclu- 
sively in  The  Bioscope  last  week — are  still 
agitating  the  German  film  world  in  conse- 
quence of  connections  with  Emelka. 

I hear  from  authentic  sources  that  a line 
of  action  is  now  being  prepared  to  induce  the 
French  Government  to  grant  assistance  on 
a big  scale.  It  is  said  that  100  million  francs 
are  requiredf  or  the  rehabilitation  of  the  Pathe- 
Natan  concern.  Experts  set  the  sum  much 
higher.  There  seem,  however,  to  be  few 
prospects  of  official  support. 

The  bank  of  Bauer  & Marchall  has  not 
taken  over  Natan’s  parcel  of  shares  (to  the 
amount  of  20  million  francs),  the  taking 
over  of  which  was  a condition  of  Natan’s 
retirement.  The  Emelka  situation  still 
remains  uncertain  as  far  as  its  connection 
with  Pathe-Natan  is  concerned.  People  who 
hear  grass  growing  have  the  firm  opinion 
that  by  spring  Ufa  will  have  swallowed  up 
Emelka.  Negotiations  with  the  Natan  group 
concerning  Emelka  are  said  to  be  still  going 
on  with  Ufa  as  the  other  party. 

German  Film  Exports  Drop 

The  German  film  exports  were  greatly 
reduced  in  1930.  According  to  latest 
statistics,  during  1930  116,068,800  meters, 
representing  value  of  30,117,000  marks, 
were  exported,  against  146,069,200  meters, 
valued  at  35,049,000  marks,  during  1929. 

Important  Victory  of  Klangfilm 

Before  the  Berlin  Chamber  of  Technique 
Klangfilm  has  gained  a victory  which  is  of 
importance  in  principle.  This  is  the  outcome 
of  a law  suit  the  first  to  be  gained  against 
an  exhibitor  who  has  installed  Kinoton. 
The  verdict  produces  a precedent  and  may 


The  report  goes  on  to  suggest  that  the 
most  effective  way  by  which  a general 
standard  of  efficiency  could  be  obtained  in 
cinemas  throughout  the  county,  would 
probably  be  by  direct  administration,  and 
this  might  be  done  by  the  formation  of  a 
licensing  sub-committee,  which  might  be 
empowered  to  issue  licences  when  two  or 
three  members  are  satisfied. 

It  is  also  recommended  that  detailed 
regulations  be  adopted  in  which  the  general 
principles  laid  down  based  on  the  Home 
Secretary’s  recommendations. 

The  report  conveys  that  in  some  cases 
licences  have  been  issued  for  premises  in 
which  film  exhibitions  have  not  been  held 
for  several  years,  and  in  one  case  the  licence 
is  held  on  premises  which  are  at  the  moment 
derelict. 

E.  R.  B.  Kemble,  the  Chief  Constable, 
has  considered  the  County  Architect’s 
report  and  expresses  entire  agreement  with 
the  recommendations. 

The  General  Purposes  Committee  of  the 
County  Council  accordingly  recommends  the 
appointment  of  a Cinematograph  Licensing 
Sub-Committee,  that  as  from  April  1,  1931, 
the  Council  will  administer  the  Act  direct. 
Local  exhibitors  have  been  warned  to  get 
their  ” houses  in  order.” 


be  quoted  in  all  other  law  suits  against 
Kinoton  exhibitors. 

* * * 

The  Berlin  Chamber  of  Commerce  has 
just  published  its  report  for  January  on 
the  situation  of  the  German  film  industry 
This  shows  that  film  production  activity 
in  December  and  January,  compared  with 
the  corresponding  period  in  1929,  is  down 
by  45  per  cent. 

* * * 

Ufa  intend  producing  foreign  versions 
(including  English)  of  their  recent  successes, 
“ Burglars,”  ” The  Man  Who  Seeks  His 
Own  Murderer  ” and  “ His  Royal  Highness 
Commands.” 

* * * 

The  Roumanian  Government  has  ordained 
that  in  future  in  every  cinema-programme 
at  least  300  metres  of  culture  or  educational 
film  must  be  shown  under  threats  of  severe 
penalties  (possibly  loss  of  cinema  licence). 

J.  V.  Bryson  Back 

Looking  in  better  health  and  far  fitter  than 
he  has  appeared  for  some  time,  James  V. 
Bryson  returned  to  Film  House,  Wardour 
Street,  on  Monday,  after  a 16  days’  break, 
spent  in  France  and  Italy. 

Lightning  visits  to  Paris,  Rome,  Nice  and 
other  cities,  have  been  successful,  from  both 
health  and  business  points  of  view,  stated 
Mr.  Bryson. 

” If  any  present-day  showman  wants  to  get 
an  angle  on  showmanship  on  the  big  scale,” 
he  added,  “ I strongly  advise  him  to  visit  some 
of  the  old  ruins  I have  just  seen  aronnd  Italy. 
The  Colosseum,  Rome,  will  give  any  man  the 
right  idea  for  building  a super  show  house  ! ” 


“ A ” Film  Test  Case 

Stipendiary  Upholds 
Liverpool  Local  Justices 

J udgment  has  been  delivered  by  the  Liver- 
pool Stipendiary  in  which  he  upheld  the 
validity  of  the  rule  made  by  the  local 
justices  forbidding  the  admission  of 
children,  even  when  accompanied  by  parents 
or  guardians,  to  cinemas  showing  “ A ” 
films. 

The  Bioscope  understands  that  after 
the  Stipendiary  s judgment,  Mr.  Norman 
Hart  and  G.  Dudley  West  (Secretary, 
N.W.  Branch)  had  an  interview  with 
the  Chief  Constable,  and  that  until  the 
appeal  is  heard,  no  proceedings  will  be 
taken  against  exhibitors  who  show  A 
films  to  children  accompanied  by  parents 
or  guardians. 

Summonses  were  issued  against  the 
Adelphi,  Burlington,  Roscommon  and  Gem 
Cinemas,  Liverpool.  The  Stipendiary  decided 
to  take  the  case  against  the  Burlington 
Cinema  Co.,  Ltd.,  which  was  summoned  in 
respect  of  the  exhibition  of  “ Red  Pearls,” 
and  Arthur  Joseph  Willett,  the  licensee,  was 
summoned  for  aiding  and  abetting. 

Before  delivering  judgment,  the  Stipen- 
diary said  it  was  clear  that  Willett  had  been 
instructed  by  his  association  to  allow  all 
children  to  view  "A”  films  if  they  were 
accompanied  by  an  adult. 

The  company  was  fined  ^10  and  the 
licensee  £2. 

Mr.  Norman  Hart,  who  defended,  said,  in 
view  of  the  importance  of  the  matter,  he 
would  have  to  take  the  question  to  a higher 
court. 

The  remaining  summonses  were  adjourned 
until  Thursday,  April  30th. 

The  Stipendiary  said  the  points  to  which 
he  had  addressed  himself  were  : — 

1.  Was  it  reasonable  or  in  the  public 
interest  to  prohibit  the  exhibition  of  “A” 
films  to  children  under  16  under  all  circum- 
stances, unless  only  with  the  express  consent 
of  the  justices,  bearing  in  mind  that  such 
prohibition  might  be  regarded  as  interfering 
with  the  natural  right  of  a parent  or 
guardian  ? 

2.  Did  prohibition  in  such  an  unlimited 
form  impose  a serious  restriction  upon  the 
licensee  with  no  good  object  ? 

Parliament,  he  said,  had  taken  upon  itself 
the  role  of  a national  parent  or  guardian.  It 
seemed  to  him  there  was  nothing  inherently 
unreasonable  in  the  Liverpool  City  Justices 
saying  it  was  not  desirable  that  any  film 
should  be  shown  to  children  under  sixteen 
except  only  with  the  express  consent  of  the 
justices  and,  further,  that  it  was  better  to 
leave  the  question  entirely  to  the  discretion 
of  the  justices,  rather  than  to  the  individual 
judgments  of  the  parent  or  guardian. 

Although  some  parents  would  sometimes 
be  prevented  from  attending  a cinema 
because  they  could  not  leave  their  children 
unattended  at  home,  he  could  not  regard 
such  personal  inconvenience  as  any  ground 
for  holding  that  the  rule  was  unreasonable. 


Cinema  Designer's  Move 

Mr.  Jarratt,  of  the  Supreina  Publicity 
Service,  has  secured  the  services  of  T.  C. 
Carter,  the  well-known  cinema  display 
expert,  and  his  designer,  V.  Mehra. 

Mr.  Carter  has  been  responsible  for  some 
of  the  best  displays  seen  at  many  of  the  West 
End  houses  and  has  been  responsible  for 
raising  the  standard  of  cinema  display  work 
to  a great  extent.  Before  joining  Suprema, 
Mr.  Carter  was  with  Jackson’s  Studios. 


Pathe-Natan  German  Reactions 

Will  Ufa  Take  Over  Emelka  ? 

(By  our  Berlin  Representative,  Fritz  Mann) 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


23 


Sunday  Opening  For  All 

Monopoly  and  Hypocrisy  Will  Serve  No  Cause 

THE  BIOSCOPE  believes  that  the  whole  Cinema  Industry  should  decline  positively  to 
countenance  the  L.C.C.  recommendation  that  Sunday  Opening  of  Cinemas  be  legalised 
subject  to  continued  and  compulsory  contributions  to  charity  .... 

THE  BIOSCOPE  believes  also  that  the  Cause  of  the  Cinema  in  this  campaign  is  the 

Cause  of  the  Music  Hall,  the  Theatre,  the  Dance  Hall,  the  Skating  Rink  and  the  Boxing  Hall 

and  every  other  place  of  legitimate  entertainment. 

* 

The  question  is  whether  each  member  of  the  public  shall  or  shall  not  be  allowed  to  spend 
Sunday  as  and  how  he  chooses. 

THE  BIOSCOPE  recognises  that  only  if  this  question  is  fought  and  won  with  clean  hands — 
hands  free  from  the  taint  of  monopoly  or  hypocrisy — will  the  ultimate  good  of  the  Cinema 
Industry  be  served. 

And  as  a gesture  to  “outside  interests’’  we  publish  below  extracts  from  a Statement 
prepared  by  John  C.  Haddon  and  issued  with  the  full  approval  of  the  Society  of  West  End 
Managers,  the  Musicians  Union,  the  British  Equity,  the  Electrical  Trades  Union,  the  National 
Association  of  Theatrical  Employees  and  the  London  Trades  Council. 

We  urge  the  leaders  of  the  Cinema  Industry  in  this  Sunday  Opening  Fight  to  Uphold  the 
Cause  of  Liberty,  Justice  AND  EQUALITY. 


APART  from  a few  unfortunate  sneers  at 
the  cinema,  Mr.  Haddon's  case,  from 
which  the  following  are  extracts,  is 
a vigorous  championship  of  the  public  right 
to  Sunday  entertainment. 

He  says:  “A  quaint  place  is  this  old 
England  of  ours.  And  a strange  people  are 
we  English.  The  visitor  to  our  shores  gazes 
blankly  at  the  long-suffering  manner  in  which 
we  put  up  with  a thousand  and  one  anomalies. 

Visiting  London  in  the  past,  he  has  been 
astonished  to  find,  for  instance,  that  though 
the  law  allowed  him  to  witness  a cinema 
entertainment  on  a Sunday  evening,  it 
forbade  him  attending  a stage  performance. 

No  wonder  visitors  to  London  were  sur- 
prised. Yet  those  visitors  may  find  the 
position  even  more  farcical  in  the  future. 
They  would  be  still  more  surprised  if  they 
were  allowed  to  see  nothing  at  all  ! That  is 
a distinct  possibility,  for  if  certain  Sabba- 
tarian interests  obtain  their  way,  all  London’s 
cinemas,  as  well  as  theatres,  will  be  forced  to 
close  on  Sundays. 

The  stumbling  block  in  the  path  of  such 
Sunday  entertainments  is  the  existing 
law  ....  the  Sunday  Observance  Act — an 
antiquated  sample  of  legislation  placed  upon 
the  Statute  Book  one  hundred  and  fifty  years 
ago  ! 

Up  to  Stuart  times,  theatres  were  open  on 
Sundays.  Sunday,  in  fact,  was  the  Theatre’s 
great  day.  Then  came  the  Revolution, 
Oliver  Cromwell,  and  the  wave  of  Puritanism . 
The  theatres  were  closed  down  on  Sundays. 
And  closed  they  remained  until  the  Restora- 
tion, when  Charles  II  saw  to  it  that  they  were 
opened  once  again. 

A century  passes,  and  we  find  ourselves  in 
the  times  of  King  George  III — that  gentle- 
man whose  sterling  qualities  lost  us  the 
American  Colonies.  1780  ! A certain 
clergyman  named  Porteous,  who  had  been 
made  Bishop  of  London  by  King  George, 
introduces  a Bill  into  Parliament.  It  is  passed 
by  the  House  of  Lords  and  is  placed  upon  the 
Statute  Book.  Under  the  new  Act,  no 
“ house,  room,  or  other  place  ” may  be 
“ opened  or  used  for  public  entertainment  or 
amusement  ” on  Sunday. 

The  anomalous  aspect  of  the  case, 
however,  is  this.  The  Act  was  not  aimed 
at  the  Theatre  at  all.  It  was  framed  in 
order  to  close  down  certain  public  rooms — 
such  as  Suffolk  House,  at  that  time  situated 
near  Oxford  Circus — where  “ religious  ” 


meetings,  at  which  atheistic  doctrines 
were  preached,  were  held  on  Sundays. 

Here  is  the  preamble  of  the  Act  : — 
Whereas  certain  houses,  rooms,  or 
places,  within  the  cities  of  London  or 
Westminster,  or  in  the  neighbourhood 
thereof,  have  of  late  frequently  been  opened 
for  public  entertainment  or  amusement 
upon  the  evening  of  the  Lord’s  day, 
commonly  called  Sunday  ; and  at  other 
houses,  rooms,  or  places,  within  the  said 
cities  or  in  the  neighbourhood  thereof, 
under  pretence  of  enquiring  into  religious 
doctrines,  and  explaining  texts  of  Holy 
Scripture,  by  persons  unlearned  and  in- 
competent to  explain  the  same,  to  the 
corruption  of  good  morals,  and  to  the  great 
encouragement  of  irreligion  and  pro- 
faneness; be  it  enacted.” 

This  preamble  speaks  for  itself.  The 

Theatre  suffered,  and  still  suffers,  from  the 
inhibitions  of  an  Act  which  was  not  aimed  at 
the  Theatre  at  all. 

The  present  position  is  extraordinary  to 
say  the  least.  Despite  the  clear  prohibition  of 
the  Sunday  Observance  Act,  Sunday  opening 
of  places  of  entertainment  has  been  an 
accomplished  fact.  Talkies,  concerts  and 
private  dramatic  performances  have  all  been 
held  on  Sundays. 

Nearly  one  million  people  in  London  alone 
pay  for  admission  to  places  of  public  enter- 
tainment on  Sundays. 

That  such  should  be  the  case,  in  face  of  the 
existing  law,  is  incredibly  anomalous.  But 
the  greatest  anomaly  of  all  is  that  while 
London  has  accepted  so  many  varied  classes 
of  Sunday  entertainment,  the  theatres  are  still 
forced  to  remain  closed. 

Londoners  may  go  to  dance  clubs  on 
Sundays.  They  may  watch  cabarets 
during  their  dinner.  They  may  go  to 
concerts  at  the  Albert  Hall  and  else- 
where. For  these  types  of  entertainment, 
the  principle  of  Sunday  opening  has  been 
accepted.  Could  there  be  any  possible 
violation  of  that  same  principle  if 
dramatic  performances  were  also  given 
publicly  5 

The  desire  of  the  L.C.C.  and  the  intention 
of  the  Cinema  owners  is  to  try  to  pass  through 
Parliament  an  amendment  to  the  Cine- 
matograph Act.  Should  they  be  successful, 
cinemas  would  be  legally  permitted  to  open 


on  Sundays ; but  theatres,  music  and 
concert  halls  would  still  have  to  keep  closed. 
The  gross  injustice  of  this  is  obvious. 

As  an  alternative,  should  all  the  cinemas  be 
closed  down  on  Sundays  ? 

That  is  unthinkable,  for  many  reasons. 
The  police,  alone,  would  advance  incon- 
trovertible arguments  against  such  a drastic 
procedure.  What  would  happen  to  the 
countless  thousands  who  have  hitherto 
patronised  the  Cinema  on  Sundays  ? Are 
they  all  to  be  thrown  upon  the  streets  ? 
Those  responsible  for  the  maintenance  of 
law  and  order  would  view  such  a prospect 
with  dismay. 

Again,  the  dullness  of  the  British  Sunday 
is  proverbial  ; and,  even  at  present,  it 
frightens  far  too  many  visitors  away  to  the 
Continent.  Is  it  to  become  duller  still  ? 

The  Theatre  does  not  desire  any  such 
thing.  What  it  does  desire  is  justice  and 
equality.  If  the  theatres  have  to  close  on 
Sundays,  then  the  cinemas  should  close. 

If,  on  the  contrary,  the  cinemas  are  to 
remain  open  on  Sundays,  then  other 
entertainments  should  have  an  equal 
right.  Surely  that  is  only  fair  play  ? 

With  the  object  of  removing  the  present 
obstacle,  a Bill  has  been  introduced  into  the 
House  of  Commons  under  the  title  of  “ The 
Sunday  Observance  ( Amendment)  Act  (1780) 
(No.  2).”  T his  Bill,  if  passed  through 

Parliament,  will  amend  the  law  relating  to  the 
opening  on  Sundays  of  all  places  of  amusement, 
and  will  regularise  the  position  of  Sunday 
entertainment  in  the  Administrative  County  of 
London.  The  Bill  does  not  apply  outside  the 
County  of  London,  unless  the  different  licensing 
authorities  think  fit  to  adopt  the  measure  by 
resolution  of  their  members. 

It  is  most  unlikely  that  general  Sunday 
opening  would  take  people  away  from  the 
Churches  or  Chapels.  There  would  still  be 
nothing  to  prevent  those  who  desire  to  go  to 
Church  from  attending  Morning  Service,  and 
if  those  who  are  in  the  habit  of  going  on 
Sunday  evening  suddenly  change  that  habit — • 
well,  their  religion  can  mean  little  to  them. 

There  is  nothing  wrong  or  anti-religious 
about  wholesome  entertainment. 

ALL  THAT  THE  ENGLISH  THEATRE 
ASKS  IS  A SQUARE  DEAL.  THE  SUNDAY 
OPENING  OF  THEATRES,  CONCERT  AND 
MUSIC  HALLS  WILL  GIVE  EVERYBODY 
JUSTICE. 


■H 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Talk  of  the  Trade 

Bright' uns  !— Richards'  Good  Luck— As  the  Crow  Flies— Paramount  in  Spain- The 
'‘Trader"  Habit— Variety  Again— Bar num s “Funeral” 


Faraday  House, 

February  IS,  1031 

Must  We  Become 
Exhibitionists 

I am  frightfully  embarrassed.  At  Monday's 
meeting  of  those  interested  in  the  forth- 
coming Trade  Exhibition  at  Brighton  it  was 
proposed,  in  order  to  avoid  confusion,  to  make 
all  the  standholders  “ exhibitionists.”  It 
sounds  harmless  enough,  but  look  it  up  in 
the  New  Century  Dictionary  and  you'll  see 
the  point.  Webster’s  definition  is  terrifying 
enough,  for  it  tells  me  that  an  exhibitionist 
is  “ one  possessed  of  a certain  morbid 
habit.”  Now  if  one  cannot  exhibit  at 
Brighton  without  becoming  an  exhibitionist, 
I’m  non-competitive  for  reasons  I do  not 
leel  called  upon  to  disclose. 

Randolph  Richards 
Walk-over 

The  withdrawal  of  Councillor  J.  Pollard' 
the  Notts  and  Derby  nominee  for  the  Yice- 
Presidencv.  leaves  Randolph  Richards  to  a 
walk-over.  As  J.  Langham  Brown  explained 
to  the  General  Council,  Councillor  Pollard 
was  reluctant,  in  view  of  certain  other 
responsibilities,  to  allow  his  name  to  go 
forward  and  he  only  consented  to  stand  when 
pressed  strongly  by  his  Branch.  However,  in 
the  end  he  has  been  compelled  to  withdraw, 
and  in  doing  so  extends  his  cordial  good 
wishes  to  Mr.  Richards.  I referred  to  our 
Southern  friend  a few  weeks  ago,  when  1 
remarked  that  almost  certainly  we  shall  be 
told  that  big  offices  are  being  entrusted  to 
relatively  small  men.  Apart  from  his 
amiability,  Mr.  Richards  is,  1 consider,  to  be 
congratulated  on  having  the  courage  to  face 
the  onus  of  responsibility  which  the  Presi- 
dency brings.  His  is  an  example  to  the  bigger 
men  we  sometimes  read  so  much  about. 

As  the 
Crow  Flies 

But  a very  short  time  and  we  shall  find 
R.  V.  Crow,  London’s  own  nominee,  in  the 
presidential  chair  of  the  C.E.A.  The  honour 
thus  paid  to  Mr.  Crow  will,  T trust,  redound 
to  the  credit  of  the  C.E.A.  For  the  President- 
elect is  a likeable  fellow,  as  well  as  (if  he  is  not 
spoiled)  a fearless  advocate  with  a good 
deal  of  genuine  concern  for  the  well-being  of 
the  smaller  fry.  I have  not  discovered  his 
formula,  but  during  the  past  two  years  he  has 
also  in  some  miraculous  way  become  an 
entertaining  public  speaker.  He  has  acquired 
in  a remarkable  fashion  a direct  and  forceful 
style  which  used  not  to  be  his.  And  it  is  going 
to  prove  to  his  great  advantage  (as  well  as 
to  that  of  the  trade  and  the  trade  Press) 
during  his  coming  period  of  office.  1 am  not 
unmindful  of  the  fact  that,  as  in  affairs  of 
National  Government,  so  also  in  the  politics 
of  such  a body  as  the  C.E.A.,  the  boldest 

Minister  ” is  apt  to  lose  something  of  his 
originality  and  daring  out  of  respect  for  the 
equipoise  of  his  ” Permanent  Officials.”  • But 
I hope  that  all  through  his  year  of  office 
Mr.  Crow  is  going  to  work  fearlessly  for  those 
of  his  fellow  exhibitors  most  in  need  of  his 
support.  In  the  face  of  vicious  officialdom, 
Mr.  Crow  as  the  ” Minister  of  Panton  St.” 
must  remember  that  whichever  way  the  wind 
blows,  it  is  the  most  direct  way  to  his  own 
objective  that  the  crow  always  flies  ! 


They  Read  It 
in  the  Bio  1 

I am  not  surprised  that  Frank  Hill, 
Secretary  of  the  K.R.S.,  is  moved  to  protest 
concerning  quotations  from  his  Annual 
Report  which  were  brought  before  last  week’s 
General  Council  of  the  C.E.A.  You  will 
recall  how  Mr.  Hill  in  his  report  predicted 
certain  developments  in  connection  with 
film  rentals.  These  predictions  were  qualified 
by  certain  paragraphs  later  in  the  report. 
These  apparently  were  not  considered  by  the 
C.E.A.,  and  Mr.  Hill  feels  that  certain  matter 
has  thus  been  torn  from  its  context  and 
misrepresented.  Naturally,  the  C.E.A.  is  out 
to  make  the  best  possible  use  of  Mr.  Hill’s 
statements,  and  maybe,  as  he  says  in  a letter 
to  the  C.E.A.,  “ quotation  for  subsequent 
publication  of  portions  of  a report  in  support 
of  a policy  or  point  of  view  may  be  good 
journalism  and  politics,  but  is  not  conducive 
to  the  best  results.”  However,  he  need  have 
no  fear  that  the  rank  and  file  of  C.E.A. 
membership  will  be  led  up  the  garden, 
because  the  whole  of  Mr.  Hill’s  report  was 
published  in  The  Bioscope  and  aroused 
great  interest  and  a good  deal  of  comment 
among  exhibitors  all  over  the  country. 

Paramount  Theatres 
For  Spain  And 

I wonder  whether  the  present  political 
crisis  in  Spain  will  seriously  hamper  plans 
which  Paramount  have  in  hand  to  build 
two  fine  new  theatres  in  Madrid  and 
Barcelona  It  is  possible  that  anything 
might  happen  there,  and  if  Alfonso  continues 
to  show  fight  mavbe  complete  confidence 
will  not  be  restored  for  a long  time  to  come. 

Coming  nearer  to  home.  I hear  that 
Paramount,  as  at  present  arranged,  plan 
the  opening  of  cinemas  first  in  Newcastle, 
then  in  Leeds,  next  Liverpool  and  then 
Glasgow. 

This  " Trader 
Habit 

Under  the  influence  of  "Trader  Horn” 
the  M.-G.-M.  boys  are  getting  into  nasty 
habits.  Their  publicity  chief  addresses  me 
as  " Trader  ” Mooring — I wish  I were- — 
and  signs  himself  "Trader”  Howe.  He 
promises  us  an  early  “ Trade(r)  ” Show  ; 
says  the  " Trade(r)  ” Press  is  going  to  shriek 
about  this  film — in  lit.  and  in  ads.  ! Only 
one  extravagant  claim  in  this  remarkable 
epistle.  He  believes  our  appreciation  and 
admiration  for  the  leading  " Traders  ’’  in 
this  industry  will  cause  us  (after  seeing 
“ Trader  Horn  ”)  to  return  M.-G.-M. ’s 
next  cheque  marked  “ paid  in  error.”  Not, 
I predict,  unless  the  bank  first  marks  it 
" tRaDer.” 

Dent  s Protest 
To  Variety 

I understand  that  Arthur  Dent,  of 
Wardour,  has  wiitten  a protest  to  Variety 
concerning  recent  criticisms  of  his  company’s 
policy  and  films  in  America.  You  will 
remember  that  The  Bioscope  referred  to 
this  subject  last  week,  but  since  then  a 
further  issue  of  this  American  show  paper 
is  to  hand,  in  which  a precedent  is  created 
which  cannot  fail  to  arouse  fresh  comment. 
While  ostensibly  reviewing  ” The  Love 
Habit,"  an  American  representative  of 
I'anetv  goes  out  of  his  way  to  comment  on 


the  B.I.P.  American  policy  generally.  He 
describes  British  International's  experiment 
at  the  Cohan  Theatre  as  a general  failure, 
and  goes  on  to  say  "Not  because  of  the 
producer  and  distributor  both  being  British 
International,  but  because  of  stories,  aims 
and  people,  this  Cohan  weekly  try  of 
English-mades  must  convince  B.I.P.  and 
the  British  they  do  not  make  ‘ talkies  ’ for 
America.  . . . the  English  idea  is  not 
America's.” 

Age  and 
America 

Alter  a great  deal  more  concerning 
British  production  policy  generally,  this 
reviewer  deigns  to  return  to  the  subject  of 
his  review  and  heaps  criticism  upon  Seymour 
Hicks  and  Edmund  Breon.  whom  he  describes 
as  being  “ terribly  miscast.”  If  the  reviewer’s 
objections  to  Seymour  Hicks  arc  based 
principally  upon  the  actor’s  age,  the  bottom 
falls  out  of  his  criticism,  for  " this  English 
idea  ” appears  to  be  identical  with  that 
exploited  in  numerous  American  films. 
Who  has  not  seen  that  fine  American  actor. 
Lewis  Stone — grey  and  well  beyond  middle- 
age — acting  with  consummate  skill  the  part 
of  a screen  philanderer  ? There  have  also 
been  scores  of  successful  American  films  which 
in  point  of  plot,  direction  and  general 
mounting  have  fallen  well  below  the  standard 
set  by  " The  Love  Habit.”  If  Mr.  Dent’s 
protest  fails  to  take  effect  1 understand  he 
proposes  to  place  some  interesting  facts 
before  the  whole  of  the  British  Press.  This, 
I think,  would  be  a very  sound  move,  and 
1 can  only  think  of  one  other  which  might 
produce  more  gratifying  results. 

Pulse  or 
Pockets  ? 

" Do  I keep  my  finger  on  the  public  pulse  ? 
Why,  I didn’t  know  that  the  public  had  a 
pulse.  I thought  it  only  had  pockets,  and 
that’s  where  I like  to  put  my  fingers.” 
Candid  Production  Chief. 

( Evervones , Australia.) 

Wright  Right 
Against  Barnum 

This  week  I have  won  the  applause  of 
R.  M.  Wright,  proprietor  of  the  Picturedromc, 
Leicester.  It  is  good  to  be  right  with  Mr. 
Wright,  because  he  is  not  one  of  the  “ Yes- 
men  ” of  the  cinema  business.  As  you 
probably  know,  he  is  a fearful  adversary, 
with  a devastating  way  for  all  those  who 
oppose  him.  Mr.  Wright  applauds  my 
references  of  last  week  to  Carl  Laemmle’s 
revolt  against  " Dignity  in  Film  Publicity.” 
I wish  I had  space  to  publish  the  whole  of 
Mr.  Wright’s  letter  because  it  would  pro- 
bably provoke  much  discussion.  Not  all 
exhibitors,  even  in  these  enlightened  times, 
believe  in  dignity  in  advertising.  In  Mr 
Wright’s  opinion,  however  : " If  Carl 

Laemmle’s  advice  is  for  British  exhibitors- 
ancl  that  means  they  must  follow  the  line 
of  exploitation  laid  down  by  his  own  organi- 
sation— let  me  say  at  once,  if  we  admitted 
to  play  fast  and  loose  with  the  intelligence 
of  the  British  public  as  his  Exploitation 
Department  does  from  time  to  time,  then 
believe  me,  we  should  be  killing  the  business 
in  this  country  in  the  surest  possible  manner. 
Let  us  have  showmanship  but  not  cheap-jack 
catchpenny  ideas.  Exploitation,”  adds  Mr 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


25 


Wright,  "to  be  successful  with  the  British 
public  (and  with  the  British  exhibitor,  too, 
Mr.  Laemnile  !)  must  be  such  that  confidence 
is  maintained  between  the  seller  and  the 
buyer,  and  in  this  direction  Truth,  Sincerity 
and  Dignity  are  not  unsound  foundations 
to  build  upon.’’ 

In  short,  Mr.  Wright  considers,  and  I most 
certainly  agree  with  him,  that  the  advice  to 
get  back  to  Barnum  methods  of  advertising, 
which  may  or  may  not  be  good  for  America, 
is  definitely  unsound  for  Britain 

Tatler  and 

an  Interesting  Hour  ' 

A.  E.  Newbould  kindly  invited  me  to  try 
an  hour's  Tatler  entertainment.  I never 
dreamed  I could  enjov  an  hour  of  anything 
with  a name  like  " Tatler,"  but  1 did.  This 
particular  " Tatler  " is  not  a new  paper  or 
a reincarnate  gossiper.  It  is,  or  rather  was, 
the  Super  Cinema,  Charing  Cross  Road, 
which,  as  a U.P.T.,  managed  somehow  to 
get  into  trouble  with  the  authorities.  The 
L.C.C.  declined  a licence.  But  Gaumont- 
Britisli  have  renovated  the  place  completely, 
reapplied  and  secured  a licence,  and  have 
renamed  it  the  Tatler,  at  the  same  time 
starting  a novel  and  interesting  experimental 
change  of  policy.  From  mid-day  to  11  p.m. 
patrons  may  walk  in  at  will,  paying  (id.  oi- 
ls. for  the  hour’s  run.  Performances  go  on 
continuously  and  no  full  length  picture  is 
shown.  This  week’s  bill  includes  the  Gaumont 
Sound  News,  a "Mickey  Mouse"  Cartoon, 
one  of  the  " Strange  As  It  Seems  " series  by 
John  Hix,  and  “ The  Wonder  of  the  World," 
a most  amazingly  clever  assembly  of  " shots  ” 
illustrating  the  activities  of  different  races 
in  far-removed  corners  of  the  world.  I hope 
the  experiment  will  prove  successful.  When 
the  idea  is  got  into  full  swing  and  a little 
publicity  is  put  behind  the  effort,  1 see  no 
reason  why  the  “ Tatler  ” should  not  become 
as  popular  a “ call  ” house  as  the  News  Reel 
Theatre  in  Shaftesbury  Avenue. 


Mead  of  Praise 
In  Praise  of  Meade 

The  close  of  "Hell’s  Angels”  season  at 
the  Pavilion  means  rather  more  than  the  end 
of  a terrific  West  End  run.  It  means  that 
Charles  Meade,  who  came  over  for  Howard 
Hughes  in  order  to  put  over  this  fine  show, 
is  to  return  again  to  li’l  ole  New  York,  and  as 
Major  Bill  King,  of  United  Artists,  Said  at  a 
farewell  luncheon  the  other  day,  “America's 
gain  will  be  our  loss.”  In  the  course  of  a 
year  U.S.A.  sends  us  over  a tidy  few  special 
couriers  and  so  forth.  Like  the  girl’s  oranges, 
some  are  and  some  ain’t,  well,  Charlie  Meade 
is.  Which  means  that  he  is  a jolly  fine 
upright  fellow.  All  on  the  square  and  as 
keen  as  mustard.  None  of  the  big  bull's 
fast  publicity  blab  with  him,  but  good  honest 
truth-in-advertising  stuff  which  the  British 
gullet  will  pass.  Meade  will  be  missed,  as  lots 
of  pressmen  said  at  the  presentation  lunch 
party.  And  the  compliments  didn’t  “ pay  ’’ 
for  the  lunch.  The  pocket  paid  in  cash  and 
the  heart  in  coppers.  Everybody  was  glad 
to  see  Charlie  Meade  receive  with  such  boj'- 
like  pleasure  a gold  cigarette  case.  His 
charming  wife  was  presented  with  a time- 
piece so  as  not  to  be  too  long  gone  without 
remembering  England. 


Not 

Negotiable 

A blue  bead  is  suspended  over  a W.E. 
equipment  in  the  Near  East,  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  away  “ the  evil  eye.” 

Blue  beads,  I am  informed,  have  abso- 
lutely no  effect  on  the  W.E.  accounts  depart 
ment  at  Bush  House. 

OBSERVER 


“City  Lights”  on  the  Screen 

'‘One  of  Chaplin’s  Best’’ 


(By  Heinrich  Fraenkel,  Special 

I am  used  to  crowds.  I have  been  through 
one  major  and  several  minor  revolutions. 

I have  seen  a Derby  at  Epsom,  and  1 have 
almost  seen  a Cup  Final  at  Wembley. 

1 have  taken  one  or  two  rides  in  theNew 
York  Subway.  I have  been  to  Margate 
on  a Bank  Holiday,  and  1 have  attended 
several  “major  openings”  in  Hollywood. 

But  I have  never  yet  seen  (and  I hope 
I never  will)  a crowd  nearly  equal  to 
the  one  surging,  flooding,  beating, 
trampling,  yelling  and  cheering  round 
the  new  Los  Angeles  Theatre,  before  and 
after  the  premiere  of  Chaplin  s City 
Lights. 

It  took  my  car  exactly  one  hundred  minutes 

CHAPLIN  ARRIVES 


“Chaplin  arrived  with 

Einstein,  who  looked  embarrassed — 
maybe  because  he  had  never  seen  the 
elements  of  time  and  space  so 
rudely  mishandled." 


to  do  the  last  two  or  three  blocks,  and  when 
about  a hundred  yards  from  the  theatre 
gate  we  gave  it  up  as  a hopeless  job,  and 
spent  more  than  fifteen  minutes  walking, 
pushing  and  fighting  the  remaining  100  yards. 

The  performance  was  scheduled  at  8.30. 
just  after  10  the  loud  speaker  announced 
that  the  audience  was  nearly  assembled  and 
the  show  would  soon  begin. 

Almost  every  second  or  third  of  the  arrivals 
was  notable  enough  to  necessitate  being 
announced  by  microphone  and  loud  speaker, 
to  a varying  degree  of  cheering  from  the 
multitude  outside.  And,  of  course,  never 
was  there  a louder  (and  better  deserved) 
round  of  cheering  than  that  which  announced 
the  arrival  of  Charles  Chaplin,  accompanied 
by  Professor  Albert  Einstein.  The.  latter — - 
as  the  picture  suggests — looked  embarrassed, 
maybe  because  he  had  never  seen  the  elements 
of  time  and  space  so  rudely  mishandled  ! 

At  last  everybody — surely  everybody — - 
was  assembled,  and  as  the  show  was  just 
about  to  commence  I could  not  help  shudder- 
ing at  the  thought  of  what  would  happen  if 
somebody  took  it  into  his  head  to  throw  a 
few  bombs  into  the  theatre  It  would  have 


Bioscope  Representative) 

meant  the  end  of  the  Hollywood  film 
industry  ! 

One  of  Chaplin  s Best 

However,  as  to  “ City  Lights.”  I need  not 
say  very  much.  Very  soon  the  picture  will 
be  presented  in  London  and  the  British 
people  must  be  left  to  judge  for  themselves.- 
I will  say  that  “ City  Lights,”  if  not  the 
best,  certainly  ranks  among  the  best  three 
pictures  Chaplin  has  ever  produced.  And 
that  means  a lot,  fori  am  basing  my  judgment 
on  the  Chaplin  standard  and  no  other. 

It  would  be  silly  to  join  or  follow  the 
countless  arguments  thatiare,  and  have  been, 
raging  concerning  whether  this  picture  can 
be  considered  as  an  argument  for  " Silents  " 
and  against  " Talkies,”  or  vice  versa. 

It  certainly  cannot  be  considered  as  any 
argument  either  way,  for  the  simple  reason 
that  whatever  is  right  or  wrong  for  the  one 
and  only  Chaplin,  does  not  apply  anywhere 
to  any  other  artist  or  producer. 

Chaplin  can’t  help  producing  silent  pictures 
as  long  as  he  sticks  to  his  famous  character 
and  type  of  story  and  I don’t  see  why  he 
shouldn’t,  considering  that  millions  derive 
endless  joy  from  it. 

Regarding  the  story  of  “City  Lights." 
Chaplin — a tramp— is  in  love  with  a blind 
girl  He  saves  the  life  of  an  eccentric  million 
aire  who,  under  the  influence  of  drink, 
befriends  the  tramp,  throws  him  swell  parties 
and  gives  him  a thousand  dollar  bill  and  a 
Rolls-Royce.  In  his  alternating  spells  of 
sobriety  the  millionaire  does  not  recognise 
the  tramp  and  has  him  thrown  out  of  his 
house. 

Chaplin  loses  a job  he  has  secured  as  a 
street-sweeper  and  vainly  tries  to  make 
money  at  boxing. 

He  is  suspected  of  theft,  however,  and 
gets  into  jail.  When  he  comes  out  the  girl 
has  regained  her  sight.  All  the  time,  she 
has  been  waiting  for  her  benefactor,  whom 
* she  visualizes  as  a man  as  handsome  as  he 
must  be  wealthy. 

When  she  sees  Charlie  for  the  first  time 
she  laughs  at  his  antics  ; but  then  she  does 
recognise  him.  " You  ? ” she  whispers. 
Charlie  smiles,  “ You  can  see  now  ? ” The 
girl  can’t  help  showing  her  disappointment 
“ Yes,  1 can  see  now.”  And  as  Charlie 
turns  away,  with  a whimsical  smile  and  a 
world  of  pain  beneath  it,  he  gives  us,  on  a 
few  feet  of  film,  some  of  the  finest  acting 
the  screen  has  ever  seen. 

Whatever  one  may  think  of  the  ending, 
however,  it  certainly  is  a very  beautiful 
story  and  one  which — as  one  can  easily 
see — lends  itself  to  pathos  no  less  than  to 
an  almost  unlimited  scope  for  the  peculiar 
Chaplin  humour. 

There  are  many  old  gags — very  old  gags — 
and  although  one  never  tires  of  seeing  these 
old  ones,  there  are  also  quite  a number  of 
very  delightful  new  ones. 

There  is  a screamingly  funny  sequence 
of  Charlie’s  adventures  in  the  boxing  ring 
(alternating  as  boxer  and  referee),  there  is 
an  absolutely  new  (and  “ sound  inspired  ) 
gag  of  a swallowed  whistle  producing 
whistled  hiccoughs  which,  incidentally,  call 
up  taxicabs  which  are  not  required  and  dogs 
which  jump  up  all  uninvited.  There  is  a 
delightful  opening  sequence  in  which  an 
unveiled  statue  figures.  This  is  used  to 
satirise  “ talkie  ” dialogue.  Again  Charlie, 
as  a street  sweeper,  turns  disgustedly  from 
a long  procession  of  horses,  only  to  be  con- 
fronted by  the  spacious  rear  elevation  of  a 
giant  elephant.  There  are  scores  of  others 
But  what  is  the  use  of  describing  them  ? 
You  must  go  ahead  and  see  the  film 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


British  Studios  To-day 

T.  Hayes  Hunter  For  Gainsborough— Forde  Starts  “The  Ringer”— Sterling  Begin 
“ Tilly  of  Bloomsbury”— John  Harvel  is  Col.  Benge— “Captivation”  for  United  Artists 


John  Stuart.  Robert  Rendel  (Sherlock  Holmesi  and  Reginald  Bach  in  one  of  the  hot  moments 
from  The  Hound  of  the  Baskervilles."  Gareth  Gundrey’s  current  Gainsborough  production 


T . Hayes  Hunter  Back 

T.  Hayes  Hunter  has,  1 believe,  been 
taking  an  intensive  course  of  Turkish  baths 
in  readiness  for  his  come-back  to  the  studios, 
He  is  to  direct  a new  Gainsborough  feature. 

The  Man  They  Could  Not  Arrest  ” — which 
to  me  sounds  an  exceedingly  amusing  title. 
It  will  be  a full-length  picture,  and  testing 
is  going  on  now.  Production  will  begin 
immediately  V.  Gareth  Gundrey  and  his 

Baskervilles"  Company  leave  for  Dart- 
moor on  location.  This  they  expect  to  do 
in  about  ten  days'  time. 

Boiled  Sugar  Skylights 

The  Islington  " talkie  ” studio  is  a " rough 
house  " these  days.  Gainsborough’s  new 
version  of  " The  Hound  of  the  Baskervilles  ’’ 
is  full  of  fights  and  moments  of  mystery. 
Robert  Rendel,  as  " Sherlock  Holmes,”  and 
Reginald  Bach,  as  " Stapleton,”  have  been 
the  principal  contestants  in  most  of  the  rough 
and  tumbles,  and  in  one  scene  Rendel  chased 
Bach  up  a flight  of  stairs  and  out  on  to  a roof. 
Here  pursuit  ended  with  Bach  falling  through 
a "glass”  skylight — the  "glass”  being 
sheets  of  boiled  sugar — and  Rendel  returned 
to  succour  Frederick  Lloyd  who,  as  " Dr. 
Watson,”  had  been  unceremoniously  knocked 
senseless  a little  earlier.  Gareth  Gundrey,  the 
director,  has  at  least  another  week’s  work  at 
Islington  before  going  down  to  Dartmoor  for 
exteriors  in  which  the  Hound  itself  will  be 
one  of  the  principal  actors.  Gordon  Stewart, 
made  famous  by  his  hobby  of  breeding  Great 
Danes  at  the  Send  Kennels  in  Surrey,  has 
voluntarily  offered  one  of  his  champion  dogs, 
" Hans  of  Send,”  a massive  but  tractable 
canine  actor  whose  suitability,  vocally  and 
otherwise,  for  the  title  role,  has  been  proved 
by  microphone  and  camera  test. 

“ The  Ringer  ” Starts 

Beaeonsfield  Studios  realised  their  close 
connection  with  Edgar  Wallace  on  Monday, 
for  the  first  set  of  " The  Ringer  ” revealed 
the  Scotland  Yard  office  of  the  Assistant 
Commissioner  of  Police.  Everything  was 


there — even  to  the  map  of  London,  and  the 
telephones  which  vibrate  with  the  latest 
complications  that  one  always  expects  from 
a Wallace  thriller. 

A strong  cast  has  been  lined  up  for  " The 
Ringer  ’ ’ — J ohn  Longden,  Patrick  Curwen1 
Franklin  Dyall,  Gordon  Harker,  Esmond 
Knight,  Dorothy  Bartlam,  Carol  Goodner, 
Kathleen  Joyce,  Arthur  Stratton  and  Eric 
Stanley.  Direction  is  by  Walter  Forde, 
assisted  by  W.  J.  Dodds  and  Herbert  Smith. 
Cameramen  are  Leslie  Rowson,  Alec  Bryce, 
W.  Brocklebank  and  Hugh  Rose.  Eugene 
Pizev  is  taking  stills. 

West  Is  Not  East! 

One  scene  for  " The  Happy  Ending,” 
Gaumont's  current  “ talkie  ” production,  is 
laid  in  an  Indian  railway  station.  Millard 
Webb,  the  director,  had  the  “ station  ” built 
upon  the  open-air  " lot  ” near  the  Uxbridge 
Road,  together  with  a portion  of  a mail 
train,  white  painted  and  “ louvred  ’’  against 
sun  and  heat,  standing  at  the  platform. 

With  a chattering  crowd  of  native  “ extras" 
as  highly  competitive  porters  and  travel- 
agency  men,  a gharri  pulled  by  a flea-bitten 
horse,  palm  trees  and  authentic  Hindustani 
inscriptions  everywhere,  it  might  have  been 
possible  to  forget  that  the  locality  was  West 
London.  But  although  the  sun  shone  last 
Friday  when  the  scene  was  filmed,  it  was 
bitterly  cold.  The  wind  was  as  eastern  as 
the  setting  ! One  felt  distinctly  sorry  for 
George  Barraud,  Anne  Grey,  the  supporting 
artists  and  the  native  “ crowd,”  all  dressed 
in  drill  suits  and  cotton  frocks. 

The  action  of  this  “ shot  ” was  the  meet- 
ing of  husband  and  wife,  played  by  George 
Barraud  and  Anne  Grey,  and  however  they 
might  have  been  affected  by  the  weather, 
they  put  plenty  of  warmth  into  their  " re- 
union ! ” 

“ Tilly  of  Bloomsbury  ” Starts 

Sterling  Films  have  cast  the  following 
players  for  " Tilly  of  Bloomsbury,”  which 
started  production  at  the  B.  <£•  I),  studios 
on  Monday,  under  the  direction  of  Jack 


Raymond  : — Phyllis  Konstam,  Sydney 
Howard,  Mabel  Russell  (ex-M.P.  actress, 
whose  “ talkie  ” debut  this  is),  Edward  Chap- 
man, Ellis  Jeffreys,  Ena  Grossmith,  Olwen 
Roose,  Marie  Wright,  Leila  Page  (Mrs. 
Jeffrey  Bernerd),  H.  R.  Hignett,  Richard 
Bird  and  Sebastian  Smith. 

The  scenario  is  by  W,  P.  Lipscomb,  who 
wrote  in  the  New  Year  number  of  The 
Bioscope  giving  his  views  that  "talkies” 
must  be  essentially  moving  pictures  and 
embody  the  technique  which  has  brought 
silent  films  to  a stage  of  artistic  perfection. 
Mr.  Lipscomb  has  been  able  to  apply  many 
original  ideas  to  the  treatment  and  screen 
adaptation  of  " Tilly  of  Bloomsbury.” 

Lachman  Starts  Again 

Harry  Lachman  yesterday  recommenced 
shooting  on  “ The  Outsider,”  which  he  is 
directing  for  Eric  Hakim  at  the  B.I.P. 
studios,  Elstree.  Joan  Barry,  who  stars  in 
the  picture,  and  whose  illness  has  held  up 
active  production  for  just  over  a week,  has 
now  recovered. 

“ Alibi”  Ahead 

Alibi,"  Julius  Hagen’s  current  produc- 
tion for  W.  & F.,  is  going  well  ahead  at 
Twickenham,  where  I understand  Franklin 
Dyall,  in  his  part  of  the  villainous  Sir  Roger 
Ackroyd,  has  now  been  successfully  mur- 
dered. There  are  two  additions  to  the  cast 
of  "Alibi” — Mary  Jerrold  and  Ronald 
Ward,  who  will  play  the  part  originally 
assigned  to  Leslie  Perrins.  Other  players 
include  John  Deverell  and  Austin  Trevor. 

John  Harvel  is  Col.  Benge 

John  Harvel,  of  John  Harvel  (Productions), 
Ltd.,  who,  as  I have  already  told  you,  has 
just  directed  a full-length  comedy-drama, 
titled  provisionally  " Captivation,”  is  no 
longer  a " mystery  man.”  Scores  of  people 
in  the  business  have  asked  me  who  John 
Harvel  is.  For  a special  reason  I declined 
to  divulge  the  secret  ; but  now  the  picture 
is  completed,  the  trade  may  be  told  that  he 
is  Col.  Benge,  a close  relative  of  the  Pritchard 
family,  whose  initital  P.  forms  part  of  the 
title  of  W.P.  Films,  and  whose  capital  helped 
substantially  in  the  flotation  of  that  company. 
The  Williams  Brothers,  whose  initial  com- 
pletes the  company’s  title  are,  I believe,  in 
no  way  interested  in  Col.  Benge's  (pardon, 
John  Harvel’s)  latest  production,  which,  to 
judge  by  " rushes  ” shown  me  in  the  British 
Lion  studios  theatre,  is  going  to  be  interesting. 

Norman  Arnold’s  “ Cubistic  ” Sets 

For  one  thing,  Betty  Stockfield  is  the  star. 
That  ” captivates  ” me  at  once.  I wish  they 
could  have  found  her  a more  debonair  young 
husband  than  Conway  Tearle,  but  at  least 
Mr.  Tearle  can  act  ! So  can  Violet  Vanbrugh, 
Frederick  Volpe  and  Louie  Tinsley.  I was 
among  the  guests  at  a piess  luncheon  given 
by  the  John  Harvel  Productions,  at  the 
Saracen’s  Head  Hotel,  Beaeonsfield,  last 
Wednesday,  and  arrived  at  the  British  Lion 
studio  just  soon  enough  to  see  the  final  scenes 
" shot.”  .Some  of  the  most  exquisitely 
modern  “ sets  ” of  furniture  have  been 
designed  by  Norman  Arnold,  to  whose 
amazing  originality  I pay  tribute.  The  story 
has  a slight  “ Monto  Carlo  ” flavour  which 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


27 


will,  I imagine,  hand  all  the  " spicing”  to 
Betty  Stockfield.  If  she  doesn't  allow  praise 
to  turn  her  pretty  head,  she  is  going  to  be 
the  biggest  box-office  bet  in  British  pictures. 

“ Captivation  ” for  United  Artists 

Murray  Silverstone,  of  United  Artists, 
whom  I met  at  the  presentation  luncheon 
arranged  in  honour  of  Charles  Meade  (“  Hell's 
Angels  ” special  exploiteer),  now  on  his  way 
home  to  U.S.A.  with  Mrs.  Meade,  tells  me 
that  United  Artists  are  definitely  arranging 
to  distribute  “ Captivation.”  Mr.  Silverstone 
was  interested  to  hear  that  I had  seen  rushes 
and  that  these  and  the  Norman  Arnold 
"sets”  give  great  promise  of  a fine  film. 
Certainly  the  John  Harvel  company  is 
fortunate  in  fixing  distribution  through  a 
concern  of  the  standing  of  United  Artists, 
especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Mr. 
Silverstone  is  one  of  the  few  American 
executives  who  are  out  to  give  British  pic- 
tures a real  " break.” 


De  Courville’ s “ Cabbies  ” 

Real  London  " cabbies  ” took  to  the 
movies  in  the  early  hours  the  other  morning, 
when  the  Famous  Players’  Guild  erected 
their  arc  lamps  in  the  middle  of  Piccadilly 
and  “ commandeered  ” an  entire  taxi  rank 
for  exteriors  for  ” 77,  Park  Lane.” 

John  Harding,  production  supervisor, 
selected  representative  "types”  from  the 
assembly  of  cabbies.  Under  the  direction 
of  Albert  de  Courville,  the  temporary  actors 
were  manoeuvred  to  and  fro  with  their  cabs, 
representing  London’s  night  traffic  ; and  all 
the  while  the  taximeters  ticked  up. 

Conspicuous  amongst  the  cabbies,  street 
cleaners,  policemen  and  London’s  night 
crowd,  which  collects  from  nowhere,  were 
Betty  Stockfield  and  Malcolm  Keen,  both  in 
evening  dress,  the  chief  characters  in  this 
dirty  piece  of  work. 

Short  Shots 

Ivor  Novello  has  signed  a five-year  contract 
with  M.-G.-M.  He  will  go  to  Hollywood  in 
the  summer  after  he  has  concluded  a New 
York  run  of  his  stage  play,  “ The  Truth 
Game.” 

* * * 

‘‘Cupboard  Love,”  a B.l.P.  short,  now 
being  directed  by  Bernard  Mainwaring,  has 
only  three  characters  ; Marjorie  Mars, 
Maurice  Evans  and  Helena  Pickard  are 
playing  them. 

* * * 

Eric  Gray  has  been  appointed  still  camera- 
man on  Harry  Lachman’s  current  pro- 
duction ‘‘  The  Outsider,”  and  O.  Trytel  is 
writing  the  special  music  for  the  picture. 

W.H.M. 

Kinematograph  Society's 
Next  Meeting 

Owing  to  unforseen  circumstances,  the  date 
of  the  next  general  meeting  of  the  British 
Kinematograph  Society  and  the  venue  have 
had  to  be  altered.  The  meeting  will  take 
place  on  Tuesday,  February  24th,  instead 
of  Monday.  The  place  will  be  the  Gaumont- 
British  Theatre,  Film  House,  Wardour  Street 
The  time  will  be  as  before,  7.45  p.m. 

At  this  meeting  a full  discussion  of  the 
draft  constitution  as  drawn  up  by  the  ex- 
ecutive will  take  place,  and  amendments,  if 
any,  incorporated.  The  constitution  as  passed 
by  this  meeting  will  then  stand  as  the  perma- 
nent by-laws  of  the  Society. 

Also  at  this  meeting  the  officers  for  the 
year  will  be  elected. 


British  Instructional  : New  Plans 

Anthony  Asquith's  Next 


After  a period  of  comparative  inactivity, 
during  which  the  Company’s  amalgamation  to 
British  International 
has  been  etfected. 
British  Instructional 
are  again  to  com- 
mence active  produc- 
tion. Two  new 
feature  productions 
are  to  commence  al- 
most immediately 
under  the  personal 
supervision  of  H 
Bruce  Woolfe. 

These  are  ” The 
Limping  Man,”  in 
which  Frankly  n 
Dyall  will  star  under 
the  direction  of  John 
Orton,  and  *'  Carni- 
val,” an  adaptation 
of  Compton  Mc- 
Kenzie’s well-known 
novel,  which  will  be 
directed  by  Anthony 
Asquith,  who  has 
been  given  cavte  b'a>i:  he  to  base  on  this  story 


one  of  the  most  ambitious  and  spectacular 
films  ever  undertaken  by  British  Instruc- 
tional. 

Four  other  features  yet  to  be  titled  have 
been  decided  upon  ; a further  announcement 
will  follow  very  shortly. 

In  addition  to  its  new  activities  in  feature 
film  production,  the  British  Instructional 
concern  is  setting  up  at  once  an  entirely  nev\ 
department  for  the  production  of  shorts. 
No  less  than  24  Secrets  of  Nature  shorts 
are  planned  for  the  coming  year,  and  in 
addition  to  these  there  will  be  produced  an 
entirely  new  series  of  novelty  featurettes, 
exact  details  of  which  are  being  kept  secret 
It  is  interesting  to  know  that  Mr.  Bruce 
Woolfe  contemplates  taking  a more  active 
part  in  the  studio  side  of  the  Company's 
activities.  He  will  himself  supervise  the 
whole  of  this  new  schedule,  which  as  at  present 
arranged  will  be  completed  entirely  at  the 
Welwyn  Studios. 


Australia  Banking  Hopes  on 
British  Pictures 

Exhibitors  “ Bribing”  the  Kids 

(Font  Our  Own  Australian  Correspondent , Lindsay  Iindean.) 


“The  W Plan”  is  the  first  new  year 
picture  carrying  a British  trade  mark  to 
go  out,  and  it  made  a nice  start  in  Sydney 
with  an  extended  season  run  at  the  Lyceum 
If  the  picture  makes  a hit  (and  it  has  already 
done  so  with  the  newspaper  and  trade  critics) 
the  fact  will  be  a feather  in  England’s  cap- 
as  the  theatre  has  found  it  hard  to  get  a 
winner  of  late. 

‘‘On  Approval”  is  expected  to  do  big 
things  here,  having  measured  up  even  better 
at  New  Zealand  box-offices  than  “ Rookery 
Nook,”  and  the  latter  made  the  records 
topple.  The  Australian  premiere  is  set  for 
the  Sydney  State,  Australia's  million  pound 
theatre. 

* * * 

Miniature  golf  continues  to  slide,  and  at 
present  only  the  de  luxe  courses  are  doing 
any  business,  and  these  only  because  of 
competitions,  with  such  desirable  things  as 
motor  cars  and  radio  sets  as  prizes.  The 
charge  per  round  has  dropped,  generally,  to 
6d.,  a cut  of  50  per  cent,  on  the  charge  in  the 
boom  days  of  a few  months  back.  The 
sudden  death  of  the  game,  which  is  esti- 
mated to  have  around  7)300,000  invested  in 
it,  will  see  practically  all  operators  showing 
a loss. 

* * * 

The  financial  trouble  through  which  Aus- 
tralia is  at  present  passing  is  naturally 
affecting  theatres  and  practically  every 
allied  interest  of  the  motion  picture  industry. 
Heavy  salary  cuts  and  mass  dismissals  are 
the  headaches  offered,  and  there  is  very  few 
in  the  business  who  are  not  hanging  on  to 
their  jobs  with  grim  determination.  One 
big  circuit  dismissed  54  employees  last  week. 

Optimists  predict  a “ turning  of  the 


corner  ” very  soon,  but  in  the  meantime  the 
going  is  proving  tough. 

* * * 

Tom  Holt,  who  went  to  Hollywood  as 
F.  W.  Thring's  representative  in  connection 
with  the  establishing  of  a “ talike  "-producing 
centre  locally,  is  back  with  everything  ready 
for  an  early  start.  He  says  that  Eff-Tee 
Productions  plan  to  start  actual  filming  in 
April. 

Norman  Lindsay’s  novel  “ Recheap  ” will 
be  followed  b)'  “ The  Sentimental  Bloke,” 
once  made  here  as  a silent,  as  the  first  im- 
portant “ talkies  ” to  be  tackled.  It  is 
stated  that  a Hollywood  director  has  been 
engaged  and  he  comes  here  later  in  the  year. 
* * * 

Just  how  hard  it  is  to  get  the  crowds  to 
attend  picture  theatres  is  instanced  in  the 
manner  in  which  matinee  shows  are  being 
conducted.  Even  the  first  line  houses  are 
going  out  enthusiastically  after  the  kid’s  six- 
pences. Besides  the  show,  the  patrons  are 
treated  to  sweets,  toys  and  novelties  as 
extras,  free  of  cost. 

It  is  all  right  getting  the  kids  along  ; 
there  is  money  in  them,  and  their  talk  is 
liable  to  bring  the  parents  to  the  theatre 
also,  but  it  certainly  is  hard  lines  when  they 
have  got  to  be  bribed. 

* * * 

The  first  full  length  ” talkie  to  be  made 
there  was  completed  last  week  by  Norman 
Dawn,  American  director,  who  did  the  job 
out  of  his  own  pocket.  I had  a look  at  the 
early  rushes  on  the  film,  which  is  titled 
‘‘  Talkie  Mad,”  and  then  the  sound  was  not 
so  good,  but,  I understand,  a new  system  of 
recording  has  brought  this  important  work 
up  to  the  best  standard  of  perfection. 

Dawn  has  worked  hard  and  under  diffi- 
culties over  a period  of  six  months,  and  for 
his  sake  it  is  hoped  that  the  picture  gets 
somewhere  with  the  locals. 


BIOSCOPE  ART  - < - - 
SECTION  •••  STILLS  - * 
FROM  FORTHCOMING 
BOOKINGS. 


February  is,  11)31 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


Arthur " 


A 


Foxs  " Court  of  King 


Big  claims  are  made  by  the  Fox 
organisation  on  behalf  of  Will  Rogers’ 
new  starring  picture,  “ The  Yankee  at 
the  Court  of  King  Arthur,”  the  new  talk 
version  of  which  will  be  seen  by  London 
in  the  near  future.  Supporting  players 
include  William  Farnum,  Brandon  Hurst 
and  Frank  Albertson. 


WILL  ROGERS 
AS  THE  YANKEE 


B 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


TWO  THIS  WEEK- 


On  Friday  next,  February  20th,  at  the  Palace  Theatre,  at  3 p.m.,  P.D.C.  will  present  their  latest 
Bill  Boyd  picture,  “ The  Painted  Desert,”  an  unusual  story  of  “ the  great  outdoors  ” in  which 
the  highlights  are  provided  by  hundreds  of  stampeding  cattle.  In  principal  supporting  roles 
are  Helen  Twelvetrees  and  William  Farnum, 


February  18,  1931 


the  bioscope 


c 


-FROM  P.D.C. 


The  first  of  the  P.D.C.  dramatic  subjects  to  be  produced  at  Cricklewcod,  “ Other  People’s  Sins,” 
offers  a gripping  story  in  beautiful  photography.  Anne  Grey  makes  a big  success  of  the  feminine 
lead,  with  Stewart  Rome  and  Horace  Hodges  as  principal  supporters.  Directed  by  Sinclair  Hill, 
it  is  likely  to  prove  a big  booking  proposition,  and  is  to  be  shown  at  the  Cambridge  Theatre  on 
Tuesday  next,  February  24th. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


Western 


February  18,  1931 


Ken  Maynard 


"FIGHTING 
THROUGH " 


he  first  Western  made  by  Ken  Maynard  for  1 Kfany  will 
reened  at  the  Astoria,  Charing  Cross  Road,  on  Friday,  at  11. 
he  picture  is  being  distributed  by  Gaumont. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


E 


An  Avery  Hopwood  Play 


Miriam  Hopkins  heads  the  cast  in  “ Fast  and  Loose,”  adapted 
from  Avery  Hopwood ’s  play  “ The  Best  People,”  and  is 
supported  by  Carol  Lombard,  Frank  Morgan,  Charles  Starrett 
and  Henry  Wadsworth.  A story  of  youthful  indiscretions, 
the  picture  is  to  be  unreeled  at  the  Carlton  on  Tuesday  next, 
at  11. 


COMEDY-DRAMA 
FROM  PARAMOUNT 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


With 


// 


Trader  Horn 


// 


Mel ro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  long-awaited  African  jungle  film  “ Trader  Horn  ” had  its  New  York 
premiere  early  this  month  and  is  to  be  seen  in  London  within  a week  or  so.  The  white  cast  is 
headed  bv  Harry  Carey,  Edwina  Booth  and  Duncan  Renaldo.  With  them  the  director — 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


G 


n the  African  Jungle 


W.  S.  Van  Dyke,  travelled  15,000  miles  for  his  locations.  The  company  and  25  technicians 

spent  six  months  in  British  East  Africa,  proceeding  inland  past  Nairobi  to  the  West  Shore  of 
Lake  Victoria  and  into  the  wilder  parts  of  the  Belgian  Congo.  Thousands  of  blacks,  including 
some  pigmy  tribes  rarely  seen  by  white  men,  were  filmed. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  IS,  1931 


Gainsborough  Comedy  and- 


LESLIE  HENSON 
TURNS  BOOKIE 


Ideal  Films  will  unreel  their  new  Gainsborough  comedy,  “ the 
Sport  of  Kings,”  at  the  Palace  Theatre,  on  Monday  next, 
February  23rd,  at  8.30  p.m.  The  trade  will  then  have  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  Leslie  Henson,  supported  by  Gordon 
Harker,  Hugh  Wakefield,  Dorothy  Boyd,  Mary  Jerrold  and 
Barbara  Gott,  in  Victor  Saville’s  screen  interpretation  of  the 
successful  stage  farce  of  life  on  the  turf. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


i 


Drama  for  Ideal 


And  on  Thursday,  February  26th,  at  the  Palace  Theatre,  at 
8.30  p.m.,  Ideal  will  present  still  another  Gainsborough  British 
picture — “ The  Stronger  Sex  ” — this  time  with  a triangular 
interest  worked  out  in  the  coal  fields,  with  Colin  Clive,  Adrianne 
Allen  and  Martin  Lewis  in  the  principal  roles.  Gordon  Harker 
and  Elsa  Lanchester  supply  a little  comedy  relief  in  this  otherwise 
unrelieved  drama  of  passion.  V.  Gareth  Gundrey  directed. 


REGENERATION— AT 
THE  COAL  FACE! 


J 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18  lO.'U 


M 


en  in 


the  " Cimarron " Credit  Titles 


Here  are  pictorial  flashes  of  the  men  whose  work  you  will  see  when  Radio’s  “ Cimarron  goes 
on  at  the  Leicester  Square  Theatre — but  whose  faces  you  will  not  ! 

(1)  Wesley  Ruggles  (the  director)  and  Howard  Estabrook  (scenarist),  working  out  some  big 
moments.”  (2)  Ruggles  with  Eddie  Cronjager,  one  of  the  cameramen.  (3)  I he  complete 
team  of  cameramen  engaged  to  film  " Cimarron.”  (4)  Max  Ree,  R.K.O.  art  director, 
working  out  one  of  the  street  sets  in  miniature,  (5)  An  unusual  shot  of  an  outdoor  set. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


29 


Western  Electric  Wire 
Hippodrome 

Romance  of  Old  London  Hall 


Repertory  House  for 
Standard 

New  Theatre , Cardiff 

The  news,  exclusively  given  in  The 
Bioscope  several  months  ago,  that  the  New 
Theatre,  Cardiff,  the  most  important  reper- 
tory house  in  Wales,  was  to  turn  “ talkie,” 
was  confirmed  on  Monday  last. 

The  theatre  (writes  The  Bioscope  South 
Wales  correspondent)  has  been  leased  to 
Standard  Cinema  Properties,  of  Birmingham, 
•of  which  Mortimer  Dent  is  managing 
director. 

The  theatre  is  to  be  wired  shortly,  and 
it  is  hoped  to  open  it  as  a ‘‘talkie  ” house 
next  August. 

The  New  Theatre  will  be  Standard  Pro- 
perties’ second  house  in  Wales,  for  that 
circuit  already  controls  the  Regal,  Llanelly. 

Interesting  Trade 
Wedding 

Nat  Cohen— Ailsey  Defries 

There  was  a big  gathering  of  prominent 
trade  personalities  present  at  the  wedding 
of  Miss  Ailsey  Defries,  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
(Mrs.  Harry  Defries,  held  at  the  Brondesbury 
Synagogue  on  Sunday  last. 

Besides  other  big  financial  interests,  Mr. 
Defries  is  chairman  of  the  Sterling  Film 
Co.,  Ltd. 

The  bridegroom,  Nat  Cohen,  is  a well- 
known  London  exhibitor. 

The  beautiful  and  impressive  wedding 
ceremony,  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Dayan 
Lazarus,  was  attended  by  some  hundreds 
of  guests,  who,  immediately  following  the 
ceremony,  adjourned  to  the  Portman  Rooms, 
Baker  Street,  for  luncheon.  Later  in  the 
day,  the  guests  reassembled  for  dinner  and 
a ball,  amongst  those  present  being  C.  M. 
Woolf,  Samuel  Harrison  (director  of  Ster- 
ling), L.  Zimmerman  (managing  director  of 
Sterling),  Jack  Zimmerman  (Sterling),  Philip 
Hvams,  A.  Goide,  Sam  Berney,  Alfred 
Lever,  Sam  Phillips,  Ralph  Specterman, 
Jack  Raymond,  Sydney  Howard  and  Dr. 
R.  Becker  (A.S.F.I.,  Wemblev). 

The  Mayor  and  Mayoress  of  Stepney 
presented  the  bridal  couple  with  two  pairs 
of  silver  candelabra  of  exquisite  workman- 
ship, in  memory  of  the  late  J.  Cohen,  father 
of  the  bridegroom,  as  a token  of  esteem  for 
his  charitable  work  in  relation  to  the  poor 
Jews  in  London. 


For  thirty  years  one  of  the  most  famous 
legitimate  theatres  in  the  West  End,  the 
London  Hippodrome  is  to  instal  Western 
Electric  equipment  for  the  showing  of  talking 
pictures. 

The  Hippodrome  wras  built  to  carry  out 
a long-cherislied  idea  of  the  late  Sir  Edward 
Moss  that  he  would  give  Londoners  ” a 
circus  show  second  to  none  in  the  world, 
combined  with  elaborate  stage  spectacles 
impossible  in  any  other  theatre.” 

It  was  originally  planned  to  open  the 
Hippodrome  at  Christmas,  1899,  but  such 
were  the  mechanical  difficulties  with  the 
first  water  spectacle,  " Giddy  Ostend,”  that 
it  was  not  until  three  weeks  later  that  the 
first  performance  was  given.  For  this  aquatic 
show,  and  for  the  many  that  followed  it, 
all  the  necessary  water  for  the  Hippodrome 
“ lake  ” — one  of  the  sights  of  London  at  the 
time — was  drawn  from  under  the  stage,  where 
the  rapidly  running  river  Cranbourne  still 
flows. 

The  lessor  is  Viscount  Cranbourne,  and 
the  lease  of  the  Hippodrome  terminates 
on  December  25,  1981 — fifty  years  hence. 

Charlie  Chaplin  was  in  the  cast  of  the 
first  Hippodrome  spectacle,  “ Giddy  Ostend.  ” 
Houdini  and  De  Rougement  were  special 
novelties  and  were  the  talk  of  London  at 
that  time.  Houdini  successfully  escaped 


J.  H.  Seidelman,  of  Paramount-Publix 
foreign  affairs,  has  recently  been  inspecting 
Paramount  here,  including  the  plan  for 
reorganisation  of  the  Paramount- Joinville 
studios.  Robert  T.  Kane’s  plan  is  to  put 
Paramount  European  production  on  a wider 
and  firmer  base,  with  ” units  ” which  may  be 
sent  out  filming  to  any  part  of  the  Continent 
and  England.  Already  many  changes  have 
•been  made  amongst  the  personnel  of  the 
Paramount  studio,  and  Charles  de  Rochefort, 
Louis  Mercanton  and  Alberto  Cavalcanti  are 
reported  to  have  definitely  terminated  their 
association  with  the  concern. 

Faraud  Leaves  Paramount  for  Gaumont 

M.  Faraud  has  left  the  Societe  des  Grands 
Cinemas  Franeais — which  is  the  name  of  the 


from  some  special  handcuffs  locked  upon 
him  by  a representative  of  the  Daily  Mirrov 
(Will  A.  Bennet),  and  De  Rougement 
justified  his  boast  in  The  Wide  World 
Magazine  that  he  could  ride  on  the  back  of 
a real  live  turtle  whilst  that  “ aquatic 
reptile  ” swam  about  the  arena  lake. 

Shows  which  helped  to  bring  fame  to  the 
Hippodrome  were  ” Siberia,”  “ The  Bandits,” 
“ Tally  Ho,”  ” The  Redskins,”  “ The  Earth- 
quake,” “ Honeyland,”  “ Butterflies  in  Fairy- 
land,” “The  Zuyder  Zee,”  "The  Jolly 
Dutch  Girl  ” and  other  old  favourites. 

Many  of  the  world’s  famous  clowns  have 
appeared  at  the  Hippodrome.  Probably 
the  best  remembered  of  them  allisMarceline, 
who  became  so  pouplar  that  it  was  thought 
a grave  risk  to  let  him  take  a holiday  in 
America.  Another,  La  Belle  Litcomb,  the 
first  equestrienne  to  wear  a directoire  dress, 
whilst  riding  with  Otto  Twig,  the  famous 
ringmaster,  in  Rotten  Row,  so  amazed  Mr. 
Winston  Churchill,  who  was  also  riding  at 
the  time,  that  he  is  said  to  have  fallen  off 
his  horse  ! 

In  1909  the  “ old  ” Hippodrome  was 
partially  rebuilt. 

Now,  with  its  1,473  seats,  it  goes  “ talkie.” 
with  a W.E.  3 SX-FD.-N.S.  type  instal- 
lation. 


Paramount  exhibiting  organisation  here — to 
join  the  exploitation  department  of  Gaumont- 
Franco-Film-Aubert  in  a similar  capacity. 
This  news  is  a prelude  to  several  important’ 
changes  which  will  take  place  at  G.-F.-F.-A. 
within  the  space  of  three  months,  changes 
which  The  Bioscope  foreshadowed  on 
November  5th  last. 

* * * 

Gaumont-Franco-Film-Aubert  is  present- 
ing the  A.S.F.I.  film  “ The  City  of  Song,” 
the  version  for  distribution  in  France  being 
that  in  which  Brigitte  Helm  and  J ean  Kiepura 
are  the  stars.  The  film  is  described  in  the 
Press  as  a Vandal  & Delac  production. 

* * * 

Henri  Robert  Monnier,  directeur  of  Uni- 
versal-Film, Paris,  since  July,  1927,  has  given 
up  his  post.  His  successor  is  not  yet  named. 
M.  (Monnier  has  joined  Pathe-Cinema. 

Graham  Maingot's  New  Company 

The  Societe  Anonyme  Victoria-Cinema  is 
the  title  of  the  new  company  which  takes  over 
the  business  of  Victoria-Films,  founded  by 
A.  Graham-Maingot,  primarily  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  British  productions.  The 
directors  of  the  new  concern  are  the  Viscount 
de  Naurois,  Colonel  Raynal,  A.  Graham- 
Maingot,  and  F.  Arkless,  vice-president  of 
the  British  Chamber  of  Commerce  at 
Marseilles.  Victoria-Cinema,  S.A.,  will 
distribute  French  and  other  talking  films,  and 
will  probably  enter  the  production  field  later 
on.  Hitherto,  the  old  firm  has  done  business 
with  British  productions  from  the  Gaumont, 
Nettlefold,  Gainsborough,  British  Instruc- 
tional and  other  studios. 


An  impression  of  the  dining  hall  at  the  celebration  of  the  wedding  of  Nat  Cohen  and  Miss  Defries 
(daughter  of  Harry  Defries,  chairman  of  Sterling  Films,  Ltd.)  on  Sunday  last 


Paramount  Studio  Reorganisation 

Plan  to  Widen  Activities 

(From  Our  French  Correspondent,  Georges  Clarriere) 


30 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


°f  the  Palladium.  Oldham,  and  the  Palladium,  Stockport,  make  merry  among  a crowd 
of  80 J at  the  first  Annual  Ball  organised  by  Wally  Baker.  It  was  tied  up  with  exploitation 
of  Paramount’s  “ The  Vagabond  King  ” 


Pathe's  Third  and 
Fourth 

Panoramic  scenes  of  the  terrible  earth- 
quake which  devastated  Japan,  and  shots 
of  the  ill-fated  expedition  of  Irvine  and 
Mallory,  who  perished  when  attempting  to 
climb  Mount  Everest,  are  included  in  the 
third  anniversary  issue  of  the  Pathe  Gazette, 
as  well  as  some  splendid  scenes  of  the  opening 
of  the  British  Empire  Exhibition  by  the 
King.  There  are  also  pictures  of  Lenin’s 
lying-in-state  and,  in  contrast,  some  shots 
of  Queen  Alexandra’s  funeral.  The  General 
Strike  also  provides  material  for  astonishing 
scenes. 

The  fourth  edition  of  the  Gazette’s  his- 
torical review  deals  largely  with  the  progress 
of  aviation,  and  contains  Lindberg’s  epic 
flight  ; the  rescue  of  Nobile  and  crew  of  the 
airship  " Italia  ” at  the  North  Pole  ; Count 
Zeppelin’s  flight  to  America ; Britain’s 
triumph  in  the  Schneider  Cup  ; R.lOl's  first 
and  last  flight,  and  “Bremen’s”  first  East 
to  West  Atlantic  voyage.  Other  items  of 
interest  in  this  edition  are  the  illness  of  His 
Majesty  the  King  and  his  homecoming 
from  convalescence  at  Bognor,  and  the 
centenary  of  the  Catholic  Emancipation. 


Judging 

Cf  Madame  Guillotine  r 

The  Fidelytone  system  of  sound  recording 
will  be  judged  when  “ Madame  Guillotine,” 
the  ’’  talkie  ” directed  by  Reginald  Fogwell, 
is  privately  shown  on  Friday  next. 

It  is  claimed  that  for  simplicity  and 
economy  in  production,  flexibility  in  editing 
and  for  many  other  reasons  this  sytem  is 
one  of  the  finest  on  the  market,  and  although 
it  is  only  of  recent  months  that  its  name 
has  become  known,  it  is  in  no  way  experi- 
mental or  untried.  It  is  actually  the  result 
of  prolonged  research  and  development 
carried  out  by  experienced  electrical  and 
mechanical  engineers. 

At  present  only  one  studio  is  equipped 
with  the  Fidelytone  system,  but  as  it  is  par- 
ticularly transportable,  and  is  unaffected  by 
vibration,  it  is  likely  that  before  long  a great 
many  more  " talkies  ” will  be  recorded  by 


Clara  Bow  with  Stanley  Smith  in  “ Love  Among 
the  Millionaires,”  for  trade  show  by  Paramount 
at  the  Carlton  on  Friday,  February  2C*.  at  11  a.m. 


Fidelytone 

First  Feature  Record 

this  process,  especially  owing  to  the  fact 
that  there  are  no  royalties  demanded  by  the 
owners.  The  purchase  price,  which  compares 
favourably  with  any  other  make  of  sound 
recording  system,  includes  all  charges,  and 
the  results  of  this  variable  area  system  are 
said  to  be  all  that  could  be  desired.  “ Madame 
Guillotine  ” tests  the  recording  powers  of 
the  system  to  the  greatest  extent. 

In  addition  to  the  studio  recording  sets 
already  in  use,  it  is  the  intention  of  the 
company  to  manufacture  portable  news  reel 
apparatus — an  apparatus  which  can  also 
be  used  for  interior  work  if  required.  Facili- 
ties are  also  available  for  the  conversion  of 
any  make  of  camera  to  “ silent.”  Another 
unique  feature  of  the  system,  and  one  which 
will  be  found  to  save  a vast  amount  of  time 
both  in  the  studio  and  in  editing,  is  the 
provision  of  an  optical  mechanism  for  photo- 
graphing the  title  and  number  of  each  “ shot  ” • 
on  the  sound  track  negative.  An  ingenious 
type  of  mechanical  fuse  is  provided  in  each 
camera  drive,  and  also  on  the  sound  record- 
ing unit  in  the  form  of  a coupling  pin,  which 
is  just  strong  enough  to  transmit  the  normal 
driving  power,  but  will  instantly  shear  if  a 
jam  occurs  in  the  camera  or  sound  unit, 
thus  eliminating  any  possibility  of  damage 
to  delicate  mechanism. 

Four  microphones  are  provided  with  each 
Fidelytone  installation.  Power  vans  fitted 
with  the  Fidelytone  apparatus  for  the  film- 
ing of  special  exterior  scenes  are  also  avail- 
able, and  these  can  be  adapted  for  use  for 
" interior  ” work. 

Although  “ Madame  Guillotine  ” is  the 
first  full  length  drama  to  be  recorded  by 
this  process,  Fidelytone,  several  short  features 
have  been  synchronised  on  the  Fidelytone 
Company’s  system. 

“CLASSITONE  AT  KINGS  HEATH 
TUDOR 

The  new  model  Classitone  sound  apparatus 
has  been  installed  at  the  Tudor  Theatre, 
Haunch  Lane,  King’s  Heath,  Birmingham. 
Reproduction  on  both  sound  on  film  and 
sound  on  disc  is  acclaimed  highly  satis- 
factory. Full  technical  details  will  be  pub- 
lished later. 


Lupino  Lane  Comedy 
Retitled 

“ All  of  a Tremble,”  the  comedy-drama 
made  by  Lupino  Lane  Productions  for  P.D.C., 
has  been  retitled  “ Never  Trouble  Trouble.” 
This  film,  which  will  shortly  be  trade  shown, 
deals  with  the  misadventures  of  an  artist 
who  spends  his  last  £5  in  commissioning  his 
own  death  from  a “ suicide  broker,”  and 
when  his  fortunes  take  a sudden  turn  for 
the  better,  cannot  find  the  man  to  cancel 
the  order. 

Lupino  Lane,  in  the  star  role,  is  supported 
by  Jack  Hobbs,  Wallace  Lupino,  Dennis 
Hoey,  Wal  Patch,  Tom  Shale,  Iris  Ashley, 
Renee  Clama,  Rosemary  Seymour,  Syd 
Crossley  and  Lola  Hunt. 

A particularly  catchy  theme-song,  ” If  We 
Two  Went  Shopping,”  written  by  Clifford 
Glenn,  is  introduced. 

“Big  Trail”  Wagon  for 
Alexandra  Palace 

The  100-years-old  wagon  which  has  been 
used  by  Fox  in  this  country  in  connection 
with  their  picture  " The  Big  Trail,”  and 
which  went  into  the  last  London  Lord 
Mayor’s  Show,  has  been  presented  to  the 
Trustees  of  Alexandra  Palace.  London,  where 
it  will  occupy  a prominent  site  in  the  museum, 
forming  a permanent  record  of  those  hardy 
pioneers — British,  or  of  British  descent — 
who  left  Missouri  100  years  ago  and  blazed 
the  trail  that  opened  up  the  great  North  West 
of  the  American  Continent  to  civilisation. 

Corby  Exhibitor  Entertains 
250  Kiddies 

A tea  and  entertainment  was  given  to 
250  children  at  Lloyds  Cinema,  Corby, 
Northants,  on  Tuesday  last.  Films  for  the 
entertainment  were  kindly  lent  by  Universal 
A pleasant  evening  was  concluded  with 
variety  items  by  members  of  the  committee 
and  cinema  staff. 

Mr.  Brooks,  headmaster  of  the  local  school, 
thanked  Mr.  Roe,  the  cinema  manager,  and 
members  of  the  committee  for  their  kindness 
A vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  all  those  who 
helped  with  the  entertainment. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


3. 


U.S.  Acclaims  “Trader  Horn” 

Biggest  Since  cc  Ben  Hur,”  Say  M.-G.-M. 


' Trader  Horn,”  the  adventurer  himself.  His 
story,  filmed  by  M.-G.-M.,  will  be  shown  in 
London  in  the  very  near  future 


British  Lion  Enlarges 
Renting  Policy 

To  Present  Talking 
Westerns 

An  interesting  announcement  is  made  by 
the  British  Lion  Film  Corporation,  which 
indicates  an  enlarge- 
ment of  the  renting 
policy  of  this  pro- 
gressive unit. 

Last  year  the 
Corporation  decided 
to  handle  its  own 
talking  film  output. 
Bookings  exceeded 
the  most  sanguine 
expectations,  and 
big  box  office  busi- 
ness has  been  re- 
ported from  all  the 
territories. 

S.  W.  Smith,  who 
controls  the  activi- 
ties of  the  Corpora- 
tion, realising  that 
the  appeal  of  back 
stage  stuff  and  sex 
drama  could  at  best 
be  ephemeral  only, 
has  adopted  a bold 
policy,  which  is  nothing  less  than  to  present 
an  entire  block  of  action  pictures  with 
Western  settings,  of  the  type  that  for  years 
was  the  popular  mainstay  of  the  cinema 
programme. 

Produced  by  the  Syndicate  Picture  Cor- 
poration of  America,  and  presented  by  W. 
Ray  Johnston,  these  will  be  all- talking  films. 

The  titles  of  the  first  eight,  all  of  which 
will  feature  well-known  players,  are  : " Under 
Texas  Skies,”  “ Westward  Bound,”  “ West 
of  Cheyenne,”  " Beyond  the  Law,”  " Riders 
of  the  North,”  “ The  Lonesome  Trail,”  ” The 
Phantom  of  the  Desert,”  “ The  Code  of 
Honour,”  and  arrangements  for  the  early 
trade  showing  of  these  will  be  announced  in 
a few  days. 

Other  British  pictures  are  also  scheduled 
for  release  by  the  Corporation,  which  thus, 
at  a bound,  becomes  prominent  in  renting 
activities. 


" Trader  Horn,”  M.-G.-M.’s  drama  of  the 
African  wilds,  has  smashed  all  records  at 
Grauman’s  Chinese  Theatre,  Hollywood, 
where  it  had  its  world  premiere.  Ever  since 
the  opening  the  hall  has  been  packed  to 
capacity  at  matinee  and  evening  performance. 
Advance  sales  extend  into  several  weeks. 

Educational  authorities  have  become  inter- 
ested, and  a committee  of  university  and 
school  authorities  attended  a special  showing 
and  proclaimed  its  educational  value  equal 
with  its  entertainment  value. 

Following  the  success  of  the  premiere  in 
Hollywood,  the  New  York  premiere  took 
place  at  the  Astor  Theatre  on  Broadway,  and, 
difficult  as  it  may  seem,  eclipsed  that  of 
Hollywood. 

Jack  Alicoate,  Editor  of  the  Film  Daily, 
wrote  : — 

“ Here's  the  honey.  Metro  put  a barrel  of  dough 
into  its  making.  The  result  is  a cinema  cocktail  of 
adventure,  thrills,  intrigue,  romance,  love,  atmosphere 
and  beauty  seldom  heretofore  attained  on  the  screen. 
It  s a compelling  picture.  This  Aloysius  fellow  looks 
like  sure-fire  B.O. 

Says  Maurice  Kann,  Editor  of  the  Motion 
Piet’ re  Daily  : — 

“ There's  menace  and  grimness  in  * Trader  Horn,’ 
and  they  spell  dollars  at  the  box-office.” 

William  Crouch,  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Herald , describes  it  as  : — 

’■  A talking  picture  work  of  epic  proportions,  with  a 
fascinating  and  grippingly  suspensive  story  which  holds 
the  attention  throughout  and  possesses  every  requisite 
of  high  quality  entertainment.  In  the  matter  of  wild 
animal  picturisation  and  the  recording  of  real  thrills, 
this  film  unquestionably  excels  anything  we  have  yet 
seen  on  the  screen.” 

The  New  York  dailies  are  equally  enthu- 
siastic. Here  is  the  Evening  World  report  : — 

“ One  is  deeply  thrilled — indeed,  thrilled  to  a point 
of  shouting,  almost — when  the  African  gun-bearer 
hurls  a spear  into  the  brain  of  the  charging  lion,  when 
the  beast  is  but  a step  from  him.  This  will  give  you  a 
terrific  kick.” 

The  Daily  Mirror  waxes  enthusiastic,  as 
witness  the  following  extract  from  its 
report  : — 

“ Breath-taking.  A picture  among  pictures.  Packed 
with  thrills  and  beauty.  Don't  miss  ‘ Trader  Horn.’ 
It’s  a magnificent  achievement.” 

Janies  Gow,  of  The  World,  says  : — 

“ The  picture  contains  thrills  as  intense  as  I,  for  one, 
should  care  to  witness.  The  most  remarkable  pictures 
of  the  animal  life  that  I have  seen.  It  is  difficult  to 
imagine  more  thrilling  pictures  of  savage  beasts  than 


those  in  ' Trader  Horn.  In  fact,  I don’t  see  how  more 
thrilling  pictures  could  be  got.” 

Savs  Regina  Crewe,  of  The  American  : — 
‘Trader  Horn'  keeps  audience  in  frenzy  of 
fascination  with  its  thrills.  There  never  was  a picture 
like  this.  There's  more  hair-raising,  spine-shivering 
excitement  to  every  foot  of  film  than  may  be  boasted 
by  any  picture  yet  camera-captured.  The  terrific  kick 
of  the  jungle  wilderness  is  preserved  intact.  ‘ Trader 
Horn  ' is  the  first  film  in  which  the  mighty,  threatening 
roar  of  Africa  has  been  imprisoned  on  a sound  track.” 

Meanwhile,  the  picture  has  arrived  in  this 
country  and  great  excitement  prevails  around 
at  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  where  it  is  looked 
upon  as  the  biggest  subject  the  company  has 
handled  since  “ Ben  Hur.”  Announcements 
regarding  trade  shows  will  be  made  shortly. 

“All  Quiet v Box-Office 
Test 

Opening  to  its  second  London  release,  this 
time  in  Southern  territory,  Universal’s  " All 
Quiet  on  the  Western  Front  ” has  again 
registered  figures  which  fully  back  up  the 
honours  accorded  to  this  production. 

“ I visited  several  of  the  houses  showing 
this  production,”  writes  a special  corres- 
pondent. The  Trocadero,  Elephant  and 
Castle,  was  packed  to  the  doors. 

" At  the  Astoria,  Old  Kent  Road,  I saw  a 
packed  house  similarly  held  spellbound. 

“ The  law  allows  the  Queen’s,  Peckham,  to 
accommodate  a certain  good  number.  Mr. 
Segalov  had  accommodated  exactly  that 
number  when  I called  and  queues  had  formed, 

" At  the  Regal,  West  Norwood,  I was  told 
it  was  one  of  the  best  Mondays  for  business, 
since  the  house  opened,  while  the  Splendid,, 
Downham,  a good  distance  away,  recorded 
the  highest  figures  since  the  house  opened.. 
In  quick  succession  the  Globe  and  Imperial,, 
Clapham  Junction,  and  the  Davis  Theatre. 
Croydon,  each  announced  very  good  business 
indeed,  as  did  the  Rialto,  Upper  Norwood, 
and  the  Capitol,  Forest  Hill. 

” The  Palace,  Camberwell,  was  a certain 
relief  for  showmen’s  sore  eyes.  A remarkable 
queue  stretched  entirely  round  the  building, 
testifying  to  the  packed  house  inside,” 


S.  W.  Smith 


32 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Filmland  honours  Uncle  Carl  Laemmle.  Will  Hays  presents  the  Universal  chief  with  a scroll 
signed  by  al  leading  producers,  directors,  stars  and  writers  to  commemorate  the  ?5th  anniversary 
Of  Laemmle  s entrance  into  the  motion  picture  business.  Notice  all  the  celebrities  around 


Burbank  Busy — and  Beautiful 

First  National  To-day 


Jack  L.  Warner,  who  is  in  charge  of  all 
activities  at  the  Burbank  Studios,  has  an 
important  schedule  of  productions  in  hand 
at  the  present  moment. 

Dorothy  Mackaill  has  returned  to  the 
studios  and  commenced  work  under  her 
new  contract  in  “ Party  Husband,”  sup- 
ported by  Janies  Rennie,  Dorothy  Peterson, 
Paul  Porcasi  and  Helen  Ware. 

Richard  Barthelmess  is  starring  in  " Finger 
Points,”  which  is  reported  to  be  a story  of 
gangs  and  gangsters  developed  along  novel 
lines.  Fay  Wray  will  be  the  leading  lady 
in  this  picture. 

Loretta  Young  will  be  supported  by 
Ricardo  Cortez,  Frank  Albertson,  Frank 
Darren  and  Mickv  Bennett  in  " Big  Business 
Girl.” 


Charles  Austin  as  King  “ Ethelred  the  Unsteady  ” 
in  the  Ideal-Gainsborough  burlesque  “ Hot  Heir,” 
trade  shown  recently 


Another  important  production,  similar 
in  man}'  respects  to  the  extremely  popular 
First  National  picture  “ The  Dawn  Patrol,” 
is  " Men  of  the  Sky,”  in  which  Jack  Whiting 
and  Irene  Delroy  are  featured,  together  with 
Bramwell  Fletcher,  John  St.  Polis,  Frank 
McHugh,  pdward  Maxwell,  Otto  Matiesen, 
Lotti  Loder  and  Armand  Kaliz. 

Douglas  Fairbanks’  next  production  will 
be  a screen  version  of  " Chance,”  a novel 
by  Hamilton  Gibbs. 

During  the  interval  between  the  com- 
pletion of  last  year’s  schedule  and  the  com- 
mencement of  First  National’s  new  schedule 
at  Burbank,  many  innovations  have  been 
installed  which  are  combined  to  make 
Burbank  a place  of  beauty.  For  the  comfort 
of  the  stars  a new  restaurant,  capable  of 
accommodating  1,400  people,  has  been  built, 
and  a schoolhouse  has  been  erected  for  the 
juvenile  players  and  children  of  performers. 

Jack  L.  Warner  has  devoted  considerable 
attention  to  making  the  studios  the  largest 
and  most  beautiful  in  Hollywood. 

Film  With  No  Actors 

“ Light  Rhythms,”  by  Francis  Bruguiere 
and  Oswell  Blakeston,  is  to  be  shown  on 
February  22nd  to  the  Glasgow  Film  Society. 
There  are  no  actors  except  two  beams  of 
light,  and  there  is  no  story  except  the  plot 
of  emotions  induced  by  luminous  rhythms  ! 

Most  films  show  objects  in  light  ; “ Light 
Rhythms  ” shows  light  itself  as  a form.  The 
picture  is  full  of  technical  innovations,  al- 
though it  was  made  for  the  sum  of  /20. 
The  camera  was  an  old  box  picked  up  for 
£5.  Francis  Bruguiere  is  a celebrated  photo- 
grapher who  recently  held  an  exhibition  at 
the  Warren  Galleries,  London,  and  whose 
photographs  were  used  in  the  German  Reich- 
stag to  prove  that  photography  has  gained 
the  status  of  an  art.  Oswell  Blakeston  is  a 
well-known  writer  on  aesthetics  of  the  cinema. 
He  has  also  achieved  success  as  a novelist. 

" Light  Rhythms  ” was  first  presented  at 
the  Shaftesbury  Avenue  Pavilion,  London. 
Afterwards  the  London  Film  Society  screened 
it  at  the  Tivoli. 


“Uncle  Carl’s ” 
Silver  Jubilee 

Industry  Honours  Laemmle 

This  month  is  one  of  the  most  important 
months  in  the  life  of  Carl  Laemmle,  president 
of  Universal.  The  entire  business  is  cele- 
brating Carl  Laemmle’s  Silver  Jubilee — his 
tw'enty-fifth  year  in  moving  pictures.  Of  all 
the  men  who  were  prominent  in  the  hectic 
affairs  of  the  moving  picture  of  twenty-five 
years  ago,  Carl  Laemmle  is  the  only  one  who 
is  to-day  actively  in  charge  of  the  company 
which  he  established.  Furthermore,  his  is  the 
only  company  of  that  far-off  day  w-hich  is 
still  operating  independently,  unmerged  and 
unsubsidised.  In  another  year  Universal 
itself  will  be  twenty  years  old. 

Already  Mr.  Laemmle  has  received,  in  a 
unique  presentation,  the  congratulations  of 
249  present-day  leaders  in  the  moving 
picture  business,  contained  in  a gold-bound 
beautifully  endorsed  scroll  presented  to  him 
at  the  Universal  City  Studios  by  Will  H. 
Hays,  President  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 
Assisting  in  this  ceremony  were  Mary  Pick- 
ford,  one  of  Laemmle’s  first  moving-picture 
stars,  Irving  Thalberg,  who  owes  his  oppor- 
tunity in  moving  pictures  to  Mr.  Laemmle, 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  Will  Rogers,  Professor 
Finstein,  Louis  B.  Mayer,  Al  Christie, 
Laemmle’s  first  comedy  producer,  and  more 
than  100  others  of  moving  picture’s  most 
famous  names. 

The  scroll  itself  is  unique.  Never  before 
has  such  a complete  roster  of  the  great  and 
near-great  in  moving  pictures  collaborated 
in  good  wishes  to  any  individual  in  it.  Almost 
every  actor  and  director  owes  Laemmle  some 
thanks  for  his  moving-picture  career,  and 

Uncle  Carl,”  as  he  is  universally  called,  is 
one  of  the  most  respected  men  in  motion 
pictures. 

This  celebration  was  photographed  by  the 
sound  cameras  of  all  the  news  reels.  Carl 
Laemmle  opened  his  first  theatre  on  February 
24,  1906,  and  the  celebrations  of  this  month 
culminate  with  a ceremony  at  Universal 
City  on  February  24th  commemorating  that 
important  event. 

Warners’  Training 
Academy  for  Young 
Actors 

Warner  Brothers  announce  the  establish- 
ment of  a training  academy  for  young  actors 
and  actresses  at  the  company’s  studios  in 
Holly w'ood.  The  academy  will  be  directed 
by  Ivan  Simpson,  the  veteran  English  actor 
who  has  appeared  in  many  successful  pro- 
ductions on  both  stage  and  screen,  notably 
in  the  George  Arliss  plays  and  pictures  of 
recent  years.  Mr.  Simpson  has  personally 
developed  many  actors  and  actresses  now 
famous  on  the  New  York  and  London  stage. 

Tests  of  candidates  foi  the  academy  are 
now  under  way,  most  of  the  youthful 
aspirants  having  a limited  background  of 
experience. 

As  the  candidates  for  screen  honours 
develop  they  will  be  given  small  roles  in 
Warner  and  First  National  pictures,  and  a 
clear  path  to  stardom  will  be  opened  to 
them. 

The  training  they  are  to  receive  under 
Mr.  Simpson  will  be  thorough,  and  in  the 
best  traditions  of  the  English-speaking  stage. 
Shakespearean  plays  will  be  produced  by 
the  academy,  and  no  student  will  be  allowed 
to  graduate  from  the  school  without  having 
played  roles  in  such  productions. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


33 


Ronald  Colman  in  his  latest  United  Artists  picture,  “The  Devil  To  Pay,”  considered  by  “ The  Bioscope  ” reviewing  staff  to  be  the  best 

booking  proposition  shown  during  the  past  week 


Sound  and  Dialogue  Subjects 

ccThe  Devil  to  Pay” 

( Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : United  Artists.  Directed  by  : George  Fitzmaurice.  Length: 
6,644  feet.  Release  Date:  October  26th.  Certificate:  U.  Tyre: 

Romantic  comedy.  Cast  : Ronald  Colman,  Loretta  Voi/ng,  Frederick 
Kerr.  Florence  Britton,  David  Torrence. 

IN  BRIEF  : Brilliantly  produced  story  of  the  love  affair  of  an  easy-going 
son  of  an  English  aristocrat.  Superb  direction  backed  by  equally  effective 
portrayals  ensures  distinctive  and  delightful  entertainment.  Clever  and 
witty  dialogue.  Convincing  English  atmosphere  in  a variety  of  settings, 
including  a day  at  the  Derby.  Ronald  Colman  at  his  best  in  facetious  and 
flippant  vein.  First  rate  recording. 

Suitability  : Light  entertainment  which  will  prove  a box  office 

winner  wherever  shown. 

Selling  Angles  : Star,  story,  romance  and  comedy. 

Plot : For  the  tenth  time  Willie,  son  of  Lord  Luland,  sells  up  his  persotial 
effects  and  returns  home  to  face  an  irate  but,  secretly,  very  lovable 
father.  Arrived  home,  he  resumes  associations  with  an  actress  friend, 
but  falls  in  love  with  Dorothy,  his  sister’s  friend,  whose  heart  he  steals 
on  the  night  she  is  to  be  engaged  to  an  impecunious  Austrian  duke.  In 
renouncing  her  fianc"’,  Dorothy  makes  Willie  promise  not  to  see  the 
actress  again,  and  to  overcome  his  scruples  Willie  arranges  to  meet  her 
by  accident.  Dorothy’s  outraged  father,  convinced  that  Willie  wants 
her  for  her  money,  reveals  his  visit  to  the  actress  and  Dorothy  gives  him 
£5.000  as  payment  for  her  experience.  This  he  readily  accepts  and 
forwards  on  to  the  bankrupt  duke,  who  unwittingly  discloses  his  financial 
status.  The  result  is  a happy  reunion  for  the  lovers,  who  receive  the 
blessings  of  their  respective  parents. 

Comment : This  is  an  illuminating  instance  as  to  the  box  office  poten- 
tialities of  a comparatively  slight  story  when  in  the  hands  of  a capable 
director  and  well-chosen  cast.  The  result  is  screen  entertainment  as 
it  should  be  and  a picture  which  will  swell  the  box  office  receipts  without 
exception.  Fitzmaurice  has  introduced  some  delightful  little  touches 
well  calculated  to  react  on  the  majority  of  audiences,  such  as  the  prodigal’s 
purchase  of  a wire-haired  terrier  whose  almost  human  appeal  to  leave 
the  shop  prove  irresistible,  and  the  absurd  auction  with  which  the  film 
opens  when  Willie  takes  charge  and  disposes  of  his  goods  to  the  lowest 
bidder.  There  is  a homeliness  about  the  production,  with  scenes  at 
Waterloo,  an  amusing  exchange  of  compliments  with  a Cockney  taxi 
driver,  and  scenes  on  Epsom  Downs  on  Derby  Day,  the  only  uncon- 
vincing item  being  that  in  which  Will  finds  the  winner  and  wins  a small 
fortune. 

Acting : Almost  lovable  characters  are  a big  asset  in  the  picture’s 

success  and  each  is  admirably  portrayed.  Willie  is  a young  man'border- 


ing  on  the  ne’er-do-well,  but  nevertheless  one  who  gains  everybody’s 
sympathy,  and  Colman  has  never  been  more  aptly  cast  than  as  this  self- 
assured  and  flippant  son  of  a very  indulgent  father.  This  latter  role 
is  perfectly  handled  by  Fred  Kerr,  and  his  rendering  of  the  father  who 
rates  his  son  and  at  the  same  time  hands  him  a substantial  wallet  of 
notes  will  make  for  human  appeal.  Loretta  Young,  though  revealing 
a tinge  of  the  American  girl,  is  charming  as  Dorothy.  David  Torrence 
plays  well  as  Dorothy’s  father,  the  linoleum  king,  alarmed  at  his  daughter’s 
change  of  affection  and  determined  to  marry  her  to  a title.  The  support 
is  excellent. 

Production  : A feature  is  the  thoroughly  English  atmosphere  in  both 
interior  and  exterior  settings.  The  former  are  mainly  concerned  with 
the  sumptous  establishments  maintained  by  the  parents  and  all  are 
lavishly  but  artistically  arranged. 

Sound  : All  the  voices  are  perfectly  suited  to  the  story  and  the  recording 
is  faultless. 

CfThe  Fourth  Alarm” 

(R.C.A.  on  Film ) 

Offered  by  : ideal.  Directed  by  : Phil  Whiteman.  Length  : 5,502  feet. 

Release  Date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Type : Melodrama. 

Cast:  Ralph  Lewis,  Nick  Stuart,  Tom  Santschi,  Ann  Christy. 

IN  BRIEF  : Familiar  type  of  story  of  love  and  treachery  with  fire  brigade 
setting  and  eleventh  hour  rescue  by  hero.  Human  interest  in  parental 
pride  and  son’s  sense  of  duty.  Spectacular  fire  scenes  the  film’s  biggest 
appeal.  Fine  recording. 

Suitability  : Good  popular  house  fare. 

Selling  Angles  : Romance,  fire  thrills. 

Plot : The  son  of  a fire  chief  is  injured  while  proceeding  to  a fire  and  the 
blame  is  laid  on  a particularly  reckless  young  female  motorist  and  with 
whom  he  falls  violently  in  love.  The  girl’s  father  is  a wealthy  manufacturing 
chemist  who  breaks  the  law  by  storing  high  explosives  in  a forbidden  area. 
In  league  with  the  fire  commissioner,  he  arranges  for  the  youth  to  take  an 
inspector’s  job  with  the  idea  of  further  entrenching  himself.  The  new 
inspector  finds  the  explosive,  which  results  in  a break  with  the  girl,  who 
visits  the  factory  to  find  out  the  truth.  Meantime  a fire  breaks  out,  she  is 
trapped  in  the  storeroom  and  eventually  rescued  by  her  lover.  We  leave 
them  with  the  magnate  building  new  premises  and  taking  his  instructions 
from  his  son-in-law  to  be. 

Comment : This  has  all  the  ingredients  of  sound  popular  entertainment 
with  a conventional  love  affair  in  which  the  hero’s  sense  of  duty  outweighs 
all  other  considerations,  a policy  which  eventually  lands  him  at  the  top  of 
the  tree  and  brings  him  his  heart’s  desire.  The  cause  of  the  fire,  the  slip 
of  an  employee  of  a huge  concern  endeavouring  to  find  a suitable  spirit 
for  cigarette  lighters  is  perhaps  the  film’s  weakest  point,  but  it  serves  to 
start  a first  prize  conflagration.  A little  light  relief  comes  from  a comical 
member  of  the  brigade  who  constantly  fails  to  judge  the  distance  down 
the  pole  when  responding  to  fire  calls. 


34 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Acting  : Nick  Stuart  is  quite  well  cast  as  the  heroic  young  lover  though 
Ann  Christy,  whose  voice  leaves  a lot  to  be  desired,  hardly  appeals  as  the 
girl  likely  to  induce  him  to  risk  his  life  for.  Tom  Santschi  adequately  fills 
the  role  of  the  chemist,  and  Ralph  Lewis  plays,  rather  melodramatically, 
that  of  the  boy’s  father. 

Production  : Some  really  big  fires  have  been  included  in  the  picture, 
and  what  with  a variety  of  spectacular  long  shots,  and  the  intimate 
close-ups  of  the  tragedy  in  the  storeroom,  coupled  with  the  collective 
efforts  of  several  fire  brigades,  there  is  a sufficiency  of  thrill  to  satisfy 
any  patron.  On  the  other  side  are  the  beautifully  appointed  rooms  at  the 
girl’s  home  and  in  the  gardens  and  swimming  pool  adjoining  it. 

Sound  : All  the  sound  effects  are  good  and  the  recording  generally  is 
excellent. 

Cf Heads  Up” 

( Western  Electric  on  Film) 

Offered  by  : Paramount.  Directed  by  : Victor  Schertzinger.  Length  : 

6,724  feet.  Release  Date  : August  6,  1931.  Certificate:  U.  Type: 

Musical  Comedy  Drama.  Cast:  Charles  Rogers,  Helen  Kane,  Victor 
Moore,  Margaret  Breen. 

IN  BRIEF  : Slight  story  of  naval  cadet’s  love  affair  and  his  hand  in 
arresting  rum  running  using  yacht  belonging  to  the  girl’s  mother.  Despite 
musical  embellishments  with  song  and  dance,  film  fails  to  rise  above  average. 
Good  comedy  relief.  First  rate  recording. 

Suitability  : Fair  average  light  entertainment. 

Selling  Angles  : Star  and  story. 

Plot : A young  naval  cadet  falls  in  love,  cuts  the  other  man  out,  but  is 
himself  cut  by  the  girl’s  mother.  Uninvited,  he  yet  manages  to  join  the 
girl  on  her  mother’s  yacht,  and  is  later  recalled  to  service  to  help  investigate 
rumours  associating  the  yacht  with  rum-runners.  These  prove  to  be  true, 
but  he  and  his  two  colleagues  fall  foul  of  the  captain  and  crew  only  to  be 
saved  the  ignominy  of  defeat  by  being  thrown  into  the  water  following  a 
collision.  A select  little  band  are  thrown  up  on  an  island  from  which  they 
are  rescued  in  due  course  when  the  middy,  revealed  in  his  true  colours, 
is  free  to  pursue  a freely  sanctioned  romance. 

Comment : There  is  little  in  this  story  to  hold  one’s  interest,  even  the 
clash  at  sea  between  the  crooks  and  the  authorities  having  no  more 
dramatic  value  than  a high-spirited  adventure  among  a number  of  irre- 
sponsible youngsters.  The  romance  between  the  hero  and  the  girl  has  a 
definite  popular  appeal  and  the  story  is  helped  along  with  occasional  song 
in  sentimental  vein,  though  these  are,  in  the  main,  indifferently  rendered. 
The  best  touch  is  provided  by  the  yacht’s  cook  who  boasts  a variety  of 
weird  and  wonderful  inventions,  one  of  which  is  a collapsible  boat  stocked 
with  emergency  rations  and  wireless. 

Acting  : Charles  Rogers  is  unhappily  cast  in  a role  which  neither  calls 
for  acting  nor  over  much  action.  Only  the  rabid  Roger’s  fan  is  likely  to 
appreciate  his  efforts  in  a role  which  will  certainly  not  enhance  his  reputa- 
tion. Helen  Kane  has  pep,  but  it  is  seldom  one  can  hear  the  words  of  her 
song  or  speech.  Victor  Moore  is  good  as  the  crazy  cook  and  others  do  well. 

Production  : Scenes  at  a Naval  Academy,  social  dances  in  palatial 
apartments  on  land  and  on  the  yacht,  the  scrimmage  and  the  collision  are 
all  well  put  over. 

Sound  : This  is  all  that  is  to  be  desired. 

“ The  Wonder  of  the  World  ” 

( 2 'obis-  Klangfilm  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : International  Productions.  Produced  by  : Dr.  Walter 

Ruttman.  Length : 3,000  feet.  Release  Date : Immediate.  Certi- 

ficate : U . Type  : Travel  novelty. 

IN  BRIEF  : Impressions  of  a trip  round  the  world. 

Suitability : Out  of  the  ordinary  and  will  appeal  to  discriminating 
novelty  seekers. 

Selling  Angles  : Variety  of  scene. 

The  Film  : Starting  with  impressionistic  shots  of  a sailor  leaving  home 
on  a voyage  and  of  scenes  on  the  bridge  and  in  the  engine  room  of  the 
vessel,  the  film  goes  on  to  show  scenes  of  pictorial  similarity  gathered 
from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Comparative  pictures  of  forms  of  transport, 
religions,  dances,  sports,  customs  and  mechanical  operations  cannot  be 
without  interest,  though  Dr.  Ruttman  tried,  perhaps,  to  cover  too  much 
ground  too  thoroughly.  His  glimpses — they  are  nothing  more — cover 
so  many  subjects  and  follow  each  other  with  such  bewildering  rapidity, 
that  one  is,  at  times,  hard  put  to  it  to  appreciate  exactly  what  some  of 
the  brief  shots  portray.  Hence,  though  this  kaleidoscope  is  packed  with 
interesting  scenes,  one  is  given  so  little  time  in  which  to  study  them  that 
the  point  of  the  picture  is  apt  to  be  lost.  The  picture  could  be  definitely 
improved  either  by  limitation  of  the  number  of  subjects  treated,  or  by 
increasing  the  footage  to  allow  more  settled  impressions  of  individual 
scenes. 

Production  : Dr.  Ruttman  has  included  many  very  ingenious  shots. 
Some  of  the  engine  room  scenes,  and  the  skilful  manner  in  which  the 
return  of  a liner  to  harbour  is  suggested  by  fading  out  from  the  liner  to 
a seascape  and  back  again  to  show  the  liner  larger  and  nearer,  are  notable 
examples. 

Sound : Though  not  of  outstanding  quality  this  is  adequate  with 
occasional  dialogue  sequences. 

“ Derelict  ” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film) 

Offered  by : Paramount.  Directed  by  : Rowland  V.  Lee.  Length  : 

6,606  feet.  Release  Date:  September  14,  1931  Certificate:  U. 

Type  : Drama  of  the  Sea.  Cast  : George  Bancroft,  Wm.  Boyd,  Jessie 
Royce  Landis,  Donald  Stuart,  Wade  Boteler. 


IN  BRIEF  : Entertaining  story  of  rivalry  between  two  first  mates,  their 
love  for  the  same  girl  and  hankering  after  same  position.  Excellent 
direction  and  realistic  production  of  storm  and  wreck  at  sea.  Considerable 
humour  in  caustic  remarks  between  contending  parties.  Fine  stellar 
portrayal  and  splendid  supporting  cast.  Plenty  of  he-masculinity  in  fights 
and  heroic  rescue.  First  rate  recording  of  dialogue  and  effective  sounds. 

Suitability  : A sound  box  office  attraction. 

Selling  Angles  : Star,  action,  comedy  touches. 

Plot  : Bill  Rafferty,  first  mate  of  a small  freighter,  has  a grudge  against 
Jed  Graves,  another  mate  in  the  same  company,  and  on  arrival  of  the  two 
in  Havana,  he  steals  the  other’s  girl.  Becoming  attached  to  her,  he 
promises  to  smuggle  her  aboard  for  a free  trip  to  Rio,  but  sudden  promotion 
to  the  rank  of  captain  prevents  this.  In  the  meantime  he  has,  for  sheer 
cussedness,  arranged  for  Jed  to  sail  under  him,  and  it  is  this  gentleman 
who  takes  the  girl  aboard.  Through  a collision  during  fog  her  presence  is 
discovered  and  with  a little  collusion  between  the  girl  and  Jed  he  is 
relieved  of  his  command  in  favour  of  his  rival.  Vowing  vengeance,  he 
follows  on  a banana  hulk  and  is  eventually  successful  in  saving  his  former 
ship  and  her  crew.  Graves  and  the  firm  acknowledge  his  superiority,  the 
girl  has  proved  her  worth,  and  everything  ends  happily. 

Comment : This  is  the  type  of  “ talkie  ” which  is  said  to  be  the  aim  of 
producers  to-day,  a mixture  of  approximately  60  per  cent,  action  and 
40  per  cent,  dialogue.  The  combination  is  admirable  in  this  instance 
with  an  unflagging  interest  from  start  to  finish.  The  exchange  of  compli- 
ments between  the  two  men  supplies  a sufficiency  of  humour,  but  it  is 
their  actions  which  grip  one’s  interest.  All  the  sympathy  lies  with 
Rafferty  though  one  is  confidently  aware  that  he  is  quite  capable  of 
looking  after  himself,  despite  the  girl’s  misunderstanding,  and  the  well- 
nigh  unforgivable  treachery  of  Graves.  This  act  is  proof  of  the  man’s 
bitterness  towards  Rafferty,  and  thus  his  meek  surrender  in  the  end  of 
both  the  girl  and  the  ship  and  his  ready  aquiescence  to  resume  under  the 
other’s  command,  provides  a somewhat  weak  finish. 

Acting  : After  a brief  respite,  Bancroft  has  come  back  to  add  to  his 
triumphs  as  the  leading  actor  in  he-man  roles.  Except  when  his  opponent 
adopts  a marline -spike  as  a weapon  of  aggression  he  is  always  the 
dominant  character  and  the  embodiment  of  a hard-hitting  sailor. 
Wm.  Boyd,  in  a less  sympathetic  role,  is  equally  effective,  while  Jessie 
Landis  is  likeable  enough  as  the  habitue  of  a low  saloon. 

Production  : Except  for  an  occasional  scene  in  Havana,  the  action  takes 
place  on  board  ship.  The  work  of  the  producer  in  the  shipwreck  episodes 
is  a triumph  for  the  studio,  the  mountainous  seas  breaking  over  the  ship 
and  its  unhappy  occupants,  distress  rockets  and  handling  of  life  lines 
conveying  the  last  thing  in  realism.  The  fog  and  collision  at  sea  is  also 
splendidly  carried  out. 

Sound  : Both  the  dialogue  and  effects  are  admirably  recorded. 

£<r Who  Killed  Doc.  Robin” 

(R.C.  A.  on  Film) 

Offered  by  : Ideal.  Directed  by  : W.  P.  Kellino.  Length  : 3,283  feet. 
Release  Date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : V.  Type : Burlesque. 

Cast : Dorrie  Dene,  Fred  Beck,  Clifford  Heatherley. 

IN  BRIEF  : Burlesque  on  things  American,  notably  a night  club  and  its 
habitues.  A conglomeration  of  familiar  film  types  keep  up  a hot  pace  of 
boisterous  nonsense,  ending  in  riots  and  recriminations. 

Suitability  : Average  popular  booking. 

Selling  Angles  : The  mixture  of  knockabout  and  slapstick  comedy. 

The  Film  : Kellino  has  endeavoured  to  give  us  a burlesque  on  an 

evening’s  “ entertainment  ” in  an  American  night  club,  and  it  must  be 
confessed  that  he  has  not  been  sparing  in  the  matter  of  types.  One 
murder  is  committed,  poor  old  Doc.  Robin  meeting  an  untimely  end,  but 
except  that  an  idiotic  detective  spends  his  time  making  love  to  all  and 
sundry  and  blaming  the  murder  on  to  those  who  stand  in  his  way,  this  has 
little  to  do  with  things.  The  chief  item  is  a clash  between  ah  Irish  crook 
and  the  Italian  proprietor  and  the  revelation  by  a burly  female  songster 
that  they  are  both  her  sons.  Both  these  gentlemen  descend  to  a pie 
flinging  act  and  end  their  lives  in  the  shambles  following  a police  raid. 

Though  the  feature  opens  with  distinct  promise,  the  producer  has  been 
hard  put  to  it  to  maintain  a lively  interest,  the  material  not  being  there  to 
supply  the  amount  of  footage  required.  In  the  circumstances,  interest 
falls  flat  though  there  is  much  in  it  to  please  the  popular  fan.  All  the 
cast  work  hard  with  Dorrie  Dene  the  star  performer,  v'ho  keeps  things 
going  with  a lively  song  or  two. 

cc  The  Command  Performance  ” 

(R.C.  A.  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : W.  & F.  Directed  by  : Walter  Lang.  Length  : 6,828  feet. 
Release  Date:  July  13,  1931.  Certificate:  U.  Type:  Romantic 

drama.  Cast  : Neil  Hamilton,  Una  Merhal,  Helen  Ware,  Vera 

Lewis,  Albert  Gran. 

IN  BRIEF  : Novelettish  story  in  Ruritanian  setting.  A young  actor 
impersonates  a Prince  for  the  purpose  of  laying  the  foundations  for  an 
inter-State  marriage  and  finally  weds  the  Princess  himself.  Commendable 
dual  role  by  star.  Smooth  direction  and  elaborate  sets.  Pleasing  comedy 
vein.  Excellent  recording. 

Suitability  : Good  average  second  feature  booking. 

Selling  Angles  : Story,  cast,  romance. 

Plot  : Fedor,  an  actor  in  the  State  of  Serblandt,  bears  a striking  re- 
seinblance  to  the  Prince  of  the  reigning  house.  A marriage  between  the 
latter  and  the  Princess  of  Kordovia  is  essential,  and,  being  in  disgrace, 
Fedor  is  given  the  option  of  impersonating  the  Prince,  who  refuses  to 
go,  or  of  dying  a slow  death  in  the  salt  mines.  Preferring  the  former, 
he  w'oos  the  Princess  and  the  two  fall  in  love.  On  his  return,  the  real 
Prince  refuses  to  be  a party  to  the  marriage  and  conveniently  leaves  for 
America.  Fedor  is  accepted  as  the  Queen’s  son  and  the  lovers  find 
happiness. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


35 


Comment  : There  is  little  in  this  love  affair  of  a rather  ill-assorted  pair 
to  awaken  more  than  a passing  interest.  Tts  most  appealing  point  is  the 
amusing  treatment  of  the  doings  of  the  royal  house  of  Kordovia,  in  which 
a very  homely  old  King  treats  all  those  around  him  as  almost  his  equals 
and  does  little  but  regale  himself  with  nuts.  At  times  the.  story  threatens 
to  take  on  a more  dramatic  turn,  but  nothing  out  of  the  ordinary  occurs 
to  interrupt  a more  or  less  uneventful  romance. 

Acting  : Neil  Hamilton  plays  the  dual  role  of  the  Prince  and  Fedor 
with  average  success.  Una  Merkal  is  a sweet,  but  rather  American. 
Princess  of  Kordovia.  Albert  Gran  is,  however,  the  best  of  the  cast  as 
the  benevolent,  and  very  satisfied,  monarch. 

Production  : Elaborate  palace  settings  alternate  with  royal  processions, 
the  cell  in  which  the  unfortunate  actor  is  incarcerated  and  the  wedding 
finale. 

Sound  : All  the  dialogue  is  perfectly  recorded. 

“ Inspiration” 

(Western  Electric  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by : Metro- Goldinyn- Mayer.  Directed  by  : Clarence  Brown. 

Length:  6,891  feet.  Release  Date:  Not  fixed.  Certificate:  A. 

Type  : Romantic  drama.  Cast  : Greta  Garbo , Robert  Montgomery, 

Leivis  Stone,  John  Miljan,  Judith  Voselli,  Marjorie  Rambeau. 

IN  BRIEF  : Powerful  story  of  an  artist’s  model,  cleverly  constructed 
to  give  the  heroine  opportunities  to  display  seductive  witchery.  Brilliant 
acting  sustains  interest  to  final  scene.  Lavish  and  artistic  production. 
Perfect  recording. 

Suitability  : For  any  good  class  house. 

Selling  Angles  : Greta  Garbo’s  name,  Parisian  atmosphere  and  smart 
cynical  dialogue. 

Plot  : Yvonne  has  been  an  inspiration  to  painters,  sculptors  and  writers, 
but  is  weary  of  the  world  and  its  ways.  The  Russian  dancers  at  an  artists’ 
gathering  bore  her.  About  to  leave,  she  watches  the  ill-concealed  admira- 
tion of  a man.  His  youth,  shyness  and  aristocratic  bearing  interest  her. 
Acquaintance  and  ardent  passion  follows  : the  woman  rejoicing  in  her 
conquest,  the  man  esteeming  himself  her  first  lover.  Introduced  to 
Bohemian  circles,  Andre’s  eyes  are  gradually  opened.  An  uncle  arrives 
in  Paris  and  urges  marriage  to  an  unsophisticated  girl.  Yvonne  sinks 
to  poverty.  At  a caf'»  she  meets  her  vacillating  lover,  relations  are  re- 
sumed, and  at  a surburban  home  she  is  happy.  Ultimately,  an  old  lover 
is  released  from  prison  and  the  rivals  face  each  other.  Andre  at  last 
proposes  marriage  and  flight  to  a foreign  land.  But  the  woman,  knowing 
she  would  wreck  his  career,  while  he  slumbers  departs  through  the  snow, 
leaving  a letter  of  farewell. 

Comment : This  is  a picture  to  provoke  discussion,  for  it  might  well 
be  called  “ The  Trial  of  Yvonne.”  Prosecuting  counsel  would  proclaim 
the  woman  to  be  a wanton  to  the  core,  and  that  while  the  man  she  really 
loved  was  serving  a term  for  forgery,  brought  about  by  her  extravagance, 
the  trusting  Andre  was  used  as  a very  pleasant  help  in  time  of  trouble, 
and  the  reappearance  of  her  man  enabled  her  to  pose  as  a love  martyr 
and  shake  the  weakling  off  with  a well-phrased  letter  to  conceal  her 
treachery.  Defending  counsel  would  dwell  upon  the  girl’s  past,  of  which 
she  constantly  spoke,  and  maintain  her  love  to  be  sincere,  her  association 
with  Andre  the  only  bright  spot  in  an  unhappy  life,  and  her  rejection  of 
his  offer  a noble  act  of  self-sacrifice.  The  public  must  decide  whether 
Yvonne  was  sincere  or  not.  Those  who  dislike  the  presentation  of  the 
sensuous  side  of  love  may  find  the  story  unpleasing,  but  of  its  dramatic, 
value  there  can  be  no  question.  It  is  another  instance  of  a conventional 
plot  being  camouflaged  by  brilliant  acting. 

Acting  : Greta  Garbo  is,  of  course,  an  alluring  figure  as  Yvonne,  the 
model,  when,  in  the  early  scenes,  beautifully  gowned,  she  appears  with 
luxurious  surroundings.  Later  on  her  wretchedness  arouses  commisera- 
tion. In  fact  throughout  the  actress  has  the  power  of  making  the  spectator 
rejoice  with  her  happiness  and  sympathise  with  her  sorrows.  There  are 
many  touching  situations,  especially  one  wdth  autumnal  settings,  when 
the  boneless  Andre  announces  his  approaching  marriage.  In  this,  and 
many  others,  Greta  Garbo  proves  her  greatness.  Robert  Montgomery 
is  excellent  in  the  difficult  part  of  the  lover.  The  cast  is  a big  one. 
Subsidiary  love  affairs  are  introduced,  often  affording  pleasing  relief. 
In  one,  Lewis  Stone  does  some  brilliant  acting,  but  his  liaison  has  a tragic, 
ending. 

Production : This  is  on  ambitious  lines,  a great  variety  of  beautiful 
settings  being  introduced — an  artist’s  ball,  a sculptor’s  studio,  festive 
gatherings,  glimpses  of  Paris,  etc. 

Sound  : The  voices  are  distinct  in  every  case,  the  star’s  foreign  pro- 
nunciation being  suitable  for  the  character  impersonated. 

“Just  Like  Heaven” 

( R.C.A . on  Film.) 

Offered  by:  Gaumont.  Directed  by:  R.  W.  Neill.  Length:  5,402  feet. 

Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate:  U.  Type:  Parisian  romance. 

Cast:  Anita  Louise,  David  Newell,  Yola  D’ Avril,  Gaston  Glass. 

IN  BRIEF  : Conventional  story  of  balloon  vendor’s  love  for  circus  girl 
and  their  eventual  happiness  through  their  joint  efforts  in  stage  presenta- 
tion. Over  lengthy  for  story  needs.  Leisurely  direction  and  unconvincing 
atmosphere.  Appropriate  settings.  Excellent  recording. 

Suitability  : Fair  average  programme  picture. 

Selling  Angles  : Story,  romance. 

Plot : Tobey,  a young  balloon  seller,  of  Paris,  and  the  idol  of  the  children, 
resents  the  intrusion  on  his  pitch  of  a small  travelling  circus,  and  shows 
his  resentment  in  no  uncertain  way.  Mimi,  the  dancer,  falls  in  love 
with  him,  but  he  refuses  the  offer  of  the  circus  folk  to  join  them.  Through 
the  death  of  a partner,  Mimi  is  taken  ill  and  recuperates  in  Tobey’s 
apartment.  Secretly,  Tobey  pays  for  her  to  take  dancing  lessons,  and, 
her  mind  being  poisoned  by  a rival  lover,  she  accepts  the  offer  of  a big 
contract.  But  Tobey  himself  has  lived  to  produce  a pageant,  and  his 
leading  lady  failing  him,  Mimi  forgoes  her  glorv  to  make  his  venture  [an 
astounding  success. 


Comment  : There  is  much  to  charm  about  this  romance,  though  it  is 
hardly  to  be  understood  why  it  was  set  in  Paris.  The  dialogue  constantly 
alternates  between  French  and  American  and  destroys  atmosphere  en- 
tirely. To  begin  with,  the  man,  a rather  objectionable  egoist,  styles 
himself  as  “ the  big  noise,”  hardly  a Parisian  epithet,  and,  again,  the 
populace  commence  talking  by  jabbering  in  French,  only  to  trail  off  into 
American  idiom.  Neither  of  the  men — the  one  a blind  fool  and  the  other 
a bad  loser — is  worthy  of  the  girl,  though  the  misunderstanding  and  the 
final  surrender  of  pride  on  behalf  of  the  girl  will  please  popular  taste. 

Acting  : David  Newell  is  acceptable  in  the  male  lead  and  little  Anita 
Louise  makes  a charming  little  heroine.  Gaston  Glass  makes  the  most 
of  a poor  part.  The  most  convincing  performance  is  in  the  hands  of  Yola 
D’Avril,  a siren  of  the  nearby  cafe,  who  does  her  best  to  cut  Mimi  out' 

Production  : Most  of  the  action  takes  place  in  a suitably  mounted 
market  square.  The  humble  tenement  dwellings  are  convincing. 

Sound  : This  is  first  class. 

<c  To  Oblige  a Lady  ” 

(R.C.A.  Film  and  Disc.) 

Offered  by : British  Lion  Film  Corporation.  Directed  by : Manning 

Haynes.  Length  : 6,200  feet  approximately.  Release  Date  : Not 
fixed.  Certificate:  A.  Type:  Farcical  comedy,  adapted  from  a story 
by  Edgar  Wallace.  Cast : Maisie  Gay,  Mary  Newland,  Warwick 
Ward,  James  Carew. 

IN  BRIEF  : The  screamingly  funny  tribulations  of  a young  couple,  who 
take  a flat  at  short  notice,  engage  an  incompetent  woman  as  cook,  and 
nearly  offend  a wealthy  godfather.  Brilliant  low  comedy  work  by  star. 
Ingenious  direction.  Witty  dialogue. 

Suitability  : A splendid  laugh  raiser  for  popular  houses. 

Selling  Angles  : Maisie  Gay  and  the  continuous  chain  of  ludicrous 

situations. 

Plot  : At  the  time  of  his  marriage  George  received  a present  of  £1,000 
from  his  godfather  to  set  up  a home.  Travel  and  hotel  expenses  have  made 
the  money  disappear  and  the  couple  are  still  homeless.  Sir  Henry  an- 
nounces his  intention  of  dining  with  them.  Opportunely,  a flat  is  secured 
and  they  take  possession  immediately.  Two  of  the  servants  walk  out. 
George  engages,  at  a registry  office,  a woman  who  is  voluble  as  to  her 
talents  as  cook.  Her  proceedings  in  the  kitchen  disprove  her  assertions, 
and  she  is  familiar  with  the  guests.  The  dinner  is  uneatable.  Godfather 
is  furious,  but  wifey  mollifies  him.  Complications  arise  when  the  owner 
of  the  flat  unexpectedly  returns,  but  all  ends  well. 

Comment  : This  picture  is,  for  Maisie  Gay,  an  absolute  triumph. 

Though  side  issues  are  introduced,  it  is  her  wonderful  caricature  of  a 
low  class  servant  which  arouses  shrieks  of  laughter  and  maintains  the 
interest  from  first  to  last.  Her  Mrs.  Harris  is  an  unforgettable  creation. 
Many  of  her  utterances  are  of  the  commonplace  philosophy  type,  but 
decidedly  funny,  being  presented  at  opportune  moments  with  sententious 
egoism.  Her  rendering  of  the  song  “ What  love  means  to  girls  like  me  ” 
is  delightful,  but  one  marvels  that  the  guests  do  not  hear  it  and  rush 
kitchenwards. 

Acting  : Warwick  Ward  is  excellent  as  the  young  husband,  anxious  to 
please  his  godfather,  but  throughout  tormented  by  jealousy,  his  wife 
being  slightly  flirtatious.  This  part  is  delightfully  impersonated  by  Mary 
Newland.  James  Carew  is  pleasingly  dogmatic  as  Sir  Henry,  a man  who 
believes  in  domesticity.  Subordinate  parts  are  all  in  good  hands. 

Production  : The  film  is  well  staged,  action  taking  place  chiefly  at 
the  flat. 

Sound  : All  voices  are  distinct.  Maisie  Gay’s  song  by  Noel  Coward 
is  by  arrangement  with  Andre  Chariot. 

Cc  Saint  Joan— The  Maid  ” 

( Vocation.  Sound  on  Disc.) 

Offered  by  : Wardour.  A Pathe  Natan  Production.  Directed  by  : Marco 
de  Gastyne.  Length:  7,100  feet.  Release  Date:  July  27,  1931. 

Certificate  : U . Type  : Historical  drama.  Cast : Simone  Genevois, 

Jean  Debucourt,  Daniel  Mendaille,  Pierre  Douvan. 

IN  BRIEF  : Magnificent  spectacular  rendering  of  Joan  of  Arc’s  attempt 
to  end  the  British  occupation  of  France,  with  picturesque  marching  of 
armies,  battles  on  the  plains  and  desperate  struggles  for  the  possession 
of  Orleans,  ending  with  the  Maid’s  capture  and  death  by  burning. 

Suitability  : A big  attraction  for  any  audience  if  slightly  abbreviated. 

Selling  Angles  : The  extraordinary  realism,  beautiful  camera  work 

and  the  gripping  pathos  of  the  heroine’s  fate. 

Plot : Joan,  young  and  comely,  is  seen  on  her  father’s  farm  at  Dom- 
remy.  Afterwards,  by  the  fireside,  soldiers  tell  of  the  condition  of  the 
country  that  was  France  and  the  sufferings  of  the  people.  With  troubled 
look  the  girl  goes  about  her  duties,  watches  figures  of  saints  and  angels 
hovering  near,  and  listens  to  their  voices,  urging  her  to  action.  She 
reaches  the  Court  of  the  Dauphin,  is  received  with  kindness,  and,  clad 
in  armour,  goes  forth  as  the  leader  of  armies.  Fierce  battles  ensue  and 
the  English  are  driven  back.  Before  the  walls  of  Orleans  huge  wooden 
towers  and  battering  rams  are  destroyed  and  the  victorious  Maid  enters 
the  town.  She  conducts  the  Dauphin  to  Rheims,  where  he  is  crowned. 
Afterwards,  in  a fierce' struggle,  she  is  captured  and  tried  before  the 
Bishop  of  Beauvais  for  witchcraft  and  heresy.  Her  death  at  the  stake 
follows. 

Comment  : In  this  picture  there  is  a struggle  for  pre-eminence  between 
the  spectacular  and  the  dramatic.  In  the  early  part  the  girlish  figure  of 
Joan  is  pleasing  to  contemplate,  and  she  may  be  said  to  take  the  stage 
until  she  appears  at  the  spacious  hall  where  the  Dauphin  holds  his  Court. 
Then,  for  a time,  she  seems  smothered  by  the  military  operations  and 
rejoicings  after  victory.  Interest  in  her  revives  with  her  capture  and 
trial.  But  the  latter  is  deficient  in  grip.  Probably  this  is  caused  by  the 
absence  of  dialogue.  Throughout  there  are  many  close-ups  of  nobles  and 
peasants,  interesting  in  themselves,  but  not  advantageous  to  the  story’s 
development.  Unfortunately,  the  spirituality  of  Joan’s  character  is 


36 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


barely  touched  upon.  This  might  have  been  presented  without  sectarian 
bias.  Abundant  evidence  was  furnished  in  the  trial  of  Rehabilitation, 
held  in  1450.  that  the  girl’s  courage  had  its  origin  in  faith,  in  an  over- 
powering conviction  that  Divine  voices  were  urging  her,  a simple  girl 
of  17  with  no  military  knowledge,  to  place  herself  at  the  head  of  the 
disorganised  troops  and  fight  for  the  deliverance  and  unification  of  France. 
Nevertheless,  as  a spectacle  the  production  is  in  the  front  rank,  for  the 
battle  on  the  plains  and  the  struggle  at  the  ramparts  of  Orleans  hold  the 
spectator  spellbound.  For  these  tremendous  operations  the  French 
Government  lent  entire  regiments  of  dragoons,  and  the  statement  that 
4200,000  was  expended  on  the  film  is  probably  correct. 

Acting  : Simone  Genevois,  a young  lady  of  remarkable  personal 

charm,  impersonates  the  Maid,  but  her  obvious  refinement  somewhat 
militates  against  the  generally  accepted  views  of  a peasant  girl  heroine. 
Subordinate  characters  are  well  sketched  in,  especiallv  the  Dauphin  of 
Jean  Debucourt. 

Production  : This  is  bewildering  in  its  magnificence.  In  addition  to 
items  already  mentioned,  there  are  many  picturesque  interiors,  narrow 
intricate  streets,  the  glorious  front  of  Rheims  Cathedral  and  the  Rouen 
Market  Place,  the  scene  of  the  martyrdom.  The  camera  work  is  splendid. 

cc  Third  Time  Lucky  ” 

(R.C.A.  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : IF.  and  F.  Directed  by  : Walter  For  de.  Length:  7,652  feel. 
Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate  : A . Type  : Crook  comedy 
drama.  Cast : Bobby  Howes,  Gordon  Harker,  Dorothy  Boyd,  Clare 
Greet,  Garry  Marsh,  Marie  Ault. 

IN  BRIEF  : Am  s ng  story  cf  clergyman’s  sojourn  ;n  crime  to  save  the 
honour  of  h s ward,  whom  he  ev  ntually  marr'es.  Clever  d a ogue  and 
b v?r  etv  of  humorous  s tuations.  Excellent  dire- ti^n.  Adm  rable  stellar 
portra  als.  Good  recording  and  a-propriste  sett  ngs. 

Suitab  iitv  : Excellent  popular  entertainment 
Selling  Angles  : Story,  cast,  amusing  situations 

Plot  : The  Rev.  Arthur  Fear’s  ward,  Jennifer,  with  whom  he  is 
secretly  in  love,  tells  him  of  her  forthcoming  marriage  and  reveals  a 
plot  to  blackmail  her  by  a former  lover.  Fear  takes  up  the  cudgels  on 
her  behalf  and  walks  into  den  of  crooks  who  are  engineering  the  blackmail. 
Thinking  he  can  recover  Jennifer’s  incriminating  letters,"  Fear  breaks 
into  the  crook’s  house  and  is  assisted  by  a jail  bird  who  is  there  to 
gather  some  bonds.  Though  detected,  they  make  good  their  escape,  but 
in  the  scrimmage  the  bonds  and  letters  are  exchanged.  Arrived  home, 
he  faces  Jennifer’s  fianc  -,  whom  he  recognises  as  the  crook’s  accomplice, 
and  through  the  revelation  he  becomes  the  third  and  lucky  suitor  for 
Jennifer’s  hand.  In  the  meantime,  his  erstwhile  companion  in  crime 
arrives  disguised  as  a bishop,  a free  fight  ensues  but  Fear  comes  out 
best. 

Comment  : This  is  the  rough  outline  of  a story  which  bristles  with 
comedy  situations  and  out  of  which  Walter  Forde  and  a very  capable 
cast  have  got  the  last  ounce.  Some  there  are  who  may  take  exception 
to  the  “ guying  ” of  the  cleric,  but  there  is  no  denying  the  pleasure  this 
timid  little  man’s  adventure  will  provide  for  the  masse'.  The  film  opens 
on  a bright  note  and  except  that  the  action  drags  slightly  towards  the 
end  interest  is  well  maintained.  The  dialogue  is  clever  and  witty  and 
the  effect  of  an  exchange  of  professional  slang  from  the  lodger  from 
Dartmoor  on  the  parson  is  really  rich.  There  are  very  few  to  whom 
this  will  not  greatly  appeal. 

Acting  : Bobby  Howes  is  admirably  cast  as  the  reverend  gentleman 
who  takes  his  courage  in  both  hands,  a courage  derived  from  the 
reading  of  a boy’s  penny  dreadful.  Equally  effective  is  the  performance 
of  Gordon  Harker  in  a characteristic  role  of  the  “ Gor  Blimey  ” burglar. 
Garry  Marsh  is  good  as  the  more  polished  crook  and  Dorothy  Boyd 
pleases  as  Jennifer.  Others  of  a big  cast  do  well. 

Production  : All  exteriors  are  well  arranged,  while  one  often  gets 
charming  glimpses  of  the  English  countryside.  Atmosphere  is  excellent 
though  the  photography  is  at  times  somewhat  dark. 

Sound  : This  is  quite  good  throughout. 

Silent  Features 

“The  Last  Tide” 

Offered  by:  Equity  British.  Directed  by:  John  F.  Argyle.  Length  : 

5,200  feet.  Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate:  A.  Type:  Drama. 

Cast : Margaret  Delane,  Grace  Johnson,  James  Benton,  Bessie 

Richards. 

COMING  TRADE  SHOWS 

THURSDAY.  FEBRUARY  26,  1931  MANCHESTER  - cmrtrtU'd 

Madame  Guillotine W.  & F Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

NEWCASTLE 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Madonna  of  the  Street United  Artists Queen’s.  10.  JO  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Monte  Carlo Paramount Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

Sit  Tight Warner Stoll,  10.30  a.m. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  23,  1931 

Blood  Brothers United  Artists Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

The  Woman  Between Wardour Grainger,  10.30  a.m. 

Headin’  North Gaumont Grey  Street  P.H.,  10.30  a.m. 

Reno Butchers Stoll,  10.30  a.m. 

Shadow  Ranch United  Artists Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

Fair  Warning Fox New  Westgate,  10.30  a.m. 

Six  Shorts Universal Gaiety,  2.30  p.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

The  Lion  and  the  Lamb United  Artists Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

Inspiration M.-G.-M Stoll,  10.15  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

Men  Without  Law United  Artists Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

NOTTINGHAM 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

The  Woman  Between Wardour Scala,  10.45  a.m. 

The  Eternal  Feminine Paramount Elite,  10.45  a.m. 


IN  BRIEF  : The  love  affairs  of  a young  farmer.  Simple  story,  unfolded 
in  a believable  manner,  ending  in  unconvincing  tragedy.  Undistinguished 
acting. 

Suitability  : For  easily  pleased  audiences. 

Selling  Angles  : The  charming  rural  settings  and  seascapes. 

Plot  : Robert,  a young  farmer,  proposes  to  little  Letty,  daughter  of 
the  miller.  The  child  loves  him  and  the  marriage  is  arranged.  Her  sister 
Miriam,  an  art  student,  arrives  from  London.  Between  her  and  Bob 
there  is  love  at  first  sight.  They  strive  to  subdue  it.  The  marriage  takes 
place.  Miriam  is  drowned  through  being  cut  off  by  the  tide.  * ' 

Comment : This  domestic  drama  is  unfolded  with  a certain  amount  of 
pleasing  realism.  At  the  same  time  it  must  be  admitted  the  pretty  scenerv 
(said  to  be  that  of  Devonshire)  is  one  of  the  chief  assets.  The  acting  is 
weak  and  amateurish.  However,  the  interest  is  well  maintained  and  the 
picture  will  probably  please  uncritical  audiences  at  small  halls. 

Acting  : The  sisters  are  impersonated  by  Margaret  Delane  and  Grace 
Johnson.  James  Benton  plays  the  lover. 

Production  : In  addition  to  the  well  photographed  scenery,  there  is 

a country  pleasure  fair. 

a Fighting  Strength  ” 

Offered  by : Equity  British.  Length : 4,775  feet.  Release  Date  Not 
fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Type  : Western  drama.  Cast : Dick  Douglas, 
Francis  Billington,  Fred  Gamble,  John  McCready. 

IN  BRIEF  : The  extraordinary  adventures  of  a forest  ranger  while 
combating  desperadoes.  Crude  and  melodramatic. 

Suitability  : For  second  class  halls. 

Selling  Angles  : The  hero’s  amazing  and  amusing  fights  against  fearful 
odds. 

Plot : Harry  Littleton,  home  from  the  War,  finding  he  cannot  settle 
down,  goes  West  and  becomes  a forest  ranger.  He  is  soon  busy  attempting 
to  curb  the  activities  of  whisky  runners.  One  of  the  gang  has  a step- 
daughter, whom  he  illtreats.  Harry  becomes  her  defender,  faces  fearful 
odds,  crushes  the  evildoers  and  wins  the  girl. 

Comment : If  any  film-goer  desires  more  strenuous  fights,  frantic 

rushes  and  hairbreadth  escapes  than  are  afforded  by  this  Western  ex- 
travaganza he  must  indeed  be  insatiable.  The  story  is  devoid  of  origi- 
nality, but  there  is  some  good  scenery.  The  picture  offers  entertainment 
for  the  rougher  element  only. 

Acting  : Dick  Douglas  impersonates  the  ranger  whose  herculean  feats 
of  endurance  interest  and  amuse  from  first  to  last.  The  support  is 
ordinary. 

Production  : After  the  early  scenes  action  takes  place  chiefly  in  the 
open. 

Short  Features 

"NINE  NIGHTS  IN  A BAR  ROOM”  (Gaumont).  (Talking  Chimps 
Series).  Length:  1,600  feet.  Release:  One  every  month,  com- 

mencing May  4.  Certificate:  U.  A domestic  tragedy  in  which  father  takes 
to  drink  after  signing  the  pledge,  but  recovers  his  “ manhood  ” sufficiently 
to  prevent  his  family  spending  Christmas  in  the  street.  Often  very 
amusing,  but  rather  too  long.  Good  popular  fare. 

“MEEK  MR.  MEEK”  (Paramount).  Length:  900  feet.  Release 

date : August  17,  1931.  Certificate  : U.  Jimmie  Barry.  The  amusing 
squabbles  of  a husband  and  wife,  ending  in  the  latter’s  fainting  fit.  when 
the  downtrodden  one  asserts  himself.  Good  for  popular  halls. 

“ KANDY  KABARET.”  (Paramount.)  Length  : 792  feet.  Release 

Date : August  10th.  Certificate : IT.  Paramount’s  Kiddie  Musical 

Revue.  A bevy  of  very  bright  and  peppy  youngsters,  all  polished 
performers,  hold  their  audience  with  song  and  dance  against  an  elaborate 
background.  If  their  voices  were  on  a par  with  their  dancing,  this  would 
certainly  be  a good  short,  but  one  finds  the  utmost  difficulty  in  catching 
the  words.  A good  novelty  booking. 

“ THE  DANCE  AT  THE  FOUNTAIN  ” (Butcher's).  Length  : 602  feet. 
Release  date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Shumann  Ballet.  A rowd 
of  peasant  girls  draw  water  front  a well  and  dance  gracefully.  Grazia 
del  Rio  sings  three  Italian  songs.  A delightful  offering. 

“ THE  DOLLS’  PHANTASY  ” (Butcher's).  Length  : 798  feet.  Release 
date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Three  quaint  dollies  come  to  life  and 
dance  with  eccentric  movements.  Grazia  del  Rio  sings  in  Italian. 
Pleasing  and  artistic. 

“NOCTURNE”  (Butcher’s).  Length:  703  feet.  Release  date  Not 
fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Signor  Rosseau,  Shumann  Ballet.  A violinist 
gives  a delightful  rendering  of  Chopin’s  celebrated  composition  while 
five  fairy-like  girls  dance  upon  a lawn  by  moonlight.  A charming  short. 

— continued  from  page  xviii 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Queen  High Paramount Elite.  Jn.45  a.m- 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

To  Oblige  a Lady British  Lion Elite.  11  a.m. 

Dance,  Fools,  Dance M.-G.-M Scala.  1!  a.m. 

SHEFFIELD 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

The  Love  Habit Wardour 

Headin’  North Gaumont 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

To  Oblige  a Lady British  Lion... 

Manslaughter Paramount 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24.  1931 

The  Eternal  Feminine Paramount 

Resurrect  ion U niversa  1 

Dance.  Fools,  Dance M.-G.-M 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

The  Painted  Desert P.D.C 

Fighting  Through Gaumont 

Queen  High Paramount 

Inspiration M.-G.-M 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont 

The  Woman  Between Wardour.... 


Cinema  House.  U a.m. 

Regent.  11  a.m. 

Regent,  10.45  a.m. 

Cinema  House.  10.45  a.m. 

Central.  10.45  a.m. 

Regent,  10.45  a.m. 

Cinema  House,  11  a.m. 

Central,  10.45  a.m. 

Regent.  11  a.m. 

Union  Street  P.H.,  10.45  a. in. 

Cinema  House,  11  a.m. 

Regent.  11  a.  in. 

Cinema  House,  1 ! a.m. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


37 


London  Trade  Show  Diary 


THURSDAY 

" Madame  Guillotine  ” W.  & F. 

Palace,  8.45  p.m. 

The  Reginald  Fogwell  production,  “ Ma- 
dame Guillotine,”  with  Madeleine  Carroll 
and  Brian  Aherne,  will  be  screened  by  W.  & F. 
to-morrow,  Thursday,  at  the  Palace,  at 
8.45  p.m. 

"One-Eighth  Apache” Equity  British 

Cameo,  11.15. 

At  the  Cameo,  to-morrow,  Thursday,  at 
11.15,  Equity  British  will  show  “One- 
Eighth  Apache." 

FRIDAY 

Love  Among  the  Millionaires  Paramount 
Carlton,  11 

" Love  Among  the  Millionaires  ” shows 
Clara  Bow  as  a waitress  in  a restuarant  for 
railway  men.  Sheets  Gallagher  and  Stuart 
Erwin  are  two  of  Clara’s  conquests,  but  they 
are  so  busy  squabbling  over  their  rights  that 
Stanley  Smith,  as  the  son  of  the  railway 
president,  disguised  as  a brakeman,  gets  in 
some  effective  love-making.  Little  M’itzi 
Green  sings  " Don’t  be  a Meanie,”  while 
Frank  Tuttle  directed.  Paramount  will 
screen  the  film  on  Friday,  February  20th, 
at  the  Carlton,  at  11. 

“ Fighting  Through  ” Gaumont 

Astoria,  11 

" Fighting  Through,”  which  introduces 
Ken  Maynard  in  his  first  full  length  talkie 
" Western  ” for  Tiffany,  is  to  be  trade  shown 
by  Gaumont  on  Friday,  February  20th,  at 
the  Astoria,  at  11  a.m.  The  film  presents  a 
notable  conglomeration  of  thrills  and  stunts, 

" His  Glorious  Romance  ” Equity  British 

Cameo,  11.15 

A further  show  fixed  by  Equity  British  is 
that  of  " His  Glorious  Romance,”  which  will 
be  shown  at  the  Cameo  at  11.15  on  Friday, 
February  20th. 

" The  Painted  Desert  ” P.D.C. 

Palace,  3 

“ The  Painted  Desert  ” is  said  to  be  one 
of  the  greatest  Western  dramas  to  reach  the 
screen.  It  is  Bill  Boyd’s  biggest  picture. 
William  Farnum,  one  of  the  outstanding 
personalities  of  motion  pictures,  only  recently 


Henny  Porten  in  her  new  picture,  “ Mother 
Love,”  for  presentation  by  Butchers  in  their 
own  theatre,  Wardour  Street,  on  Monlay  next,  at 
2.30  and  4.30  p.m. 


returned  to  the  screen  after  several  successful 
seasons  on  the  stage.  His  role  in  the  film 
is  one  of  the  most  colourful  he  has  ever 
essayed.  Helen  Twelvetrees  appears  opposite 
Boyd . 

Wonder  of  the  World  ” 

International  Pictures 
Tatler  Theatre,  10.45 

Arrangements  have  been  made  by  Inter 
national  Pictures,  Ltd.,  to  screen  " Wonders 
of  the  World,”  and  a short  at  the  new  Tatler 
Theatre  on  Friday,  at  10.45  a.m. 

MONDAY 

“ Sport  of  Kings  ” Ideal 

Palace,  8.30  p.m. 

" The  Sport  of  Kings,”  which  Ideal  present 
at  the  Palace,  at  8.30  p.m.  on  Monday  next, 
February  23rd,  opens  on  a turfy  note,  and 
it  ends  with  Leslie  Henson  yelling  the  odds  ! 
With  Henson  are  Gordon  Harker,  Hugh 
Wakefield,  Jack  Melford,  Mary  Jerrold, 
Barbara  Gott  and  Dorothy  Boyd. 

"Mother  Love”  Butcher 

Own  Theatre,  2.30  and  4.30 

How  a passionate  love  of  children  triumphs 
over  all  personal  considerations  is  eloquently 
illustrated  in  a new  Henny  Porten  film 
production  entitled  "Mother  Love,”  which 
Butcher’s  will  present  privately  in  their  own 
theatre  on  Monday. 

" Storm  Over  Asia  ” Atlas 

Palladium,  Stratford,  2 

A film  which  should  prove  of  outstanding 
interest,  and  one  which  has  been  banned  by 
the  B.B.F.C.  " Storm  Over  Asia  ” will  be 
shown  by  Atlas,  at  the  Palladium,  Stratford, 
on  Monday,  February  23rd,  at  2 p.m. 

TUESDAY 

"Fast  and  Loose”  Paramount 

Carlton,  11 

A new  leading  lady  is  the  star  in  the 
comedy-drama  of  reckless  youth,  " Fast  and 
Loose,”  She  is  the  youthful  beauty 
Miriam  Hopkins.  The  story  concerns  the 
emotional  adventures  of  the  modern  younger 
generation . 

A musical  extravaganza,  " In  a Lotus 
Garden,”  directed  by  Fred  Paul,  will  also 
be  shown  on  Tuesday  morning. 

"The  Seas  Beneath” Fox 

New  Gallery,  11 

" The  Seas  Beneath,”  Fox’s  picture  of 
submarine  warfare,  will  be  trade  shown  at 
the  New  Gallery  on  Tuesday,  February  24th, 
at  11  a.m.  The  joint  action  of  an  American 
submarine  and  an  American  " mystery  ship  ” 
in  trapping  one  of  the  most  famous  German 
" U ” boats  is  the  basis  on  which  John 
Ford  has  created  the  climax  of  this  unusual 
romance. 

" Hours  of  Loneliness  ” Warner 

Own  Theatre,  11.30  and  3 

" Hours  of  Loneliness,”  a Carlton  Films 
(1929)  production,  which  is  being  distributed 
by  Warner  Brothers,  is  to  be  trade  shown  at 
Warner  Brothers’  private  theatre,  on  Tuesday, 
February  24th,  at  11.30  a.m.  and  3 p.m.  The 
cast  includes  Sunday  Wilshin,  Marjorie 
Jennings,  Mino  Burnett  and  Harold  Huth. 

" Romany  Love  ” M.-G.-M. 

Empire,  10.15 

" Romany  Love,”  a Patrick  Heale  pro- 
duction, directed  by  Fred  Paul,  will  be 
shown  to  the  trade  by  M.-G.-M.  at  the  Empire 
at  10.15  a.m.,  on  Tuesday  next,  February 
24th.  The  featured  players  are  Esmond 
Knight,  and  Florence  McHugh. 

" Other  People's  Sins”  P.D.C. 

Palace,  11 

A strong  domestic  drama,  " Other  People’s 
Sins,”  is  to  be  trade  shown  by  P.D.C.  at 


Sunday  Wilshin  can  be  seen  and  heard  in  Hours 
of  Loneliness,”  the  Carlton  Films  production  for 
trade  show  by  Warner  Brothers  in  their  private 
theatre  on  Tuesday,  February  24th.  at  11.30  a.m. 
and  3 p.m. 

the  Palace  Theatre,  at  11  a.m.  on  Tuesday 
next,  February  24th.  Directed  by  Sinclair 
Hill  and  featuring  Stewart  Rome  and  Anne 
Grey,  the  story  tells  of  a reprobate  father 
who  stands  trial  for  a murder  committed  by 
his  daughter,  and  being  defended  by  the 
daughter’s  husband.  Authentic  Old  Bailey 
scenes  are  a feature  of  a beautifully  photo- 
graphed production. 

WEDNESDAY 

" Earth  ” Atlas 

Edibell  Theatre,  3 

Another  interesting  film  from  Soviet 
Russia,  “ Earth,”  is  due  for  presentation  by 
Atlas  at  Edibell’s  Theatre,  at  3 pm,  on 
Wednesday,  February  25th. 

“ Old  Soldiers  Never  Die  ” Wardour 

Phoenix,  3 

At  the  Phoenix,  at  3 p.m.,  on  Wednesday 
next,  February  25th,  Wardour  will  present 
" Old  Soldiers  Never  Die.” 

Board  of  Trade  Evidence 

Clause  32  of  the  Films  Act  provides-  that 
trade  shoivs  of  films  to  be  registered  must  be 
announced  to  exhibitors  or  their  agents  at 
least  seven  days  before  showing. 

On  form  “ D " applicants  for  registration 
must  give  the  names,  dates  of  issue,  and  pages 
of  the  Trade  Papers  in  which  such  notification 
has  been  given. 

Will  renters  please  note  that  in  order  to 
comply  with  this  regulation,  details  of  all 
trade  shows  should  be  sent  to  The  Bioscope 
to  allow  not  less  than  seven  full  days  from 
date  of  the  next  issue. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25 

Old  Soldiers  Never  Die,  The  Thames  : 
England’s  River  (Wardour),  Phoenix 
Earth  (Atlas),  Edibell  Theatre. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26 
The  Stronger  Sex,  Dance  Hall  Marge,  The 
Saftest  o’  the  Family  (Ideal),  Palace  Theatre. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  27 

Laughter  (Paramount),  Carlton. 

Sleeping  Cardinal  (Warner),  Leicester  Square 
Theatre. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  2 

King  of  the  Danube  (Butchers) , Own  Theahre. 


38 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


Legal  and  Financial  News 


Graham  Wilcox  : £14,000  Loss 

International  Cine  Wind  Up 


The  statutory  first  meetings  of  the  creditors 
and  shareholders  of  Graham  Wilcox  Productions 
(London),  Ltd.,  were  held  yesterday  (Tuesday) 
at  the  Board  of  Trade  Offices,  Carey  Street, 
W.C.,  before  Mr.  H.  P.  Naunton,  Assistant 
Official  Receiver.  Accounts  lodged  under  the 
liquidation  showed  liabilities  of  £26,820,  of 
which  £24,000  is  due  on  debenture  bonds ; 
assets  £874  ; and  a deficiency  of  £26,812. 

The  company  was  registered  as  a private 
company  in  November,  1925,  with  a capital  of 
£1,000  to  carry  on  business  as  film  producers, 
etc.  The  promoters  were  Robert  Arbon  White 
and  George  R.  Banks. 

During  the  company’s  existence  35  films  were 
produced  at  a total  cost  of  £130,000,  and  a net 
profit  of  £21,450  was  made  on  the  renting  of 
the  films,  but  the  trading  accounts  showed  a net 
loss  of  £14,000  sustained  by  the  company  up  to 
January,  1931. 

In  January,  1927,  the  company  entered  into 
an  agreement  with  Etablissement  Jacques  Haik 
S.A.,  of  Paris,  to  exploit  a film  called  “ Under 
Arabian  Skies.”  The  film  was  produced,  but 
the  company  refused  to  exploit  it ; the  matter 
went  to  arbitration  and  the  company  paid  £1,982 
damages  and  £2,000  costs,  but  defaulted  in  the 
further  payment  of  £1,090  for  a share  of  the 
profits  and  these  winding  up  proceedings 
followed. 

The  directors  attributed  the  company’s  failure 
to  loss  involved  in  respect  of  the  film  “ Under 
Arabian  Skies  ” and  to  the  fact  that  the  com- 
pany was  not  in  a position  to  undertake  the 
production  of  talking  films,  which  had  seriously 
interfered  with  the  demand  for  silent  films.  The 
liquidation  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Official 
Receiver. 

CAPITAL  TIED  UP  IN  SILENTS 

The  statutory  first  meetings  of  the  creditors 
and  shareholders  of  The  International  Cine- 
matograph Corporation,  Ltd.,  were  held  on 
Monday.  The  Order  to  wind  up  the  Company 
was  made  on  January  12th. 

Mr.  J.  Barwick  Thompson,  Official  Receiver, 
reported  that  the  accounts  lodged  under  the 
liquidation  showed  the  position  when  a receiver 
for  the  debenture  holders  was  appointed  on 
March  8,  1930.  There  were  unsecured  liabili- 
ties £4,441  ; preferential  claims,  £73  ; debenture 
bonds,  £7,280  ; assets  valued  at  £769  ; and  an 
estimated  deficiency  of  £13,025  with  regard  to 
contributories.  The  promoter,  Graham 
Scott  Hewett,  acted  as  managing  director  after 
1919  at  a salary  varying  from  £7  10s.  to  £10  a 
week.  The  trading  accounts  showed  continual 
lo^s  amounting  to  £12,227  up  to  November, 
1930. 

The  Corporation  was  financed  throughout  by 
R M.  Hewett,  by  means  of  loans  secured  on 
debentures  for  £9,500,  which,  however,  he  agreed 
to  surrender,  leaving  him  an  unsecured  creditor. 
The  real  object  of  giving  up  the  security  ap- 
peared to  be  to  facilitate  the  issue  of  a prospectus 
by  a company  about  to  be  formed  to  acquire 
control  of  the  corporation’s  business.  Filmophone, 
Ltd.,  was  incorporated  in  December,  1929,  to 
acquire  the  benefit  of  an  invention  for  a talking 
film  apparatus  and  to  acquire  control  of  the 
corporation  by  purchasing  the  whole  of  its  share 
capital.  The  public  issue  was  a failure. 

The  failure  of  the  corporation  was  attributed 
to  the  sudden  advent  into  the  film  industry  of 
talking  films,  which  the  corporation  were  unable 
to  produce  or  buy,  the  whole  of  its  available 
capital  being  tied  up  in  silent  films.  Another 
reason  was  stated  to  be  the  failure  of  Filmophone, 
Ltd. 

The  liquidation  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
Official  Receiver. 

MUSICIAN  OR  MECHANIC  ? 

in  the  Shoreditch  County  Court  on  Tuesday’ 
before  Judge  Cluer,  Aldo  Sinigallia,  of  9,  Lans- 
downe  Road,  Dalston,  N.E.,  sued  A.  P.  Grange, 
of  the  Kingsland  Imperial  Picture  Palace, 
538-40,  Kingsland  Road,  N.E.,  to  recover  £4  10s., 
one  week’s  notice  which  the  defendant  had.  failed 
to  pay  him  on  his  dismissal,  it,  being  a custom 


of  the  profession  that  two  weeks’  notice  should 
be  given,  and  he  only  received  one. 

Mr.  Blagdin,  counsel  for  the  plaintiff,  said 
it  was  to  be  admitted  that  it  was  a custom  of  the 
musical  profession  to  give  a fortnight’s  notice. 
He  believed  the  defence  was  going  to  be  as  to 
whether  the  plaintiff  was  employed  as  a musician 
or  a mechanic.  He  had  been  a musician  for 
many  years  for  the  defendant,  and  in  May  he 
got  a fortnight’s  notice,  but  he  was  subsequently 
asked  to  work  a panatrope.  The  plaintiff 
carried  on  until  the  November,  when  he  got  a 
week’s  notice,  but  during  that  time  he  had  to 
play  the  piano  if  the  “ talkies  ” broke  down  or 
the  electricity  failed. 

Judge  Cluer  upheld  the  contention  of  the 
defendant.  It  seemed  clear,  he  said,  that  the 
Musicians’  Union  would  not  have  allowed 
plaintiff  to  work  as  a musician  for  seven  hours 
a day.  He  would,  therefore,  give  judgment  for 
the  defendant,  with  costs. 

FILM  DIRECTOR’S  DISCHARGE 

The  affairs  of  Percy  Alfred  Adams,  described 
as  lately  of  27,  Metherhall  Gardens,  Hampstead, 
director  of  film  companies,  were  discussed  on 
February  11th  before  Mr.  Registrar  Warming- 
ton,  in  the  London  Bankruptcy  Court  in  relation 
to  his  discharge  from  bankruptcy  proceedings 
instituted  last  January. 

After  some  discussion  His  Honour  granted 
the  discharge,  subject  to  judgment  for  £20,  to 
be  satisfied  by  an  immediate  cash  payment. 

EXIT  CHAINED  : £11  FINE 

“ The  Bench  regard  the  negligence  in  a very 
serious  way,”  said  the  chairman  at  the  Sheffield 
Police  Court,  on  Monday,  when  the  Grosvenor 
Hall  & Estate  Co.,  Ltd.,  with  registered  offices 
at  Kineina  House,  Hillsborough,  Sheffield,  were 
summoned  for  contravening  the  Cinematograph 
Act,  1909.  William  Alex.  Mclver,  manager, 
and  Lawrence  Goodison,  a fireman  employed  at 
the  cinema,  were  summoned  for  aiding  and 
abetting. 

Mr.  W.  A.  Williams,  Corporation  solicitor, 
prosecuting,  said  that  on  January  2nd,  25  to 
30  people  found  one  of  the  exit  doors  at  the 
cinema  locked  and  chained,  and  had  to  burst 
the  doors  open. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Scorah,  defending,  admitted  the 
circumstances,  and  said  Goodison  assumed  that 
the  cleaners  had  left  the  doors  open  and  did  not 
try  them.  He  said  the  doors  were  not  locked 
and  chained ; all  that  was  necessary  was  to 
put  the  chain  over  the  bar  and  the  doors  could 
then  have  been  opened. 

The  company  was  fined  £10  and  the  two 
individual  defendants  £5  each. 

MORTGAGES  AND  CHARGES 

New  Rutland  Square  Cinema,  Ltd.,  London, 
W. — Registered  January  21st,  £33,000  deben- 
tures, dated  November  4,  1930,  part  of  £100,000  ; 
charged  on  property  in  Edinburgh,  also  general 
charge.  *£100,000.  January  12,  1931. 

Plaza,  Exeter,  Ltd. — Registered  January 
23rd,  series  of  £20,000  debentures,  present  issue 
£18,500;  general  charge. 

Plaza  (Southchurch)  Cinema,  Ltd. — Regis- 
tered January  22nd,  series  of  £3,500  (not  ex.) 
debentures,  present  issue  £2,675  ; general 
charge.  *£10,000.  December  6,  1930. 

Alhambra  (Paris),  Ltd.,  London,  W. — 
Registered  January  21st,  £50,000  debentures, 
dated  November  4,  1930,  part  of  £100,000  ; 
general  charge.  *£100,000.  January  12,  1931. 

* Amount  of  debt  according  to  last  available 
return. 

SATISFACTIONS 

Regent  Picturedrome  Co.,  Ltd.,  Nelson. — 
Satisfactions  registered  January  26th,  £100,  part 
of  amount  registered  November  7,  1923,  and 
£100,  part  of  amount  registered  February  14, 
1924. 

Bradford  Theatre  Royal  Picture  House, 
Ltd. — Satisfaction  registered  January  26th, 
£500,  part  of  amount  registered  September  9, 
1922. 

Burlington  Cinema,  Ltd.,  Liverpool. — Satis- 
faction registered  January  24th,  £500,  part  of 
amount  registered  February  21,  1928. 


NEW  COMPAMIES 

REGALIA  CINEMA  COMPANY  (BIRMING- 
HAM), LTD.— Private  company.  Registered 
January  30th.  Capital,  £12,000.  Objects : To 
carry  on  the  business  of  proprietors  of  cinemato- 
graph theatres,  etc.  The  directors  are  : A.  W. 
Rogers  (chairman),  “ Colinton,”  Birmingham 
Road,  Wylde  Green  ; A.  Ford,  Lode  Lane,  Soli- 
hull, Warwickshire  (both  permanent,  subject  to 
each  holding  1,000  shares).  Qualification  of 
directors : £1,000  shares.  Solicitors : Bailey, 

Cox  & Co.,  10a,  Temple  Row,  Birmingham. 
Registered  office : Victoria  Playhouse,  Victoria 
Road,  Aston,  Birmingham. 

GLOBE  CINEMAS  (BURSLEM),  LTD.— 
Private  company.  Registered  January  30th. 
Capital,  £1,000.  Objects : To  carry  on  the 

business  of  proprietors  and  managers  of  cine- 
matograph theatres,  etc.  The  directors  are : 
G.  Goodwin  (permanent  director  and  chairman), 
Werrington  Road,  Bucknall,  Stoke-on-1  rent ; 
C.  Green,  249,  High  Lane,  Burslem,  cinema 
manager  ; G.  H.  Goodwin,  Carmount  Side  Farm, 
Abbey  Hulton,  Milton,  farmer ; R.  E.  Wood, 
Broad  Street  Chambers,  Burslem,  architect ; 
A.  Wood,  Midland  Bank  Chambers,  Burslem, 
incorporated  accountant.  Qualification : 200 

ordinary  shares.  Secretary  : A.  Wood.  Solicitor  : 
R.  T.  C.  Jones,  Hanley. 

BOHEMIAN  PICTURE  THEATRE  (1931), 
LTD. — Private  company.  Registered  in  Dublin 
on  January  27th.  Capital,  £ ,000.  Objects:  lo 
acquire  the  cinema  business  formerly  carried  on 
at  154  and  155,  Phibsborough  Road,  Dublin,  as 
“ The  Bohemian  Picture  Theatre,  Ltd.”  The 
directors  are : J.  G.  McEntaggart,  Dunfirth, 

Rathfarnham,  Dublin,  motor  engineer;  J.  J. 
Flood,  3,  Anglesea  Avenue,  Blackrock,  Dublin, 
retired  public  official;  W.  H.  Freeman,  The 
Cottage,  Brighton  Avenue,  Monkstown,  Dublin. 

SHARE  PRICES 


Messrs.  Redway,  Mann  & Co.,  Ltd.,  state  that 
the  market  closed  on  the  following  quotations  : — 


Name. 

Value. 

Last 

Week. 

This 

Week. 

A.  P.  P.  H 

ord.  £1 

18/6 

18  3 

Assoc.  Talking 

1/3 

1/4 

Pics. 

Assoc.  British 

5,3 

5,11 

Cinemas  .... 

Do. 

pref.  £1  f.pd. 

— 

— 

Blunt  & 

McCormack 

— 

— 

Brit.  Int 

ord.  5/- 

6/10J 

6/3 

Do. 

pref.  £1 

19  - 

19  6 

Brit.  Instr 

ord.  10/ — 

4 3 

3 7* 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

— /1 0J 

-/10.V 

Brit.  Lion  .... 

def.  1/- 

— / 2 

-12 

Do. 

pref.  £1 

1 111 

2 3 

Brit.  Filmcraft 

ord.  5/- 

— 

W3 

Brit.  & Dom. 

def.  1/- 

— / 4J 

Do. 

ord.  £1 

3,3 

2/3 

Brit.  Screen 

Pi  od 

5/- 

— 

— 

Biit.  & For 

ord.  5/- 

— 

— 

Brit.  Photo- 

tone 

— 

— 

French  Do 

— 

— 

Blattner 

def.  1/- 

— 

— /I 

Denman  P.H. 

£100  7%  deb. 
ord.  10/- 

97 

98 

,,  Con 

90 

92 

Gaumont  Brit. 

— 

!■*/— 

Do. 

n%  £i 

— 

16  9 

Gainsborough 

ord.  £1 

7 3 

7,3 

Do 

def.  11- 

-MS 

- [Z 

Gen.  Theatre 

pref.  £1 

ii/- 

10  6 

Do. 

6i%  deb. 

84 

82 

Met.  Cinema 

ord.  10/- 

— 

— 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

— 

Movie  Colour 

-n 

Morgan  Film 

~/2* 

Service 

— 

Non- FI  am 

ord.  £1 

1 9 

1 3 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

— / 4 4 

-/2t 

New  Era  N.P. 

ord.  £1 

— 

— 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

— 

— 

P.C.T.  Cons 

7%  £1 
“ B”  £1 

19/- 

19/- 

P.C.T 

18/- 

18/3 

P.C.T 

7J%  pr.or.,£l 

16'- 

1 5/6 

Pro  Pat 

ord.  5/- 

1 1J 

1 1 

Stoll  Th 

ord.  5/- 

6/6 

6/6 

Tussaud’s 

£1  pref. 

27/7  S 

27/6 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

6/6 

6/6 

United  P.T 

£i 

4/- 

41- 

Do. 

7%  deb. 

82 

814 

Union  Cinema 

def.  1/- 

— 

— 

Do. 

10%  5/- 

— 

— 

Welsh-  P’rson- 

1/3 

Elder 

8%  £1 

1/6 

Do. 

ord.  1 

1 '/I 

L-/4 

February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


39 


Scottish 

Qrmiston’s  Silver  Wedding 

I understand  that  the  General  Council  of  the 
C.E.A.  has  passed  a recommendation  to  all 
branches  to  allocate  subscriptions  from  their 
funds  towards  a testimonial  to  Thomas  Ormiston 
on  the  occasion  of  his  silver  wedding,  which  will 
be  celebrated  in  April. 

Scottish  Moderator’s  Sane  Speech 

Clerical  critics  of  the  cinema  received  a nasty 
knock  from  an  unexpected  quarter  on  Monday 
of  last  week,  when  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  A.  N. 
Bogle,  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  addressing  a temper- 
ance rally  in  Glasgow,  said  the  picture  houses, 
run  down  as  they  are  on  religious  platforms,  have 
had  a very  salutary  effect  in  regard  to  the  question 
of  drinking.  In  providing  a counter-attraction 
they  have  done  something  to  displace  the  public- 
house  as  an  avenue  of  relaxation  open  to  some 
classes  of  the  community.  Such  sane  reasoning 
is  proof  that  should  clear  up  the  muddled  think- 
ing of  lesser  lights  in  the  clerical  profession, 
whose  brayings  are  recorded  from  time  to  time. 

Parade  Staff  Frolics 

A happy  company  of  250  foregathered  last 
Thursday  evening  in  Norwood  House,  Glasgow, 
to  join  in  the  annual  dance  promoted  by  the 
staff  of  the  Parade  Cinema,  Dennistoun.  The 
proceedings  took  place  in  the  Venetian  Ball- 
room and,  as  the  catering  and  dance  music  was 
taken  charge  of  by  mine  host  McEwan,  needless 
to  say  all  present  enjoyed  themselves.  Manager 
Rupert  Thompson  was  in  fine  fettle,  and  his 
organising  abilities  did  much  towards  the  success 
of  the  evening. 

Bigger  Plans  for  Dunoon 

Plans  for  an  extensive  addition  to  the  Picture 
House,  Dunoon,  were  sanctioned  at  the  local 
Dean  of  Guild  Court  last  Tuesday.  Seating 
accommodation  in  the  balcony  will  be  consider- 
ably increased  under  the  scheme,  and  the  total 
capacity  of  the  house  will  be  1,250.  A.  V.  Gardner 
is  the  architect,  and  the  alterations  will  be 
completed  before  the  summer  season  starts. 

Cinema  Club’s  Fine  Functions 

A regrettable  oversight  last  week  was  respon- 
sible for  the  absence  of  the  reports  of  the  Cinema 
Club  Luncheon  and  Fancy  Dress  Ball,  held  on 
February  6th.  The  luncheon  was  held  in  the 
Geneva  Room  of  Green’s  Playhouse,  and  there 
was  a record  attendance.  President  Tom 
Robinson  presided,  and  the  guests  of  honour 
were  Margot  Graham,  the  new  film  star  ; Arthur 
Dent,  Wardour’s  chief;  and  Tommy  Lome  and 
other  principals  of  the  Theatre  Royal  Panto- 
mime. Happy  little  speeches  by  the  President 
and  the  fore-mentioned  guests  made  the  luncheon 
a good  prelude  to  the  ball,  which  took  place  in 
the  evening  in  St.  Andrew’s  Hall,  when  nearly 
TOO  dancers  and  800  spectators  enjoyed  them- 
selves to  the  full.  A cabaret  was  staged  by 
artistes  from  the  Theatre  Royal,  headed  by 
Tommy  Lome,  and  the  prizes  for  the  fancy  dress 
costumes  were  presented  by  Margot  Graham. 
Secretary  Keinpsell  and  his  committee  have  every 
reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  social  success  of 
the  function,  although  the  financial  results  will 
not  be  great  for  the  benefiting  charities. 

Hawick  Hooligan  Punished 

Charged  with  disorderly  conduct  and  assault- 
ing the  manager  of  a Hawick  picture  house, 
because  he  would  not  admit  him  after  the  pay- 
boxes had  been  closed,  a man  was  fined  £1,  with 
the  option  of  ten  days’  imprisonment,  at  the 
local  police  court  last  Thursday. 

Dundee  Exhibitors  on  Warpath 

The  question  of  allowing  films  to  be  shown 
with  charity  concerts  on  Sundays  while 
cinemas  are  not  permitted  to  open  was  again 
raised  at  a meeting  of  the  Police  Committee  of 
Dundee  Town  Council  last  week,  when  a protest 
was  lodged  by  the  local  exhibitors.  Councillor 
Greig,  who  is  an  exhibitor,  stated  that  the  trade 
did  not  want  their  halls  open  on  Sundays  at  all, 
but  suggested  that  the  Council  should  either 
support  them  or  prevent  the  showing  of  films 
at  Sunday  evening  concerts.  The  Town  Clerk 
stated  the  legal  position.  Ultimately  a sub- 
committee was  appointed  to  investigate  and 
report  on  the  whole  question. 


Section 

Groves’  Staff  Revels 

Under  the  joint  auspices  of  the  staffs  of  the 
Cinema  House,  Bathgate,  and  the  Star  Theatre, 
Armadale,  two  of  the  halls  on  the  Groves  Circuit, 
a merry  gathering  was  held  in  the  Co-operative 
Hall,  Bathgate,  on  Tuesday  evening  of  last  week. 
Over  200  were  present,  Managers  J.  Hill  and 
L.  F.  Priest  were  masters  of  ceremonies,  and 
carried  out  their  duties  successfully.  Mrs.  Ivor 
Groves,  wife  of  the  Managing  Director,  was 
untiring  in  her  efforts  to  see  that  everyone 
enjoyed  themselves,  and  the  part  she  played  in 
decorating  the  hall,  assisting  in  the  buffet  and 
other  arrangements  showed  the  interest  she 
takes  in  the  employees  on  the  circuit  in  no 
uncertain  manner. 

Building  Accident 

Three  workmen  employed  on  the  erection  of 
the  new  Riddrie  Picture  House,  Glasgow,  were 
injured  and  had  to  be  taken  to  the  Royal 
Infirmary,  through  a scaffold  on  which  they 
were  working  collapsing.  Fortunately  their 
injuries  were  not  so  serious  as  was  at  first  antici- 
pated, and  they  were  able  to  be  discharged  the 
following  day. 

Kinghorn  Public  Hall  Snag 

The  Unemployment  Grants  Committee  of  the 
Ministry  of  Labour  have  raised  an  objection 
to  the  Kinghorn  Council’s  application  for  a grant 
for  the  building  of  a public  hall  there,  on  the 
grounds  that  the  building  is  to  be  used  for  enter- 
tainment purposes. 

Glasgow  Cinema  Operators’  Cabaret 

The  Glasgow  operators’  section  of  the  E.T.U. 
are  going  to  do  things  on  a big  scale  at  their 
annual  dance,  which  is  scheduled  to  take  place 
in  St.  Mungo  Halls  on  Friday  next  week.  A 
cabaret,  high  tea,  running  buffet,  and  several 
novel  stunts  are  all  being  planned  to  ensure  value 
for  the  price  of  admission. 

More  Associated  British  Cinema  Deals 

Some  little  time  ago  it  was  exclusively  an- 
nounced in  The  Bioscope  that  the  Parkhead 
Picture  Palace  was  likely  to  be  acquired  by 
A.B.C.  The  deal  has  now  gone  through,  and  this 
popular  East  End  hall  was  officially  taken  over 
last  week-end.  A.B.C.  are  also  to  be  associated 
with  one  of  the  new  houses  to  be  erected  in  the 
Gallowgate,  John  Maxwell  joining  the  board  of 
the  company  which  has  the  site  at  the  corner  of 
Sword  Street  and  Gallowgate.  These  acquisitions 
will  entrench  A.B.C.  very  strongly  in  the  East 
End  of  Glasgow,  for  they  already  control  the 
Arcadia,  Bridgeton,  and  the  Picture  House, 
Dennistoun,  and  are  also  interested  in  the  New 
Riddriee  Picture  House,  which  is  in  course  of 
construction. 


0nr  Luxurious  Divan  Tub 

TIP-UP  EASY  CHAIR 

FROM  25/- 

5,000  recently  supplied  to 
the  leading  Glasgow  Cinemas. 


REPAIRS  AND 
RENOVATIONS 

of  all  kinds  carried  out  with- 
out interfering  with  business. 


Keenest  est  mates  without  obligation. 
Write  or  ’Phene  for  ear  repres  ntstive  to  call. 


PATERSON’S  LTD. 

(ESTABLISHED  18S2 

79,  HOWARD  ST.,  GLASGOW 

Telephone  • CENTRAL  5 289 


BY 

james  McBride 

General  “Bioscope”  Representa- 
tive in  Scotland 

91,  Roslea  Drive, 
Dennistoun,  Glasgow,  E. 

Telephones  : 

Bridgeton  1876  (Home) 

„ 2851  (Hall) 


Invasion  of  Stirling 

The  county  town  of  Stirling,  where  Menzies 
Bros,  have  virtually  had  a monopoly  for  years 
with  their  three  houses,  is  also  to  be  invaded  by 
A.B.C.,  as  they  have  secured  one  of  the  few 
available  sites  there  on  which  a 2,000  seater  is 
to  be  erected.  It  is  rumoured  that  another  big 
combine  has  also  completed  negotiations  for 
another  site  in  Stirling,  but  verification  of  this 
is  not  forthcoming. 

“ Talkies  ” for  Hippodrome,  Hamilton 

Lanarkshire’s  principal  music  hall,  the  Hippo- 
drome, Hamilton,  is  to  be  equipped  with  an 
R.C.A.  sound  system  within  the  next  few  weeks, 
and  will  open  as  a “ talkie  ” house  early  in 
March.  The  Hippodrome,  which  is  owned  by 
E.  H.  Bostock  & Sons,  was  recently  leased  to 
Leslie  Lynne.  Bostock’s  ran  the  house  as  a 
music  hall  for  the  last  23  years,  and  Mr.  Lynne 
has  run  it  on  similar  lines  since  he  took  it  over. 
The  new  form  of  entertainment  has,  however, 
proved  to  be  too  strong,  and,  as  Leslie  Lynne 
believes  in  giving  the  public  what  they  want, 
he  is  going  in  for  “ talkies.” 

Clever  Showmanship  at  Arbroath 

The  management  of  the  Picture  House, 
Arbroath,  worked  a fine  publicity  stunt  last  week 
in  connection  with  their  screening  of  “ Journey’s 
End.”  They  secured  the  co-operation  of  the 
local  Territorials,  and  the  N.C.O.’s  and  men 
paraded  in  drill  order  with  pipers  and  marched 
through  the  streets  to  the  Picture  House  on 
Monday  night,  where  they  were  accommodated 
with  seats  at  the  opening  performance. 

Kemp’s  Saltcoats  Enterprises  Forging  Ahead 

Rapid  progress  is  now  being  made  with  the 
new  cinema  which  ex-Councillor  Harry  Kemp  is 
erecting  on  the  site  of  the  old  Casino  in  Hamilton 
Street,  Saltcoats,  and  it  is  expected  to  be  ready 
in  time  to  cope  with  the  crowds  that  invade  the 
popular  Ayrshire  coast  resort  during  the  summer 
season.  Harry’s  other  hall  in  Saltcoats,  La 
Scala,  is  doing  big  business  since  “ talkie  ” equip- 
ment was  installed. 

Greenock  Hall  Soil 

One  of  Greenock’s  oldest  cinemas,  the  Victoria 
Picture  House,  Rue  End  Street,  was  included 
in  a sale  of  property  at  the  Faculty  Hall,  Glasgow, 
last  week.  There  was  no  keen  competition  for  it, 
as  it  only  realised  the  upset  price  of  £400  which 
had  been  placed  on  it. 

Grierson  to  Produce  New  Film 

John  Grierson,  of  “ Drifters  ” fame,  will 
produce  a new  film  dealing  with  the  life  of  the 
British  worker,  states  the  Edinburgh  Workers’ 
Progressive  Film  Society.  The  film,  it  is  under- 
stood, will  be  produced  for  the  National  Federa- 
tion of  Workers’  Film  Societies,  of  which  Mr. 
Grierson  is  understood  to  be  a member.  Some 
of  the  scenes,  it  is  stated,  may  be  “ shot  ” in 
Edinburgh. 

Control  of  Entertainments 

Edinburgh’s  next  Provisional  Order  will 
possibly  contain  new  proposals  for  the  controlling 
of  places  of  public  entertainment  in  the  city. 
Cinemas  and  theatres  will  both  come  within  the 
scope  of  the  proposals.  The  field  is  so  wide  and 
the  review  required  so  extensive,  however,  that  it 
is  possible  it  may  be  decided  to  leave  this  question 
out  of  the  first  Order  and  to  leave  it  over  to  a 
subsequent  one  to  enable  the  city  officials  to 
formulate  their  desires. 


40 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


At  the 


What  the 

General  Council  Fixes 
25%  Maximum 

At  the  General  Council  meeting  on  Wednesday,  tire 
subject  of  film  rentals  was  fully  discussed  when  the 
following  resolutions  put  forward  by  the  North- 
Western  Branch  were  submitted  for  consideration 

(1)  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Branch  a flat  rate 
should  be  charged  for  film  hire  instead  of  per- 
centage on  the  gross  takings  as  at  present,  but  if 
the  percentage  basis  is  insisted  upon,  then  the 
whole  of  the  programme  should  be  supplied  by  the 
renter.  Further,  that  free  publicity  matter  should 
be  afforded,  and  that  halls  should  be  graded  for 
film-hiring  purposes  as  they  are  graded  at  present 
for  C.E.A.  subscriptions  and  P.R.S.  fees. 

(2)  That  the  General  Council  should  take  an 
early  opportunity  of  having  a round-table  confer- 
ence with  the  K.lt.S.  on  the  foregoing  points. 

The  replies  from  the  branches  of  this  subject,  which 
were  before  the  delegates,  were  noted. 

Alderman  E.  Trounson,  in  moving  the  resolutions, 
said  : “ Without  going  into  details,  if  you  take  your 
minds  back  to  the  Blackpool  resolution.  I think  it  is  a 
matter  of  history  now  that  prices  did  commence  to  fall 
immediately  after  that  meeting,  and  a different  state 
of  affairs  exists  to  what  it  did  then.  My  own  feeling, 
after  studying  the  thing  carefully,  is  that  we  should 
go  another  step  and  use  it  for  all  it  is  worth,  and  suggest 
a maximum  basis  of  an  all-in  rental  programme,  say 
25  per  cent.  Mr.  A.  B.  King  put  up  a very  good  idea 
of  a 25  per  cent,  all-in  rental  throughout  the  year. 

“ We  are  making  a demand  for  lower  prices,  and  I 
am  prepared  to  run  the  risk  as  to  how  far  this  thing  will 
be  accepted  throughout  the  country. 

“ I am  hoping  this  General  Council  will  be  able  to 
reach  some  better  conclusion  than  we  have  now.” 

F.  W.  Locke,  in  seconding  the  resolutions,  said  : 

“ About  12  months  ago.  when  some  of  my  colleagues 
on  the  Council  said  : ‘ When  are  you  wiring  ? ’ and  I 
raised  the  question  of  expense,  they  said  that  I should 
get  it  all  back  out  of  the  receipts,  be  able  to  pay  the 
renters  the  percentages,  and  cover  all  the  increased 
costs,  a'nd  still  make  a bigger  profit  than  ever  before. 
That  might  have  been  good  advice  in  those  days,  but 
is  it  good  advice  to-day  ? Does  that  condition  of 
affairs  hold  good  ? 

“ I emphatically  say  it  does  not,  and  many  of  us 
are  back  not  to  the  takings  of  silent  days,  but  even 
lower,  plus  all  the  increased  costs.  I do  not  hesitate 
to  say  that,  if  we  are  going  to  give  satisfaction  to  the 
members  of  our  Branches,  this  Council  will  have  to  go 
to  the  renters  and  say  to  them  that  the  time  has  come 
when  we  must  demand  from  them  something  like  an 
equitable  system  of  trading.  Otherwise  they  are 
oing  to  put  us  out  of  business." 

' Several  Constructive  Policies  ” 

A.  W.  Rogers  said  he  would  like  to  amplify  the 
letter  from  the  Birmingham  Branch.  They  had  had 
several  constructive  policies  brought  up,  but  could  not 
arrive  at  a unanimous  decision.  One  policy  had  been 
brought  forward  which  would  appeal  to  both  the  small 
and  large  exhibitors.  The  first  proposition  was  that 
they  should  book  their  pictures  on  sharing  terms,  on 
the  basis  of  10  per  cent,  on  the  first  £10,  15  per  cent, 
on  the  next  £10,  the  next  £10  say  20  per  cent.,  and 
over  and  above  the  first  £50  on  percentage  agreed 
when  the  contract  was  made.  That  would  appeal  to 
all,  it  would  enable  the  small  man  to  live,  and  no 
exception  could  be  taken  by  the  big  man. 

The  other  constructive  policy  was  like  the  Northern 
Branch  suggestion.  A percentage  booking  should  be 
for  the  whole  programme.  We.  do  not  say  what  the 
percentage  should  be — that  would  be  for  individuals  to 
decide — -but  it  should  be  for  the  whole  of  the  programme, 
and  if  a single  picture  were  booked  it  should  be  on  a 
flat  rate.  The  grading  of  the  hall  might  be  embodied 
in  the  second  policy. 

J.  Claughton  said  any  scheme  would  be  useless 
unless  the  Branches  were  going  to  be  firm.  He 
remembered  the  Blackpool  resolution.  It  was  no 
good  discussing  any  plan  if  they  were  going  to  break 
the  resolution  immediately. 

No  Question  of  Disloyalty 

Councillor  E.  A.  Huddleston  : “ I have  heard  a 
lot  about  disloyalty,  but  it  is  utterly  impossible  in  a 
business  like  this  to  get  absolute  loyalty.  The  function 
of  a body  like  ours  is  advisory  and  to  give  a lead  to  our 
members. 

“ I would  like  to  bring  the  members  back  to  the 
working  of  the  resolution.  There  is  no  suggestion  that 
anybody  should  bind  himself  to  do  a single  thing 
in  reference  to  it,  and  no  suggestion  or  possibility  of 
there  being  any  charges  of  disloyalty  in  obedience  to 
it  or  othe-wise.  I fail  to  see  any  good  on  the  part  of 
the  Council  in  visualising  the  effects  of  disloyalty  when 
this  question  does  not  come  into  it. 

" I think  the  General  Council  would  be  well  advised 
to  pass  these  resolutions  unanimously,  because  no  one 
is  asked  to  make  a bond,  but  simply  to  enunciate  that 
a flat-rate  system  is  better  than  a percentage.” 

F.  W.  Morrison  said  the  only  point  was  that,  there 
was  not  a unanimous  desire  that  halls  should  be  graded 


C.E.A.  Meetings 

Branches  are  Saying  and  Doing 


according  to  the  P.R.S.  and  C.E.A.  fees.  If  that  clause 
in  the  resolution  could  be  deleted  he  was  certain  his 
Branch  would  pass  it  unanimously. 

Alderman  Trounson  signified  the  willingness  of 
his  branch  to  withdraw  this  particular  clause. 

Councillor  F.  J.  Spickernei.l  said  there  was  * flaw 
in  everything.  In  Portsmouth  they  had  once  had  a 
boycott  of  a certain  renting  firm  for  showing  a picture 
in  a legitimate  theatre.  The  boycott  had  been  kept 
up  until  it  was  found  that  one  member  had  booked 
with  the  renters,  and  this  put  an  end  to  the  boycott, 
but  it  had  the  effect  of  showing  the  red  light  to  the 
renters,  and  since  then  no  renting  firm  had  shown 
pictures  in  legitimate  theatres  in  Portsmouth.  A 
certain  amount  of  good  came  from  all  boycotts  and 
resolutions. 

J.  Langham  Brown  said  there  were  certain  sug- 
gestions in  the  resolutions  to  which  he  could  not  give 
his  wholehearted  support.  He  had  had  a good  deal 
of  experience  in  booking  pictures  during  the  last  nine 
mouths,  and  if  exhibitors  decided  to  make  a certain 
payment  for  a full  programme  he  thought  they  would 
be  making  the  biggest  mistake  of  their  lives.  The 
programmes  would  be  completed  with  whatever  films 
the  renters  had  on  their  shelves,  whether  they  were 
suitable  for  the  hall  for  which  they  were  intended 
or  not. 

He  thought  they  would  do  better  by  concentrating 
on  the  second  part  of  the  resolution.  They  had  a lot 
of  information  and  the  time  had  now  come  to  test  the 
sincerity  of  the  K.R.S.  as  to  whether  they  felt  the 
time  had  really  come  for  a reduction  in  terms. 

He  proposed : 

“ That  we  seek  a conference  with  the  K.R.S. 

at  the  earliest  possible  moment.” 

T.  Ormiston  s Views 

T.  Ormiston  : “ I feel  that  some  of  the  members 
who  have  spoken  have  overlooked  the  fact  that  for 
months  past  we  have  been  having  conferences  with 
the  K.R.S.  and  the  effect  of  what  we  have  tried  to 
hammer  into  them  is  very  clearly  brought  out  in  the 
annual  report,  of  the  secretary  of  the  K.R.S.  Mr. 
Hill  is  quite  a candid  man  and  I feel  sure  that,  if  the 
renters  would  be  guided  by  him  there  would  have  been 
some  alteration  in  the  terms  of  film  rentals  earlier, 
but  the  renters  find  it  so  easy  to  milk  the  exhibitor 
that  they  keep  on  doing  a thing  that  brings  them  so 
much  profit.  Mr.  Hill,  on  page  six  of  his  annual 
report  , says  : 

“ ‘ Also,  one  cannot  help  feeling  that  the  time  is  not 
far  distant  when  through  sheer  force  of  economic  cir- 
cumstances a revaluation,  as  it  were,  of  the  terms  upon 
which  films  are  to  be  hired  must  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion, for  one  is  conscious  of  the  fact  that,  although 
economic  causes  within  the  cinematograph  industry  hare 
been  contributory,  there  has  been  a steep  rise  in  film 
rentals  daring  the  past  eighteen  months,  and  there  is  a 
very  wide  range  of  film  rentals  at  present  in  operation 
which,  if  a detailed  investigation  were  made  as  to  the 
reasons  therefor,  might  now  be  difficult  to  justify. 

“ ‘ Also,  upon  analysis,  it  might  happen  that  there 
would  be  disclosed  a number  of  exhibitors  who  could  not 
hope  for  their  cinemas  to  remain  open  under  the  present 
and  possibly  future  conditions  that  must  assuredly 
apoertain  to  the  industry.'  ” 

“ That  is  the  opinion  of  the  secretary  of  the  K.R.S. 
That,  has  been  dinned  into  their  heads  by  us  at  our 
meetings  with  them,  and  if  we  could  only  get  the 
members  of  this  Association  to  realise  that,  the  remedy 
is  in  their  own  hands  we  would  soon  achieve  what  is 
wanted.  Unfortunately  it  seems  impossible  by  argu- 
ment or  otherwise  to  convince  our  own  members  that 
if  they  continue  in  the  present,  policy  they  will  drive 
a great  many  of  themselves  into  the  bankruptcy 
court. 

“ At  a meeting  we  had  with  the  K.R.S.  a fortnight 
ago  we  again  emphasised  to  them  the  position  in 
which  the  small  exhibitor  was  being  placed,  and  while 
the  renters  were  sympathetic  to  the  position  they 
practically  say  that  as  a body  they  can  take  no  con- 
certed action. 

“ We  are  in  the  same  difficulty.  This  Association 
exists  to  deal  more  with  the  political  affairs  of  the 
trade  and  we  are  not  a trading  society,  and  so  long 
as  this  business  remains  competitive  and  there  is  in 
human  nature  the  desire  to  get  the  better  of  your 
fellow  competitor  so  long  will  it,  be  easy  for  the  renter 
to  take  more  than  his  economic  share  of  the  receipts 
of  this  industry. 

“ What  are  you  going  to  do  ? You  may  say  to  me, 
what  do  you  suggest  ? and  I am  afraid  1 cannot 
suggest,  very  much,  because  I have  no  authority  to 
deal  on  your  behalf. 

“ I know  how  I would  deal  with  it  if  I had  your 
authority,  but  I think  we  must  try  to  educate  our 
people  and  advise  them  through  our  knowledge, 
which  is  probably  a little  greater  than  many  of  them 
have,  that  the  present  methods  are  going  to  lead 
them  to  ruin,  and  no  member  can  make  money  in  his 
theatre  if  his  total  film  rental  throughout  the  year 
exceeds  25  per  cent,  of  his  receipts.  We  must  try 
to  get  our  members  to  keep  their  bookings  within  that 
percentage.  If  they  book  on  a percentage  they  should 
obviously  get  the  whole  programme  included,  or  the 
percentage  for  the  feature  must  be  reduced  below 
25  per  cent.,  or  an  allowance  given  for  the  cost  of  the 
supporting  programme. 


“ We  should  emphasise  to  our  members  tliat  they 
have  to  put  their  film  bookings  on  that  basis,  and  how 
it  is  to  be  done  I do  not  know,  but  I think  we  should 
authorise  our  officers  to  frame  a statement  putting 
the  whole  facts  before  them  and  pointing  out  to 
members  where  they  arc  leading  and  the  basisron 
which  they  should  conduct  their  operations.  Whether 
they  do  it  or  not,  it  is  in  their  own  hands,  ami  unfor- 
tunately we  cannot  as  a General  Council  take  it  out 
of  their  hands. 


Hold  Up  Bookings 

“ There  is  no  hope,  whatever,  in  expecting  the 
K.R.S.  to  turn  round  and  take  less  money  than  is 
offered  for  their  films.  We  have  got  to  offer  less. 
How  can  we  do  it  ? One  advice  is  to  refrain  from 
advance  booking.  By  Statute  we  are  limited  to  a 
six  months’  booking  period.  We  can  advise  our 
members  that  when  summer  comes  and  business 
diminishes  they  should  be  extremely  careful  what 
they  do  and  should  hold  up  bookings  as  far  as  possible, 
because  the  supply  of  films  is  increasing. 

“ We  should  concentrate  on  getting  a reduction 
in  the  percentages  or  that  the  percentage  includes  the 
whole  cost  of  the  programme.  If  the  suggestions 
meet  with  your  approval  I would  recommend  that 
you  pass  the  following  resolution  : 

“ ‘ The  General  Council  is  of  opinion  that  the 
maximum  percentage  for  a full  programme  of  a 
feature  programme  quality  and  the  supporting 
items  should  not  exceed  25  per  cent. 

“ ’ That  in  order  to  render  this  maximum  of 
25  per  cent,  for  the  full  programme  a possibility 
programme  features  should  be  rented  at  a lower 
minimum  than  25  per  cent. 

“ ‘ That  the  officers  should  draft  a letter  to  every 
member  pointing  out  that  patronage  will  be  a 
diminishing  quantity  during  the  year  and  that 
until  such  times  as  the  renters  reduce  their  rentals 
to  the  above  economic  levels,  members  be  advised 
to  limit  their  bookings  to  not  more  than  three 
months  ahead  where  possible,  so  that  they  can  take 
advantage  of  the  increasing  supplies  and  the  conse- 
quent change  in  favour  of  the  exhibitor  when 
supplies  overtake  demand.’  ” 

Alderman  Trounson  withdrew  his  resolution  in 
favour  of  Mr.  Ormiston’s. 

The  resolution  was  carried  unanimously. 


Advisory  Committee  Appointments 

The  formal  appointment  by  the  President  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  of  Councillor  E.  Hewitson  and  A.  B. 
King  to  the  vacancies  on  the  Advisory  Committee 
was  noted. 

The  following  resolution  from  the  South  Wales 
Branch  was  submitted  : — 

“ This  Branch  hears  with  deep  regret  the 
deviation  from  normal  democratic  representa- 
tion In  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Trade’s 
passing  over  of  the  name  of  H.  Victor  Davis  as 
representative  on  the  Advisory  Committee  in 
spite  of  the  result  of  the  ballot,  and  in  view  of 
the  short  time  served  on  the  Committee  expresses 
its  surprise  at  the  inadequacy  of  the  reason 
adduced,  namely,  the  advisability  of  varying  the 
representation  of  exhibitors  from  time  to  time.” 
After  discussion  on  the  subject,  a resolution,  as 
set  out  below,  was  moved  by  Mr.  Ormiston,  seconded 
by  Alderman  Trounson,  and  carried  : — 

“ That  this  Council  places  on  record  its  dis- 
appointment that  the  President  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  has  not  seen  his  way  to  accept  the  result  of 
the  ballot  of  the  Association  in  regard  to  the 
membership  of  the  Advisory  Committee,  but  assures 
Mr.  Victor  Davis  that  we  have  undoubted  con- 
fidence in  his  integrity  and  ability,  and  are  satisfied 
that  the  President’s  selection  has  not  been  made 
through  any  lack  of  confidence  in  Mr.  Victor 
Davis.” 

Electrical  Trades  Union 

A further  request  from  the  E.T.U.  for  a meeting 
with  the  C.E.A.  was  brought  forward.  After  discussion 
it  was  agreed  that  the  Officers  of  the  Association  meet 
the  Electrical  Trades  Union  on  the  understanding 
that  such  matters  wore  dealt  with  by  t lie  branches 
according  to  local  conditions,  and  that  any  Con  tnitt e 
which  met  the  E.T.U.  could  not  make  any  promises 
on  behalf  of  the  whole  of  the  C.E.A. 

The  following  resolution,  proposed  by  C.  Hartley  - 
Davies,  seconded  by  C.  Mathes,  was  passed  : — ■ 

" That  we  reiterate  to  the  E.T.U.  the  fact 
that  this  is  a matter  dealt  with  by  our  brain  hes, 
hut  if  the  E.T.U.  wish  to  have  a discussion  with 
the  Officers  of  the  Association  in  the  knowlde_g  ■ 
tliat  the  General  Council  is  unable  to  legislate  for 
its  members  on  the  subject,  the  General^  Council 
will  be  pleased  to  arrange  accordingly. 


Earlier  Film  Releases 

In  regard  to  the  resolution  standing  in  tic  name 
of  the  Hampshire  and  Isle  of  Wight  Branch  that  films 
should  be  released  earlier,  Major  A.  v\.  Bannkk 
explained  that  the  branch  really  wished  for  a little 
information  on  this  subject.  _ . 

The  General  secretary  stated  that  in  regard 


41 


February  18,  1931 


to  a film  of  any  quality  the  renters?  found  they  could 
not  get  a general  release  date  before  September  from 
first-run  houses.  They  had  now  had  three  reductions 
under  the  Cinematograph  Films  Act,  and  each  one 
had  been  accompanied  by  a temporary  phase  of 
pencilling  in  dates,  of  which  when  it  came  to  the  test, 
no  evidence  was  available  from  either  of  the  parties, 
and  that  phase  lasted  about  two  or  three  months,  and 
then  the  whole  question  adjusted  itself  automatically. 
Eventually  the  renters  found  it  was  no  good  waiting, 
and  they  threw  their  pictures  into  the  shorter  period. 

Members  seemed  to  find  it  difficult  to  realise  that 
if  they  kept  dates  open  there  would  lie  equally  good 
films  coming  along  which  they  would  be  able  to  book 
sooner  if  they  did  not  tie  themselves  up  in  advance. 
Probably  within  a very  short  time  they  would  get 
down  to  a release  date  of  five  or  six  months  ahead. 

Entertainments  Tax 

The  following  report  of  the  General  Purposes 
Committee  was  received  and  adopted. 

“ Your  Committee  has  made  application  to  the 
Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  asking  him  to  receive 
a deputation  so  that  the  case  in  favour  of  remission 
of  the  Entertainment  Tax  on  the  cheaper-priced 
seats  might  be  brought  before  him.  He  has  replied 
as  follows  : — 

“ ‘ Dear  Sir, — I am  desired  by  the  Chancellor  of 
the  Exchequer  to  refer  to  your  letter  of  January  22nd. 
In  reply,  Mr.  Snowden  desires  me  to  say  that  in  present 
financial  circumstances  he  sees  no  prospect  of  being 
able  to  propose  remissions  of  taxation  ; and  that  in 
these  circumstances  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  no  useful 
purpose  would  be  served  by  his  receiving  a deputation 
on  the  subject  which  you  desire  to  raise. 

“ ‘ Yours  faithfully. 

(Sgd.)  J.  H.  Woods.’ 

“ Your  Committee  proposes  to  reply  to  the  letter 
accepting  his  decision  with  regret,  in  the  full  know- 
ledge that  he  has  the  same  sympathetic  consideration 
for  our  case — to  which  we  hope  he  will  be  able  to  give 
■expression  in  a similar  manner  next  year — that  he 
had  a few  years  ago.” 

Legal,  Financial  and  Parliamentary 

The  following  report  of  the  Legal.  Finance  and 
Parliamentary  Committee  was  adopted  by  the  General 
"Council  at  its  meeting  on  Wednesday  : — 

Your  Committee  lias  had  the  report  of  the  Stipen- 
diary Magistrate's  decision  at  Liverpool  in  the  case 
of  Police  v.  Willett  and  others.  This  was  a prosecution 
under  the  licensing  conditions  imposed  by  the  Liver- 
pool Watch  Committee  that  no  children  under  the 
age  of  16  should  be  permitted  to  see  “ A ” films. 
The  Stipendiary  Magistrate  gave  his  decision  in  favour 
■bf  the  condition,  but,  your  Association  has  lodged  an 
Appeal  to  Quarter  Sessions. 

It  has  been  necessary  to  prepare  a Bill  dealing  with 
tile  Sunday  opening  situation,  and  accordingly  one 
has  been  drafted,  but  lias  not  yet  been  published  nor 
introduced  into  Parliament.  While  the  opinion  of  the 
Home  Secretary  is  being  ascertained,  it  is  felt  it  is 
undesirable  to  publish  the  Bill.  The  Bill  does  no 
more  than  give  the  County  Councils  and  the  bodies 
to  whom  they  delegate  licensing  powers  the  power  to 
issue  a licence  in  respect  of  Sundays  upon  such  terms 
and  conditions  as  are  reasonable.  In  addition,  a deputa- 
tion from  the  London  and  Home  Counties  Branch, 
together  witii  the  representatives  from  the  General 
Council  whom  you  have  authorised  to  attend,  has 
waited  upon  the  Home  Secretary  and  has  received 
.■>  very  sympathetic  hearing  from  him. 

. The  British  Kinematograph  Society,  which  consists 
of  all  the  principal  technicians  of  the  industry,  has 
been  constitut  ed  to  take  the  place  of  the  former  British 
■section  of  the  S.M.P.E.  Your  Committee  recommends 
the  support  of  this  Society  on  account  of  the  valuable 
research  work  it  can  do  for  every  member,  and  to 
mark  its  practical  appreciation  recommends  that  a 
subscription  of  20  guineas  be  made. 

Position  of  Small  Exhibitors 

The  following  report  of  the  Committee  dealing  with 
the  problems  of  the  small  exhibitors  was  considered 
and  approved  : — 

Your  representatives  upon  the  Joint  Standing 
■Committee  of  the  C.EA.  and  K.R.S.  have  met  and 
discussed  with  the  K.R.S.  the  position  of  exhibitors 
owning  small  theatres.  Whilst  the  K.R.S.  representa- 
tives maintained  an  amicable  attitude,  it  was  made 
apparent  that  they  were  not  disposed  to  accept  the 
contention  that  t he  class  of  exhibitor  whose  position 
was  under  discussion  would  be  put  out  of  business 
because  of  the  uneconomic  nature  of  the  hire  percent  ages 
demanded.  There  was  a disposition  to  ascribe  the 
exhibitors’  difficulties  mainly  to  the  expenses  of 
talking  installations. 

It  was,  however,  very  clearly  demonstrated  by 
your  representatives  that  a continuance  of  the  present 
percentage  for  rentals  would  be  fatal  to  exhibitors 
running  the  smaller  class  of  cinemas  even  after  all 
the  costs  of  installation  had  been  met. 

Representatives  of  the  K.R.S.  quite  definitely 
and  with  apparent,  unanimity  rejected  the  suggestion 
which  had  emanated  from  J.  C.  Graham  that  a general 
class  of  smaller  exhibitors  should  be  instituted. 

They,  therefore,  intimated  that  their  Trading 
Committee  would  be  prepared  to  investigate  all  cases 
where  it  was  alleged  that  losses  had  actually  been 
incurred,  and  also  cases  where  in  view  of  the  per- 
centage contracts  for,  and  the  possible  or  anticipated 
takings  of  the  hall,  a loss  would  almost  inevitably  be 
incurred. 

Your  representatives  pressed  the  renters  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  minimum  rental  basis  upon  which 
they  were  at  present  working,  and  it  should  be  noted 
that  there  was  a general  consensus  of  opinion  on  the 
part  of  the  K.R.S,  representatives  that  rentals  at 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


less  than  los.  per  reel  for  three  days  would  not  be 
an  economic  proposition  for  them  to  consider. 

When  the  K.R.S.  representatives  were  pressed  to 
state  that  films  would  not  be  supplied  if  it  was  demon- 
strated after  investigation  that  a cinema  could  not 
afford  to  pay  such  a minimum,  they  did  not  display 
the  same  unanimity,  and  certain  firms — not  all — 
indicated  that  circumstances  would  have  a bearing 
upon  the  maintenance  of  that  minimum.  The  15s. 
per  reel  minimum  for  talking  pictures  compares  with 
a minimum  of  10s.  per  reel,  which  was  the  figure  in 
silent  days. 

From  this  it  clearly  emerges  that  members  who  are 
contemplating  the  installation  of  talking  apparatus 
must  carefully  weigli  up  their  position  in  the  first 
instance,  and  if  they  find  that  at  the  lowest  possible 
price  of  rental  they  would  be  unable  to  meet  their 
obligations,  then  they  should  realise  that  the  only 
certain  possibilities  of  relief  will  -arise  from  application 
to  the  Trading  Committee  of  the  K.R.S. 

If,  as  your  representatives  anticipate,  the  summer 
months  see  a revision  in  rental  terms  as  the  result 
of  the  present  trend  towards  lower  film  rentals,  there 
is  no  reason  why  the  minimum  rental  should  not  also 
fall,  ultimately  even  reaching  a figure  of  11s.  or  12s. 
per  reel. 

Any  small  cinema  that  wires  in  the  meantime  needs 
to  have  regard  to  the  facts  as  they  exist,  and  if  there 
is  a disposition  to  take  a gamble  upon  the  possibility 
of  reduced  film  rentals,  the  necessity  of  a reserve 
to  cover  the  intervening  period  until  such  reduction 
occurs  is  also  a fact  which  must  be  carefully  noted. 

Your  committee  accordingly  recommends  that  the 
General  Council  should  advise  all  exhibitors  who  are 
either  in  difficulties  through  actual  losses,  or  whose 
bookings  are  such  that  the  future  means  losses,  to 
place  their  certified  figures  before  the  Trading  Com- 
mittee of  the  K.R.S. 


“Leakages”  in 
South  Wales 

H.  Victor  Davis  presided  over  the  monthly  meeting 
of  the  South  Wales  and  Monmouthshire  Branch,  held 
at  Cardiff. 

David  Hughes  wrote  complaining  of  the  late  delivery 
of  films,  and  emphasised  the  serious  handicap  to  those 
with  cinemas  some  distance  from  Cardiff,  especially 
as  since  the  advent  of  the  “ talkies  ” it  was  highly 
necessary  to  have  at  least  one  or  two  rehearsals  before 
the  public  showing.  Mr.  Hughes  added  that  he 
would  like  the  Branch  to  make  strong  representation 
to  the  renting  firms  to  see  if  some  improvement  could 
be  made  in  their  systems. 

It  was  decided,  on  the  motion  of  R.  Dooner. 
seconded  by  Frank  Taylor,  that  representations 
should  be  made  to  the  renters  on  the  matter. 

Leakage  of  Information 

R.  Dooner  called  attention  to  the  grave  leakage 
of  information  from  the  Branch  meetings.  He  said 
that  only  recently  a matter  which  had  been  discussed 
was  taken  out  by  someone  who  had  sat  round  the 
table,  and  it  had  been  telephoned  to  a renter's  repre- 
sentative. In  this  particular  instance  it  had  a very 
damaging  effect  upon  another  member. 

He  (Mr.  Dooner)  could  not  find  words  strong  enough 
to  condemn  such  an  action,  and  would  move  that,  if 
any  evidence  could  be  obtained,  the  member  guilty 
of  such  an  action  should  be  relieved  of  any  executive 
position  he  might  be  holding. 

The  Chairman  said  the  Executive  Committee  did 
not  consider  that  action  strong  enough.  They  felt 
that  if  any  person  was  found  to  carry  information 
from  the  meeting  to  any  renter  they  should  first  of 
all  make  every  effort  to  obtain  the  name  of  the  person. 
Then,  having  done  so,  they  would,  irrespective  of 
whom  he  might  ne,  request  him  to  send  in  his  resigna- 
tion to  the  secretary  of  the  Association,  and  he  would 
not  in  future  be  recognised. 

Mr.  Dooner  said  he  was  prepared  to  amend  his 
resolution  to  include  the  recommendation  of  the 
Executive,  and  in  this  form  the  motion  was  unani- 
mously agreed  to. 

Advisory  Committee  Representation 

It  was  reported  that  H.  Victor  Davis  had  not  been 
again  appointed  on  the  Advisory  Committee,  not- 
withstanding that  over  ten  thousand  members  accorded 
him  their  support. 

On  the  proposition  of  A.  B.  Watts  it  was  decided 
to  express  the  deep  regret  of  the  Branch  at  the  deviation 
from  democratic  representation  by  the  passing  over 
of  Mr.  Davis. 

The  delegates  to  the  General  Council  were  asked 
to  raise  the  matter. 

Result  of  Deputation  to  Renters 

Members  of  the  delegation  which  recently  visited 
London  to  interview  renters  on  the  percentage 
question  presented  a report  to  the  meeting.  Some 
very  encouraging  features  were  contained  in  the 
report,  which  showed  that  the  renters  themselves 
were  aware  that  in  a good  many  instances  too  much 
was  being  paid  for  film  hire  to  run  places  economic- 
ally. 

The  delegates  therefore  emphasised  that  it  was  up 
to  every  exhibitor  to  insist  upon  having  his  pro- 
gramme at  an  economic  value. 

It  was  decided,  on  the  motion  of  R.  Dooner,  to 
reaffirm  the  Branch’s  conviction  that.  25  per  cent., 
to  include  the  whole  programme,  was  the  maximum 
on  which  they  could  run  their  cinemas  in  South  Wales 
at  the  present  time. 

The  Branch  also  pledged  itself  to  do  all  possible 
to  bring  this  about. 


Summer  Closing  of  Cinemas 

A discussion  took  place  as  to  whether,  in  view  of 
the  summer  months  and  the  present  bad  industrial 
conditions,  it  would  nit  be  advisable  to  suggest  to 
members  in  various  towns  that  they  should  come  to 
some  arrangement  whereby  some  of  the  cinemas  should 
close  down  rather  than  incur  further  heavy  loss. 

It  was  decided  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  Executive 
Committee  in  order  that  fuller  information  might  be 
obtained  from  the  towns  most  affected. 

Film  Hire  Charges : 

N.W.  Discussion 

Underlying  the  discussion  at  Friday’s  meeting  of 
the  North  Western  Branch,  held  at  Liverpool,  on 
the  decision  of  the  General  Council  on  the  resolution 
submitted  by  the  Branch  dealing  with  film  hire 
charges,  was  a note  of  dissatisfaction.  Alderman 
Trounson,  who  presided  and  who  submitted  the 
delegate’s  report,  said  that  not  a single  concrete 
proposition  was  put  forward  to  help  the  Council  in 
its  deliberations. 

The  North  Western  Branch,  he  said,  had  recorded 
t lie  opinion  that  a flat  rate  should  be  charged  for  film 
hire  instead  of  a percentage  on  gross  takings  as  at 
present,  but  if  the  renters  insisted  upon  the  percentage 
basis,  then  the  whole  of  the  programme  should  be 
supplied  by  the  renter.  They  also  suggested  that  halls 
should  be  graded  for  film  hiring  purposes  as  they  were 
at  present  for  C.E.A.  subscriptions  and  P.R.S.  fees. 

Not  a single  concrete  proposal  for  a satisfactory 
solution  of  the  problem  had  emanated  from  any  of 
the  Branches,  the  most  frank  confession  being  that 
of  the  Birmingham  Branch,  which  said  it  had  no 
solution  to  put  forward.  Two  or  three  Branches 
favoured  a round  table  conference  with  the  renters, 
but  the  renters  knew  perfectly  well  the  condition  of 
many  theatres  and,  further,  what  the  takings  of  the 
remainder  were.  Any  flat  rate  that  might  be  laid 
down  in  the  future  would  be  based  on  percentages,  so 
that  if  the  flat  rate  system  of  trading  were  reinstituted, 
it  would  resolve  itself  into  a question  of  barter. 

The  Trouble  Diagnosed 

Frank  Hill,  Secretary  of  the  K.R.S.,  in  his  annual 
report  had  said  that  exhibitors  in  their  competitive 
struggle  frequently  entered  into  contracts  for  the  hire 
of  films  upon  terms  which,  but  for  their  keen  desire 
to  beat  their  opposition,  would  never  be  offered  to 
renters.  He  frankly  stated  that  present  prices  were 
not  economic  and  would  never  have  been  offered 
but  for  the  anxiety  of  one  exhibitor  to  beat  another. 

So  far  as  the  General  Council  was  concerned,  he 
thought  they  would  like  him  to  emphasise  these  points 
and  to  draw  attention  to  the  fact  that  a considerable 
number  of  films  would  be  available  for  exhibitors 
within  the  next  six  months.  Seventy-five  films  were 
trade  shown  last  month  and  would  be  released  in 
due  course.  General  Council  was  of  opinion  that  the 
maximum  percentage  for  a full  programme,  consisting 
of  a feature  of  programme  quality  and  supporting 
items,  should  not  exceed  25  per  cent.,  and  that  in 
order  to  render  this  maximum  for  the  full  programme 
a possibility,  features  should  be  rented  at  a lower 
minimum  than  25  per  cent. 

Members  were  advised  to  limit  their  bookings  to 
not  more  than  three  months  ahead  where  possible, 
so  that  they  could  take  advantage  of  the  increasing 
supplies  and  the  consequent  change  in  favour  of  the 
exhibitor  when  supplies  overtake  the  demand. 

F.  ML  Locke  said  it  seemed  to  be  the  general 
feeling  of  the  Council  that  they  could  not  meet  the 
renters  to  demand  the  terms  laid  down  in  the  North 
Western  resolution. 

Councillor  R.  Duncan  French  : It  was  said  the 
K.R.S.  could  not  bind  its  members  as  a body,  and,  if 
terms  were  to  be  made,  they  must  be  negotiated  with 
individual  members. 

Gentlemen's  Contracts 

P.  Brimelow  : Who  is  responsible  legally  for  films 
being  booked  beyond  the  authorised  date  ? Some 
renters  are  pressing  exhibitors  to  book  as  far  forward 
as  November  next. 

W.  Scott  : On  gentlemen’s  contracts. 

The  Chairman  : If  anybody  will  give  me  a con- 
firmation of  a contract  beyond  the  limited  period 
for  which  it  is  in  order  to  book  films,  I promise  you 
something  drastic  Mill  be  done. 

Councillor  R.  Doncan  French  pointed  out  the 
circumstances  which  led  to  gentlemen’s  agreements 
being  made,  to  which  the  Chairman  commented  that 
when  people  lent  themselves  to  the  pencilling  in  of 
agreements,  it  was  often  to  the  detriment  of  the 
exhibitor. 

R.  Hamilton  (Runcorn)  said  until  exhibitors 
realised  it  was  in  their  own  interests  to  have  uniformity 
and  co-operation— it  was  regrettable  to  sit  listening 
to  recriminations — their  path  would  be  a difficult 
one.  Exhibitors  had  to  help  themselves,  instead  of  all 
the  time  depending  on  others  to  do  things  for  them. 

The  Chairman  : The  most  u'e  can  do  is  to  give 
exhibitors  the  lead,  but  they  must  act. 

“ Impossible  ” Advice 

R.  P.  Rutherford  pointed  out  to  the  meeting 
that  it  uras  not  possible  to  get  films  at  less  than  25  per 
cent,  even  to-day. 

The  Chairman  : You  can  book  programmes  for 
25  per  cent. 

Mr.  Rutherford  : If  I cannot  get  it.  will  this 
Association  help  me  to  get  it  ? 

The  Chairman  : The  Association  cannot  Jclp  you 
(■ Continued  on  page  44) 


42 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


News  from  the  Territories 

From  t£  The  Bioscope’s  ” Special  Representatives 


Manchester  and  Liverpool 

(Representative:  Fred  Gronback.  18,  Coningsby  Road, 
Anfield,  Liverpool.  Telephone:  Anfield  1289> 

What  Does  "Installation”  Mean? 

In  several  parts  of  the  North  Country  ex- 
hibitors who  have  installed  talking  picture  equip- 
ments under  the  impression  that  there  would  be 
no  charge  for  the  installation  work  have  been 
disagreeably  surprised  to  receive,  when  the  job 
has  been  finished,  an  account  for  engineering 
services  that  has  almost  taken  their  breath  away. 
Last  week  I met  an  exhibitor  who  was  almost 
speechless  with  indignation  because  of  an 
incident  which  recently  happened.  His  theatre 
had  been  wired  and  the  mechanisms  placed  into 
position  by  private  contractors,  so  that  all  the 
suppliers  of  the  equipment  had  to  do  was  to 
make  the  connections  to  the  amplifiers  and  the 
necessary  tests.  These  operations  occupied  three 
hours  after  the  last  performance  on  a Saturday 
night.  Then  came  the  shock — he  received  a bill 
for  about  £50.  My  informant  is  quite  definite  on 
the  point  that  the  contract  does  not  specify  for 
the  payment  of  installation  charges ; the  equip- 
ment suppliers,  on  the  other  hand,  contend  that 
this  is  implied,  and  they  are  pressing  their  claim. 
“ I do  not  object  to  paying  a reasonable  sum  for 
services  rendered,”  said  the  exhibitor,  who  con- 
siders himself  the  victim,  “ but  I do  strongly 
object  to  being  asked  to  hand  over  £50  for  three 
hours  work  after  I had  engaged  contractors  to 
place  all  the  apparatus  in  position  ready  for  the 
engineers  to  make  the  final  connections.”  It 
would  seem  that  a definition  is  required  as  to 
what  “ installation  ” means. 

Unemployed  Operators 

There  promises  to  be  an  interesting  discussion 
at  to-day’s  meeting  (February  18th)  of  the  W est 
Lancashire  Branch  of  the  C.E.A.,  to  be  held  at 
Preston,  when  Mr.  Simpson,  of  Ulverston,  will 
move  a resolution  “ that  a Labour  Bureau  be 
established,  so  that  operators  and  assistants  who 
are  out  of  employment  (and  who  reside  in  the 
district)  can  be  put  in  touch  with  an  employer 
requiring  a man  at  short  notice.”  Notice  has 
been  given  of  a proposal  that  manufacturers  of 
“ talkie  ” apparatus  be  asked  to  institute  an 
“ all-in  ” charge  for  service — repairs  and  re- 
renewals. 

G.-B.  Staff  Dance 

Four  hundred  persons  attended  the  annual 
staff  dance  of  seven  Gaumont-British  theatres  in 
the  Merseyside  area,  at  the  Rialto  Ballroom, 
Liverpool,  on  Tuesday  of  last  week.  The  function 
was  made  the  occasion  of  a presentation  to 
C.  H.  Russ,  the  area  inspector,  who  received  from 
the  combined  staffs  a gold  dress  watch.  J.  M. 
Cannon,  circuit  manager,  was  presented  by  the 
managers  of  the  halls  supervised  by  him  with  a 
gold  cigarette  lighter.  Dancing  was  from  11.45 
p.m.  to  4 a.m.,  when  one  of  the  most  enjoyable 
staff  gatherings  held  on  the  Merseyside  came  to 
a close.  Messrs.  F.  Hardy,  Garside  and  Oram 
were  responsible  for  the  arrangements. 


Lend  a Hand 

To  assist  the  widow  of  Granville  Hughes,  who 
was  for  many  years  manager  of  the  Gem  Picture 
House,  W’erncth,  members  of  the  Manchester 
and  District  trade  have  organised  a fund  to 
which  it  is  hoped  both  renters  and  exhibitors 
will  liberally  subscribe.  A representative  com- 
mittee has  been  formed,  comprising  : Treasurer, 
S.  Hall,  “ Highfield,”  Albert  Road,  Hyde  ; 
Secretary,  G.  Pilkington,  Fox  Film  Co.,  Man- 
chester ; Committee,  J.  Baines  (secretary,  Lancs. 
Cinema  Old  Boys’  Association),  H.  Vost  (White- 
hall Cinema,  tipenshaw),  J.  Howarth  (Temple 
Pictorium,  Manchester),  J.  Mather  (Scala,  Bury), 
A.  H.  Albert,  A.  Sokolov  and  W.  Baldwin.  The 
cause  is  a worthy  one,  and  subscriptions,  no 
matter  how  small,  will  be  welcomed.  They  may 
be  handed  to  the  treasurer  or  to  any  member 
of  the  committee. 

Another  Emery  Theatre 

Another  addition  has  been  made  to  the  steadily 
growing  circuit  of  the  J.  F.  Emery  Film  Service, 
Manchester.  The  newcomer  is  the  Kings,  Salford, 
which  is  to  be  equipped  with  British  Acoustic 
talking  picture  mechanisms.  G.  Brooks,  who 
has  been  appointed  manager  in  place  of  E.  Hope, 
was  formerly  in  the  service  of  P.C.T. 

Cinema  Old  Beys 

Tickets  are  now  on  sale  for  the  annual  reunion 
of  the  Lancashire  Cinema  Old  Boys’  Association, 
to  be  held  at  the  Midland  Hotel,  Manchester,  on 
March  10th.  The  function  will  take  the  form  of 
a dinner  and  smoking  concert.  It  is  understood 
that  the  committee  is  endeavouring  to  secure 
the  attendance  of  one  of  the  best  known  film 
stars. 

A.  W.  H.  “ Talkies  ” 

J.  C.  Geoffrov,  representing  the  manufacturers 
of  A.W.H.  talking  picture  equipment,  visited 
Liverpool  last  week  to  survey  the  possibilities  of 
the  district  for  the  sale  of  mechanisms.  The  set 
which  has  been  in  service  at  the  Prince’s,  Preston, 
for  the  past  nine  months,  he  says,  has  been 
absolutely  immune  from  trouble. 

Paramount  on  Parade 

“ One  hundred  per  cent,  all-talking,  all-eating, 
all-drinking,  all-dancing,  all  happy,  all  tired,” 
comprehensively  describes  the  “ programme  ” 
presented  by  Paramount  at  the  Bear’s  Paw 
Restaurant,  Liverpool,  on  the  occasion  of  the 
“ Paramount  on  Parade  ” Liverpool  staff  dinner 
and  dance  on  Friday  evening.  Organised  by 
H.  Nisbet  (Liverpool  branch  manager),  H. 
Goodman,  J.  Gillick  and  Miss  Young,  the  function, 
which  completely  fulfilled  all  anticipations,  was 
attended  by  about  100  persons,  including  many 
of  the  best-known  local  exhibitors  and  renters. 
In  an  interval  in  the  proceedings,  Miss  Young 
presented  a beautiful  bouquet  to  Mrs.  Nisbet. 
Of  speeches  there  were  plenty,  but  none  were 
given  public  utterance,  the  gathering  being  a 
purely  social  one.  An  evening  with  “ Paramount 


on  Parade  ” is  certainly  a memorable  occasion. 
Perhaps  that  is  the  best  compliment  one  can  pay 
the  organisers  of  the  function,  who  have  set  a 
standard  which  they  will  be  expected  to  maintain. 

Four  Northern  Counties 

(Representative  : Thos.  F.  Burgess,  24?,  Wingrove 
Avenue,  Newcastle-on-Tyne) 

Northern  Executive  Luncheon 

The  first  meeting  of  the  newly-elected  Northern 
Branch  Executive  Committee  was  preceded  by  a 
luncheon  given  by  the  Chairman  (J.  C.  Bell) 
and  Vice-Chairman  (W.  Carr)  on  Tuesday  of 
last  week  in  the  Station  Hotel,  Newcastle-on- 
Tyne.  Mr.  Carr  expressed  the  hope  that  con- 
cessions in  respect  to  reduced  rentals  of  films 
would  be  one  of  the  achievements  of  the  Branch 
during  the  year,  and  thus  afford  each  one  of 
them  an  opportunity  of  making  a profit.  Several 
tributes  were  paid  to  Mr.  Bell  in  an  address  by 
Councillor  Anthony  Oates,  J.P. , who  is  Chairman 
of  Directors  of  the  Brighton  Theatre,  Newcastle, 
the  management  of  which  Mr.  Bell  has  success- 
fully held  for  over  twenty  years.  W.  Whitehead, 
of  the  Newcastle  Theatre  Royal,  'speaking  on 
behalf  of  the  four  theatre  managements  in  the 
city,  expressed  grateful  thanks  for  the  assistance 
they  had  received  in  various  ways  from  the  local 
branch  of  the  C.E.A.  They,  as  theatre  people, 
felt  greatly  indebted  for  that  valued  assistance. 
The  health  of  the  Chairman  and  Vice-Chairman 
was  proposed  in  a very  witty  speech  by  J.  S. 
Snell. 

Licensees  to  Meet  Magistrates 

When  Gateshead  exhibitors  applied  for  the 
renewal  of  their  licences  at  the  Gateshead  Police 
Court  on  Monday  last  the  Bench  decided  t° 
withhold  the  licences  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
the  exhibitors  an  opportunity  of  discussing  with 
the  magistrates  certain  alterations  which  had 
taken  place  in  the  conditions  of  the  licences. 
It  was  therefore  arranged  for  a deputation  of 
Gateshead  exhibitors,  together  with  the  C.E.A. 
Northern  Branch  Secretary  (Alfred  Smith),  to 
meet  the  magistrates  to-morrow  (Thursday). 

Luncheon  Club  Addressed  by  Exhibitor 

Dixon  Scott,  the  Northern  exhibitor,  gave  an 
interesting  address  on  the  influence  of  the 
cinematograph  upon  the  mental  and  moral 
outlook  to  a gathering  at  the  Tyneside  Social 
Workers  Luncheon  Club,  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne, 
last  week.  The  moral  effect  of  films  in  the  long 
run,  he  submitted,  would  depend  entirely  on  the 
public  themselves. 

Sheffield  and  District 

(Representative  George  W.  Hopkinson,  42,  Broom- 
field Grove,  Rotherham) 

The  Benevolent  Fund 

The  question  of  the  effect  of  the  Sunday 
amusements  ban  on  the  annual  Cinema  Sunday 
in  Sheffield  was  mentioned  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Sheffield  Cinema  Trade  Benevolent  Fund 
at  the  Central  Picture  House,  Sheffield,  last 
Friday.  A.  R.  Favell,  presiding,  said  it  was 
impossible  to  tell  what  would  happen  until  they 
knew  the  result  of  the  applications  for  Sunday 
opening.  The  Branch  hoped,  however,  to  have 
the  opportunity  and  privilege  of  holding  Cinema 
Sunday  this  year,  because  it  was  undoubtedly 
the  best  way  of  raising  a substantial  sum  of 
money.  Last  year  Cinema  Sunday  in  Sheffield 
realised  £954  15s.  4d.,  compared  with  £873  15s.  4d 
the  previous  year,  and  the  Fund  benefited  to 
the  extent  of  £472  17s.  8d.  The  Committee 
expect  that  this  year  the  calls  on  the  Fund  will 
be  heavier  than  usual. 

Forty  Cases  Assisted 

The  annual  report  stated  that,  mainly  owing 
to  the  introduction  of  talking  pictures,  an 
increased  number  of  persons  had  been  assisted 
during  the  year.  In  1929,  20  persons  received 
financial  assistance,  but  last  year  the  number  was 
40.  The  majority  of  the  applications  were  from 
musicians,  among  whom  distress  in  many  cases 
was  found  to  be  acute. 


“ Paramount  on  Parade.”  Liverp  ol  Staff  Dance  and  Dinner,  at  which  many  well-known 
local  renters  and  exhibitors  were  guests 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


4} 


Isy  Graham  (who  was  absent  through  indis- 
osition)  was  re-elected  chairman  ; S.  Kirkham 
on.  treasurer,  and  Arnold  R.  Favell  hon. 
secretary.  H.  Bramwell  and  W.  Bryan  are  the 
C.E.A.  representatives,  V.  Nelson  and  H.  Mitchell 
represent  the  renters  and  F.  Hire  and  T.  J.  Booth 
the  musicians.  In  addition,  the  secretary, 
treasurer  and  trustees  of  the  C.E.A.  are  on  the 
committee.  The  accounts  showed  a total  income 
of  £2,303  3s.  9d.,  including  a balance  brought 
forward  of  £1,779  Os.  Id.  Grants  and  allowances 
totalled  £370  11s.  5d.,  and  the  balance  at  the 
end  of  the  year  was  £1,928  os. 

Cinema  Sunday  Problem 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
difficulty  raised  with  regard  to  Cinema  Sunday 
is  keenly  exercising  the  minds  of  those  local 
exhibitors  who  put  in  a great  deal  of  work  each 
year  on  its  behalf.  What  may  happen  between 
now  and  the  time  for  Cinema  Sunday  is  pro- 
blematical, but  certain  it  is  that  the  position  has 
this  week  been  made  clear  by  Sir  William  Clegg, 
Chairman  of  the  Sheffield  Licensing  Bench. 
Speaking  at  the  annual  Brewsters  Sessions,  Sir 
William  said  that,  much  as  they  regretted  it, 
they  would  have  to  adhere  to  the  decision 
arrived  at  in  London  and  would  have  to  refuse 
licences  for  Sunday  concerts  and  shows  if  pro- 
moters did  not  fall  into  line  with  the  regulations. 

Leeds  and  District 

(Representative  H.  S.  Pitts,  " Yorkshire  Evening 
Post,"  Lee-s,  or  Leyburn  Grove,  Bingley) 

Sunday  Opening 

Although  little  or  nothing  is  being  done — or 
even  said — about  Sunday  opening  in  Leeds, 
I hear  that  quite  a number  of  houses,  other  than 
those  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  would  be  prepared 
to  open,  if  the  law  was  so  altered  as  to  allow  it. 
It  has  been  argued  that  if  the  city  houses  were 
opened  the  Sunday  night  paraders  in  Briggate 
would  be  attracted  to  any  one  of  the  biggest 
houses  in  the  centre  of  the  city  and  that  the  other 
houses  would  play  to  empty  benches.  In  that 
case  it  has  been  suggested  that  the  only  way  that 
Sunday  opening  might  prove  profitable  would 
be  for  the  cinemas  in  town  to  take  it  in  turns  to 
give  shows  on  that  day.  Against  that,  there  are 
those  who  say  that  if  permission  were  granted 
for  cinemas  to  open  the  amount  of  patronage 
that  would  follow  would  surprise  the  trade. 

No  Sunday  Film  Lecture 

Meantime,  no  Sunday  shows  are  being  held 
in  Leeds,  and  the  present  attitude  of  the  Watch 
Committee  was  defined  when  application  was 
made  for  permission  to  hold  a lecture  and  exhibit 
a film  at  the  Rialto  on  a Sunday  on  behalf  of 
the  Leeds  Branch  of  the  Guild  of  Projectionists. 
The  application  was  not  granted. 

Birmingham  and  Midlands 

(Representative  : O.  Ford-Jones,  " Winona,"  Hugh 
Road,  Smethwick,  Birmingham. 

Telephone:  Smethwick  289> 

Blank  Day  at  Smethwick 

Smethwick  cinemas  remained  closed  on  Sunday, 
after  having  been  open  on  Sundays  for  seven 
years.  At  the  Smethwick  Licensing  Sessions 
held  during  the  past  week,  although  there  was 
no  direct  reference  to  the  question  of  Sunday 
film  shows,  the  chairman  was  definite  in  stating 
that  the  whole  of  the  singing  and  dancing 
licenses  in  the  borough  would  be  granted  for 
six  days  only.  The  borough  was  the  pioneer 
in  the  provinces  of  Sunday  cinema  shows,  and 
first  opened  at  the  invitation  of  the  Town  Council 
as  a means  of  keeping  youth  occupied  in  a 
harmless  manner.  In  the  Smethwick  area 
there  has  been  nothing  but  praise  for  the  Sunday 
cinema  movement,  and  it  is  known  that  numerous 
church-going  people  were  in  the  habit  of  booking 
their  seats  so  that  they  could  attend  the  picture 
show  following  attendance  at  church. 

What  Will  Coventry  Do  ? 

It  is  by  no  means  certain  that  the  closing  of 
the  cinemas  in  Coventry  on  Sundays  will  con- 
tinue Many  of  the  exhibitors,  it  is  stated, 
are  desirous  of  reopening  and  preliminary  steps 
toward  this  have  already  been  taken.  If  arrange- 
ments can  be  made  exhibitors  would  contribute 
voluntarily  to  charities.  They  desire  to  open  not 
as  previously — from  8 p.m.  until  10  p.m. — but 
from  6 p.m.  till  11  p.m.,  with  two  houses  nightly. 
It  must,  however,  be  emphasised  that  the 
exhibitors  will  not  open  in  defiance  of  authority. 


Another  Beaufort  Night 

A whist  drive  and  dance,  organised  by  the 
directors,  formed  a special  “ Beaufort  ” night 
for  the  staff  and  friends  last  Thursday  at  the 
Ward  End  Unionist  Hall  following  the  evening 
show.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  evening’s  enter- 
tainment, Norman  Smith,  of  Paramount’s 
Birmingham  office,  spoke  of  the  absence  of  one 
well  known  among  them,  H.  Lane,  who  was 
prevented  from  attending  owing  to  indisposition, 
and  expressed  the  wishes  of  all  present  for  his 
speedy  recovery.  (From  enquiries  made  by  our 
Birmingham  representative  just  prior  to  going 
to  press,  we  are  informed  that  Mr.  Lane  is  well 
on  the  way  to  recovery.) 

Still  Outstanding 

I am  asked  by  F.  R.  Dace,  secretary  of  the 
Birmingham  and  Midland  Cinema  Trade  Bene- 
volent Fund,  to  thank  exhibitors  who  have 
responded  to  his  request  for  the  return  of  tickets 
and  cash  for  the  recent  Cinema  staff  dance.  This 
has  greatly  assisted  in  the  preparation  of  the 
final  accounts.  There  are  still  one  or  two  who 
still  have  tickets  or  cash  to  return,  and  to  those 
he  again  makes  his  appeal. 

They  Ask  for  More 

Following  the  social  and  financial  success  of 
the  recent  Cinema  staff  ball  at  the  Grand  Hotel, 
the  committee  of  the  Birmingham  and  Midland 
Cinema  Trades  Benevolent  Fund  are  endeavour- 
ing, in  response  to  numerous  requests  throughout 
the  trade,  to  arrange  an  additional  dance  on 
March  24th. 

Film  Industries  for  Stourport 

The  Electric,  Stourport,  is  going  over  to 
“ talkies,”  the  Film  Industries  set  being  the 
sound  system  decided  upon. 

Projectionists  and  Technicians 

The  Birmingham  Court  of  the  Guild  of  British 
Kinema  Projectionists  and  Technicians  held  their 
monthly  meeting  at  the  Malt  Shovel  Hotel, 
Birmingham,  on  Sunday  last,  under  the  chair- 
manship of  Jack  Bryant,  when  a special  address 
was  given  by  the  London  President,  Mr.  Perry. 
It  is  announced  that  for  March  an  interesting 
series  of  lectures  have  been  arranged,  which  will 
include  one  on  the  Holophane  system  of  lighting, 
by  Gillespie  Williams. 

B.T.-H.  Going  in  at  Leieestes 

The  Hippodrome,  Leicester,  is  being  equipped 
with  the  B.T.-H.  sound  system,  together  with 
Kalee  No.  8 Projectors. 

Odeon  Improvements 

The  Odeon,  Perry  Bar,  which  was  closed 
during  the  first  part  of  the  past  week,  opened 
to  a capacity  house  on  Thursday  last.  During 
the  short  period  that  the  house  has  been  closed  the 
“ talkie  ” apparatus  has  been  equipped  with 
the  very  latest  additions,  the  hall  treated  with 
Celotex  for  improved  acoustics,  while  the 
Moorish  design  of  the  exterior  of  the  building  has 
been  introduced  into  the  atmospheric  interior 
decorations  of  the  house. 

W.E.  at  Scala,  Worcester 

The  Scala,  Worcester,  is  now  equipped  with 
Western  Electric  sound  system,  together  with 
their  latest  rubber  screen.  There  has  been  a 
persistent  rumour  that  the  Scala  was  about  to 
lie  acquired  by  A.B.C.,  but  I have  received 
official  denial  of  this. 

One  for  F.I. 

The  Green  Lane  Picture  House,  Small  Heath, 
reopened  as  a “ talkie  ” house  last  week.  The 
equipment  installed  is  the  Film  Industries 
apparatus,  in  conjunction  with  Ernemann  II 
projectors  and  Hahn  Goertz  lamps  supplied 
by  Walturdaw’s  Birmingham  office. 

Temporary  Licences  at  Atherstone 

Cinemas  in  the  Atherstone  district  were 
granted  temporary  licences  only  at  Atherstone 
Licensing  Sessions  on  Tuesday,  pending  altera- 
tions to  premises  and  the  visit  of  the  inspector 
to  see  that  the  regulations  were  complied  with. 
Atherstone  Picturedrome  was  granted  a licence 
for  four  months,  and  the  cinemas  at  Dordon  and 
Polesworth  licences  for  one  month  each. 


Irish  Free  State 

(Representative:  Josph  P.  Sandes,  Independent 
House,  Dublin) 

Irish  Kinematograph  Company’s  Improvements 

Walter  McNally,  who  distributes  Radio 
Pictures  in  Ireland,  and  who  was  recently 
appointed  supervising  general  manager  of  the 
Irish  Kinematograph  Company’s  group  of  Dublin 
cinemas,  reopened  the  Pillar  Picture  House, 
O’Connell  Street,  on  Sunday,  after  installing 
R.C.A.  sound  apparatus,  this  taking  the  place  of 
the  house’s  former  sound  equipment.  A few  weeks 
ago  the  Grand  Central  Cinema  was  reopened 
under  the  same  management  after  a similar  change 
in  the  sound  system.  The  Mary  Street  Picture 
House,  which  also  belongs  to  the  Irish  Kinema- 
tograph Company,  still  remains  closed  awaiting 
the  ending  of  the  builders’  strike,  which  has  held 
up  the  re-roofing  and  general  renovating  of  the 
building. 

North  City  Cinema  Reopening 

Work  is  progressing  rapidly  on  the  recon- 
struction of  the  Bohemian  Picture  House, 
Phibsboro’,  which  has  been  closed  for  a couple  of 
years.  Since  its  purchase  a few  months  ago  by 
McEntaggart,  Flood  & Freeman,  its  entire  interior 
has  been  renovated,  and  in  part  reconstructed. 
Western  Electric  sound  equipment  is  being 
installed,  and  it  is  hoped  to  reopen  during  the 
week  of  St.  Patrick’s  Day. 

Dublin  Film  Star  Home 

Maureen  O’Sullivan,  who  left  Dublin  to  make 
her  film  debut  in  Count  McCormack’s  picture, 
“ Song  O’  My  Heart,”  is  now  home  again  for  a 
short  holiday.  During  her  stay  in  Hollywood 
she  appeared  in  a number  of  other  films,  including 
“ So  This  is  London,”  “ The  Princess  and  the 
Plumber,”  and  “ Just  Imagine.”  As  she  is 
under  contract  with  the  Fox  Film  Company  until 
October  next,  Miss  O’Sullivan  expects  to  return, 
to  Hollywood  in  about  a month. 

Cinema  Employees  Make  Merry 

The  annual  Fancy  Dress  Dance  of  the  Cinema 
and  Hotel  Employees’  Union  attracted  an 
attendance  of  about  1,400  people  to  the  Plaza 
Ballroom  on  Monday  night.  Every  theatre  and 
cinema  in  Dublin  was  represented,  and  most  of 
the  managers  came  along  to  join  in  the  fun  as  the 
guests  of  the  dance  committee.  Valuable  prizes 
were  awarded  to  competitors  in  the  Fancy  Dress 
Parade  which  was  held  after  supper.  The  success 
of  the  function  was  a tribute  to  the  organising 
ability  of  P.  J.  O’Toole,  hon.  secretary,  and  his 
enterprising  committee. 


Portsmouth 

Council’s  Sunday  Quandary 

At  last  week’s  meeting  of  the  Portsmouth  City 
Council,  the  question  was  asked  by  Councillor 
F.  J.  Spickernell  as  to  what  the  Chairman  of  the 
Watch  Committee  or  the  officials  proposed  to  do 
to  see  that  the  law  was  observed  in  view  of  the 
recent  decision  in  the  Court  of  Appeal  regarding 
Sunday  entertainment,  particularly  as  the  South 
Parade  Pier  was  open  for  concerts  on  the  Lord’s 
Day.  Councillor  Frank  J.  Privett,  J.P.,  replied 
that  the  matter  would  come  before  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Watch  Committee.  The  Com- 
mittee have  evidently  been  placed  in  a quandary 
because  the  Pier  belongs  to  the  Corporation,  and 
is  the  only  place  where  they  have  permitted 
Sunday  entertainments. 

Luton  and  District 

No  More  Stink  Bombs 

Bye-laws  made  by  Hertfordshire  County 
Council  to  deal  with  the  throwing  or  discharging 
of  stink  bombs  or  similar  articles  in  cinemas,  have 
been  approved  by  the  Home  Secretary,  and  the 
Clerk  to  the  Council  has  been  instructed  to  take 
the  necessary  steps  to  bring  them  into  force.  The 
boroughs  in  the  county,  coming  under  the 
administration  of  Town  Councils,  are  not  covered 
by  the  bye-laws. 

Luton  Cinemas  Well  Conducted 

Luton  magistrates  granted  a permanent 
extension  of  the  Alma  music  and  dancing  licence 
to  1 a.m.  at  the  annual  licensing  meeting  on 
February  11th,  it  beind  stated  that  this  would 
place  it  on  the  same  footing  as  all  other  public 
buildings  licensed  for  dancing.  All  the  cinemas 


44 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


were  reported  by  the  Chief  Constable  to  have  been 
satisfactorily  conducted  and  their  music  licences 
were  renewed. 

Smart  Capture  at  Dunstable 

Two  young  men  were  bound  over  for  twelve 
months  at  Herts  Quarter  Sessions  last  week  for 
breaking  into  the  Palace.  Dunstable.  They  were 
caught  inside  the  cinema  by  a constable  who 
found  an  entrance  door  forced  at  5.50  a.m.,  and 
it  was  stated  that  they  would  have  got  away  with 
money  and  a good  many  other  things,  like  cigar- 
ettes and  chocolates,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the 
vigilance  f the  officer. 

Isle  of  Man 

Manx  Sunday  Cinemas  Petition 

There  are  indications  that  the  privilege  of 
Sunday  cinemas  enjoyed  by  Isle  of  Man  people 
under  a system  of  local  option  since  1921  is  not 
to  go  unchallenged  in  the  future,  and  a petition 
protesting  against  the  opening  of  cinemas  on 
Sundays  is  being  hawked  round  Douglas  for 
signatures  with  a view  to  it  being  presented  at 
the  annua!  licensing  court  next  month.  It  is 
exceedingly  doubtful,  however,  that  the  licensing 
court  will  make  any  alteration  in  the  existing 
conditions  in  Douglas.  Sunday  cinemas  have 
now  become  an  established  factor  in  the  life  of 
the  people,  and  are  supported  by  most  people, 
who  recognise  that  they  take  young  people  off 
the  streets  at  night  time.  They  are  also  keenly 
appreciated  by  visitors  to  the  Island,  many  of 
whom  come  from  English  industrial  towns  where 
no  such  privilege  is  enjoyed. 

Leicester  and  District 

Women  Discuss  the  Censorship 

The  conditions  of  film  censorship  in  Leicester 
and  District  were  discussed  by  women  magis- 
trates and  councillors  at  a meeting  called  by  the 
executive  of  the  Leicester  Branch  of  the  National 
Council  of  Women.  It  was  stated  that  I.eicester 
was  one  of  the  first  cities  to  adopt  the  latest 
suggestions  of  the  Home  Office  with  regard  to 
the  regulations  of  the  British  Board  of  Film 
Censorship.  The  question  of  children  being 
admitted  in  charge  of  a bona  fide  adult  guardian 
presented  certain  difficulties.  It  was  difficult 
to  determine  who  was  a bona  fide  guardian. 

R.  V.  Crow  Talks  to  Local  Branch 

K.  V.  Crow,  vice-president  of  the  C.E.A., 
attended  the  meeting  of  the  local  Branch  to-day 
(Wednesday)  to  give  an  address  on  some  trade 
problems.  A report  of  this  meeting  will  be  given 
in  The  Bioscope  next  week. 

Northern  Ireland 

CRepresemative : George  Gray,  Fort  Garry,  Cregagh 
Park.  Belfast) 

The  Fever  Spreads 

. Northern  Ireland  must  abound  in  panicky' 
busybodies.  No  sooner  do  exhibitors  in  England 
start  their  campaign  for  Sunday  opening  than 
well-meaning  people  in  Northern  Ireland  get 
alarmed  and  fear  that  straightaway  the  cinemas 
in  Belfast  will  do  likewise.  A petition  has  been 
prepared  and  is  being  sent  round  for  signature, 
not  only  protesting  against  any  Sunday  opening 
in  Northern  Ireland,  but  also  in  the  British  Isles 
generally. 

The  Next  to  Go 

There  are  now  only  four  or  five  silent  houses 
left  in  Belfast  and  within  the  next  few  weeks  at 
least  two  of  them  will  go  over  to  “ talkies.”  In 
all  probability  the  Crumlin,  a popular  second-run 
suburban  house,  will  be  the  first  of  the  four.  A 
decision  in  regard  to  the  system  to  be  installed 
is  expected  within  the  next  few  days. 

Not  Forgotten 

The  management  of  the  Kelvin  Picture  House, 
Belfast,  have  been  thanked  by  the  Not  Forgotten 
Association  for  their  kindness  in  not  only  inviting 
a large  party  of  wounded  ex-servicemen  to  attend 
one  of  the  performances,  but  also  for  their  lavish 
hospitality. 

Will  They  Ask  ? 

'The  trade  is  in  two  minds  this  yrear  over  the 
vexed  question  of  applying  to  the  Minister  of 
Finance  for  Northern  Ireland  for  a reduction  of 
the  entertainment  tax  to  English  levels.  In  the 
past  they  have  paid  him  a visit  during  the  month 


of  March,  but  it  is  more  than  probable  that  that 
happy'  call  will  not  take  place  this  y'ear.  The 
Minister  is  reaping  a rich  harvest  this  year  from 
cinemas,  and  with  the  increase  in  expenditure 
to  meet  it  is  most  improbable  that  he  will  alter 
his  mind.  Hence  it  is  felt  that  it  would  be  a 
waste  of  time  and  energy  to  pursue  the  matter 
further  until  things  improve. 

North  Staffordshire 

Brilliant  Cinema  Ball 

The  Cinema  Carnival  and  Ball  (in  aid  of  the 
Cinema  Trade  Benefit  Fund)  was  held  at  the 
King’s  Hall,  Stoke,  last  Wednesday,  and  was 
an  improvement  even  upon  last  year’s  huge 
success.  There  were  well  over  1,590  people 
present.  Two  dance  bands  were  engaged,  and 
there  was  only'  one  interval.  This  was  when  the 
two  film  stars,  Dodo  Watts  and  Donald  Calthrop, 
were  introduced,  and  in  which  a lengthy  parade 
of  carnival  costumes  was  judged.  When  the. 
stars  arrived  a girl  “ pilot  ” descended  in  a 
vivid  flash  from  her  “ ’plane  ” and  presented 
bouquets  to  Miss  Watts  and  Mr.  Calthrop.  After 
the  judging,  the  stars  and  committee  took  supper 
together,  and  there  were  complimentary  speeches, 
in  which  the  city’s  welcome  was  extended.  W.  K. 
Washington  was  chairman  of  the  committee  and 
T.  Barrington  was  an  energetic  secretary'.  The 
reception  of  the  stars  had  a semi-civic  flavour 
owing  to  the  presence  of  Alderman  R.  Beresford, 
Deputy  Mayor  of  Newcastle  (who  is  this  year’s 
Chairman  of  the  North  Staffordshire  Branch  of 
the  C.E.A.),  and  Alderman  G.  H.  Barber,  Deputy' 
Lord  Mayor  of  the  city',  also  an  exhibitor. 

Methodists  Against  Sunday  Opening 

Stoke-on-Trent  Wesleyan  Methodists  are  to 
petition  the  Government  against  any  legislation 
of  Sunday  opening  of  places  of  amusement. 
Forms  for  signature  have  been  distributed,  which 
have  been  supplied  by  the  Lord’s  Day'  Observance 
Society',  and  are  addressed  to  the  Prime  Minister, 
as  follows  : — - 

“ We,  the  undersigned,  being  British  citizens,- 
respectfully  appeal  to  His  Majesty’s  Government 
to  reject  any  measure  for  legalising  the  Sunday' 
opening  of  theatres,  cinema  halls,  or  other  places 
of  amusement,  on  the  following  grounds.” 

Legal  and  moral  objections  to  Sunday'  enter- 
tainments are  then  set  out.  Other  Wesleyan 
congregations  in  North  Staffordshire  are  organis- 
ing similar  petitions. 

H.O.  Regulation  in  Newcastle 

The  Newcastle  (Staffs.)  Watch  Committee,  at 
their  meeting  last  Wednesday',  had  before  them 
the  Home  Office  Circular  containing  “ Model 
Regulations  under  the  Cinematograph  Act, 
1929,”  and  relating  to  the  exhibition  of  a cer- 
tificate indicator.  Alderman  R.  Beresford 
(Deputy'  Mayor)  presided.  The  Chief  Constable 
announced  that  a copy  of  the  circular  had  been 
served  upon  each  cinema  proprietor  in  the  town, 
and  they  had  complied  with  the  terms  of  the 
circular,  although  they  had  no  legal  force  behind 
them.  It  was  decided  that  a copy'  of  each  circular 
be  attached  to  each  cinema  licence  issued  by'  the 
Committee. 

South  Wales 

A Loophole  for  Sundays 

The  Cardiff  Watch  Committee  appears  to  have 
found  a way  of  getting  over  the  Sunday  concerts 
problem.  On  the  advice  of  the  Town  Clerk  the 
committee  has  decided  to  alter  its  procedure  with 
regard  to  Sunday  concerts,  and  the  advice  upon 
which  it  has  acted  is  worth  noting.  It  is  to  the 
effect  that  in  future  expressed  approval  be  given 
in  writing  for  the  holding  of  each  concert,  with 
the  statement  that  the  permission  given  did  not 
include  any  contravention  of  the  Sunday  Observ- 
ance Act,  1781.  This  would  throw  on  the  licensee 
the  responsibility  for  any  non-compliance  with 
the  law,  and  it  could  not  then  be  said  that  the 
Watch  Committee  sanctioned  any  illegality. 
L A.  Wilson,  Chief  Constable,  of  Cardiff,  considers 
the  advice  to  be  sound  ! 

Four  for  R.C.A. 

There  is  no  question  that  R.C.A.’s  new 
“ G ” model  is  appealing  to  the  tastes  of  Welsh 
exhibitors.  A large  number  of  Welsh  halls  have 
been  equipped  with  the  installation,  the  most 
recent  being  the  Palace,  Gorseinon,  near  Swansea  ; 
Palace,  Glanamman,  Amman  Valley  ; Temper- 
ance Hall,  Merthy'r  Tydvil ; and  the  Regal, 
Newport. 


AT  THE  C.E.A.  MEETINGS 

( Continued  from  page  41) 

to  get  a definite  programme  at  25  per  cent.,  that  is 
asking  for  the  impossible. 

.T.  Haigh  remarked  that  General  Council  had  been 
trying  to  help  exhibitors  over  their  difficulties  despite 
the  lack  of  confidence  that  existed  in  the  ranks.  The 
man  who  was  his  nearest  opposition  should  be  Ids 
best  friend.  Why'  exhibitors  should  fight  each  other 
for  super  films  he  could  not  understand. 

“ There  is  No  Solution  ” 

The  Chairman  mentioned  that  at  the  General 
Purposes  Committee  meeting  they  had  the  benefit 
of  the  attendance  of  two  very  shrewd  men,  who 
booked  for  a greater  number  of  theatres  than  anyone 
in  the  room.  They  were  asked  if  they  could  suggest 
any  means  to  make  the  North  Western  resolution 
effective,  and  they  admitted  frankly  there  was  no 
solution. 

Surely  the  course  exhibitors  should  take  was 
obvious  : — “ (t)  Shorten  your  booking  period,  and 
(2)  remember  what  the  Secretary  of  the  K.R.S.  says— 
the  only  reason  why  exhibitors  are  paying  such  high 
prices  for  films  is  because  they  are  fighting  one 
another.”  Renters  could  not  ignore  the  statement  of 
their  Secretary  that  the  prices  they  were  getting  were 
going  to  bring  a lot  of  exhibitors  into  the  bankruptcy 
court. 

F.  W.  Locke  said  it  came  as  news  to  him  that 
exhibitors  offered  high  prices  for  films.  Usually  the 
film  renter  fixed  a price,  a mighty  high  price,  and  tried 
to  get  that.  He  firmly  believed  when  there  was  a 
bigger  supply  of  films,  it  would  be  possible  to  get  full 
programmes  for  25  per  cent.. 

15s.  a Reel 

Alderman  Trounson  then  referred  to  the  con- 
sideration which  had  been  given  to  the  plight  of 
small  theatres. 

F.  W.  Locke  asked  how  the  General  Council  arrived 
at  the  figure  of  15s.  per  reel  for  the  rental  of  films  to 
be  shown  at  theatres  holding  less  than  £150  per  week. 
If  it  were  assumed  that  a six-reel  film  was  to  be  shown, 
then  film  hire  would  amount  to  £4  10s.,  hut  he  would 
like  to  know  of  any  case  where  an  exhibitor  could 
book  for  that  figure. 

.T.  R.  DovENER's  advice  to  exhibitors  was : Do 
not  make  up  your  mind  you  are  going  to  have  a 
particular  picture  ; make  up  your  mind  not  to  have 
it  unless  you  can  get  it  at  a reasonable  price. 

The  Chairman  held  that  as  long  as  there  was 
competition  amongst  exhibitors  for  films,  prices 
would  never  be  brought  down. 

Mr.  Burrows  thought  that  percentages  should  he 
based  on  the  grading  of  the  theatre. 

The  Chairman  said  this  idea  had  been  turned 
down  by  the  Council. 

Advisory  Board  Nominations 

W.  C.  Scott  referred  to  the  nomination  of  exiiibitor 
members  for  the  Films  Act  Advisory  Board,  and  said 
he  was  disposed  to  move  that  the  Association  should 
take  no  further  part  in  the  ballot  for  members.  Whilst 
the  two  gentlemen  who  had  been  elected  were  distinct 
acquisitions,  he  felt  that  exhibitors  should  not  have 
been  asked  to  nominate  four  gentlemen,  when  only- 
two  were  to  be  appointed. 

The  Chairman  said  that  the  Government,  as  a 
matter  of  courtesy,  asked  the  C.E.A.  to  submit  a list 
of  names  from  which  they  could  make  a selection. 

P.R.S.  Licences 

Reference  was  made  to  the  more  favourable  terms 
which  members  of  the  P.E.P.M.A.  obtained  from  the 
Performing  Rights  Society'.  The  CHAIRMAN  men- 
tioned that  probably  yvlien  the  P.E.P.M.A.  agreement 
expired,  it  would  be  brought  more  into  line  with  that 
of  the  C.E.A. 

Ban  on  Balconies 

A member  asked  if.  under  the  new  licensing  con- 
ditions which  prohibited  the  admission  of  children 
to  balconies  for  matinee  performances,  if  it  would 
be  in  order  to  admit  children  accompanied  by  parents 
or  guardians  to  balconies. 

The  Chairman  : It,  is  not  permissible  for  a child, 
whether  with  a parent  or  not,  to  be  accommodated 
in  the  balcony. 

Bad  Copies  and  Late  Deliveries 

There  was  some  discussion  on  the  condition  and 
late  delivery  of  films,  on  which  members  were  asked 
to  supply'  specific  information  on  which  action  could 
be  taken.  . , 

J.  R.  DOVENER  mentioned  a recent  case  where  lie 
was  showing  a third-run  film,  the  copy  was  so  bad 
that  he  telephoned  to  the  renters  and  asked  for  another 
copy.  They  replied  that  they  had  only  six  copies  and. 
as  all  of  them  were  in  use,  they  could  not  meet  his 
wishes  The  result  was  he  started  off  on  the  Monday 
with  a had  copy  that  had  to  be  shown  for  the  full 
week.  In  view  of  the  high  rentals  received  by  the 
renters,  they  should  be  better  equipped  with  spare 
copies.  . , , 

W.  Scott  said  that  complaints  wore  so  numerous 
that,  unless  they  were  backed  up  with  concrete 
evidence,  they  yvere  treated  by  the  renters  with 
contempt.  Late  deliveries  w'ere  an  even  greater  evil 
than  the  bad  condition  of  films. 

The  CHAiRyiAN  remarked  that.  Mr.  Dovener,  accord- 
ing to  his  contract,  was  entiltcd  to  demand  a film  in 
reasonably  good  condition.  If  it  was  not  supplied, 
lie  could  sue  for  damages,  but  then  he  would  have  to 
prove  that  he  had  suffered  damages.  How  could 
he  do  that  ? 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


l 


Technical  News  and  Notes 


Throwing  Open  the  Recording  Field 

If  reports  from  Hollywood  are  true,  the 
sound-recording  field  may  shortly  be  open 
to  all  comers,  with  Western  Electric  and 
RCA  cutting  out  the  licence  fees  and  royal- 
ties which  have  hitherto  caused  much 
contention.  It  is  possible  that  this  decision, 
if  it  materialises,  may  have  been  occasioned 
by  the  actions  brought  by  the  De  Forest 
group,  who  have  brought  suits  against  the 
manufacturers  of  apparatus  for  sound  re- 
cording by  the  light  slit  method.  This  is  a 
quarrel  in  which  theatre-owners  have  no 
interest,  they  are  solely  concerned  with  the 
final  quality  of  the  sound  record,  no  matter 
what  the  system  employed.  Several  of  the 
independent  reproducing  units  have  secured 
results  comparable  with  those  obtained  by 
the  expensive  sets,  and  in  view  of  this, 
producers  have  been  speculating  on  the 
necessity  of  paying  to  the  big  concerns  a 
recording  royalty,  amounting,  I believe,  to 
about  £100  a day.  Incidentally,  this  decision 
might  put  an  unexpected  end  to  a patent 
situation  which  seemed  interminable  so  long 
as  it  was  confined  purely  to  legal  issues. 

That  Britivox  " Mike  ” 

Last  week  Britivox,  Ltd.,  gave  a demon- 
stration to  a number  of  interested  trade 
people  of  what  was  described  as  a new  type 
of  microphone.  A printed  leaflet  stated  that 
this  microphone  was  so  selective  that  it 
would  respond  solely  to  particular  modula- 
tions and  would  exclude  all  undesirable 
sounds  as  well  as  reverberation  and  resonance 
distortions.  It  is  claimed  that  this  device 
can  be  used  in  the  open  air,  and  none  of  the 
incidental  street  noises  will  be  recorded,  the 
speakers’  voices  dominating  all  opposing 
sounds.  A voice  was  heard  coming  from  a 
loud-speaker  in  the  front  of  the  room,  while 
a babel  of  noise  could  be  heard  proceeding 
from  the  projecting  room  behind,  none  of 
which  came  through  the  loud-speaker.  In 
another  demonstration,  a violin  was  the  only 
sound  which  came  to  the  speaker,  though 
again,  hammering,  knocking  and  shouting 
could  be  heard  going  on  in  the  projecting  box. 
Unfortunately,  it  was  announced  that  the 
technical  members  of  the  audience  could  not 
be  shown  the  microphone,  as  there  were 
certain  difficulties  over  the  patent  position. 
In  such  a demonstration  more  would  depend 
on  the  position  of  the  microphone  than  on  its 
sensitivity  or  selectivity.  A person  speaking 
into  a microphone,  especially  of  the  low- 
sensitivity  type,  could  muffle  a good  deal  of 
extraneous  noise  by  speaking  right  on  to  the 
shielded  diaphragm.  In  any  case  the  relative 
position  of  the  microphone  and  the  “ noises 
off”  would  be  of  cardinal  importance  in 
forming  any  judgment  on  the  device.  A 
microphone  that  is  made  to  pick  up  a wide 
range  of  sounds  and  yet.  will  not  pick  up 
noises  of  many  pitches  adjacent  to  it  is 
something  of  a self-contradiction.  Still,  I 


am,  on  adequate  evidence,  willing  to  be 
convinced  of  anything,  and  when  the  patent 
situation  is  cleared  up,  it  may  be  possible  to 
arrange  a different  kind  of  demonstration. 

Perforated  Washable  Screens 

Referring  to  my  paragraph  in  last  week’s 
issue  concerning  perforated  washable  screens, 
Thomas  Sharp  & Co.,  makers  of  the  Trentex 
screen,  send  the  following  : “ We  think  it 


How  would  you  like  to  dine  under  these  cir- 
cumstances ? I his  still  was  taken  during  the 
filming  of  Universal's  " Resurrection ."  In- 
cidentally, note  the  lugubrious  countenance  of 
the  man  “ pilloried  ” on  the  left. 

might  interest  you  to  point  out  two  of  the 
main  drawbacks  to  these  screens.  From  our 
experience  with  both  the  silent  and  porous 
screens  in  this  country,  we  have  found  that 
nothing  prevents  fabrics  becoming  yellowed 
in  a comparatively  short  time,  owing  to  the 
nicotine  and  dampness  in  the  atmosphere. 
In  the  case  of  silent  screens  the  only  possible 
treatment  for  this  fault  was  repainting.  In 
the  case  of  the  fabric  porous  screens,  this  is 
not  practicable  and  therefore  the  only  process 
which  keeps  the  screen  white  for  a reasonable 
length  of  time  is  that  of  re-bleaching.  Apart 
from  this,  in  the  case  of  the  perforated 
screens,  it  has  not  been  found  possible  to 
make  these  in  one  piece,  and  consequently, 
when  the  dirt  settles,  the  seams  are  bound  to 
become  visible,  to  the  detriment  of  the  pro- 
jection. We  feel  that  yellowing  is  the  biggest 
trouble  experienced  with  porous  screens,  and 
up  to  the  present,  despite  great  expense  in 
experimenting,  nothing  better  has  been 
devised  than  complete  re-bleaching.”  I 


have  not  heard  much  first-hand  testimony 
as  to  this  feature  of  perforated  screens,  and 
I should  welcome  the  opinions  of  readers. 
So  far  as  the  seams  are  in  question,  I think 
this  problem  has  been  settled,  and  on  a 
properly-made  perforated  screen  the  seam 
is  indetectible,  even  after  a good  deal  of  use. 
There  is  a little  trick  involved  here  which  has 
proved  quite  effective  ; but  as  I say,  I shall 
welcome  users’  experiences  as  to  the  yellowing 
problem. 

An  Enterprising  Firm 

Ship  Carbons  have  been  turning  out  some 
very  nice  publicity  lately.  One  of  the  most 
effective  specimens  came  in  the  post  this 
morning.  It  enclosed  a card  for  free  samples 
of  Ship  Mirror  carbons  and  drew  attention 
to  the  fact  that  ten  of  the  largest  West  End 
cinemas  are  now  Ship-ites  and  that  recent 
conquests  include  the  Trocadero,  Elephant 
and  Castle  (the  largest  theatre  in  Europe),  the 
new  Victoria,  London  (the  first  theatre  to 
use  the  16  mm.  positives  at  180  amps.),  in 
addition  to  about  twenty  other  of  the  largest 
cinemas  in  the  suburbs  and  provinces. 
Altogether,  Ship  seems  to  be  making  headway 
and  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  way  they 
are  pressing  home  their  product. 

New  Exit  Doors 

Our  Northern  correspondent  writes  to  say 
that  he  was  last  week  given  an  opportunity 
of  inspecting  a model  of  the  Robson  Patent 
Panel  for  Exit  doors.  This  invention,  which 
is,  he  says,  perfectly  simple,  foolproof,  and 
reliable,  consists  of  a panel,  the  bottom  of 
which  is  low  enough  to  be  pushed  and 
operated  by  the  smallest  child.  It  covers 
nearly  the  whole  width  of  the  door  and 
operates  by  a simple  form  of  link  on  the 
steel  bolts.  The  slighest  pressure  on  the  panel 
at  any  point  allows  the  door  to  open  out- 
wards. The  panel  itself  is  actually  used  for 
holding  the  door  secure  against  operation 
from  outside.  One  touch  from  the  inside, 
however,  even  the  light  pressure  operated  bj- 
a child,  immediately  releases  all  fastenings. 
The  chief  advantage  of  the  system  seems  to 
be  the  complete  absence  of  any  intricacies 
and  complications  such  as  characterise  the 
present  panic  bolts.  The  cost  is  said  to  be 
reasonable. 

W.E.  Deaf  Aids  are  More  Than  That 

The  hard-of-hearing  sets  are  proving  very 
popular,  though  at  first  there  was  a reluct- 
ance among  patrons  to  admit  that  they  could 
not  hear  perfectly.  Now  there  is  quite  a lot  of 
competition  at  Some  theatres  for  the  " listen- 
ing seats,”  and  as  there  are  said  to  be  about 
5,000,000  people  in  Great  Britain  who  are 
more  or  less  deaf,  there  will  probably  be  a 
steadily  increasing  demand.  I tried  one  of 
the  neat  Western  Electric  sets  the  other 
night  during  a noisy  comedy  and,  though  my 
hearing  is- normal,- 1-  found  the-; contraption 
an  added  comfort.  Without  the  earphone  I 


11 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


had  to  strain  to  catch  the  lines  among  the 
laughter  and  titters  of  the  audience  ; but 
with  the  ’phone  at  my  ear  the  noise  around 
me  did  not  matter.  Some  people  object  to 
telephone  headbands,  but  the  \Y.E.  set  is 
very  light  and  could  hardly  inconvenience 
the  most  irritable.  The  whole  device  is  light, 
comfortable,  inconspicuous  and  sanitary,  and 
the  pencil  potentiometer  enables  the  volume 
to  be  adjusted  to  the  right  strength,  without 
interference  from  other  headsets  plugging  in 
and  out.  I am  inclined  to  think  that  most 
patrons,  whether  their  hearing  is  normal  or 
not,  would  find  individual  headsets  a real 
comfort,  especially  in  houses  or  seats  where 
acoustic  conditions  are  open  to  criticism. 
They  may  yet  come  to  every  cinema  seat. 

Drawing  a Voice 

The  Daily  Express  this  week  carried  a splash 
story  about  a P.D.C.  technician  who  has 
succeeded  in  drawing  an  artificial  sound 
track  so  that  a voice  may  be  heard  where  no 
voice  has  ever  existed.  As  usual  in  this  type 
of  story  the  possibilities  were  fantastically 
garbled.  The  artificial  voice  can  only  be 
“ created  ” by  imitating  some  other  real 
voice  which  has  been  recorded  and  of  which 
the  wave  characteristics  have  been  made 
visible.  There  is  certainly  something  fascinat- 
ing about  the  idea  of  making  a film  speak 
words  which  have,  in  one  sense,  never  been 
uttered  ; but  a voice  made  in  this  way  would 
have  no  consistent  “ personality”  unless  the 
minute  wave  variations  were  consistently 
copied  from  one  voice  with  its  own  significant 
harmonic  idiosyncrasies.  In  which  case,  of 
course,  the  voice  would  not  be  a new  voice  at 
all.  This  “personality”  aspect  cannot  be 
emphasised  too  much,  for  even  to  the  most 
illiterate  and  uneducated  a voice  is  more  than 
articulated  sound  ; it  is  the  vital  expression 
of  a personality  which  is  often  interpreted 
when  the  meaning  of  the  syllables  is  not. 


American  Device  for  Deaf  Patrons 

In  last  week’s  issue  Mr.  Richardson 
described  certain  improvements  in  R.C.A. 
equipment  introduced  in  America  during  the 
past  few  months.  Among  these  he  described 
the  Seatphone,  a device  which  enables  the 
hard-of-hearing  to  follow  dialogue  with  ease. 
General  Acoustics,  Ltd.,  of  Wigmore  Street, 
wish  it  made  clear  that  the  arrangements 
referred  to  do  not  apply  to  the  territory  under 
the  control  of  their  Company,  who  are  owners 
of  the  manufacturing  rights  of  all  the  deafness 
aids  made  by  the  Dictograph  Products 
Corporation  of  New  York,  for  the  whole  of 
the  British  Empire  except  Canada  and 
Newfoundland.  Cinemas  and  theatres  in  the 
territory  referred  to  can  only  be  equipped 
with  the  Acousticon  Seatphone  by  General 
Acoustics,  Ltd.,  or  under  a licence  from  them. 

A Long  Sound  Sequence 

A travelling  sound  sequence  extending  over 
several  miles  has  just  been  completed  by 
Paramount.  In  "The  Gang  Buster”  the 
star  is  shown  in  a series  of  comedy  situations 
in  conversation  with  a taxi-driver  travelling 
through  the  hills  above  Hollywood. 

A sound  recording  wagon  was  attached  to 
the  back  of  the  taxi  in  which  the  players  were 
riding  and  this  huge  vehicle  went  wherever 
the  automobile  was  driven.  Similar  scenes 
have  previously  been  limited  by  the  length  of 
sound  cable  which  extended  from  the  vehicle 
in  which  the  scene  takes  place  to  a stationary 
sound  wagon.  Cameras  were  set  up  between 
the  players  and  the  sound  wagon.  Micro- 
phones were  suspended  by  a boom  over  the 
actors  and  portable  lighting  equipment, 
mounted  on  the  camera  platform  illuminated 
the  scene,  which  was  filmed  at  night.  The 
scene  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  effective 
ever  secured  in  talking  pictures.  F.  F. 


A new  type  of  microphone,  said  to  mark 
a revolutionary  step  i 1 the  transference  of 
sound  to  film,  is  just  announced  by  Lowell 
V.  Calvert,  manager  of  R.C.A.  recording 
operations.  This  “ Ribbon”  Microphone,  as 
it  is  called,  was  developed  by  Dr.  Harry 
F.  Olson,  research  engineer  and  specialist 
on  mikes  and  loud  speakers.  Among  its  other 
virtues  it  has  directional  characteristics,  as 
a result  of  which  sounds  coming  from  a 
certain  direction  only  are  picked  up  and 
sounds  from  other  directions  completely 
ignored. 

This  enables  the  mike  to  be  used  in 
reverberant  sets  in  such  a way  as  to  pick 
up  the  voices  of  the  actors,  but  greatly 
reduce  the  amount  of  reverberation  picked 
up.  For  instance,  the  actor  s voice  can  be 
picked  up,  but  the  noise  of  the  camera 
ignored.  Hitherto  cumbersome  methods  have 
been  employed  to  shut  off  camera  noise, 
and  bulky  hoods  and  " blimps  ” have  been 
necessary.  The  new  microphone  makes  all 
this  additional  muffling  of  the  camera 
unnecessary. 

The  principle  on  which  the  ribbon  device 
works  is  that  of  the  induction  of  infinitesimal 
electric  currents  in  an  extremely  thin  and 
light  corrugated  aluminium  ribbon,  placed 
between  the  poles  of  an  electro  magnet. 
This  aluminium  ribbon  is  only  one  ten- 
thousandth  of  an  inch  thick,  3/16  in.  wide 
and  2 in.  long.  The  minute  changes  in  air 
pressure  occasioned  by  the  sound  waves 
cause  this  ribbon  to  flutter  or  vibrate 
between  the  magnet  poles,  and  electric 
currents  are  thereby  induced.  These  currents 
are  led  to  a transformer  and  thence  to  a 
conventional  amplifier. 

The  microphone  is  contained  in  a per- 
forated box  and  its  pick-up  efficiency  is 
greatest  in  a line  normal  to  its  face  and 
zero  in  a line  at  right  angles  thereto.  Hitherto 
most  studio  microphones  have  been  of  the 
so-called  condenser  transmitter  type,  though 
one  or  two  kinds  of  carbon  types  have  been 
successfully  employed.  The  condenser  types 
have  given  trouble  because  of  maintenance 
difficulties,  due  to  their  complicated  con- 
struction and  liability  to  leakage  in  damp 
weather.  The  “ ribbon  mike  ” is  simpler 
in  construction  and  easier  to  maintain,  and 
it  is  probable  that  all  users  of  R.C.A.  record- 
ing equipment  will  adopt  this  new  model 
as  soon  as  it  can  be  put  into  production. 


This  is  the  R.C.A.  “ Ribbon  ” Microphone,  which  is  claimed  to  he  directional  and 
does  away  with  the  necessity  for  the  rather  cumbersome  forms  of  directional  microphones 
and  muffled  cameras  which  have  hitherto  been  employed 


Exhibitors  buy  KALEE  Projectors 
because  users  swear  by  them 

KERSHAW  PROJECTOR  COMPANY  (SSSoT ») 


Head  Office-3.  BOHO  SQUARE,  LONDON  W 1 


Leeds  A Manchester— ALBION  WALK.  ALBION  STREET.  LEED8. 

BRANCHES— 

Glasgow  E.  A.  Langrish  & Co.  Ltd  , 88,  Renfrew  Street,  Birmingham— E.  Langrish  & Co.  Ltd.,  1-7.  Hill  street 

Cardiff — ,,  , , 4.  Park  Lane.  Newc  <stle-on*  1‘yne—  , ,,  61,  Thornton  Street 

Belfast -E  A.  Langiish  & Co.  Ltd.,  31,  Donegal  Street. 

M.CSL 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  D IOSCO pE 


iii 


* 


1 


k 


Carbom 


Modern  changes  in  the  cinema  field  have 
concentrated  attention  once  more  on  the 
heart  of  the  show,  namely,  the  projector. 
Houses  have  increased  in  size,  throws  are 
longer,  screens  are  larger,  and  coloured  films 
offer  greater  resistance  to  the  passage  of 
light.  The  result  has  been  a demand  for 
“More  Light”  accompanied  by  a request 
(as  Goethe’s  demand  was  not ) for  better 
quality  as  well  as  increased  quantity. 

The  designer  of  projectors  has  steadily 
run  his  amperage  up  from  60  to  80 
and  on  to  120.  Arcs  are  at  present  being 
operated  in  London  at  200  amperes,  and  this 
does  not  seem  the  final  limit.  We  are  not 
ourselves  inclined  to  believe  that  these 
enormous  currents  will  ultimately  be  neces- 
sary. Some  more  efficient  method  of  con- 
verting electric  power  into  light  will  have  to 
be  found  ; but  in  the  meantime  this  insistent 
demand  for  more  light  has  given  ever-growing 
importance  to  the  heart  of  the  projector, 
namely,  the  carbon-arc. 

Why  Pick  on  an  Arc  ? 

The  mechanisn  for  holding  the  carbons  in 
position,  for  rotating  and  feeding  them  and 
supplying  them  with  current,  is  nowadays 
regarded  as  of  relatively  small  importance 
compared  with  the  quality  of  the  carbons 
themselves.  Fortunately,  in  this  matter  of 
carbon  manufacture  we  have  managed  to 
hold  our  ground,  and  in  the  past  year  or  two 
British  makers  have  succeeded  in  turning  out 
carbons  of  a quality  which  will  compete  with 
any  foreign  make. 

It  is  easy  to  see  why  the  carbon  arc  has  be- 
come the  recognised  illuminant  for  the  motion 
picture.  It  has  the  greatest  brightness,  area 
for  area,  of  any  light  source  known,  not  even 
excluding  the  sun.  It  is  not  only  powerful, 
but  it  is  flexible  and  easily  controlled.  The 
amount  of  light,  its  colour  and  its  exact 
position  in  relation  to  the  gate  can  be 
regulated  with  great  exactitude,  and  though 
there  is  necessarily  much  waste,  there  is 
constant  research  going  on,  resulting  in 
improved  methods  of  controlling  the  arc  and 
reducing  inefficiency. 

Unique  Features  of  Carbon 

Carbon  is  scattered  widely  throughout  the 
world  in  various  forms.  It  is  a chemical 
non-metallic  element  found  native  as  the 
diamond  graphite,  as  a constituent  of  all 
animal  and  vegetable  tissues  and  of  coal  and 
petroleum. 

Carbons  for  arc-lamp  purposes  were 
originally  made  from  gas  carbon,  which  was 
produced  by  the  destructive  distillation  of 
coal  in  the  manufacture  of  illuminating  gas. 
Howadays,  carbons  are  commonly  made  from 
the  products  of  burning  tar,  resin,  turpentine, 


oils,  or  other  substances  rich  in  carbon,  with 
a limited  supply  of  air,  the  combustion  pro- 
ducts being  conducted  into  large  condensing 
chambers  in  which  the  carbon  collects.  The 
most  useful  property  of  carbon,  from  our 
point  of  view,  is  that  it  does  not  easily  melt 
and  holds  its  shape  at  high  temperatures. 

If  a | in.  steel  rod  were  substituted  for  a 
f-in.  carbon  in  a projector,  on  striking  the 
arc  the  steel  rod  would  be  heated  almost 
red-hot,  right  back  to  its  holder,  and  at  the 
arc  itself  there  would  be  a stream  of  liquid 
steel.  The  temperature  would  be  about 
1,400°  Centigrade,  which  is  approximately 
the  melting-point  of  steel.  If  copper  were 
substituted  for  steel,  the  temperature  would 
be  even  lower,  about  1,000°  Centigrade.  But 
in  carbon  we  have  a material  which  is  a fairly 
good  conductor  of  electricity,  can  be  heated 
to  a high  temperature  without  melting,  and 
does  not  readily  conduct  the  heat  from  the 
arc.  Obviously,  any  substance  which  removes 
the  heat  from  the  point  of  light  is  undesirable 
as  the  maximum  heat  and  light  are  needed 
at  the  focal  point,  where  it  can  all  be  used  in 
screen  illumination. 

The  making  of  arc  carbons  has  already 
been  described  in  some  detail  in  these  pages. 
It  is  at  best  a slow  process,  taking  from  four 
to  eight  weeks,  according  to  the  manufac- 
turers’ particular  methods.  The  firing  or 
baking  alone  takes  from  ten  to  twenty  days, 
and  there  are,  of  course,  many  subsequent 
processes.  Perhaps  the  point  of  chief 
importance  to  the  projectionist  is  the  relation 
between  the  carbon  diameter,  the  amperage 
of  the  current,  and  the  final  candle-power. 
The  crater  area  increases  to  some  extent  with 
the  current,  this  in  turn  covers  the  amount 
of  light,  but  the  latter  depends  also  to  a very 
high  degree  on  the  actual  size  of  the  carbon 
used,  apart  altogether  from  questions  of 
chemical  composition  or  purity. 

Effects  of  Varying  Amperages 

Tests  were  made  with  an  ordinary  mirror 
arc  which  was  projected  in  such  a way  that 
the  image  of  the  crater  could  be  photographed 
from  a fixed  point.  A 10  mm.  positive 
carbon  was  used,  which  has  a current  range 
of  from  16  to  20  amperes.  Various  currents 
were  employed  with  this  arc,  commencing 
at  10  amperes  and  increasing  to  nearly  25  by 
graduated  steps.  At  10  amperes  the  light 
wandered  round  the  tip  of  the  positive,  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  carbon  was  too  large  for 
the  amount  of  current.  The  spot  of  light 
itself  was  relatively  small,  the  light  was 
unsteady,  and  the  core  showed  a tendency 
to  burn  out  at  this  low  current,  showing  a 
black  spot  in  the  centre  of  the  image.  Alto- 
gether the  arc  at  this  current  was  very 
inefficient. 


For  an  “ inert  ” material,  carbon 
can  produce  a surprising  variety  of 
disorders  and  eccentricities.  A minute 
excess  of  metal,  an  infinitesimal  pro- 
portion of  water,  and  what  should  be 
a well-behaved  arc  becomes  a sputter- 
ing fury,  cracking  its  crater  and 
angrily  spitting  metal  at  the  innocent 
condenser.  But,  thanks  to  continual 
research,  the  arc  is  rapidly  being 
tamed,  and  English  carbon  makers 
are  doing  a fair  share  in  the  process. 

!-■ 

At  12  amperes  the  light  spot  was  larger, 
but  the  light  was  still  unsteady  and  the  core 
still  burned  out.  At  14  amperes  the  spot 
was  again  larger,  the  light  still  unsteady,  but 
at  16  amperes  the  arc  had  reached  its  lower 
current  limit  and  so  burned  more  steadily. 
At  18  amperes  practically  maximum  efficiency 
was  obtained  ; a steady,  strong,  spotless 
crater  was  in  evidence.  Still  further  benefit 
was  secured  at  20  amperes,  but  at  22  amperes, 
although  the  light  area  showed  a definite 
increase,  instability  developed,  the  arc  began 
to  hiss  and  the  core  was  blown  out.  At  24 
amperes  all  these  troubles  were  increased 
vastly,  and  a very  inefficient  arc  resulted, 
which  was  unstable,  noisy  and  with  relatively 
low  illumination. 

Importance  of  the  Gas  Ball 

These  experiments,  recorded  with  great 
care  and  detail  by  the  manufacturers  of  the 
famous  Columbia  Carbons,  demonstrated 
that  there  was  a point  of  maximum  efficiency 
for  any  particular  size  of  carbon.  That 
maximum  efficiency  was  to  be  found  just 
below  the  maximum  carrying  capacity  of  the 
carbon  itself. 

In  the  high  intensity  arc  the  light  does  not 
come  from  the  incandescent  crater,  but  from 
the  ball  of  gas  confined  approximately  to  the 
cup-shaped  crater  of  the  positive  carbon. 
This  gas  ball  is  caused  by  a vaporisation 
of  the  chemicals  in  the  core.  When  such  a 
lamp  is  operated  at  a low  current,  gas,  is  not 
confined  in  the  crater,  but  as  the  current  is 
increased  the  arc  stream  from  the  negative 
carbon  blows  the  gas  into  the  crater,  which 
then  becomes  cup-shaped,  and  the  high 
intensity  effect  is  obtained. 

Progress  by  Trial  and  Error 

Projectors  nowadays  are  virtually  all  run 
on  direct  current,  for  the  very  simple  reason 
that,  current  for  current,  practically  twice 
as  much  light  is  secured  from  a D.C.  arc 
as  from  an  A.C.  one.  This  is,  in  the  main, 
due  to  the  reversal  of  the  direction  of  current-, 
which  results  in  energy  being  exerted  in  the 
development  of  heat  at  the  tips  of  both 
electrodes,  instead  of  the  entire  energy  being 
concentrated  on  the  positive  electrode  only, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  D.C.  lamp.  Alternating 
arcs  have  a range  of  troubles  peculiar  to 
themselves,  but  as  A.C.  arcs  are  rarely  met 


I CARBONS 


NEVER  FLUCTUATE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


with  in  cinema  practice  we  need  not  refer 
to  them  further  now. 

One  of  the  troubles  of  the  direct  current 
low -intensity  lamps  was  that  the  negative 
carbon  was  so  large  that  it  was  difficult  to 
concentrate  the  arc  on  one  spot,  so  that 
there  was  considerable  wandering  or  travel- 
ling. One  way  of  obviating  this  was  to 
shorten  the  arc.  This  was  often  carried  to  a 
point  where  light  from  the  positive  crater 
was  intercepted  by  the  negative  carbon.  A 
better  way  was  found,  which  consisted  of 
applying  a metal  coating  by  deposition  to 
the  negative  carbon.  In  this  way  a 5/16-in. 
carbon  could  be  made  to  carry  the  same 
amount  of  current  as  a 9/16-in.  plain  nega- 
tive carbon  had  previously  carried.  But 
this  principle  of  coating  carbons  in  turn 
proved  to  have  disadvantages.  Too  much 
metal  was  often  applied,  with  the  result 
that  condenser  pitting  became  a real  problem. 
This  was  solved  by  reducing  the  deposited 
layer  to  an  infinitesimal  thinness. 

How  Ammeters  May  Mislead 

In  the  high-intensity  lamp  we  have  an 
arrangement  in  which  the  rotating  positive 
carbon  faces  squarely  on  to  the  condenser 
and  is  placed  in  the  best  optical  position. 
From  the  cup  of  the  positive  carbon  a very- 
bright  gas  stream  issues,  which  is  met  by  a 
relatively  dim  stream  from  the  negative 
electrode.  The  cup  contains  luminous 
vapours  that  are  brighter  than  the  floor  of 
the  cup,  and  the  light,  which  is  bluish- 
white  and  of  very  high  candle-power,  is 
largelyT  produced  by  electro  luminescence. 

Lamps  of  this  kind  produce  troubles  which 
in  many  cases  are  the  result  of  the  particular 
kind  of  mechanism  used  for  feeding  current 
to  the  carbons.  A very  short  life  for  the 
positive  may  result,  if  the  positive  carbon  is 
set  too  far  forward  to  as  slight  an  extent 
as  l in.  The  life  of  the  positive  carbon  may- 
in  this  way  be  affected  by  over  10  per  cent. 
Sometimes  in  the  same  way  the  negative 


carbon  will  give  spindling  trouble.  This  may 
be  due  to  imperfect  contact  between  the 
V-shaped  rest  and  the  carbon.  It  is  essential 
that  this  rest  be  kept  perfectly  clean,  so  that 
a good  contact  is  assured.  There  is  often 
corrosion  and  a slight  degree  of  arcing 
between  the  carbon  and  its  rest,  and  if  this 
is  not  regularly  removed,  a point  of  high 
resistance  will  develop.  This  involves  the 
carbon  itself  carrying  the  entire  current,  and 
as  it  is  only  of  small  diameter  it  breaks 
down  under  the  load  and  tends  to  “ needle  ” 
excessively-.  In  some  lamps  the  contact 
between  this  carbon  and  the  V-shaped  rest 
is  maintained  by  a spring,  which  after  being 
subjected  to  the  high  temperature  in  the 
lamp  for  a time  loses  its  temper.  Some  of 
the  latest  lamps  dispense  with  springs  for 
this  purpose  and  rely  on  weights. 

If  spindling  and  short  life  develops,  the 
first  step  should  be  to  check  the  amount 
of  the  current  at  the  arc,  and  it  is  worth 
noting  that  ammeters  have  a knack  of 
getting  out  of  order,  unless  they-  are  periodic- 
ally recalibrated.  In  some  cases  ammeter 
readings  have  been  found  as  far  as  20  amperes 
inaccurate,  and  they  persistently  mislead  the 
projectionist.  It  does  not  seem  to  be  a 
question  of  the  quality  of  the  ammeter  so 
much  as  its  treatment  and  conditions  of  use. 

Keeping  the  Arc  on  the  Spot 

In  the  low-intensity  lamps  the  experienced 
projectionist  will  rapidly  be  able  to  diagnose 
the  faults  in  his  circuit  by  the  behaviour  of 
the  arc  carbons  themselves.  An  arc  which 
persistently-  travels  suggests  an  oversize 
negative,  and  this  fault  can  usually  be  cured 
by  using  a smaller  diameter  negative,  metal- 
covered.  Burned-out  or  burned-back  craters 
may  be  caused  by  a current  either  too  high 
or  too  low  or  the  use  of  too  thick  carbons. 
If  the  current  is  too  high,  the  core  may  be 
blown  out.  If  it  is  too  low,  then  the  soft 
core  is  consumed  more  rapidly  than  the 
surrounding  shell  and  a very  deep  recessed 


crater  develops  in  the  positive.  This,  in 
turn,  almost  invariably  results  in  the  core 
of  the  negative  burning  back. 

Carbons  which  contain  even  a small  pro- 
portion of  moisture  also  tend  to  burn  back 
or  recess.  Moisture  in  the  carbon  would  also 
cause  bad  sputtering,  and  though  this,  in 
turn,  may  be  due  to  too  short  an  arc  or 
by  improper  adjustment,  the  probabilities 
are  that  moisture  is  to  blame.  Most  pro- 
jectionists now  store  spare  carbons  in  some 
hot  position,  so  as  to  be  absolutely  dried 
out  before  burning.  Damp  carbons  may- 
cause  an  extremely  troublesome  chip  at  the 
crater. 

First  Aid  for  Lips  and  Mushrooms 

If  the  negative  carbon  is  set  too  far 
forward  a lip  develops  on  the  positive,  and 
if  set  too  far  back  there  is  a blunt  burning 
point  on  the  negative  and  the  light  is  wrongly- 
directed.  Too  short  an  arc  will  result  in  a 
mushroom  button  on  the  tip  of  the  negative, 
caused  by  the  deposition  of  particles  from 
the  positive  on  to  the  negative,  and  this 
will  occur,  no  matter  what  kind  of  negative 
carbon  is  used.  The  cure  for  this  is  to  draw 
a longer  arc. 

Nowadays  the  projectionist  has  at  his 
disposal  much  more  perfectly  adjusted 
material  than  ever  before  to  enable  him  to 
carry  on  his  work  without  difficulty-.  All 
the  difficulties  that  occur  in  the  running 
of  an  ordinary  arc  have  been  studied  in 
detail  by  the  research  departments  of  the 
carbon  manufacturers,  their  cause  dis- 
covered and  a cure  indicated.  Nothing  that 
the  average  projectionist  is  likely  to  meet 
in  this  direction  has  not  been  fully  investi- 
gated and  provided  for  by  the  carbon 
makers,  and  such  firms  as  the  makers  of 
Columbia  Carbons  and  Ship  Carbons  are 
alway-s  very  willing  to  place  their  great 
experience  at  the  disposal  of  projectionists 
in  difficulties  with  their  carbon  equipment. 


X Cinema  Lounges 
Entrance  Halls  and 
Cafes 


LLOYD  LOOM 


WOVEN  FIBRE  FURNITURE 


at  STANDS  M24  & 26 


BRITISH 
INDUSTRIES  FAIR 

SOLE  MANUFACTURERS  .— 

W.  LUSTY  & SONS 

BROMLEY-BY-BOW,  LONDON,  E.3 


A TRUE  HIGH  INTENSITY  ARC 

THE 

Peerless 

AUTOMATIC  REFLECTOR  ARC 

with 

Rotating  Positive  Carbon 

Brilliant  Screen 
Illumination 

with 

60  AMPERES 

Sole  Concessionaires : 

J.  FRANK  BROCKLISS,  LTD. 

58,  GT.  MARLBOROUGH  STREET,  LONDON,  W.l 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


v 


F.  H.  Richardson’s 


Projection  Department 


Why 


Not  Monitor  by  Microphone 

How  to  Make  Your  Own  “ Leaders 55 


YOU  may  find  chart 
keeping  helpful,  according  to 
an  American  Projectionist 


The  following  constructive  suggestions 
have  been  received  from  a projectionist  in 
the  State  of  Ohio.  I believe  they  will  be 
both  of  interest  and  value  to  my  British 
readers,  therefore  I set  them  forth  in  a 
somewhat  condensed  form. 

It  is  well  known  that  when  seated  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  projection  room  of  some 
theatres  the  sound  of  the  monitor  horn,  and, 
in  some  cases,  the  sound  of  the  machinery 
in  use,  may  be  heard  in  the  auditorium  so 
plainly  that  illusion  of  reality  is  lost.  This 
condition  is  due  entirely  to  lack  of  proper 
sound  insulation  or  damping  of  the  projection 
room  walls,  and  sometimes  of  the  ceiling  too. 

When  we  consider  that  inside  the  projec- 
tion room  there  is  the  noise  of  the  projector 
itself,  supplemented  by  the  roar  of  the 
exhaust  fan,  and,  very  often,  the  hum  of  the 
motor  generator,  located  in  an  adjacent  room, 
plu3  the  movement  of  the  men  themselves, 
it  naturally  follows  that  the  volume  put 
through  the  monitor  horn  must  be  high,  else 
the  projection  staff  will  be  unable  to  hear 
it  clearly. 

It  is,  therefore,  just  plain  ordinary  sense 
that  sound  insulation  should  be  taken  care 
of  when  the  projection  rooms  are  built,  par- 
ticularly where  the  walls  are  of  such  character 
that  they  will  more  or  less  readily  transmit 
sound. 

Distribute  “Mikes  ” Through  House? 

As  a matter  of  fact,  I am  thoroughly  in 
disagreement  with  present  methods  of  moni- 
toring sound  in  the  projection  room.  The 
condition  is  such  that  while  on  the  one  hand 
the  audience  must  be  entirely  separated  from 
all  sound  emanating  from  the  projection 
room,  it  is  equally  important  that  the  pro- 
jection room  be  in  close  touch  with  the  sound 
in  the  auditorium.  I am  sorry  to  say  many 
theatres  violate  the  first  item,  and  practi- 
cally all  the  second  in  its  entirety. 

I have  given  that  matter  a whole  lot  of 
thought.  As  the  matter  now  lies,  the  pro- 
jectionist is  producing  something  with  which 
he  i9  entirely  out  of  touch.  The  monitor  horn 
tells  him  just  one  thing,  namely,  that  there 
is  sound  emanating  from  the  apparatus 
which  he  controls.  What  the  effect  of  that 
sound  may  be  in  the  auditorium  he  has  no 
idea. 

What  is  the  answer  do  you  ask  ? Well, 

I am  not  certain.  For  some  time  I thought 


the  matter  might  be  taken  care  of  by  speak- 
ing tubes  connected  with  the  screen  horns. 
Further  consideration  convinced  me  that 
that  would  be  a makeshift,  and  a rather  poor 
one  too.  I do  believe,  however,  that  the 
editorial  mind  has  at  last  found  something 
that  gives  promise  of  real  results. 

Will  someone  please  tell  my  just  why  a 
series  of  condenser  microphones  cannot  be 
established  in  from  two  to  six  points  in  the 
auditorium,  each  one  connected  to  the  pro- 
jection room  through  a monitor  horn  directly 
in  front  of  the  working  position  of  each 
projector  ? 

Or  One  Central  Mike  ? 

Have  it  just  high  enough  to  be  out  of  the 
projectionist’s  way.  A switching  arrange- 
ment could  be  easily  devised  by  means  of 
which  the  projectionist  standing  at  either 
projector  might  listen  to  any  one  of  the 
microphones,  thus  knowing  what  the  sound 
is  in  any  part  of  the  auditorium,  and  that 
without  the  blare  of  sound  necessary  to 
overcome  the  sound  of  operating  machinery. 
Or,  if  that  be  considered  too  costly  (and 
anything  that  adds  to  projection  room  cost 
has  in  the  past  been  kicked  about,  regard- 
less of  improvements  in  results)  a much  im- 
proved result,  as  against  what  we  now  have, 
may  be  attained  by  installing  just  one  large 
mike  in  the  centre  of  the  auditorium.  The 
sound  gathered  by  the  mike  or  dictaphones 
would,  of  course,  be  put  through  the  usual 
amplifying  process  before  reaching  the 
monitor. 

Indelible  Marking  for  Leaders 

It  seems  to  me  that  such  a plan  as  this 
would  very  largely  improve  present-day  sound 
results  in  theatres.  I hardly  see  how  it  could 
be  otherwise.  The  present  system  in  monitor- 
ing is  just  about  as  thoroughly  inefficient  as 
anything  I know  of.  It  is  one  thing  now  in 
general  use  in  projection  practice  which  has 
no  one  single  good  point  to  recommend  it. 
It  is  perhaps  better  than  nothing  at  all,  and 
that  is  about  all  you  can  say  for  it.  As  to 
increased  cost,  I believe  it  would  not  be  any 
large  matter,  and  if  it  operates  to  improve 
results  it  unquestionably  would  prove  a 
sound  investment  in  time. 

This  same  projectionist  suggests  another 
thing  which  seems  to  be  very  practical  and 
excellent. 


It  is  often  convenient  for  the  projectionist 
himself  to  be  able  to  make  leaders  and  trailers 
having  some  informative  legend.  The  sug- 
gestion made  was  as  follows  : Secure  some 
unexposed  raw  negative  film  stock.  Secure 
also  from  any  photograph  supply  store  a 
tube  of  M.G.  developer  for  plates  or  films. 
Also  an  ordinary  stub  pen,  which  must,  of 
course,  be  clean.  Cut  off  as  much  of  the  film 
stock  as  you  wish  to  use  and  expose  it  to 
light  for  three  or  four  minutes.  You  will 
notice  no  difference  in  the  colour  of  the 
emulsion  during  the  exposure.  Next,  upon 
a suitable  board  upon  which  you  have  drawn 
lines  representing  the  frame  lines  on  the 
film  (lines  three-fourths  of  an  inch  apart) 
pin  the  film  down  and,  using  the  developer 
for  “ ink,”  write  or  print  whatever  you  may 
wish  to  on  the  film  or  on  each  frame  of  it. 
The  portion  the  developer  strikes  will  turn 
black.  It  will  be  a permanent,  non-erase- 
able  marking. 

— BAKER’S  — 

TROUBLE  CHART 

Projectionist  Robert  Baker,  of  the  Regal 
Theatre,  Elvins,  Missouri,  U.S.A.,  hands  us 
what  seems  to  be  a very  useful  projectionists’ 
report  blank.  At  least,  I believe  it  will  be 
useful  to  the  man  who  studies  his  business 
and  wants  to  know  exactly  what  errors  may 
be  avoided  by  greater  care  or  knowledge. 
Such  a report,  fully  and  carefully  kept, 
would  enable  the  chief  projectionist  to  check 
things  up  intelligently,  as  well  as  enable  the 
on-duty  shift  to  know  just  what  troubles 
were  experienced  by  the  off-duty  shift,  and 
what  remedies  were  applied.  Certainly  even 
the  most  trust-to-luck  man  must  agree  that 
it  could  do  no  possible  harm. 

In  the  diagram  I have  eliminated  many  of 
the  sixteen  blank  lines  upon  which  Notes 
may  be  made  ; also  all  but  five  of  the  num- 
bered lines,  of  which  there  are  ten.  Pro- 
jectionist Roberts  has  the  following  to  say 
about  his  blank  : “I  have  found  it  to  be  very 
helpful.  As  you  will  see,  the  blank  pro- 
vides for  the  recording  of  errors  found  or 
made,  the  exact  time  each  one  lasted  before 
remedy  could  be  effected,  and  in  which  show 
it  occurred.  This  provides  one  with  exact 
data  if  there  happens  to  be  an  argument  with 
friend  Boss,  or  with  the  Film  Renter.  It 


BAKER’S  PROJECTIONIST’S  DAILY  RECORD 

Regal  Theatre.  City  and  State — Elvins , Mo.  Date — December,  1930. 


No. 

_ 

Errors 

in 

Projection 

Length 

Show 

. 

Subject 

Reel 

No. 

Machine 

Cause 

Correction 

Min. 

Sec. 

1. 

Screen  Dark 

— 

2 

1 

Vit.  Act 

— 

1 

Relay 

Adjusted  Same 

2. 

| 

Did  not  Show  on  Screen  ... 

. — - 

— 

1 

Just  Imagine  ... 

5 

2 

Splice  pulled  loose 

Repaired  after  Projection 

3. 

Out  of  Frame  ... 

— 

2 

2 

Cartoon 

— 

i 

Fault  in  Film 

Repaired  after  Projection 

4. 

In  and  out  of  Focus 

— 

— 

2 

Cartoon 

— 

2 

Film  was  buckled 

Nothing  to  be  done 

5.  i 

Notes. — Installed  New  Exciter  Lamp  in  Projector  No.  2.  Adjusted  Intermittent  Movement  Projector  No.  2.  Changed  Oil  in  both  Projector 
Gil  Wells.  Examined  and  Adjusted  all  Fuse  and  Switch  Contacts. 


(Make  note  of  all  repairs,  installations  of  new  equipment ; all  trouble  experienced  that  did  not  cause  errors  in  projection  ; and  all  of^the 

out-of-the-ordinary  conditions  noticed.) 

Projectionist — -ROBERT  K.  BAKER. 


vi  the  bioscope 

also  permits  the  recording  of  the  name  of  the 
production  and  the  reel  number,  as  well  as 
what  projector  or  other  machine  went  wrong. 

“ More  than  this,  the  cause  of  the  trouble 
and  exactly  what  was  done  to  remedy  it  is 
set  down.  The  blank  lines  below  provide 
space  for  recording  notations  concerning 
details  of  repairs  effected,  troubles  expe- 
rienced which  did  not  affect  screen  results, 
and  any  other  things  which  may  seem  of 
importance. 

" After  these  notes  have  accumulated  for 
a considerable  space  of  time,  the  projectionist 
may,  by  referring  back  and  studying  the 
record,  learn  just  what  portions  of  his 
apparatus  are  weakest.  He  will  also  be  able 
to  get  a very  close  approximation  of  where 
he  is  himself  weak  in  projection  practices, 
which  certainly  cannot  be  anything  else  than 
helpful  to  the  man  who  really  wants  to  excel 
in  projection  work.  He  may  also  be  able  to 
see  just  what  the  underlying  cause  of  trouble 
most  often  is. 

" Then,  too,  in  addition  to  all  this,  there 
is  a written  record,  accessible  at  all  times  to 
the  projectionist,  as  to  exactly  when  adjust- 
ments to  various  parts  of  the  equipment  were 
made,  and  when  replacement  of  parts  was 
carried  out.’’ 

Troublesome  But  Useful 

I am  thoroughly  in  accord  with  brother 
Baker’s  idea  of  keeping  a complete  written 
record.  What  he  has  said  is  exactly  100  per 
cent,  correct.  It  may  be  quite  a bit  of  trouble 
to  keep  such  a record  completely,  but  if  it  is 
done  it  cannot  possibly  fail  to  be  of  the 
greatest  value. 

I would  recommend  to  theatre  managers 
that  they  have  some  of  these  blanks  printed, 
obliging  the  projectionist  to  keep  a complete 
record,  with  a duplicate  copy  turned  in  at 
the  office  at  the  end  of  each  day.  In  making 
this  recommendation  I fully  realise  that  some 
projectionists  wrill  object  strenuously.  How- 
ever, I am  very  sure  that  the  careful  men  wall 
agree.  I am  thoroughly  in  accord  v'ith  the 
idea  that  the  projectionist  is  entitled  to 
decent  wrorking  conditions.  The  pay  must 
be  sufficiently  high  to  attract  ability  and 
brains  to  the  profession  if  productions  are 
to  be  put  on  the  screen  at  their  highest 
entertainment  value,  and  if  the  work  is  to 
be  done  efficiently  in  the  matter  of  operating 
costs.  At  the  same  time  I believe  that  the 
theatre  management  has  every  right  to  know 
exactly  how  the  work  is  being  carried  on. 

The  only  reasons  the  projectionist  could 
possibly  have  for  objecting  to  keeping  such 
a report  and  filling  a copy  with  the  manage- 
ment are  (a)  the  objection  to  taking  the  trouble 
to  keep  it,  which  is  not  well  founded  since  it 
will  be  kept  during  his  working  time,  and  (b) 
the  fact  that  he  desires  to,  so  far  as  possible, 
conceal  his  shortcomings  from  the  manage- 
ment. This  l&st  is  perhaps  more  or  less 
natural,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  if 
there  be  no  shortcomings,  then  the  record 
will  always  be  clean. 


MODERN  CINEMA  \TECHNIQUE 


Being  a Continuation  of 
“ REALISM  IN  SOUND” 

In  order  to  cover  the  more  important 
factors  of  talking  picture  work  we  ought  to 
consider  the  qualifications  and  work  of  the 
sound  engineer,  or,  as  we  of  the  Western 
Electric  Company  call  him,  the  monitor 
man.  As  his  name  implies,  this  engineer 
is  responsible  for  the  monitoring,  or  mixing, 
of  the  various  sounds  picked  up  by  the 
microphones,  before  passing  them  on  to  the 
recording  machines. 

Bet  us  consider  his  qualifications.  He 
should  be  primarily  an  engineer  whose 
knowledge  consists  of  transmission,  or 
wireless,  and  acoustic  engineering,  and  who 
has  preferably  been  trained  at  either  an 
engineering  college  or  technical  institution. 
In  addition  he  should  have  some  knowledge 
of  music  in  order  to  be  able  to  “ balance  ” 
an  orchestra.  A certain  amount  of  “ per- 
sonality ” will  be  useful  in  dealing  with  the 
different  types  of  people  and  temperaments 
with  whom  he  may  come  in  contact. 

It  is  suggested  by  some  authorities  that 
the  monitor  man  should  have  a good  know- 
ledge of  music  as  considered  from  the 
musicians’  point  of  view,  but  this  is  hardly 
necessary.  The  main  thing  is,  that  he  shall 
be  able  to  " balance”  an  orchestra,  that  is, 
that  he  shall  be  able  to  place  the  various 
pieces  in  the  orchestra  in  position  and  obtain 
a microphone  setting  that  will  give  him  just 
the  correct  amount  of  volume  from  each  in- 
strument so  that  neither  type  predominates 
or  is  lacking,  except,  of  course,  in  the  case 
where  parts  have  been  specifically  written 
for  solos,  etc. 

Technical  and  Psychological  Qualifications 

From  the  purely  musical  standpoint  it  is 
invariably  the  case  that  there  will  be  either 
the  musical  director  or  orchestra  leader 
present  who  will  be  responsible  for  the 
technical  side  of  the  orchestra. 

His  knowledge  of  acoustics  should  cover 
the  various  methods  of  treating  sets  in 
order  to  obtain  the  right  amount  of  rever- 
beration, the  absorption  co-efficients  of  the 
various  materials  used  and  the  best  con- 
struction to  assist  him  acoustically.  It 
should  here  be  pointed  out  that  the  Western 
Electric  Company  have  recently  developed 
a method  (which  is  now  being  put  into 
operation  in  their  studios)  of  being  able  to 
compensate  for  the  bad  acoustics  of  certain 
sets  without  having  to  interfere  with  the 
construction  of  the  set  itself. 

It  is  as  a transmission  or  wireless  engineer 
that  a monitor  man  must  excel.  His  know- 
ledge of  amplifiers,  their  design,  construction, 
and  operation,  must  be  above  the  ordinary 
to  enable  him  to  appreciate  the  operation 
of  a recording  channel  from  the  time  the 
sound  is  first  picked  up  on  the  microphone 


February  18,  1931 

Mae  T 

A.  W.  WATKINS 
(Western  Electric 
Recording/  Engineer ) 


as  sound  impulses,  its  conversion  to  electrical 
impulses,  its  progress  through  the  various 
amplifying  stages,  until  ultimately  it  reaches 
the  recording  machines.  He  deals  with 
values  of  power  which  are  in  some  cases 
almost  infinitesimal  and  yet  in  which  small 
changes  would  make  all  the  difference. 

He  must  be  endowed  with  a certain 
amount  of  foresight  and  imagination.  It 
is  his  duty  to  be  present  on  the  set  during 
the  rehearsal  of  any  important  shot  and 
watch  the  action  of  the  artists  in  order  to 
visualise  the  kind  of  effect  the  director  of 
the  picture  is  trying  to  obtain. 

Microphone  Placement 

When  only  one  camera  angle  is  being  used 
irrespective  of  whether  it  is  a long,  close  or 
medium  shot,  the  monitor  man’s  position  is 
not  so  very  difficult,  but  when  three  or  four 
cameras  are  being  used  at  the  same  time 
the  affair  becomes  rather  complicated  from 
his  point  of  view.  Unless  the  director  is 
working  to  a pre-arranged  cutting  script, 
the  monitor  man  does  not  know  which  angle 
is  going  to  be  used  for  any  particular  part 
of  the  shot.  It  is  therefore  necessary  for 
him  to  cover  all  possible  camera  angles  with 
a corresponding  microphone  position  in 
order  that  the  sound  shall  have  the  right 
perspective  no  matter  which  camera  angle 
is  used  when  the  picture  is  finally  cut. 

The  recording  of  an  orchestra  has  always 
been  a subject  of  debate.  Some  monitor 
men  prefer  to  use  a number  of  microphones, 
whilst  others  need  one  microphone  only.  The 
writer  has  found  in  his  own  experience  that 
the  latter  method  is  the  easier  and  better  one. 

W.E.’S  SERVICE  SCHOOL 

In  arranging  for  the  new  and  improved 
method  of  service  which  Western  Electric 
have  already  brought  into  operation  in 
certain  districts,  60  service  engineers  have 
so  far  been  called  in  from  the  field  to  study 
the  special  courses  necessary  to  bring  their 
efficiency  up  to  a standard  where  the  render- 
ing of  this  new  form  of  service  is  possible. 

To  date  these  schools  have  been  operating 
in  London.  During  the  next  six  weeks 
courses  will  be  given  in  -Manchester,  Leeds 
and  Glasgow  where  an  additional  90  engineers 
will  be  given  instruction.  This  course  re- 
quires intensive  study,  both  theoretical  and 
practical,  in  all  branches  of  the  Western 
Electric  sound  reproducing  system. 

An  idea  of  the  required  qualifications  to 
graduate  from  this  school,  and  to  qualify, 
can  be  obtained  by  the  fact  that  each 
engineer  must  receive  a grade  of  at  least 
80  per  cent,  in  an  examination  and  also 
80  per  cent,  based  on  his  general  qualifica- 
tions during  the  past. 


THE  FIRST  ENGLISH  FACTORY  EVER  BUILT  SPECIALLY 
FOR  MANUFACTURING  CINEMATOGRAPH  APPARATUS 

W.  VINTEN,  LTD.,  have  moved  into  their  new  factory,  for  which  the  above  description  is  claimed.  A spacious  building, 
situated  on  an  important  main  road  (chosen  because  of  its  central  position  between  Wardonr  Street  and  the  Studios) 
fitted  with  the  latest  schemes  of  lighting  and  heating  and  equipped  with  many  hundreds  of  pounds  worth  of  new  plant, 
is  now  at  the  service  of  the  industry.  The  Architect  was  Mr.  F.  E.  Jones,  who  designed  the  new  Madame  Tussaud’s, 

and  the  Builder  Mr.  R.  H.  Radburn,  of  Acton. 

W.  VINTEN,  LIMITED,  North  Circular  Road,  Cricklewood,  N.W.2 

Telephone  and  Telegrams:  W1LLESDEN  7681. 


106,  wardour  street,  LONDON,  w.i  }REGENTJTO2 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


vii 


Finsbury  Park  Astoria 
installs  a 
Chloride  Battery 

for 

Emergency  Lighting 


fyloride 

STORAGE  BATTERIES 


London’s  latest  Astoria  cinema  has 
followed  the  lead  of  the  Brixton, 
Old  Kent  Road  and  Streatham 
Astorias  by  installing  a Chloride 
Battery  for  emergency  lighting. 
Most  of  the  large  cinemas  and 
theatres  in  the  country  which  have 
been  opened  during  recent  years 
have  Chloride  Batteries  for  this 
purpose.  Over  100  cinemas  and 
theatres  are  now  equipped. 

W e have  prepared  schemes  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  practically 
every  local  authority.  May  we  sub- 
mit a scheme  for  your  cinema? 


Made  by  the 
makers  of  the 
world  famous 


The  Chloride  Electrical  Storage  Co.  Ltd.,  Clifton  Junction,  near  Manchester.  London  office:  137  Victoria  Street,  S.W.  1 

~h  67 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


viii 


Perspective  of  the  new  super  ivhich  C.  Myers,  of  the  Regent,  Burnt  Oak,  is  proposing  to  build  at  Edgware.  The  drawing  was  prepared 
by  the  architect,  George  Coles,  F.R.I.B.A.,  and  shows  a departure  from  the  normal.  As  indicated  here,  the  theatre  should  be  a vigorous 

and  attractive  structure. 


Current  Construction 


The  changing  over  of  two  Cardiff  theatres 
from  legitimate  performances  to  screen  shows 
will  entail  considerable  structural  alterations. 
The  New  Theatre,  which  has  just  been 
acquired  by  Standard  Cinema  Properties, 
Mortimer  Dent’s  company,  is  to  open  as  a 
“ talkie  ” house  in  August,  and  plans  for  the 
necessary  work  are  now  in  preparation.  The 
other  house  concerned  is  the  Empire,  a Moss 
Empires  theatre,  which  is  to  be  wired 
immediately.  Plans  which  will  bring  the 
theatre  into  line  with  the  most  modem  supers 
are  at  present  in  hand. 

* * * 

The  Committee  controlling  the  Workmen’s 
Hall  Cinema,  Caerphilly,  has  purchased  a 
number  of  cottages  adjoining  the  hall,  to 
obtain  room  for  greatly  enlarging  the  cinema. 
The  house  has,  at  present,  a capacity  of 
450  seats,  but  the  contemplated  alterations 
will  at  least  double  this  number.  " Talkie  ” 
equipment  is  also  to  be  installed. 

* * * 

Extensive  alterations  are  to  be  carried  out 
at  the  Museum  Picture  Theatre  Bethnal 
Green,  E.  The  plans  are  being  prepared  by 
Leslie  H.  Kemp. 

* * * 

Alterations  are  proposed  at  the  Regent, 
Hayes,  which  include  the  construction  of  a 
new  balcony,  and  plans  are  to  be  prepared 
by  F.  C.  Spiller.  The  house  has  just  been 
taken  over  by  A.  Freedman  and  Sam  Jay. 

* * * 

Waterloo  Pictures  (Huddersfield),  Ltd., 
have  placed  the  contract  for  building  their 
new  cinema  and  shops  at  Waterloo  with 
J.  Wimpenny  &■  Co.,  of  Linthwaite.  The 
architects  are  C.  F.  Mallinson  <&>  Son, 

Huddersfield. 

* * * 

R.  W.  Kennedy,  Saltcoats,  has  the  main 
contract  for  building  the  new  cinema  in 
Windmill  Street  and  Hamilton  Street, 
Saltcoats,  for  Henry  Kemp,  and  Bladen  & 
Co.,  of  Bridgeton,  will  erect  the  steelwork. 
Contracts  have  also  been  let  for  slating, 
joinery,  carpentry  and  ironmongery.  The 
theatre,  which  is  to  be  built  to  the  plans  of 
John  Fairwea  her,  of  Glasgow,  is  estimated 
to  cost  £20,000. 

* * * 

Glasgow  Dean,  of  Guild  Court,  has  now 
passed  plans  for  enlargement  of  the  Dunoon 
Picture  House,  and  work  is  to  go  ahead. 
A.  V.  Gardner,  of  Glasgow,  is  the  architect. 


Robert  Cromie,  F.R.I.B.A.,  is  to  prepare 
plans  for  reconstruction  of  the  Elite,  Wimble- 
don, for  London  and  Southern  Super  Cinemas. 
The  company  has  also  acquired  the  King’s 
Palace,  Wimbledon,  which  they  also  propose 
enlarging. 

* * * 

Progress  is  rapid  on  the  new  cinema 
which  is  to  be  erected  in  Wash  wood  Heath 
Road,.  Birmingham,  to  the  plans  of  Hurley 
Robinson  for  A.  Ford  and  A.  W.  Rogers. 
Demolition  of  the  building  already  standing 
on  the  site  is  well  in  hand  and  as  soon  as 
this  is  completed  erection  of  the  new  super 
will  go  ahead  with  all  speed.  Many  features 
new  to  Birmingham  will  be  incorporated 
in  the  new  theatre,  which  will  open  under 
the  title  of  the  “ Regalia.” 

* * * 

Plans  are  being  prepared  by  Robert 
Cromie,  F.R.I.B.A.,  for  a new  cinema  to  be 
erected  in  Hendon  Way,  N.W.  The  house 
will  have  a capacity  of  1,500,  and  its  ameni- 
ties will  include  a car  park. 


Sound  troubles  overcome 

even  with  inferior  apparatus 

BY 

THE  THEATRE  EQUALIZER 

MADE  BY 

THE  CLARITONE  COMPANY 

( Designed  by  Cecil  Barker) 

SIMPLE  — ADEQUATE 
NEGLIGIBLE  COST 

Free  Demonstration  in  your  own 
Theatre. 

Woolly  speech  made  perfectly  clear. 

All  bad  resonances  suppressed. 

Upper  frequencies  allowed  full  scope. 

Bass  response  made  full,  crisp  and  given 
correct  balance. 

Music  rendered  with  full,  vital  tone  and 
with  soft  brilliance. 

After  installation  no  further  adjustment 
required. 

Fcr  full  Particulars  write:  — 

CLARITONE  CO., 

Rooms  6,  7 & 8,  Carlton  House, 
Regent  Street. 

Telephone:  REGENT  3271 

Mention  system  in  use,  also  particular 
difficulty. 


New  Cinemas  Proposed 
Plans  in  Pr  eparation 
Buildings  Under  Way 
Improvement  Schemes 

\ 

The  scheme  of  the  Bury  Cinematograph 
Co.,  Ltd.,  to  erect  a super  on  the  site  of  the 
Castle  Picture  House,  Bolton  Street,  Bury, 
is  in  abeyance. 

* * * 

Tenders  are  invited  for  the  main  trades 
concerned  in  the  erection  of  a cinema  in 
Aberdeen.  The  architects  are  W.  J.  Taylor 
cF  Co.,  of  Inverness. 

* * * 

Alterations  are  to  be  carried  out  at  the 
Regent,  Burnt  Oak,  for  the  proprietor,  C. 
Myers.  Plans,  prepared  by  George  Coles, 
who  is  also  the  architect  for  Mr.  Myers’s 
Edgware  scheme,  provide  for  the  introduc- 
tion of  a new  balcony. 

* * * 

Directors  of  the  Central  Picture  House, 
Sheffield,  have  acquired  adjoining  premises 
to  provide  additional  accommodation.  A 
wider  entrance  and  extensions  to  first  and 
second  floors  are  included  in  the  improve- 
ment scheme.  Plans  are  being  prepared 
by  Chapman  & Jenkins,  L.  & A.R.I.B.A., 
Sheffield. 

* * * 

Portsmouth  Corporation  has  approved 

plans  submitted  by  R.  W.  G.  Stokes  for 
alterations  at  the  Majestic,  Kingston  Road, 
Portsmouth. 

* * * 

Erection  of  the  State  Cinema,  Sydenham, 
has  reached  an  advanced  stage,  and  arrange- 
ments are  being  made  to  open  the  house  oa 
Easter  Monday.  The  project  of  A.  C. 

Matthews,  proprietor  of  the  Rialto  and 
Albany  Cinemas,  Upper  Norwood,  the  State 
is  being  built  to  his  own  designs,  and  will 
have  a capacity  of  2,000  seats  on  two  floors. 
Special  attention  is  being  paid  to  the  interior 
lining  in  order  to  ensure  the  best  acoustical 
properties. 

* * * 

Penmaenmawr  (North  Wales)  Council 
recently  asked  approval  of  the  Ministry  of 
Health  to  a scheme  for  providing  a new 
town  hall  and  municipal  cinema  combined. 
The  Ministry  has  replied  to  the  effect  that, 
under  the  Public  Health  Act,  it  is  not  within 
their  power  to  grant  approval  for  buildings 
which  are  to  be  used  for  purposes  other  than 
the  administration  of  the  Council  s business. 

* * * 

Plans  have  been  prepared  for  additions 
at  the  Cinema,  Lowfield  Street,  Hartford, 
for  Medway  Cinemas,  Ltd. 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


IX 


THE  JOHN  COMPTON  ORGAN  CO.,  LTD. 

Chase  Road,  Willesden,  London,  N.W.  10 


COMPTON  ORGANS 

THE  BEST  IN  THE  WORLD 

Famous  Organists  Express  Their  Opinions 


LESLIE  JAMES,  THE  STAR  ORGANIST 

of  the  P.C.T.-Gaumont-British  Picture  Corporation,  who  has  opened  more 
Theatre  Organs  (including  12  Comptons)  than  any  other  Theatre  Organist, 
states  that 

“COMPTON  ORGANS  ARE  UNDOUBTEDLY  THE  FINEST  CINEMA 
ORGANS  MADE  . . . THEY  ARE  THE  WORK  OF  A GENIUS.” 


REGINALD  NEW,  the  Beaufort 
(Birmingham)  broadcaster  : “ The 

organ  is  a phenomenal  success  and  its 
value  to  the  Theatre  cannot  be  over- 
estimated." 


REGINALD  FOORT,  F.R.C.O.,  the 
famous  radio  organist  : “ I have  at 
last  found  the  perfect  organ.  Your 
superb  instrument  at  the  New  Vic- 
toria is  the  finest  I have  ever 
played." 


PHILIP  DORE,  M.A.,  F.R.C.O., 
Municipal  Pavilion,  Bournemouth  : 

“ Sir  Dan  Godfrey  and  all  of  us  are 
of  opinion  that  you  have  produced 
something  unique,  and  we  are  truly 
grateful." 


G.  T.  PATTMAN,  solo  organist  of 
the  famous  Astoria  • Paramount 
Theatres  : “ Compton  Organs  have 
colour , resource,  dignity  . . .the 

quality  is  beautiful,  the  blend 
artistic." 


X 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


OF 


PROJECTORS 


SETS  THE 
STANDARD 

OF 

PROJECTION 

THE 

WORLD  OVER 


WALTURDA  111 

SOLE  AGENTS  FOR 

ZEISS  IKON  PROJECTORS  W W 


CINEMA  SUPPLY  CO.  LTD., 

46,  GERRARD  ST.,  LONDON,  W.l 

Phone:  Regent  3309/3310/3311.  Telegrams  : Albertype,  Westrand,  London. 

BRANCHES  : 

BIRMINGHAM  : 37,  John  Bright  Street.  LIVERPOOL  : 60,  Lime  Street.  LEEDS  : 59-60.  Britannia  House,  Wellington  Street.  MANCHESTER  : 6,  St.  Mary’s  Gate. 

DUBLIN : 112.  Marlborough  St  SCOTLAND : A.  C.  Carter,  25,  Clifford  St.,  Ibrox,  Glasgow. 


February  18,  1931 


One  of  the  original  London  suburban 
variety  halls,  the  Grand,  Clapham  Junction, 
reopened  last  week  as  a cinema,  under  the 
proprietorship  of  H.  Josephs  and  H.  Harrison 
(who  also  control  the  Commodore,  Ports- 
mouth). 

In  the  short  space  of  a fortnight  the  whole 
of  the  interior  has  been  smartened  up  and 
transformed,  a colour  scheme  of  pink  and 
bronze  lustre  having  been  adopted.  Old 
rose  and  gold  curtains  and  draperies  have 
been  added  to  the  decorative  scheme.  New 
seating  has  been  introduced  throughout 
the  house,  and  staircases  and  gangways 
have  been  recarpeted  in  rich  red  material. 
The  upper  part  of  the  theatre  boxes  has 
been  masked  by  hanging  draperies,  while 
the  lower  part  is  decorated  with  a Wedgwood 
design. 

New  Projection  Arrangements 

Many  structural  alterations  were  effected 
while  the  Grand  was  closed,  including  the 
construction  of  an  entirely  new  projection 
suite.  Having  regard  to  the  general  layout 
of  the  theatre,  rear  projection  was  decided, 
there  being  a 35- ft.  throw  to  the  screen, 
which  gives  a 17  ft.  picture.  The  projection 
equipment  was  entirely  installed  by 
Walturdaw,  the  two  projectors  being  Erne- 
mann  II  machines  on  Western  Electric 
sound  bases. 

The  new  projection  room  is  slightly  out 
of  centre  with  the  screen,  and  it  has  been 
found  that  one  of  the  projectors  shows  a 
better  picture  without  its  supplementary 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


lens.  Two  inch  Dallmeyers  are  in  use. 
Incidentally  the  flare  spot,  which  is  usually 
in  evidence  with  rear  projection,  is  con- 
spicuous by  its  absence. 

Loudspeakers  on  Moving  Cradle 

The  loudspeakers  are  mounted  on  a special 
cradle  and  can  be  slung  sideways  into  the 
wings  almost  at  a moment’s  notice. 

Improvements  to  the  exterior  of  the 
house  include  the  framing  of  the  main 
elevation  in  red  Ionlite  fittings.  At  nightfall 
the  theatre  becomes  conspicuous  over  a 
very  wide  area. 

Reconstruction  of  the  Grand  was  planned 
by  Clifford  Aish,  F.S.I.,  and  the  decorative 
work  was  executed  by  F.  G.  Minter,  Ltd. 
The  screen  was  supplied  by  E.  G.  Turner. 
Uniforms  in  harmony  with  the  atmosphere 
of  the  house  were  designed  and  supplied 
by  Alfred  Harold  (Uniforms),  Ltd. 

The  projectionist  in  charge  at  the  Grand 
is  W.  E.  Woodroffe,  who  has  had  considerable 
experience  with  rear  projection  besides 
having  operated  for  some  time  at  the 
Finsbury  Park  Astoria. 

Power  for  the  two  motor  generators — 
which  when  working  in  parallel  deliver 
500  amps  at  110  volts — is  derived  from  the 
Battersea  supply  and  emergency  house 
lighting  is  provided  by  a storage  battery. 
This  plant  is  being  remarkably  well  cared 
for  by  F.  Roberts,  the  electrician. 

The  Grand  is  under  the  management  of 
Bertram  Raster. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


The  Regal,  Colchester,  David  Ager’s 
newest  theatre,  is  to  open  on  Monday. 
Designed  on  distinctive  Spanish- American 
lines  by  Cecil  Masey,  F.R.I.B.A.,  the  house 
has  1,500  seats,  and  features  of  the  building 
include  a large  restaurant,  commodious 
foyers  to  obviate  the  necessity  of  patrons 
waiting  outside,  a Magnascope  screen. 
Western  Electric  sound  equipment  and  a 
Wurlitzer  organ.  The  builders  were  the 
Pitcher  Construction  Company.  Advance 
details  of  the  theatre  appeared  in  The 
Bioscope  last  March. 

The  Regal  is  under  the  control  of  Ager’s 
Cinema  Circuit,  Ltd.,  which  also  controls  the 
Headgate,  Colchester ; Gainsborough,  Sud- 
bury ; and  Cinema  House,  Woodbridge. 
Directors  of  the  company  are  David  Ager, 
Alex.  Thomson,  I.  Richardson,  R.  B.  Bland, 
A.  David  Ager  and  J.  J.  Bland.  Alex 
Thomson  will  act  as  manager  of  the  theatre, 
while  A.  David  Ager  has  been  appointed 
musical  director. 


Improvements  have  just  been  carried  out 
at  the  Stella.  Seaforth,  Liverpool,  where  the 
lower  part  of  the  entrance  hall  and  staircase 
walls  have  been  mahogany  panelled.  The 
upper  portion  of  the  walls  have  been  covered 
with  grey  wallpaper  of  a panelled  pattern. 
New  electric  light  shades  have  also  been 
fitted.  The  manager  of  the  Stella  is  W.  C. 
Collins. 


Screen 


m 


Ofl, 


WE  FINANCE  THE  EXHIBITOR 


The  Proved  System 

COMPLETE  EQUIPMENT 

£4  down  and  99  weekly 
payments  of  four  pounds 

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Reasonable  installation  charges. 
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The  Mihaly  System  is  not  an  ex- 
periment. 


The  Acme  of  Simplicity. 

Your  present  projectionist  can 
operate  it  without  special  training. 


CAN  be  FITTED  to  most  STANDARD  PROJECTORS  without  ALTERATION 


The  Mihaly  Universal  Tone-Film  Syndicate  Ltd.,  193,  Wardour  St.,  London, W.l.  Gcrrard  4044 

NEWCASTLE— CROWE  & CO.  LTD.,  52,  STOWELL  STREET. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


xii 


“SUNRAY”  OUTDOOR 

FLOODING 
LANTERNS 


Illuminate  your 
Building  & Posters 


WE  ALSO  MANUFACTURE 

BATTENS,  FOOTLIGHTS, 
SPOTS,  SWITCHBOARDS, 
DIMMERS,  STAGE  FLOODS, 
etc.,  etc. 

STRAND  ELECTRIC 

AND  ENGINEERING  CO.,  LTD. 

(Seecol,  London), 

19/24,  FLORAL  STREET, 
LONDON -W.C.  2. 

'Phone  'Grams 

Temple  Bar,  7464  Spotlite  Rand, 

(4  lines).  London. 


Certainly, 

YOU  ARE  INTERESTED/  1 


AN  UNUSUAL  I 
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Qualified  Tailors  in  each  area 
not  ordinary  Representatives. 


Branches  in  : 


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LANCASHIRE 
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COUNTIES 
& LONDON 


For  addresses  of  Branches,  get  in  touch  with 
head  office. 


1 ALFRED  HAROLD  1 

(UNIFORMS,  LTD.) 

| 22, 22a,  WARDOUR  ST.,  LONDON,  W.l  j 

’Phono  : Gerrard  2311 — 2. 


See  and  hear  the 

JBrown 

before  you  buy 
your 

Talkie  Equipment 

Barely  a month  has  elapsed  since  we  announced 
the  new  38rO\V!l  Talkie  Equipment.  In  this 
short  time  we  have  been  inundated  with  enquiries 
and  have  given  many  demonstrations.  Those  who 
have  heard  it  have  expressed  astonishment — not 
only  at  its  remarkable  quality  of  reproduction,  but 
at  its  extreme  simplicity  and  robustness  of  design. 

The  fact  that  this  equipment  can  be  fitted  at 
small  cost  to  any  existing  projectors  to  give  sound- 
on-film  or  sound-on-disc,  appeals  strongly  to  those 
cinema-owners  to  whom  price  is  a material  con- 
sideration, and  when  the  equipment  is  not  modern 
an  independent  adaption  can  be  supplied,  using  the 
same  projectors  and  amplify  without  interfering 
with  the  projector.  Remarkably  good  results  are 
guaranteed. 

Behind  the  JBrOYVIl  Talkie  Equipment  lies  the 
unequalled  experience  gained  during  the  past  ten  1 
years  or  more  spent  by  Mr.  S.  G.  Brown,  F.R.S., 
and  his  technical  staff  in  the  development  of  JBrOYVn 
Loud  Speakers  and  other  apparatus  used  in  sound 
reproduction.  In  addition,  the  world-wide  repu- 
tation for  reliability  enjoyed  by  the  JBrOYVIt  Gyro 
Compass  for  use  in  the  Navy  and  Mercantile  Marine, 
is  further  proof  of  the  superb  workmanship  put  into 
all  products  emanating  from  the  JBrOYVll  factory. 

Quality  of  reproduction  and  low  maintenance 
costs  are  two  vital  factors  in  Talkie  installations. 
Let  us  show  you  how  we  have  solved  these  two 
problems.  A demonstration  will  place  you  under 
no  Obligation.  Write  for  full  particulars,  prices, 
etc.,  to  Secretarial  Department. 


S.  G.  BROWN,  LTD., 


Western  Avenue,  N.  Acton,  W.  3. 


TALKING  PICTURE 
EQUIPMENT  o 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE  xiii 


> 


MAKE  IT 

Shout 


\ 


Letters  received  during  the  past  week  or 
two  suggest  that  there  are  many  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country  who  are  still  without 
any  definite  policy  as  regards  their  adver- 
tising and  exploitation.  Many  of  them 
regard  the  work  as  a routine  necessity,  of 
no  very  great  importance.  So  many  adver- 
tisements have  to  be  placed,  so  much  printing 
ordered,  and  there  the  matter  ends  for  them. 
Here  and  there  one  finds  an  exhibitor  who 
regards  exploitation  and  publicity  as  the 
most  important  item  in  his  week’s  work. 
These  men  are  constantly  searching  for  new 
suggestions  and  bright  ideas  and  they  throw 
into  the  execution  of  those  ideas  every  scrap 
of  energy  and  ability  they  possess. 

More  than  energy  and  ability  is,  however, 
necessary  for  work  of  this  kind.  We  have 
had  several  specimens  of  work  submitted  to 
us  for  criticism  during  the  past  few  months 
which  reveal  untiring  energy  on  the  part 
of  the  senders,  but  which  have  failed  to 
achieve  their  full  results  because  the  energy 
has  not  been  backed  by  adequate  knowledge. 

Death  by  Surfeit  or  Starving  ? 

A period  of  bad  business  always  brings 
defects  in  publicity  and  exploitation  vividly 
into  relief.  The  average  man  who  finds 
himself  faced  by  falling  receipts  has  two 
courses  open  to  him.  He  either  cuts  down 
on  his  publicity  with  a view  to  economising, 
or  else  he  makes  a violent  splash  and  spends 
more  money  than  he  can  hope  to  recover. 
It  is  difficult  to  say  which  of  the  policies  is 
the  worse  ; perhaps  more  permanent  harm 
results  from  cutting  down  the  publicity, 
but  the  immediate  results  are  as  bad  in  the 
one  case  as  the  other. 

Very  often  an  exhibitor  will  tell  you 
proudly  of  how  he  waged  a war  with  his 
opposition  in  the  columns  of  the  local  paper. 

Brown  suddenly  increased  from  4 in.  two 
column  to  6 in.  two  column,  so  I promptly 
answered  that  by  going  8 in.  two  column.” 
A few  weeks  later  he  discovers  that  he  has 
merely  been  increasing  his  advertising 
account,  without  proportionate  benefit, 
except  to  the  balance  sheet  of  the 
newspaper. 

Let  Brains  Beat  Bulk  ! 

When  one  man  starts  fighting  another  in 
the  local  journal  by  increasing  space,  the 
proper  retort  is,  not  to  take  more  space  in 
competition,  but  to  see  that  the  space  actually 
taken  is  used  more  effectively.  The  con- 
ventional 4 in.  two  column  advertisement 
is  admittedly  a poor  counterblast  to  a three 
column  11  in.,  let  us  say,  but  a skilfully 
thought-out  6 in.  two  column  can  certainly 
be  made  almost  equally  effective.  It  means 
that  every  ^ in.  of  the  space  taken  must  be 
made  to  pull  its  weight,  which,  in  turn, 
does  not  mean  that  each  J in.  must  be  filled 
with  type  or  illustrations.  In  fact,  nowhere 
in  advertising  is  generous  white  space  more 
effective  than  on  the  crowded  amusements 
page  of  a daily  paper.  What  is  needed  is 
careful  concentration  on  the  essentials  of 
the  story  to  be  told  and  a type  layout  that 
will  make  the  advertisement  conspicuous, 
even  against  bulkier  announcements. 

This  is  not  impossible.  Every  skilful 
Layout  Man  knows  that  there  are  certain 
tricks  and  devices  effective  in  bringing  a 
small  space  on  a crowded  page  into  pro- 


minence. If  the  exhibitor  will  make  a point 
of  studying  massed  pages  he  will  find, 
after  a quick  glance,  that  one  advertisement 
has  stood  out  above  the  rest.  A little 
studying  as  to  why  this  is  so  will  be  enor- 
mously useful  to  him  in  planning  his  own 
advertisements.  The  special  appeal  might 
be  in  an  unusual  border,  an  odd  shape,  an 
original  style  of  type  or  lettering,  or  in  some 
arresting  phrase.  No  exhibitor  can  study 
20  or  30  pages  carefully  in  this  way  without 
collecting  invaluable  information  on  how 
to  make  a small  advertisement  a genuine 
eye-catcher. 

Don’t  be  Panicked  into  a Space  War 

It  is  useless  to  underestimate  the  im- 
pressive effect  of  sheer  space.  A big  adver- 
tisement of  equal  quality  is  just  so  much 
better  than  a small  one,  but  the  time  for 
splashing  out  in  big  advertisements  is  not 
when  times  are  bad.  It  is  just  during  times 
like  this,  however,  that  the  advertisement 
canvasser  puts  in  some  of  his  most  devastat- 
ing work.  He  will  tell  an  exhibitor  that 
the  time  to  make  a splash  is  when  business 
is  falling.  He  will  approach  you  confi- 
dentially and,  under  pledge  of  secrecy,  let 
you  know  that  your  rival  is  taking  more 
space  than  ever  this  week. 

If  the  bait  hooks  you.  then  next  week  he 
will  try  precisely  the  same  method  on  your 
competitor,  and  the  following  week  you  will 
find  yourself  faced  with  a similar  proposition 
involving  a still  further  increase  in  space.  Do 
not  fall  for  this  cheapest  and  stalest  of  all 
the  tricks  in  the  space-seller’s  repertoire. 
The  proper  answer  to  every  stage  in  this 
“ come  on  ” game  is  to  smile,  refuse  to 
increase  your  space,  but  quietly  devote  more 
attention  to  its  effective  use. 

An  Ideal  Set  of  Publicity  Aids 

An  advertisement  is  like  a frock  : its 

effectiveness  depends  entirely  on  the  way  it 
is  filled.  Nowadays  there  is  no  excuse  for  an 
exhibitor  failing  to  make  a thoroughly 
satisfactory  job  of  his  film  publicity.  The 
renting  firms  devote  a tremendous  amount 
of  care  and  skilled  attention  to  the  prepara- 
tion of  publicity  material.  We  have  before 
us  a P.D.C.  campaign  book  relating  to  “ Her 
Man.”  It  is  packed  full  of  suggestions  for 
advertising  stunts,  slogans,  catch  lines  and 
a very  wide  range  of  blocks  and  poster 
material  of  all  types.  Effective  half-tones 
can  be  supplied  from  half-a-crown  upwards, 
and  illustrations  can  be  selected  from  a wide 
range  to  fit  every  kind  of  paper  and  publica- 
tion. It  is  worth  pointing  out  that  their 
prices  are  very  low  ; from  a quarter  to  a half 
of  what  an  exhibitor  might  have  to  pay  if  he 
bought  his  own  blocks. 

Here  again  a word  is  evidently  necessary 
on  something  which  should  be  quite  ele- 
mentary. Do  not  use  coarse  screen  or  line 
blocks  on  art  paper,  and  conversely  do  not 
use  fine  screen  blocks  on  rough  paper  or  for 
newspaper  work.  These  two  rules  should  be 
axiomatic  with  any  advertising  man,  but 
the  fact  remains  that  programmes  and  news- 
paper advertisements  are  continually  being 
submitted  to  this  office  for  criticism  in  which 
these  most  elementary  of  all  rules  are  violated. 
Too  much  praise  cannot  easily  be  bestowed 
on  this  P.D.C.  campaign  book.  It  permits 
an  exhibitor  with  even  sub-normal  brain 
capacity  to  arrange  publicity  matter  of  a 


pleasing  quality,  but  we  would  especially 
emphasise  the  advantage  of  original  work  to 
those  capable  of  it. 

Too  often  a newspaper  page  may  be  found 
to  consist  of  a selection  of  renters  stereos 
and  publicity  matter.  Each  of  these  adver- 
tisements might  be  quite  effective  if  it  were 
not  for  the  others  clustered  around  them. 
These  conditions  are  precisely  those  which 
the  man  with  originality  can  take  advantage 
of.  An  hour’s  patient  work  with  a pencil 
should  result  in  a simple  type  lay-out  with 
plenty  of  white  space  around  it  which  should 
make  his  message  stand  out  prominently  from 
the  mass  of  drawing  and  fancy  lettering 
around  it.  The  men  who  arrange  renters 
publicity  matter  are  under  no  illusions  in 
this,  direction.  They  know  that,  however 
effective  their  work  might  be,  it  is  necessarily 
somewhat  stereotyped,  whereas  a local  man 
with  only  one  or  two  small  advertisements  to 
concentrate  on  should  easily  be  able  to  achieve 
a distinction  no  mass  product  can  rival. 

All  this  is  not  to  suggest  that  the  exhibitor 
need  make  a detailed  study  of  advertising 
layout  work,  useful  though  that  might  be. 
It  is,  however,  intended  to  suggest  that  a 
really  intelligent  exhibitor  will  make  a point 
of  studying  his  personal  reaction  to  adver- 
tising wherever  he  meets  it  and  analyse  the 
causes  of  the  effects  he  notices.  In  this  nay 
any  man  with  a fair  share  of  brains  can 
develop  a genuine  advertising  sense  against 
which  his  rival’s  display  of  sheer  bulk  will 
appear  comparatively  childish. 

The 


Interesting  features  have  been  incorporated 
into  the  general  scheme  of  alterations  just 
carried  out  at  the  old  Super  Cinema,  Charing 
Cross  Road,  which  opened  on  Monday  as  the 
" Tatler.”  The  whole  of  the  theatre  has 
been  thoroughly  redecorated,  recarpeted  and 
reseated,  whilst  the  projection  box  equipment 
has  been  completely  replaced. 

The  main  vestibule  has  been  artistically 
redecorated  in  a rich  yellow,  at  ceiling  height, 
and  passes  through  deep  yellow  to  a golden 
brown  at  floor  level  with  a prominent  bronze 
dado,  enhanced  by  the  amber  lighting  and 
bronze  treatment  of  the  front  of  the  pay  box. 

Rear  Shutter  Gaumont  Projectors 

The  decorative  scheme  of  the  auditorium 
is  in  the  main  of  cream  and  gilt,  with  the 
pillars  of  the  side  walls  conspicuously  treated 
in  a deep  salmon  pink.  A notable  feature  of 
this  interior  decoration  is  the  bronze  lustre 
colour  of  the  lower  portion  of  the  walls.  A 
rich  deep  green  upholstery  has  been  selected 
for  the  seating,  which  same  colour  has  been 
introduced  in  the  furnishings  of  the  waiting 
lounges  and  boxes.  New  stage  tabs,  and  a 
pelmet  of  bright  red,  strike  a contrasting 
note  in  the  general  colour  scheme. 

Keen  regard  has  been  paid  to  the  projection 
equipment.  Two  of  the  latest  type  Gaumont 
machines  with  rear  shutters  have  been  in- 
stalled, and  it  is  of  interest  to  note  that  apart 
from  two  similar  machines  at  the  New 
Theatre,  Shaftesbury  Avenue,  there  are  no 
other  machines  of  this  type  yet  in  use.. 
British  Acoustic  sound  system  is  utilised. 


XIV 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


UNIFORMS 

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We  have  specialised  in  Cinema 
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SERVICE  TO  THE 
EXHIBITOR 

THAT  IS 

“THE  BIOSCOPE” 

THE  INDEPENDENT  JOURNAL 
OF  THE  FILM  TRADE 


An  all  - British  product,  manufactured  entirely 
in  London  by  the  oldest  established  firm  of 
cinematograph  engineers  in  the  country. 

Equal  to  anything  yet  produced  at  any  price. 
Equipment  can  be  purchased  for  Cash,  Hire 
Purchase  or  Hire  Maintenance. 


Price  very  moderate  considering  the  com- 
pleteness of  the  equipment  and  the  quality 
of  the  apparatus. 

THE  COMPLETE  EQUIPMENT 

For  Sound-on-Film  and  Sound-on-D.sc. 


INCLUDES 
TWO  PROJECTORS. 


Write  lor  Illustrated  brochure,  post  free  : 


27,  POWELL  STREET, 
GOSWELL  RD.,  E.C.  1. 

Telephone  : Telegrams  : 

Clerkenwell  6595.  Zerograph,  Barb,  London . 


February  18,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


XV 


had  a man  parading  the  district  masquerad- 
ing as  a copy  of  the  book,  stepping  out  of  the 
pages  of  which  appeared  to  be  a small  army 
of  German  soldiers.  The  “ book  ” was  10  ft. 
high,  and,  in  addition  to  a peephole  for  the 
bearer,  had  ports  at  the  side  through  which 
throwaways  could  be  distributed.  The  ac- 
companying illustration  shows  the  front  of 
the  house  display  at  the  Queen’s,  with  the 
"book”  man  standing  at  the  left  of  the 
entrance. 


Dealing  With  ' Requests” 

A distinct  novelty  comes  in  the  February 
issue  of  the  monthly  organ  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  the  Savoy,  Leyton.  Knowing 
how  fond  the  public  is  of  asking  for  the 
organist  tb  play  request  pieces.  Manager 
Maurice  Cheepen  has  inserted  a cut-out 
coupon  on  which  patrons  can  write  the  title 
of  the  piece  they  want  played  and  the  date 
of  their  visit.  The  time  selected  for  these 
request  performances  is  during  the  half- 
hour  preceding  the  matinee  performance. 
The  coupon  is  framed  as  follows  : 


! To  Mr.  HALCROW, 

Solo  Organist, 

Savoy  Theatre,  Leyton. 

| I shall  visit  the  Savoy  on 

: day  and  would 

• like  to  hear  you  play 

j (Title)  

before  the  commencement  of  the 
: Matinee  Performance. 

• Name  

Address  


A Well-Planned  House  Organ 

Mention  of  the  Savoy’s  house  organ  would 
not  be  complete  without  adding  a note  of 
congratidation  to  Mr.  Cheepen  on  the 
attractive  manner  in  which  his  journal  is 
laid  out.  It  is  a refreshing  change  to  find 
an  imaginative  publication  issuing  from  a 


house  under  Gaumont- British  control,  but 
there  is  certainly  something  very  bright  in 
the  organ  under  notice.  Each  page  is  designed 
in  an  artistic  manner,  with  clean,  new  type, 
and  there  is  a modicum  of  additional  matter 
to  further  whet  the  appetite  of  patrons. 
The  magazine  is  not  without  its  points  of 
criticism — the*praetice  of  printing  advertise- 
ments in  a colour  distinct  from  that  of  the 
editorial  contents  is  of  questionable  value, 
for  instance — but  taken  all  in  all  it  does 
impress  by  reason  of  the  forethought  that 
has  obviously  been  expended  on  it. 

And  a Disappointment 

Another  house  organ  just  received  is 
that  of  the  Forum,  Fulham,  but  in  this 
instance  there  is  little  to  commend  it.  On 
the  face  of  it,  it  looks  good  ; in  other  words, 
the  cover  holds  promise  of  good  things  to 
follow,  being  designed  on  modem  lines  in 
blue  on  a light  brown  background.  The 
remainder,  however,  is  disappointing.  The 
contents  are  printed  in  uninspired  purple 
with  heavy  type,  and  the  advertisements 
are  carried  out  in  brown.  The  management 
will,  no  doubt,  point  out  that  the  form  of 
the  magazine  is  justified  by  the  nature  of 
the  district  which  the  theatre  serves,  but 
that  is  an  old  and  fallacious  argument. 
Otherwise,  why  should  Maurice  Cheepen 
be  at  such  pains  to  produce  something  worth 
while  in  his  own  neighbourhood  ? 

H.M.V.  Service  for  Dealers 

Since  the  inception  of  talking  pictures, 
the  His  Master’s  Voice  Company  has  realised 
the  value  of  encouraging  dealers  in  its 
records  to  tie  up  with  cinemas  showing 
musical  films.  A special  department  of  the 
Gramophone  Company  is  engaged  solely  in 
supplying  advance  particulars  of  film  book- 
ings to  gramophone  dealers,  with  short 
reviews  of  the  productions  concerned.  Last 
month  alone  4,000  advices  relating  to  over 
15,000  bookings  were  dispatched,  together 
with  posters  advertising  the  H.M.V.  re- 
cording of  the  song  hits.  Five  hundred  slides 
are  sent  monthly  to  enable  dealers  to 
advertise  the  H.M.V.  records  in  their  local 
cinemas  ; trailers  are  forwarded  to  dealers 
who  prefer  them  to  slides.  Exhibitors 
desiring  to  have  the  assistance  of  H.M.V. 


Sowden’s  Aerial  Derby 

An  exceptionally  well-conceived  campaign 
was  put  over  by  Manager  R.  S.  Sowden,  of 
the  Metropole,  Victoria,  to  herald  the  coming 
to  his  theatre  of  “ The  Dawn  Patrol.”  For 
a fortnight  before  the  run  commenced,  he 
gave  intensive  publicity  to  a flight  duration 
competition  for  model  airplanes,  which  he 
had  arranged  to  hold  at  Brockwell  Park,  S.E., 
last  Saturday,  and  so  aroused  keen  interest 
throughout  London.  Models  were  divided 
into  three  classes,  and  a handsome  silver  cup 
was  offered  in  each  class,  besides  a supple- 
mentary prize  of  two  free  trips  to  Paris, 
offered  by  Imperial  Airways.  Over  180 
entries  were  made,  and  the  competition  was 
duly  carried  out  before  a big  crowd,  including 
representatives  of  all  the  London  dailies 
(who  duly  “ covered  ” the  contest)  and  the 
Pathe  Gazette.  The  judges  were  Capt.  C.  D. 
Barnard,  Capt.  D.  McCulloch  ("  Thiele  Mac  ” 
of  the  B.B.C.),  and  Gerald  Rawlinson,  the 
British  film  star.  The  actual  presentation  of 
prizes  will  be  made  at  the  Metropole  to- 
morrow (Thursday)  when  Sir  Alan  Cobham 
will  be  present  to  congratulate  the  winners. 

Another  aspect  of  the  campaign  was  an 
aeronautical  display  arranged  in  the  vestibule 
of  the  theatre.  This  included  scale  models  of 
the  machines  which  won  the  Schneider  Cup, 
20-seater  cross-Channel  liners,  a collection 
of  prints  of  the  newest  types  of  machines, 
and  a number  of  the  first  air  mail  stamps  ever 
issued.  So  interesting  did  the  display  prove 
that  it  was  found  necessary  to  open  the 
vestibule  each  morning  last  week  in  order 
to  cope  with  requests  to  view. 

Making  a " Book  ” 

A welcome  suggestion  of  novelty  was  in- 
troduced into  his  exploitation  campaign  for 
" All  Quiet”  by  Cecil  Wheatman,  manager 
of  the  Queen’s,  Forest  Gate.  Apart  from  a 
comprehensive  front  of  the  house  display,  he 


Front  of  the  house  display  at  the  Queen's, 
Forest  Gate,  for  " All  Quiet  on  the  Western 
Front  ” ( Universal ).  In  the  main  it  is  cer- 
tainly realistic,  hut  why,  oh  why,  the  scantily- 
clad  maiden  who  is  just  visible  at  the  top  right- 
hand  corner  of  the  picture  ? 


How’s  this  for  publicity  ? Measuring  240  feet  by  about  40  feet  deep,  this  banner  sign  was 
located  in  Coventry  Street,  Piccadilly  Circus,  W .,  by  Paramount,  to  advertise  their  feature 

at  the  Plaza. 


XVI 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


February  18,  1931 


A display  at  the  Olympia,  Liverpool,  is  worth  calling  a display.  With  a frontage  of  well  over  100  feet  at  their  disposal,  the  management 
made  sure  that  entertainment  seekers  should  be  aware  of  the  theatre's  two  weeks’  run  of  Universal's  “ All  Quiet  on  the  Western  Front." 
The  same  company's  “ King  of  Jazz  " has  since  been  the  subject  of  a similar  “ splash.” 


dealers  in  tie-ups  for  musical  films  will  find 
it  advisable  to  communicate  with  the 
Advertisement  Dept.,  The  Gramophone  Co., 
Ltd.,  363/7,  Oxford  Street,  W. 

New  B.I.P.  Campaign  Sheet 

Arthur  Dent,  managing  director  of  B.I.P., 
has  evolved  a new  type  of  publicity  campaign 
sheet,  which  is  to  be  issued  in  future  for  all 
British  International  productions  in  place  of 
the  usual  form  of  synopsis  usually  employed. 
The  sheet  has,  for  its  main  object,  useful 
information  to  publicise  the  pictures,  by 
press  pars,  hints  on  exploitation,  catch  lines 
and  suggestions  for  house  organs.  The  first 
of  the  new  series,  the  subject  of  which  is 
" How  He  Lied  to  Her  Husband,”  contains 
paragraphs  of  varying  sizes  which  can 
easily  be  adapted  to  the  space  available  by 
local  newspaper  sub-editors,  backed  up  by  a 
full  range  of  line  and  half-tone  blocks.  The 
new  sheet,  which  supersedes  the  more 


elegantly  dressed  and  colourful  brochure 
formerly  issued,  should  be  of  considerable 
assistance  to  the  exploiteer  when  planning 
his  campaigns  for  B.I.P.  productions. 

A Palate  Tickler 

A useful  showman  stunt  was  pulled  out 
of  the  locker  by  Manager  Harry  Johnson, 
of  the  St.  James’  Picture  Theatre,  West- 
minster, S.W.,  in  connection  with  two 
M.-G.-M.  laughter  raisers,  “ Caught  Short  ” 
and  “ The  Laurel-Hardy  Murder  Case.” 
The  idea  was  a small  folded  throwaway, 
bearing  on  front  and  back  the  message : 
" If  you  want  to  be  TICKLED  TO  DEATH 
look  inside.”  Inside  was  attached  on  the  left 
hand  page  a small  feather,  with  a caption  : 
“ This  is  one  way,  but  . . .”  (then  on  the 
right  hand  page)  “ The  best  and  most  certain 
way  is  to  see  Marie  Dressier  and  Polly  Moran 
in  ' CAUGHT  SHORT  ’ and  ' The  Laurel- 


Hardy  Murder  Case.’  ” The  name  of  the 
theatre  and  the  dates  of  showing  completed 
what  must  be  regarded  as  an  effective  piece 
of  publicity. 

The  “Jazz’’  Atmosphere 

Everything  was  “jazz”  at  the  Grainger 
Picture  House,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  last  week, 
where  the  “King  of  Jazz”  was  shown. 
Manager  David  E.  Stansfield  packed  the 
front  lobby  with  everything  representing  jazz. 
The  glass  case  in  the  centre  contained  every 
conceivable  instrument  used  by  jazz  melody 
makers,  including  drums,  saxophones  and  the 
like.  Balloons  of  many  colours  fluttered 
gaily  from  every  vantage  point,  while  two 
boards,  on  easels,  stood  at  each  side  of  the 
lobby  containing  “ jazz  ” posters  of  a very 
attractive  nature  and  in  keeping  with  the 
film.  Stills  and  cut-outs,  assisted  in  com- 
pleting an  exceeding.y  attractive  lay-out. 
Excellent  business  was  the  natural  sequence. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISEMENTS 


ENGAGEMENTS  WANTED 

AMBITIOUS  and  energetic  young  man  requires 
position  in  studio  on  the  recording  side. 
Willing  to  start  at  the  bottom  where  chance  of 
improvement  is  in  view.  Good  organiser. 
Highest  references  can  be  given. — Box  522,  c/o 
The  Bioscope,  Faraday  House,  8-10,  Charing 
Cross  Road,  W.C.2.  1272 

CHIEF  Operator- Electrician  wants  situation ; 

16  years’  experience  ; talkies;  anywhere. — 
Cox,  9,  Almond  Grove,  Old  Trafford,  Man- 
chester. 1271 

RED  - HOT  Cine  - Variety  Manager  desires 
change,  home  or  abroad.  Expert  adver- 
tiser, with  brains  and  A1  experience.  Only 
first-class  halls  considered. — Box  528,  c/o  The 
Bioscope,  Faraday  House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross 
Road,  W.C.  2.  ' 1271 


FOR  SALE 

MAGNATONE  ELECTRIC  PANATROPE. 

D.C.  100  TO  250  VOLTS. 

DOUBLE  turntable,  motor-driven,  separate 
controls,  2 large  loud  speakers,  1 small, 
solid  oak  cabinet,  iron  stand.  Latest  up-tc- 
date  circuit.  Price  complete,  £30.  — Collyer, 
32,  Daffodil  Street,  London,  W.  12.  Phone: 
Shepherd’s  Bush  4020, 

STEINWAY  Grand,  suitable  cinema,  theatre, 
dance  hall ; beautiful  condition.  Listed 
£375,  accept  95  gns. — R.,  133,  Queen’s  Road, 
Finsbury  Park,  N.  1269 


Distributor  of 

THE  “ ALPHA  ’’  TICKET  ISSUING  MACHINES 


HEATHMAN’S  PLAIN 
DECORATOR’S  TRESTLES. 

MADE  IN  TWO  WIDTHS 

,W’ir  JOfi  TO  TAK£  ONE  SCAFFOLD  BOARD, 

‘ 23V  TOP  TO  TAKE  TWO  SCAFFOLD  BOARDS}, 

"for  sale 
on  HIRE  ” 


J.  H.  HEATHMAN 

51,  Fulham  High  Street, 
London,  S.W.  6 
Price  Lists  Free 


WANTED  TO  PURCHASE 

WANTED  to  Purchase  or  Rent,  Cinema  not 
Jess  than  700  seating.  Must  be  South  of 
Sheffield.  Fullest  investigation  required.  Capital 
to  any  amount  for  right  proposition.  Private 
exhibitor. — Box  530,  c/o  The  Bioscope,  Faraday 
House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  W.C. 2. 


WANTED  to  Purchase  or  Rent,  Cinema,  Home 
Counties  or  South  Coast.  Town  with  no 
other  theatre  preferred.  Give  fullest  details 
and  state  when  could  be  viewed.  No  commissions 
paid  to  agents. — Box  532,  c/o  The  Bioscope, 
Faraday  House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road, 
W.C. 2. 


Gerrard  1331 

POST  RECORDING 
DUBBING 
PRESSING,  Etc. 

EDISON  BELL,  LIMITED 

Film  Recording  Studios, 

1-5,  Manette  Street,  Charing  Cross  Road 

1282 


PATENTS  AND  TRADE  MARKS 

KING’S  Patent  Agency,  Ltd.,  146a,  Oueen 
Victoria  Street,  E.C.4.  Free — Advice  and 
Handbook  on  patenting  Inventions  and  register- 
ing Trade  Marks  by  Registered  Agent  with 
43  vear=’  exoerience. 

THE  Proprietor  of  British  Patent  No.  280668 
dated  September  15,  1926,  relating  to 

“ Improvement  in  Reels  for  Motion  Picture 
Films  or  the  Like,”  is  desirous  of  entering  into 
arrangements  by  way  of  a licence  or  otherwise 
on  reasonable  terms  for  the  purpose  of  exploiting 
the  above  patent  and  ensuring  its  practical 
working  in  Great  Britain. — All  enquiries  to  be 
addressed  to  B.  Singer,  Steger  Building,  Chicago, 
Illinois.  1272 


Send  your  small  advertise- 
ments to  “THE  BIOSCOFE  ’ 
and  be  satisfied. 


CINEMA  IN  GLASGOW 

WHICH  HAS  DECIDED  TO  REMAIN- 
SILENT,  IS  OPEN  FOR  OFFERS  OF 
SILENT  PROGRAMS;  MUST  BE  IN 
GOOD  CONDITION.— TERMS  TO 
MANAGER,  ST.  JAMES’  HALL, 
STIRLING  ROAD,  GLASGOW.  1273 


Specialists  in 

LADY  ATTENDANTS’ 
UNIFORMS 

JOHN  HOLT  & CO., 

Hope  Mill,  Factory  Yard,  Miller  St.,  Manchester 
Tel.  City  6830.  Write  for  particulars. 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


x n 


COMBINE 

WANTS 

CINEMAS 

One  of  the  “ Combines  ” -is 
desirous  of  acquiring  large 
Cinemas  (or  Theatres,  or  Music 
Halls)  in  towns  not  already 
served  by  competing  Circuits. 

They  are  also  prepared  to 
consider  smaller  shows  in 
smaller  towns  where  there  is 
no  competition. 

CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 


FOR  A QUICK  SALE 

FOR  AN  EFFICIENT  SALE 

FOR  A STRAIGHTFORWARD  SALE 

instruct 


PALMER'S 

CARES 

ARE 

CINEMA 

SPARES 

Kalee,  Simplex,  Ross  and  Gaumont  Pro- 
jectors available.  All  at  Keen  Prices 
Waterloo  Fire  Extinguishers,  2-gall,  capa- 
city. Complete  with  Charge  30/- 

Second-hand  Cine  Motors,  & b.p.,  for  any 
D.C.  voltage  £2  10s.  Od. 

Speed  Regulators  for  Same,  any  voltage 
< 15/- 

Second-hand  Mirror  Arc  Lamps,  6 move- 
ments and  5-i  in.  Mirror  /4  Os.  Od. 


Complete  Tip-up  Seats  From  4/9  each 
42  Reconditioned  17  in.  Centre  Pincushion 
Seats  in  Red  Rexine  with  6 in.  deep 
Polished  Wood  Backs  and  No-Arm  Type 
Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  5/6 
100  Reconditioned  18  in.  Centre  Pin- 
cushion Seats  in  Red  Velvet  with  6 in. 
deep  New  Polished  Wood  Backs  and  No- 
Arm  Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  6 /9 

20  Second-hand  Sprung  Seats,  20in.  Centre, 
in  Fawn  Cord,  with  8 in.  deep  Backs, 
Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and  Gold  Bronze 
Standards  Per  Set  6/- 

42  S.H.  20  in.  Centre  Sprung  Seats  in  Red 
Cord  with  9 in.  deep  Backs,  Polished  Wood 
Arm  Pads  and  Gold  Bronze  Standards 

Per  Set  6/- 

120  Recondioned  18  in.  Centre  Padded 
Seats  in  Red  Cord  with  8 in.  deep  Show 
Wood  Backs,  Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads 
and  Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  7/6 
100  Reconditioned  20  in.  Centre  Sprung 
Seats  in  Red  Cord  with  8 in.  deep  Show 
Wood  Backs,  Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads 
and  Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  8/6 

280  Second-hand  20  in.  Centre  Sprung 
Seats  in  Red  Velvet  with  15  in.  deep 
Stuff-over  Backs,  Polished  Wood  Arm 
Pads  and  Gold  Bronze  Standards 

Per  Set  8/9 

120  Second-hand  20  in.  Centre  Sprung 
Seats  in  Red  Velvet  with  6 in.  deep  Stuff- 
over  Backs,  Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and 
Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  7/- 

150  Reconditioned  20  in.  Centre  Sprung 
Seats  in  Blue  Cord  with  9 in.  deep  Stuff- 
over  Backs,  Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and 
Gold  Bronze  Standards  Per  Set  8/9 

250  Reconditioned  20  in.  Centre  Sprung 
Seats  in  Red  Velvet  with  8 in.  deep  Backs, 
Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and  Gold  Bronze 
Standards  Per  Set  9/6 


GEORGE  PALMER 

Universal  Cinema  Supplies,  Ltd.  * 

13,  GERRARD  ST.,  LONDON,  W.l 

Phones:  Regent  1475  or  5475. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


February  18,  1931 


xviii 


Coming  Trade  Shows 


LONDON 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  18,  1931 

The  Sap  Abroad Paramount Carlton.  11  a.m. 

Draeula Universal Prince  Edward.  3 p.m. 

Magic Showman New  Gallery.  11  a.m. 

Dance,  'fools.  Dance M.-G.-M Palace.  * 8.45  p.m. 

The  Greater  Law Equity  British Cameo,  1 1.15  a.m. 

THURSDAY.  FEBRUARY  19.  1931 

One  Eighth  Apache Equity  British Cameo,  11.15  a.m. 

Madame  Guillotine W.  A f Palace,  8.45  p.m. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

His  Glorious  Romance Equity  British Cameo,  11.15  a.m. 

The  Painted  Desert P.D.C Palace.  3 p.m. 

'Fighting  Through Gaumont Astoria.  11  a.m. 

Love  Among  the  Millionaires Paramount Carlton,  11  a.m. 

Shorts X.P..  Ltd Tatler,  10.45  a.m. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  23,  1931 

Storm  Over  Asia Atlas Palladium,  Stratford,  2 p.m. 

The  Sport  of  Kings Ideal Palace,  8.30  p.m. 

Mother  Love Butchers Own  Theatre,  2.30  and  4.30  p.m. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24.  1931 

The  Seas  Beneath Fox New  Gallery,  11  a.m. 

Fast  and  Loose Paramount Carlton,  II  a.m. 

Romany  Love M.-G.-M Empire,  10.15  a.m. 

Other  People’s  Sins P.D.C Palace,  11  a.m. 

Pours  of  Loneliness Warner Own  Theatre,  11.30  a.m.  and  3 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Old  Soldiers  Never  Die Wardonr Phoenix,  3 p.m. 

Earth Atlas Edibell  Theatre,  3 p.m. 


.West  End,  10.30  a.m. 


BIRMINGHAM 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

The  Land  of  Missing  Men Ideal 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Uneasy  Virtue Wardour Forum,  10.30 

Third  Time  Lucky W.  A F West  End,  10.30 

Anybody's  Woman Paramount Futurist,  10.45 

Inspiration M.-G.-M Scala,  10.30 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Madame  Guillotine W.  A F West  End,  10.30 

The  Great  Meadow M.-G.-M Scala,  10.30 

The  Painted  Desert P.D.C Futurist,  10.45 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont Own  Theatre.  11  a.m.  and  3 

Magic Showman Forum,  10.30 

Draeula U niversal Grand , 1 0. 30 

WEDNESDAY.  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

The  Law  Rides  West Paramount Scala,  10.45 

Once  a Sinner Fox West  End,  10.30 

Other  People’s  Sins P.D.C Futurist,  10.45 


a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m 

a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 

p.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 

a.m. 


BRISTOL 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Ext  ra  vagance Ga  umont 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

The  Third  Alarm Gaumont 

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  22,  1931 

Draeula Universal 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Headin'  North Gaumont 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Bracelets Gaumont 

THURSDAY.  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

The  Sports  of  Kings Ideal 


..Regent,  II  a.m. 
....Regent,  11  a.m. 
....King's,  3 p.m. 
....Regent,  11  a.m. 
..Regent,  11  a.m. 
Regent,  10.45  a.m. 


BELFAST 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Extravagance Gaumont Classic,  10.45  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

The  Third  Alarm Gaumont Classic,  10.45  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Bracelets Gaumont Classic,  10.45  a.m. 

THURSDAY.  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

The  Utah  Kid Gaumont Classic,  10.45  a.m. 


CARDIFF 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Men  Without  Law United  Artists Queen’s,  10.45  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Draeula Universal New  Imperial,  11  a.m. 

Queen  High Paramount Capitol,  11  a.m. 

To  Oblige  a Lady British  Lion Park  Hall,  11  a.m. 

Fourth  Alarm Ideal Own  Theatre,  11  a.m.  and  3 p.m. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Anybody's  Woman Paramount Capitol,  11  a.m. 

Headin'  North Gaumont Own  Theatre,  11.30  a.m.  and  3 p.m. 

Third  Time  Luck) W.  & F Park  Hall.  II  a.m. 


CARDIFF — continued 


WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

The  Sap  Abroad Paramount 

Cape  Forlorn Wardour 

Magic Showman 

The  Sport  of  Kings Ideal 

GLASGOW 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

The  Man  Who  Came  Back Fox 

Trails  of  Danger Filmophone 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Once  a Sinner Fox 

Anybody’s  Woman Paramount 

The  Great  Meadow M.-G.-M 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Third  Time  Lucky W.  & F 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont 

The  Bachelor  Father M.-G.-M 

The  Sap  Abroad Paramount 

Sous  Les  Toits  do  Paris Wardour 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Love  Among  the  Millionaires Paramount.. 

The  Sport  of  Kings Ideal 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

Fair  Warning Fox 

Magic Showman 

LEEDS 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Shadow  Ranch United  Artists 

Once  a Sinner Fox 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Heads  Uj) Paramount 

Third  Time  Lucky W.  & F 

The  Bachelor  Father M.-G.-M 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Madame  Guillotine W.  A F 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont 

Monte  Carlo Paramount 

Inspiration M.-G.-M 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Fair  Warning Fox 

Anybody's  Woman Paramount 

I Iracula U niversal 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

The  Lion  and  the  Lamb United  Artists.... 

Fighting  Through Gaumont 

LIVERPOOL 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Tons  of  Money W.  & F 

The  Second  Honeymoon Ideal 

Resurrection Universal 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Queen  High Paramount 

The  Land  of  Missing  Men Ideal 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  23,  1931 

Third  Time  Lucky W.  A F 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

Heads  Up Paramount 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont 

The  Painted  Desert P.D.C 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1931 

Other  People’s  Sins P.D.C 

Six  Shorts Universal 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  26,  1931 

Draeula Universal 


Capitol,  11  a.m. 

Queen’s.  1 1 a.m. 

New  Imperial,  11.30  a.m. 
Park  Hall,  11  a.m. 


Picture  House.  10.45  a.m. 

Cranston  P.H.,  11  a.m. 

Picture  House,  10.45  a.m. 

Green's  Playhouse,  11  a.m. 
La  Scala,  11  a.m. 

Picture  House,  10,45  a.m. 

New  Savoy,  1 1 a.m. 

La  Scala,  10.45  a.m. 

..Green's  Playhouse,  11  a.m. 
Coliseum,  11  a.m. 

....Green’s  Playhouse,  11  a.m. 
Picture  House,  11  a.m. 

Picture  House,  10.45  a.m. 

La  Scala.  11  a.m. 


Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

Majestic,  10.45  a.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

Shaftesbury,  2.30  p.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

Majestic,  11  a.m. 

Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 

Tower,  11  a.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

Majestic,  10.45  a.m. 

Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 

Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 

Majestic,  11  a.m. 


Trocadero,  11  a.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

...Futurist,  10.45  a.m. 

....Futurist,  10.45  a.m. 
Scala,  11  a.m. 

Futurist,  11  a.m. 

Scala,  11  a.m. 

Futurist,  11  a.m. 

Trocadero,  10.45  a.m. 

..Trocadero,  10.45  a.m. 
...Futurist,  10.45  a.m. 

...Futurist,  10.45  a.m. 


MANCHESTER 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1931 

Third  Time  Lucky W.  A F Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1931 

Men  Without  Law United  Artists Deansgate,  10.45  a.m. 

Fair  Warning Fox Piccadilly,  11  a.m. 

Dance,  Fools,  Dance M.-G.-M Market  Street  P.H.,  10.45  a.m. 

Heads  Up 1 aramount taramount  Theatre,  10.4j  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  1931 

To  Oblige  a Lady British  Lion Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

Just  Like  Heaven Gaumont Market  Street  P.H.,  11  a.m. 

Uneasy  Virtue Wardour Theatre  Royal,  11  a.m. 

The  Law  Rides  West Paramount Paramount  Theatre,  10.45  a.m 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  25.  1931 

The  Painted  Desert P.D.C Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

Sit  Tight Warner Deansgate,  11  a.m. 

Fighting  Through Gaumont Market  Street  P.H.,  11  a.m. 

The  Sap  Abroad Paramount Paramount  Theatre,  10.45  a.m 

( Continued  on  page  36) 


February  18,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


CINEMAS 

FOR  SALE  & TO  LET 

LINCS.— 1,000  seating  capacity 
with  Western  Electric  installed, 
situated  on  magnificent  and  valu- 
able site,  in  important  Town  with 
very  fine  future  possibilities  ow- 
ing to  immense  project  being 
started.  The  business  is  showing 
a good  return  at  present  and  has 
exceptional  possibilities  of  im- 
provement. Very  reasonable  price. 


NEAR  LONDON. — Situated  in 
densely  populated  and  quickly 
growing  district  of  a famous  Uni- 
versity Town.  Seating  capacity 
650  with  Talkies  installed.  Par- 
ticularly good  class  and  very  regular 
trade  is  being  done.  Showing  the 
excellent  net  profit  of  almost 
£2,000  per  annum.  Very  fine 
opportunity — should  not  be  missed. 
Quick  sale  £3,500. 


YORKS. — In  large  town,  1,000 
seating  capacity.  Very  suitable  for 
conversion  to  Talkies.  Exceptional 
opportunity.  Quick  sale.  Price 
only  £1,500. 

Y ORKS.— In  famous  town.  Seating 
capacity  960.  At  present  a theatre 
with  excellent  possibilities  as  a 
Talkie  House.  Sacrifice  price 
£1,500. 


WAY  & WALLER 

S,  HANOVER  SQUARE,  LONDON,  W.l 

MAYFAIR  8022  (lO  LINES) 


If  you  have  not  received  your  copy  of 

The  Bioscope  1931 

DIRECTORY  & 
BUYERS’  GUIDE 

WRITE  AT  ONCE. 

Contains  complete  Telephone,  Telegraphic 
and  Postal  addresess  of  all  Film  Trade  houses, 
and  classified  trades  directory. 

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RAPID 

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No.  08 
o o 

•JANUARY,  19  Jl 


Carry  itn*  in  yoat  VcM  Pocket 


f rinted  by  IUrmsos  JiHiuNa  * Co.,  Ltd.  11-15  Emerald  StrseL  London,  W.C.l  . and  Published  by  the  Bio.cope  Publishing  Oo  Ltd  Faraday  House 

8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  W.C.S.  ’ 


WHAT  WOULD  THIS  QUEUE  MEAN  TO  YOU 
IN  THESE  SLACK  TIMES/  

L = ■ 


MAY  6,1931 
No*  1283 
Vol.  LXXXVII 
F O U N'D  ED  '19  08 


PRICE  - - 6d. 

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Jtpyrmhi  Registered  at  the  G.P.O.  as  a Keuspaper  and  for  postage  to  Canada  at  Magazine  Rate 


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f)  SOMETHING  TO 


REMEMBER 


E BY! 


METRO -GOLDWYN-MAYER 

“A  Cheerful  Little  Earful" 


1EF  ETCSCCIE 


May  6,  1931 


Consistently  supplied  to 

THERE  IS  NOTHING  GREATE 


Distributed  FIRST 

VITAPHONE  is  the  registere 


It 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


tish  Box  Offices  have  proved  that— 


THAN  FIRST  NATIONAL’S  SUCCESS 


THE  PROGRAMME  THAT 
GIVES  Y O U 

DAWN  PATROL 
KISMET 

TOAST  t°hfe  LEGION 
LITTLE  CAESAR 
SUNNY 

FATHER'S  SON 

FIRST  NATIONAL  AND 
VITAPHONE  PICTURES 


NATIONAL  PATHE,  LTD. 

ade  mark  of  the  Vitaphone  Corporation  designating-  its  product 





THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1031 


'>V. 


6 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  G,  1931 


Here  is  a story  of 
a woman  who  tried 

A GAUMONT-TIFFANY  PRODUCTION 
featuring 

KAY  JOHNSON 

and 

BERT  LYTELL 

Trade  Show: 

THE  ASTORIA 

Tuesday,  May  19,  lia.m. 

All  enquiries  to 

“GAUMONT” 


\i 


> I 


m 


m 


■ 


I y 


6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


Ujeekly- 


qoried 

and  d? 

ci 


Report 


to  the.  _ 

fcxsdnotin(3' 
The  CinemO . 


ueU  v%fthat  «" 
ffilaudiena*- 


st  Kf'jfe'”9- 

avodod  ^ 

any  audience. 
yB/oscope 


- iUUNU 

ClNEMACAZINE 


affusic  and  sound  effects  orronqed  one/ 
recorded  by  peerless  pictures  Ltd 


A REVOLUTION  IN  SCREEN  PERIODICALS  / 

/DEGL  FILMS  LTD.  76-73  UURRDOUR  ST.  UJ.  /.  # 


ANOTHER 
OVERWHELMING 
TRIUMPH 

MRNERB 

I'Ticmiiu* 


THE 


WARNER  BROS.  PICTURES  L1.0  13-14  NEWMAN  ST  LONDON  Wl.  Oefepicne  MUSEUM  6314/5/6  WABROPIC  LONDON 

r \ w • t * 


TRADE  SHOW 

PRINCE  EDWARD  THEATRE 

THURSDAY-MAY  7TJ*r  3 p.m. 

PRECEDED  BY  VTTAPHONE  SHORT 
N25821THF,  WEDDING®/ JACK  AND  JILli' 

(,IN  technicolor  ) 


10 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


Producers  prefer  these 
new,  more  beautiful, 
tinted  films 

In  the  Feature  Picture,  News-reel,  or  Animated 
Cartoon  . . . wherever  the  original  lighting  or 
the  dominant  mood  is  to  be  expressed  . . . . 
Sonochrome  Films  play  an  ever  more  impor- 
tant role.  They  alone,  of  all  tinted  films, 
transmit  sound  with  complete  fidelity.  They 
offer  a wide  choice  of  over-all  colours,  more 
charming  than  those  used  in  the  silent-screen 
era ; and  they  cost  no  more.  Producers  who 
want  greater  beauty  in  their  tinted  pictures  . . . 
at  no  extra  cost . . specify  Eastman  Sonochrome 

Eastman  Sonochrome 
Tinted  Positive  Films 

Kodak  Limited 

Kodak  House,  Kingsway,  London,  W.C.  2 

Use  Kodak  Black  Varnish  for  your 
Sound  Film  Splices 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


11 


&!ky 


THESE  JOURNALS  will  assist  you  to  market  your  products  economically 
and  effectively.  They  put  you  in  direct  contact  with  current  trade 
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alone  is  worth  many  times  the  cost  of  the  subscription.  The  address  of  any 
paper  in  this  list  will  be  furnished  on  request. 


Amateur  Photographer  & 
Cinematographer. 

Architects’  Journal. 

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Bioscope. 

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Journal. 

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graphy. 

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& Farm  Supplies’ 
Journal. 

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Illustrated. 

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vision Trades’  News. 

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& Commercial  Gazelle. 

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Outfitter. 

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Unit. 

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Official  Handbook,  giving  particulars  of  over  500  papers,  post  free  1/-. 


1 


PERIODICAL  TRADE  PRESS,  & WEEKLY  NEWSPAPER  PROPRIETORS’  ASSOCIATION,  Ltd 
Telephone  Central  2441.  6,  BOUVERIE  STREET,  E.C.4.  Telegrams  : Weneppa,  Fleet,  London 


MAY  6, 19 ; 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


presents 


;-V  7..,  tiV  ■ v'VAi’.  y-'C  - V . -.j-i 


Joseph  von  Sternberg's 
Sensatwnal  Love  Drama, 


BIOSCOPE 


'Y  6 193! 


?*-'VcV' 


‘D/$TRIBUTED  “BV  THE  PARAMOUNT  P1LM  SERVICE  LIMITED 


THE  BOV  WITH  THE 


DIRECTED  BY  NORMAN  TAl/ROG- 
BY  SAM  MINTZ-  FROM  THE  STORY  BY 
PERCY  CROSBY- SCREENPLAY  BY 
JOSEPH  L.MANRIEWICZ  AMR  NORMAN 
MCLEOD- ADDITIONAL  DIALOGUE  BY 
DON  MARQUIS 


twe  B»oseoPf 


RELEASED  DEC*  28,  1011 


aramount  (picture 


1-0/  P Of  LBUGHTIH 


V'' 


MAY  6 1?31 


TUE  BIOSCOPE 


Tallulahs  Mde  Hit 

. ..  ThatMaqnetic  Voice 


• • 

// 


• © 


News  Chronicle 


PARAMOUNT  PRESENTS 


MAY  6 1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


Tallulahs  Talhie 
Pleases  NewTbarh 


"Qlitterinq  Fascination " Evening  News 


WITH 


/ 


Yf  PHOEBE  POSTER 

DIRECTED  BV  GEORGE  CUKOH' 

ORIGINAL  STORY  "NSW  YORK  LADY”  AND 
SCREEN  ADAPTATION  BY  DONALD  OGDEN 
STEWART 

Cparamoant  Cpidure 


***  * 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


PARAMOUNT  PREVENTS 


ZANE 


LILY  DAMITA 


ERNEST  TORRENCE 


FRED  KOHLER  &TULLY  MARSHAL/ 


td. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MAY  6 1931 


paramount 


The  REAL  Story 
of  a woman  of 

VERY  BAD 

reputation ! 

Is  she  the  most 
slandered  woman 
in  society? 

Or  is  she  really  the 
faithless  woman 

ihp.  wnrlrl  heJievRS 


MAY  6 1931 


THE  BIOSCORJ 


lT/y/uo0/Vr 


tee  cramp 


RICHARD  ARLE 


FAY 


WRAY 


Directed  by  Edward  Slomau 

Screen  play  by  Grover  Jones  and 
William  Slavens  McNutt 
From  a story  by  Emerson  Hou«h 


Q&  Cparamount  Gpidure 

DISTRIBUTED  BY  THE  PARAMOUNT  FILM  SERVICE  LTD 


MAY  6.  1931 


ft  ft 

I \ 

n 

m m 

I ’ 

L 

1 

0 

■ 

f ' 

i 

SNATCHED  FROM  THE  WORLDS 
LAST  UNTOUCHED  WILDERNESS 
AFTER  EIGHTEEN  MONTHS  OF 
TERRIFIC  DANGER/ 


A v 

w 1 j j * 

^>1 

Nf  aTM| 

1 V \ 

■M 


ikTppy* 

led  by  Norman  Taurog 


$PM:; 

. _ 


dcz  nod 


H 


Paramount  preseoti 

KICHARD  ARLEN 


DEC 


“GUN  SMOKE” 

with 


0 


Mary  Brian,  Eugene 
Pallette,  William  Boyd  and 
Louise  Fazenda 
Directed  by  Edward  Sicilian 


1911 


Story  by  Grover  Jones  and 
William  Sluven«  McNutt 


RELEASED  DEC.  14,  1QJI 


present* 


* ■ W W\WT  Wm 

with 

RICHARD  ARLEN 


» 


and  FAY  WRAY 

Directed  by  Eduard  Slonian 

. - 


19)2 


i te  


Story  and  direction  by  Jo»c;f  yon  Sternberg 


Paramount  prest'nla 

WILLIAM 

POWELL 

“ MAN  OF  THE 


WORLD  ” 

with 

Carole  Lombard  and 
Wynne  Gibson 

By  Herman  Mankicwic* 

Directed  by  Richard  Wallace 


RELEASED  JAN.  25  1012 


Paramount  prenent* 

CLARA  BOW 

“ KICK  IN” 

with  « 

Regis  Toomey, 
Wynne  Gibson  and 
Juliette  Compton 

Directed  by  Richard  W iillncc 

From  l he  Jtlat  by  W illard  Mark 
Screen  play  by  Bartlett  Lortnark 


A 

mm 


UN 

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Oim  ir.i  t.v  loh.1  CuhuhcH 
S,rnari<.  I><  Kvr  l i..t>l| 


Sto 

Rl 


QUA 


British 

Production 


LEA] 

YEA 


Title  will  he 
announced  latei 


BRITISH  QUOTA 
PICTURE 


A PARAMOUNT  RELEASE 

RELEASED  DEC*  11,  19*1 


DISTRIBUTED 
W THE 
PARAMOUNT 
PILM 

SERVICE,  LTD. 


■ 

MM  6 1931 


Paramount  present* 

44  THE  VICE 
SQUAD  ” 

with 

Paul  Lukas  and 
Kay  Francis 

Directed  by 
John  Cromwell 
B)  Oliver  H.  P.  Garrett 

RELEASED  DEC  21,  1911 


Paramount  presents 

“UP  POPS  THE  DEVIL” 

w ith 

Skeets  Gallagher,  Stuart 
Erwin,  Carole  Lombard, 
Lilyan  Tashmun  and 
Norman  Foster 
Directed  by 
A.  Edward  Sutlierland 

From  the  play  by  Albert  llarkell 
and  Frances  Goodrich 
Adaptation  by  Arthur  Kohrr 
Screen  play  by  Eve  IdkcII 

RELEASED  JAN.  28, 1012 


Paramount  presents 

CLAUDETTE 
COLBERT, 
EREDRIC  MARCH 

HONOUR  AMONG 
LOVERS”  .in. 

Charles  Rubles,  Ginger 
Rogers 

Directed  by  Dorothy  Arzncr 
Adapted  from  a story  by 
Austin  Parker 


RELEASED  FEB.  22,  19*2 


Paramount  presents 

JACK  OAKIE 

•JUNE  MOON” 

with 

Frances  Dee  and  Wynne 
Gibson 
Directed  by 
Edward  Sutherland 
From  the  play  “June  Moon' 
bv  Ring  Uardner  and 
George  S.  Kaufman 

RELEASED  DEC*  11,  lOII 


British 

Production 

Lille  will  he 

announced  later 

BRITISH  QUOTA 
PICTURE 

A PARAMOUNT  RELEASE 

RELEASED  JAN*  28, 1012 


Paramount  present* 

GARY  COOPER  .„d 
SYLVIA  SIDNEY 

“CITY  STREETS” 

With 

Paul  Lukas,  Wynne  Gibson 
and  William  Bovd 
Directed  by 
Kouben  Mamouiian 

Story  by  Daithiell  llmorarll 
Adapted  by  Mux  Murrin 
Screen  play  by  Oliver  II.  IV  Garrett 

RELEASED  FEB.  29,  19*2 


28 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


LX1967  fOYORK  30  28 

NLT  FOXFILM  LONDON 

YOUNG  SINNERS  BEYOND  QUESTION  DOUBT  EQUIVALENT  VALUE  COMMON  CLAY 
TREMENDOUS  YOUTHFUL  BOXOFFICE  GREAT  STORY  PHENOMENAL  CAST  CREATED 
EQUIVALENT  SENSATION  COMMON  CLAY  SCREENING  LAST  YEARS  CONVENTION 


Commercial  Cables 


PH 


Via  COMMERCIAL. 


YOUNG  SINNERS”  PHENOMENAL/ 

Read  this : 


THOMAS  MEIGHAN 
in  “YOUNG  SINNERS. 


REGARDS 


CLA  SHEEHAN 


DOROTHY  JORDAN 
in  “YOUNG  SINNERS 


“YOUNG  SINNERS”  WILL  BE  TRADE  SHOWN  EARLY 
THIS  MONTH,  AND  HERE  IS  FOX’S  NEXT  WINNER: 


SIX  CYLINDER  LOVE” 


AN  HILARIOUS  COMEDY  with  SPENCER  TRACY,  UNA  MERKEL  and  SIDNEY  FOX 

TRADE  SHOW: 

Wednesday,  May  13th,  at  11a.m.,  NEW  GALLERY  KINEMA,  W.1 


THESE  ARE  ON  THE 

WAY  s 

TITLE. 

RELEASE  (TENTATIVE). 

“ YOUNG  SINNERS  ” 

October  1 9th 

“PEACE  AND  QUIET”  (British) 

October  26th 

“ THE  SPY  ” 

November 

2nd 

“WOMEN  OF  ALL  NATIONS” 

November 

9th 

“TWO  CROWDED  HOURS”  (British) 

November 

1 6th 

“ DADDY  LONG  LEGS ” 

November 

23rd 

“ QUICK  MILLIONS  ” 

November 

30th 

“ ALWAYS  GOOD-BYE  ” 

December 

7th 

“ SIX-CYLINDER  LOVE  ” 

December 

14th 

“ RODNEY  STEPS  IN  ” (British) 

December 

21st 

“SYMPHONY  IN  RIVETS”  

December 

28th 

FOX  MOVIETONE  MASTERPIECES 


23rd  YEAR. 

SUBSCRIPTION  : 
Home 

10/6  per  annum. 
Abroad 

30/-  per  annum. 


“Independence  and  Progress” 


(FOUNDED  BY  JOHN  CABOURN) 

Faraday  House, 

8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  London,  W.C.  2. 


Telephone  : 
Temple  Bar 
7921,  7922. 

Telegrams  : 

“Gainsaid,  Westrand 
London.” 


No.  1283.  Vol.  LXXXV1I.  MAY  6th,  1931 


PRICE  6d. 


In  Brief 


“No  Monkeying,”  Middlesex ! 


GEORGE  Humphries  & Co.  have 
secured  the  sole  agency  for  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  of  the  Dunning 
process,  and  are  to  make  big  extensions 
to  their  London  laboratories.  Page  31 

MIDDLESEX  County  Council  is 
apparently  seeking  a way  round 
the  Sunday  Performances  Bill.  Page  31 

EIGHT  British  pictures  are  to  be  in- 
cluded in  P.D.C.’s  schedule  for  the 
coming  season,  T.  S.  Delehanty , foreign 
manager  of  R.K.O.-Pathe,  told  the 
“ Bioscope  ” yesterday . Page  30 

ANNUAL  report  of  the  Cinematograph 
Trade  Benevolent  Fund,  issued 
yesterday , reveals  that  223  cases  of  hard- 
ship were  dealt  with  during  the  past  year. 

Page  30 

PARAMOUNT  French  studios  at 
* Joinville  have  entered  on  their 
second  season’s  production  with  a 
budget  of  two  million  francs.  Page  32 

WALTER  Forde  is  to  direct  “Splinters 
in  the  Navy,”  featuring  Sydney 
Howard,  which  is  to  be  made  at 
Twickenham  Film  Studios  after 
“ Black  Coffee.”  Page  36 

GENERAL  meeting  of  the  London  and 
Home  Counties  branch  of  the  C.E.A. 
is  to  be  held  at  the  Trocadero  on  Friday, 
and  will  be  followed  by  the  half-yearly 
luncheon.  Page  30 

SIV.  SMITH,  managing  director  of 
• British  Lion,  sailed  yesterday  for 
home,  after  an  important  business  trip 
to  New  York  and  Canada.  Page  40 

H&  G.  Cinemas,  Ltd.,  are  to  build  a 
• 3,000-seater  theatre  in  Commercial 
Road,  London,  E.  Page  54 

THE  Sunday  Performances  ( Regulation ) 
Bill  was  again  the  main  subject  of 
discussion  at  C.E.A.  branch  meetings. 

Page  51 


A dense  smoke  screen  of  secrecy  surrounds  trade  preparations  in 
connection  with  amendments  to  the  Sunday  Performances  (Regulation) 
Bill  shortly  to  be  dealt  with  in  committee.  For  once  in  a while,  in 
so  far  as  this  policy  of  secrecy  is  effective  in  concealing  from  the 
opposition  the  exact  line  to  be  adopted  by  the  cinema  trade,  it  may  be 
justified,  though  it  is  extremely  doubtful  whether  the  trade’s  opposi- 
tion, organised  tooth  and  claw  as  it  is,  will  be  easily  misled  as  to  the 
intentions  of  the  C.E.A. 

The  Bioscope  is  aware  of  certain  proposals  now  in  process  of 
embodiment  as  motions  for  amendment,  but  respects  the  policy  of 
secrecy  which  C.E.A.  headquarters  conceives  to  be  in  the  best  interests 
of  the  trade. 

Meantime,  it  is  as  well  that  the  trade  should  look  for  signs  and 
portents  from  the  other  side,  and  this  week  brings  one  striking 
indication  of  the  extraordinary  lengths  to  which  the  forces  of  reaction 
are  prepared  to  go  in  order  to  render  Mr.  Clynes’  Bill  a thing  miserably 
impotent  to  meet  present-day  public  demands. 

Reporting  on  the  Sunday  Cinema  Bill,  the  Parliamentary  Committee 
of  the  Middlesex  County  Council  has  drawn  attention  to  the  fact  that 
so  far  as  the  present  provisions  of  the  Bill  are  concerned,  the  procedure 
to  local  option  outlined  is  satisfactory  where  local  authorities  may 
propose  to  grant  Sunday  opening  licences  but — and  this  is  most 
significant  of  all — “ no  provision  is  made  for  the  refusal  of  applications 
by  general  resolution,  and  in  the  event  of  the  Bill  passing  in  its  present 
form  the  Council  would  be  compelled  to  receive  and  consider  applica- 
tions for  Sunday  opening  which  might  be  made  at  any  time,  and  would 
have  to  be  considered  on  their  merits.” 

Acting  on  this  cue,  the  Middlesex  County  Council,  as  might  be 
expected,  is  proposing  that  the  Government  be  pressed  for  an  amend- 
ment legalising  the  refusal  of  Sunday  opening  applications  by  general 
resolution  of  local  licensing  authorities. 

What  the  Middlesex  County  Council  would  do  is  to  take  refuge 
behind  the  Sunday  opening  measure  after  having  only  once  considered 
and — it  is  safe  to  assume — turned  down,  an  application  for  Sunday 
cinemas  in  its  area. 

The  Act  as  at  present  framed  lays  down  that  local  licensing  bodies 
must  consider  such  applications  as  may  be  made  to  them  and  may, 
providing  it  is  proved  that  there  is  a substantial  local  demand  for 
Sunday  shows,  grant  the  necessary  seven-day  licences. 

Mr.  Clynes’  new  measure  proposes  to  invest  local  authorities  with 
tremendous  powers.  It  is  imperative,  therefore,  that  the  measure 
which  ultimately  finds  its  way  to  statute  shall  ensure  that  peculiarities 
associated  with  the  distribution  of  local  franchise  shall  not  provide 
repressive  parties  with  an  opportunity  to  close  up  every  loophole 
to  public  emancipation.  There  is  room  for  a law  which  will  take  full 
cognisance  not  only  of  public  opinion  to-day,  but  of  the  changes  in 
public  opinion  which  will  arrive  with  to-morrow. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


.30 

Benevolent  Fund  Flourishes  Brevities  from  L.C.C. 

Film  Posters  to  be 

In  Spite  of  Trade  Depression  Considered 


The  6th  annual  reports  of  the  Cine- 
matograph Trade  Benevolent  Fund 
and  the  Cinematograph  Trade  Provi- 
dent Institution  were  issued  by 
R.  C.  0.  Viveash.  the  Secretary, 
yesterday.  That  relating  to  the 
Benevolent  Fund  reveals  excess 
income  over  expenditure  for  the  year 
amounting  to  £2,831  18s. 

The  year  was  commenced  with  a 
cash  balance  of  £'1.053  2s.,  and 
although  during  the  past  year  there 
has  been  an  increasing  number  of 
applications  for  assistance,  a balance 
of  1.419  13s.  5d.  is  carried  forward. 
Additional  investments  have  been 
made  during  the  year,  bringing  the 
amount  of  cash  and  investments  of 
the  fund  to  a total  of  £21.117  Is.  8d., 
made  up  as  follows 

s.  d. 

Investments  at  cost  19.697  8 3 

Cash  on  deposit  at 

bank  659  16  7 

Cash  with  Secretary  9 16  10 

The  report  states  the  general  depression 

lias  reflected  in  the  work  of  the  organisation 
and  increased  the  number  of  cases  dealt 
with.  As  a result  of  the  valuation  of  the 
Trade  Provident  Institution  as  at  December 
31.  1929,  the  Committee  of  the  Institution, 
which  is  affiliated  to  the  Benevolent  Fund, 
decided  to  meet  the  applications  of  members 
as  from  October  1,  1930. 

The  total  number  of  cases  dealt 
with  by  the  Institution  and  the  Fund 
to  March  31st  last  amounted  to  223, 
an  increase  of  70  on  the  previous  12 
months. 

The  beginning  of  the  year  under  review 


Delehanty  on 


Production  and  distribution  plans  of 
P.D.C.,  Ltd.,  were  discussed  by  Thomas  S. 
Delehanty.  foreign  manager  of  R.K.O.- 
Pathe  Export  Corporation  and  director  of 
P.D.C..  Ltd.,  with  a Bioscope  representative 
yesterday  (Tuesday).  Details  of  the  com- 
pany's new  season  releases,  comprising  22 
features,  appear  elsewhere  in  this  issue,  these 
representing  the  entire  product — apart  from 
shorts  and  similar  subjects — of  the  R.K.O.- 
Pathe  studios  at  Culver  City. 

Mr.  Delehanty  stressed  the  point  that  his 
company  is  an  entirely  independent  organ- 
isation, producing  and  marketing  its  own 
films,  and  is  in  no  way  connected  with  any 
producing  or  renting  unit  either  in  U.S.A. 
or  this  country. 

He  is  combining  his  business  in  London 
with  trips  to  the  Continent,  where  he  is  to 
establish  branches  for  P.D.C.  in  Paris  and 
Berlin,  and  probably  in  other  centres.  These 
branches  will  also  take  product  of  the  Culver 
City  studios,  though  whether  special  foreign 
versions  will  be  produced  for  them  is  un- 
certain. 

Regarding  British  production,  Mr.  Dele- 
hanty was  reticent,  as  he  has  yet  to  go 
thoroughly  into  the  matter  with  Reginald 
Smith,  managing  director  of  P.D.C.  No 


there  were  11  annuitants.  This  number  has 
grown  during  the  year  to  20. 

The  report  states  that  uncertainty  re- 
garding the  Sunday  opening  question  has 
resulted  in  a considerable  loss  of  revenue, 
as  in  only  three  instances  during  the  past 
year  has  permission  been  given  by  local 
authorities  for  special  Sunday  performances 
for  the  Fund. 

The  Benevolent  Fund  is,  of  course,  also  on 
the  London  County  Council  list  of  approved 
charitable  organisations  sharing  the  proceeds 
of  Sunday  cinemas  in  the  London  area. 

The  Council  during  the  year  extended 
help  to  80  applicants  who  were  members  of 
the  trade  but  not  members  of  the  Institution. 
Provident  Institution  loans  have  also  been 
granted  free  of  interest,  amounting  to 
/234  13s. 

The  report  of  the  Provident  Institution 
shows  that  the  benefit  fund  of  this  Institution 
has  been  increased  from  /3,913  15s.  2d.  to 
£4,97!)  12s.  2d.  During  the  year  131  members 
were  admitted  to  the  Institution.  Of  these, 
18  joined  as  " B ” members,  and  1 13  as  " A ” 
members.  The  general  industrial  depression 
has  made  it  difficult  to  enlist  new  members, 
and  the  Committee  reports  a decrease  in  the 
number  of  members  at  the  end  of  the  year. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  members  of 
the  Provident  Institution,  together  with  that 
of  vice-presidents,  life  members  and  annual 
subscribers  of  the  Benevolent  Fund,  will  be 
held  at  the  offices  of  Messrs.  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  20/21,  Tower  Street,  W.C.2,  on 
Wednesday,  May  13th,  at  6.30.  Suggestions 
will  then  be  invited  for  furthering  the  interest 
of  the  trade  in  the  Fund  and  Institution,  and 
for  augmenting  membership. 


P.D.C.  Plans 


decision  has  been  reached  as  to  where  these 
pictures  are  to  be  made,  but  it  is  established 
that  they  will  be  eight  in  number,  just 
sufficient  to  comply  with  the  company’s 
Quota  obligations.  These  pictures,  Mr. 
Delehanty  assured  The  Bioscope  repre- 
sentative, will  be  judged  on  their  merits,  and 
if  considered  of  a sufficiently  high  calibre, 
will  go  into  the  R.K.O.  circuit  of  theatres  in 
America. 

Among  forthcoming  short  product,  Mr. 
Delehanty  promises  an  interesting  new  series 
of  “ illustrated  interviews  ” on  novel  lines. 
These  interviews,  conducted  by  Floyd 
Gibbons,  famous  American  war  correspondent , 
introduce  prominent  personalities  of  war- 
time days,  and  will  be  illustrated  by  flash- 
back scenes  of  the  war. 


W.  J.  Gell  Home 

W.  J.  Gell,  managing  director  of  the 
Gaumout  Company,  arrived  in  London 
late  last  (Tuesday)  evening  upon  his  return 
from  a month’s  visit  to  America. 


The  Entertainments  Committee  of  the 
L.C.C.  have  given  conditional  consent  to  the 
exhibition  of  ” Outward  Bound,”  but  have 
refused  consent  to  the  exhibition  in  premises 
licensed  by  the  Council  of  the  film  " Civilisa- 
tion,” which  is  a reissue  of  a film  publicly 
exhibited  some  years  back.  It  contains  a 
representation  of  the  figure  of  Christ  and 
for  that  reason  was  not  passed  by  the  Board 
of  Censors. 

* * * 

After  considering  a communication  from 
the  Theatrical  Traders’  Association,  Ltd., 
the  Council  have  decided  not  to  waive  the 
rules  of  management  so  as  to  permit  general 
use  of  plywood  scenery  which  has  not  been 
rendered  non-inflammable  as  required  by  the 
Council. 

* * * 

In  connection  with  a communication  from 
the  Home  Office  asking  for  information,  the 
L.C.C.  has  replied  to  the  Home  Secretary 
to  the  effect  that  it  has  been  found  that  the 
practice  of  insisting  on  strict  compliance 
with  the  rules  of  management  granted  under 
the  Cinema  Act,  1909,  has  resulted  in  smooth 
and  satisfactory  control  over  the  character 
of  cinema  exhibitions  under  their  juris- 
diction. 

They  also  added  that  the  functioning  of 
the  British  Board  of  Film  Censors  under 
Rule  8 had  satisfied  them. 

The  Council  also  have  under  consideration 
the  question  of  making  an  additional  rule 
of  management  in  connection  with  the 
exhibition  of  cinema  posters. 

London  and  Home 
Counties  Branch 

Meeting  and  Luncheon  on 
Friday 

A general  meeting  of  the  London  and 
Home  Counties  Branch  of  the  C.E.A.  will 
be  held  at  the  Balmoral  Room,  Trocadero 
Restaurant,  Shaftesbury  Avenue,  on  Friday 
next,  May  8th,  at  11.15  The  agenda 
does  not  include  any  item  relating  to  the 
Sunday  opening  question,  but  there  is  a 
provision  for  incidental  business,  to  be  taken 
by  permission  of  the  Chairman.  The  items 
on  the  formal  agenda  include  election  of  a 
delegate  to  the  General  Council  on  the  con- 
sideration of  (a)  Pre-releases  ; ( b ) Fixing 

dates  of  general  release  ; (c)  Question  of  an 
all-in  programme  ; (d)  Grading  all  per- 

centages for  programme  pictures.  The  latter 
item  is  likely  to  afford  interesting  matter  for 
discussion.  Immediately  following  the  meet- 
ing, the  usual  half-yearly  luncheon  to  mem- 
bers will  be  held. 


Sheffield  Says  “ No  ” 

Sheffield  Corporation  Watch  Committee 
has  refused  an  application  by  Warner  Bros, 
to  exhibit  the  uncertificated  film  ” Outward 
Bound  ” in  the  city.  Almost  100  per  cent, 
of  the  applications  made  to  local  licensing 
authorities  have  resulted  in  the  Censor’s  ban 
being  overruled. 


Eight  British  Pictures  : New  Schedule 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


31 


Dunning  Laboratories  : London 

Plans 

George  Humphries  & Co.  Sole  British  Agents 

Terraneau  Sails  for  U.S.  To-morrow 

Randal  Terraneau,  associated  with  George  Humphries  in  the  old-estab- 
lished film  printing  concern  George  Humphries  & Co.,  sails  aboard  the 
“ Lafayette  ” for  Hollywood  to-morrow  (Thursday)  in  order  to  complete 
arrangements  in  connection  with  the  British  development  of  the  Dunning 
process,  of  which,  The  Bioscope  is  able  to  disclose,  George  Humphries 
& Co.  have  secured  the  sole  agency  for  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

Already  this  new  photographic  process — the  invention  of  Dodge 
Dunning,  23-year-old  son  of  Carol  Dunning,  himself  a clever 
technician— has  so  revolutionised  film  production  as  to  make 
possible  the  taking  of  exterior  shots  in  the  studio,  and  the  real- 
istic filming  of  scenes  which  could  not,  owing  to  terrible  risks  to 
human  life  and  property,  have  been  filmed  in  the  ordinary  way. 

George  Humphries  and  Co.  have  had  plans  prepared  for  the  immediate 
extension  of  their  London  laboratories  and  the  work  has  to  be  completed 
within  four  months  under  heavy  penalties. 

The  necessary  apparatus  will  by  that  time  have  been  installed,  so  that 
development  and  printing  of  film  taken  on  the  Dunning  process  can  be 
undertaken  there. 

At  present  it  has  to  be  sent  to  America,  just  as  the  early  “ talkies  ” had 
to  be  sent  there  for  development. 


Australia  Back  to 
Production 

Union  Theatres  on  Location 

With  the  decision  of  Union  Theatres  to 
go  into  immediate  production  with  their 
first  venture,  " On  Our  Selection,”  Australia 
re-enters  the  produc- 
tion field.  The 
company  has  now 
assembled  its  record- 
ing equipment,  and 
is  going  to  work  on 
location.  Interiors 
will  be  shot  at  the 
Australasian  Films 
Bondi  studios. 

“ On  Our  Selec- 
tion,” a phenomen- 
ally successful  stage 
play,  was  produced 
in  silent  form  about 
twelve  years  ago. 
The  present  version 
will  be  directed  by 
Bert  Bailey,  who  has 
played  the  leading 
role  in  the  play  on 
the  stage  for  eighteen 
years,  and  who  will  repeat  the  role  in 
the  film. 

Stuart  F.  Doyle,  Union  Theatres  chief, 
says  of  this  production  : “ Opportunity  will 
be  taken  to  get  really  atmospheric  Australian 
scenes  and  sounds  into  this  film.  We  pro- 
pose to  show  the  outside  world — and  city- 
born  Australians  themselves,  for  that  matter 
— what  the  bush  really  is.  The  addition  of 
sound  gives  the  opportunity  of  capturing 
the  very  spirit  of  the  back  country,  and  of 
the  sturdy  pioneers  who  turned  the  wilder- 
ness into  productive  farm -lands.” 

Meanwhile  F.  W.  Thring,  who  recently 
sponsored  the  Efftee  production  unit,  is  to 
make  a “ talkie  ” version  of  " The  Senti- 
mental Bloke,”  which  was  originally  pro- 
duced with  success  as  a silent  picture. 

Refusal  by  “General 
Resolution  ” 

Middlesex  and  Sunday 
Opening 

The  Parliamentary  Committee  of  the 
Middlesex  County  Council,  reporting  upon 
the  Sunday  Performances  Bill,  states  : — 

" It  will  be  noticed  that  the  Bill  will 
enable  a County  Council  to  grant  licences 
in  respect  of  such  parts  of  their  area  where 
there  is  a substantial  demand  for  Sunday 
opening.  So  far  as  the  provisions  of  the  Bill 
are  concerned,  the  procedure  outlined  is 
satisfactory  for  the  purpose  of  the  local 
authority  who  may  propose  to  grant  Sunday 
opening  licences. 

“ Where  the  opposite  will  be  the  case, 
no  provision  is  made  for  the  refusal  of 
applications  by  general  resolution,  and, 
in  the  event  of  the  Bill  passing  in  its 
present  form,  the  Council  would  be 
compelled  to  receive  and  consider  on 
their  merits  applications  for  Sunday 
opening. 

" The  Committee  is  of  opinion  that 
representations  should  be  made  to  the 
Government  that  provision  for  a refusal 
of  applications  by  general  resolution 
should  be  inserted.” 


Mr.  Terraneau,  in  an  interview  with  The 
Bioscope,  disclosed  his  tremendous  enthu- 
siasm in  connection  with  the  Dunning  process, 
which  has,  of  course,  been  used  entirely 
without  any  special  mention  in  many  recent 
American  pictures.  Basil  Dean,  who  used 
the  system  in  his  newly  completed  Gracie 
Fields’  “ talkie,”  " Sally  in  Our  Alley,”  is 
the  first  British  producer  to  become  in- 
terested. Dodge  Dunning,  as  first  stated  in 
The  Bioscope,  came  over  to  supervise  the 
filming  of  this  production  at  Beaconsfield 
Studios. 

Already  nearly  every  British  producing 
company  is  preparing  to  adopt  the  Dunning 
system.  Some  of  the  more  amazing  shots 
in  " Trader  Horn  ” were  secured  by  this 
new  process,  and  Howard  Hughes  used  the 
Dunning  method  when  filming  the  scene  in 
“ Hell’s  Angels  ” where  the  giant  airship 
falls  in  flames  almost  on  top  of  two  airmen 
sitting  in  a stationary  airplane. 

This  picture,  already  seen  by  a large 
number  of  exhibitors,  may  be  used  as  an 
example  in  explaining  how  the  Dunning 
process  operates. 

First  a shot  of  the  falling  airship  was 
taken  on  a special  film  transparency.  After 
being  developed,  this  was  threaded  into  the 
camera  and  the  two  airmen  sitting  in  the 
stationary  plane  were  filmed  in  the  studio 
in  the  ordinary  way,  the  image  on  the  trans- 
parency being  arranged  in  alignment  so  as 
to  convey  to  the  final  negative  images  of 
the  airship  falling  right  on  to  the  airplane. 

It  will  be  appreciated  that  the  process 
offers  practically  unlimited  scope  for  the 
filming  of  artists  apparently  on  distant 
locations  to  which  they  need  never  be  taken, 
or  for  the  taking  of  scenes  which  would  be 
far  too  hazardous  to  risk  in  actuality. 

Studio  apparatus  involved  in  the  Dunning 
process  is  comparatively  simple  and  inex- 
pensive, considered  apart  from  the  outlay 
it  saves.  Three  spool  boxes  are  necessary 
on  the  camera,  the  extra  one  taking  the 


developed  transparency.  Apart  from  this 
and  certain  lens  adjustments,  the  secret  is 
one  mainly  of  special  lights.  Amber  lighting 
is  used  for  the  transparency,  and  blue  for 
the  studio  shot.  Terrific  possibilities  are  also 
suggested,  says  Mr.  Terraneau,  by  a com- 
bination of  the  Dunning  process  and  the 
Schufftan  system,  imder  which  scenes  may 
be  artificially  augmented  by  models  reflected 
by  special  mirrors  into  the  lens  of  the  camera. 

The  acquisition  by  George  Humphries  6- 
Co.  of  the  sole  Dunning  agency  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  places  the  company  still 
more  to  the  forefront.  Already  they  are 
printing  practically  the  whole  output  of  the 
independent  British  producers,  in  addition 
to  that  of  two  subsidiaries  of  the  Gaumont 
Corporation  and  the  British  films  produced 
by  several  leading  American  companies. 

In  addition  to  visiting  Hollywood,  Mr. 
Terraneau  will  attend  the  American  Con- 
vention of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture 
Engineers  on  May  25th. 

Whose  Job  ? 

Should  Magistrates  or  Coun- 
cils Issue  Licences  ? 

Should  the  function  of  licensing  picture 
theatres  be  in  the  hands  of  the  magistrates 
or  the  town  council  ? This  issue  was  debated 
by  the  Southport  Town  Council  on  Tuesday 
(May  5th)  on  a motion  by  five  members  that 
it  is  desirable  that  the  licensing  of  cinemas 
should  continue  to  be  delegated  to  the 
Borough  Justices  as  at  present,  and  that 
the  member  of  Parliament  for  the  borough 
be  requested  to  table  an  amendment  to  the 
Sunday  Performances  Bill  now  before  Par- 
liament to  authorise  the  delegation  of  grant- 
ing licences  from  county,  city  and  borough 
councillors  to  borough  magistrates. 


32 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


French  Circuits  to  Merge? 

“ L’Opera  de  Quat’  Sous  ” for  London 

(From  Our  French  Correspondent,  Georges  Clarriere) 


Rumours  of  a giant  French  cricuit,  now 
floating  round  the  French  Press,  come  not 
from  Paris,  but  from  Berlin.  Some  time  ago 
there  was  an  attempt  to  bring  together  the 
Pathe-Natan  circuit  (65  halls)  and  the 
Gaumont-Aubert  circuit  (48  halls),  but 
financial  difficulties  prevented  it.  Several 
other  projects  of  the  kind,  linking  Pathe- 
Natan  with  the  Brezillon  circuit  and  with 
others,  have  been  attempted,  but  nothing 
has  come  of  them.  Pathe-Natan  has  a 
scheme  on  hand  to  help  small  exhibitors 
who  cannot  afford  to  “ wire  ” and  to  supply 
them  with  programmes  all  the  year  round,  and 
it  is  probably  this  scheme,  which  is  con- 
firmed on  one  hand  and  denied  on  the  other, 
that  has  given  rise  to  the  present  rumours. 
In  any  case,  union  between  the  different 
French  circuits  is  certainly  in  view,  and 
Pathe-Natan  is  the  chief  amongst  producer- 
distributor-exhibitor  concerns  which  seeks  to 
create  such  a grouping. 

* * * 

It  is  very  likely  that  G.  W.  Pabst’s  latest 
film,  " L’Opera  de  Quat’  Sous,”  which  cost 
7,000,000  francs  to  make,  will  be  shown,  in 
French,  in  London  within  the  next  few 

months,  or  maybe  weeks.  Meanwhile,  the 

picture,  which  has  twice  been  presented  to 
the  trade,  and  with  enormous  success,  is 
held  up,  not  by  the  Censorship,  but  by  the 
Ministere  de  l’lnterieur  and  by  the  Prefet 
de  Police.  Suggestions  have  been  made  that 
the  film  is  of  a mendacious  nature,  because 
it  deals  with  a chief  of  police  who  failed  in 
Iris  duty.  This  film  is  a German-made 
production  of  Warner-Tobis  in  Berlin  and 
is  handled  in  France  by  Warner-First- 

National,  of  which  concern  Robert  Schless 
is  managing  director. 

Mr.  Schless  tells  me  that,  in  order  to 
settle  the  question,  a special  showing  of  the 


film  is  to  be  given  before  members  of  Par- 
liament and  officials  of  the  Ministere  de 
l’lnterieur,  the  Ministere  des  Beaux- Arts,  the 
Prefecture  of  Police,  the  Paris  Municipality 
and  the  representatives  of  all  the  artistic 
and  literary  societies  in  Paris.  Both  lay  and 
trade  Press  are  entirely  in  favour  of  the  film, 
which  is  probably  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
intellectual  productions  ever  made  in  a 
European  studio. 

* * * 

Preparations  are  being  made  at  the 
Courbevois  Studios  for  the  production,  by 
Jean  Kemm,  of  Reginald  Berkeley’s  behind- 
the-lines  comedy,  “ French  Leave,”  the 
French  title  of  which  is  " La  Fuite  a 
l'Anglaise.”  The  stars  are  Leon  Belieres  and, 
possibly,  Madeleine  Carroll,  if  arrangements 
can  be  made. 

* * * 

The  annual  congress  of  the  International 

Federation  of  Cinema  Directors  takes  place 

this  year  from  May  18th  to  22nd,  at  Rome. 
Whether  many  French  exhibitors  will  attend 
or  not  remains  to  be  seen.  The  Exhibitors’ 
Syndicate  will  be  represented  by  its  pre- 
sident, Raymond  Lussiez,  while  the  honorary 
president,  Leon  Brezillon,  will  attend.  The 
French  trade,  however,  is  much  too  busy  to 
trouble  about  such  meetings,  especially  in 
view  of  the  business  expected  during  the 
period  of  the  International  Colonial  Exhibi- 
tion at  Vir»cennes. 

* * * 

The  new  Alhambra  is  to  open  in  about 
two  months’  time.  The  new  hall  has  been 
designed  by  Georges  Gumpel  on  very  modern 
lines  and  holds  2,000  seats.  The  Alhambra, 
which  belongs  to  one  of  the  concerns  in  the 
Gaumont-British  group,  will  probably  open 
as  a cinema-music  hall. 


Paramount  Joinville  Plans 

Six  Stages  Working 

(By  a Special  Paris  Correspondent) 


With  a budget  of  200,000,000  francs  for 
the  coming  season’s  activities  the  Paramount 
studios  in  Joinville  have  started  their  second 
year’s  production  programme. 

An  announcement  to  this  effect  has  just 
been  made  by  Robert  T.  Kane,  general 
manager  of  European  productions  for  Para- 
mount, following  a series  of  conferences 
with  J.  H.  Seidelman,  assistant  manager  of 
the  foreign  division ; John  Cecil  Graham, 
general  foreign  representative  ; I.  Blumenthal, 
assistant  general  foreign  representative  ; 
and  David  Souhami,  division  manager  in 
charge  of  distribution  for  France,  Spain, 
Portugal  and  Italy. 

During  the  past  year  the  studios  have 
turned  out  over  150  films,  as  many  as  four- 
teen languages  being  recorded  there.  Pro- 
duction during  the  past  twelve  months 
represented  nearly  100  features.  Buildings 
cover  20,000  square  metres,  including  six 
sound  stages  equipped  with  Western  Electric. 

Plans  already  competed  for  1931  call  for 
production  of  both  feature  films  and  comedies. 
About  50  per  cent,  of  the  pictures  are  to  be 
made  in  French  and  the  others  principally 
in  Spanish,  German  and  Swedish. 


The  Committee  of  Authors  recently 
organised  to  select  original  stories  for  pro- 
duction at  Joinville  includes  many  of  the 
best-known  writers  of  France,  under  the 
chairmanship  of  Pierre  Benoit.  Some  of  the 
works  already  designated  for  filming  in  the 
near  future  are  “ Marius,”  by  Marcel  Pagnol  ; 
" Rien  ne  va  Plus,”  by  Saint  Granier  ; 
" L’Homme  en  Habit,”  by  Yves  Mirande  ; 
and  an  original  by  Sacha  Guitry. 

Several  French  super-productions  are  to 
be  based  on  stories  now  being  prepared  by 
Pierre  Benoit,  Edouard  Bourdet,  Paul 
Morand  and  Saint  Granier,  who,  in  addition 
to  his  literary  contributions,  has  been 
engaged  as  a permanent  supervising  pro- 
ducer. 

Among  the  directors  who  will  be  in  charge 
of  the  new  productions  are  Louis  Mercanton, 
now  working  with  the  Paramount  pro- 
duction unit  at  Elstree,  where  Cyril  Maude 
is  starring  in  " These  Charming  People  " ; 
Alexander  Korda ; Leo  Mittler  ; Roger 
Capellani  ; Dimitri  Buchowetzki,  Jean  de 
Marguenat,  E.  W.  Emo  and  Adelqui  Millar. 


Our  Stable  Industry 

Growing  List  of  Film 
Stockholders 

(By  Our  New  York  Correspondent, 

E.  A.  Rovelstad ) 

That  not  less  than  112,000  stockholders 
own  five  leading  enterprises  in  the  motion 
picture  industry  is  the  important  information 
obtained  in  a survey.  Thirty-five  years  ago 
the  industry  was  in  the  hands  of  one  man. 

The  last  two  years  have  seen  a rapid 
growth  in  the  number  of  holders  of  motion 
picture  shares.  This  development  observers 
see  as  the  outcome  of  increased  public 
recognition  of  the  film  industry  as  being 
among  the  more  stable  businesses  in  a 
period  when  the  general  situation  has  put 
many  classes  of  investment  to  the  test. 

This  gain  in  the  number  of  stockholders 
of  the  major  units  is  concomitant  with  the 
advent  and  rise  of  the  sound  picture,  which 
required  large  amounts  of  new  capital. 

Most  rapid  growth  in  stockholder  totals 
is  shown  by  R.K.O.,  which  has  made  a gain 
of  19,500  since  1928  to  reach  its  present 
figure  of  approximately  21,000.  And  Fox, 
which  had  758  early  in  1928,  now  lists 
10,000  stockholders. 

* * * 

The  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and 
Sciences  in  Hollywood  is  considered  to  be 
the  logical  institution  to  solve  the  impasse 
reached  in  the  relations  between  studios  and 
artists’  agents,  following  the  decision  of  the 
producers  to  put  up  the  bars  against  all 
agents,  their  contacts  to  be  limited  to  the 
casting  office. 

Many  causes  have  led  up  to  this  concerted 
action  on  the  part  of  the  studios.  Numerous 
efforts  have  been  made  to  get  the  agents 
together,  but  without  success,  and  the 
result  is  that  responsible  agents  must  be 
penalised  because  of  the  " throat-cutting,” 
splitting  of  commissions  and  " ambulance 
chasing”  tactics  of  the  “racketeering” 
element. 

Another  question  also  raised  is  whether 
there  should  be  an  agents’  branch  of  the 
Academy.  It  is  generally  agreed  that  the 
responsible  group  of  agents  has  an  important 
function,  and  the  suggestion  is  made  that 
the  Academy  could  render  a valuable  service 
to  its  members  by  acting  as  arbiter  between 
agents,  their  clients  and  the  producers. 

Liverpool  “A”  Films 
Case 

Summonses  Adjourned 

Pending  the  result  of  the  appeal  in  the 
Liverpool  " A ” films  case,  a number  of 
summonses  against  Liverpool  exhibitors, 
which  were  issued  for  hearing  on  Thursday 
last,  have  been  put  back  for  eight  weeks. 

The  " offence  ” of  exhibiting  in  the  presence 
of  children  under  16,  without  the  express 
consent  of  the  justices,  films  which  had  not 
been  passed  for  universal  exhibition  by  the 
British  Board  of  Film  Censors,  was  com- 
mitted by  the  proprietors  and  licensees  of 
five  cinemas,  all  of  whom  were  named  in  the 
informations. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Recorder  at 
the  Quarter  Sessions  upheld  the  validity  of 
the  stipendiary’s  ruling,  and  now  the  further 
appeal  by  the  C.E.A.  on  behalf  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Burlington  cinema,  there  was 
no  other  course  open  to  the  magistrates  but 
to  adjourn  the  further  summonses  until  after 
a decision  is  given. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


33 


Get  Rid  of  the 

“Inferiority  Complex” 

British  Recording  is  up  to  Hollywood  Standard 

By  MARCUS  F.  COOPER 

(, Recordist  to  British  Lion) 

M.  F.  Cooper 


IT  seems  generally  agreed  that  the  British 
film  industry  suffers  from  lack  of  pub- 
licity. We  have  ideals  and  traditions  to 
maintain  ; we  have  been  told  that  modesty 
even  in  business  is  a virtue,  and  we  seem 
to  have  swallowed  a most  indigestible  un- 
truth. 

Psychologists,  who  as  everyone  knows, 
are  a race  apart,  tell  us  that  modesty  and 
reticence  where  commercial  interests  are 
concerned  is  an  extremely  reliable  and 
certain  method  of  committing  suicide.  They 
tell  us  other  things  as  well,  but,  for  the 
present,  this  will  suffice. 

“ I adore  the  ' talkies,’  ” a certain  elderly 
and  highly  respectable  matron  said  to  me 
recently,  “ but  if  a British  picture  happens 
to  be  showing  at  my  favourite  cinema — -well, 
I just  go  somewhere  else,  that’s  all.”  I 
questioned  her  further,  and  soon  elicited  the 
fact  that  the  pictures  she  liked  were  of  the 
more  " daring  ” variety,  although  she  would 
undoubtedly  have  shuddered  if  I had  men- 
tioned the  word  “sex”  in  connection  with 
them.  Diagnosed,  she  is  one  of  those  people 
suffering  from  both  Freudian  repression  and 
over-susceptibility  to  American  publicity 
methods.  I do  not  wish  to  imply  that  there 
is  anything  wrong  with  American  methods, 
but,  rather,  that  this  nation  makes  films 
as  good  technically,  as  good  artistically,  as 
" naughty,”  and  very  often  even  more  sug- 
gestive than  the  foreign  products.  Our 
trouble  is  that  we  fail  to  let  the  world  know 
about  it,  and  seem  to  be  suffering  from  an 
incurable  “ inferiority  complex.” 

It  might  seem  perfectly  natural  for  British 
recording — the  youngest,  the  most  energetic 
and  the  most  scientific  addition  to  the  in- 
dustry— to  take  a similar  rear  seat,  but  if  the 
men  who  have  already  put  their  backs  into 
it  over  here  know  anything  about  it  at  all, 
the  reverse  will  be  the  case. 

British  is  Equal  to  American 

Here  at  last  we  have  something  that  can 
“ speak  for  itself.”  Something  the  relative 
merits  of  which  are  instantly  apparent  even 
to  the  most  uneducated  audience.  To-day 
the  best  British  recording  is  in  every  way 
equal  to  the  best  American  examples — only 
the  comparison  is  odious.  On  the  other  end 
of  the  scale,  the  worst  types  of  American 
recording  is  worse  than  anything  we  are 
capable  of.  If  you  want  confirmation  of 
this,  just  glance  at  any  issue  of  The  Bioscope 
and  read  the  criticisms  of  “ Sound  ” under 
“ Box  Office  Reviews  ” of  the  British  and 
foreign  films  reported. 

It  is  true  that  most  of  the  recording  equip- 
ment in  this  country  is  of  American  manu- 
facture, but  it  is  equally  true  that  this  gear 
placed  in  incompetent  hands  is  capable  of 
giving  results  too  awful  for  words.  Some 
of  the  British  systems  in  use  are  now  giving 
results  of  the  highest  standard.  I had  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  some  “rushes”  re- 


corded on  the  Visatone  apparatus  at  the 
Stoll  Studios  a short  while  ago,  and  the 
results  were  all  that  could  be  wished  for. 

Apart  from  turning  out  consistent  and 
reliably  good  sound,  the  latest  developments 
are  being  well  looked  after  in  this  country  as 
well.  At  Beaconsfield  many  experiments  are 
in  progress,  and  a form  of  directional  micro- 
phone is  being  developed  which  will  enable 
“close-up”  quality  sound  to  be  recorded 
with  the  microphone  at  a distance  in  excess 
of  15  feet  from  the  artist. 

Saving  Time  and  Money 

Important  commercial  advantages  depend 
on  this  ability  to  pick  up  sound  at  a dis- 
tance, for  it  then  becomes  possible  to  shoot 
both  the  long  shot  and  close-up  pictures 
simultaneously,  and  using  the  directional 
microphone  to  record  all  the  sound  in  close-up 
quality  only.  When  the  picture  and  sound 
track  is  cut,  the  sound  track  is  then  re- 
recorded, and  by  means  of  an  “ echo- 
chamber  ” arrangement,  such  as  the  one  in 
use  at  the  B.B.C.,  the  exact  amount  of  re- 
verberation required  to  give  the  right  degree 
of  sound  perspective  in  the  long  and  mid- 
shots is  added. 

Now  that  sound  re-recording  channels 
have  reached  a high  standard  of  perfection, 
and  it  is  possible  to  re-record  dialogue  and 
music  with  no  loss  perceptible  to  the  ear, 
the  following  important  commercial  ad- 
vantages become  possible  : 

(1)  Saving  of  production  time  is  assured 
by  shooting  the  long-shots  and  close-ups 
together. 

(2)  Improved  sound  perspective  and 
naturalness  of  reproduction  is  attained. 

(3)  A second  sound  negative  is  obtained 
which  is  free  from  joins  and,  hence,  mechani- 
cally superior. 

(4)  The  original  sound  negative  is  pre- 
served intact. 

(5)  Adjustments  in  recorded  sound  level 
can  be  made  where  necessary,  should  these 
be  required,  so  that  theatre  cue  sheets  are 
simplified. 

All  these  points  mean  increased  speed  and 
economy  in  production,  and  there  is  little 
doubt  that  this  practice  will  eventually  be 
universally  adopted. 

Sound  Perspective 

At  Beaconsfield  great  effort  has  always 
been  made  to  give  the  correct  sound  per- 
spective in  all  circumstances,  and  the 
practice  I have  adopted  represents  a combi- 
nation of  two  principles.  Firstly,  the  recorded 
level  for  dialogue  spoken  by  an  artist  in 
long-shot  is  slightly  lower  than  that  for  a mid- 
shot, and  this,  in  turn,  is  less  than  that  used 
for  a close-up.  Secondly,  by  suitable  micro- 
phone placement,  and  by  controlling  the 
acoustics  of  the  set,  increased  reverberation 
is  introduced  in  inverse  proportion  to  the 
size  of  the  figure  on  the  screen.  An  extreme 


example  of  this  is  to  be  heard  in  " Should 
a Doctor  Tell,”  where  in  the  hospital  set  the 
voice  of  a patient  in  another  ward  is  heard 
“ echoing  through  the  long  corridors.” 
Actually,  of  course,  the  “ distant  patient  ” 
was  on  the  same  set,  although  naturally  out 
of  picture. 

In  this  country,  too,  research  is  being 
carried  out  to  reduce  the  photographic  losses 
which  are  necessarily  introduced  when  sound 
is  put  on  film  and  taken  off  again. 

These  losses  take  two  forms — loss  of  the 
higher  frequencies  to  a greater  or  less  extent 
and  loss  of  correct  wave  shape.  The  former 
can  be  corrected  by  the  introduction  of  a 
suitable  compensating  network  in  tile  electri- 
cal system.  The  latter,  however,  which  is 
usually  a form  of  rectification  as  far  as 
variable  area  track  is  concerned,  can  at 
present  only  be  reduced  at  its  source,  and 
is  a function  of  the  resolving  power  of  the 
photographic  emulsion.  In  this  connection 
certain  yellow-dyed  stocks  are  showing  great 
promise,  and  are  likely  to  be  in  use  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic  first. 

“ Remove  the  Inferiority  Complex  ” 

Space  does  not  permit  the  mention  of  a 
number  of  other  lines  in  which  progress  in 
sound  recording  is  being  made,  but  the  above 
will  give  an  inkling  that  recording  in  England 
is  at  anything  but  a standstill. 

If,  therefore,  some  of  the  “ inferiority 
complex  ” infecting  the  people  of  this  country 
could  be  removed,  it  would  then  be  realised 
that  the  British  recording  of  British  voices 
is  a science  and  an  art  that  is  unsurpassed 
even  by  our  very  good  friends  in  Hollywood. 

Warners  Seceding 
from  W.E.  ? 

Own  System  Perfect  ? 

The  possibility  of  Warners  giving  up 

Western  Electric  apparatus,  both  in  the 

studio  and  in  their  theatres,  is  emphasised 
by  the  presence  at  Burbank  of  W.  E.  Beatty, 
Warners’  patents  expert. 

Warners  have  for  a long  time  been  quietly 
perfecting  their  own  system  of  sound  record- 
ing and  reproduction,  and  it  is  reliably 

reported  that  they  are  now  almost  ready  to 
throw  out  Western  Electric. 

* * * 

It  is  reported  from  New  York  that  Pathe 
News  will  shortly  begin  a serial  disclosing 
the  five-year  plan  of  the  Russian  Soviets. 
This  is  the  first  time  a serial  has  been 
attempted  by  a newsreel.  Trouble  is  antici- 
pated with  censors,  who  may  construe  the 
revelations  as  propaganda  in  the  Russian 
cause. 


34 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


TALK  OF  THE  TRADE 

Did  the  Censor  Read  “The  Front  Page ’’—Fleet  Street  To-morrow !— Religious  Support  for 
Sunday  Shows— Hagen’s  “ Alibi  ’’—Columbia  Eyes  the  Turntables 


F araday  House, 

Shake  May  6,  1931 

Mr.  Swaffer  ! 

This  week,  very  well  worth  relating,  I find 
myself  in  agreement  with  Hannen  Swaffer 
on  a matter  concerning  films.  He  describes 
“ The  Front  Page  ” — now  at  the  Tivoli— 
as  " a sensation.”  " It  left  me  gasping,"  he 
says.  It  left  me  gasping  too,  and  for  all  I 
know  it  may  have  rendered  the  censor 
totally  unconscious.  When  he  comes  round  I 
think  he  should  see  " The  Front  Page  ” at 
the  Tivoli.  I feel  sure  it  will  amaze  him. 
I am  not  surprised  that  the  British  Board  of 
Censors  found  the  film  too  rapid  ; it  is  the 
kind  of  picture  which  everybody  should  see 
at  least  twice  and  those  who  never  cease  to 
argue  that  " talkies  ” are  not  movies  should 
see  it  half-a-dozen  times.  “ The  Front  Page  ” 
as  Hannen  Swaffer  says,  is  a sensation.  No, 
after  all,  he  is  wrong  ; it  is  an  amazing  string 
of  sensations.  And  Lewis  Milestone,  most 
subtle  of  all  screen  satirists  has  woven  more 
serious  propaganda  into  this  picture  than  he 
did  into  his  equally  memorable  “ All  Quiet.” 

The  Luxury  of 
Guying  the  Press 

" The  Front  Page  ” is  a brilliant  satire  on 
American  Press  methods,  though,  according 
to  a title,  it  is  set  in  " a mythical  Kingdom.” 
My  dictionary  tells  me  that  a myth  is 
“ something  fabulous  ; something  untrue.” 
Howard  Hughes  seems  to  pack  satire  not  only 
into  his  pictures,  but  into  his  titles  ! 
Personally,  I refuse  to  take  either  Hughes  or 
Milestone  seriously.  Even  though  there  may 
be  more  Soviet  propaganda  in  “ The  Front 
Page  ” than  in  “ Potemkin  ” or  any  other 
uncensored  Russian  picture,  I am  undis- 
mayed. It  is  not  necessarily  Bolshevik  to 
“ guy  the  Press  ” on  the  screen.  And  it  is 
one  of  the  very  few  luxuries  left  exclusively 
to  a young  millionaire  with  a tongue  and 
cheek  like  Howard  Hughes. 

Fleet  Street  of 
To-morrow  ? 

" The  Front  Page  ” is  a film  which  cannot 
fail  to  arouse  exceptional  interest  everywhere 
if  only  because  of  its  reckless  speed  and 
apparently  uncurbed  dialogue.  It  is  talk  and 
action  every  moment,  and  some  of  either 
would  burn  a hole  in  a slower  moving 
picture  ! The  story  is  related  fully  in  our 
review  pages,  but  briefly  it  tells  of  a corrupt 
municipal  administration  which  does  not 
hesitate  to  " frame  ” a convicted  man’s 
execution  in  order  to  influence  votes.  The 
Press  is  shown  as  a crowd  of  human  vultures, 
hovering  near  the  scene  to  get  the  thickest 
blood  in  the  form  of  the  most  heart  sickening 
story.  Hannen  Swaffer,  G.  A.  Atkinson  and 
others,  have  described  " The  Front  Page  ” 
as  " a libel  on  journalism,”  an  " insult  to 
journalists,”  and  so  on.  To-day  it  is.  To- 
morrow it  may  not  be,  for  is  not  Fleet  Street 
in  its  relentless  daily  search  for  fresh  sensa- 
tion, heading  for  just  that  heartlessness ; 
that  repugnant  disregard  for  decency  ; that 
cold-blooded  penetration  of  human  intimacies 
which  Hughes  and  Milestone  have  shown  us 
in  " The  Front  Page.”  There  is  time  to  stop, 
but  who  will  be  first  to  put  on  the  brake  ? 
Can  Hannen  Swaffer  tell  us  that  ? 

Will  Hays — 

And  Our  Censorship 

Just  when  Will  Hays  has  decided  that 
America  is  too  moral  for  any  more  gangster 


stories  and  has  ruled  that  the  thrills  of  our 
own  Edgar  Wallace  must  not  be  for  the 
screens  of  U.S.A.,  it  is  well  to  consider  the 
attitude  of  our  own  censorship  to  the  filming 
of  matter  nearest  to  the  hearts  of  the  masses 
of  Great  Britain.  He  passes  ribald  jests 
turning  on  child-birth  and  other  natural 
functions  usually  accorded  respectful  recog- 
nition, but  forbids  a British  picture -goer  to 
see  a picture  of  say  the  celebration  of  the 
Eucharist.  He  does  not  object  to  a plain 
suggestion  that  “ a new  born  baby  has  been 
carefully  scrutinised  by  the  police  in  case  he 
may  be  the  escaped  criminal  who  has  been 
hiding  in  some  place,”  but  he  does  forbid  an 
honest  and  straightforward  reference  to 
birth  control,  even  though  this  may  be  an 
essential  and  legitimate  part  of  the  film  story . 

“ Hollywood  Second  Only 
To  Gomorrah  ” 

It  is  becoming  too  painfully  ridiculous , 
and  unless  something  is  done  by  the  trade 
very  quickly,  words  uttered  last  week  by 
J.  A.  R.  Cairns,  the  London  Police  Magistrate, 
may  prove  prophetic.  " The  true  censor,”  he 
said,  " is  decent  public  opinion.”  He  had  just 
said,  " I do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  Hollywood 
is  earning  a distinction  second  only  to 
Gomorrah.”  One  would  like  to  be  able  to 
answer  Mr.  Cairns  and  others  who  may  be 
given  to  exaggeration,  but  a farcical  censor- 
ship, such  as  is  operative  here  at  present, 
makes  it  doubly  difficult  to  do  so.  Severity  is 
not  essential ; but  a sense  of  proportion 
and  a due  recognition  of  public  opinion  is. 

After 

All 

During  the  whole  of  next  week  Leopold 
Linder,  proprietor  of  the  Stratford  Palladium , 
is  screening  the  Soviet  film,  " The  Ghost 
That  Never  Returns,”  which,  although  not 
passed  by  the  Censor,  is  licensed  by  the 
Local  Authority. 

Religious  Support 
For  Sunday  Freedom 

In  view  of  support  for  Sunday  cinemas 
which  has  been  forthcoming  from  many 
progressive  religious  movements,  it  may 
interest  the  trade  to  have  the  views  of  the 
Spiritualistic  fraternity  as  expressed  by 
Ernest  W.  Oaten,  editor  of  the  recognised 
Spiritualist  journal,  " The  Two  Worlds.” 
He  says  : " One  of  the  basic  principles  of 
successful  life  is  personal  responsibility. 
When  all  is  said  and  done,  a man  is  answer- 
able  for  his  own  life  and  has  to  meet  the 
consequences  of  it.  With  snug  self-com- 
placency, however,  the  majority  of  people 
seem  to  imagine  that  it  is  their  business  to 
interfere  with  the  life  of  everybody  else, 
and  so  relieve  individuals  of  self-respon- 
sibility. To  imagine  that  men  can  be  forced 
to  go  to  church  by  depriving  them  of  any 
other  legitimate  form  of  activity  is  merely 
a case  of  burying  one’s  head  in  the  sand.” 
So  much  for  the  progressive  Spiritualist’s 
point  of  view  : they  evidently  fear  Sunday 
competition  as  much  as  they  fear  the  charges 
laid  against  them  of  being  in  league  with 
the  devil ! 

Lil  Dagover 
Goes  Over 

I always  suspected  Gus  Schlesinger.  For 
years  he  described  himself  as  a bachelor 
and  quite  unspoilt,  but  he  kept  on  being 
Warner  Brothers’ General  European  Manager, 


spending  his  whole  life  on  the  Continent, 
save  for  100  h.p.  visits  to  London  and  New 
York,  now  and  again.  He  is  so  infectious 


Gus  Schlesinger  signing  up  Lil  Dagover  for 
Warner  Brothers  and  Vitaphone  pictures 


in  the  personality  sense  that  I couldn’t  fail 
to  suspect  him  as  a bachelor  of  keenly 
discriminative  powers.  A message  from 
Leila  Stewart,  Warner’s  publicity  chief, 
confirms  my  suspicions.  Gus  has  just  fixed 
up  an  important  contract  with  Lil  Dagover, 
Germany’s  most  fascinating  screen  star, 
who  goes  at  once  to  Hollywood,  there  to 
appear  in  Warner  Brothers  and  Vitaphone 
pictures.  And  he  once  told  me  his  astrology 
was  so  bad  he  didn’t  know  Venus  from  any 
other  star  ! 


A Complete 
Mystery  Film 

I am  not  surprised  to  hear  that  W.  & F. 
are  meeting  with  extraordinary  requests 
from  exhibitors  in  connection  with  the 
Twickenham  film  “ Alibi,”  based  on  the 
well-known  Agatha  Christie  mystery.  I 
was  not  able  to  see  the  picture  when  it  was 
trade  shown  recently,  but  I’ve  since  had  a 
private  view  of  it,  and  I feel  that  provincial 
exhibitors  to  whom  it  is  now  being  presented 
will  agree  that  this  is  one  of  the  most  gripping 
of  all  the  mystery  yarns  which  Julius  Hagen 
has  produced.  Several  Greater  London 
exhibitors  are  now  trying  to  arrange  bars 
which  will  exclude  their  current  opposition, 
for  the  film  is  expected  to  go  the  rounds  of 
the  P.C.T.  halls,  and  pretty  high  percentages 
are  being  paid  in  some  instances.  One  of 
the  most  outstanding  features  of  ” Alibi  ” is 
the  singularly  fine  performance  of  Austin 
Trevor  as  the  detective  Poirot.  I have 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


35 


heard  plenty  of  British  actors  trying  to  ape 
French  detectives,  but  never  one  who  just 
didn’t  act  at  all  but  simply  became  one.  I 
am  not  surprised  to  learn  that  Julius  Hagen 
is  making  big  plans  in  connection  with  Trevor’s 
screen  future.  Cinema  audiences  seeing  "Alibi" 
will,  I feel,  be  kept  in  suspense  to  the  last 
moment.  I confess  I failed  entirely  to  detect 
the  criminal  until  the  climax  was  within  a few 
feet.  Leslie  Hiscott’s  direction  has  made 
" Alibi  ” the  complete  mystery  film,  and 
the  photography  and  recording  are  tip-top. 


Phyllis  Konstam  and  [Jack  Raymond,  star  and 
director  of  Sterling’s  successful  new  picture, 
“ Tilly  of  Bloomsbury  ’’ 


Julius  Hagen  is  to  be  congratulated  on 
having  added  another  worth-while  British 
picture  to  the  lengthening  list  of  Twickenham 
product. 

Sterling 

Entertainers 

Louis  Zimmerman  should  rename  his 
company ; it  should  be  called  Sterling 
Entertainers,  for  this  would  imply  not  only 
a sterling  film  output  but  a capacity  for 
dispensing  equally  sterling  hospitality  such 
as  followed  the  “ Tilly  of  Bloomsbury  ” 
show  on  Wednesday.  " Tilly  ” was  very 
well  received,  and  afterwards  at  the  Carlton 
Hotel,  Louis  Zimmerman  and  his  co-directors 
entertained  a large  party  of  friends,  which 
included  nearly  all  the  principal  trade  per- 
sonalities as  well  as  the  distinguished  members 
of  the  film  Press.  There  were  no  speeches  ; 
a Sterling  innovation  in  itself,  because  had 
there  been,  very  few  of  those  present  could 
possibly  have  followed  them,  I fear.  Dancing 
was  the  principal  pastime,  and  among  those 
most  constantly  on  the  floor  were  Jack 
Raymond,  who  directed  " Tilly,”  Arthur 
Dent,  of  Wardour,  Phyllis  Konstam,  who 
played  the  name  part  of  the  film  with 
delightful  ease,  and  Sydney  Howard,  whose 
comedy  work  has  made  the  picture  a sure-fire 
booking  for  every  happy-go-lucky  cinegoer. 

Audiences  Getting 
Sophisticated 

Talking  pictures  are  making  audiences 
much  more  alert  and  sophisticated.  Any 


regular  student  of  audience  reactions  must 
admit  that  patrons  are  "quicker  i’  th’ 
uptak’  ” — to  borrow  a vivid  Scotticism — 
than  ever  before,  and  story  points  are  followed 
with  appreciation  which  would  have  fallen 
flat  a year  or  two  ago.  One  commentator 
points  out  that  with  this  increased  alertness 
and  sophistication  has  come  cynicism,  a 
tendency  to  ridicule  overt  affection  and 
stressed  emotion.  I am  more  concerned  in 
pointing  out  that  our  people  are  increasingly 
critical  of  technical  points.  Patrons  discuss 
the  voice  quality  and  music  quality  of  sound 
and  compare  it  with  other  films  and  other 
houses.  Studio  fakes  are  recognised  (often 
when  they  do  not  exist  !)  and  camera  tricks 
are  no  longer  mysteries,  the  growing  army 
of  amateur  workers  having  solved  all  of  them 
and  explained  them  to  their  friends.  Managers 
more  commonly  get  requests  for  the  sound 
to  be  " turned  up  ” by  people  who  now 
know  that  it  is  possible,  and,  in  a word, 
intelligent  criticism  is  taking  the  place  of 
inert  acceptance.  It  is  all  to  the  good. 

Cameramen  s 
Wages 

There  is  a certain  amount  of  trouble 
developing  in  New  York  between  the  news- 
reel producers  and  the  four  cameramen’s 
unions.  The  cameramen  have  presented  a 
standard  form  of  contract  substantially  in 
advance  of  present  conditions.  At  the 
moment  cameramen  are  paid  from  £8  to 
/30  a wek,  and  are  not  provided  with 
assistants.  Under  the  proposed  contract, 
news  cameramen  would  be  graded  first  and 
second-class,  the  former  to  receive  £'40  a 
week  and  the  latter  £(30  a week.  Each  class 
would  require  assistants,  who  would  get 
£8  a week.  A process  man,  also,  would  be 
assigned  to  each  sound  truck  to  operate  the 
sound.  The  producers  say  that  the  costs 
of  news-reel  production  is  already  so  high 
as  to  make  acceptance  of  these  new  terms 
impossible. 

Hollywood 
Out-of-Works  ! 

A recent  survey  of  studio  conditions  in 
America  shows  that  the  pay-roll  is  40  per 
cent,  of  normal,  not  including  union 
labour.  In  other  words,  six  out  of  every  ten 
persons  engaged  in  pictures  are  at  present 
unemployed.  No  wonder  official  steps  are 
being  taken  to  dissuade  film  aspirants,  both 
in  acting  and  technical  fields,  from  joining 
in  the  pilgrimage  to  Hollywood. 

Five-Day  Week 
for  Projectionists 

Unemployment  is  so  serious  in  some  parts 
of  America  that  the  projectionists’  local 
unions  are  adopting  a five-day  week  with  a 
view  to  providing  employment  for  a larger 
number  of  members  of  their  respective 
unions.  By  sacrificing  one  day’s  work  in 
each  week,  the  less  fortunate  members  will 
be  able  to  get  one  day’s  work  out  of  every 
six,  and  it  seems  probable  that  this  move- 
ment will  spread. 

" Seat-Phoned  ” 

Cinemas 

One  of  the  oddest  things  I know  is  the 
way  in  which  seat-phones  have  been  taken 
up  in  some  of  the  Colonies  in  comparison 
with  their  rare  use  on  this  side.  Seat -phones 
have  so  many  advantages,  even  to  people 
who  are  not  hard  of  hearing,  and  I believe 
a majority  of  cinema  seats  in  the  future 
will  be  fitted  with  them.  But  the  fact  remains 
that  to  date  only  an  occasional  theatre  puts 
them  in,  and  thinks  it  an  advertising  point 
if  six  or  eight  seats  are  fitted.  Compare 
this  with  Australia,  for  instance,  where  there 
is  only  a relatively  small  number  of  cinemas. 


but  where  one  company,  General  Acoustics, 
Ltd.,  have  supplied  their  acoustican  outfits 
to  no  fewer  than  nearly  60  cinemas.  It  is 
all  the  more  surprising  since  these  seat- 
phones  are  by  no  means  unknown  in  fields 
outside  the  cinema.  They  have,  during  the 
past  20  years,  been  installed  in  literally 
hundreds  of  churches  throughout  the  country. 
This  in  itself  makes  it  all  the  more  surprising 
that  the  cinemas  should  be  so  niggardly  in 
installing  them.  In  the  Trocadero  at  the 
Elephant  and  Castle  the  enthusiasm  ex- 
pressed for  these  hard-of-hearing  aids  has 
become  almost  embarrassing. 

i 

A Seating 
Census 

It  is  always  a little  difficult  to  estimate 
what  ratio  of  cinema  seats  is  advisable  in  any 
given  community  to  the  total  population. 
A recent  census  taken  in  the  United  States 
provides  some  very  suggestive  figures  in  this 
connection.  There  are  altogether  12,142,761 
theatre  seats  in  the  United  States,  against 
a total  population  of  122,696,577.  Taken  in 
these  gross  figures  the  ratio  works  out  at  one 
theatre  seat  for  each  10  persons.  The  pro- 
portion varies  enormously  in  different  States, 
being  as  high  as  one  seat  for  29.7  persons  in 
Carolina,  to  one  seat  for  3.8  people  in  Nevada. 
New'  York  has  one  seat  for  7.9  persons. 

Columbia 
To  the  Rescue 

For  some  time  past  our  disc  reviewers  have 
commented  on  the  relatively  small  number 
of  suitable  gramophone  records  issued 
primarily  for  the  cinema.  Recent  recordings 
submitted  to  us  for  review  have  contained  a 
very  low’  percentage  of  musical  subjects 
suitable  for  interludes,  the  accompaniment 
of  news  reels  and  other  odd  programme 
occasions.  I am,  therefore,  doubly  interested 
to  hear  that  Columbia,  with  a special  eye  on 
” talkie  ” turntables,  have  now  issued  a 
special  series.  These  include  several  popular 
overtures,  selections  of  Albert  Ketelby’s 
music,  medleys  of  classical  and  musical  airs 
and  various  marches.  Some  15  double-sided 
records  are  now  available,  each  side  playing 
from  six  to  eight  minutes.  This  should  give 
exhibitors  specialising  in  this  kind  of  music 
an  opportunity  to  build  up  their  libraries. 
Critical  reviews  of  these  records  will  appear 
in  The  Bioscope  in  due  course. 

Harvel  s Captivation  ” 

For  Ideal  Films 

I fancy  we  have  not  much  longer  to  wait 
for  the  London  presentation  of  the  first  John 
Harvel  production,  " Captivation,”  which 
stars  Betty  Stockfield  and  Conway  Tearle. 
Ideal  are,  I understand,  going  to  distribute 
the  film  after  all,  although  some  months  ago 
Murray  Silverstone,  of  United  Artists,  told 
me  that  his  company  expected  to  have  the 
picture.  " John  Harvel  ” hides  the  identity 
of  Col.  Benge,  one  of  the  promoters  of 
W.P.  Films,  and  a close  relative  of  the 
Pritchard  family  represented  in  that  title. 
Some  time  ago  he  promised  that  " Cap- 
tivation ” would  add  fresh  laurels  to  Betty 
Stockfield.  It  is  now  up  to  Ideal. 

“ Dawn  Patrol  ” 

Flying  High 

D.  E.  Griffiths,  First  National  Pathe 
chief,  tells  me  that  his  company’s  big  air 
picture,  " Dawn  Patrol,”  is  showing  amazing 
results  in  every  part  of  the  country.  Ex- 
hibitors everywhere  are  taking  a keen 
interest  in  the  scores  of  useful  selling  aids 
prepared  by  the  publicity  department  of 
First  National  Pathe,  and  in  every  locality 
special  efforts  which  are  being  made  to 
arouse  the  particular  interest  of  the  air- 
minded  are  producing  amazing  returns. 

OBSERVER 


36 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


British  Studios  To-day 


Stage  Stars  With  Big  Ideas 

Salary  Demands  Shocking  British  Producers 

The  increasing  tendency  to  engage  recognised  stage  stars  for  leading  roles  in 
British  talkers,  and  to  shun  the  risks  said  to  attend  the  creation  of  new  screen 
talent  of  stellar  rank,  is  fast  leading  to  a crisis,  in  which  British  producers  will  find 
themselves  the  weaker  parties  to  salary  arguments. 

For  the  past  three  or  four  years,  British  studio  executives  have  met  charges 
that  they  were  retarding  the  whole  progress  of  our  native  output  by  their  reluctance 
to  accord  star  honours  to  worthwhile  players  with  screen  experience.  Their  plea  has 
been  that  star  making  leads  inevitably  to  big  demands  on  costing  schedules. 

This  may  be  true,  since  there  seems  little  reason  why  a film  player  with  a big 
pull  on  the  public  should  not  take  a share  of  the  higher  receipts  resulting  from  his 
favour  with  cinema  audiences. 

This  point  of  view  British  producers  have  stolidly  declined  to  adopt,  and  one 
after  another  of  the  finest  British  screen  stars  have  been  pushed  out  of  range  of  an 
appreciative  public  which  could,  by  sound  propagandist  tactics,  have  been  doubled 
or  trebled.  Their  places  have  been  filled  by  stage  artists,  many  of  whom,  in  order 
to  break  into  pictures,  were  ready  to  regard  their  studio  earnings  as  so  much  pin 
money.  Having  achieved  film  success,  these  artists  are  now  talking  figures  which 
shock  the  ears  of  every  British  producer.  Within  the  past  month  two  feminine 
players,  recently  on  salary  lists  at  £50  per  week,  have  demanded,  and  secured,  new 
contracts  at  £100.  One  who  last  year  took  £75  has  just  turned  down  an  offer  of 
£125,  and  is  standing  out  for  £150,  while  a male  comedian,  following  recent  screen 
successes,  is  refusing  less  than  £300  a week.  Two  years  ago  he  played  in  his  first 
picture  at  £40. 

And  stage  players  of  tip-top  screen  value  are  more  and  more  difficult  to  find. 
Since  the  quota  law  passed,  not  more  than  a dozen  leading  screen  players  have  been 
“ discovered,”  and  these  have  not  been  “ built  up,”  as  Hollywood  could  have 
built  them  on  a single  picture.  Leading  British  producers  and  casting  managers  are 
now  at  their  wits’  end  to  find  talent,  notably  leading  ladies.  The  task,  which  should 
have  been  undertaken  at  least  three  years  ago,  is  still  to  be  faced.  British  executives 
will  be  forced  to  develop  screen  stars,  or  their  output,  far  from  improving,  will 
grow  steadily  worse. 


Where  Are  Our  Heroines  ? 

Four  important  British  International  pic- 
tures await  completion  of  their  casts  in  order 
to  take  the  floor. 

In  the  cases  of  " Carmen,”  to  be  directed 
by  Cecil  Lewis  ; ” Rich  and  Strange,” 

Alfred  Hitchcock’s  next  production,  and 
” Carnival,”  which  Anthony  Asquith  will 
direct  at  Welwyn,  leading  ladies  are  proving 
a serious  problem.  In  each  case  the  director 
has,  during  the  last  few  weeks,  been  scouring 
the  whole  field  for  suitable  girls. 

For  “ Carmen  ” search  is  being  made  for 
an  actress  who  represents  the  passionate 
southern  beauty  and  who,  at  the  same  time, 
can  do  vocal  justice  to  the  part. 

For  " Carnival  ” is  desired  a young, 
beautiful  girl  to  portray  Jenny  Pearl,  who 
is  also  a ballet  dancer. 

" Rich  and  Strange  ” requires  a heroine 
who  is  at  the  same  time  pretty  and  able 
convincingly  to  cook  a steak  and  kidney  pie, 
a combination  which  Hitchcock  finds  most 
difficult  to  discover. 

Guy  Newall’s  Rosary 

At  Twickenham  studios  a few  days  ago 
I came  upon  Guy  Newall  sitting  in  lordly 
comfort  in  a director’s  chair.  " How  do 
you  like  directing  again  ? ” I said.  ” Even 
better  than  acting,”  was  his  reply.  Before 
I left  I wondered  why,  for  he  was  directing 
such  a scene  ! For  W.P.  Films’  " The 
Rosary,”  he  was  shooting  a most  daring 
little  love  sequence  which  reminded  me  of 
a recent  picture  called  “ Behind  Office 
Doors.”  Leslie  Perrins,  as  a prosperous  but 
not  too  ruthlessly  good  company  director, 
was  getting  rather  enthusiastic  about  his 
charming  stenographer  (Elizabeth  Allan), 
and  if  Guy  Newall  didn’t  envy  him  I heard 
of  others  who  did.  In  this  story  two  sisters, 
one  virtuous  and  the  other  virtuous-looking, 
are  in  love  with  the  same  man.  How  one 
goes  into  a convent  to  demonstrate  her  sister- 
love  leads  to  the  title  " The  Rosary,” 
though  the  story  is  an  original  one,  entirely 
unsuggestive  of  the  old  stage  and  screen 
melodrama.  Margot  Grahame  and  Elizabeth 


Allan  are  the  sisters  in  this  new  ’’  Rosary,” 
which  it  is  expected  will  be  finished  within 
a week  or  so. 

Hiscott  to  Make  “ Black  Coffee  ” 

After  “ The  Rosary  ” is  completed — about 
May  20th,  tentatively — Julius  Hagen  will 
put  into  production  his  new  stage  story, 
" Black  Coffee,”  with  Leslie  Hiscott  directing. 
Richard  Cooper,  successful  in  several  recent 
British  pictures,  and  Austin  Trevor,  whose 
fine  work  in  “ Alibi  ” crowns  his  previous 
achievements,  will  have  two  of  the  chief 
male  roles.  Leslie  Hiscott  will  direct. 

Forde  for  “ Splinters  in  the  Navy  ” 

After  ” Black  Coffee  ” Mr.  Hagen  expects 
to  start  on  " Splinters  in  the  Navy,”  for 
which  he  has  secured  Walter  Forde  as  director 
and  Sydney  Howard  as  the  principal  male 
artist.  Independent  bookings  at  Twickenham 
are  also  fairly  close,  and  the  studios  are 
working  to  capacity  practically  day  and 
night. 

“ The  Limping  Man  ” for  the 
Blasted  Oak 

J ohn  Orton  has  taken  his  ' ' Limping  Man 
unit  on  location  into  the  local  woods  which 
are  to  supply  a background  for  many 
dramatic  sequences.  Finally  the  whole 
company  will  migrate  to  Rickmauswortli 
where  the  famous  " blasted  ” oak  of  Chenies 
Manor  is  to  be  filmed  as  the  entrance  to  a 
subterranean  passage  in  which  a thrilling 
fight  takes  place. 

T’ll  Happen  be  Shepherd’s  Bush! 

Victor  Saville  is  well  into  his  stride  with 
" Hindle  Wakes  ” at  the  Shepherd’s  Bush 
Studios,  where  the  Lancashire  accent  is  to 
be  heard  at  all  hours  of  the  day. 

Belle  Chrystall — -playing  Fanny  Haw- 
thorne— is,  of  course,  familiar  with  the 
dialect,  being  a Fleetwood  girl,  but  the 
broad  Lancashire  vowels  presented  no 
difficulties  to  Sybil  Thorndike  or  Edmund 
Gwenn  in  a sequence  I saw  being  shot  the 
other  day.  The  scene  was  the  Hawthornes’ 
best  parlour,  a place  of  knick-knacks. 


Belle  Chrystall,  who,  as  stated  in  “ The  Bioscope  ” 
last  week,  is  playing  Fanny  Hawthorne  in  Victor 
Saville’s  new  Gaumont  talker,  “ Hindle 
Wakes  ” 


aspidistras — and  a baize-fronted  piano. 
" Fanny’s  ” misdemeanour  during  " Wakes  ” 
week  had  just  been  discovered,  and  some 
fine  emotional  acting  resulted.  Belle 
Chrystall,  an  engaging  figure  of  defiance  and 
grief  ; Edmund  Gwenn,  sorely  troubled,  but 
tenderly  solicitous  ; and  Sybil  Thorndike, 
hard  and  uncompromising,  taking  a mer- 
cenary view  of  " Fanny’s  ” wilful  lapse. 
Saville  has  further  scenes  to  stage  this  week 
with  Norman  McKinnell,  John  Stuart  and 
Muriel  Angelus,  who  has  joined  the  cast  as 
“ Beatrice.”  Shortly,  Saville  goes  to  Man- 
chester or  Preston  for  authentic  mill  interiors . 

“Happy’s”  Police  Raid 

London’s  Kingsway  was  thrown  into  a 
turmoil  of  excitement  just  after  noon  on 
Saturday,  when  a fleet  of  Flying  Squad  cars 
drew  up  at  a corner  building  and  a large 
body  of  uniformed  and  plain  clothes  police 
proceeded  to  raid  a block  of  offices.  A large 
crowd,  obviously  speculating  as  to  the  cause 
of  the  raid,  foregathered  quite  unaware 
that  they  were  being  “ covered  ” by  film 
cameras  and  microphones,  for  the  whole 
affair  had  been  staged  by  1.  Hayes 
(“  Happy  ”)  Hunter  for  a scene  in  Gains- 
borough’s picture  “ The  Man  They  Couldn  t 
Arrest,”  which  is  now  on  the  point  of  com- 
pletion. 

The  Sandwich  Man 

Hay  Plumb,  Sydney  Howard's  understudy, 
who  is  making  his  " talkie  ” debut  in 
Butcher’s  new  British  picture  " Deadlock, 
will  probably  go  down  in  film  history  as 
the  sandwich  king.  He  has,  for  film  pur- 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


37 


In  Hollywood  Now 

After  Crooks Spooks ! 

Screen  Horrors  Craze  Spreading 

{By  Our  H oily  wood  Representative,  John  Dee ) 


poses,  consumed  no  less  than  two  dozen 
thick  sandwiches  in  the  past  three  days. 
When  other  artists  playing  in  the  film 
— they  include  Cameron  Carr,  Stewart  Rome, 
Warwick  Ward,  Alma  Taylor  and  Annette 
Benson — sit  down  to  lunch  Plumb  turns 
away  with  a look  of  disgust.  He  eats  no 
evening  meal  and  no  breakfast— the  studio 
sandwiches  have  got  the  better  of  him.  He 
has  appealed  to  the  director,  George  King, 
but  in  vain.  He  must  continue  his  sandwich 
eating  until  “ Deadlock  ” is  completed,  as 
he  is  shown  in  the  film  as  a publicity  manager 
who  never  has  time  for  proper  meals,  1 
could  write  a very  different  story  about 
some  film  publicity  men  I know  in  real  life. 

John  Argyle — His  Promise 

John  F.  Argyle,  of  Dryden  House  Studios , 
Tamworth,  director  of  Argyle-Art  Pictures 
Co.,  writes  telling  me  that  his  company  has 
commenced  production  of  a racing  film 
titled  “ His  Promise.”  It  is  being  made  at 
the  Reel  Arms  Studio,  Tamworth,  Staffs, 
and,  Mr.  Argyle  points  out,  “ is  set  amidst 
the  rural  beauty  of  England  ....  present- 
ing a theme  near  to  every  Englishman’s 
heart  ....  A picture  that  is  British  in  every 
foot.”  The  finale  is  a Derby  race  ! I do  not 
recollect  having  heard  of  or  from  Mr.  Argyle 
before,  but  his  publicity  sense  suggests 
experience  of  film  selling.  Those  who  think 
of  Staffs  in  terms  of  smoke  and  smuts,  will  be 
heartened  to  hear  of  its  rural  beauty.  Equity 
British  will  distribute  the  film  which  stars 
Margaret  Delane,  John  F.  Argyle  and  Rover, 
the  collie.  I wish  Mr.  Argyle  all  the  best,  and 
I do  hope  that  he  will  live  up  to  ‘ ‘ His 
Promise,”  and  vice  versa. 

Calthrop’s  Confession 

Visitors  to  the  A.S.F.I.  studio  at  Wembley 
during  the  last  ten  days  might  well  have 
imagined  themselves  in  the  middle  of  a 
particularly  hot  and  fearful  section  of  Dante’s 
Inferno.  The  contrast  with  the  gaiety  and 
life  of  the  wedding  scenes  for  " The  Bells,” 
which  had  been  filling  an  enormous  set 
during  the  previous  week,  was  extreme. 
Oscar  Werndorff  had  designed  a piece  of 
Grand  Guignol  atmosphere  for  the  concluding 
scenes  of  “ The  Bells,”  centering  round  the 
extraction  from  Donald  Calthrop  of  a con- 
fession of  his  guilt  in  connection  with  the 
crime  which  provides  the  film’s  theme.  The 
colossal  set  in  which  the  wedding  feast  and 
its  attendant  celebrations  had  taken  place 
had  been  transformed  into  a place  of  mystery. 
Weird  lighting,  shadows  foreboding  and 
hoarse  voices  added  to  the  gloom.  The 
eerie  stage  was  set  for  Donald  Calthrop  to 
begin  one  of  the  finest  acting  opportunities 
of  his  career.  Harcourt  Templeman  is 
directing,  and  the  picture  is  nearing  com- 
pletion. 

Short  Shots 

Dorothy  Bartlam,  at  present  playing 
opposite  Carl  Harbord  in  “ Fascination,” 
being  directed  by  Miles  Mander  at  Elstree, 
made  a personal  appearance  at  Blackpool 
on  Sunday  to  perform  the  inaugural  ceremony 
of  the  season  at  the  Norbreck  Hydro. 

* * * 

“ Two  Crowded  Hours,”  a detective 

thriller  by  the  well-known  writer  Jefferson 
Farjeon,  will  go  into  production  at  Walton- 
on-Thames  on  June  1st,  under  the  direction 
of  Harry  Cohen.  It  is  for  Fox  Quota. 

Prior  to  this  Arthur  Varney  will  direct 
" Rodney  Steps  In  ” at  Twickenham,  also 
for  Fox.  The  story  is  by  Brock  Williams,  and 
work  will  begin  on  May  14th. 

* * * 

Harry  Hughes  is  almost  ready  to  take 

the  floor  with  his  latest  British  International 
picture  “ The  Man  at  Six.”  Casting  is  the 
hold-up. 

W.H.M. 


Horror  is  the  next  thing.  Horror  and 
happy  families. 

Gang  warfare  pictures  are  out.  Metro, 
according  to  Felix  Feist,  will  not  make  any 
more.  Warners  and  Paramount  can’t ; they’ve 
made  all  the  gangster  stories  there  are. 

But  the  success  of  “ Dracula  ” and 
" Skippy  ” has  set  every  studio  rushing 
to  story  agents  and  plot  machines  for  yarns 
about  horrors  and  cute  kids.  Paramount  will 
shoot  at  least  five  more  child  films  this  year 
— " Huckleberry  Finn,”  " Let’s  Play  King  ” 
(“  Queen  of  Hollywood  ”),  “ Sooky  ” (sequel 
to  “ Skippy  ”),  " Tom  Sawyer  Abroad,”  and 
" Tom  Sawyer,  Detective.”  Warners  have 
Leon  Janney  cast  in  Booth  Tarkington’s 
" Penrod  and  Sam.” 

Universal  is  to  follow  “ Dracula  ” with 
" Frankenstein,”  tale  of  a robot  invented 
and  endowed  with  life  by  a man,  and  Edgar 
Allan  Poe’s  " Murders  in  the  Rue  Morgue,” 
in  which  a gorilla  strangles  a brace  of  women. 
Paramount’s  bid  for  a place  in  the  goose- 
flesh  parade  has  begun  with  “ Murder  by  the 
Clock,”  in  which  William  Boyd  and  Lilyan 
Tashman  will  co-feature.  The  studio  has  an 
advantage  over  the  others  in  already  having 
under  contract  Bunuel,  the  man  guilty  of  the 
surrealist  horror  film  " Le  Chien  Andalou.” 

Is  it  only  a matter  of  time  before  the  cinema 
experiences  a great  revulsion,  during  which 
a great  deal  of  money  will  be  lost  at  box- 
offices  ? Screen  stories  grow  more  and  more 
sophisticated  every  month,  depending  for 
their  " shock  tactics  ” on  calloused  attitudes 
towards  sex,  crime  and  death.  Can  it  be 
long  before  this  strong  meat  jades  the  public 
palate.  And  then  what  ? 

Must  Hollywood  s Output  Diminish  ? 

The  startling  attitude  is  taken  by  George 
Kelly,  famous  playwright-author  of  “ The 
Torch  Bearers,”  “ Craig’s  Wife,”  " The  Show- 
Off  ” and  " Philip  Goes  Forth,”  that  in 
sheer  self-preservation  Hollywood  must 
reduce  her  output  and  concentrate  on  making 
pictures  designed  for  long  runs. 


Harcourt  Templeman  (right)  discussing  a scene 
in  the  A.S.F.I.  picture  “ The  Bells,”  with  Donald 
Calthrop,  whom  he  is  directing  in  the  role  of 
Mathis — formerly  played  by  Sir  Henry  Irving  on 
the  ..stage 


“ The  urgent  necessity,”  he  says,  from  his 
shiny  new  office  on  the  M.-G.-M.  lot,  where  he 
is  newly  arrived  to  write  for  Marie  Dressier, 
" for  continually  improved  product  is  made 
terribly  difficult  by  the  enormity  of  output. 
It  is  an  utter  impossibility  to  find  as  many 
good  stories  a year  as  there  are  pictures  made. 
In  time,  I believe,  the  number  of  pictures 
made  must  be  reduced  and  the  quality  be 
improved.  I cannot  see  how  else  the  screen 
can  hope  to  hold  its  public.” 

Warners — First  National  Splitting  ? 

Rumours  that  Warners  would  lose  control 
of  First  National  have  been  floating  round 
Hollywood  for  some  time.  Fresh  colour  is 
lent  to  them  by  the  fact  that  the  Warner 
outfit  is  beginning  to  trek  back  from  Burbank 
to  their  old  lot  in  Hollywood,  closed  since 
the  merger. 

Warners  have  taken  a rap  on  the  stock 
market  lately  and  may  need  fresh  finance. 
Dupont  and  Raskob  have  been  buying 
heavily  of  Warner  shares,  and  may  now  be 
in  a position  to  influence  the  Brothers  to 
split  with  First  National.  Or  the  move  back 
to  Hollywood  may  be  the  prelude  to  the 
formation  of  a holding  company  to  legalise 
the  merger,  on  the  lines  of  the  new  Fox 
holding  company  to  link  Fox  and  Loews. 
If  a split  should  come  it  would  react  un- 
favourably on  the  whole  trade. 

* * * 

Howard  Hughes  believes  that  colour  is 
coming  back.  Multicolour,  Ltd.,  his  sub- 
sidiary film  enterprise,  has  taken  contracts 
to  colour  the  McMillan  polar  expedition,  the 
Brown-Nigel  shorts,  “ Romantic  Journeys,” 
and  the  Universal  interest  pictures,  “ Strange 
As  It  Seems.”  A million  dollars  are  sunk  in 
his  colour-film  factory. 

* * * 

William  S.  Hart  is  suing  United  Artists 
for  £100,000  alleged  due  to  him  as  his  share 
of  the  gross  of  “ Tumbleweeds,”  which  he 
produced  for  £70,000. 

* * * 

M.-G.-M.  is  to  invade  the  South  African 
theatre  field,  and  has  secured  a site  in 
Johannesburg  for  a 3,300  seater,  and  will 
also  distribute  Metro  product  in  person 
instead  of  selling  state  rights. 

* * * 

Hollywood  has  26  films  in  production  and 
12  ready  for  the  floor. 

* * * 

Paramount  has  closed  the  Eastman 
Theatre,  Rochester,  on  the  ground  that  it 
will  be  “ cheaper  to  close  and  pay  a rent  of 
£37,400  a year  for  the  next  eight  years  than 
to  continue  operation.” 

* * * 

L.  A.  Young,  said  to  have  lost  six  million 
dollars  in  Tiffany,  is  again  the  angel  of  that 
outfit,  having  put  up  the  money  for  pro- 
duction under  the  Educational-World  Wide 
merger. 

* * * 

Universal  is  to  make  an  evolution  film 
under  the  supervision  of  Clarence  Darrow, 
to  be  known  as  " The  Mystery  Of  Life.” 

* * * 

M. -G.-M.  has  signed  Baclanova  as  Menjou’s 
opposite  in  “ The  Great  Lover.” 

* * * 

Karl  Freund,  who  has  been  writing 
foreign  version  dialogue  for  Universal,  in 
addition  to  photographing  " Dracula,”  has 
been  lent  to  Paramount  to  turn  on  the  next 
Chevalier  picture. 


3S 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


SPEAKING  PERSONALLY 


Wilfred  Hayes,  who  has  been  appointed 
manager  of  the  Riviera  Cinema  de  Luxe, 
Cheetham  Hill, 
Manchester,  a new 
theatre  fully 
equipped  for  the 
presentation  o f 

cinema  variety  pro- 
grammes and  due  to 
open  on  May  14th, 
has  had  a wide  ex- 
perience in  the 
cinema  and  variety 
world.  His  previous 
appointments  in- 
clude the  manager- 
ship of  the  Regent 
Picture  House, 
Fallowfield  ; of  La 
Scala,  All  Saints, 
Manchester ; for  six 
years  manager  at 

Winter  Gardens, 
Morecambe. 

Leonard  Broad- 
bent,  of  Lytham, 

who  died  last  week  following  a heart  attack, 
for  40  years  was  on  the  Board  of  the  Isle 
of  Man  Palace  and  Derby  Castle,  Ltd.,  which 
concern  owns  amusement  buildings  in 

Douglas.  He  retired  from  this  position 

only  two  years  ago. 

L.  C.  King.  who  has  been  manager  of  the 
Commodore  Picture  House,  Liverpool,  since 
its  opening  about  four  months  ago,  has 
succeeded  L.  Maddocks  at  the  Aintree 
Palace,  Liverpool.  Before  going  to  the 
Commodore  he  was  for  eighteen  months 
manager  of  the  Picture  Playhouse,  Miles 
Platting,  Manchester. 

Fred  J.  Beardsworth,  circuit  supervisor  for 
Regent  Enterprises,  Ltd.,  Liverpool,  has 
succeeded  L.  C.  King  as  manager  of  the 
Commodore  Picture  House,  Liverpool,  which 
is  the  newest  theatre  in  the  circuit. 

Thomas  Dando  has  been  appointed  organist 
at  the  Capitol  Cinema,  Didsbury,  Manchester, 
which  is  due  to  open  on  May  21st.  A Christie 
organ  is  installed.  The  orchestra  conductor 
will  be  Yorke  Sheffield. 

J.  R.  Wheatley,  proprietor  of  the  Palace 
Theatre,  Tow  Law,  Co.  Durham,  has  been 
elected  a member  of  the  Tow  Law  Urban 
District  Council.  Councillor  Wheatley,  who 
is  a Moderate,  obtained  his  seat  by  a large 
majority. 

W.  A.  Green,  Gaumont’s  Newcastle  branch 
manager,  last  week  was  presented  with  a 
son.  Both  Mrs.  Green  and  the  new  son  are 
making  good  progress. 

Chris  Bowmer,  manager  of  the  Seedley 
Cinema,  Manchester,  was  a victim  of  the  long 
arm  of  coincidence  while  at  a football  match 
recently.  Discovering  that  the  number  on 
his  programme  entitled  him  to  a prize,  he 
made  application  for  the  prize,  which  proved 
to  be — two  seats  at  his  opposition  house  ! 

F.  A.  Smedley,  who  has  been  on  the 
operating  staff  of  the  Picture  House,  Walsall, 
has  taken  up  a similar  position  at  The  Regent, 
Hanley. 

W.  Stone  has  joined  the  operating  staff  of 
the  Picture  House,  Walsall,  in  succession  to 
F.  A.  Smedley. 

J.  W.  Bone  has  been  appointed  second 
operator  at  the  Opera  House,  Kidderminster. 
He  was  previously  at  the  Garden  Cinema, 
Bewdley,  and  the  Palace,  Bridgnorth. 


Fredk.  J.  Allen,  popular  publicity  chief 
at  the  First  National- Pathe  headquarters, 
has,  we  regret  to  learn,  been  confined  to  his 
room  with  gastric  influenza.  He  is  making 
good  progress  and  expects  to  return  to 
business  within  a few  days. 

Harold  Wilson,  who  was  manager  of  Good 
Bros.’  cinemas  at  Walthamstow  for  19  years, 
and  who  for  two  years  previously  managed 
that  company’s  rink,  has  relinquished  his 
position  owing  to  change  of  proprietorship. 
Such  a long  term  with  one  company  is  of 
itself  a testimonial,  and  it  is  likely,  therefore, 
that  he  will  speedily  rehabilitate  himself 
either  in  cinema  management  or  circuit 
supervision.  Anyone  wishing  to  get  into 
touch  with  Mr.  Wilson  can  do  so  through 
The  Bioscope. 

Miss  L.  E.  Wilson,  a member  of  the  staff 
of  the  Majestic,  Bearwood,  was  married  to 
W.  E.  Cannings,  of  the  staff  of  the  Windsor, 
Bearwood,  last  week.  G.  Hunt,  F.R.C.O., 
organist  of  the  Windsor  Theatre,  officiated  at 
the  organ  during  the  service.  The  happy 
couple  were  presented  with  a case  of  cutlery 
from  the  staff  of  the  Windsor  Theatre,  and 
the  staff  of  the  Majestic  presented  the  bride 
with  a handsome  bedspread. 


May  Robson,  the  73-year-old  actress,  whose 
performance  in  Universal’s  new  picture  “Mother’s 
Millions,”  is  a thing  of  rare  beauty  and  makes  the 
film  a sensational  booking 


Nathan  Burkan,  who,  besides  being  a 
director  of  United  Artists,  is  private  solicitor 
to  Chaplin,  Lewis  Milestone  and  several 
other  prominent  Hollywood  artists,  has, 
according  to  a cable  received  at  United 
Artists’  London  headquarters,  become  the 
proud  father  of  a fine  son.  Congratulations 
from  this  side. 

L.  Y.  Barnby,  traffic  supervisor  with  Western 
Electric  since  early  1929,  died  suddenly  early 
on  Sunday  morning.  Mr.  Barnby,  who  was 
52  years  of  age,  was  out  with  Western  Electric 
executives  at  Maidenhead  on  Saturday,  when 
he  was  apparently  in  good  health.  He  retired 
as  usual  on  Saturday  night,  but  was  discovered 
to  be  dead  on  Sunday  morning.  Much 
sympathy  will  be  felt  for  his  relations  and 
his  colleagues  of  Western  Electric. 

R.  J.  Vivian  Parsons  has  been  promoted 
from  West  of  England  representative  for 
P.D.C.  to  management  of  the  South  Wales 
and  West  of  England  branch.  He  succeeds 

E.  Hancock,  who  has  been  transferred  from 
the  company’s  Cardiff  headquarters  to  the 
P.D.C.  Birmingham  branch.  Mr.  Vivian 
Parsons  will  receive  the  congratulations  of 
a host  of  friends  who  will  doubtless  double 
the  support  they  have  hitherto  given  him. 

W.  J.  Millard,  for  the  past  five  years 
manager  of  the  Regent,  Mumbles,  near 
Swansea,  was  last  week  the  recipient  of 
public  presentations  from  friends,  patrons 
and  fellow-members  of  the  local  Conserva- 
tive clubs  on  leaving  to  take  up  a new  position 
in  London. 

R.  A.  Gray  has  been  appointed  Midlands 
sales  representative  for  R.C.A.  No  stranger 
to  the  Midlands,  he  received  his  technical 
training  at  Birmingham  University.  He  was 
previously  on  the  company’s  sales  staff  in  the 
London  area. 

Sim  White,  general  manager  of  Atlas 
Pictures,  Leeds,  is  still  laid  up,  but  with  the 
more  genial  weather  being  experienced  up 
North  his  many  friends  hope  he  will  soon 
recover  and  be  out  and  about  again. 

Kenneth  Mann,  outside  representative  for 

F. B.O.  in  Leeds,  is  taking  over  the  Sheffield 
territory  in  succession  to  Len  Glasspoole, 
who  has  been  promoted  to  the  management 
of  the  Birmingham  branch. 

Miss  Tomlinson,  for  eleven  years  booking 
clerk  at  the  Leeds  office  of  Butcher’s 
Film  Service,  was  presented  by  the  staff 
with  a handsome  mahogany  timepiece  on 
the  occasion  of  her  marriage.  Eleven  years 
is  a long  time  to  hold  a position  in  the  film 
trade,  and  Miss  Tomlinson  had  made  many 
friends  on  the  territory  in  that  time. 

Jack  Foster,  of  Radio  Pictures  in  Leeds, 
was  presented  with  a son  and  heir  by  his 
wife  last  week.  Mr.  Foster  has  a wide  circle 
of  friends  both  in  the  North  of  England  and 
in  London  who  will  wish  to  congratulate 
him  on  the  great  event. 

Harold  Cross,  chief  operator  of  the  Forum, 
Birmingham,  has  been  appointed  to  a similar 
position  at  the  new  Forum,  Liverpool. 
Mr.  Cross  has  had  a wide  experience  in 
cinema  projection,  being  chief  operator  at 
the  Edgbaston  Cinema,  Birmingham,  before 
taking  charge  at  the  Forum,  while  he  has 
held  further  appointments  in  London  and  the 
Provinces. 

K.  D.  Wheeler  has  been  appointed  chief 
projectionist  at  the  Opera  House,  Kidder- 
minster. He  was  previously  on  the  operating 
staff  of  the  Lyric,  Birmingham,  and  has  held 
positions  at  the  Victoria,  Small  Heath,  the 
Waldorf,  Sparkbrook,  the  Bordesley  Palace 
and  the  Edgbaston  Cinema,  Birmingham. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


A 


Paramount’s  Gun  Smoke 


RICHARD  ARLEN  with  MARY  BRIAN 


For  presentation  at  the  Carlton  Theatre  on  Tuesday  next,  May  12 ih,  at  11  a.m.,  is  “ Gun 
Smoke,”  in  which  Richard  Arlen  plays  the  lead  with  Mary  Brian,  Eugene  Pallet/ e,  William 

Boyd  and  Louise  Fazenda 


B 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


" Young  Sinners 


DOROTHY  JORDAN,  Thomas  Meighan,  Cecilia  Loftus  and  Hardie  Albright  are  in  the  cast  of  this  Fox 
picture,  which  will  be  the  subject  of  one  of  their  early  trade  show's.  Information  received  classes  it 
as  a “ big  offering.” 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


c 


For  Empire  Presentation 


FURTHER  shots  from  “ The  Outsider,”  the  Eric  Hakim  British  production,  directed  by  Harry  Lachman, 
which  is  being  distributed  by  M.  G.-M.  It  is  to  be  given  a pre-release  run  at  the  Empire,  Leicester  Square, 
after  “ Inspiration.” 


D 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


“ Women  of  All  Nations " 


-BUT  THE  SAME  FLAGG 
AND  QUIRT  ! 


Si 

1 p t 

/.Y  the  near  future  Fox  will  present  in  London  their  new  Flagg 
and  Quirt  film,  “ Women  of  All  Nations,”  in  which  Victor 
McLaglen  and  Edmund  Lowe,  the  incorrigible  “ lady-killers” 
enjoy  the  support  of  El  Brendel  in  their  task  of  “ supporting  ” their 
many  love  interests.  The  ladies  in  question  include  Greta  Nissen 
and  Fifi  D’Orsay.  So  who  should  blame  Brendel  for  going  to  the 
aid  of  Flagg  and  Quirt  ? 


May  0,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


E 


rHE  Gainsborough-British  Lion  production  of  Edgar  Wallace’s 
thriller,  “ The  Ringer,”  is  pre-released  at  the  New  Gallery 
this  week  by  Ideal  Films.  Our  pictures  show,  top — Gordon 
Harker  and  Carol  Goodner  (as  Cora  Ann  Milton,  the  master 
criminal’s  love),  and  below — John  Longden  and  Franklin  Dyall, 

; i who  play  leading  parts.  I 


" THE  RINGER" 


Edgar  Wallace’s  Ideal  Thriller 


F 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  G,  1931 


M-G-M  " Stepping  OuG 


SCENES  from  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  picture  “ Stepping  Out,”  in  which  Reginald 
Denny,  Charlotte  Greenwood,  Cliff  Edwards  and  Leila  Hyams  are  leading  players. 
This  film  was  presented  at  the  Prince  Edward  Theatre  yesterday,  and  is  reviewed  in 
this  issue. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


G 


Gaumont’s  " Down  River 


// 


ON  Friday  evening  at  the  Astoria,  Charmg  Cross  Road  Gaumont  will  screen  their 
Thames-side  adventure  film  “Down  River.”  which  Peter  Godfrey  directed,  with 
Harold  Huth,  Charles  Laughton  and  Jane  Baxter  as  stars. 


H 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


FATE 


" KISMET 


r\TIS  SKINNER  and  Loretta  Young 
in  the  First  National  and  Vilaphone 
picture,  “ Kismet which  First  National 
Pat  he  are  pre-releasing  at  Tussaud’s 
Cinema  on  May  nth 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


39 


Elsa  Lanchester,  Richard  Cooper  and  Harold  French  in  the  Harry  Rowson  British  production 
“ The  Officers’  Mess,”  which  Paramount  are  presenting  at  the  Carlton  Theatre  on  Friday 

morning  at  11 


London 

Trade  Show 

Diary 

THURSDAY 

“ The  Millionaire  ” Warner 

Prince  Edward,  3 

George  Arliss’  latest  starring  picture  for 
Warner  Brothers  and  Vitaphone,  “ The 
Millionaire,”  is  to  be  trade  shown  to-morrow 
(Thursday),  at  the  Prince  Edward,  at 
3 p.m.  The  story  is  in  lighter  vein  than  the 
previous  productions  in  which  George  Arliss 
has  appeared  for  Warners,  but  is  a very- 
human  and  engaging  one.  A millionaire 
motor  car  manufacturer  suffers  a breakdown, 
is  ordered  by  the  doctor  to  retire  and  goes 
to  California.  At  the  end  of  six  months  he 
is  bored,  so,  under  an  assumed  name,  he 
buys  a half-share  in  a small  garage,  and 
secretly  goes  there  day  after  day  to  work. 
The  garage  is  turned  into  a going  concern 
and  disposed  of  at  a big  profit  ; Barbara, 
his  daughter,  has  a romance,  slyly  encouraged 
by  her  father,  with  his  young  partner,  and 
the  millionaire  himself  takes  on  a new  lease 
of  life. 

Included  in  the  cast  are  Florence  Arliss, 
David  Manners,  Evalyn  Knapp,  James 
Cagney,  Bramwell  Fletcher,  Noah  Beery, 
Ivan  Simpson,  J.  C.  Nugent,  Sam  Hardy, 
J.  Farrell  MacDonald,  Charles  Gradewin, 
Charles  E.  Evans  and  Tully  Marshall. 

The  feature  is  preceded  by  a Vitaphone 
Short,  No.  3826. 

Five  Shorts  P.D.C. 

Own  Theatre,  3 

Five  shorts  will  be  screened  by  P.D.C.  in 
their  own  theatre  at  3 p.m.  to-morrow 
( Thursday). 

FRIDAY 

" The  Officers  Mess  ” Paramount 

Carlton,  11 

On  Friday,  May  8th,  at  the  Carlton,  at 
11  a.m..  Paramount  will  present  " The 

Officers’  Mess,”  a British  production  directed 
by  Manning  Haynes.  The  roles  of  two  young 
naval  officers  on  leave  are  played  by  Richard 
Cooper  and  Harold  French,  with  Elsa  Lan- 
chester as  Cora  Melville,  an  actress  who  comes 
into  the  young  men’s  lives  just  when  they 
have  their  hands  fully  occupied  with  other 
perplexities.  Others  in  the  cast  are  George 
Bellamy,  as  a zealous  Scotland  Yard  man, 
Annie  Esmond,  Max  Avieson,  Margery 
Binner,  Gordon  Begg,  Mary  Newland. 

" Tons  of  Trouble,”  “ Anything  But 
Ham  ” and  ' ' The  Ace  of  Spades  ” will  also 
be  shown. 

Ten  Vitaphone  Shorts  Warner 

Own  Theatre,  11  and  3 

On  Friday,  May  8th,  at  11  a.m.  and  3 p.m., 
at  their  private  theatre,  Warner  Brothers 
are  trade  showing  10  Vitaphone  Shorts,  in- 
cluding : Ted  Doner,  " Broadway’s  Favourite 
Dancing  Man  ” ; Frank  Hunter  and  Com- 
pany, in  a comedy  in  three  scenes  entitled 
“ Moving  Day  ” ; “ Desert  Thrills  ” ; " Din- 
ing Out,”  a comedy  playlet  in  four  scenes  ; 
" Tom  Thumbs  Down,”  an  amusing  satire 
on  the  craze  for  golf  ; " Lodge  Night,”  a 
comedy  playlet  in  four  scenes  ; Frank  Orth 
in  “ The  Salesman  ” ; " The  Jay  Walker  ” ; 
" Good  Times,”  with  Madge  Evans  ” ; and 
Vivienne  Osborn  in  " Masquerade,”  a grip- 
ping musical  drama  of  New  Orleans’  under- 
world 


Six  Shorts  P.D.C. 

Own  Theatre,  3 

A further  six  shorts  will  be  shown  by 
P.D.C.  in  their  own  theatre  at  3 p.m.  on 
Friday  next.  May  8th. 

"Down  Rive?"  Gaumont 

Astoria,  8 

" Down  River,”  a melodrama  based  on  a 
novel  by  Seamark,  will  be  screened  at  the 
Astoria  by  Gaumont  at  8 p.m.  on  Friday, 
May  8th.  Directed  by  Peter  Godfrey,  the 
film  features  Charles  Laughton,  Jane  Baxter 
and  Harold  Huth. 

" Sous  les  Toits  de  Paris  Wardour 

Rialto,  11 

A new  version  of  the  now  famous  French 
film,  " Sous  les  Toits  de  Paris,”  is  to  be 
presented  by  Wardour  at  the  Rialto  at 
11  a.m.  on  Friday,  May  8th. 

TUESDAY 

" Gun  Smoke  ” Paramount 

Carlton,  11 

" Gun  Smoke  ” is  a modern  Western. 
Actually,  it  is  the  most  up  to  the  minute 
Western  picture  that  has  yet  been  shown 
on  the  talking  screen.  The  time  of  the 
story  is  to-day.  ” Gun  Smoke  ” deals  with 
the  mustang  hunters  of  Idaho,  who  round 
up  hundreds  of  wild  horses  each  year  and 
sell  them  for  handsome  sums.  Richard 
Arlen  is  the  hero  and  is  supported  by  Mary 
Brian,  William  Boyd,  Eugene  Pallette  and 
Louise  Fazenda,  the  ranch  cook  and  general 


help. 

" Stateroom  19,”  " The  Happiness 

Remedy  ” and  " Two’s  Company  ” will  also 
be  shown. 

Eleven  Vitaphone  Shorts  Warner 


Own  Theatre,  11  and  3 

On  Tuesday,  May  12th,  at  11  a.m.  and 
3 p.m.,  at  their  private  theatre,  Wamei 
Brothers  are  trade  showing  11  Vitaphone 
Shorts,  including:  “Excuse  the  Pardon,” 
a compelling  drama;  " Barefoot  Days,”  a 
novel  comedy  ; De  Wolf  Hopper  in  “ For 
Two  Cents  ” ; " Home  Made,”  a comedy  ; 
" Squaring  the  Triangle,”  an  ingenious  farce  ; 
Douglas  Stanbury  in  “ Alpine  Echoes  ” ; 
" Purely  an  Accident  ” ; Frank  Orth,  the 
famous  " dead-pan  ” comedian  ; Hugh 
Cameron,  musical  comedy  player  ; Giovanni 
Martinelli,  the  famous  opera  star  ; “ The 

Pest  of  Honour,”  a comedy  in  three  scenes. 


"Lets  Love  and  Laugh”  Wardour 

Prince  Edward,  8.15 

Jean  Gerrard,  Muriel  Angelus,  George  Gee 
and  Rita  Page  are  the  featured  players  of 
“ Let  s Love  and  Laugh,”  which  Wardour 
will  present  at  the  Prince  Edward  on  Tuesday 
next,  May  12th.  Richard  Eichberg  directed. 

WEDNESDAY 

" Six  Cylinder  Love  ” Fox 

New  Gallery,  11 

Fox  will  show  at  the  New  Gallery,  at 
11  a.m.,  on  Wednesday,  May  13th,  “ Six 
Cylinder  Love,”  with  Edward  Everett 
Horton,  Una  Merkel  and  Sydney  Fox. 

" The  Blue  Monkey  ” Butcher 

Own  Theatre,  2.30  and  4.30 

A silent  production,  “ The  Blue  Monkey,” 
with  Rene  Navarre  and  Evelyn  Holt,  will  be 
screened  by  Butchers  in  their  own  theatre  at 
2.30  and  4.30  p.m.,  on  Wednesday,  May  13th. 


Board  of  Trade  Evidence 

Clause  32  of  the  Films  Act  provides  that 
trade  shows  of  films  to  be  registered  must  be 
announced  to  exhibitors  or  their  agents  at 
least  seven  days  before  showing. 

On  form  “ D ” applicants  for  registration 
must  give  the  names,  dates  of  issue,  and  pages 
of  the  Trade  Papers  in  which  such  notification 
has  been  given. 

Will  renters  please  note  that  in  order  to 
comply  with  this  regulation,  details  of  all 
trade  shows  should  be  sent  to  The  Bioscope 
to  allow  not  less  than  seven  full  days  from 
date  of  the  next  issue. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13 

The  Blue  Monkey  (Silent)  (Butchers),  Own 
Theatre. 

Six  Cylinder  Love  (Fox),  New  Gallery. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14 

The  Challenge  (F.N.P.),  Prince  Edward. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  15 

The  Lady  of  the  Lake  (Select),  Rialto. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  19 

Captivation  (Ideal),  Cambridge  Theatie. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  20 

Svengali  and  Vitaphone  Shorts  : No.  1,189 
Believe  It  or  Not  (No.  9)  and  No.  4,694 
Bosko’s  Holiday.  (Warner),  Phoenix. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


40 


How  Hollywood  takes  an  intimate  shot.  Richard  Dix,  Marion  Shilling  and  Jackie  Cooper  for  this 
scene  in  Radio’s  “ Big  Brother  ” are  surrounded  by  a whole  battery  of  cameras,  getting  every 

conceivable  angle  on  the  set 


British  Films  and  Trade  Propaganda 

Still  “Under  Consideration” 


In  the  House  of  Commons  yesterday 
(Tuesday)  Mr.  Mander  asked  the  Secretary 
to  the  Overseas  Trade  Department  if  he 
would  state  what  recommendations  had  been 
made  by  the  Advisory  Committee  concerning 
the  propaganda  value  of  films  and  what 
action  it  was  proposed  to  take. 

Mr.  Gillett  said  : ‘ ‘ The  question  was  con-  - 
sidered  by  a small  informal  departmental 
committee,  who  fully  recognised  the  import- 
ance of  the  film  in  the  form  of  trade  pro- 
paganda, but  as  the  Empire  Marketing 


It  is  just  three-quarters  of  a year  since 
Radio  Pictures,  Ltd.,  came  into  existence. 
Out  of  one  small  set  of  offices  there  emerged 
almost  overnight  a complete  renting  organi- 
sation, and  within  six  weeks  of  its  start 
Sol  G.  Newman  had  his  headquarters  and  a 
full  complement  of  provincial  branch  offices 
fully  staffed  and  booking  Radio  product. 
As  Radio  Pictures  has  now  emerged  from 
its  preliminary  stage  into  that  of  the  full 
swing  of  general  release  (its  first  such  release 
having  been  at  the  end  of  last  month),  it  is 
interesting  to  recall  the  amazing  amount  of 
ground  which  has  been  covered  in  so  short 
a time. 

Less  than  a month  after  the  company’s 
inception,  with  a skeleton  staff  and  with 
scattered  temporary  offices,  Radio  began 
the  trade  showing  of  its  product.  First 
“ Dixiana  ” was  shown,  followed  the  next 
day  by  " Escape.”  “ She’s  My  Weakness  ” 
was  shown  the  following  day,  and  thus 
within  three  days  Radio  Pictures  was  in 
concrete  existence  booking  its  product,  while 
a few  weeks  later  the  company  had  West 
End  pre-releases  on  all  three  pictures. 

The  company’s  first  Wheeler  and  Woolsey 
feature,  " Half  Shot  at  Sunrise,”  came  next, 
followed  by  " Danger  Lights.”  Three  weeks 
later  " Check  and  Double  Check  ” and 
“ The  Silver  Horde  ” were  trade  shown, 
followed  shortly  after  by  the  second  Basil 
Dean  production,  " Birds  of  Prey.”  This 
brought  the  Radio  activities  to  the  end  of 
the  year,  and  put  the  company  in  the  position 


Board  and  the  Travel  Association  were 
experimenting  in  this  line  I thought  it 
unnecessary  for  the  time  being  for  the 
Department  of  Overseas  Trade  to  move  in 
the  matter.” 

Mr.  Mander : “ Can  he  say  what  steps 
are  being  taken  for  the  promotion  of  British 
films  generally  in  this  connection  ? ” 

Mr.  Gillett : ” The  matter  is  being  con- 
sidered by  these  two  organisations,  but  I 
will  communicate  more  fully  with  the  hon. 
member  on  the  whole  question.” 


of  having  built  its  organisation,  trade  shown 
eight  features  and  having  West  End  pre- 
releases on  all  of  these  in  the  amazingly 
short  space  of  four  months. 

Nor  has  1931  shown  any  decreased  activity, 
for  in  the  second  four  months  of  its  existence 
Radio  has  shown  twelve  features.  In  order 
of  trade  shows  the  product  offered  this  year 
has  consisted  of  "Hook,  Line  and  Sinker,” 
“ The  Losing  Game,”  “ Present  Arms  ” and 
" The  Queen’s  Husband  ” in  January  ; 
" Cimarron,”  shown  early  in  March,  followed 
swiftly  by  “ Beau  Ideal,”  “ Kept  Husbands  ” 
and  " The  Lady  Refuses,”  all  shown  in  this 
same  month. 

April  saw  a further  four  in  " Millie,” 
" Bachelor  Apartment,”  " Behind  Office 
Doors  ” and  " Laugh  and  Get  Rich,”  and 
the  near  future  holds  a further  intriguing 
group  of  product,  including  “ Cracked 
Nuts,”  the  third  Wheeler  and  Woolsey 
feature,  and  " Young  Donovan’s  Kid,”  a 
Richard  Dix  super.  In  addition  to  these 
twenty  features  Radio  has  screened  no  fewer 
than  thirty-four  shorts,  which  have  included 
Humanette  novelties,  Toby  Cartoons,  Broad- 
way Headliners,  Mickey  McGuire  series, 
Dane-Arthur  comedies  and  the  Louise 
Fazendas, 

The  rapid  building  up  of  such  a vast 
concern  within  such  a phenomenally  short 
time  is  a striking  tribute  to  the  striking 
enterprise  and  ability  of  its  chief,  Sol  G. 
Newman. 


S.  W.  Smith  Returning 

After  Will  Hays’  Gangster 
Bombshell 

S.  W.  Smith,  managing  director  of  British 
Lion,  who  has  been  on  an  important  business 
trip  to  New  York  and  Canada,  was  due  to 
sail  on  the  " Aquitania  ” yesterday  (Tues- 
day) on  his  return  journey. 

On  his  return  he  will  have  an  interesting 
announcement  to  make  in  connection  with 
the  American  tie-up  for  the  joint  Gains- 
borough-British  Lion  production  of  the 
Edgar  Wallace  thriller,  " On  the  Spot,” 
which,  after  careful  planning,  has  been 
thrown  suddenly  into  jeopardy  by  the  Will 
Hays  bombshell. 

Until  last  week  there  was  no  reason  to 
anticipate  that  Will  Hays  was  so  soon  to 
throw  a monkey  wrench  in  the  works. 
Intricate  negotiations  have  taken  place 
between  Gainsborough-British  Lion  and 
United  Artists  with  a view  to  the  joint 
production  of  Edgar  Wallace’s  play, 
" On  the  Spot,”  which  D.  W.  Griffith 
was  to  direct,  United  Artists  were  to  dis- 
tribute in  U.S.A.,  and  Ideal  in  this  country. 
Will  Hays  suddenly  decreed  that  no  more 
gangster  films  were  to  be  presented  in 
America,  and  there  for  the  moment  the 
matter  rests. 


Have  You  Sent  Yours? 

TomOrmiston  Presentation 

An  appeal  which  will  meet  with  instant 
response  throughout  the  whole  of  the  Ex- 
hibitors’ Association  has  been  issued  by  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  C.E.A.  It  is  pre- 
sented over  the  names  of  the  President  and 
Vice-President  of  the  C.E.A.  and  delegates 
to  the  General  Council,  and  asks  for  contribu- 
tions to  a Presentation  Fund  to  arrange 
suitable  recognition  to  Thomas  Ormiston  on 
the  occasion  of  his  Silver  Wedding.  Mr. 
Ormiston’s  services  for  the  C.E.A.  need  no 
elaboration  here — every  member  of  the 
C.E.A.  will  appreciate  him  at  his  real  worth 
and  will  respond  accordingly. 

“ Contributions  of  any  amount  will  be 
acceptable,”  states  the  General  Secretary  in 
his  circular,  “ as  the  object  is  to  include  as 
many  exhibitors  as  possible  in  the  presenta- 
tion. But  for  those  who  like  a suggestion 
as  to  the  amount,  your  General  Council 
supplies  as  a guide:  £1  for  an  ‘A’  hall,  10s. 
for  a ‘ B ’ hall  and  5s.  for  a C ’ hall.” 
Contributions  and  a slip  bearing  the  signature 
of  the  donor,  which  is  to  be  pasted  in  the 
presentation  album,  should  be  sent  to  the 
General  Secretary,  Broadmead  House,  21, 
Panton  Street,  S.W.l. 


Recorder-Licensees  Meeting 

R.C.A.  Photophone,  Ltd.,  have  invited 
about  thirty  of  their  recorder-licensees  to  a 
special  meeting,  to  be  held  in  the  private 
theatre  in  Film  House,  on  Wednesday 
evening  next.  Mr.  Underhill,  recording 
manager  for  R.C.A. , will  take  the  chair  and, 
although  the  meeting  will  be  purely  an 
informal  one,  interesting  discussions  should 
result  relative  to  recent  advances  made  in 
R.C.A.  recording  equipment. 

The  latest  apparatus  will  be  on  view, 
including  the  new  " Ribbon  ” Microphone 
and  the  R.4  Recorder. 


Radio’s 

54  Trade  Shows 


in 


Rise 

8 Months 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


41 


One  of  the  many  deliciously  silly  scenes  in  Gaumont’s  screaming  comedy  “ No  Lady.”  of  which 
Lupino  Lane  is  both  star  and  director 


Paramount  Effort  for  Charity 

Midnight  Show  to  Royalty 


Paramount’s  Silent 
Recording 

In  Chatterton  Film 

Paramount’s  " The  Right  to  Love,” 
which  opened  a season  at  the  Carlton  Theatre 
this  Week,  was  last  Thursday  the  subject  of 
a special  private  viewing  held  in  the  Western 
Electric  Company’s  theatre  at  Bush  House. 

The  special  screening  was  given  for  the 
benefit  of  a number  of  leaders  of  industry 
and  others  distinguished  in  the  field  of 
politics,  education  and  commerce,  as  a 
demonstration  of  the  great  technical  advance 
in  the  art  of  talking  motion  pictures  repre- 
sented by  the  new  Western  Electric  Noiseless 
Recording  Process. 

” The  Right  to  Love  ” is  the  first  film 
made  in  which  Paramount  or  any  other 
producer  has  employed  the  new  process  and 
is  of  particular  scientific  interest. 

“ Enjoying  Myself,” 
Says  Maude 

In  “These  Charming  People” 

Now  in  his  seventieth  year,  Cyril  Maude 
is  making  his  second  screen  appearance,  in 
the  Paramount  British  production  “ These 
Charming  People,”  in  which  he  has  the  role 
of  a lovable  old  rogue,  always  borrowing 
from  friends  and  relatives. 

" The  character  is  so  different  from 
‘ Grumpy,'  ” said  Mr.  Maude,  " that  it  is 
impossible  to  compare  them  in  any  way 
except  that  both  are  remarkably  interesting 
and  ' well-rounded.’  Colonel  Crawford  in 
' These  Charming  People  ' is  a role  full  of 
humour  and  subtleties  of  easy-going  life- 
about-town.  I am  enjoying  my  work  in  this 
picture  immensely.  There  are  many  little 
subtleties  of  characterisation  in  ‘ These 
Charming  People  ’ which  I do  not  believe 
it  would  have  been  possible  to  obtain  without 
speech.” 

Mr.  Maude  does  not  hold  the  die-hard 
views  one  is  accustomed  to  hearing  from 
stage  veterans.  He  considers  that  the  stage 
and  the  screen,  now  that  they  are  becoming 
more  alike  in  their  realism,  will  help  one 
another  to  develop  on  the  finest  lines.  He 
thinks  the  entertainment  world  is  big  enough 
to  hold  both  of  them. 


Sari  Maritza  for  Ufa 

News  by  wire  from  Berlin  states  that  Sari 
Maritza,  the  British  film  star,  has  been 
signed  by  Ufa,  within  two  hours  of  her 
arrival  in  Germany,  to  play  the  leading 
feminine  role  in  Erich  Pommer’s  current 
production,  " Bombs  on  Monte  Carlo.” 

Pommer,  who  has  become  internationally 
famous  for  such  films  as  “ The  Last  Laugh,” 
“Hungarian  Rhapsody”  and  “Home- 
coming,” had  over  a hundred  girls  inter- 
viewed in  this  country  in  the  endeavour  to 
find  a leading  lady  who  looked  cosmopolitan 
and  yet  spoke  perfect  English.  Miss  Maritza 
was  invited  to  go  over  for  a test  and  imme- 
diately afterwards  her  contract  was  fixed 
with  her  manager,  Miss  Vivian  Gaye. 

“ Bombs  on  Monte  Carlo  ” will  be  the 
first  German-French-English  trilingual  film 
to  be  made  in  Germany.  Miss  Maritza  plays 
in  the  English  version  and  her  prototype 
in  the  German  version  is  Anna  Stein. 


H.R.K.  Prince  George  will  attend  a special 
midnight  matinee  to  be  held  to-morrow 
(Thursday)  at  the  Plaza,  when  the  first 
public  showing  will  take  place  of  the  Para- 
mount production  “ The  Royal  Family  of 
Broadway,”  in  which  Ina  Claire  and  Fredric 
March  have  the  leading  roles. 

The  performance  is  in  aid  of  St.  Luke’s 
Day  Nursery  and  the  attractions  will  include 
a number  of  West  End  artistes,  including 
Jack  Buchanan,  Elsie  Randolph,  Percy 
Mackey’s  Band  (under  the  directon  of  Harry 
Perritt),  Douglas  Byng,  with  Edward  Cooper 
at  the  piano,  and  C.  Drewett  Smart  at  the 
Plaza  organ,  who  have  generously  promised 
to  appear. 

The  performance  will  be  followed  by  a 
party  on  the  stage  and  dancing  to  music  from 


Laving  lined  up  their  new  big  pictures  for 
the  autumn  releases,  Fox  now  announce  a 
trade  show  programme  to  commence  in  the 
first  week  in  June.  Among  the  first  pictures 
to  be  shown  will  be  the  Flagg  and  Quirt  super 
“ Women  of  All  Nations,”  with  Victor 
McLaglen,  Edmund  Lowe,  Greta  Nissen,  El 
Brendel  and  Fifi  Dorsay.  Winfield  Sheehan, 
Fox’s  vice-president,  states  that  this  film  is 
a great  picture,  even  surpassing  “ The  Cock- 
Eyed  World.” 

This  will  be  followed  by  “ Daddy  Long 
Legs,”  the  screen  version  of  Jean  Webster’s 
famous  play,  in  which  Janet  Gaynor  plays 
the  lead  with  Warner  Baxter  opposite. 
Alfred  Santell,  who  is  directing  the  picture, 
set  out  to  make  it  the  high-light  of  his 
successful  directorial  career. 

Then  there  is  “ Young  Sinners,”  the  medium 
that  brings  back  to  the  screen  that  great  actor 
Thomas  Meighan.  The  production  has  an 
all-star  cast  headed  by  Hardie  Allbright  and 
Dorothy  Jordan. 

" The  Spy,”  recently  trade  shown,  brings 
to  the  screen  for  the  first  time  a romance  of 
Soviet  Russia.  Kay  Johnson,  Neil  Hamilton 
and  John  Halliday  have  the  leads.  “ Quick 
Millions,”  shown  to  the  trade  last  week,  is 
a strong  picture  depicting  gangster  life  in  a 


the  famous  Clabon-West  Dance  Band  under 
the  personal  direction  of  P.  S.  Clabon-Glover. 
Refreshments  will  be  dispensed  from  a 
Mystery  Bar,  the  exact  nature  of  which  will 
not  be  disclosed  until  the  conclusion  of  the 
performance.  Prizes  will  be  given  to  the 
holders  of  cloak-room  tickets  bearing  lucky 
numbers. 

There  are  still  a few  tickets  left,  which 
members  of  the  film  trade  are  eligible  to 
purchase.  These  are  obtainable  from  the 
Plaza  Theatre  box-office,  Miss  Mary  Pitcairn, 
90,  Shoe  Lane,  E.C.4  (City  2521),  and  the 
usual  agents  and  members  of  the  organising 
committee. 

Tickets  for  the  Royal  Circle  and  stalls 
include  an  invitation  to  the  party,  Mystery 
Bar  and  dancing  after  the  performance. 


large  city,  brilliantly  acted  by  a cast  which 
includes  Spencer  Tracy,  Sally  Eilers  and 
Marguerite  Churchill. 

“ Always  Good-bye  ” is  Elissa  Landi’s 
second  picture  for  Fox,  who  assure  us  that 
the  picture  gives  Miss  Landi  the  opportunity 
she  needed  from  a dramatic  standpoint.  The 
picture  is  under  the  joint  direction  of  Kenneth 
MacKenna  and  William  Cameron  Menzies. 
" The  Minute  Man  ” is  Spencer  Tracy’s  next 
starring  picture.  Tracy,  whose  flair  for 
comedy  work  was  seen  in  “ Up  The  River,” 
reveals  himself  in  this  picture  as  a great 
comedian.  Thornton  Freeland,  who  pro- 
duced “ Whoopee,”  directed  the  picture. 

A picture  which  is  awaited  with  great 
anticipation  is  George  Gershwin’s  " Sym- 
phony in  Rivets,”  which  is  expected  to  cause 
a big  sensation.  The  composer  has  written 
a tuneful  score  for  this  picture,  including 
a symphony  which  is  described  as  better 
than  his  famous  “ Rhapsody  in  Blue.” 

“ Number  Please  ” is  a British  four- reel 
comedy-drama  directed  by  George  King, 
dealing  with  the  life  of  a young  man  about 
town  and  his  philanderings  with  a switch- 
board operator.  The  cast  includes  Mabel 
Poulton  in  her  first  " talkie,”  Warwick  Ward 
and  Richard  Bird. 


Big  Fox  Trade  Show  Push 


42 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


Franco-German  Collaboration 
Expected 

Charles  Delac  in  Berlin 


(By  Our  German  Correspondent,  Fritz  Mann) 


Charles  Delac.  president  of  the  Chambre 
Syndical  de  la  Cinematographic  Francaise, 
has  been  staying  in  Berlin,  to  treat  with 
Berlin  film  industrials  concerning  future 
Franco  and  German  collaboration.  Very 
interesting  agreements,  which  should  be  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  the  future 
European  film  situation,  are  said  to  have 
been  drawn  up.  Closer  details  are,  unfor- 
tunately, not  available.  It  is  to  be  noted 
that  Delac  was  received  by  German  Home 
Secretary  Dr.  Wirth.  The  German  Press 
attaches  the  greatest  importance  to  Delac ’s 
visit. 

* * * 


and  prevent  the  import  of  foreign  pictures. 
Official  circles  are  discussing  whether  the 
duties  should  be  raised,  though  the  moderates 
propose  that  the  number  of  import  licences 
(granted  to  one  Austrian  picture)  should  be 
raised  to  25. 

* * * 

Klangfilm-Tobis  has  brought  a general 
suit  against  25  German  cinemas  for  breach 
of  patent  rights.  The  hearing,  which  will 
take  place  in  Berlin,  is  of  fundamental  im- 
portance, for  the  situation  of  “ talkie  ” 
patents. 

* * * 


Negotiations  are  in  progress  in  Vienna, 
the  aim  of  which  is  to  fix  new  film  import 
regulations.  The  present  system,  which 
provides  for  an  import  duty  for  foreign 
pictures,  is  no  longer  considered  satisfactory, 
as  the  revenue  accruing,  which  was  sufficient 
to  support  the  comparatively  cheap  produc- 
tion of  silent  pictures,  is,  in  this  era  of 
" talkie  ” production,  insufficient  to  support 
inland  production.  Exhibitors  themselves 
demand  the  abolition  of  the  whole  Quota, 
as  the  consequences  only  hamper  the  market 


It  is  rumoured  in  Berlin  that  a convention 
of  rights  between  Russia  and  Germany  (and 
later  consequently  with  other  European 
countries)  is  expected.  Such  an  agreement 
would  at  last  create  a situation  which  would 
allow  collaboration  with  Russia.  Russia 
would  then  acknowledge  the  rights  of  patents 
and  pay  the  usual  dues  for  film  licences,  and 
present  piracy  would  come  to  an  end. 
Russian  and  German  authorities  are  already 
treating  the  affair  as  of  international  im- 
portance. 


Thomas  Burke  for  “ Pathetone  ” 

A Year  of  Successes 


Freddy  Watts,  editor  of  the  Pathetone 
Weekly  and  other  popular  First  National 
Pathe  interest  shorts,  has  made  yet  another 
capture  for  this  sound  topical. 

Thomas  Burke,  the  celebrated  tenor,  who 
is  probably  Britain’s  highest  paid  singer, 
has  been  sound  filmed  on  the  occasion  of 
his  recent  visit  to  the  men  of  Roehampton 
Hospital,  and  the  great  operatic  singer  is 
heard  singing  the  exceptionally  popular 
“ My  Dreams  ” and  “ For  You  Alone.” 
Interest  is  added  by  the  fact  that  this  is  the 
first  occasion  on  which  Mr.  Thomas  Burke 
has  consented  to  allow  his  voice  to  be  re- 
corded for  motion  picture  purposes. 


Although  scarcely  twelve  months  has 
elapsed  since  the  Pathetone  Weekly  made 
its  first  appearance,  this  interest  reel  has 
given  the  public  many  fascinating  interviews 
with  prominent  personalities.  One  of  its 
earliest  enterprises  was  to  present  the  great 
Mafeking  hero,  Lord  Robert  Baden  Powell, 
who  made  the  Pathetone  Weekly  a medium 
through  which  to  address  the  members  of 
his  vast  and  far  flung  organisation  through- 
out the  world.  This  speech  was  made  on  the 
eve  of  the  great  Scout  rally  at  Birkenhead, 
and  it  may  well  be  imagined  that  this 
edition  evoked  enthusiastic  attention  from 
Scouts  everywhere. 


Copies  for  Posterity 

Coinciding  with  the  annual  dinner  of  the 
Faculty  of  Arts,  at  which  Universal  Pictures 
will  receive  their  gold  medal  for  “ All  Quiet 
on  the  Western  Front,”  13  leading  cities  in 
Great  Britain  will  receive  copies  of  the  film 
to  be  retained  for  the  benefit  of  posterity. 

The  cities  are  Manchester,  Leeds,  Edin- 
burgh, Dublin,  Belfast,  Cardiff,  Bradford, 
Leicester,  Bristol,  Derby,  Nottingham,  Liver- 
pool, and  Newcastle. 

With  the  exception  of  Leeds,  the  presenta- 
tions will  take  place  on  Friday  next.  May  8th. 
The  Leeds  presentation  will  take  place  on 
Thursday  next. 

Chaplin  Two-Reelers  in 
Sound 

Cavendish  Pictures,  Ltd.,  announce  that, 
owing  to  the  enormous  demand  for  their 
Charlie  Chaplin  films,  they  have  decided 
to  synchronise,  sound  on  film,  four  of  the 
famous  comedian’s  two-reel  comedies.  Trade 
show  arrangements  will  shortly  be  announced. 


Paramount’s  Budget  Special 

Paramount  Sound  News  have  secured 
another  exclusive  interview,  this  time  with 
the  Rt.  Hon.  Neville  Chamberlain,  in  which 
the  former  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer 
discussed  the  Budget  introduced  by  Mr. 
Snowden. 

Mr.  Chamberlain’s  talk  for  Paramount 
News  was  substantially  his  Plouse  of  Commons 
speech  delivered  during  the  Budget  debate. 
Actually  the  ex-Chancellor  was  met  at  the 
House  immediately  he  had  delivered  his 
address  to  the  Commons,  and  he  recorded 
a resum?  of  his  comments  exclusive  for  the 
Paramount  News. 

B.I.P.  Trade  Shows  Fixed 

A trade  show  season  of  the  four  British 
International  productions — " Let’s  Love  and 
Laugh,”  "Glamour,”  "My  Wife’s  Family” 
and  “ Keepers  of  Youth  ” — will  commence 
at  the  Prince  Edward  Theatre  on  Tuesday 
next,  May  12th,  at  8.15  p.m.,  when  Wardour 
Films  will  present  " Let’s  Love  and  Laugh.” 
Each  subsequent  week  a viewing  of  another 
of  the  four  will  take  place. 


F.N.-P’s  “Challenge” 

To  Prince  Edward,  May  14 

First  National’s  new  production,  " The 
Challenge,”  is  to  be  trade  shown  at  the 
Prince  Edward  Theatre  on  May  14th,  at 
3.  It  is  to  be  presented  entirely  in  Techni- 
color, and  the  picturesque  mountain  settings 
are  not  least  among  its  various  attractions. 

Lila  Lee,  who  was  recently  seen  in  " The 
Gorilla,”  takes  the  leading  feminine  por- 
trayal, with  Sidney  Blackmer,  while  Fred 
Kohler,  prominently  cast  in  “ Adios,”  with 
Richard  Barthelmess,  is  also  featured. 

Raymond  Hatton,  Kenneth  Thompson, 
Olive  Tell,  Tom  Dugan,  Blanche  Frederici 
and  J.  Farrel  MacDonald  are  also  in  the 
cast. 


For  Music  Lovers 

Queen’s  Hall  Concert  Club 

In  connection  with  the  Courtauld-Sargent 
Queen’s  Hall  Concerts,  the  third  season  of 
which  will  open  in  October,  a Concert  Club 
has  been  formed  by  Mrs.  E.  Courtauld, 
20,  Portman  Square,  W.l.  The  object  of 
the  club  is  to  stimulate  interest  in  music 
and  to  obtain  a wide  and  stable  audience, 
drawn  from  lovers  of  music  for  whom  usual 
prices  have  been  too  high  to  permit  their 
regular  attendance.  At  present  membership 
consists  of  3,200,  and  embraces  people 
employed  in  banks,  Government  offices, 
hospitals,  large  stores,  schools,  etc.  Those 
engaged  in  these  and  similar  vocations  are 
eligible  for  membership,  and  are  enabled 
thus  to  subscribe  for  special  blocks  of  seats 
at  considerably  below  the  usual  Queen’s 
Hall  prices. 


Western  Electric  Photographs 
Voices 

Those  who  attended  the  recent  Architec- 
tural and  Allied  Arts  Exposition  at  the  Grand 
Central  Palace,  in  New  York,  were  given  the 
opportunity  of  having  photographic  records 
made  of  their  voices,  by  means  of  a rapid 
record  oscillograph  which  is  used  to  record 
photographically  sounds  of  even  the  most 
complex  nature.  The  display  was  part  of  the 
demonstration  given  by  the  Acoustic  Con- 
sulting Service  of  Western  Electric. 

The  rapid  record  oscillograph  is  a product 
of  the  Western  Electric  Company,  and  was 
developed  by  the  Bell  Telephone  Labora- 
tories. The  first  use  made  of  the  oscillograph 
was  during  the  war,  in  order  to  locate  the 
positions  of  hidden  enemy  artillery. 


Fox  Salesmen  Coming  Home 

R.  Sutton  Dawes,  Jack  Craine  and  Jack 
Smart,  Fox  British  salesmen,  are  due  to  sail 
for  England  in  the  “ Leviathan  ” on  May  9th. 
Sutton  Dawes  is  paying  a flying  visit  to 
Buffalo  and  Toronto,  while  Craine  and 
Smart  are  visiting  Washington  and  Phila- 
delphia. . 

Jeff  McCarthy,  famous  American  showman, 
is  also  sailing  for  Europe  in  the  “ Leviathan,” 
and  will  probably  be  in  London  for  a few 
days  prior  to  going  on  to  Vichy. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


43 


From  Lewis  Milestone’s  sensational  new  film,  “ The  Front  Page,”  which  Howard  Hughes  presents  through  United  Artists.  Here  are  Menjou 

as  the  Press  chief  and  Pat  O’Brien,  the  juvenile  lead 


Sound  and  Dialogue  Subjects 

“The  Front  Page” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : United  Artists.  Directed  by  : Lewis  Milestone.  Length  : 

9,220  feet.  Release  Date:  Not  fixed.  Certificate:  A.  Type: 

Melodrama.  Cast:  Adolphe  Menjou , Pat  O'Brien,  Edward  Everett 

Horton,  Walter  Catlett,  Mae  Clarke,  Matt  Moore. 

IN  BRIEF  : Adaptation  of  stage  play.  Grips  the  interest  by  sheer 
brilliance  of  dialogue,  vivid  action  and  outstanding  portrayals.  Powerful 
indictment  of  American  newspaper  methods,  of  reporters’  callousness,  and 
of  political  graft  in  story  of  murderer’s  wait  in  condemned  cell,  his  escape 
and  ultimate  reprieve.  Moments  of  appealing  sentiment.  Occasional 
vulgarities  of  a particularly  coarse  type. 

Suitability  : Though  teeming  with  subtleties  at  times  beyond  the  grasp 
of  the  average  public,  it  offers  an  unusual  booking  for  the  discerning 
showman. 

Selling  Angles  : Cast,  acting,  gripping  interest,  emotional  appeal. 

Plot  : A group  of  newspaper  reporters  occupying  the  press  room  adjacent 
to  the  criminal  court  are  brutally  contemplating  the  execution  on  the 
morrow  of  a white  man  accused  of  shooting  a black  policeman.  The 
negro  vote  is  an  essential  factor  with  the  sheriff  and  mayor,  and  these 
two  worthies  are  determined  on  the  execution  to  obtain  it.  The  accused’s 
only  friend  is  a street  walker  who,  without  making  much  impression,  takes 
the  opportunity  to  upbraid  the  pressmen  with  scathing  comment.  Hildy 
Johnson,  first  reporter  of  the  “ Morning  Post,”  falls  in  love  and  determines 
to  give  up  his  job  and  leave  for  New  York.  He  enters  the  press  room  and 
in  well  chosen  language  tells  his  boss  over  the  ’phone  of  his  intentions. 
The  sudden  escape  of  the  prisoner,  however,  and  he  is  galvanised  into 
action,  and  a few  minutes  later  sees  him  parting  with  part  of  the  money 
entrusted  to  him  by  his  fianc  e,  to  obtain  a scoop.  Chance  brings  the 
prisoner  to  the  press  room  when  Hildy  is  the  only  occupant,  and  to  get  a 
front  page  story  he  hides  him  in  a roll-top  desk  and  obtains  the  co- 
operation of  his  unscrupulous  editor.  Rather  than  reveal  his  whereabouts, 
the  tragic  street  walker,  who  has  helped  to  hide  him,  throws  herself  from 
the  window,  but  the  other  pressmen  are  not  to  be  denied,  and  the  un- 
fortunate man  is  captured.  Johnson  and  his  editor  are  arrested  for  aiding 
him,  but  at  the  last  minut£  the  vote  mongers  are  proved  to  have  purposely 
held  back  the  man’s  reprieve  and  both  are  released.  Hildy  leaves  with 
his  wife-to-be  for  New  York  with  the  editor’s  blessing  and  present,  little 
dreaming  that  the  latter  is  the  man’s  watch,  for  the  theft  of  which  he  is 
to  be  arrested  at  the  first  stop. 

Comment : This  is  a grim  but  compelling  story,  and  though  not  every- 
body’s meat,  it  would  be  useless  to  deny  that  the  tenseness  of  the  situations, 
the  vivid  atmosphere  and  moments  of  extreme  pathos  furnish  anything 
other  than  absorbing  entertainment.  The  film  opens  in  sensational 


manner  with  a mock  execution  and  ends  with  the  cleverest  of  touches,  while 
in  between  one  is  constantly  aware  of  some  new  sensation.  Every  character 
is  a study  in  itself,  and  in  following  their  feverish  activity  the  viewer, 
oblivious  of  all  else,  is  treated  to  perhaps  the  most  sensational  “ talkie  ” yet. 
It  is  a remarkable  blend  of  tragedy,  brutal  commercialism  and  romance, 
with  each  vying  with  the  other  for  the  ascendancy.  Comedy  also  has  its 
share  in  the  caustic  remarks  of  the  men  to  whom  a scoop  means  everything, 
though  their  back-chat  is  at  times  so  nauseating  in  its  crude  suggestiveness 
as  to  leave  one  amazed  at  the  censor  who  permits  such  things  to  pass. 
In  attempting  to  lay  bare  a state  of  corruptness  in  both  newspaper  and 
political  life,  which  may  or  may  not  exist  on  the  other  side,  Milestone  may 
have  been  prone  to  exaggeration,  though  there  is  no  denying  the  sincerity 
with  which  he  has  handled  the  material  and  men  at  his  command.  Few 
will  be  able  to  resist  the  poignant  appeal  of  the  terrorised,  hunted  man, 
nor  his  beautifully  tragic  farewell  with  the  unhappy  woman  with  whom 
he  has  committed  no  greater  wrong  than  to  accept  her  temporary 
hospitality.  Considerable  comedy  comes  from  various  reporter,  who 
reveal  a lighter  side  in  spite  of  the  demands  of  their  profession. 

Acting  : Adolphe  Menjou  does  some  effective  work  as  the  managing 
editor  who  stoops  to  the  meanest  of  tricks  to  retain  the  services  of  Hildy 
Johnson,  a part  which  brings  a promising  newcomer  to  the  screen  in 
Pat  O’Brien.  Edward  Everett  Horton  is  thoroughly  amusing  as  a nervous 
hypochondriac  and  Matt  Moore  gives  an  illuminating  illustration  of  how 
to  overcome  work  with  the  least  possible  effort.  The  part  of  the  street 
walker  is  appealingly  played  by  Mae  Clarke.  All,  in  fact,  are  excellent. 

Production  : Such  is  the  brilliance  of  the  direction  and  the  fidelity  of 
atmosphere,  that  one  totally  disregards  the  fact  that  practically  the  whole 
of  the  action  takes  place  in  the  press  room.  This  is  appropriately  mounted, 
depicting  a typical  apartment  for  newspaper  men,  shorn  of  any  semblance 
of  furniture  save  business  essentials.  Shots  are  provided  of  the  cell  and 
the  mayor’s  home. 

Sound  : Though  the  rapidity  of  the  spoken  word  is  such  that  some  may 
at  times  be  missed,  this  is  no  fault  of  the  recording.  The  effects,  too,  are 
good. 

“ Stepping  Out  ” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by : M.-G.-M.  Directed  by : Chas.  F.  Reisner.]  Length  : 

6,596  feet.  Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate : A . Type  : 

Marital  Comedy.  Cast : Charlotte  Greenwood,  Leila  Hyams, 

Reginald  Denny,  Lilian  Bond,  Cliff  Edwards,  Merna  Kennedy. 

IN  BRIEF  : The  story  of  a pair  of  philandering  husbands  and  what 
happens  when  their  wives  pay  them  back  in  their  own  coin.  Excellent 
portrayal  by  whole  of  talented  cast. 

Suitability  : Good  light  entertainment  for  the  majority  of  halls, 

Selling  Angles  : Story,  comedy  situations. 

Plot  : Tom  and  Tubby,  who  interest  themselves  financially  in  film 


44 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


production,  fall  victims  to  a couple  of  gold  diggers  and  are  promptly 
found  out  by  their  wives.  Prior  to  this,  to  cover  themselves  in  the  event 
of  the  production  being  a dud,  they  make  everything  over  to  their  wives, 
and  this  also  the  two  discover.  The  two  women  take  full  advantage  of 
it  and  proceed  to  spend  it  at  a holiday  resort  within  easy  distance.  They 
meet  a couple  of  likeable  men,  but  the  husbands  are  soon  hot  on  their 
track.  Eventually  the  lawyer  who  negotiated  the  transfer  to  the  wives 
gets  them  out  of  a sticky  mess  and  everything  ends  happily. 

Comment  : The  absurd  antics  with  the  two  girls  in  which  the  two 
weak  fools  indulge  can  hardly  be  rated  as  first  rate  comedy  stuff,  and 
consequently  the  opening  is  somewhat  slow.  There  is,  however,  no 
denying  the  humour  of  their  sheepish  excuses  to  a couple  of  rather  indul- 
gent wives  who  apparently  rather  welcome  an  opportunity  to  get  away 
from  them.  Interest  quickens  when  the  wives  have  their  turn,  and 
though  it  develops  in  the  end  to  sheer  knockabout,  they  frankly  put 
up  a better  show  than  the  men.  The  transfer  of  the  goods  and  chattels, 
plus  the  bank  roll,  gives  them  a scope  of  which  they  take  full  advantage, 
and  the  manner  in  which  their  boy  friends  dodge  the  husbands  by  dis- 
guising themselves  as  waiters  is  one  of  the  film’s  brightest  spots.  Dialogue 
is  clever  and  extremely  witty. 

Acting  : Charlotte  Greenwood  is  delightful  in  a typical  Amazonian 
role  and  is  ably  supported  by  Leila  Hyams  as  the  other  wife.  Reginald 
Denny  puts  up  a breezy  performance  as  Tom,  and  Harry  Stubbs  makes 
a likeable  Tubby.  Lilian  Bond  and  Merna  Kennedy  are  captivating  as 
the  gold  diggers. 

Production  : Interior  settings  of  Tom’s  home  are  on  sumptuous  lines- 
Other  sets,  admirably  mounted,  include  hotel  interiors  and  glimpses  of 
the  gaming  tables. 

Sound  : Recording  is  well  nigh  perfect. 


“ Man  of  the  World  ” 

( Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Paramount.  Directed  by : Richard  Wallace  and  Herman 

J . Markiewicz.  Length  : 6,343  feet.  Release  Date : January  25, 

1932.  Certificate:  A.  Type:  Romantic  drama.  Cast:  William 

Powell,  Carole  Lombard,  Wynne  Gibson,  Lawrence  Gray. 

IN  BRIEF  : Interesting,  if  rather  unconvincing,  story  of  American  crook's 
methods  of  preying  on  his  countrymen  in  Paris,  his  love  for  a victim’s  niece, 
and  his  sacrifice  for  her  sake.  Excellent  acting  in  stellar  role.  Competent 
supporting  cast,  splendidly  mounted  and  admirably  recorded. 

Suitability  : Good  average  programme  picture. 

Selling  Angles  : Star,  story,  romance. 

Plot : Possessing  a murky  past,  Trevor,  a reporter,  leaves  America  and 
proceeds  to  Paris  where,  with  the  aid  of  a scandal  sheet  produced  by 
himself,  a girl  friend  and  a hanger-on,  he  blackmails  American  tourists. 
While  extracting  a cool  2,000  dollars  from  a Mr.  Taylor,  he  meets 
and  falls  in  love  with  the  man’s  niece,  and  decides  later  to  tread  the  paths 
of  virtue.  To  prevent  his  jealous  assistant  giving  him  away,  he  tells 
his  girl  of  his  past,  but  she  allows  it  to  make  no  impression  on  their  love. 
It  is  the  other  woman  who  points  out  to  him  the  injury  he  would  be  doing 
the  girl  to  marry  her,  and  to  kill  the  affection  she  has  for  him  he  endeavours 
to  extort  more  money  from  Taylor  in  her  presence.  We  leave  him  bound 
for  South  Africa  with  the  woman  with  whom  he  has  worked,  tearing  up 
the  cheque  which  has  cost  him  his  heart’s  desire  to  obtain. 

Comment : If  one  can  conceive  the  sudden  weakness  of  this  man,  who 
can  bring  himself  to  such  depths  of  villainy  and  again  appreciate  his 
strength  of  character  in  denying  the  girl,  this  story  will  prove  satisfactory. 
In  any  case,  it  would  appear  to  have  justified  itself  if  only  for  the  re- 
markably convincing  attitudes  adopted  by  the  confidence  tricksters,  and 
the  colossal  bluff  which  means  such  easy  money  to  them.  The  ease  with 
which  this  one  carries  his  point  is  apt  to  create  considerable  sympathy 
with  those  who  fall  victims  to  such  ingenious  blackguards.  The  love 
interest  will  prove  sufficiently  appealing  to  those  with  a flair  for  the 
sentimental. 

Acting  : William  Powell  proves  equally  effective  as  the  suave  swindler 
as  he  has  done  in  roles  which  call  for  more  colourful  acting,  and  in  the 
more  emotional  passages  has  shown  admirable  restraint.  The  role  of  the 
girl  lover  is  well  played  by  Carole  Lombard,  and  Wynne  Gibson  makes  a 
pretty  little  crook. 

Production  : Settings  are  many  and  varied,  and  all  are  mounted  with 
that  efficiency  usually  associated  with  Paramount  productions.  These 
include  cafes,  night  clubs,  hotel  apartments,  and  the  room  in  which  the 
scandal  sheets  are  prepared.  An  enclosure  on  the  racecourse  lends  the 
right  atmosphere,  and  there  are  occasional  glimpses  of  Paris. 

Sound  : Recording  is  faultless. 


“ No  Lady  ” 

( British  Acoustic  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Gaumont.  Directed  by  : Lupino  Lane.  Length:  6,474  feet. 
Release  Date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Type : Farcical 

acrobatic  extravaganza.  Cast  : Lupino  Lane,  Lola  Hunt,  Wallace 
Lupino,  Cyril  McLaglen. 

IN  BRIEF  : The  ludicrous  misadventures  of  a henpecked  husband,  who, 
having  married  a widow  with  five  children,  goes  to  Blackpool  for  a holiday, 
is  mistaken  for  a conspirator,  pursued  by  the  police,  avoids  arrest  by 
assuming  female  attire,  ascends  in  a glider,  and  is  finally  acclaimed  a hero. 
Amazingly  clever  performance  by  star.  Elaborate  production. 

Suitability  : Splendid  entertainment  for  patrons  of  every  age,  class  and 
nationality. 

Selling  Angles  : The  extraordinary  conglomeration  of  comedy,  farce, 
burlesque,  slapstick,  song  and  dance. 

Plot  : Little  Pog  has  unwisely  married  a widow  with  five  noisy  children. 


The  lady  has  the  unpleasing  habit  of  instituting  comparisons  between  her 
meek  little  spouse,  whom  she  considers  a dud,  and  the  dear  departed. 
After  many  harrowing  experiences  patient  Pog  gets  the  family  to  Blackpool. 
On  the  pier  he  is  accosted  by  a mysterious  maiden  who  mistakes  him  for 
a conspirator.  This  error  involves  him  in  a series  of  catastrophes,  for  his 
clothes  are  stolen  by  an  escaped  convict,  he  is  pursued  by  the  police,  but 
evades  them  by  taking  refuge  in  the  ladies’  dressing  room,  from  whence 
he  merges  in  female  garb.  The  real  conspirators  molest  him  and  he 
ascends  in  a glider.  His  skill  is  so  extraordinary  that  on  descending  he 
is  welcomed  by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  presented  with  a Silver  Cup 
and  a big  cheque. 

Comment  : This  picture  will  not  only  delight  thousands  and  make  them 
roar  with  laughter  by  its  harmless  fun,  but  cause  the  name  of  Lupino  Lane 
to  be  inscribed  on  the  roll  of  fame  as  a great  comedian.  With  talents  such 
as  his  a story  is  superfluous,  but  the  nonsensical  melange  is  not  without 
a backbone,  and  at  the  close  when  the  juvenile  Pogs  recognise  their  step- 
father being  lionised,  their  sharp-tongued  mother  is  amazed  to  find  she 
has  a hero  for  a husband.  The  picture  starts  on  comedy  lines  with  the 
family  at  home,  changes  to  farce  when  hubby  is  obliged  to  bathe  in  the 
kitchen  sink,  becomes  a burlesque  with  the  appearance  of  the  foreign  spies 
at  Blackpool,  an  acrobatic  rushabout  when  stalls  and  punch  and  judy 
shows  are  overthrown,  and  towards  the  close  a musical  comedy,  for  a bevy 
of  fascinating  damsels  delight  with  song  and  dance.  The  aerial  stunts 
cause  shudders  of  apprehension,  and  the  triumphal  march  “ See  the 
conquering  hero  comes  ” universal  satisfaction. 

Acting  : Among  the  many  excellencies  of  Lupino  Lane’s  performance 
must  be  mentioned  his  sustained  expression  of  patient  resignation,  and 
his  charming  feminality  which  makes  the  film’s  title  somewhat  a misnomer. 
Good  support  is  given  by  Wallace  Lupino  and  Cyril  McLaglen.  who 
impersonate  melodramatic  spies,  Lola  Hunt,  who  plays  the  wife,  Renee 
Clama,  the  siren,  and  last  but  not  least,  Roy  Carey,  amusing  as  a boisterous 
brat. 

Production  : Much  of  the  action  takes  place  in  the  open.  The  pictures 
of  Blackpool  with  its  well-known  tower,  scenic  railway,  crowded  beach,  etc., 
supply  a delightful  background.  Especially  diverting  is  a meeting  of 
cranks  on  the  sands. 

Sound  The  dialogue  and  sound  effects  are  admirably  recorded.  Appro- 
priate music  is  supplied  by  Herman  Darewski’s  band. 


“Tilly  of  Bloomsbury” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Sterling.  Directed  by  : Jack  Raymond.  Length : 7,050 

feet.  Release  Date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Type  : Farce 

comedy.  Cast  : Phyllis  Knnstam,  Sydney  Howard,  Ellis  Jeffreys, 

Richard  Bird,  Mabel  Russell,  Edward  Chapman,  Ena  Grossmith. 

IN  BRIEF : Excellent  adaptation  of  Ian  Hay’s  laughter-provoking 

farce.  A story  of  a poor  girl’s  love  for  a young  aristocrat,  her  predicaments 
when  trying  to  deceive  his  parents  and  her  ultimate  triumph,  offers  a series 
of  hilarious  situations  and  a strong  human  interest.  Outstanding  portrayal 
by  star  assisted  by  good  supporting  cast. 

Suitability  : A certain  pull  for  popular  halls. 

Selling  Angles  : Human  interest,  Sydney  Howard’s  performance  and 
many  amusing  situations. 

Plot  : While  at  an  ice  rink  with  her  brother,  Tilly,  daughter  of  poor 
parents  living  in  Bloomsbury,  meets  and  falls  in  love  with  Dick  Main- 
waring,  a youth  with  aristocratic  parents.  The  feeling  is  mutual,  they 
become  engaged,  and  Dick  takes  her  down  to  his  home.  The  reception 
accorded  her  by  his  mother  and  sister  is  an  icy  one,  but  prompted  by 
Dick’s  girl  friend,  she  invents  a pack  of  lies  and  invites  them  to  return 
her  visit.  On  the  day  they  are  due  to  arrive  at  Bloomsbury  misfortune 
overtakes  Tilly’s  family,  they  being  saddled  with  the  presence  of  a sheriff’s 
officer.  To  add  realism  to  their  story  they  enlist  his  services  as  a brother, 
but  the  true  state  of  affairs  is  early  apparent  to  the  haughty  Lady  Adela, 
Dick’s  impossible  mother.  In  desperation,  Tilly  tells  them  the  truth 
and  decides  to  give  up  Dick,  but  this  worthy  takes  a room  in  her  apart- 
ment house,  pays  off  the  brokers’  man,  gets  her  father’s  consent  and 
everything  ends  happily. 

Comment  : Ian  Hay’s  excellent  farce  has  stood  the  test  of  time  and 
though,  through  the  medium  of  the  screen,  the  theme  has  become  rather 
time-worn,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  this  screen  version  will  meet 
with  universal  approval.  Jack  Raymond’s  direction  is  good,  if  a little 
sketchy  in  the  opening,  and  he  has  missed  few’  of  the  many  delicious 
little  touches  which  have  held  audiences  in  roars  of  laughter.  This  is, 
of  course,  its  main  object  though  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  it  is  not 
without  touching  sentiment  in  the  love  of  the  two  young  people  and  the 
wide  breach  between  them  which  appears  at  times  to  be  insurmountable. 
The  high  light  of  the  film  is,  without  question,  the  pitiful  attempt  on  the 
part  of  Tilly’s  family,  headed  by  a w:oefully  weak-minded  father,  to 
make  some  sort  of  show  and  the  efforts  of  the  v’oefully  incompetent 
and  down-at-heel  butler  to  memorise  his  part,  turn  an  honest  bob  and 
assist  the  unfortunates  generally. 

Acting  : Sydney  Howard  is  admirably  cast  as  the  butler,  his  many 
amusing  mannerisms  and  comical  facial  expressions  placing  him  in  the 
forefront  of  screen  comedians.  Phyllis  Konstam  plays  naturally  as 
Tilly  and  Richard  Bird  w’ho  plays  opposite  her  makes  a pleasing  Dick. 
The  performance  of  Ellis  Jeffreys  in  the  role  of  the  objectionable  Lady 
Adela,  lends  conviction  to  a particularly  unsympathetic  character.  Others 
of  the  cast,  more  especially  Mabel  Russell  as  Tilly’s  ungrammatical  mother, 
Ena  Grossmith  as  her  sister,  and  Edw’ard  Chapman,  the  father  who  has 
seen  better  days,  all  do  good  work. 

Production  : A few’  interiors  suffice  for  the  telling  of  the  story,  including 
the  lavishly  appointed  home  of  the  Mainwarings  and  the  humble  dwelling 
in  Bloomsbury.  These  are  quite  well  arranged  and  the  photographs  very 
good. 

Sound  : Recording  of  dialogue  is  of  commendably  high  standard. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


45 


“ Mother’s  Millions  ” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Universal.  Directed  by  : James  Flood.  Length  : 8,408  feet. 
Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Type  : Drama.  Cast  : 

May  Robson,  James  Hall,  Laivrence  Gray,  Frances  Dade. 

IN  BRIEF  : Powerfully  emotional  story  of  a fabulously  wealthy  mother 
who,  for  their  own  good,  brings  her  children  up  in  a hard  school,  and  hides 
a heart  of  gold  behind  a miserly  and  grasping  exterior.  Coupling  financial 
genius  with  deep  rooted  affection,  she  wins  her  children  over  and  rids  the 
stock  market  of  undesirables.  Superb  portrayal  by  75-year-old  star. 
Excellent  recording. 

Suitability  : A box-office  proposition  of  the  first  magnitude. 

Selling  Angles  : Story,  acting  of  star,  strong  human  appeal,  touching 
romance. 

Plot  : Mrs.  Breen  is  a financial  genius,  and  determined  that  her  son 
and  daughter  shall  be  worthy  of  the  fortune  she  is  to  leave  behind,  practises 
miserly  habits  and  rules  them  with  a rod  of  iron.  She  learns  that  her  son 
has  mortgaged  his  inheritance  to  her  bitterest  enemy,  Remington,  and  turns 
him  out  only  to  finance,  later,  the  railroad  on  which  he  gains  a position. 
During  his  absence  she  makes  her  daughter  work  hard,  and  when  the  boy 
returns  and  openly  defies  her  for  her  tyrannical  disposition,  she  secretly 
exults  at  the  thought  that  she  has  instilled  some  manhood  into  him. 
Pursuing  her  fight  with  Remington,  she  reveals  she  has  a heart  for  the 
poor,  and  brings  him  and  his  cronies  to  ruin.  Feeling  that  he  can  strike 
back  through  the  love  she  bears  her  son,  Remington  swears  he  wall  prove 
the  youth  has  no  affection  for  her,  the  stake  to  be  the  mortgages  he  has 
lost  to  her.  She  accepts,  but  Remington  fails  ignominiously  and  is  only 
prevented  in  the  nick  of  time  from  taking  her  life. 

Comment : Seldom,  if  ever,  has  so  compelling  a character  as  this 

delightful,  though  rather  terrible,  woman  appeared  on  the  screen,  and  it 
is  safe  to  say  that  she  will  find  the  utmost  sympathy  with  a hundred  per 
cent,  of  audiences.  A positive  virago,  she  is  nevertheless  a delightful  old 
woman,  whose  first  thought  is  for  the  children,  of  whose  future  she  is 
almost  afraid.  Many  a touching  little  episode  is  forthcoming  in  her 
display  of  the  better  nature  which  she  endeavours  to  hide,  and  none  more 
so  than  when  she  brusquely  accepts  the  gift  of  an  easy  chair  from  her 
daughter  although  she  is  delightedly  eager  to  make  use  of  it.  Again, 
much  of  the  boy’s  success,  and  even  his  ultimate  marriage,  is  due  to 
her,  and  she  sees  that  her  daughter’s  love  affair,  which  she  openly 
despises,  is  brought  to  happy  fruition.  Her  final  bout  with  Remington 
provides  a powerful  scene,  and  the  test  of  her  son’s  affection  when  he 
uphold-  her,  unaware  of  her  presence,  has,  even  though  it  be  a foregone 
conclusion,  the  distinction  of  riveting  the  attention. 

Acting  : It  is  well-nigh  incredible  that  May  Robson,  at  75  years  of  age, 
has  not  been  seen  on  the  screen  before,  for  her  performance  as  Mrs.  Breen 
is  one  not  to  be  forgotten.  As  a woman  possessed  of  boundless  courage, 
her  acting  is  both  dynamic  and  appealing,  and  though  she  has  specialised 
in  this  role,  another  film  with  her  in  the  cast  will  be  confidently  looked 
for.  Though  the  others  are,  necessarily,  the  lesser  lights,  they  all  act  with 
conviction,  Frances  Dade  as  the  beautiful  young  daughter,  James  Hall, 
her  lover,  and  Lawrence  Gray,  the  son  who  makes  good. 

Production  : The  whole  of  the  story  is  confined  to  interiors,  which 
include  the  trio’s  humble  dwelling,  the  offices  of  Mrs.  Breen,  and  the 
splendid  apartments  of  Remington  which,  after  his  crash,  the  Breens  are 
to  occupy.  All  are  well  mounted.  Lighting  appeared  at  times  to  be 
rather  faulty. 

Sound  : This  is  first-rate. 


“The  Conquering  Horde” 

(Western  Electric  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Paramount.  Directed  by : Edward  Sloman.  Length  : 

6,582  feet.  Release  date : February  15,  1932.  Certificate : U . 

Type  : Western  Drama.  Cast  : Richard  Arlen,  Fay  Wray,  Claude 
Gillingwater , lan  Maclaren,  George  Mendoza. 

IN  BRIEF  : Slight  story  of  young  man's  love  of  pretty  ranch  owner  and 
the  manner  in  which  he  saves  her  from  ruin.  Interest  maintained  by  some 
excellent  outdoor  action,  striking  shots  of  vast  cattle  herds,  and  treacherous 
dealing  of  land  sharks. 

Suitability  : Good  average  second  feature  booking. 

Selling  Angles  : Cast,  story,  action. 

Plot  : After  the  American  Civil  War  the  ranch  owners  of  Texas  were 
feeling  the  pinch  and  were  forced  to  sell  out  to  land  sharks  at  knock-out 
figures.  Fletcher  had  gained  considerable  land  by  this  means  and  was 
determined  to  get  the  huge  ranch  owned  and  ran  by  Taisie  Lockhart. 
Her  salvation  comes  in  the  form  of  Dan  McMasters,  who  points  out  that 
she  can  save  herself  by  taking  her  herds  to  a market  some  thousand  miles 
away.  The  trek  starts,  followed  by  Fletcher  and  his  gang.  Though  mis- 
understandings arise  between  Taisie  and  McMasters,  the  latter  proves  his 
worth  and  reveals  himself  as  an  officer  of  the  Government  sent  down 
specially  to  uncloak  men  like  Fletcher. 

Comment : This  is  a Western  on  very  conventional  lines,  but  one  which 
will  prove  a winner  with  those  patrons  who  still  appreciate  its  type.  The 
big  trek  presents  many  aspects  of  such  an  undertaking  and  we  see  the  men 
and  beasts  labouring  under  tremendous  difficulties.  Comedy  comes  from 
the  back  chat  of  the  half  sophisticated  cow  hands,  .and  a touch  of  colour 
is  supplied  by  the  introduction  of  Indians,  to  whom  the  hapless  villain  is 
surrendered  as  a peace  offering.  The  closing  scenes  are  rather  drawn  out. 

Acting  : Richard  Arlen  manages  his  part  well  as  Dan  McMasters,  and 
Fay  Wray  is  good  in  a conventional  role.  Claude  Gillingwater  is  the 
shining  light  of  the  piece  as  the  ranch  foreman,  and  others  give  capable 
support. 


Production  : Exterior  views  are  delightful  and  the  handling  of  the  herds, 
culminating  in  a stampede  through  the  small  town,  is  excellent. 

Sound  : Splendid  throughout. 


“Sea  Devils” 

(R.C.A.  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Gaumont.  Directed  by  : Joseph  Levering.  Length  : 5,225 
feet.  Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Type : Marine 

Melodrama.  Cast  : Edmund  Burns,  Molly  O’ Day,  Walter  Long, 

James  Donnelly. 

IN  BRIEF  : Interesting  story  of  an  escaped  convict  who  becomes  a 
stowaway.  Pleasing  love  interest.  Exciting  mutiny.  Amusing  characterisa- 
tion, with  some  singing. 

Suitability  : Popular  hall  appeal. 

Selling  Angles  : The  well-photographed  nautical  settings,  the  story’s 
interest,  and  fist  work. 

Plot  : Charters,  unjustly  sentenced,  escapes  from  prison,  and  determines 
to  trace  the  man  who  committed  the  crime.  At  a waterfront  saloon  he 
recognises  him,  and  becomes  a stowaway  on  board  the  vessel  where  the 
ruffian  is  mate.  The  ship  has  another  attraction  in  the  shape  of  the 
captain’s  pretty  daughter,  who  has  already  evinced  an  interest  in  the 
shabby  fugitive.  When  he  is  discovered  in  the  hold  she  pleads  for  him. 
The  mate  has  designs  on  the  girl,  and  is  planning  a mutiny.  This  breaks 
out,  but,  thanks  to  Charters  and  a herculean  negro,  is  suppressed. 
Ultimately  there  is  happiness  for  the  deserving,  and  handcuffs  for  the 
mate. 

Comment : This  is  an  instance  of  a conventional  plot,  allied  with 
picturesque  settings  and  sound  acting,  being  sufficient  to  furnish  pleasing 
entertainment.  After  the  prologue,  when  the  hero’s  innocence  is  made 
clear,  action  takes  place  in  the  saloon  and  on  the  vessel.  The  latter  is 
presented  with  much  realism,  and  a fair  amount  of  humour  is  introduced 
by  a comic  cook  and  the  antics  of  a pet  monkey.  In  addition  to  the 
mutiny  excitement,  there  are  several  strong  situations,  especially  when 
Charters  descends  as  a diver,  and  a wireless  is  received  that  an  escaped 
convict  is  believed  to  be  on  board. 

Acting  : Edmund  Burns  and  Molly  O’Day  play  the  leading  parts, 
James  Donnelly,  the  mate,  and  Walter  I.ong,  the  captain. 

Production  : There  are  many  well-photographed  seascapes  and  pic- 
turesque wharves. 

Sound  : The  voices  are  well  recorded,  but  the  heroine’s  tones  are  often 
shrill. 


“ The  Ringer  ” 

(R.C.A.  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : Ideal.  Directed  by  : Walter  Forde  for  Gainsborough  and 

British  Lion.  Length  : 6,738  feet.  Release  Date  : Not  fixed. 

Certificate  : A.  Type  : Detective  mystery,  based  on  the  book  and 

play  by  Edgar  Wallace.  Cast  : Patrick  Cnrwen,  Franklin  Dvall, 

Gordon  Harker,  Esmond  Knight,  Carol  Goodner,  John  Longden. 

IN  BRIEF  : Exciting  quest  by  Scotland  Yard  detectives  for  a notorious 
criminal,  who  is  ultimately  unveiled  in  their  midst.  A continuous  series 
of  unexpected  and  puzzling  situations,  with  much  clever  and  amusing 
characterisation. 

Suitability  : Admirable  entertainemt.  for  the  masses. 

Selling  Angles  : The  name  of  Edgar  Wallace  and  the  intrigue  of  detective 
drama. 

Plot:  The  whereabouts  of  a criminal,  known  as  “The  Ringer”  from 
his  talent  in  the  art  of  make-up,  is  to  the  police  a problem,  for  the  man 
is  seen  landing  at  the  docks,  though  reported  drowned  in  Australia. 
His  wife  is  known  to  be  in  London  and  is  watched,  also  a shady  lawyer, 
one  of  the  Ringer’s  fraternity.  To  this  miscreant  the  elusive  one  has 
confided  his  sister,  but  her  life  has  had  a tragic  ending.  Detectives  feel 
certain  the  Ringer  will  be  revenged,  and  the  lawyer  lives  in  abject  terror. 
The  assistance  of  Dr.  Lomond,  the  police  surgeon,  a canny  old  Scot,  who 
has  the  reputation  of  being  a criminologist,  is  invoked.  He  examines  the 
Ringer’s  wife  when  brought  to  Scotland  Yard,  and  she  is  much  agitated. 
The  lawyer,  in  his  home,  is  fatally  stabbed  with  a sword-stick  by  Dr. 
Lomond.  The  old  man’s  disguise  is  torn  off  and  the  Ringer  stands  re- 
vealed. With  bis  wife,  he  escapes  down  the  river. 

Comm°nt  : Thousands  who  saw  “ The  Ringer  ” when  the  play  had 
a run  of  51  weeks  at  Wyndham’s  Theatre,  and  those  who  read  Edgar 
Wallace’s  storv  “ The  Gaunt  Stranger,”  on  which  it  was  based,  will  hail 
the  appearance  of  this  film  with  delight.  The  silent  version  (reviewed 
in  The  Bioscope,  August  29,  1928)  may  have  pleased  at  the  time,  but 
sensationalism  is  heightened  by  dialogue,  and  now  it  is  provided  it  is 
safe  to  predict  for  “ The  Ringer  ” a new  lease  of  life.  The  acting  is,  by 
principals  and  subordinates,  excellent.  Among  the  former.  Franklin  Dyall’s 
evil  lawyer,  Curwen’s  Doctor  Lomond  and  Gordon  Harker’s  Hackett 
stand  out  and  rivet  attention.  Though  nothing  elaborate  is  attempted, 
the  settings  impress  by  their  suitability,  most  of  the  action  taking  place 
in  Scotland  Yard  offices  and  the  villain  lawyer’s  riverside  mysterious 
abode.  Though  the  direction  cannot  be  considered  masterly,  there  is 
much  to  commend.  Of  course,  the  chief  object  is  to  keep  the  audience 
guessing,  and  there  is  no  more  fascinating  pastime  for  film-goers  than 
endeavouring  to  spot  the  criminal.  It  is  obvious  the  much-wanted  man 
is  before  the  eyes  of  the  spectators,  but  few  would  guess  him  to  be  the 
eccentric  old  doctor,  speaking  with  Scottish  accent.  Owing  to  a certain 


46 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1031 


amount  of  . padding,  development  is  somewhat  dilatory.  Were  some  of 
the  objectless  hurryings  to-and-fro,  opening  of  doors  and  ascending  and 
descending  stairs  eliminated,  matters  would  be  speeded  up. 

Acting  : The  males,  necessarily,  have  greater  opportunities  than  the 
ladies,  but  Carol  Goodner  is  excellent  as  the  criminal’s  wife.  The  most 
appealing  performance  is  that  of  Gordon  Harker  as  Hackett,  a crook 
who  acts  as  butler  to  the  evil  lawyer.  His  impersonation  is  one  to  raise 
laughter  anywhere.  John  Longden,  Arthur  Stratton  and  Henry  Hallett 
are  excellent  as  police  and  detectives. 

Production:  In  addition  to  the  settings  already  mentioned,  there  are 
some  well  photographed  river  scenes. 

Sound  : All  voices  are  delightfully  distinct. 


“Wedding  on  the  Volga” 

(Ii.C.A.  Sound  on  Disc.) 

Offered  by:  G.  and  l.  Directed  by:  Mark  Sweid.  Length  5,349  feet. 
Release  Date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Type  : Musical  romance. 
Cast:  Arthur  Albro,  Mary  Fowler,  Henrietta  Tilchman,  John 

Gould,  the  Ballalaika  Orchestra  and  Imperial  Cossack  Choir. 

IN  BRIEF  : A tyrannical  father’s  attempt  to  force  his  daughter  into 
marriage  with  a man  she  does  not  care  for.  Picturesque  settings.  Much 
singing  and  music. 

Suitability  : Entertainment  for  minor  hall  audiences. 

Selling  Angles  : The  solo  and  choral  singing  in  Russian,  and  wedding 
festivities,  with  knife  throwing,  dancing,  etc. 

Plot  : Piotr.  a barge  owner,  believing  that  his  man  Zhuck  has  saved 
his  life,  tells  him  he  shall  have  his  daughter  Olga  in  marriage.  The  girl 
has  given  her  heart  to  Alexis,  a sailor,  while  Zhuck  is  loved  by  Darya, 
who  attends  to  the  refreshments.  Ultimately,  all  are  made  happy,  for 
the  sailor  carries  off  the  girl  he  loves  and  the  old  barge  owner  bows  to 
the  inevitable. 

Comment : Though  this  picture  is  not  strong  in  dramatic  values,  there 
is  a certain  measure  of  appeal  to  eye  and  ear,  the  settings  being  picturesque 
and  the  singing  tuneful.  A climax  is  reached  when  Alexis,  like  the  young 
Lochinvar,  carries  off  in  his  arms  the  girl  who  loves  him. 

Acting  : The  best  performance  is  that  of  Mary  Fowler,  who  impersonates 
the  tempestuous  Darya.  Arthur  Albro,  as  Alexis,  has  the  principal  singing 
part. 

Production  : Action  takes  place  chiefly  at  the  boathouse  of  old  Piotr- 

Sound  : The  performance  by  the  Ballalaika  Orchestra  is  well  recorded. 


“ Beyond  Victory  ” 

(Ii.C.A.  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  : I’.  I).  C.  Directed  by:  John  Robertson.  Length:  0,570  teet. 
Release.  November,  1 93 ( . Certificate:  A.  Type:  War  drama. 

Cast  : Bill  Boyd,  James  Gleason,  I.ew  Cody,  Xasu  Fitts,  Mary  Carr, 
Lissi  Arm. 

IN  BRIEF  : Grimly  realistic  pictures  of  the  horrors  of  war,  with  which 
are  interpolated  some  interesting  and  amusing  flashbacks.  Clever 
acting.  Admirable  production.  Excellent  as  peace  propaganda,  but  con- 
taining mu'h  that  is  superfluous. 

Suitability  : Where  war  pictures  are  still  liked. 

Selling  Angles  : The  effectively  staged  scenes  of  strife,  the  humour 
of  the  domestic  incidents,  some  caustic  argumentation  and  Doughboy 
dialogue. 

Plot  : A Colonel  finds  it  necessary  to  retire  and  link  up  his  forces  with 
those  unable  to  advance.  Jimmy,  of  the  Kitchen  Police,  departs  with 
a message,  for  the  ’phone  is  disconnected.  He  joins  four  men  left  in  a 
perilous  position.  Three  are  wiped  out  by  enemy  snipers,  and  as  they 
pass  away,  details  of  the  circumstances  attending  their  enlistment  are 
revealed.  The  two  survivors  regain  consciousness  in  a German  hospital. 
The  sweetheart  of  one  arrives,  and  she  saves  her  lover’s  life  by  a trans- 
fusion of  blood. 

Comment : This  film  will  please  the  few,  but  disappoint  the  many. 
To  the  former  it  must  appear  as  a satisfactory  peace-propaganda  effort, 
and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  nations  of  the  world  are  still  piling  up 
armaments  in  a lamentable  manner,  it  deserves  exhibition.  But  those 
in  search  of  entertainment  will  be  irritated  by  its  painful  lack  of  cohesion. 
H owever,  the  humour  of  dialogue,  amusing  characterisations  and  some 
laughable  incidents  offer  a certain  measure  of  compensation. 

Acting  : Bill  Boyd  is  excellent  as  the  Sergeant,  ultimately  saved  by 
bis  girl  ; Gleason  richly  humorous  as  the  irrepressible  Jim,  and  Zasu 
Pitts  sententiously  argumentative  on  the  subject  of  war.  Lew  Cody  has 
a good  part,  being  briefly  seen  as  a philanderer.  The  best  female  im- 
personation is  that  by  Lissi  Arna  of  the  self-sacrificing  sweetheart. 

Production  : This,  as  stated,  is  impressive. 

Sound  : The  voices  are  well  recorded,  but  the  sound  effects  require 
lessening. 


“Wild  West  Whoopee” 

(Powers  Cinephone  Sound  on  Film.) 

Offered  by  W.  and  F.  Directed  by  : Robt.  J . Horner.  Length  : 4,321 
feet.  Release  Date:  October  26,  1931.  Certificate:  II.  Type: 

Western  drama.  Cast : Jack  Perrin,  Josephine  Hill,  Henry  Roque- 
more,  Fred  Church  “ Starlight .” 


IN  BRIEF  : Excellent  rodeo  scenes  and  intelligent  use  of  famousThorse 
the  best  things  in  a conventional  story  of  romance  and  treachery.  Charm- 
ing exteriors  and  good  recording. 

Suitability  : For  smaller  popular  halls. 

Selling  Angles  : Horse  and  steer  riding,  sentimental  touches. 

Plot  Jim  Logan,  a ranch  hand,  is  in  love  with  the  boss’s  daughter, 
but,  through  the  influence  of  a villainous  foreman,  is  under  notice  to 
quit.  Through  the  same  man’s  interference  he  is  injured  at  the  local  rodeo, 
but,  after  convalescence,  arranges  to  elope  with  the  girl.  The  foreman, 
however,  beats  him  to  it  by  kidnapping  her.  Jim  eventually  rescues  the 
girl,  and  besides  receiving  the  commendations  of  her  father  has  the  satis- 
faction of  capturing  a notorious  crook,  and  at  the  same  time  is  revealed 
as  a young  gentleman  of  substantial  means. 

Comment : Some  brilliant  rough-riding  by  cow  hands  makes  the  picture 
worth  while,  but,  beyond  this,  it  has  little  to  recommend  it.  The  hero 
performs  the  task  of  rescue  with  consummate  ease,  and  his  protracted 
fight  with  the  villain  of  the  piece  will  produce  ribald  laughter  rather  than 
any  degree  of  excitement.  For  the  patrons  who  appreciate  this  type, 
the  effective  handling  of  Jim’s  famous  horse  will  find  something  to 
enthuse  over. 

Acting  : Jack  Perrin  is  hardly  as  romantic  as  the  majority  of  cowboy 
heroes,  but  gets  through  plenty  of  work  as  Logan.  Ginger  Rogers  is 
good  as  the  girl  and  good  support  comes  from  Roquemore  as  the  boss 
and  F'red  Church  in  the  role  of  the  foreman. 

Production  : Delightful  exteriors  are  a feature  and  the  pliotography 

is  first  rate.  A new  departure  is  the  use  of  carrier  pigeons  used  by  the 
gang  as  a liaison  between  them  and  their  chief. 

Sound  : The  recording  of  the  dialogue  is  without  fault. 


“ Monsters  of  the  Deep  ” 

(Recording  not  known.) 

Offered  by  : IF.  and  F.  Directed  by  : Nat  SpiPer.  Length  : 5,045  feet . 

Release  Date  : October  26,  1931.  Certificate  : U.  Type  : Interest. 

IN  BRIEF  : Brilliant  photographic  record  of  deep  sea  fishing  expedition 
culminating  in  tremendous  battle  with  giant  devil-fish.  Well  recorded 
and  rather  terse  commentary  supplies  touches  of  comedy. 

Suitability : A.n  out-of-the-ordinary  booking,  which  should  go  over 

well  in  the  better  class  hall. 

Selling  Angles  : The  many  remarkable  shots  and  thrills. 

The  Film  : We  can  imagine  the  followers  of  Isaak  Walton  enthusing 
over  these  pictures  of  a voyage  into  a veritable  fisherman’s  paradise, 
but  its  interest  will  by  no  means  be  restricted  to  this  class.  There  is  a 
fascination  about  the  capture  of  each  individual  fish,  for  these  experts 
appear  to  merely  trifle  with  rod  and  line  catches  of  200  lb.  The  monster 
tuna  and  huge  sharks  are  shown  fighting  for  their  lives  at  the  line’s  end, 
while  illuminating  pictures  of  the  harpooning  of  whales  are  also  included. 
A real  dramatic  note  is  struck  with  the  catching  of  the  devil-fish,  a 
colossal  specimen  of  some  4,200  lb.  Twelve  hours  of  herculean  endeavour 
resulted  in  a triumph  for  this  little  band  of  adventurers  and  untold  joys 
to  the  few  islanders  who,  we  are  told,  were  faced  with  starvation  owing 
to  lack  of  fish  due  to  the  monster’s  proximity.  The  film  is  perhaps  over 
long,  but  some  cutting  of  occasional  repetition  would  place  it  in  the  first 
flight  of  interest  films. 


Short  Features 

“IT  MIGHT  BE  WORSE”  (Paramount).  Length:  1,400  feet. 

Certificate : U.  Release  date : December  21st.  George  Jessel  is  the 
good  friend  of  one  who  contemplates  suicide,  and  by  throwing  his  wrongs 
on  to  the  unhappy  man’s  shoulders  succeeds  in  showing  him  that  things 
might  be  worse.  Fair  programme  filler. 

“ PLEASE  GO  AWAY  AND  LET  ME  SLEEP  ” (Paramount).  Length  : 
567  feet.  Certificate : U.  Release  date : December  21st.  A Max 

Fleischer  Screen  Song.  This  ingenious  artist  has  produced  one  of  his  best 
yet,  his  quaint  little  figures’  tussles  with  the  various  early  morning  alarms 
producing  plenty  of  merriment. 

“LAUGHING  GRAVY”  (M.-G.-M.)  Length:  1,890  feet.  Release 

date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  Laurel  and  Hardy  dispense  plenty 
of  mirth  as  a couple  of  apartment  dwellers  w'hose  dog,  Laughing  Gravy,  is 
the  bone  of  contention  with  the  landlord.  Their  antics  in  the  snow 
garbed  in  their  night  attire  and  their  subsequent  climb  up  the  chimney 
after  the  mongrel  will  please  everybody.  An  excellent  addition  to  any 
programme. 

“MYSTERIOUS  MOSE  ” (Paramount).  Falkartoon.  Length  : 543 

feet.  Release  date : Not  fixed.  Certificate : U.  An  excellent  little 

short,  revealing  Max  Fleischer  at  his  ingenious  best. 

“ DISCOVERED  ” (Paramount).  Length  : 675  feet.  Release  date 
Not  fixed.  Certificate  : U.  Solly  Ward  is  featured  in  a rather  impossible 
sketch  in  which  a couple  of  newly-weds  follow'  the  footsteps  of  a pair  of 
quarrelling  elders.  Distinctly  limited  appeal. 

“ THE  PUTTING  PARTY  ” (Paramount).  Length  : 936  feet.  Release 
date  : Not  fixed.  Certificate  : U.  A husband  finds  his  pleasure  on  the 
golf  course  rather  than  at  home,  but  the  wife  settles  matters  by  presenting 
him  with  miniature  golf  on  the  occasion  of  their  wedding  anniversary. 
Fairly  amusing. 


May  (i,  mi 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


47 


Dorothy  Boyd  in  Henry  Edwards’  new  talker, 
“The  Girl  in  the  Night”  (“Knight  Errant”), 
which  Wardour  will  release 


Exploration  in  Alaska 

Talking  Picture  Epics,  who  specialise 
in  interest  films  and  other  pictures  out  of 
the  ordinary  run,  are  trade  showing  this 
week  “ The  Break-Up,”  a story  of  adventure 
and  exploration  in  Alaska,  featuring  Capt. 
Jack  Robertson  and  his  pal  “ Skooter.” 
This  picture  has  already  been  booked  into 
the  Gaumont- British  circuit. 

They  are  also  to  release  shortly  an  interest, 
ing  group  of  single-reelers,  including  Dr. 
Raymond  L.  Ditmar’s  “ Authentic  Inter- 
views,” ‘ ' Seeing  Bermuda  on  a Bicycle,” 
now  in  a pre-release  run  at  the  New  Gallery, 
and  “The  Land  of  Evangeline,”  at  present 
at  the  Tivoli.  Talking  Picture  Epics  are 
also  handling  “ Hunting  Tigers  in  India.” 

Language  Figures 

If  the  screen  ever  makes  talking  pictures 
for  the  whole  world,  it  will  speak  in  far  more 
languages  than  most  people  suspect.  A 
survey  of  languages  made  by  experts  at 
the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios  shows  that 
in  Europe  alone  125  different  languages  are 
spoken.  The  leaders  are  German,  spoken 
by  81.000,000  ; Russian,  70,000,000  ; Eng- 
lish, 47,000,000  ; Italian,  41,000,000  ; and 
French,  39,000,000. 

These  figures  apply  to  Europe  proper. 
England,  its  possessions  and  the  United 
States  make  English  the  most  spoken 
language  in  the  world,  with  Spanish  (includ- 
ing Spain  and  Latin  America)  second. 

Buster  Keaton  is  now  at  work  on  a French 
production  of  " Romeo  in  Pyjamas,”  and 
will  also  appear  in  a German  version. 


Henry  Edwards 
Completes  First 

Change]  of  Title  Announced 

Last  Friday  Henry  Edwards  completed, 
on  schedule,  “ Knight  Errant,”  independent 
production  for  his  newly-formed  company, 
Henry  Edwards  Films.  This  picture,  to  be 
distributed  under  the  title  of  “ The  Girl  in 
the  Night,”  has  been  made  at  Elstree, 
.pending  the  completion  of  his  company’s 
own  studios  at  Teddington,  and  will  be  a 
Wardour  release. 

Edwards’  supporting  cast  is  a strong  one, 
consisting  of  Dorothy  Boyd,  Sam  Livesey, 
Diana  Wilson,  Charles  Paton,  Eric  Maturin 
and  Reginald  Bach,  and  the  picture  is  of  the 
fast-moving  comedy  vintage,  with  a sprink- 
ling of  melodramatic  excitement. 


Praise  for  “Tilly” 

Sterling  Enthusiasm  Justified 

Following  the  successful  London  presenta- 
tion by  Sterling  Films  of  “ Tilly  of  Blooms- 
bury,” favourably  reviewed  on  another  page, 
provincial  trade  show  arrangements  are 
announced  in  this  issue. 

Sterling  Films,  whose  announcement  that 
they  were  to  produce  Ian  Hay’s  comedy  was 
received  with  considerable  interest,  are  to  be 
congratulated  on  their  sense  of  entertainment 
values. 

Their  happy  expectations  have  been 
realised  to  the  full  in  this  picture,  which  has 
received  unstinted  praise  from  both  exhibitors 
and  the  Press.  Walter  Mutch,  Daily  Mail 
film  critic,  calls  it  “ entirely  enchanting.” 


Town  Within  a Town 

The  enthusiasm  of  J.  Rockfeller,  junr., 
combined  with  the  widespread  ramifications 
of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America,  has 
resulted  in  the  settled  plans  for  one  of  the 
most  colossal  business  and  entertainment 
enterprises  ever  conceived — " Radio  City.” 
This  is  to  be  a huge  building— literally  a 
city  within  a city — in  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York,  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  house  a 
theatre,  the  National  Broadcasting  Company, 
a cinema,  an  opera  house,  to  say  nothing 
of  a broadcasting  station,  shops,  suites  of 
offices  and  a gigantic  car  park. 

Planned  to  accommodate  50,000  people, 
and  complete  with  its  own  Mayor  in  the 
person  of  S.  L.  Rothafel  (known  to  all 
Americans  as  Roxy),  Radio  City  will  in- 
corporate every  known  and  several  hitherto 
untried  architectural  devices. 

Three  skyscrapers  form  the  main  design 
of  Radio  City.  In  the  centre  towers  one  of 
68  storeys,  flanked  on  each  side  by  twins, 
each  45  storeys  high.  In  the  centre  tower 
will  be  housed  the  National  Broadcasting 
Company,  whose  15  floors  will  be  windowless 
and  sound-proof.  By  a novel  arrangement 
the  27  studios  will  be  suspended  in  outer 
rooms  by  wires.  They  will  be  rooms  within 
rooms,  the  space  between  being  insulated 
with  rubber  and  felt. 

With  its  ultra-modern  cinema,  theatre, 
broadcasting  studios,  shops,  restaurant, 
offices,  car  park,  streets,  flower  beds,  grass 
lawns  and  walks.  Radio  City  will  take  its 
place  foremost  amongst  the  many  wonders 
of  New  York. 


Henry  Edwards  in  his  newly  completed  Elstree- 
made  film.  “ The  Girl  in  the  Night  ” (“  Knight 
Errant  ”),  his  first  independent  “ talkie.”  Wardour 
will  distribute 


Movietone  and  the  Viceroys 

British  Movietone  News  are  screening  a 
special  Indian  feature  at  the  News  Theatre, 
Shaftesbury  Avenue,  at  11  a.m.  on  Thursday, 
May  7th.  The  pictures,  which  run  to  some 
3,000  ft.  in  length,  show  the  historic  cere- 
monies relating  to  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Willingdon  at  the  Gateway  of  India  on  the 
Apollo  Bundar,  Bombay,  and  illustrate  the 
picturesque  etiquette  which  demands  that 
the  new  Viceroy  shall  not  encounter  the 
retiring  Viceroy. 

Invitations  have  been  issued  to  all  members 
of  the  Cabinet,  representatives  of  the  India 
Office  and  the  leaders  of  social  and  political 
life  in  London. 

These  pictures  were  taken  exclusively  by 
special  permission  of  the  Government  of 
India. 


Arliss’  Latest  Makes  Records 

“ The  Millionaire  ” (George  Arliss’  latest 
picture)  has  begun  its  run  at  the  Winter 
Garden,  New  York,  by  doing  the  biggest 
business  that  house  has  ever  known.  On 
its  first  full  day  the  picture,  from  its  opening 
until  six  o’clock,  grossed  a sum  in  excess 
of  $3,000.  On  the  complete  day,  repre- 
senting seven  showings,  the  picture  reached 
a gross  of  $8,000.  The  seating  capacity  of 
the  Winter  Garden  is  1,400,  and  there  has 
been  no  increase  in  the  regular  scale  of 
prices. 

“ The  Millionaire  ” will  have  a pre-release 
run  at  the  New  Gallery  Kinema,  Regent 
Street,  some  time  this  month. 


48 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


Perfectly  Devastating  Collection 

Star  Values  Uppermost  in  193  1-1932  Lists 


An  imposing  array  of  star  features,  in 
addition  to  a most  striking  variety  of  short 
subjects,  will  constitute  the  P.D.C.  pro- 
gramme for  1931-32,  now  announced  in  full 
for  the  first  time. 

The  policy  of  the  company,  more  than 
justified  by  results,  is  to  concentrate  on  star 
values.  There  will  be  22  features  for  the 
six  contract  stars  of  P.D.C. — Constance 
Bennett,  Ann  Harding,  Helen  Twelvetrees, 
Ina  Claire,  Bill  Boyd  and  Eddie  Quillan. 

Constance  Bennett  is  starred  in  five  pro- 
ductions, the  first  of  which,  “ Born  to  Love,” 
is  now  enjoying  a successful  pre-release  at 
the  R.K.O.  Leicester  Square  Theatre.  The 
next  will  be  based  on  the  famous  story  by 
Robert  \V.  Chambers,  “ The  Common  Law,” 
and  will  be  directed  by  Paul  L.  Stein  (who 
made  " Born  to  Love  ” and  “ Sin  Takes  a 
Holiday  ”).  The  supporting  cast  includes 
Joel  McCrea,  Lew  Cody,  Robert  Williams, 
Hedda  Hopper,  Marion  Shilling  (who  made 
a successful  appearance  in  “ Beyond 
Victory  ”)  and  Paul  Ellis. 

Ann  Harding  s English  Story 

Ann  Harding,  who  in  “ Holiday  ” scored 
the  success  of  last  year,  will  appear  in  four 
productions,  the  first  of  which,  temporarily 
titles  " Devotion,”  is  based  on  a story  by 
Pamela  Wynne,  the  English  authoress. 

Robert  Milton,  who  directed  “ Outward 

Bound,”  will  direct. 

Helen  Twelvetrees  will  also  have  four 

starring  vehicles.  The  first,  “ A Woman  of 
Experience,”  directed  by  Harry  Joe  Brown, 
is  completed.  The  script  was  prepared  by 
John  Farrow,  and  among  the  supporting 
players  are  William  Bakewell,  Lew  Cody, 
H.  B.  Warner.  Zasu  Pitts,  Franklin  Pangborn 
and  Nance  O’Neil — a notable  list. 

The  second  Twelvetrees  feature  is 

“ Gangster’s  Wife,”  directed  by  Tay  Garnett 
(of  "Her  Man”).  Ricardo  Cortez  plays 
opposite  Miss  Twelvetrees  in  this  picture. 

Ina  Claire,  the  stage  star,  will  be  seen  in 
1 c film  version  of  a famous  Broadway 


success,  “ Rebound,”  by  Donald  Ogden 
Stewart.  Edward  H.  Griffith  (director)  and 
Horace  Jackson  (script),  who  were  associated 
in  the  production  of  *'  Holiday,”  will  also 
be  concerned  in  “ Rebound.”  Robert  Ames, 
Myrna  Loy,  Hedda  Hopper  and  Louise 
Closser  Hale  are  prominent  members  of  the 
cast. 

Bill  Boyd  and  Eddie  Quillan 

Both  Bill  Boyd  and  Eddie  Quillan  will 
have  four  starring  pictures.  The  first  for 
Boyd  (whose  last 

P.D.C.  success  was 

‘‘The  Painted 
Desert  ”)  is  “ Iron 
Chalice,”  by  Octavius 
Roy  Cohen,  and  the 
first  Quillan  has  the 
temporary  name  of 
“Whoop-te-do  Kid.” 
Two  novelties  in 

the  short  field  are 
promised  for  the 
coming  year.  The 
first  is  ‘‘Floyd 
Gibbons’  Supreme 
Thrills,”  supervised 
by  A.  P.  Waxman 
and  Michael  Mindlin. 
Gibbons  is  a famous 
war  correspondent, 
Reginald  Smith  author  and  wireless 

[Managing  Director  artist.  He  has  made 

a'series  of  " talkie  ” 
interviews  with  war- 
time celebrities,  who  confide  in  him  their 
supreme  thrills  of  the  World  War. 

The  Van  Beuren  Corporation  will  also 
produce  26  Aesop  Fables,  presenting  in 
animated  cartoons  such  famous  characters 
as  Milton  and  Mary  Mouse,  Don  Dog,  Flossie 
Hippo  and  others.  In  addition  there  will 
be  26  Grantland  Rice  Sportlights,  presenting 
popular  sports  personalities.  There  are  also 
13  Vagabond  Adventures,  taking  audiences 
to  remote  corners  of  the  world. 

Audio  Review,  the  Magazine  of  the  Screen, 


will  be  issued  13  times  during  1931-32,  and 
will  cover  a diversity  of  subjects. 

All-Star  Casts  in  Comedies 

The  most  striking  novelty  of  P.D.C. 
super-shorts  this  year,  and  one  that  will  be 
discussed  by  every  film  “ fan,”  is  the  series 
of  six  two-reel  comedies  produced  by  the 
Masquers’  Club  of  Hollywood. 

Famous  stars,  many  of  whom  have  never 
before  been  seen  in  a short,  will  fill  every 
part  in  these  '*  Masquers  ” Comedies,  the 
first  of  which  is  called  “ Stout  Hearts  and 
Willing  Hands.” 

When  it  is  seen  that  the  cast  includes 
Frank  Fay,  Jack  Holt,  Lew  Cody,  Laura 
La  Plante,  Alec  B.  Francis,  Mary  Carr,  the 
three  Moores — Tom,  Owen  and  Matt — 
Mathew  Betz,  Ford  Sterling,  Mack  Swain, 
Chester  Conklin,  Clyde  Cook,  Glenn  Tryon 
and  Earle  Fox,  it  will  be  realised  what 
interest  these  Masquers  comedies  will  arouse. 
That  is  not  all.  There  will  be  42  other  two- 
reel  comedies.  Six  will  star  Jimmy  Gleason, 
six  Frank  McHugh,  six  Benny  Rubin,  six 
Louis  John  Bartels  (the  “ Travelling  Sales- 
man ”),  six  Ed.  Kennedy  (“  The  Average 
Man  ”),  six  June  McCloy  (“  Gold  Diggers  ”) 
and  six  Manhattans. 

“ The  P.D.C.  studios  at  Culver  City  are 
working  for  one  master — the  exhibitor,” 
declares  Charles  R.  Rogers,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  production.  ‘‘To  him  we  pledge 
that  every  foot  of  product  made  by  us  will 
be  made  for  the  box-office. 

“ We  have  the  biggest  stars  of  the  screen, 
and  this  year  we  shall  not  lend  them  to  any 
other  studio.” 

Prior  to  becoming  production  head  at 
Culver  City,  Mr.  Rogers  was  for  years  a 
successful  independent  producer. 

Stars  who  have  risen  under  his  guidance 
include  Dorothy  MacKaill,  Jack  Mulhall, 
Corinne  Griffith  and  Billie  Dove.  He  was 
associated  with  Hunt  Stromberg  in  the  pro- 
duction of  Pauline  Frederick  and  Harry 
Carey  feature  series. 


Scenes  from  the  unusual  Continental  picture  “Fra  Diavolo,” /which  stars  iTino  Pattiera,  famous  [tenor.  Universal  Pictures  are 
pre-releasing  the  film  in  French  [and  [German,  [at  tthe  [Palace  L Theatre  this  week 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


49 


Legal  and  Financial  News 


South  Wales 


At  Cardiff  the  manager  of  the  Plaza,  Gabalfa, 
Henry  James  Castle,  was  summoned  for  allowing 
the  gangways  of  the  cjnema  to  become  obstructed 
bv  overcrowding,  the  police  evidence  being  to  the 
effect  that  people  were  standing  four  and  five  deep 
in  some  parts.  A fine  of  40s.  was  imposed,  and 
the  licensee  of  the  house,  David  Hughes,  was 
fined  10s. 

At  Swansea  the  Anima  Co.,  Ltd.,  licensees  of 
the  Elysium  Cinema,  Swansea,  were  summoned 
for  permitting  smoking  within  a prohibited  area. 
Henry  Bullmore  and  Vivian  Llewellyn  were 
summoned  for  aiding  and  abetting.  The 
defendants  were  each  fined  £2,  the  chairman  of 
the  bench  remarking  that  the  fines  were  lenient 
because  of  the  very  good  reference  the  police 
gave  the  management. 

TECHNICAL  OFFENCE 

A fine  of  £1  Is.  and  special  costs  was  imposed 
at  Stoke  Stipendary  Court  on  Ernest  Pointon,of 
Regent  Street,  Stoke-on-Trent,  for  carrying  out 
structural  alterations  at  the  Picture  Palace, 
Smallthorne,  contrary  to  conditions  to  which  the 
license  had  been  granted  to  him  by  the  City 
Council. 

W.  Ireland,  for  the  Corporation,  said  that  as 
this  was  the  first  case  of  its  kind  in  the  City,  he 
did  not  wish  to  press,  merely  to  emphasise  the 
importance  of  license  conditions. 

Chief  Inspector  Smith,  of  Burslem,  said  that 
none  of  the  alterations  constituted  a risk,  but  they 
were  substantial  ones  for  which  plans  ought  to 
have  been  submitted.  T.  Wood  (defending) 
said  that  neglect  to  obtain  permission  was 
entirely  due  to  oversight. 

CINEMA  PROPRIETORS'  DISCHARGE 

An  application  was  made  on  Tuesday  to  Mr. 
Registrar  Mellor  at  the  London  Bankruptcy 
Court  for  an  order  of  discharge  on  behalf  of 
Israel  Swedlow,  Esther  Rose  and  Alice  Hoffman, 
trading  as  Imperial  Playhouse  in  partnership 
with  Charles  Sabel,  at  Woodgrange  Road,  Forest 
Gate. 

The  Official  Receiver  reported  that  the  firm 
failed  in  October,  1930,  with  provable  debts 
£1,702  and  no  assets. 

The  application  was  opposed  by  the  Official 
Receiver  on  statutory  grounds,  and  the  orders 
of  discharge  were  suspended  for  six  months  in 
each  case. 

YORKSHIRE  WOMAN'S  FAILURE 

Gertrude  Shaw,  lately  carrying  on  business 
at  the  Lido,  Bramley,  the  Majestic,  Castleford, 
the  Empire,  Blackpool,  and  the  Astoria,  More- 
cambe,  appeared  as  a debtor  at  Leeds  Bankruptcy 
Court  last  week.  The  statement  of  affairs  showed 
liabilities  of  £7,271,  of  which  £3,943  is  expected 
to  rank,  leaving  a deficiency  of  £3,595. 

The  Official  Receiver  (Mr.  Clifford  Bowling) 
said  a London  accountant  had  been  appointed 
trustee,  and  he  had  not  had  an  opportunity  of 
going  fully  into  the  matter.  There  was  a petition 
against  Walter  Shaw,  and  there  might,  or  might 
not,  be  a receiving  order  in  h>s  case.  If  a receiving 
order  was  made  in  Mr.  Shaw’s  case  he  (Mr. 
Bowling)  would  ask  for  the  two  cases  to  be 
consolidated.  It  was  quite  clear  that  the  real 
party  to  be  brought  before  the  court  was  Walter 
Shaw.  If  a receiving  order  were  not  made  he 
would  ask  for  an  examination  order  under 
Section  25. 

Debtor  attributed  her  failure  to  “ lack  of 
capital  ; losses  on  Castleford,  Blackpool  and 
Morecambe  cinemas,  and  Radio  Theatres,  Ltd.  ; 
law  costs  and  inexperience.” 

The  examination  was  adjourned  until  June  9th. 

DUKINFIELD  “ A ” FILMS  CASE 

For  exhibiting  to  children  films  which  had 
been  graded  by  the  British  Board  of  Film  Censors 
for  “ Adults  Only,”  the  proprietors  of  the  Princess 
Picture  Palace  and  of  the  Palladium,  Dukin- 
field, were  summoned  at  Dukinfield  on  Thursday. 
The  summonses  were  dismissed,  but  defendants 
were  ordered  to  pay  four  guineas  costs  in  each 
case.  Mr.  Stansfield,  who  appeared  for  the 
Princess,  said  the  film  in  respect  of  which  com- 
plaint was  made  was  “ The  Squeaker.”  There 
was  nothing  in  it  that  children  should  not  be 


Prosecutions 


allowed  to  see,  because  it  was  really  a comedy. 
It  was  alleged  that  about  150  children  had  seen 
the  film. 

In  the  case  of  the  Palladium,  the  film  shown 
was  “ Young  Desires.”  Defendant  pleaded  that 
he  bought  the  film  for  universal  exhibition,  and 
he  was  not  aware  until  his  attention  had  been 
drawn  to  the  fact  that  it  had  an  “ A ” certificate. 

As  these  were  the  first  prosecutions  in  the  town, 
the  magistrates  warned  exhibitors  of  the  import- 
ance of  adhering  to  the  terms  of  their  licences. 

COUNTY  COURT  JUDGMENTS 

The  following  are  extracts  from  the  Official 
Register  of  County  Court  Judgments,  but  may 
have  been  settled  prior  to  publication,  which 
in  any  case  does  not  imply  inability  to  pay  : — 

Newman,  Widcey  Raphael,  101,  Wardour 
Street,  W.,  film  merchant.  £69  18s.  5d.  March 
6th. 

East  of  England  Cinemas,  Ltd.,  R/0, 
Newland  House,  Beverley  Road,  Hull,  cinema 
proprietors.  £35  2s.  6d.  March  24th. 

Wur7el,  Mr.  E.,  Radium  Cinema,  York  Road, 
Battersea,  film  hirer.  £11  15s.  lOd.  March  9th. 

Goldrich,  Mr.  P.  B.,  The  Cinema,  1,355, 
London  Road,  Norbury,  cinema  proprietor. 
£29  3s.  3d.  February  27th. 

Edibell  Sound  Film  Apparatus,  Ltd.,  R/O, 
40-41,  Old  Broad  Street,  E.C.,  dealers,  etc.,  in 
sound  film  apparatus.  £31  5s.  4d.  March  18th. 

Shepherd,  Horace,  171,  Wardour  Street,  W., 
film  producer.  £21  0s.  6d.  February  24th. 

Cinema  Equipment  Co.  (a  firm),  46,  Earlham 
Gardens,  Forest  Gate,  cinema  proprietors. 
£16  0s.  6d.  March  5th. 

Roberts,  Mr.  A.,  4,  Ash  Gardens,  Horsforth, 
cinema  proprietor.  £34  Is.  2d.  March  5th. 

Baldwin,  Lionel,  41,  Old  Compton  Street, 
W. , theatrical  agent.  £10  2s.  6d.  March  24th. 

Soloman  & Jacobson  (a  firm),  Albion  Cinema, 
Stoke  Newington,  film  hirers.  £21  12s.  lOd. 
March  9th. 

Bloom:  iei.d,  Mr.,  58,  Wellington  Street,  Leeds, 
film  distributor.  £22  9s.  7cl.  March  20th. 

MORTGAGES  AND  CHARGES 

County  Cinemas,  Ltd.,  London,  W. — Regis- 
tered April  2nd,  £3,500  and  £3,000  charges,  to 
W.  D.  Bartholomew,  5,  Palace  Chambers,  Hast- 
ings and  L.  F.  Callingham,  1,  New  Square, 
Lincolns  Inn,  W.C.  ; charged  on  (1)  King  George’s 


Divina,  Revel  and  Alois,  a clever  troupe  of 
acrobatic  dancers,  in  the  Pathe  Studio,  where  they 
“ shot  ” a novel  item  for  an  early  issue  of  “ Pathe- 
tone  Weekly  ” 


Cinema,  High  Street,  Fenny  Stratford  (subject 
to  mortgage  dated  July  30,  1928,  and  in  priority 
to  debenture  dated  February  12,  1931),  and 
(2)  King  George’s  Cinema,  Fleet  Road,  Fleet, 
and  land  adjoining  (subject  to  mortgage  dated 
March  15,  1927,  and  in  priority  to  debenture 
dated  Februarv  12,  1931).  *£54,800.  December  18 
1930. 

Crown  Picture  Theatre,  Walthamstow, 
Ltd. — Registered  April  7th,  £800  debentures ; 
general  charge.  *Nil.  February  2,  1931. 

Macclesfield  Majestic  Picture  House,  Ltd. 
— Registered  April  7th,  charge,  to  Union  Bank 
of  Manchester,  Ltd.,  securing  all  moneys  due 
or  to  become  due  to  the  Bank ; charged  on 
hereditaments  in  Mill  Street  and  Duke  Street, 
Macclesfield.  *Nil.  August  28,  1930. 

Maidstone  Cinemas,  Ltd. — Registered  April 
8th,  £16,000  second  mortgage,  to  Central  Picture 
Playhouse  and  Caf  : (Maidstone),  Ltd.,  9a,  King 
Street,  Maidstone  ; charged  on  Central  Cinema 
and  56  and  58,  King  Street,  Maidstone. 

Union  Cinema  Co.,  Ltd.,  London,  W. — Regis- 
tered March  24th,  £27,000  mortgage,  to  Electra 
Palace  (Oxford),  Ltd.,  17,  Queen  Street,  Oxford  ; 
charged  on  property  in  Queen  Street,  etc.,  Oxford, 
etc.  ; also  registered  March  26th,  £6,000  mortgage 
(sec.  81,  1929  Act),  to  said  Electra  Palace  (Ox- 
ford), Ltd.,  and  others;  charged  on  property 
in  Queen  Street,  etc.,  Oxford.  *£93,750  and 
£60,000  collateral.  June  25,  1930. 

Victory  Theatres,  Ltd.,  Accrington. — Regis- 
tered April  10th,  sub-mortgage  further  securing 
£3,174  owing  under  deed  dated  October  31,  1922, 
to  Marsden  Building  Society,  Nelson  ; charged 
on  Tivoli  Theatre,  Nelson.  *£30,553.  Mav  5, 
1927. 

Audible  Filmcraft,  Ltd.,  London,  W. — 
Registered  April  10th,  by  order  on  terms,  £13,376 
charge,  etc.,  to  A.  Levey,  23,  Rue  de  la  Paix, 
Paris  ; charged  on  interest  in  contracts  for 
exhibition  of  certain  films,  etc. 

Bristol  Empire,  Ltd. — Registered  April  7th, 
£2,000  debenture  to  Col.  H.  Day,  Arundel  House, 
Arundel  Street,  W.C.,  M.P.  ; general  charge. 
£32,000*.  December  3,  1930. 

Thompsons  Enterprises,  Ltd.,  Middlesbrough, 
cinema  proprietors,  etc. — Registered  April  7th, 
£3,000  debenture  to  T.  Thompson,  Airedale,  The 
Crescent,  Linthorpe  ; general  charge  (subject, 
etc.).  *£25,000.  November  11,  1930. 

Brixton  Amusements,  Ltd. — Registered 

April  7th,  £1,200  debentures;  general  charge. 
£*1,000.  February  12,  1931. 

Twickenham  Film  Studios,  Ltd. — Registered 
April  7th,  £15,000  first  debenture,  to  Westminster 
Bank,  I.td.  ; charged  on  Alliance  Studios  and 
112  and  114,  St.  Margaret’s  Road,  Twickenham, 
etc.,  also  general  charge.  *£20,000.  April  10, 
1930. 

Ashton-in-Makf.rfield  Picture  House,  Ltd. 
— Registered  April  8th,  £1,500  charge,  to  H.  F. 
Watson,  Peewit  Cottage,  Felixstowe  ; charged 
on  Oueen’s  Picture  House,  Ashton-in-Makerfield. 
*£1,700.  May  28,  1930. 

Bournemouth  Little  Theatre,  Ltd. — Regis- 
tered April  14th,  £40  and  £50  debentures,  part  of 
£10,000  ; general  charge.  *£1,397.  July  3,  1930. 

Home  Cinema  Film  Library,  Ltd.  (late 
Gaters  Exclusive  Pictures,  Ltd.),  London, 
W. — Registered  April  7th,  £1,600  debentures; 
general  charge.  *Nil.  April  16,  1930. 

Cestrian  Entertainments,  Ltd.,  Chester-le- 
Street. — Registered  April  2,  £7,500  (not  ex.) 
mortgage,  to  Lloyds  Bank,  Ltd.  ; charged  on 
land  "at  South  Burns,  Chester-le-Street.  *Nil. 
March  18,  1931. 

Palladium  (South  Shields),  Ltd. — Regis- 
tered April  7th,  £1,000  debenture,  to  T.  Thomp- 
son, Airedale,  The  Crescent,  Linthorpe  ; general 
charge  (subject,  etc,).  *£5,000.  January  12,  1931. 

Stockwell  Amusements,  Ltd. — Registered 
April  7th,  £1,000  debentures;  general  charge. 
*£1,000.  April  11,  1930. 

~*  Amount  of  debt  according  to  last  available 
return. 

SATISFACTIONS. 

New  Empire,  Ltd.,  London,  E.C. — Satisfac 
tions  registered  April  9th,  £14,000  and  £12,000> 
registered  July  10,  1928,  and  £12,000  and  £12,000 
registered  September  8,  1928. 

Loughborough  New  Empire,  Ltd. — Satis- 
faction registered  April  7th,  £2,000,  registered 
March  10,  1923. 

Central  Picture  Playhouse  and  Cafe 
(Maidstone),  Ltd. — Satisfactions  registered 

April  10th,  £5,000,  registered  July  9,  1921  ; also 
registered  April  13th,  £5,000,  registered  October 
23,  1920,  £8,000,  registered  June  21,  1921,  and 
£12,000,  rejistered  October  4,  1922. 

Slough  Cinema,  Ltd.  (late  Carreras  Cinema 
(Slough),  Ltd. — Satisfaction  registered  April 


Exhibitors  Fined  for  Cinema  Offences 


r.o 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  <>,  1931 


Stella  Willins,  the  1931  Champion  Lady  Typist,  with  a record  of  124  net  five-stroke  words  a 
minute  for  a whole  hour,  gave  a demonstration  at  Warner  Brothers’  office  on  Monday.  Mrs. 
Stewart  (right,  seated)  seems  to  be  planning  to  increase  her  already  formidable  output  of 

publicity  lineage  for  Warners 


Some  Trade  Newcomers 


8th,  all  moneys,  etc.,  registered  February  17, 

1930. 

Macclesfield  Majestic  Picture  House, 
Ltd. — Satisfaction  registered  April  10th,  all 
moneys,  etc.,  registered  February  28,  1923. 

Burlington  Picture  House.  Torquay,  Ltd. 
— Satisfactions  registered  March  11th,  £3,000 
(not  ex.),  registered  June  28,  1920,  and  £4,750 
(not  ex.),  registered  February  22,  1929. 

Hanley  Picture  Palace  Co.,  Ltd. — Satis- 
faction registered  March  10th,  £2,254,  registered 
December  20,  1921. 

British  Exhibitors  Films,  Ltd.,  London, 
W. — Satisfaction  registered  March  12th,  all 
moneys,  etc.,  registered  April  23,  1930. 

Ashton-in-Makerfielo  Picture  House,  Ltd. 
— Satisfaction  registered  April  2nd,  £2,000, 
registered  April  5,  May  19  and  October  29,  1930. 

Backhouse  & Drinkwater  Picture  Palaces, 
Ltd.,  Dalton-in-Furness.— Satisfaction  registered 
March  30th,  all  moneys,  etc.,  registered  July  14, 
1913. 

New  Grand  Hall  (Camberwell),  Ltd.  (late 
Simon  Berney,  Ltd.). — Satisfaction  registered 
April  1st,  £5,000.  etc.,  registered  March  16,  1929. 

Carlton  Super  Cinema,  Ltd.,  Manchester. — 
Satisfaction  registered  April  2nd,  £9,250  (not  ex.), 
registered  March  28,  1930. 

RECEIVERSHIPS 
i APPOINTMENT  OR  RELEASE) 

Hutkenall  Theatres,  Ltd.- — J.  H.  Judd,  of 
119,  Cavendish  Drive,  Leytonstone,  E.ll,  was 
appointed  Receiver  on  April  15,  1931,  under 
powers  contained  in  debentures  dated  February  9, 

1931. 

Marina  Theatre,  Ltd. — G.  H.  Bullimore,  of 
15,  Upper  King  Street,  Norwich,  was  appointed 
Receiver  on  April  21,  1931,  under  powers  con- 
tained in  first  mortgage  debenture  dated  Nov- 
ember 8,  1930. 

SHARE  PRICES 


Messrs.  Redway,  Mann  & Co.,  Ltd.  state  that 
the  market  closed  on  the  following  quotations: — 


Name. 

Value. 

Last 

This 

A.  P.  P.  H 

ord.  £1 

Week. 

18/3 

Week. 

16/9 

Assoc.  Talking 
Pics. 

1/7$ 

1/4} 

Assoc.  British 
Cinemas  .... 

5/3 

51- 

Do 

pref.  £1  f.od 

— 

15 /6 

Blunt  & 
McCormack 





Brit.  Int 

ord.  5/- 

6/6 

5/4$ 

Do. 

pref.  £1 

19/- 

18/6 

Brit.  Instr 

ord.  10/— 

2/9 

2/7$ 

Do. 

def.  11- 

"/» 

-/» 

Brit.  Lion  .... 

def.  1/- 

-/ 2 

-12 

Do 

pref.  £1 

2/- 

21- 

Brit.  Filmcraft 

ord.  5/- 

— 

— 

Brit.  & Dom. 

def.  1/- 

-/4 

2/1$ 

— / 4 

Do. 

ord.  £l 

2/3 

Brit.  Screen 
Prod. 

51- 

_ 

Brit.  & For 

ord.  5/- 

— 

— 

Brit.  Photo- 
tone 



_ 

French  Do 

— 

— 

Blattner 

def.  1/- 

— 

— 

Denman  P.H. 

£100  7%  deb. 

95 

96 

,,  Con 

94 

93 

Gaumont  Brit. 

ord.  10/- 

11/9 

9/6 

Do 

n%  £1 

16/- 

16/- 

Gainsborough 

ord.  £1 

6/10} 

6/101 

Do 

def.  1/- 

"/7$ 

-/7$ 

Gen.  Theatre 

pref.  £1 

9/6 

9/- 

Do 

6$%  deb. 

79 

74 

Met.  Cinema 

ord.  10/- 

— 

— 

Do 

def.  1/- 

— 

— 

Movie  Colour 

-/ 7$ 

-/7$ 

Morgan  Film 
Service 

Non-Flam.  ... 

ord.  £1 

— 

-/9 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

— 

-/1$ 

New  Era  N.P. 

ord.  £1 

— 

Do. 

def.  1 /- 

— 

— 

P.C.T.  Cons 

7%  £1 
” B ” £1 

19/- 

19/3 

P.C.T. 

19/- 

19/3 

F.C.T. 

7$%  pr. or.,£l 

17/- 

17/- 

Stoll  Th.  ... 

ord.  5/- 

51- 

— 

Tussaud’s  ... 

£1  pref 

27/- 

25/3 

Do. 

def.  1/- 

51- 

4 9 

United  P.T. 

£1 

2/8$ 

2/1$ 

Do. 

7%  deb. 

82 

80 

Union  Cinema 

def.  1/- 





Do. 

10%  51- 

1 /- 

11- 

Welsh- F’rson- 
Eldei 

8%  £1 

1/- 

- 1 9 

Do.  _ 

erd  1 /- 

-/I 

-11 

STAR  CINEMAS  (LONDON),  LTD.— Private 
company.  Registered  April  27th.  Capital  £1,500. 
Objects  : To  carry  on  the  business  of  proprietors 
and  managers  of  cinemas,  theatres,  etc.  The 
provisional  directors  are  : H.  Williamson,  16, 

Holmdene  Avenue,  S.E.24,  secretary ; Irene 
Holden,  953,  Finchley  Road,  N.W.ll,  clerk. 
Secretary : H.  Williamson.  Solicitor : A.  S. 

Fisher,  4,  Broad  Street  Place,  E.C.2.  Registered 
office  : 193,  Wardour  Street,  W.l. 

CARLTON  CINEMA  (ACTON),  LTD.— Pri- 
vate company.  Registered  April  27th.  Capital 
£500.  Objects : To  carry  on  the  business  of 
proprietors  of  cinematograph  theatres,  etc. 
F.  G.  C.  Catling  is  first  and  permanent  director. 
Solicitors : M.  A.  Jacobs,  4b,  73/4,  Jermyn 

Street,  St.  James’s,  S.W.l. 

H.  & R.  PROPERTIES,  LTD. — Private  com- 
pany. Registered  March  4th.  Capital,  £100. 
Objects : To  acquire  land,  house  and  other 

property,  to  conduct  and  manage  cinematograph 
theatres,  playhouses,  variety  or  other  theatres, 
etc.  Secretary  : L.  H.  Findlay. 

FORUM  THEATRE. — The  Forum  Theatre, 
Ltd.,  was  registered  as  a “ public  ” company  on 
March  7th,  with  a nominal  capital  of  £80,000. 
The  objects  are  to  acquire  from  H.  A.  Yapp, 
J.  S.  Beard,  A.  P.  Bigelow,  F.  Bradford  and 
H.  K.  Randall,  the  lease  of  the  Forum  Theatre, 
Fulham  Road,  S.W.,  and  to  carry  on  the  business 
of  proprietors  or  managers  of  cinematograph  and 
other  theatres,  etc.  The  first  directors  are  : 
A.  P.  Bigelow,  Grosvenor  House,  Park  Lane,  W. 
(chairman  and  managing  director  of  Initial 
Services,  Ltd.,  and  director  of  Modern  Cinemas, 
Ltd.)  ; J.  S.  Beard,  F.R.I.B.A.,  Dukes  Mead, 
Manor  Lane,  Gerrards  Cross,  architect  and  sur- 
veyor (chairman  of  Modem  Cinemas,  Ltd.)  ; 
F.  Bradford,  Fircroft,  Gerrards  Cross  (governing 
director  of  Bradford  & Co.,  Ltd.,  and  director 
of  Modern  Cinemas,  Ltd.)  ; H.  K.  Randall, 
“ Dunluce,”  23,  Lancaster  Avenue.  Hadley  Wood, 
Barnet,  solicitor  ; H.  A.  Yapp,  “ Uplands,”  Oak- 
field,  Wimbledon  Common,  S.W.19  (managing 
director  of  Modern  Cinemas,  Ltd.).  Solicitors  : 
W.  R.  J.  Hickman,  Randall  & Stammers,  Coven- 
try House,  South  Place,  E.C.2.  The  registered 
office  is  at  Forum  Theatre,  Fulham  Road,  S.W. 

MAULE  PRODUCTIONS,  LTD.— Private 
company.  Registered  March  5th.  Capital,  £100. 
Objects  : To  acquire  the  business  of  a cinemato- 
graph film  producer  now  carried  on  by  R.  P. 
Maule,  of  40,  Shaftesbury  Avenue,  and  163, 
Wardour  Street,  W.,  as  “ Maule  Productions.” 
The  directors  are  : K.  P.  Maule,  15,  Porchester 
Gardens,  W.  ; Mrs.  Ella  B.  Maule,  15,  Porchester 
Gardens,  W.  Solicitors : Herbert  Z.  Deane  & 
Co.,  265,  Strand,  W.C.2. 

BRITISH  INDUSTRIAL  FILMS,  LTD  — 
Private  company.  Registered  April  14th. 
Capital  £200.  Objects  : To  carry  on  business 

as  producers  of  cinematograph  plays  and  films, 
both  silent  and  talking,  etc.  The  first  directors 
are  not  named.  Solicitors : Bartlett  & Gluck- 
stein,  199,  Piccadilly,  W.  Registered  Office : 
25,  Shaftesbury  Avenue,  W.L 


RICHARD  DOONER’S  ENTERTAIN- 
MENTS, LTD. — Private  company.  Registered 
April  29th.  Capital  £5,000.  Objects  : To  carry 
on  the  business  of  proprietors  and  managers  of 
theatres,  music,  concert  and  dancing  halls  and 
entertainment  rooms,  film  producers,  etc.  The 
subscribers  are  : R.  Dooner,  2.  Office  Road, 

Maesteg,  Glam,  amusement  caterer ; Hettie 
Isaacs,  109,  Queen  Street,  Cardiff,  clerk.  R. 
Dooner  is  first  and  permanent  managing  director. 
Solicitors  : C.  J.  Hardwicke,  109,  Oueen  Street, 
Cardiff. 

CANTLAY  PATENTS,  LTD.— Private  com- 
pany. Registered  April  30th.  Capital  £10. 
Objects : To  carry  on  business  as  agents  for 

marketing,  selling,  leasing  patent  rights  and 
inventions  appertaining  to  sound  photography 
and  sound  apparatus  of  every  description.  The 
first  directors  are  : D.  Cantley,  H.  B.  C.  H.  de 
Blij  and  O.  D.  Jones.  Secretary  : G.  S.  Philip, 
101,  Leadenhall  Street,  E.C.3. 

ST.  JAMES’  PICTURE  HOUSE,  LTD  — 
Private  company.  Registered  April  8th,  in 
Edinburgh.  Capital  £100.  Objects : To  carry 
on  the  business  of  entertainment  and  amusement 
proprietors  and  managers  for  the  production  of 
cinematograph  films,  etc.  The  directors  are  : 
J.  Hamilton,  13,  Park  Terrace,  Queen’s  Park, 
Glasgow,  picture  house  manager  ; Mrs.  J.  C. 
Hamilton,  13,  Park  Terrace,  Queen’s  Park, 
Glasgow.  Secretary  : R.  F.  McMath.  Registered 
Office  : 79,  West  Regent  Street,  Glasgow. 

ASSOCIATED  METROPOLITAN  PRODUC- 
TIONS, LTD. — Private  company.  Registered 
April  13th.  Capital,  £1,000.  Objects  : To 

produce,  finance,  exploit,  turn  to  account  and 
deal  in  motion  picture  plays,  etc.  The  first 
directors  are  to  be  appointed  by  the  subscribers. 
Solicitors  : Sanders  & Co.,  149,  Regent  Street, 
W.l. 

REAL  ART  PRODUCTIONS,  LTD.— Private 
companv.  Registered  April  15th.  Capital 
£100.  Objects : To  carry  on  the  business  of 
cinematographers,  photographers,  producers  of 
motion  picture  films,  whether  talking,  sound  or 
silent,  etc.  The  first  directors  are  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  subscribers.  Secretary  (pro  tern.)  : 
G.  O.  Mitchell.  Solicitors : Norman  Hart  & 

Mitchell,  21,  Panton  Street,  S.W.l.  Registered 
Office  : Broadmead  House,  21,  Panton  Street, 

S.W.L 

OXFORD  CINEMA  COMPANY  (GRIMSBY), 
LTD. — Private  company.  Registered  March  9th. 
Capital  £100.  Objects  : To  carry  on  the  business 
of  cinematograph  proprietors  and  agents,  etc. 
The  subscribers  are  : T.  Wiseman,  591,  Brereton 
Avenue,  Cleethorpes,  Lines.,  cinema  manager  ; 
Doris  E.  Wiseman,  591,  Brereton  Avenue, 
Cleethorpes,  Lines.,  cashier.  T.  Wiseman  shall  be 
permanent  governing  director  and  chairman 
whilst  holding  one  share.  Solicitor : H.  T. 

Kearsey,  Grimsby.  Registered  office  : 87,  Oxford 
Street,  Grimsby. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


51 


At  the  C.E.A.  Meetings 

What  the  Branches  are  Saying  and  Doing 


London’s  Confidence  in  L.C.C. 
Sunday  Opening  Committee 

A meeting  of  tiie  Executive  Committee  of  the 
London  and  Home  Counties  Branch  was  held  at 
Broadmead  House  last  Wednesday,  with  C.  A. 
Mathes  in  the  chair. 

The  Secretary  (Arthur  Taylor)  reported  the  en- 
rolment of  14  new  members  since  the  last  meeting, 
making  a total  Branch  membership  of  523. 

County  Representatives  Co-opted 

The  Chairman  moved,  and  H.  P.  Selwyn  seconded , 
the  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  L.C.C.  Sunday 
Opening  Committee,  which  referred  to  the  fact  that  a 
Joint  Committee  had  been  set  up  consisting  of  the 
Legal,  finance  and  Parliamentary  Committee  of  the 
General  Council  and  the  L.C.C.  Sunday  Opening 
Committee  of  the  Branch,  to  deal  with  the  Sunday 
Performances  (Regulation)  Bill.  Discussion  took  place 
regarding  the  Clause  in  the  Bill  relating  to  the  in- 
terpretation of  a substantial  demand  in  a locality  for 
Sunday  Opening,  and  the  members  were  of  opinion 
that  this  clause  should  stand  as  now  drafted. 

Discussion  ensued  on  other  provisions  of  the  Bill,  in 
which  Major  A.  J.  Gai.e,  Alfred  Lever,  Theo.  H. 
Fligelstone  and  Capt.  Alfred  Davis  took  part. 
Reginald  V.  Crow  reported  that  the  clauses  had  been 
considered  seriatim  by  the  Joint  Committee. 

The  Chairman  said  that  he  would  like  to  see  rep- 
resentatives from  the  surrounding  districts  of  London 
on  the  Joint  Committee,  and  it  was  agreed  to  suggest 
that  the  following  be  co-opted:  Theo.  H.  'Fligelstone, 
representing  Essex  : Ben  Jay  representing  Middlesex, 
and  Capt.  Alfred  Davis,  representing  Surrey. 

Confidence  in  L.C.C.  Committee 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Fligelstone,  seconded  by 
James  Tilney,  a hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded 
to  the  L.C.C.  Sunday  Opening  Committee  for  their 
work,  which  had  the  entire  confidence  of  the  Branch. 

Mr.  Crow  reported  that  he  had  sent  a letter  of 
thanks  to  all  those  Members  of  Parliament  who  had 
voted  in  favour  of  the  Bill,  and  in  cases  of  Members 
who  had  voted  against  the  Bill  he  urged  local  ex- 
hibitors to  get  into  touch  with  these  Members,  so  that 
they  might  explain  the  position  more  fully. 

Conference  Programme 

A report  was  presented  of  the  suggested  programme 
of  the  Annual  Summer  Conference  to  be  held  at 
Brighton  for  the  week  commencing  June  23rd,  and 
the  matter  was  referred  back  to  the  Branch  rep- 
resentatives on  the  Joint  Conference  Committee. 

Special  Meeting  to  Discuss  Rentals 

A discussion  took  place  regarding  the  question  of 
film  rentals,  and  it  was  agreed  on  the  motion  of  Mr. 
Crow,  seconded  by  Mr.  Tilney,  to  convene  a General 
Meeting  of  the  Branch  for  the  8th  May,  to  consider  the 
film  sit  uation,  especially  in  regard  to  : — 

(a)  The  question  of  pre-release  ; 

(b)  The  fixing  of  the  date  of  general  release  ; 

(c)  The  question  of  an  all-in  programme ; 

(d)  The  grading  of  percentages  for  programme 
pictures  ; 

this  meeting  to  be  followed  by  the  usual  half-yearly 
luncheon  to  the  members. 

K.R.S.  Prepared  to  Meet  Committee 

The  Secretary  read  a letter  from  Frank  Hill, 
Secretary  of  the  K.R.S.,  stating  that  his  Society  would 
be  prepared  to  meet  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Branch  in  regard  to  the  matter  already  mentioned. 
The  Secretary  was  instructed  to  ask  Mr.  Hill  for  a date 
for  this  meeting  after  the  General  Meeting  had  been 
held. 

General  Council  Report 

Mr.  Crow  submitted  a report  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  General  Council  Meeting  held  on  the  15th  April, 
and  the  proceedings  then  terminated. 


Birmingham  Deprecates 
Cheapening  of  the  Industry 

A meeting  of  the  Birmingham  Branch  was  held  at 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Birmingham,  on  Friday, 
April  24th.  Oscar  Deutsch  was  in  the  chair,  and  was 
supported  by  34  members. 

After  preliminary  business,  a member  raised  the 
question  of  the  continued  reduction  in  prices  of  admis- 
sion, and  certain  suggestions  were  made  with  a view 
of  recommending  a minimum  price.  After  considerable 
discussion  it  was  resolved 

that  a letter  be  forwarded  to  all  members,  pointing 
out  that  the  continual  reduction  of  prices  was 
cheapening  the  industry,  and  in  the  long  run 
would  not  always  be  an  advantage,  and  suggesting 
that  the  minimum  should  be  for  evening  per- 
formances 4d.  and  for  matinees  3d. 

Commission  on  “ Talkie  ” Replacements 

A member  informed  the  meeting  that  certain 
talking  installation  firms  were  offering  their  service 


men  a commission  of  10  per  cent,  on  orders  for  replace- 
ment parts  when  visiting  houses.  Members  were 
advised  to  satisfy  themselves  thoroughly  that  the 
replacements  as  suggested  were  absolutely  necessary, 
and  instances  were  given  of  excessive  prices  being 
charged.  The  Secretary  was  requested  to  inform  the 
General  Council  thereon. 

Discussion  also  arose  with  regard  to  the  charges 
for  maintenance,  and  members  were  of  opinion  that 
there  should  be  a more  reasonable  adjustment  on  the 
charges  made,  and  the  Secretary  was  requested  to 
bring  this  before  the  notice  of  the  General  Council. 

General  Council  Meeting 

Councillor  Hewitson  and  Councillor  McDonald 
reported  upon  the  General  Council  meeting. 

A deputation,  of  which  \V.  IT.  Bull  was  a member, 
had,  they  reported,  waited  upon  the  Ministry  of 
Labour,  who  had  a iked  to  be  supplied  with  informa- 
tion regarding  conditions  concerning  labour,  etc., 
and  a resolution  was  carried  that  the  questionnaire 
should  ge  filled  up  and  the  figures  and  statistics 
required  be  given. 

Councillor  Hewitson  impressed  upon  the  members 
that,  should  they  have  any  difficulty  in  filling  up  the 
questionnaire  which  would  reach  them  shortly,  they 
should  communicate  with  the  Secretary  or  a small 
committee  to  assist  them. 

The  Liverpool  licensing  position  was  being  very 
carefully  considered  by  the  General  Council,  as  it  was 
felt  that  such  restrictions  might  be  enforced  in  other 
districts,  and  members  were  advised  to  adhere  strictly 
to  the  more  reasonable  conditions  prevailing  in 
Birmingham. 

The  General  Council  Committee  was  dealing  with 
the  question  of  maintenance  charges,  the  question  of 
films  in  hotels,  and  the  all-important  question  of 
film  rentals. 

In  connection  with  this,  it  was  recommended  that 
if  40  or  50  per  cent,  was  paid  for  pictures  no  cinema 
could  expect  to  make  a profit,  and  members  were 
urged  that  the  maximum  to  be  paid  for  a super  picture 
should  be  33  1-3  per  cent.,  with  the  supporting  items 
included,  and  for  the  ordinary  programme  film 
25  per  cent,  for  the  full  programme. 

Members  were  reminded  that  bookings  beyond  the 
authorised  period  of  six  months  were  illegal,  and 
should  members  have  entered  into  such  illegal  bookings, 
they  should  be  repudiated  by  notice  to  the  renters 
concerned.  Should  any  difficulty  arise  with  such 
repudiation,  the  General  Council  would  be  only  too 
willing  to  assist. 

Sunday  Performances  Bill 

A long  discussion  arose  upon  the  position  with 
regard  to  the  Sunday  Performances  (Regulation)  Bill, 
which  has  now  received  a second  reading,  it  being 
pointed  out  that  amendments  would  be  made  before 
the  third  reading,  and  many  suggestions  were  made 
whereby  the  interests  of  members  might  be  safe- 
guarded. 

Testimonial  to  Mr.  Ormiston 

The  Chairman  trusted  that  every  member  would 
forward  a donation  to  the  Ormiston  Testimonial 
Fund,  as  everyone  would  have  knowledge  of  the 
wonderful  service  Mr.  Ormiston  had  rendered  to  the 
trade.  Councillor  H EWITSON  strongly  supported  this 
appeal  as  some  recognition  of  his  services. 


Eastern  Counties  Think 
G.C.  Action  Statesmanlike 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  at  a meeting 
of  the  Eastern  Counties  Branch  at  Norwich  last 
Wednesday  : — 

That  the  Eastern  Counties  Branch  appreciates  the 
efforts  of  the  C.E.A.  on  behalf  of  its  members  with 
regard  to  Sunday  opening,  congratulates  the 
Association  on  the  statesmanlike  action  in  the  way 
in  which  the  Bill  has  been  put  forward,  and  urges  it 
to  take  steps  to  see  that  provision  for  a fixed  rate 
of  percentage  for  charity  on  a general  basis  is 
included  in  the  Bill. 

F.  H.  COOPER  (Chairman)  said  there  were  many 
points  which  were  well  worth  discussing.  Sussex  had 
hit  one  nail  on  the  head  in  pointing  out  that,  hitherto, 
when  they  had  been  allowed  Sunday  opening,  it  had 
been  without  any  forced  contribution  to  charity.  The 
London  Branch  had  always  put  forward  the  argument 
that  they  did  contribute  a certain  percentage  of  the 
takings  to  charity.  In  the  Bill  now  before  the  House 
local  authorities  were  to  be  given  power  to  say  what 
tire  percentage  should  be. 

Charity  Begins  at  Home 

Charity,  it  was  said,  should  begin  at  home,  and  it 
did  seem  to  him  to  be  an  unfair  procedure  to  force  a 
cinema  proprietor  to  hand  over  to  charities  money  he 
might  be  badly  in  need  of  himself. 

E.  V.  Barr  urged  that  the  C.E.A.  should  go  forward 
as  a body  to  secure  Sunday  opening,  and  then  leave  it 
to  each  member  to  decide  for  himself  whether  he  would 
open  or  not.  He  could  imagine  that  there  would  be 


no  better  day  for  business  for  the  seaside  proprietor 
than  a wet  Sunday. 

The  Chairman  agreed  that  they  must  go  all  out  to 
secure  the  right  to  open  on  Sunday. 

Mr.  Barr  : The  antagonists  must  have  some  salve 
for  their  conscience,  and  the  salve  is  to  say  that 
exhibitors  must  make  a contribution  to  charity. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  better  for  cinema  proprietors  to 
secure  Sunday  opening  on  these  lines  rather  than  not 
at  all. 

J.  A.  Blades  : I take  it  the  policy  of  the  C.E.A. 
will  be  to  try  to  amend  the  Bill,  with  a view  to  modify- 
ing the  clause  regarding  the  contribution  to  charity  ? 

The  Chairman  said  the  effort  to  get  the  clause 
amended  would  have  to  be  made  in  the  Committee 
stage,  and  it  should  be  the  policy  of  exhibitors  to  help 
the  C.E.A.  in  any  steps  they  took. 


“ Statesmanlike  ” 

Alderman  J.  G.  Brown,  C.C.,  welcomed  the  Bill. 
Though  he  did  not  suppose  he  would  make  a practice 
of  Sunday  opening,  he  thought  the  C.E.A.  were  to  be 
congratulated  on  the  statesmanlike  way  in  which  they 
had  approached  the  question.  He  felt  that  if  they 
had  attempted  to  go  tor  a Bill  on  broader  lines  there 
would  have  been  little  chance  of  its  being  carried  into 
law,  because  in  places  throughout  the  country  there 
were  puritanical  opponents  to  Sunday  opening. 

It  could  only  be  carried  through  on  the  lines  of  each 
district  being  given  the  option.  The  licensing  authority 
was  generally  an  authority  voted  into  its  powers,  and 
they  had  the  remedy  of  dealing  with  opponents  when 
the  elections  came  on.  Continuing,  Mr.  Brown  said 
it  was  not  morally  right,  if  they  were  to  have  Sunday 
opening,  that  they  should  be  penalised  by  being  com- 
pelled to  give  away  a certain  amount  of  the  money 
they  took. 

In  reply  to  V.  E.  Harrison,  the  Chairman  said  if  a 
referendum  were  necessary  in  any  locality  the  Branch 
of  the  C.E.A.  would,  no  doubt,  give  every  assistance 
to  an  individual  member. 

The  resolution  was  then  passed  unanimously  on  the 
motion  of  Alderman  Brown,  seconded  by  Mr.  Barr. 

Matter  for  the  Individual 

The  question  of  film  rentals  again  came  forward, 
and  D.  M.  Attree  repeated  what  Air.  Field  said  at 
the  last  meeting,  viz.,  that  it  was  a matter  for  the 
individual  exhibitor.  He  did  not  see  what  the  Asso- 
ciation could  do  beyond  advising  members. 

D.  F.  Bostock  said  the  answer  to  the  problem  was 
for  exhibitors  to  get  together  in  their  own  towns  and 
decide  what  they  could  pay. 

V.  E.  Harrison  said  when  he  offered  to  pay  25 
per  cent,  on  the  programme  he  found  that  the  travellers 
gathered  up  their  papers  and  prepared  to  leave. 
(Laughter.) 

E.  H.  Field  said  he  had  no  difficulty  in  getting 
films  at  33  per  cent,  for  the  programme. 

Children  and  “ A ” Films 

In  his  General  Council  report.  Air.  Cooper  said  one 
of  the  most  serious  questions  they  had  to  face  was  the 
question  of  children  seeing  “ A ” films  in  the  company 
of  parents  and  guardians,  as  the  position  had  been 
affected  by  the  Liverpool  decision.  He  believed  that 
already  in  Liverpool  the  exhibitors  bad  seen  a 30  per 
cent,  decrease.  No  doubt  this  was  caused  because 
parents,  who  previously  had  been  desirous  of  giving 
their  children  a treat,  did  not  attend  themselves  if  they 
could  not  take  their  children. 

“ You  will  not  be  able  to  feed  your  own  children 
soon,”  said  the  Chairman.  " If  you  are  to  be  told 
where  you  can  take  them  and  where  you  cannot  take 
them,  surely  that  is  interfering  with  the  liberty  of  a 
subject.” 

A resolution,  as  follows,  was  moved  by  Mr.  Field, 
seconded  by  Air.  Attree,  and  carried  unanimously  : — 

That  this  Branch  supports  the  C.E.A.  in  any  action 
they  may  see  fit  to  take  with  regard  to  the  Liverpool 
decision  concerning  children  and  “ A ” films. 

Bigger  Supply  Than  Ever 

Speaking  on  the  booking  period,  the  Chairman 
there  was  no  need  for  members  to  go  beyond  the  period 
allowed,  and  the  General  Council  suggested  that  they 
should  keep  well  inside  the  period  instead  of  going 
beyond  it.  They  knew  that  there  was  a bigger  supply 
of  films  than  ever  coming  forward  shortly. 


Devon  and  Cornwall 
Wants  Amendments 

At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Devon  and  Cornwall 
Branch  at  the  Savoy,  Plymouth,  Major  A.  O.  Ellis 
in  the  chair,  there  was  a long  discussion  on  the  Sunday 
Performances  (Regulation)  Bill.  It  was  opened  by 
W.  Bayly,  who  said  that,  although  personally  he  did 
not  want  Sunday  opening,  he  felt  strongly  on  the 
principle  of  the  Bill.  To  his  mind,  the  charity  clause 
was  very  objectionable.  If  Sunday  opening  was 


32 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  0,  1931 


By  Councillor  James  McBride 

Club  Cameos 


wrong  in  principle,  or  in  morals,  giving  the  proceeds 
to  charity  did  not  make  it  right.  The  charity  clause 
was  a sort  of  salve  to  conscience,  and  he  was  strongly 
opposed  to  it  in  any  shape  or  form. 

As  to  local  option,  it  appeared  that  if  this  were 
included  in  the  Bill,  the  cinemas  that  had  opened  in 
tlte  past  would  continue  to  open,  while  in  cities  like 
Exeter  exhibitors  would  have  no  choice  in  the  matter. 
He  wanted  general  Sunday  opening  instead  of  local 
option.  Exhibitors  could  then  please  themselves 
whether  they  opened  or  not. 

Danger  of  the  Bill  Being  Dropped 

The  Chairman  explained  that  the  London  and  Home 
Counties  framed  a Bill  which  they  hoped  the  Home 
secretary  would  introduce  in  Parliament,  but.  instead, 
the  Home  Secretary  introduced  a Bill  of  his  own, 
and  included  the  two  clauses  now  objected  to.  It 
was  suggested  that  if  these  two  clauses  were  not 
accepted,  there  was  the  danger  of  the  Bill  being 
dropped. 

C.  BrROW  (Tavistock)  did  not  agree  with  the  sug- 
gestion that  they  should  accept  the  Bill  as  it  stood 
because  of  the  possibility  that  if  amendments  were 
attempted  the  Bill  would  be  lost.  The  Branches 
should  insist  on  amendments.  He  had  a seven  days’ 
licence  at  Tavistock,  but  could  not  use  it  because  the 
< ouncil  (the  owners  of  the  hall)  would  not  sanction 
Sunday  opening,  although  the  general  public  was 
largely  in  favour  of  it.  He  suggested  a more  virile 
fighting  policy.  Hitherto  they  had  let  things  go  by 
default  and  allowing  the  opposition  to  rule.  London 
had  not  been  so  keen  on  the  job  as  it  should  have 
been. 

The  Chairman  suggested  that  there  was  another 
side  to  that.  If  members  discussed  the  matter  with 
their  local  M.Ps  they  would  find  that  a large  number 
of  votes  were  won  through  “ post  carding  ” by  op- 
ponents of  the  Bill.  Members  of  Parliament  got  fed 
up  with  this  bombardment. 

" Like  a Cat  Watching  a Mouse  ” 

The  Council,  he  continued,  was  also  of  opinion  that 
the  Bill  would  not  go  through  without  the  local  option 
clause.  If  the  maximum  percentage  was  fixed  in  the 
charity  clause,  it  would  be  of  value  to  members.  With 
Sunday  opening  in  being  he  thought  certain  local 
people  would  be  watching  exhibitors  like  a cat 
watching  a mouse,  to  see  that  every  member  of  the 
staff  had  a full  day  off  once  a week,  and  that  there 
was  a fully  qualified  staff  in  the  box  on  Sundays. 

Harry  Harcourt  said  although  he  did  not  want 
Sunday  opening  for  himself,  he  w’as  in  favour  of  it 
for  those  who  did  want  it.  and  for  the  comfort  and 
entertainment  of  the  public  in  general.  If  it  were 
correct  that  London  was  in  favour  of  the  Bill,  they 
should  be  careful  to  take  no  action  that  would  prevent 
London  from  getting  the  Bill. 

W.  Pickles  also  said  he  took  the  stand  that  if  it 
were  decided  that  cinemas  should  open  on  Sundays, 
they  should  have  the  right  to  open  and  conduct  their 
business  without  having  to  pay  one  penny  for  it.  It 
would,  however,  be  a mistake  to  open  cinemas  wiiere 
there  was  a distinct,  feeling  against  it. 

He  was,  however,  in  favour  of  local  option.  If 
there  was  a strong  feeling  in  favour  of  Sunday  opening 
it  was  always  possible  to  alter  the  composition  of 
the  licensing  authority. 

Motions  were  carried  as  follows  : — 

(1)  That  the  Branch  recommend  that  the  charity 
clause  to  the  Sunday  Performance  (Regula- 
tion) Bill  be  optional;  and 

(2)  That  the  Local  Option  Clause  be  deleted.  If 
Sunday  opening  was  right,  it  should  be 
national  and  apply  to  all  cinemas. 


District  Committees  Appointed 

District  committees  were  agreed  upon  for  the 
various  areas  in  the  two  counties,  the  committees  to 
meet  within  their  areas  to  discuss  questions  of  film 
rental,  etc.,  and  report  to  the  Branch. 

Good  Prices  or  the  “ Sack  ” 

Major  A.  O.  Ellis,  emphasising  the  necessity  for 
this  step,  called  attention  to  certain  information  he 
had  gleaned  in  London.  Reading  between  the  lines, 
it  seemed  to  him  that,  as  far  as  the  Big  Five  were 
concerned,  America  had  told  their  London  heads  that 
if  they  could  not.  get  old  prices  they  were  going  to  be 
“ sacked.”  London  had  told  Branch  managers  the 
same  thing,  and  the  Branch  managers  had  handed  it. 
on  to  the  poor  devils  of  travellers.  He  regarded  that 
as  an  absolutely  clear  sign  that  exhibitors  wrere  win- 
ning and  that  prices  were  crumbling  to  pieces. 

Exhibitors  were  sitting  tight  in  regard  to  booking, 
and  America  was  making  one  big  effort  to  hold  their 
ground,  and  threatening  everyone  with  the  sack  if 
they  could  not  get  the  old  prices.  If  exhibitors  carried 
out  the  idea  of  holding  back  prices  for  three  months 
and  said  they  could  not  afford  to  pay  more  than  a 
certain  percentage  they  were  going  to  win. 


Northern  Branch  Sits 

in  camera 

Members  of  the  Northern  Branch  held  a special 
meeting  a week  ago,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
Sunday  Performances  Bill.  No  details  of  the  dis- 
cussion were  given  to  the  Press,  who  were  excluded 
from  the  meeting,  but  it  is  understood  that  certain 
suggested  amendments  to  the  Bill  were  forwarded  to 
the  Association  headquarters. 


Scottish  Section 


Cinema 

The  monthly  luncheon  of  the  Cinema  Club 
(Glasgow')  takes  place  in  Green’s  Playhouse  Caf’, 
on  Friday,  at  one  o’clock  prompt.  The  speaker 
for  the  day  is  E.  E.  Crooks,  F.C.I.I.,  the  manager 
of  the  Glasgow  branch  of  the  State  Assurance 
Company.  His  subject  is  “ The  Developments 
of  Fire  Insurance.”  Mr.  Crooks  has  a reputation 
as  a racy  after-luncheon  orator.  A business 
meeting  of  members  is  to  be  held  immediately 
after  the  luncheon  to  consider  the  balance-sheet 
of  the  last  fancy  dress  ball,  held  in  St.  Andrew’s 
Hall,  and  to  allocate  the  profit  made. 

Entry  forms  for  the  King  Golf  Trophy  com- 
petition have  now  been  issued  by  Convenor 
Sammy  Bendon,  and  that  energetic  “ sport  ” 
is  now'  taking  names  for  the  annual  golf  outing 
to  Gleneagles,  the  date  of  w'hich  is  Friday, 
May  22nd.  The  “ all  in  ” tariff  for  that  day 
is  £1,  and  to  permit  of  perfect  arrangements 
golfers  who  intend  to  be  present  should  see 
that  their  names  and  their  pound  are  in  Sammy’s 
safe  keeping  earl}'. 

Frank  Manson’s  New  -Job 

Frank  Manson,  who  used  to  be  quite  a prom- 
inent personality  in  Glasgow  trade  circles 
before  he  went  into  the  hotel  business  at  South- 
port,  has  been  appointed  superintendent  of  the 
Buchanan  Retreat,  Bearsden,  an  institution  for 
aged  citizens  of  Glasgow',  of  w'hich  the  governors 
are  the  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates  of  Glasgow. 
Frank’s  former  trade  colleagues  will  join  us  in 
washing  him  success. 

A. B.C  Projects  Advancing 

Building  operations  in  connection  with  A.B.C.’s 
new  houses  at  Riddrie,  Glasgow'  and  Hamilton 
are  being  carried  on  fast.  The  Regal,  Hamilton, 
is  now  well  on  the  wray  to  completion.  The  roof 
is  on  the  building  and  the  contractors  for  the 
interior  work  are  rapidly  getting  things  into 
shape.  The  Regal  will  have  a seating  capacity 
of  2,200,  and  looks  like  being  completed  about 
the  beginning  of  July,  well  ahead  of  schedule. 

The  outside  structure  of  the  Riddrie  house 
is  nearly  ready  for  roofing,  but  it  will  be  at 
least  three  or  four  months  yet  before  it  is  ready. 

B. T.-H.  Capturing  Contracts 

A few  w'eeks  ago  I told  you  that  the  Miners’ 
Welfare  Institute,  Bannockburn,  had  made 
application  to  the  Central  Committee  of  the 
Miners’  Welfare  Fund  for  a grant  to  instal 
“ talkies  ” in  the  cinema  w'hich  is  run  in  the 
local  Institute.  A grant  of  £1,200  has  been 
secured,  and  last  Tuesday  evening  Manager 
Willie  Mann  fixed  a contract  for  B.T.-H.  sound 


Our  Luxurious  Divan  Tub 

TIP-UP  EASY  CHAIR 

FROM  25/- 

5,000  recently  supplied  to 
the  leading  Glasgow  Cinemas. 

REPAIRS  AND 
RENOVATIONS 

of  all  kinds  carried  out  with- 
out interfering  with  business. 


Keenest  estimates  without  obligation. 

Write  or  Phone  for  our  representative  to  call 


PATERSON’S  LTD, 

(ES.ABLISHED  1832) 

79,  HOWARD  ST.,  GLASGOW. 

Telephone  - - - CENTRAL  5289 


on  film  equipment  with  the  Bannockburn 
committee.  B.T.-H.  seems  to  be  getting  a fair 
share  of  recent  contracts  for  the  Kinerna, 
Stranraer,  Picture  House,  Campbeltoun,  and 
the  Operetta  House,  Edinburgh,  have  all  chosen 
that  system. 

Musical  Switch 

J.  Gordon  Ritchie,  w'ho  has  been  musical 
director  at  the  Picture  House,  Hamilton,  has 
relinquished  that  position  to  join  the  Anchor 
Liner  s.s.  Transylvania  as  pianist  and  musical 
director  of  the  orchestra.  Albert  H.  Hunter, 
late  of  Cranston’s  Picture  House,  Glasgow',  was 
appointed  to  succeed  Mr.  Ritchie  at  the  Picture 
House,  and  took  up  his  duties  at  the  Hamilton 
hall  last  week. 

Tom  Timmins’  Latest  Enterprise 

Bailie  Tom  Timmins,  the  popular  Vice- 
Chairman  of  the  Scottish  Branch,  C.E.A.,  has 
secured  a lease  of  the  Gothenburg  Picturedrome, 
Cardenden,  from  the  owners,  Bowhill  Public 
House  Society,  Ltd.  The  Society  has  controlled 
the  Picturedrome  for  close  on  20  years,  but  with 
the  advent  of  the  “ talkies  ” the  directors  decided 
to  lease  the  premises.  Bailie  Timmins  enters 
into  possession  at  the  end  of  the  month  and  has 
entered  into  negotiations  for  the  installation  of 
Western  Electric  apparatus.  With  the  Cinema 
de  Luxe,  Lochgelly,  the  Picture  House,  Denny, 
and  his  latest  acquisition,  it  looks  as  if  Tom  is 
going  to  blossom  out  as  controller  of  a circuit. 

Romeward  Bound 

Scotland  is  to  be  strongly  represented  on  the 
British  contingent  that  is  going  to  Rome  for 
the  International  Conference.  The  various 
sightseeing  tours  and  functions  that  are  included 
have  caught  on  w'ith  the  exhibitors’  womenfolk 
and  families,  and  I hear  more  than  one  exhibitor 
complaining  of  the  raid  that  has  been  made 
on  his  bank-book.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ormiston  and 
family,  Herbert  J.  Green  and  the  Misses  Green 
and  Louis  Dickson  are  all  studying  Woolworth’s 
editions  of  the  Italian  language  ! 

Renting  Staff  Changes 

Tom  Johnston,  who  has  been  with  F.B.O. 
as  cameraman  for  the  Topical  Budget,  has  joined 
the  staff  of  Audible  Filmcraft.  He  is  to  be 
cameraman  for  British  Screen  News. 

Rothesay  Canopy  Crashes 

Some  alarm  was  caused  at  the  Palace,  Rothesay, 
last  Tuesday,  when  the  canopy  on  the  outside 
of  the  entrance  crashed  on  to  the  pavement. 
Fortunately  the  incident  took  place  at  a time 
when  there  were  not  many  people  passing,  and 
although  there  were  a few’  narrow'  escapes  no 
one  w’as  injured. 

The  Mystic  Craft 

Lodge  Anima  (Glasgow),  No.  1223,  held  a 
regular  meeting  last  Friday,  when  degrees  were 
conferred  on  four  candidates  by  P.W.M.  Jack 
Kissell  and  P.W.M.  James  Wallace.  The  Lodge 
paid  a fraternal  visit  to  Lodge  Burnside  last 
night  (Tuesday),  when  Bros.  William  Shaw, 
P.W.M.,  and  Kempsell,  D.M.,  took  part  in 
degree  work. 


Cinemagazine  Novelties 

Ideal's  Sound  Cinemagazine  is  maintain- 
ing its  reputation  for  the  unusual.  Some  of 
the  subjects  garnered  by  Andrew  Buchanan 
and  his  staff  of  cameramen  are  of  a type 
never  yet  seen  on  the  film,  sound  or  other- 
w’ise. 

There  are  famous  personalities  who  have 
never  hitherto  been  persuaded  to  face  a film 
camera  ; the  art  of  flying  dealt  with  from  an 
entirely  novel  angle  ; stars  of  the  stage  who 
are  making  the  acquaintance  of  a vast  new 
public  in  a sound  film,  and  fashions  dealt 
wdth  from  an  angle  never  hitherto  attempted. 

It  can  be  stated  without  disclosing  secrets 
that  Cinemagazine  is  managing  to  secure 
some  really  luscious  “ plums.” 


May  (>,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


53 


News  from  the  Territories 


From  “The  Bioscope’s”  Special  Representatives 


Manchester  and  Liverpool 

(Representative:  Fred  Gronback,  18,  Coningsby  Road, 
Anfield,  Liverpool.  Telephone:  Anfield  1289> 

Liverpool  Proiectionists’  Meeting 

There  are  signs  of  the  Guild  of  British  Pro- 
jectionists becoming  active  on  Merseyside, 
where  it  is  commonly  admitted  there  is  plenty  of 
scope  for  useful  educational  work  amongst 
operators.  J.  Ward,  second  engineer  for  the 
Gaumont  British  Corporation,  has  completed 
arrangements  for  a lecture  ‘ on  carbons,  illus- 
trated by  the  film  “ Strike  Up  Friend  Ship,”  to 
be  given  at  the  Rialto  Picture  Theatre,  Liver- 
pool, at  8 p.m.  on  Sunday  next,  May  10th. 
Managers  as  well  as  operators  are  invited  to 
attend. 

Education  by  Films 

Bootle  Education  Committee  has  adopted  the 
suggestion  of  Councillor  Walter  Scott  (managing 
director  of  the  Gainsborough  Cinema,  Bootle), 
by  making  provision  for  the  presentation  of  films 
in  their  new  Breeze  Hill  Secondary  School  for 
Girls.  Councillor  Scott,  who  is  an  ex-chairman 
of  the  North  Western  C.E.A.,  is  deputy  chairman 
of  the  Bootle  Education  Committee  and  chair- 
man of  the  Higher  Education  Sub-committee. 

Manufacturer’s  Testing  Theatre 

Bromilow  & Edwards,  engineers,  of  Bolton  > 
who  are  now  manufacturing  talking  picture 
apparatus  and  have  installed  six  sets,  have  at 
the  top  of  their  works  premises  a room  fitted  with 
a few  plush  chairs,  a screen  sheet  and  the  “ talkie” 
apparatus.  This  little  theatre  is  used  for  testing 
and  experimenting. 

New  Rules  for  Liverpool 

Liverpool  Theatres  and  Public  Entertainments 
Committee  of  the  Justices  contemplate  enforcing 
more  stringent  rules  to  regulate  standing  room 
in  local  picture  theatres.  The  new  rules  stipulate 
that  gangways  of  3 ft.  fi  in.  should  be  left  clear. 

When  the  matter  was  mentioned  at  Friday’s 
meeting  of  the  magistrates,  R.  K.  Milne,  who 
appeared  on  behalf  of  the  cinema  licensees, 
pointed  out  that  they  had  only  had  three  days’ 
notice  of  the  regulations.  He  asked  for  an 
adjournment  of  the  court,  so  that  the  views  of 
licensees  might  be  obtained.  The  justices 
acquiesced. 

Four  Northern  Counties 

(Representative:  Thos.  F.  Burgess,  242,  Wingrove 
Avenue,  Newcastleo'vTyne) 

School  Teachers  View  South  Pole  Film 

Last  week  about  300  Sunderland  and  district 
teachers  attended  the  Havelock  Cinema,  Sunder- 
land, to  pre-view  the  film  “ With  Byrd  at  the 
South  Pole,”  which  is  being  shown  at  the 
Havelock  this  week.  They  were  unanimously 
of  the  opinion  that  the  film  was  a masterpiece  of 
screen  realism,  and  many  teachers  expressed  their 
intention  of  setting  the  story  as  a lesson  for  the 
scholars.  The  writers  of  the  best  essays  are  being 
invited  by  the  management  to  see  the  film  free. 

Unemployed  Musicians’  Band 

Local  unemployed  musicians  will  form  a band, 
which  has  been  engaged  by  the  Sunderland 
Corporation  to  give  performances  in  the  Roker 
Park  during  the  summer  months.  The  musicians 
forming  the  band  have  all  been  displaced  by  the 
“ talkies.” 

Leeds  and  District 

(Representative  H.  S.  Pitts,  ' Yorkshire  Evening 
Post,"  Leeds,  or  Leyburn  Grove,  Bingley) 

gilents  Still  Popular 

The  going-over  of  the  Headingley  Picture 
House  in  Cottage  Road  to  “ talkie's  ” on  Whit 
Monday  will  mean,  not  as  previously  stated,  that 
there  will  be  only  one  silent  picture  house  in  the 
city,  but  two.  In  addition  to  the  Picturedrome 
at  Hunslet,  I am  reminded  that  there  is  still  the 
Miners’  Institute  in  East  Leeds.  I am  told,  too, 
that  there  is  still  a good  clientele  for  silent  films, 
for  not  only  do  these  two  silent  houses  in  Leeds 


do  a goodish  business,  but  also  I hear  of  people 
actually  taking  the  tram  or  bus  to  Guiseley  and 
one  or  two  other  places  to  see  the  now  old-style 
silent  pictures. 

A Familiar  Figure 

A familiar  figure  is  missing  from  the  front 
entrance  of  the  Scala  Theatre.  Known  to  many 
members  of  the  trade  and  the  public  as  “ Mac,” 
William  McDermott,  who  has  been  doorman 
since  the  theatre  was  opened  in  July,  1922,  has  left 
to  take  up  a position  at  the  Leeds  County  Court. 
As  smart  as  he  is  big  and  upstanding,  “ Mac  ” 
will  be  missed  in  the  trade. 


Sheffield  and  District 

(Representative:  George  W Hopkinson.  60,  Peveril 
Road,  Ecclesa!1,  Sheffield,  S.W.> 

Uniforms  for  Firemen 

Sheffield  City  Council  is  to  be  asked  by  the 
Watch  Committee  to  pass  a resolution  making 
it  compulsory  for  firemen  in  cinemas  to  wear 
uniforms  identifying  them  as  such.  It  is  also 
recommended  that  all  attendants  in  the  audi- 
torium be  not  less  than  18  years  old  and  shall 
wear  conspicuous  armlets  as  well  as  distinctive 
uniform  caps.  Some  time  ago  the  National 
Council  of  Women  invited  the  C.E.A.  to  send 
representatives  to  a conference  on  film  matters, 
and  these  were  among  the  questions  raised.  The 
National  Council  has  been  co-operating  with  the 
Watch  Committee. 


Birmingham  and  Midlands 

(Representative:  O.  Ford-Jones, " Winona,"  Hugh 
Road,  Smethwick,  Birmingham. 

Telephone:  Smethwick  289) 

Schools  Come  to  the  Cinema 

It  should  not  be  long  before  we  see  schools 
joining  forces  with  the  cinema  for  the  purpose 
of  additional  juvenile  education,  and  judging 
by  the  fact  that  800  boys  from  the  Saltley 
Secondary  School  and  three  elementary  schools 
attended  the  Ritz,  Bordesley  Green,  on  Wednes- 
day to  view  a “ motor  manufacturing  ” film, 
Birmingham  will  not  be  slow  to  take  advantage 
of  such  an  innovation.  It  is  significant  that  the 
initiative  came  from  the  schools,  that  the  per- 
formance was  paid  for  by  them  and  that  the 
scholars  attended  during  ordinary  school  hours, 
evidence  of  a growing  realisation  on  the  part  of 
the  local  educational  authorities  that  the  cinema 
has  something  to  offer  in  instructional  films  to 
supplement  ordinary  forms  of  tuition. 

Effect  of  the  Cinema  on  Children 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  Birmingham  Cinema 
Enquiry  Committee,  a meeting  for  teachers  was 
held  at  the  University  on  Thursday  evening, 
at  which  the  following  resolution  was  proposed  : 
“ That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  cinema, 
plays  such  an  important  part  in  the  life  of  the 
child  to-day,  it  is  important  that  the  teaching 
profession  watch  its  development  and  influence, 
with  a view  to  taking  advantage  of  the  usefulness 
and  checking  harmful  tendencies  and  effects.” 

“ After  the  Show  ” Dances 

The  “ After  the  Show  ” Dance  seems  to  be  a 
popular  innovation  with  Midland  exhibitors.  On 
Monday  last  the  combined  staffs  of  the  Grange 
and  Coronet  held  a revel  at  the  Crown  Hotel, 
when  between  150  and  200  attended.  By  this 
means  the  staffs  are  provided  with  an  evening’s 
entertainment,  and  profits  go  to  swell  the 
annual  outing  fund.  W.  East  Smith,  manager 
of  the  Grange,  who  was  responsible  for  this  par- 
ticular function,  announces  “ more  to  come.” 

Benevolent  Fund  Calling 

Thursday’s  mail  brought  a letter  from  T. 
Holdstock,  hon.  secretary  of  the  Birmingham 
and  Midland  Cinema  Trades  Benevolent  Fund 
(Sports  Section),  enclosing  his  broadcast  for  the 
coming  golf  and  snooker  tournaments.  His 
catchy  “ Sports  Section  Calling  ” should  have 
the  desired  effect  of  making  these  enterprises 
the  big  success  of  the  year. 


Disciples  of  the  Willow 

The  cricket  club  promoted  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Birmingham  Film  Renters  Sports  Club 
should  have  an  interesting  season  ahead.  Vic 
Smith,  the  hon.  secretary,  tells  me  that  the 
club  has  been  balloted  to  play  in  the  First 
Division  of  the  Birmingham  Suburban  Cricket 
League,  whilst  they  have  been  successful  in 
obtaining  Phillip’s  Engineering  Co.’s  ground  on 
the  Pineapple  Estate,  King’s  Heath,  for  their 
“ pitch.” 

More  of  ’Em 

A.  Dowding,  manager  of  the  Stirchlev  Empire, 
has  requested  me  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the 
cinema  trade  the  activities  of  the  Birmingham 
Cinema  Cricket  Club.  Net  practice  commences 
at  Cannon  Hill  Park  this  week-end,  following 
which  arrangements  are  being  made  for  a series 
of  matches.  F.  Capper,  chief  operator  at  the 
Stirchlev  Empire,  is  acting  hon.  secretary. 

News  Reel  Theatre  for  Birmingham 

Birmingham  is  to  have  a cinema  devoted 
entirely  to  the  exhibition  of  news  reels.  I was 
informed  over  the  week  end  that  the  Select 
Theatre,  in  Station  Street,  has  been  acquired 
for  this  purpose,  and  when  reseating  and  re- 
decoration has  been  completed,  will  open  as  the 
Fox  Movietone  News  Theatre,  with  programmes 
of  an  hour’s  duration. 

Proiectionists  Elect  Leaders 

The  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Birmingham 
Court  of  the  Guild  of  British  Projectionists  and 
Kinema  Technicians  was  held  on  Sunday. 
Election  of  officers  and  executive  for  the  ensuing 
year  formed  the  business  of  the  meeting. 

Changed  Hands 

The  Picture  House,  Kenilworth,  I am  informed, 
has  changed  hands,  and  now  comes  under  the 
control  of  W.  Strong,  of  the  Alexandra  Theatre, 
Coventry.  The  house  is  to  be  closed  for  a short 
period  for  redecoration  and  reseating,  and  the 
installation  of  the  Western  Electric  sound 
apparatus. 

Bromyard  Hall  Burnt 

The  Church  Street  Cinema,  Bromyard,  Here- 
fordshire, owned  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Diacoff,  was 
during  the  past  week  completely  destroyed  by 
fire.  It  is  believed  the  fire  originated  on  the 
stage. 

Notts  and  Derby 

(Representative:  W.  Bernard  Stevenson,  "Hillside 
School,"  7,  Noel  Street,  Nottingham,  and  "The 
Nottingham  Journal,"  Parliament  Street,  Nottingham. 

Telephone:  Nottingham  45541> 

Seat  Phones  for  Elite 

To  cater  for  the  quite  considerable  number  of 
people  who  suffer  from  deafness,  the  management 
of  the  Elite,  Nottingham,  are  installing  ear 
phones  in  the  front  row  of  the  dress  circle.  A 
small  extra  charge  is  being  made  for  their  use. 

A Summer  Change 

Another  innovation  at  the  Elite  affects  the 
restaurant.  As  from  Monday  last  all  table 
d’hote  hot  luncheons  and  dinners  were  dis- 
continued and  a cold  buffet  substituted.  In 
other  words,  the  restaurant  is  being  turned  into 
a cafe,  pure  and  simple,  for  the  summer  months. 


Bristol 

Highbury  Congregational  Church 

An  announcement  in  these  pages  last  week 
that  the  Highbury  Congregational  Church  was  to 
be  sold  and  transformed  into  a cinema,  gave  rise 
to  some  alarm  in  Bristol  Congregational  circles. 
We  regret  that  by  an  error  in  transcription,  it 
was  implied  that  Bristol’s  famous  church  was  to 
undergo  this  change,  and  are  assured  that  such  is 
certainly  not  the  case.  The  report  was  intended 
to  refer  to  the  church  of  the  same  name  at 
Cheltenham. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


.->4 


South  Wales 

Right  to  Censor  Posters 

Bridgend  (Glam.)  Council  members,  at  last 
week’s  meeting,  sharply  criticised  pictures 
exhibited  on  hoardings  and  other  places  adver- 
tising film  shows  in  the  town.  During  the  discus- 
sion it  was  asked  whether  the  Council  had  power 
to  censor  such  pictures,  and  the  Clerk  (Mr.  J.  T. 
Howell),  in  reply,  said  that  by  the  Act  of  1925 
every  urban  authority  with  more  than  10,000 
inhabitants  was  entitled  to  do  so.  It  was  decided 
to  defer  the  matter  pending  the  result  of  the 
census. 

" Dicky  " Dormer's  Enterprise 

Everyone  in  the  film  trade  in  South  Wales 
was  interested  in  the  registration  the  other  day 
of  a private  company  to  carry  on  the  business 
of  proprietors  and  managers  of  theatres,  film 
producers,  etc.  Interested  because  the  name  of 
Richard  Dooner  appeared  as  first  and  permanent 
managing  director.  “ Dick  ” Dooner,  of  Maesteg, 
is  Wales’  best-known  and  certainly  best-liked 
showman.  He  is  one  of  the  “ old  brigade,”  and 
it  is  good  to  know  that  he  is  as  lively  and  enter- 
prising now  as  ever. 

“ Passed  ” 

“ Outward  Bound  ” was  privately  shown  at 
the  Theatre  Royal,  Barry  Dock,  last  week  to 
members  of  the  Barry  Council.  After  the  show 
the  Council  unanimously  agreed  to  its  being 
publicly  screened  within  the  Council’s  administra- 
tive area. 

To  Open  in  July 

The  New  Theatre,  Cardiff,  which,  as  reported 
in  The  Bioscope  some  months  ago,  is  to  be  turned 
into  a cinema,  will  open  at  the  end  of  July. 
Mortimer  Dent,  of  course,  will  be  the  controlling 
power. 

Irish  Free  State 

(Representative:  Joseph  P.  Sandes,  43,  St.  Joseph's 
Place,  Dorset  Street,  Dublin) 

Silents’  Lost  Appeal 

The  Olympia  Theatre,  in  which  revue  and 
vaudeville  form  the  staple  fare  during  the  week, 
has  for  some  years  past  presented  motion  picture 
programmes  on  Sunday  nights,  but  these  have 
now  been  discontinued  as  from  Sunday  last. 
As  there  is  no  sound  projection  equipment  in 
the  Olympia,  silent  pictures  had  to  be  shown, 
and  it  was  found  that  these  had  almost  com- 
pletely lost  their  appeal  for  the  public.  It  is 
the  intention  of  Morrison  & Bradlaw,  the  lessees, 
to  reopen  on  Sundays  early  in  August,  probably 
to  coincide  with  Horse  Show  week.  During  the 
interval  between  now  and  then  they  will  instal 
sound  apparatus,  and  this  will  be  used  to  provide 
occasional  contributions  to  the  weekly  variety 
programmes. 

Notable  Film  Figure’s  Visit 

Last  Friday  evening  T.  S.  Delahanty,  general 
manager  of  the  Path-  R.K.O.  Export  Corpora- 
tion, arrived  in  Dublin  for  a three-day  visit, 
arranged  primarily  to  provide  an  opportunity 
of  conferring  with  Sean  Reynolds,  who  represents 
P.D.C.  in  Dublin.  This  is  the  first  time  a New 
York  executive  has  travelled  to  Dublin  since 
the  Path  ■ interests  were  acquired  by  the  new 
Path-  R.K.O.  Export  Corporation,  and  I under- 
stand that,  as  a result  of  the  visit,  intensive 
developments  have  been  planned. 

Presentation  to  Stage  Manager 

Before  leaving  Dublin  on  Friday  last  to  take 
up  his  duties  on  Monday  in  the  Paramount 
Theatre,  Manchester,  Daniel  Treacy,  stage 
manager  of  the  Capitol,  was  presented  by  the 
staff  with  a fitted  travelling  case. 

Northern  Ireland 

(Representative  : George  Gray,  Fort  Garry,  Cregagh 
Park,  Belfast) 

At  It  Again 

Beaten  at  one  turn,  would-be  censors  in 
Northern  Ireland  come  up  grim  and  determined 
at  another,  so  much  so  that  exhibitors  and 
renters  wonder  what  really  is  the  game  that  is 
being  carried  on.  First  the  police  committee 
pass  regulations,  then  refer  them  back,  then 
give  the  trade  complete  satisfaction  for  the  time 
being  by  deciding  to  drop  regulations  for  12 
months.  No  sooner  has  the  ink  on  the  official 


notification  had  time  to  dry  than  they  alter 
their  minds,  and  lay  the  matter  open  to  immediate 
controversy  by  deciding  that  the  regulations 
will  come  up  again  in  six  months  time. 

Why  ? 

The  reason  why  is  not  far  too  look  for.  The 
Film  Committee  of  the  Churches  went  along 
with  a strong  deputation  and  again  demanded 
that  the  suggestions  they  had  put  forward  should 
be  put  into  force  at  once,  and  to  temporise  with 
them  the  Police  Committee  have  brought  down 
a veritable  storm.  They  have  decided  to  review 
the  whole  position  in  six  months  time.  The 
trade  will  decide  on  what  action  it  will  take  at 
the  monthly  meeting  of  the  White  Cinema  Club 
this  week.  Its  decision  will  be  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  the  same  as  before,  that  under  no 
consideration  will  it  agree  to  new  regulations. 

A Threat 

In  the  meantime  the  trade  is  all  the  more 
strengthened,  for  the  opposition  have  stated 
that  either  the  cinemas  accept  their  suggestions, 
or  there  will  be  worse  in  store  for  them.  The 
words  of  one  of  their  spokesmen  were : “ A 
storm  is  brewing  for  the  managers  if  they  do 
not  agree  to  our  terms.”  The  trade  cares  little 


Plans  have  been  prepared  and  a contract 
will  shortly  be  placed  for  another  cinema  for 
H.  & G.  Cinemas,  Ltd.,  of  which  Phil  and 
Sid  Hvams  and  Major  A.  J . Gale  are  directors. 
This  time  they  have  chosen  a position  in 
East  London,  an  island  site  in  Commercial 
Road,  where  stands  an  old  derelict  brewery. 
Demolition  of  the  old  buildings  is  to  be  put 
in  hand  very  soon. 

The  new  theatre  has  been  designed  by 
George  Coles,  F.R.I.B.A.,  who  made  the 
drawings  for  the  Metropole,  Victoria,  and  the 
Trocadero,  Elephant  and  Castle,  both  con- 
trolled by  the  same  company.  His  plans 
provide  for  a building  with  a capacity  of 
3,000  seats.  As  is  usual  with  George  Coles, 
there  is  again  something  novel  about  the 
design,  an  innovation  that  appears  to  have 
distinct  possibilities. 

This  unique  feature  is  in  the  provision 
of  waiting  and  circulating  space  for  in- 
coming patrons.  It  takes  the  form  of  a 
system  of  tunnels,  leading  direct  from  the 
main  foyer  beneath  the  auditorium  to  the 
cheaper  seats,  feeding  always  from  the 
front  of  the  auditorium. 

An  additional  subway  will  feed  the 
better  class  of  seats,  again  feeding  from 
the  front  of  such  seating. 

The  front  elevation  is  to  have  a vertical 
treatment,  reminiscent  to  a point  of  that  of 
the  Metropole,  Victoria.  Dominated  by  a 
large  central  window,  its  plain  surfaces  will 
be  in  terra  cotta,  while  a further  feature  will 
be  a treble  line  Neon  lighting  installation 
round  the  entire  frontage. 

The  main  entrance  foyer  will  have  dimen- 
sions of  46  ft.  by  56  ft.,  and  will  be  equipped 
with  island  payboxes.  From  it  tunnels  will 
connect  with  the  stalls,  while  broad  stairways 
will  lead  to  the  circle  waiting  foyer  and  to  a 
large  tea  room,  which  will  occupy  the  whole 
width  of  the  building  above  the  entrance. 

From  front  to  rear  the  auditorium  will 
measure  150  ft.  It  will  be  distinguished  by 
a flat  ceiling  treatment,  recessed  at  the  sides 
and  stepped  and  coved.  These  steppings  will 
be  the  medium  for  the  whole  of  the  con- 
cealed lighting,  and  there  will  be — mirabile 
dictu  ! — no  chandeliers  or  hanging  lanterns. 
In  its  general  treatment,  the  theatre  will  be 
essentially  modern,  inspired  by  the  con- 
temporary French  school. 

A noticeable  tendency  in  the  planning  of 
the  auditorium  is  the  manner  in  which  sight 


for  these  threats  and  will  fight.  It  is  not  even 
put  out  as  the  veiled  hint  that  a new  censorship 
will  be  pressed  for  if  the  regulations  are  not 
accepted. 

Going  “ Talkie  ” 

The  Crumlin  Picture  House,  Belfast,  is  arrang- 
ing to  change  over  to  “ talkies  ” and  is  hoping 
to  be  ready  for  the  new  order  on  June  8th. 
The  system  installed  will  be  R.C.A. 

Slight  Damage 

Promptness  of  the  staff  of  the  Mountpottinger 
Picturedrome,  together  with  the  good  work  of 
the  Belfast  Fire  Brigade,  prevented  serious 
damage  when  a fire  broke  out  at  the  bouse  soon 
after  a matinee  performance.  The  only  damage 
was  caused  to  the  screen  and  the  “ talkie  ” loud 
speaker  horns,  and  the  house  will  be  closed  for 
10  days  in  order  to  have  the  necessary  renova- 
tions carried  out. 

In  Brief 

In  order  to  meet  the  wishes  of  its  patrons, 
the  Picture  House,  Coleraine,  is  now  having 
2,000  ft.  of  sound  news  in  each  of  its  programmes. 

St.  Columbs  Hall,  Derry,  has  closed  down  for 
its  annual  refit  and  redecoration. 


lines  have  been  considered,  so  as  to  make  it 
easy  for  the  eye  of  the  patron  to  connect  with 
the  focal  point — the  screen.  From  a quarter 
of  the  way  down  the  side  walls  merge  gently 
towards  the  proscenium  arch  in  a definite 
flat  curve,  which  will  lead  the  eye  sub- 
consciously in  the  desired  direction. 

Orchestra  on  a Lilt 

In  front  of  the  proscenium  opening,  which 
will  be  54  ft.  wide  and  30  ft.  high,  will  be  a 
spacious  orchestra  pit.  This  will  be  dis- 
tinguished by  a lift  which  will  elevate  the 
entire  orchestra  to  the  level  of  the  stage, 
independent  of  the  organ  console. 

All  the  latest  devices  will  be  provided  on 
the  stage,  which  will  be  80  ft.  by  27  ft.  in 
dimensions.  A large  type  screen  will  be 
positioned,  while  arrangements  will  be  made 
for  the  installation  of  a wide  screen. 

The  downward  system  of  ventilation  will 
be  adopted  in  the  auditorium,  and  in  every 
other  mechanical  detail  the  theatre  will 
represent  the  most  advanced  practice. 

Ken  Nyman’s  Acquisition 

The  Montpelier  Cinema,  Empress  Street, 
S.E.,  has  just  been  acquired  from  Shipman  & 
King  by  Mr.  K.  E,  Nyman,  who  proposes  to 
reopen  the  theatre  on  May  11th. 

The  Montpelier,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest 
cinemas  in  London  and  the  only  one  which 
directly  occupies  part  of  the  site  occupied  by 
licensed  premises,  is  being  thoroughly  mod- 
ernised and  brought  up-to-date.  The  Mihaly 
sound  system  is  being  installed. 

* * * 

Ernemann  III  projectors,  with  Hahn 
Goerz  high  intensity  arcs,  are  being  installed 
in  the  new  Princess  Cinema,  Liverpool, 
which  is  to  open  this  month.  The  operating 
box  equipment  contract  is  in  the  hands  of  the 
Walturdaw  Cinema  Supply  Co.,  whose 
Liverpool  manager  is  A.  Wigley. 

* * * 

Demolition  is  proceeding  apace  at  the 
Public  Hall,  Redditch,  which  has  been  closed 
during  the  past  month  ; at  present  only  the 
outer  shell  remains.  On  the  site  Gaumont- 
British  are  to  erect  a real  super,  which,  it  is 
understood,  will  be  capable  of  seating  about 
900  patrons,  and  endeavours  are  to  be  made 
to  have  the  hall  ready  for  reopening  towards 
the  end  of  the  year.  Wm.  T.  Benslyn. 

F.R.I.B.A.,  of  Birmingham,  is  the  architect, 


Another  H.  & G.  Theatre 

3000-Seater  for  Commercial  Road 


Technical  News  and  Notes 


British  Mohair  Association 

The  information  given  last  week  in  these 
columns  describing  the  setting  up  by  the 
British  Mohair  Association  of  a standard 
of  quality  for  mohair  velvet  and  mohair 
plush  was  received  with  satisfaction  by 
exhibitors,  who  have  suffered  all  too  fre- 
quently from  the  use  of  unsatisfactory  mohair 
substitutes.  It  is  emphasised  that  the 
Association  is  in  no  way  concerned  in  the 
marketing  of  mohair  products  ; its  present 
activities  are  confined  to  securing  agreement 
among  its  members  of  a specification  of 
quality  which  shall  be  regarded  as  a minimum 
and  in  making  this  new  standard  known  to 
mohair-users  everywhere.  The  step  is  one 
which  will  be  heartily  welcomed  by  every 
fabric-user,  as  it  is  aimed  solely  at  his 
protection  and  will  not  in  any  way  prevent 
the  reasonable  and  healthy  competition 
among  themselves  of  the  component  members 
of  the  Association. 

Merely  Mutilation 

Film  mutilation  materials  till  accumulates, 
but  it  is  unfortunately  impossible  to  spare 
space  each  week  for 
the  examples  sent 
in  to  us.  The  one 
illustrated  to-day 
and  sent  in  by  G. 
Miller,  of  Botcher- 
gate,  Carlisle,  is 
remarkable  because 
the  savage  flash- 
marks,  consisting  of 
punches,  scrapes  and 
whitewash,  are  at  the 
tail-end  of  a nice  long 
fade-out.  This  sort 
of  fade-out  is  one 
which  even  the  most 
vindictive  of  flash- 
mark  fiends  could 
be  expected  to  follow 
without  flashmarks. 
Incidentally  the 
letter  contained  in 
another  panel  on  this 
page  shows  that  the 
mutilation  problem  is  one  which  is  attracting 
attention  in  Hollywood  also. 


Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts 
and  Sciences 

HOLLYWOOD.  CALIFORNIA 
April  14th,  1931 

The  Editor, 

“ Bioscope.'’ 

Dear  Sir, 

My  attention  has  been  called 
to  articles  on  print  mutilation  in 
your  issues  of  March  4th  and  25th. 
May  I extend  compliments  for  the 
vigorous  and  progressive  attitude 
indicated. 

Very  truly  yours, 

(Signed)  LESTER  COWAN, 
Manager, 

Academy  Technical  Bureau. 


New  Synchronising  Lights 

At  the  M.-G.-M.  Studios  they  have  intro- 
duced a new  method  of  securing  exact 
synchronisation  marks  for  cameras  and 
recording  instruments.  They  are  using 
special  electric  circuits  with  lights,  so  that 
there  is  a simultaneous  flash  on  the  camera 
and  the  recording  instruments,  thus  removing 
any  possible  variation  between  speech  and 
action.  Simple  and  effective  ! 

Ultra  Violet  Effects 

A good  deal  of  fuss  has  been  made  over  the 
current  stage  spectacle  at  the  Roxy,  where 
a lighting  effect  is  being  used  in  connection 
with  “ Les  Papillons,”  which,  it  is  said,  has 
never  before  been  attempted  on  the  stage. 
A special  glass  stage  has  been  constructed 
for  the  number  and  the  dancers’  costumes 
are  treated  with  luminous  paints,  the  butter- 
flies and  other  decorations  on  the  costumes 
becoming  “ animated  ” when  lights  producing 
invisible  ultra-violet  rays  are  thrown  on  the 
stage.  Readers  who  have  followed  The  Bio- 
scope in  recent  months  will  know  that  this 
particular  lighting  effect  has  been  described 
and  discussed  at  length  and  detailed  formulae 


given  for  the  manufacture  of  the  necessary 
fluorescent  paints.  Moreover,  the  effects 
produced  in  this  way  were  staged  at  Stoll's 
picture  house  many  months  ago  by  F.  G.  H. 
McCrae,  who  has  experimented  largely  in 
this  field.  The  Scotch  have  a pertinent 
proverb  worth  quoting,  which  says  that  some 
people  “ Can  ne’er  dae  withoot  they  ower 
dae.” 

Interesting  Needles 

Some  time  ago  in  these  columns  I mentioned 
the  Electrocolor  needle,  which  now  has  a 
tremendous  sale  all  over  the  world  and 
offers  very  substantial  advantages.  It  is  a 
needle  of  organic  origin  which  involves  no 
wear  whatever  on  records  and  can  be  used 
for  as  many  as  200  runnings,  with  occasional 
easy  repointing.  My  own  difficulty  with  this 
needle  in  the  past  has  been  that,  as  most 
of  the  operations  in  making  the  needle  were 
done  by  hand  (and  there  are  nine  different 
operations)  there  was  certain  unevenness  in 
the  size  of  the  finished  product,  and  I found 
that  a proportion  of  the  needles  would  not 
fit  some  of  the  pick-ups.  The  company  has 
now  produced  a new  type  of  Electrocolor 
needle  of  exactly  the  same  manufacture,  but 
much  thinner,  and  specially  suitable  for 
pick-up  work.  Exhibitors  who  have  not  tried 
these  needles,  especially  on  their  non- 
syncopated  equipment,  can  be  recommended 
to  do  so.  The  needles  are  admittedly  not 
equally  well  suited  for  all  types  of  records, 
but  the  results  they  produce  with  average 
records  will  surprise  the  experimenter. 

“ Roughing  Out  ” Films 

I see  they  are  announcing  as  a new 
development  in  Hollywood  a system  of 
preparing  film  scenarios  which  includes  the 
taking  of  outstanding  scenes  on  film  as  a 
guide  to  the  director.  Whatever  virtues 
this  system  may  have  they  are  not  new,  for 
the  late  Charles  McEvoy  and  I used  the 
method  12  or  13  years  ago.  In  those  days 
scenes  were  “ timed  ” very  closely,  and  to 
get  the  footage  down  it  was  often  necessary 
to  exercise  considerable  ingenuity  in  arrang- 
ing the  action.  It  sometimes  seemed  that 
the  simplest  way  to  convey  this  action  plot 
was  to  take  a rough  film  of  it.  No  attention 


The  end  of  a 
perfect  fade  out 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


■was  paid  to  the  nuances  of  acting ; we 
merely  walked  through  the  parts,  though 
there  was  a tendency  to  act  more  as  time 
went  on.  Nowadays,  with  sub-standard 
cameras  so  cheap,  there  is  everything  in 
favour  of  an  author  expressing  his  story  in 
rough  picture  form,  providing  he  is  not 
tempted  to  proceed  to  complete  direction. 
Obviously,  every  writer  sees  what  he  wants 
more  clearly  than  he  could  describe  it  in 
words,  and  anyway  the  most  carefully 
written  description  would  often  give  a 
totally  erroneous  idea  to  a director  of 
different  culture  and  mentality.  In  my 
experience,  professional  novelists  usually 
make  wonderfully  helpful  critics,  but  as 
producers  they  are  fine  novelists. 

Notable  Publicity 

I must  congratulate  the  Crompton  Parkin- 
son people  on  the  quality  of  the  publicity 
matter  the}’  have  been  issuing  lately.  The 
layouts  have  been  most  original  and,  typo- 
graphically, the  work  has  been  above  criti- 
cism. The  latest  specimen  to  hand  refers 
only  with  a detail,  namely,  the  bearings  for 
vertical  shaft  motors,  but  it  deals  with  the 
subject  in  a way  that  must  arrest  the  atten- 
tion of  even  the  most  untechnical  reader, 
while  to  the  engineer  it  provides  very  con- 
vincing proof  of  the  care  and  skill  devoted 
to  the  small  details  of  Crompton  Parkinson 
products.  The  name  of  the  firm  is  becoming 
very  well  known  in  the  cinema  world,  and 
the  quality  of  the  publications  issued  from 
time  to  time  provides  at  least  one  explana- 
tion. 

Sturtevant  Exhausters 

The  Sturtevant  Engineering  Co.  have  just 
issued  an  informative  booklet  on  pneumatic 
despatch  tubes  for  handling  all  kinds  of 
documents  and  cash.  As  originators  of  the 
turbo-exhauster  system  for  vacuum  cleaning 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 

in  this  country,  it  is  only  natural  that  Sturte- 
vant should  also  design  the  first  turbo- 
exhauster for  operating  pneumatic  tubes. 
The  company  is  owner  of  a patented  system 
which  provides  that  no  power  shall  be 
wasted  when  only  a few  tubes  are  in  opera- 
tion— a notable  advance  on  the  old  system, 
w’hich  w-as  very  costly  in  operating  current. 
Pneumatic  delivery  tubes  are  not  usually 
employed  in  cinemas  and  have,  therefore, 
only  an  indirect  interest  for  exhibitors,  but 
the  basic  exhausting  apparatus  is  the  same 
as  that  employed  in  the  Sturtevant  vacuum 
cleaners,  and  the  tremendous  amount  of 
installation  experience  w’hich  the  company 
has  had  in  connection  w-ith  this  type  of  plant 
is,  doubtless,  one  of  the  reasons  for  the  great 
popularity  of  Sturtevant  vacuum  apparatus 
among  exhibitors. 

Edison  Stand-by  Batteries 

With  reference  to  our  recent  article  on 
the  use  of  Edison  Storage  Batteries  as  stand- 
by supplies  for  the  emergency  lighting  in 
cinemas,  we  are  asked  to  point  out  that 
B.  Pontifex  is  now  in  charge  of  the 
department  of  New  Distributors  of  Edison 
Storage  Batteries,  Ltd.,  dealing  specifically 
with  stand-by  batteries  for  theatres,  cinemas, 
hospitals,  etc. 

Poor  West-End  Reproduction 

Exhibitors  who  come  to  London  often 
express  surprise  at  the  relatively  poor  sound 
they  find  in  some  West-End  theatres  in 
comparison  with  what  they  have  secured 
in  their  own  provincial  houses.  One  such 
exhibitor  complained  long  and  loudly  this 
week  of  the  quality  of  the  sound  in  one  very 
u’ell-known  house.  He  sat  on  the  side  seats 
and  complained  that  throughout  the  perform- 
ance he  heard  two  distinct  sound  repro- 
ductions. In  another  West-End  house  the 


May  6,  1931 

other  night  three  people  found  practically 
the  whole  of  the  conversation  that  was 
reproduced  entirely  unintelligible  from  the 
seats  allocated  to  them.  I have  myself 
noticed  that  several  of  the  West- End  houses 
are  far  from  perfect  in  this  direction,  and 
yet  it  is  absurd  to  assume  that  it  is  merely 
a problem  of  size.  Green’s  Playhouse  in 
Glasgow,  one  of  the  largest  houses  in  the 
country,  can  turn  its  sound  down  to  the 
bottom  fader  level  and  yet  have  every 
whisper  heard  clearly  in  every  part  of  the 
immense  auditorium.  The  fault  in  most 
of  these  cases  is  not  so  much  that  of  the 
projectionist  as  of  the  house  manager. 

Film  Stock  Figures 

Quite  unexpectedly  I was  asked  this  week 
for  an  approximate  figure  as  to  the  total 
amount  of  raw  stock  used  in  this  country 
in  the  course  of  a year,  and  I was  amazed 
to  find  how  difficult  it  is  to  arrive  at  an 
approximately  accurate  figure  But  the 
figure  I finally  secured  was  in  itself  as 
surprising  as  the  difficulty  in  the  way  of 
securing  it,  for  it  seems  that  something 
between  250,000,000  and  275,000,000  ft.  of 
raw  stock  were  consumed  annually.  This 
does  not  take  into  account  negative  stock, 
which  probably  accounts  for  the  further 
10  to  15  miillon  feet.  As  an  indication  of 
how  far  this  figure  varies  from  the  official 
figures  of  imports,  it  may  be  said  imports 
are  given  as  between  50  and  60  million  feet, 
with  a considerable  proportion  of  these 
re-exported. 

Trifling 

One  of  my  studio  electrician  friends  says 
that  the  only  things  he  really  does  not  like 
about  the  moving  pictures  are  the  lights. 

F.  F. 


PRICES  FROM 

£400 .0  . 0 

including  the  famous  Brown  Sound  Amplifiers  and 
Loud  Speakers. 

EXTENDED  PAYMENTS  ARRANGED 


No  need  to  buy  new 
projectors  if  you  fit 

the  ^rOWlt  Talkie 

The  illustration  shows  a projector  to  which  is  fitted  a .'ffirOVVtl 
Universal  Type  Talkie  Sound  Head.  Study  it  carefully  and 
note  how  it  permits  any  existing  projector  to  be  instantly- 
adapted  for  sound -on -film  reproduction.  It  makes  no  difference 
whatsoever  if  your  projector  is  of  an  old  design.  It  can  be  fitted 
to  the  JBCOWtl  Equipment  with  the  minimum  of  delay  .... 
Silent  pictures  Saturday  evening,  Talkies  Monday  evening. 
What  is  more,  the  JBrowtl  gives  superlative  results  absolutely- 
free  from  ripple  or  background  noises.  Let  us  give  a 
demonstration  in  your  own  theatre. 

NO  UPKEEP,  SERVICE,  OR  MAINTENANCE  CHARGES. 

We  can  convert  your  sound-on- 
disc  to  sound-on- film  for  £255 


S.  G.  BROWN,  Ltd.,  Western  Avenue,  N.  Acton,  W.3 

Telephone  : Chiswick  3280  fft  lines). 


Q 8286 


May  6,  1931 

Should  a manager  throw 
all  responsibility  for  sound 
on  his  projectionists — * 

Sound  has  become  one  of  the  acutest 
administrative  problems  of  the  modern 
manager.  He  finds  it  difficult  to  decide  how 
far  he  shall  interfere  with  a matter  which 
must,  in  the  end,  depend  on  people  technically 
better  equipped  than  he  is.  He  has  ap- 
pointed qualified  projectionists  who  know 
their  job  adequately.  Thereafter,  what  is  to 
be  his  attitude  to  'sound  ? Shall  he  stand 
aside  and  wait  till  trouble  develops  on  the 
principle  that  it  is  the  projectionist's  job 
anyway,  and  if  anything  goes  wrong  the 
projectionist  must  stand  the  racket  ? Or 
shall  shall  he  take  a critical  attitude  from 
the  start  and,  in  the  aim  of  avoiding  any 
chance  of  future  breakdowns,  risk  the  chance 
of  being  thought  “nosey”  and  interfering 
by  the  projection  box  squad  ? 

He  wants  to  work  in  harmony  and  good 
feeling  with  his  staff,  but  above  all,  he  wants 
to  avoid  that  terrible  crisis  when  the  figures 
on  the  screen  go  mouthing  and  gesticulating 
on  but  no  sound  comes  from  the  horns.  Of 
course,  the  boys  in  the  box  want  to  avoid 
that  crisis  too,  but  the  manager  cannot  rid 
himself  of  the  feeling  that  the  final  respon- 
sibility for  trouble  must  ultimately  be  his. 

The  Manager’s  Peculiar  Responsibility 

The  manager  must  always  have  a special 
responsibility  for  sound  for  another  reason. 
The  man  in  the  box  never  hears  sound,  at 
any  rate,  not  quite  as  the  audience  hears  it. 
The  monitor  speaker  says  next  to  nothing 
as  to  the  quality  or  volume  of  sound  being 
put  out.  What  he  hears  is  a mixture  of 
monitor  noise  and  the  rattle  and  din  of  his 
projection  machinery  and  the  comments  of 
his  fellow  projectionists,  helped  or  marred 
by  the  dubious  acoustics  of  the  projection 
room. 

This  means  that  he  has  little  chance  of 
hearing  those  small  cracklings  or  raspings 
which  sometimes  are  the  advance  guard  of 
more  serious  trouble.  On  the  other  hand,  it 
is  not  much  good  the  manager  hearing  those 
noises  if  he  has  not  sufficient  technical 
knowledge  to  interpret  the  noises  intelli- 
gently. But  any  manager  can  detect  the 
presence  of  dirt  in  a projection  box  and 
criticise  obvious  disorderliness.  And  any 
intelligent  manager  is  entitled  to  take  an 
active  part  in  regulating  volume.  He  knows 
that  the  correct  volume  for  his  house  is  that 
level  which  makes  it  possible  for  every 
member  of  the  audience  to  hear  comfortably 
and  without  strain.  That  means  close 
regulation  according  to  the  size  of  the 
audience,  a matter  the  projectionist  can 
hardly  be  expected  to  add  to  his  other  duties. 

About  those  premonitory  noises.  A theatre 
sound  engineer,  writing  anonymously  in  the 
Herald  on  these  noises,  points  out  that  no 
projectionist  can  be  expected  to  hear  minute 
noises,  such  as  those  developing  from  micro- 
phonic  valves,  above  the  noise  of  his  machines. 
The  manager  must  report  on  these  first.  But 
there  are  other  noises.  Conspicuous  among 
these,  he  says,  are  the  twin  devils  of  sprocket 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 

How 
Managers 
Can  Help 
Sound 

hole  and  dividing  line  noise,  commonly  called 
“ motor-boating  ” and  “ airplane  noise.” 
They  are  due  to  the  guides  which  hold  the 
film  in  place  losing  adjustment,  so  that  either 
the  sprocket  holes  or  the  framing  lines  come 
into  the  path  of  the  exciting  light.  They  are 
simply  remedied  by  readjusting  those  guides. 

Here  the  manager’s  co-operation  is  in- 
valuable. The  sprocket  holes  and  dividing 
lines  are  on  opposite  sides  of  the  sound  track. 
Too  radical  an  attempt  to  cure  one  trouble 
will  result  in  the  other.  The  manager  should, 
therefore,  be  able  to  distinguish  between 
these  twin  disturbances.  They  sound  alike, 
but  not  exactly  alike.  Sprocket-hole  noise 
is  higher  in  pitch  than  framing-line  noise. 
The  manager  who  is  willing  to  spend  ten 
minutes  teaching  himself  the  difference 
between  these  brother  noises  can  do  so  easily. 
It  is  only  necessary  to  ask  the  projectionist 
to  run  a reel  of  film  and  deliberately  move  the 
guides  out  of  place.  Having  fixed  in  his 
memory  the  nature  of  each  sound,  the 
manager  is  enabled  to  advise  the  projectionist 
how  to  remedy  such  troubles  at  once. 

Flutter,  says  the  same  authority,  is  another 
of  the  troubles  which  the  projectionist  often 
cannot  hear.  Here  the  responsibility  of  the 
manager  is  confined  to  recognising  flutter 
when  he  hears  it  and  notifying  the  projec- 
tionists. Flutter  is  like  excessive  volume  in 
that  it  causes  vaguely  unpleasant  sensations 
to  which  only  some  small  degree  of  education 
in  sound  can  put  a name.  Suspect  " flutter’  ’ 
whenever  the  product  of  your  loud-speaker 
does  not  sound  right  and  natural. 

Faults  Only  Detectable  in  Auditorium 

Flutter  in  the  singing  voices  produces 
tremolo — a vibrating,  throbbing  effect,  some- 
what like  the  sound  of  the  bass  pipes  of  a 
large  organ.  In  orchestration  it  produces 
an  unnatural  harshness  and  distortion. 
When  very  bad  it  can  make  even  the  speaking 
voice  seem  unnatural.  It  is  most  easily 
recognised  in  a piano  selection — with  that 
instrument  the  harshness  is  unmistakable. 
For  this  reason  piano  recordings  are  used 
in  test  reels  designed  to  indicate  the  presence 
of  any  small  or  large  degree  of  flutter. 

Flutter  is  one  of  the  greatest  enemies  to 
good  sound,  because  its  nature  and  presence 
are  often  unsuspected.  The  audience  is  dis- 
pleased, and  doesn’t  know  why.  It  returns 
for  the  next  picture  and  the  next,  and  is  still 
displeased  because  the  manager  of  the 
theatre  knows  no  more  about  this  matter 
than  they  do.  He  may  also  be  displeased, 
but  that  doesn’t  help  his  patrons.  As  for 
the  projectionist,  flutter  must  be  pronounced 
before  the  limitations  of  his  projection  room 
allow  him  to  hear  it  at  all. 

If  at  all  possible,  secure  a piano  test  reel 
known  to  be  free  of  recorded  flutter,  and 


THE  BIOSCOPE  iii 

— or  are  there  ways  in 
which  he  is  specially 
qualified  to  help  without 
offensive  “ interference”  ? 

use  it  to  check  back  upon  your  sound 
equipment  whenever  any  harshness,  tremolo 
or  other  unnatural  sound  appears. 

Many  breakdowns,  of  course,  happen 
without  warning,  but  others  give  fair  notice. 
A loose  connection,  for  example,  will  often 
create  noises  varying  from  the  sound  of 
tearing  paper  to  rumble  and  thunder  before 
finally  tearing  completely  loose  and  stopping 
sound  altogether.  A dirty  contact  in  the 
fader  or  in  any  volume  control  or  rheostat, 
will  sometimes  sound  much  the  same,  and, 
also,  sometimes  become  so  bad  as  to  stop 
sound  completely.  A microphonic  valve 
occasionally  grows  worse  with  time  and 
should  always  be  removed  at  the  fust 
indication  of  trouble.  Batteries  that  are 
noisy  because  they  are  run  down  will  grow 
noisier  as  time  goes  on.  Their  characteristic 
sound  is  an  irregular  crackle,  sometimes 
interrupted  by  the  noise  of  tearing  paper. 
The  sooner  the  projectionist  is  requested 
to  look  to  his  batteries,  the  sooner  will  the 
audience  be  relieved  from  an  annoyance 
that  will  never  grow  better  of  itself,  but 
only  wmrse. 

Wise  Manager  and  His  Projectionists 

All  this  is  not  to  suggest  that  the  manager 
should  undertake  to  become  an  expert  in 
all  the  technical  details  of  sound  production. 
He  will  not  be  popular  with  his  box  staff 
if  he  attempts  to  fill  the  special  functions 
for  which  he  pays  them.  But  his  help  and 
comments  will  be  intelligent  and  useful 
in  the  exact  proportion  in  which  he  is  well 
informed  on  sound  in  general  and  his  own 
theatre  equipment  in  particular.  There  are 
dozens  of  equipments  on  the  market  with 
special  peculiarities,  and  the  task  of  knowing 
all  of  them  is  a full-time  job  for  an  expert. 
But  any  intelligent  manager  can  in  a few 
months  master  the  outstanding  features 
of  his  own  set  and  be  able  to  diagnose  its 
troubles.  He  should  be  able  to  tell  when  an 
exciter  lamp  is  properly  focused  what  the 
various  meter  needles  should  register,  and 
if  he  is  tactful  his  knowledge  of  such  details 
will  give  weight  to  any  friendly  comments 
he  makes. 

But  if  he  has  a really  expert  and  con- 
scientious staff  in  the  box  the  less  he  inter- 
feres with  them  the  better,  beyond  criticism 
of  the  actual  sound  in  the  auditorium.  There 
is  one  exception,  and  that  is  if  he  discovers 
dirt  anywhere  in  the  box  or  on  mechanism. 
Dirt  in  sound  mechanism  is  more  trouble- 
some than  anywhere  else  in  the  world.  Even 
oil  and  grease  must  be  regarded  as  " dirt  ” 
within  the  meaning  of  the  act  if  it  is  in  the 
wrong  place.  Oil  on  rubber  insulation  or 
rubber  pads  must  lead  infallibly  to  trouble, 
and  dust  on  the  floor  may  at  any  moment 
become  dust  on  the  fader  or  other  vital  points, 
and  a loud  enemy  in  the  camp.  For  these 
reasons  any  manager  is  entitled  to  make  a 
loud  and  pungent  protest  when  he  sees  dirt. 
No  projectionist  worth  his  salt  will  permit 
dirt  anywhere,  and  the  other  kind  may 
legitimately  be  “ bawled  out.” 


CARBONS 


IV 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  6,  1931 


Serated  Woo! 
Fibre 


[ Ti  m 


Smooth  Mohair 
Fibre 


“Stiffened”  backing 
fabric,  showing 
where  “ filling  ” has 
worked  out. 


Unstifiened  Back- 
ing used  in  B M A 
Standard  Mohair 
Velvet. 


: n i :%Ti  m 

B.M.A.  Standard  Mohair  Velvet  wears  longest 
because  it  can  be  cleaned  more  easily.  Dirt  is  a 
destroyer.  The  Mohair  fibre  is  smooth  almost 
free  from  the  serrations  in  which  dirt  clings.  It 
therefore  retains  its  lustre  and  cleanliness  for  a 
longer  time  and  can  be  cleaned  more  easily  than 
any  other  fibre. 

The  thousands  of  serrations  on  a wool  fibre  are 
harbourers  of  dirt,  which  causes  wear  and  the 
destruction  of  the  fibre  through  friction 
and  grease.  Mohair  fibre  eliminates  this 
destruction. 

THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  SOLID  BACKING 

Backing  which  is  stiffened,  that  is  to  sav 
“filled”  with  size,  clay,  etc.,  very  quicklv 
loses  its  filling  and  becomes  loose.  Not 
only  does  this  allow  dust  particles  to 
penetrate  the  backing  and  enter  the  stuff- 
ing of  the  chair  it  is  covering,  but  also 
causes  the  tufts  of  fibre  comprising  the 
surface  of  the  fabric,  to  loosen  and  fall 
out,  thus  causing  the  bald  patches  so  often 
seen  on  cheap  velvet  upholstery. 

The  backing  used  by  B.M.A.  Standard 
Mohair  Velvet  is  guaranteed  unstiffened 
and  will  remain  tightly  woven  always. 

This  ensures  that  the  tufts  of  mohair 
fibre  will  never  become  loose,  or  drop  out, 
and  dust  particles,  being  unable  to  pene- 
trate the  backing  will  lie  on  the  surface 
and  be  easily  removable  with  a vaccuum 
cleaner. 

B.M.A.  Standard  Mohair  Velvet  is  a 
clean  long  wearing  luxurious  fabric,  ideal 
for  Theatre  and  Cinema  Upholstery.  Its 
quality  standard  is  definitely  laid  down  by 
the  British  Mohair  Association,  which  has 
evolved  a minimum  quality. 

Every  yard  of  B.M.A. 

Standard  Velvet  is  definitely  of  suitable 
wearing  quality  if  it  bears  this  mark. 


B.M.A. 

STANDARD 

MADE  BY  A MEMBER 
0„F  THE  BRITISH 
MOHAIR  ASSOCIATION 


B.M.A.  STANDARD  MOHAIR  VELVETS 

FOR  THEATRE  AND  CINEMA  UPHOLSTERY 


Seven-eighths  of  the  Man- 
ufacturers of  Mohair  Vel- 
vets conform  to  the  B.M.A. 
Standard  Grade;  their 
productions  can  be  ob- 
tained of  all  Theatre 
Furnishers,  Upholsterers, 
etc.  In  case  of  difficulty 
write  to  the  Secretary, 
B.M.A.,  King’s  Arcade, 
Market  Street,  Bradford. 


May  6,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


V 


Making  Records 

in  the 

Projection  Room 


Film  Industries’  Interesting 
Developments 

It  has  been  a matter  of  surprise  to  in- 
formed members  of  the  trade  that  the 
reproduction  equipment  marketed  by  Film 
Industries  Ltd.,  has  shown  relatively  slow 
progress.  Nearly  everyone  who  has  examined 
it,  including  The  Bioscope,  has  pronounced 
it  a set  of  unusual  quality.  Nevertheless, 
little  has  been  heard  of  its  commercial 
development  for  many  months  past.  We 
think  we  are  betraying  no  secret  when  we 
say  that  the  reason  for  the  slow  progress 
with  this,  as  with  other  companies,  has  been 
the  difficulty  of  making  satisfactory  financial 
arrangements. 

At  first  glance  this  may  not  seem  a very 
obvious  difficulty,  but  everyone  who  has 
tried  to  market  a talking  set  on  the  hire 
purchase  principle,  the  only  terms  on  which 
many  exhibitors  can  tackle  the  talking 
problem  at  all,  know  only  too  well  how  serious 
a matter  this  is.  The  more  attractive  and 
popular  the  set,  the  more  rapidly  grows  the 
capital  sum  with  which  the  company  finds 
itself  involved.  What  aggravates  the 
problem  is  that  the  professional  financing 
houses  who  specialise  on  this  kind  of  business 
have  been  so  badly  bitten  in  the  past  by 
unstable  companies  that  they  are  now  re- 
luctant to  consider  this  kind  of  business  on 
any  terms. 

A Fine  Alliance 

Fortunately,  however,  the  problem  has 
been  solved  in  a particularly  fine  way  by 
Film  Industries  Ltd.  Arrangements  have 
been  made  for  the  old-established  firm  of 
Johnson  & Phillips  to  manufacture  the  entire 
equipment,  including  the  mechanical  sound- 
head,  the  amplifiers  and  the  loud  speakers. 
Moreover,  a joint  company  has  been  formed 
to  deal  with  the  instalment  finance  business. 

The  advantages  of  this  arrangement  can- 
not easily  be  overrated.  Few  industrial  firms 
have  a higher  reputation  for  quality  and 
integrity  than  Johnson  & Phillips,  and  the 
mere  association  of  their  name  to  the  Film 
Industries’  equipment  will  be  an  enormous 
asset.  Moreover,  the  new  finance  will  enable 
the  company  to  embark  on  a progressive 
sales  campaign.  Linder  the  new  arrange- 
ments the  cost  of  the  set  will  be  substantially 
lowered  and  very  favourable  three  years’ 
hire  purchase  terms  and  an  unusually  low 
service  fee  will  be  arranged. 

The  company  claims  with  some  justifica- 
tion that  no  talking  set  at  any  price  has 
been  marketed  in  this  country  which  gives 
more  satisfaction  and  fewer  causes  for 
complaint  than  Film  Industries.  There  are 
certain  reasons  which  explain  why  the  break- 
down possibilities  of  the  F.I.  set  have  been 
reduced  to  an  unusually  low  level.  One 
explanation  lies  in  the  type  of  loud  speaker 
employed.  It  is  pretty  generally  admitted 
among  technical  members  of  the  trade  that 
the  F.I.  speaker  unit  is  particularly  fine. 

Certainly  we  know  of  no  speaker  which 
gives  superior  brilliance  or  such  amazing 
volume  for  so  low  an  input. 

A Speaker  You  Can  t Overload 

It  is  a permanent  magnet  type  of  speaker 
using  a magnetic  field  of  unusual  intensity, 
and  though  it  operates  at  a trifling  current 
it  cannot  be  overloaded.  We  hope  to  give 
a more  detailed  report  on  this  amazing 
speaker  in  a future  issue. 

Incidentally,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the 
Film  Industry  set  is  selling  very  well  on 
the  Continent.  It  was  installed  at  the 
Marigny  Theatre  in  Paris  and  has  been  used 
for  the  presentation  of  Charles  Chaplin’s 
■"City  Lights"  there. 


Using  the  Electrocolor  Recorder 

Every  exhibitor  must  at  some  time  or 
other  have  longed  for  facilities  for  making 
a record,  announcing  some  particular  event 
or  fact,  which  he  could  use  on  his  non-sync, 
or  regular  " talkie  ” equipment.  Hitherto 
such  a thing  has  been  beyond  his  powers. 
As  recently  as  two  years  ago,  when  we  wanted 
to  make  a series  of  records  at  a cheap  rate, 
we  were  informed  that  the  lowest  price 
possible  was  about  £200  to  £300,  and  even 
then  results  could  not  be  guaranteed.  For- 
tunately the  situation  has  now  been  trans- 
formed and  it  is  possible  for  the  exhibitor 
to  make  permanent  records  for  himself  in 
a few  seconds  and  with  no  difficulty  whatever. 

There  are  several  obvious  uses  to  which 
home-made  records  can  be  put.  In  the  cinema 
many  exhibitors  are  still  running  silent 
trailers,  and  an  ingenious  manager  could 
often  make  great  use  of  a ''  talkie  ” record 
commenting  on  forthcoming  features.  It  is 
possible  to  do  that  at  present,  of  course,  by 
means  of  a microphone,  assuming  that  there 
are  no  objections  raised  to  his  connecting 
a microphone  to  his  equipment.  But  this 
involves  the  manager  in  person  being  con- 
stantly in  attendance  whenever  the  announce- 
ment is  to  be  made.  The  use  of  a record 
does  away  with  the  need  for  securing  any- 
one’s permission  regarding  the  equipment 
and  is  always  at  hand  whenever  it  is  required. 
In  the  same  way  records  can  be  used  for 
making  announcements  at  regular  intervals  in 
the  foyer  or  even  outside  the  theatre,  as  well 
as  permitting  special  announcements  to  be 
made  from  the  stage. 

Wonderfully  Low  Price 

We  have  just  had  an  opportunity  of 
inspecting  and  testing  the  revolutionary 
device  which  makes  all  this  possible.  Perhaps 
the  most  outstanding  thing  about  the  Speak- 
easie  home  recorder,  as  it  is  called,  is  its 
price.  It  sells  at  42s.  6d.  complete  with  a 
first  quality  everlasting  diamond  needle. 
This  diamond  needle  is  made  to  precise 
specifications  by  a leading  firm  of  London 
jewellers  and  is  a diamond  which  normally 
retails  at  one  guinea. 

The  recorder  outfit  can  be  used  on  any 
kind  of  acoustic  gramophone.  It  consists  of 
a very  specially  designed  trumpet,  a sound 
head  with  its  recording  diamond,  as  well  as 
a simple  and  efficient  tracking  device. 


Tracking  is  extremely  simple.  The  aluminium 
record  disc  is  laid,  over  a thin  rubber  pad 
on  any  standard  gramophone  disc.  The 
tracking  needle,  which  is  muted,  engages  in 
the  outermost  tracks  of  the  gramophone  disc 
and  steadily  pushes  the  recording  diamond 
in  towards  the  centre  as  the  record  pro- 
gresses. 

Do  Not  Shout  At  It 

Operation  is  simplicity  itself.  One  of  the 
(5-in.  aluminium  double-sided  discs,  which 
retails  at  6d.,  is  placed  on  its  pad,  lightly 
covered  with  a special  lubricant,  and  the 
needle  lowered  into  position.  After  the  disc 
has  made  one  revolution,  recording  can  begin. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  shout  : a clear  voice 
close  to  the  mouth  of  the  trumpet  need  not 
be  raised  much  beyond  the  conversational 
pitch  to  secure  satisfactory  results.  The 
6-in.  discs  will  run  for  about  80  or  90  seconds, 
but  8-in.  discs  are  procurable  and  operate 
with  equal  ease. 

No  subsequent  treatment  to  the  disc  is 
necessary.  It  can  instantly  be  played  back 
on  any  gramophone,  either  acoustic  or 
amplified,  provided  that  only  Electrocolor 
needles  are  used.  There  is  no  wear  what- 
ever to  the  record,  and  after  a very  little 
practice  in  modulating  the  voice,  results  of 
surprising  quality  can  be  obtained. 

A disc  prepared  in  this  way  by  a member 
of  The  Bioscope  staff  was  this  week  tried 
over  a talking  equipment,  and  the  manager 
stated  that  the  amount  of  ground  noise  was 
no  greater  than  that  on  the  majority  of  the 
talking  discs  he  received  and  the  repro- 
duction had  ample  volume  and  was  clear. 
We  have  ourselves  heard  several  of  these 
records  and  can  testify  to  the  high  quality 
which  can  be  secured. 

Purchasers  of  these  sets,  which  are  being 
sold  by  the  thousand,  especially  to  the 
Continent,  are  constantly  sending  into  the 
makers  specimen  records  they  have  taken 
as  “ stunts.”  One  man  removed  the  back 
of  his  piano  and  secured  an  excellent  render- 
ing of  a solo  ! 

An  Invaluable  Asset 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  main 
object  of  the  outfit  is  to  record  one  voice, 
and  this  it  does  with  singular  purity,  especi- 
ally with  the  singing  voice.  In  fact,  the  outfit 
is  being  used  regularly  now  by  professional 
singers  and  teachers  of  singing  for  the  cor- 
rection of  vocal  idiosyncrasies,  and  no  less 
an  authority  than  Kubelik  has  said  that 
" the  reproduction  of  the  human  voice  is 
more  lifelike  than  that  produced  from  any 
standard  recordings  that  I have  listened  to.’’ 

The  whole  equipment  is  much  more  than 
the  toy  which  its  price  would  suggest.  It  is 
a thoroughly  practical  method  of  instan- 
taneously recording  the  singing  or  speaking 
voice  with  all  its  tonal  peculiarities  for  every 
purpose  where  a detailed  study  of  voice 
production  is  necessary. 

We  believe  this  is  a device  which  exhibitors 
will  find  invaluable  in  a score  of  ways.  Its 
use  in  connection  with  voice  competitions 
and  so  forth  is  obvious,  but  it  may  also 
have  a serious  place  in  the  regular  routine 
of  the  programme.  With  a little  practice 
and  intelligence,  exhibitors  can  make  their 
own  “ talkie-”  announcements  with  greater 
ease  and  accuracy  than  they  used  to  make 
the  old  black  lantern  slide  announcements. 
The  makers  of  the  equipment  are  Electro- 
color Products,  Ltd. 


VI 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  6,  1931 


WALTURDAW  CINEMA  SUPPLY  <2 

46,  GERRARD  STREET,  LONDON,  W.l 

Telephone:  HEGENT  3310  (2  lines)  Telegrams:  ALBEBTYPE,  WESTBAND,  LONDON 


For  ERNEMANN  II  and  III,  HAHN  II, 
“ ARTISOL  ” 75  H.  I.  LAMPS, 

HAHN  GO ERZ,  “ARTISOL” 
MIRROR  LAMPS,  curtains,  magnas- 

COP1C  SCREENS,  ELECTRIC  CONTROLS, 
RESISTANCES,  DIMMERS,  “WESTONE”  SCREENS, 
FIRE  SHUTTERS,  STAGE  LIGHTING  AND  ALL 
THEATRE  AND  OPERATING  BOX  EQUIPMENT 

BRANCHES : 

BIBMINGHAM:  LEEDS:  LIVERPOOL:  MANCHESTER:  DUBLIN: 

37,  John  Bright  Street  59-60,  Britannia  House  60,  Lime  Street  6,  St.  Mary’s  Gate  112,  Marlborough  St. 

Wellington  Street 


An  all  - British  product,  manufactured  entirely 
in  London  by  the  oldest  established  firm  of 
cinematograph  engineers  in  the  country. 

Equal  to  anything  yet  produced  at  any  price. 

Equipment  can  be  purchased  for  Cash  or 
installed  on  Hire  Maintenance  Terms. 


Price  very  moderate  considering  the  com- 
pleteness of  the  equipment  and  the  quality 
of  the  apparatus. 

THE  COMPLETE  EQUIPMENT 

For  Sound-on-Film  and  Sound-on -Disc. 


INCLUDES 
TWO  PROJECTORS. 


Write  for  Illustrated  brochure,  post  tree  : 


27,  POWELL  STREET, 
GOSWELL  RD.,  E.C.  1. 

Telephone  : Telegrams  : 

Clerkenwell  6595.  Zerograph,  /sling.  London. 


May  6,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


VU 


Film  Inspection  and  Repair 


What  part  of  the  sound  set  is  the  syn- 
chronising rewinder  ? That  is  a question 
which  was  hurled  at  us  the  other  day ! Sound 
films  have  made  the  word  " synchronism  ” 
and  its  attendant  adjectives  and  adverbs 
such  household  words  in  the  industry  that 
one  is  apt  to  forget  that  it  has  any  other 
connection  save  with  sound.  Actually  a 
synchronising  rewinder  is  a synonymous 
term  for  multiple  rewinder,  which  useful 
instrument  is  to  be  found  in  most  well- 
ordered  cutting  rooms. 

With  the  aid  of  the  multiple  rewinder  it 
is  possible  to  examine  four — in  some  cases 
half-a-dozen — prints  at  once  at  the  same 
time,  keeping  them  in  synchronism  with  one 
another.  A multiple  rewinder  that  is  in- 
efficient can  be  a nightmare  to  all  concerned, 
therefore  it  is  advisable  when  purchasing  one 
to  make  sure  that  it  is  of  the  highest  possible 
standard  in  both  design  and  construction. 

Eliminating  Step-Up  Gearing 

Such  a rewinder  is  made  by  the  firm  of 
Andrew  Hyslop  & Co.,  Ltd.  It  is  sturdy 
and  remarkably  compact,  its  overall  dimen- 
sions being  only  41  in.  long  by  15  in.  wide, 
yet  there  is  plenty  of  room  for  handling 
the  four  films. 

The  rewinder  is  mounted  on  a cast-iron 
bed-plate.  The  shafting  supports  and 
sprockets  are  of  gunmetal,  a feature  which 
has  considerable  bearing  on  the  strength  of 
the  machine.  All  shafting  is  of  ground  steel 
and  ball  bearings  have  been  employed  at 
every  possible  point. 

The  sprockets  are  of  exceptionally  large 
diameter  and  have  48  teeth.  This  ensures 
rapid  film  movement  without  the  need  for 
step-up  gearing. 

Drive  to  the  sprockets  and  take-up  is  by 
means  of  fine  pitch  roller  chain,  the  tension 
of  each  chain  drive  being  separately  adjust- 
able. A feature  of  the  design  is  the  efficient 


The  Hyslop  multiple 
rewinder  is  used  chiefly 
for  editing. 

In  design  and  con- 
struction it  is  really 
excellent. 


A device  that  makes  film  repair  easy.  This  fine 
of  which  the  working  parts  are  gunmetal,  is 
Hyslop  product 


manner  in  which  the  chain  guards  have  been 
arranged  ; it  would  be  difficult  indeed  for 
the  operator  to  be  injured  by  inadvertent 
contact  with  the  drive. 

The  film  centres  are  friction  driven  through 
positive  action  type  free-wheels  of  Hyslop’s 
own  design  and  manufacture,  and  a brake 
on  each  centre  effectually  deals  with  any 
trouble  arising  from  the  film  on  the  feed 
spools  over-running  if  winding  is  suddenly 
checked. 

Film  inspection  is  particularly  simple  in 
as  much  as  the  whole  of  the  space  between 
the  feed  and  drive  sprockets  has  been 
utilised  to  provide  an  illuminated  panel. 
Two  lamps  are  housed  beneath  a flat  glass 
top  and  the  ventilation  of  the  space  in 
which  they  are  housed  is  distinctly  efficient. 

The  machine  is  all  metal,  and,  therefore, 
fireproof,  an  important  consideration  in 
cutting  room  apparatus. 

Altogether  this  is  an  excellent  example 
of  what  a multiple  rewinder  should  be.  The 
machine  has  been  built  to  last  and  so  de- 
signed as  to  be  extremely  simple  to  handle. 

MAKING  FILM  JOINING 
EASY 

Film  inspection  leads  almost 
inevitably  to  film  joining,  that 
nasty  tricky  little  job  which  can 
on  occasion  cause  much  wrath 
and  bad  language.  There  are, 
of  course,  numerous  film  joining 
devices,  but  in  many  cases  these 
are  more  trouble  than  they  are 
worth.  The  joiner  marketed  by 
Hyslop,  however,  is  well  worth 
looking  over. 

It  is  simple  to  operate  and 
remarkably  thorough  in  its 
action.  The  original  design  was 
American,  but  that  model,  being 
made  of  cast-iron  throughout, 
was  liable  to  extensive  damage 
if  it  met  with  rough  usage.  The 
Hyslop  model  is  exactly  similar 
in  design,  but  as  all  working 
parts  are  made  of  gunmetal,  it 
is  appreciably  stronger. 

In  operation  it  is  very  simple. 
As  will  be  seen  from  the  illustra- 


jointer, 

another 


tion,  the  device  consists  of  two  heavy  metal 
traps,  which  themselves  consist  of  two  por- 
tions. The  lower  half  of  each  trap  consists  of 
a knife  with  which  the  film  held  by  the 
opposite  trap  may  be  cut.  The  upper  half 
of  each  trap  is  a pressure  plate  which  serves 
to  hold  the  film  on  the  register  pins  and  in  the 
film  guide,  which  is  on  the  top  of  the  cutting 
portion  of  the  trap. 

Easy,  Isn't  It  ? 

The  film  to  be  joined  is  inserted  into  the 
traps  and  cut  by  the  opposite  sections. 
This  cutting  leaves  a small  overlap  on  the 
metal  wall  which  can  be  seen  between  the 
two  traps.  As  the  film  rests  on  the  metal 
wall  it  is  a simple  matter  to  remove  the 
emulsion  with  a small  scraping  kr.ife  (the 
knife  is  supplied  with  the  machine).  There- 
after, all  that  is  necessary  is  to  apply  the 
film  cement  and  clap  into  position  the  other 
trap.  Leave  it  long  enough  for  the  cement 
to  dry  and  then  raise  both  the  upper  halves 
of  traps.  It  will  then  be  found  that  a perfect 
film  join  has  been  made. 

The  device  makes  the  strongest  possible 
join  with  the  minimum  of  overlap,  is  simple 
to  operate  and  enables  joins  to  be  made  in 
a remarkably  short  time.  What  more  can 
you  want  ? 

B.T.-H.  Installations 

The  B.T.-H.  Equipment  continues  to  make 
quiet  and  unspectacular  progress,  but  the 
uniformly  excellent  results  it  provides  is  a 
matter  of  general  comment  among  exhibitors. 
B.T.-H.  users  seem  invariably  to  be 
" boosters  ” for  the  equipment,  and  we 
understand  that  quite  a number  of  new 
orders  come  in  automatically  and  without 
solicitation,  solely  as  a result  of  a chance 
inspection  and  hearing  of  the  set.  The  new 
installations  include  :• — -Electric  Palace,  Bol- 
don  Colliery ; Coliseum,  Cheltenham  ; 
Picture  House,  Leith ; Grove,  Stratford  ; 
King’s  Hall,  Walmer ; Royal  Theatre, 
Alfreton ; Opera  House,  Kidderminster ; 
Empire,  Helston  ; Empire,  Leith  ; Town 
Hall,  Wellington,  Som.  ; and  Palace,  Little 
Lever. 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  6,  1931 


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MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


IX 


A Fine  Theatre  Sii 


'n 


Perhaps  few  of  those  who  have  seen  the 
huge  electric  sign  at  the  London  Pavilion 
have  given  a thought  to  the  remarkable 
ingenuity  and  considerable  thought  which 
have  been  expended  in 
making  this  one  of  the 
most  talked  of  features  of 
London’s  entertainment. 

In  the  exceptionally 
short  space  of  three  weeks 
the  sign  was  designed, 
constructed  and  erected. 

The  letters  are  9 ft.  in 
height  and  are  a combina- 
tion of  neon  tubes  and 
electric  lamps.  Over 
14  tons  of  lead  coated 
steel  and  nearly  6,000 
lamps  have  been  used. 

The  centre  of  each 
letter  is  picked  out  by  red 
neon  tubing  and  this  is 
surrounded  by  a triple 
line  of  lamps.  Automatic 
flashing  gear  switches  on 
first  the  neon  tubing,  then 
in  turn  each  of  the  three 
rows  of  lamps.  Finally, 
the  sign  blacks  out  to 
repeat.  When  the  sign  is 
fully  illuminated  it  adds 
very  materially  to  the 
brilliance  of  the  whole  of 
Piccadilly  Circus. 

One  might  be  inclined 
to  suppose  that  with 
letters  of  such  magnitude 
the  question  of  visibility 
could  be  entirely  ignored, 
yet  actually  this  one 


Has  it  ever  occurred  to  you  that  a 
fluorescent  sign  may  be  just  the  thing  for 
that  dark  corner  of  your  lobby  ? You  know 
the  sort  of  thing  I mean — a poster  which 
glows  with  coloured  light.  By  daylight  it 
may  appear  either  as  a black  and  white  or 
as  a coloured  poster  of  the  ordinary  type, 
but  at  night,  or  in  a dark  corner,  it  will  glow 
with  wonderful  attractive  luminescent  colours. 
The  effect  is  achieved  simply  by  flooding  the 
poster  with  the  rays  from  an  ultra  violet 
lamp. 

The  preparation  of  these  posters  is,  of 
course,  specialised  and  highly  skilled  work, 
calling  for  both  artistic  ability  and  a know- 
ledge of  the  various  fluorescent  colours  now 
available. 

The  range  of  these  colours  has  been  greatly 
increased  of  late,  and  this  fact  has  had  con- 
siderable bearing  on  the  development  of  this 
new  type  of  poster,  as  the  scope  of  possible 
effects  has  been  widened  to  a remarkable 
degree. 

At  present,  posters  are  made  in  three  main 
types.  The  first  appears  by  daylight  to  be 
an  ordinary  black  and  white  drawing,  but 
under  the  ultra  violet  ray  it  changes  to  a 
coloured  illustration.  The  second  is  a two- 
colour  poster  by  day,  but,  under  the  ultra 
violet  ray,  the  two  colours  are  different.  The 
third  appears  by  day  as  an  ordinary  coloured 
poster,  while  at  night  the  luminescence  of 
these  colours  lends  additional  attraction  to 
the  design. 

Vividad,  Ltd.,  is  a concern  specialising  in 
the  production  of  posters  of  this  character. 
The  proprietors  are  Sir  Arthur  and  George 
Ducros.  Dr.  Leonard  Levy,  the  inventor  of 


point  had  to  receive  careful  attention  ! Clear 
cut  definition  of  the  letters  is  essential,  and 
to  ensure  this  irradiation  had  to  be  avoided. 
Shape,  spacing  and  colouring  as  well  as 
{ Continued  in  column  3) 


the  special  powders  employed  in  the  process, 
is  the  scientific  adviser  to  the  company.  The 
artist  in  charge  is  A.  Gardiner,  whose 
specialised  work  in  aeroplane  illustration  is 
quite  well  known.  It  will  therefore  be 
appreciated  that  the  concern  is  in  the  hands 
of  experts,  who  will  be  satisfied  with  nothing 
but  first  class  results. 

The  effects  obtainable  with  these  posters 
must  be  seen  to  be  fully  appreciated.  Certain 
it  is  that  a double  crown  poster  of  this  type 
would  be  well  able  to  hold  its  own  against 
any  ordinary  six  sheet  display.  Its  advantage 
lies  in  the  fact  that  it  is,  in  effect,  a primary 
source  of  light,  while  an  ordinary  poster  is 
only  a secondary  source,  and  light,  particu- 
larly coloured  light,  alwars  attracts  the  eye. 

It  might  be  thought  that  the  preparation 
of  these  posters  would  take  so  long  as  to 
render  them  valueless  where  the  subject 
matter  to  be  advertised  is  constantly  chang- 
ing, as  is  the  case  with  cinema  programmes. 
Actually,  it  is  quite  practicable  to  supply 
posters  of  first  rate  quality  at  three  days’ 
notice. 

Vividads  are  proposing  to  rent  to  the  ex- 
hibitor the  necessary  frame  and  quartz  lamp 
on  the  basis  of  a weekly  charge,  and  will 
undertake  to  maintain  the  sign  in  operation. 

Should  any  exhibitor  not  favour  the  use 
of  posters,  it  would  be  possible  to  have  a set 
of  letters  treated  by  the  process  and  thus  to 
be  able  to  arrange  publicity  matter  to  suit 
his  own  taste  and  convenience.  The  one 
point  about  this  would  be  that  the  treated 
letters  might  require  rather  more  careful 
handling  than  is  sometimes  accorded  to  sign 
letters.  J.  C. 


lateral  visibility  were  all  factors  that  had  to 
be  considered  in  the  design. 

While  the  Pavilion  sign  is,  of  course, 
primarily  designed  for  night  display,  it  is 
still  a most  imposing  feature  of  the  frontage 
during  daylight.  Were  it  not  so  it  would 
not  conform  to  modern  requirements,  which 
hold  that  a sign  must  be  effective  throughout 
the  24  hours. 

Certainly  the  Pavilion  sign  is  one  of  the 
best  examples  of  exterior  theatre  publicity  to 
be  found  in  this  country.  It  was  designed, 
built  and  erected  by  the  Strand  Electric  and 
Engineering  Co.,  Ltd. 


A Projection  Record 

What  is  perhaps  a world  record  in  pro- 
jection has  just  been  reported  from  the 
Missouri  Theatre  in  St.  Joseph.  This  theatre 
opened  with  Western  Electric  sound  in 
August,  1928.  It  has  operated  since  that 
time  without  a single  shut-down  and 
without  requiring  one  emergency  call  from 
a service  engineer. 

It  is  interesting  to  consider  what  is  behind 
a record  such  as  this.  The  Western  Electric 
service  engineers  quite  frankly  attribute  a 
major  portion  of  the  credit  to  the  projection 
staff,  of  whom  there  are  four.  They,  on  the 
other  hand,  modestly  disclaim  any  special 
credit  and  assert  that  the  whole  thing  can 
be  attributed  to  a simple  routine  established 
when  they  first  opened  with  sound  pictures. 
In  fact,  this  particular  projection  staff  can 
see  no  reason  why  there  should  ever  be 
emergency  calls  from  any  theatre.  Con- 
tinued checking  of  the  equipment  is,  they 
say,  the  complete  answer  to  this  unusual 
freedom  from  interruption.  There  is  also 
an  unusually  close  co-operation  between  the 
projection  staff  and  the  Western  Electric 
service  staff,  and  this  co-operation  is  perhaps 
basically  the  real  explanation  of  the  theatre’s 
success. 

The  equipment  is  given  a regular  check- 
up once  a week  by  the  projection  staff,  in 
which  every  bit  of  the  equipment  is 
thoroughly  examined.  Every  two  weeks  the 
Western  Electric  service  man  makes  his 
additional  inspection.  It  is  needless  to  say 
there  is  a daily  inspection  by  the  house  staff. 
Relays,  switches,  fader  controls,  etc.,  are 
all  cleaned  with  carbona,  valve  bases  and 
sockets  are  polished  for  perfect  contact  and 
are  tested  for  defects  in  performance.  The 
film  pick-up  amplifiers  and  photo-electric 
cell  units  are  thoroughly  checked  and  cleaned 
weekly  and  a minute  check-up  is  made  for 
that  greatest  of  all  bugbears,  loose  con- 
nections. There  are  daily  checks  for  valves 
which  are  becoming  microphonic. 

Overtime  for  Servicing  Essential 

The  projection  crew  has  devoted  much  time 
to  carefully  studying  the  particular  system 
in  operation  and  each  individual  unit  of  the 
system  is  thoroughly  understood  by  each 
man.  Particularly  is  this  true  with  regard 
to  the  circuits.  It  was  not  easily  acquired 
and  meant  a good  deal  of  grinding  study, 
but  has  proved  well  worth  while.  An  average 
of  ten  hours  per  week  is  spent  on  inspecting 
and  servicing  the  equipment.  In  this  respect 
the  theatre  management  has  gladly  co- 
operated and  willingly  pays  for  the  necessary 
overtime. 

The  record  set  up  is  sufficient  indication 
that  the  theatre  gets  its  investment  in  this 
overtime,  repaid  many  times,  and  suggests 
that  every  theatre  might  benefit  by  a 
reasonable  expenditure  in  the  same  way  for 
this  kind  of  work.  The  projection  staff  is 
satisfied  that,  without  this  extra  time,  the 
records  set  up  could  not  have  been  estab- 
lished. They  are  also  convinced  that  no 
one-man  sound  shift  will  ever  be  able  to 
point  to  a similar  record. 


Advantages  of  Fluorescent  Posters 


X 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  6,  1931 


Noiseless  recording  has  arrived ! 
and  now 


I 


Another 

great 

service  for 
Western 
Electric 
exhibitors 


No  more  unwanted  noises  ! No  more  buzz ! No  crackling  to  blurr  the  dialogue  and 
spoil  the  dramatic  silences!  Western  Electric  “ New  Process  Noiseless  Recording” 
is  the  remedy. 

At  last  — after  energetic  research  and  unstinted  expenditure  of  time  and  money  — 
Western  Electric  have  found  the  secret  of  eliminating  the  extraneous  noises  heretofore 
encountered  in  sound  motion  pictures. 

But  noiseless  recording  demands  higher  efficiency  in  reproduction  — no  machine  or 
other  undesired  noises  to  interrupt  the  silence  that  up  to  now  has  never  been 
really  silent  ! 

To  prepare  and  tune  up  every  exhibitor’s  set  for  New  Process  Recording,  Western 
Electric  engineers  are  now  visiting  cinemas  all  over  the  country.  Western  Electric  are 
spending  thousands  of  pounds  to  ensure  this  noiseless  reproduction  — but  there  is  no 
additional  charge  to  exhibitors.  This  is  one  more  striking  example  of  the  way  in 
which  Western  Electric  are  sparing  neither  energy  nor  expense  to  fulfil  their 
pledges  and  increase  Box  Office  returns  to  exhibitors  having  their  equipment. 


FOR  FULL  PARTICULARS  TO: 


WESTERN  ELECTRIC  CO  LTD 


BUSH  HOUSE 


ALD WYCH  • W C 2 


May  6,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


xi 


First  Travelling  Stage 

New  Ideas  for  the  Pond,  Thornton  Heath 


Riviera  Decorations 

In  the  decoration  of  cinemas  new  arts 
and  methods  are  constantly  being  tried 
out  and,  although  the  tendency  is  towards 
less  ornamental  schemes,  great  interest 
attaches  to  the  progress  of  the  work  now 
being  executed  at  the  Riviera  Cinema  de 
Luxe,  Manchester.  Here  an  entirely  new 
style  of  decoration  is  being  introduced. 

Sherwood  Edwards,  who,  for  the  past  six 
years  has  had  pictures  hung  in  the  Royal 
Academy,  and  who  is  responsible  for  the 
decorations  at  this  cinema,  explained  in  an 
interview  with  The  Bioscope  that  he  had 
endeavoured  to  interpret  and  justify  the 
picturesque  title  of  the  theatre.  “ My 
scheme,'’  he  said,  " is  reminiscent  of  old 
Italian  style  and  is  actually  an  adaptation 
of  the  principle  of  Gesso,  with  the  objects 
modelled  in  light  relief.  To  the  beholder, 
the  wall  decorations  will  have  the  appear- 
ance of  massive  oil  paintings.” 


Among  the  original  features  of  the  super 
which  A.  C.  Matthews  is  to  build  at  Thornton 
Heath  will  be  a travelling  stage.  Designed 
to  move  horizontally,  this  stage  will  enable 
presentations  to  be  arranged  in  the  wings 
and  then  moved  over  noiselessly  and  in  a 
few  seconds  to  their  correct  position  behind 
the  footlights.  This  will  be  the  first  time 
that  such  a stage  has  been  introduced,  and 
will  ensure  that  scenes  may  be  set  or  changed 
very  rapidly. 

Another  interesting  innovation  will  be  a 
covered  car  park,  with  a special  covered 
entrance  from  the  park  to  the  theatre. 
Patrons  will  thus  be  able  to  enter  the  theatre 
and  return  to  their  cars  without  risking 
the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 

Nor  does  this  represent  the  sum  total  of 


the  Pond's  novel  features.  The  needs  of 
the  feminine  patron  will  be  more  closely 
catered  for,  by  way  of  rest  rooms  and 
cosmetic  rooms,  while  Mr.  Matthews  is  also 
talking  about  installing  a creche,  where 
mothers  may  leave  their  children  in  charge 
of  a competent  nurse. 

Situated  near  the  Pond  in  the  London 
Road,  the  theatre  is  to  be  known  as  the 
Pond.  It  is  to  have  comfortabe  accommoda- 
tion for  2,500  persons,  and  will  be  fully 
equipped  with  dressing  rooms  for  stage  shows 
and  variety.  The  decorative  scheme  will 
be  modern  French,  with  concealed  lighting 
in  every  part  of  the  house. 

Mr.  Matthews  is  to  make  an  immediate 
start  with  the  work,  and  it  is  hoped  to  have 
the  theatre  ready  for  opening  in  October. 


The  Los  Angeles  Theatre  just  opened  is  the  last  word  in  luxury  and  magnificence.  The  auditorium  is  overweighted  with  splendid 
ornament  and  the  imposing  foyer  (centre)  has  a colossal  glass  fountain  nearly  ffty  feet  high.  I avatories  and  rest  rooms  (left)  are  all 
individual  rooms  built  in  different  coloured  marble  with  all  fixtures  to  match.  On  the  right  can  be  seen  the  miniature  screen  on  which 
patrons  in  the  lounge  can  keep  in  touch  with  the  progress  of  the  main  programme  inside 


A super -is  to  be  erected  by  London  and 
Southern  Super  Cinemas  at  Watford,  and 
is  to  be  of  up-to-date  Construction,  with 
seating  accommodation  for  about  2,000 
persons.  An  architect  has  not  yet  been 
appointed. 

* * * 

Principal  contracts  have  been  placed  for 
reconstruction  of  the  Florida,  King’s  Park, 
Glasgow.  James  Gibson  &-  Co.,  Ltd.,  Glas- 
gow, have  the  building  contract,  and  the 
whole  scheme  is  expected  to  cost  £20,000. 
Hamilton  Neil,  of  Glasgow,  is  the  architect. 

* * * 

Contract  for  building  the  Capitol,  St. 
Albans,  for  Louis  Morris,  has  been  placed 
with  Wm.  F.  Blav,  Ltd.,  and  work  is  to  start 
at  once.  The  existing  building  on  the-  site 
is  now  being  demolished.  Martin  Hatfield  is 
the  architect. 

* * * 

W.  Civil,  of  Hencotes,  Hexham,  is  to  carrv 
out  the  reconstruction  of  the  Queen’s  Hall 
Hexham-on-Tyne,  for  Hexham  Entertain- 
ments Co.,  Ltd.,  with  wliiclLThos.  H.  Scott 
is  associated.  Hetherington  and  Wilson,  of 
Newcastle-on-Tyne,  are  the  architects. 


Building 
News 
in  Brief 

•Within  two  months  work  is  to  start  on 
the  reconstruction  of  the  old  Elephant 
and  Castle  Theatre,  South  London.  One 
of  the  oldest  music  halls  in  London,  the 
Elephant  was  recently  acquired  by  A.B.C. 

Plans  were  originally  prepared  by 
Gordon  Jeeves,  F.R.I.B.A.,  but  when 
A.B.C.  became  interested  the  scheme  was 
modified,  and  the  company’s  staff  archi- 
tect, W.  R.  Glen,  is  now  in  charge  of  the 
scheme.  Premises  adjoining  the  existing 
theatre  have  been  purchased  to  allow 
enlargement  of  the  hall,  which  is  to  have 
a capacity  of  2,000  seats. 

Cost  of  the  reconstruction,  according 
to  p iblished  reports,  varies  be  tv  een 
£60,000  and  £100,000. 


The  Coronet,  Notting  Hill,  W.,  which 
recently  closed  down,  has  now  been  acquired 
by  P.C.T.  from  the  late  owners  (Hutkennell 
Theatres,  Ltd.).  The  theatre  is  being 
thoroughly  reconditioned  and  brought  up 
to  date.  It  is  interesting  to  recall  that  this 
house  was  possibly  the  first  in  London  with 
back  projection  to  be  equipped  with  the 
“ talkie  ” system. 

* * * 

Tenders  will  soon  be  invited  for  con- 
struction  of  the  new  cinema  in  Railway 
Street,  Earlestown.  Plans,  by  Lionel  A.  G. 
Prichard,  of  Liverpool,  have  been  com- 
pleted, and  quantities  are  now  in  hand. 

* * * 

Archibald  D.  Dawnay  & Sons,  Ltd.,-  of 
London,  S.W.,  have  the  contract  for  steel- 
work for  the  new  cinema  at  the  Circus, 
Hendon,  N.W.,  for  London  & Suburban 
Super  Cinemas,  while  the’ Norris  Warming 
Co.,  Ltd.,  of  London,  E.C.,  will  carry  out 
the  heating  and  ventilating  work.  For 
this  theatre  Webb  & Ash,  of  Baker  Street, 
W.,  are  the  architects,  and  the  Monnoyer 
British  Construction  Co.,  Ltd.,  of  West- 
minster, the  general  contractors. 


XU 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  6.  1931 


JOHN  FOSTER  & SON  LTD. 


leading  manufacturers  of 
B.M. A.  Standard  Mohair  Velvet 


as  specially  recommended  for 
Cinema  and  Theatre  Upholstery 
by  the  BRITISH  MOHAIR  ASSOCIATION. 

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ALL  CINEMA  TRADE  ENQUIRIES  TO  BE  ADDRESSED  TO 

S.  R.  MACDONNELL  ATTER 
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their  place  was  a remarkably 
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heights  all  done  by  lighting .” 

— " Daily  Express  ” Critic  on  Grand  Opera. 


ANOTHER  TRIUMPH 

FOR 

STRAND  ELECTRIC 

AND  ENGINEERING  CO.,  LTD. 

19-24,  Floral  St.,  London,  W.C.2. 

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TWENTY-SIX  YEARS’ 
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Designed,  Cut  and  Made 
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AND  TO  STAND  HARD  WEAR 


B1LLCBEST  PICTURE  LOUNGE. 

LEEDS. 

February,  1931 
“We  thank  you  for  the  Uniforms 
received  yesterday — they  are 
indeed  beautifully  made  and 
give  every  satisfaction.’’ 


Coloured  Plates,  Patterns  and  Price 
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Telegrams : “Uniquip,  London.**  Telephone  : Clerkenwell  WI2  & 5224 

EXPERT  REPRESENTATIVES  ARE  AT  YOUR  SERVICE 


May  6,  1931 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


X1U 


Showmanship 

Activities 

ot 

Exhibitors 

and 

Renters 


One  of  our  illustrations  this  week  shows 
a special  Eastern  setting  arranged  for  the 
usual  weekly  orchestral  presentation  at  the 
Palace,  Luton.  Quite  an  effective  display, 
the  scene  was  designed  and  painted  by 
Manager  Leslie  C.  Rogers  and  the  musical 
director,  Reg.  Fisher.  They  also  arranged 
the  various  lighting  plots  for  the  different 
numbers  played  in  the  “ Oriental  M lange  ” 
put  over  by  the  Palace  orchestra — the 
“ Rascals  of  Rhythm.”  With  reference  to 
this  much  appreciated  stage  turn-out, 
Manager  Rogers  writes  : — 

“ The  orchestra  always  gives  a 15  to 
20  minutes’  performance  on  the  stage,  and 
it  is  our  endeavour  to  have  a different  set 
each  week.  I need  hardly  tell  you  how 
difficult  it  is  to  arrange  this,  getting  a scene 
appropriate  to  the  music  played  with  only 
a dozen  or  so  cloths,  a few  odd  flats  and 
two  sets  of  draperies.  It  often  means  re- 
painting a back  cloth  and  flats.  Mr.  Fisher 
and  I find  personal  pleasure  in  daubing  a 
cloth  up  to  look  something  fresh  to  the 
audience,  and  it  is  surprising  how  much 
work  it  makes  which  has  to  fit  into  our 
usual  routine.  But  when  we  hear  the 
“ hand  ” the  presentation  receives  after 
the  final  number,  we  feel  fully  repaid  for 
our  labours.” 

Champions  at  Finsbury  Park 

With  Saturday  bringing  the  football  season 
to  a close,  great  interest  centred  round  the 
visit  of  members  of  the  Arsenal  Club,  which 
has  distinguished  itself  by  bringing  the 
Football  League  championship  to  London 
for  the  first  time,  to  the  Paramount  Astoria, 
Finsbury  Park,  on  Friday  evening.  The 
Finsbury  Park  Astoria,  managed  by  E.  L. 
Dimmock,  is  on  the  Arsenal’s  “ home  terri- 
tory,” and  the  team,  which  made  an  appear- 
ance on  the  stage  for  the  " first  time  ever,” 
was  accorded  a great  welcome.  Herbert 
Chapman,  the  club’s  famous  manager,  was 
given  a rousing  reception,  as  were  Captain 
Tom  Parker  and  his  boys,  and  their  words 
were  eagerly  lapped  up. 


Just  the^staff  of  one  theatre!  But  as  that  theatre  happens  to  be  the  Trocadero,  Elephant  and 
Castle,  largest  in  England,  it  will  be  realised  that  the  magnitude  of  this  bunch  is  only  in 
keeping  with  the  size  of  the  building.  We  did  not  have  time  to  count  them  all,  so  you  will 
have  to  do  it  for  yourself,  but  at  an  estimate  would  place  it  somewhere  round  the  150  mark. 
In  the  forefront  will  be  noticed  Sid  Hyams  and  Major  A.  f.  Gale,  with  General  Manager 

Mick  Hyams  in  close  attendance 


Artistry  in  House  Organs 

Seldom  has  a more  attractive  house  organ 
reached  us  than  the  “ Broadway  Bulletin,” 
circulated  among  patrons  of  the  Broadway, 
Shettleston,  Glasgow.  Although  only  running 
to  eight  pages,  it  is  produced  in  a heavy 
cartridge  cover,  tinted  light  brown,  the  front 
carrying  a drawing  of  the  theatre,  in  orange, 
with  the  title  of  the  publication  and  the  name 
of  the  house  in  blue  in  panels  at  top  and 
bottom  respectively.  Executed  in  an  Old 
English  face,  these  titles  are  extremely 
effective.  The  interior  of  the  magazine, 
printed  in  up-to-date  types,  contains  a well- 
written  editorial  by  Manager  K.  M.  Dunn, 
an  interest  article  and  some  film  gossip,  with 


A very  effective  home-made  setting  devised  by  Manager  Leslie  C.  Rogers,  of  the  Palace, 
Luton,  with  the  assistance  of  his  musical  director,  for  an  orchestral  offering  entitled 
“ An  Oriental  Melange .”  Clever  boys  with  their  hands — and  heads — obviously. 


Gaumont  s Latest  Teaser 

Something  will  have  to  be  done  about 
Gaumont.  In  connection  with  “ No  Lady,” 
their  Lupino  Lane  comedy  trade  shown  last 
week,  they  have  evolved  a clever  paper 
puzzle,  of  which  they  presented  us  with  a 
batch  of  copies.  On  the  puzzle  are  five 
cunningly  dissected  coloured  illustrations 
showing  scenes  from  the  film,  and  all  that 
the  victim  has  to  do  is  to  fold  the  paper  in 
various  ways  so  that  each  picture  can  in 
turn  be  revealed.  Without  having  kept  an 
accurate  time-check,  we  would  say  that  it 
was  three-quarters  of  an  hour  before  we  got 
the  better  of  the  problem,  so  that  we  can 
testify  to  the  ingenuity  that  went  to  its 
designing. 

Imagine  the  scene  that  would  follow'  the 
distribution  of  this  toy  to  patrons.  Mother 
would  probably  hand  it  over  to  Sonny  Jim, 
and  tell  him  to  keep  himself  amused  with 
it.  Presently  Sonny,  realising  that  there 
was  more  in  it  than  met  his  inexpert  eye, 
would  appeal  back  to  mother  for  help.  She, 
as  is  customary  with  mothers,  would  say 
" Oh,  go  and  ask  your  father.”  Here  dad 
enters  the  scene.  “ Oh,  yes,  this  is  easy,” 
he  would  say  ; " we’ll  fix  this  in  a couple 
of  jiffs.”  A couple  of  hours  later  he  would 
hand  it  back  to  the  lad,  saying,  “ Aw,  take 


SUNDAY  OPENING 
EVERY  DAY  OF  THE  WEEK 

thanks  to  enlightened  public 
opinion,  we  can  show  you  the  big 

British  Talkie 

“ SUCH  IS  THE  LAW  ” 


the  blessed  thing  awray,  and  don't  bother 
me.”  By  now  they  will  all  have  had  a 
stab  at  it,  and  as  it  bears  a caption  relating  to 
the  forthcoming  screening  of  the  picture,  you 
can  bet  they  would  all  be  there  on  opening 
night. 

Capitalising  Sunday  Opening 

Butcher’s  have  conceived  the  bright  idea 
of  linking  up  the  present  general  excitement 
on  the  Sunday  Opening  question  with  the 
title  of  their  British  “ talkie  ” " Such  Is  The 
Law,”  now  on  the  eve  of  release.  The  firm 
is  issuing  to  exhibitors  a suggestion  for 
letterpress  posters  with  alternative  wording, 
according  to  whether  a cinema  is  in  a district 
where  Sunday  Opening  is  allowed,  or  other- 
wise. In  prohibited  areas  the  following 
snappy  wording  has  been  suggested  : — 


YOU  CANNOT 

see  films  here 

ON  SUNDAY 

but  all  the  rest  ot  the  week  you 
can  see  the  fine  British  Talkie 

“ SUCH  IS  THE  LAW  ” 


For  theatres  in  districts  where  Sunday 
Opening  is  in  force  a slightly  different  angle 
of  approach  can  be  employed  : — 


MODERN  CINEMA  TECHNIQUE 


May  0,  1931 


Ideal  and  Palmer  Newbould  sent  out  a battalion  of  boardmen  dressed  in  conventional  bookies, 
racecourse  garb  to  advertise  “ The  Sport  of  Kings,”  running  on  pre-release  at  the 

Strand  Tivoli 


xiv  THE  BIOSCOPE 

tlie  month's  programmes  displayed  on  the 
centre  pages,  with  the  titles  of  the  feature 
films  in  big  type  in  each  instance.  The  inside 
front  cover  is  devoted  to  information  to 
patrons,  while  advertisements  are  confined  to 
the  remainder  of  the  covers  and  to  unob- 
trusive strips  at  the  bottom  of  the  pages. 
The  printing  is  first  rate,  and  the  whole  job 
suggests  “ quality.”  It  should  have  a most 
telling  psychological  effect  on  patrons. 

A Daily  Diary 

Another  neat  bit  of  work  in  the  same 
category  comes  from  the  Biograph,  Wilton 
Road,  SAN'.  This  house  relies  on  a small 
diary,  which  can  be  fitted  to  the  waistcoat 
pocket,  each  week's  programme  being  given 
a Jtwo-page  " spread,”  with  pages  at  front 
and  back  on  which  the  patron  can  make  a 
note  of  engagements,  day  by  day.  The  front 
of  this  little  reminder  bears  a pleasant 
drawing  of  the  open  air,  and  makes  the  whole 
an  attractive  job.  Printed  by  the  Automatic 
Overprints  Co.,  this  diary  is  one  that  should 
commend  itself  to  the  interest  of  other 
managers  who  favour  publicity  of  this  nature. 

Selling  Bargain  Matinees 

One  of  the  most  imaginative  “ editorial 
leaders  ” seen  in  a cinema  house  magazine 
appears  in  the  May  issue  of  the  " Forum 
Herald,”  which  is  the  link  between  patrons 
and  management  at  H.  A.  Yapp’s  Fulham 
Theatre.  General  Manager  E.  V.  Colling- 
ridge  is  to  be  congratulated  on  a deft  piece 
of  work.  This  is  it  : — 

THE  FORUM  HAS  BARGAINS  EVERY  DAY 
BUT  NOT  IN  THE  BASEMENT 
Bargains  suggest  to  our  minds  crowds  of  people 
pushing  and  bustling  endeavouring  to  obtain  the  very 
best  article  at  the  lowest  cost.  In  order  to  obtain 
these  bargains  one  invariably  proceeds  to  the  base- 
ment where  swarms  of  people  gather  in  rather  a small 
space,  creating  an  air  of  stuffiness. 


Our  bargains  are  not  sold  in  a stuffy  basement  , but 
viewed  in  a luxurious  Theatre  where  you  are  able  to 
walk  into  a comfortable  seat  without  any  trouble 
for  (id.  and  Is.  from  1.30  to  3.0.  You  will  breathe 
the  purest  air.  see  the  very  best  Talking  pictures, 
variety  and  hear  the  finest  Orchestra  in  the  West 
of  London. 

The  Forum  bargain  matinee  is  a sound  proposition  ! 
What  more  could  one  ask  than  for  three  hours  enter- 
tainment for  sixpence  or  a shilling  ? 

Studds  ” Final”  Effort 

Manager  Frederick  J.  Studd,  of  the 
Beaufort,  Birmingham,  put  over  an  amazingly 
topical  one  during  Cup  Final  week,  in  con- 
nection with  his  screening  of  " The  Great 
Game,”  the  Gaumont  football  film,  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  subsequent  week. 


As  two  teams  from  his  district  had  the  Cup 
Final  to  themselves,  it  was  a moral  certainty 
that  the  huge  crowd  would  be  largely  com- 
posed of  Brummagem  folk.  Therefore  Fred — - 
always  one  of  the  bright  boys  where  show- 
manship is  concerned — had  distributed  to 
hundreds  of  visitors  at  NYembley  a small 
visiting  card,  inscribed  : 

MEET  THE  RIVAL  TEAMS 
IN  THE  GREAT  GAME 
Beaufort  Cinema  — At  Home  — 
— Birmingham  — Thurs.,  Fri.,  Sat. 
We’ll  give  him  full  marks  for  that  one  ; 
and  we’ll  expect  to  hear  that  he  got  full 
houses. 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISEMENTS 


All  communications  should  be  addressed  to 
the  Advertisement  Department,  ‘ The 
Bioscope,”  Faraday  House,  8-10,  Charing 
Cross  Road,  London,  W.C.2. 


SITUATIONS  VACANT 


“ '"PALKIE  ” Engineering.  Equip  yourself  for 
1 the  new  conditions  of  the  cinema  employ- 
ment market.  Send  for  Free  details  of  our  up- 
to-the-minute  Talking  Picture  Engineering 
Course.  Specialised  instruction  also  offered  in 
Electrical  and  all  branches  of  Engineering  and 
for  all  Technical  Exams.,  including  A.M.I.E.E. 
Write  for  Free  Handbook,  stating  subject  which 
is  of  particular  interest. — British  Institute  of 
Engineering  Technology,  333,  Shakespeare  House, 
29-31,  Oxford  Street,  W.l.  1286 


ENGAGEMENTS  WANTED 


YOUNG  MANAGER,  experienced  all  branches 
Exhibition  side,  desires  change.  Accept 
small  salary  during  trial. — Box  568,  c/o  The 
Bioscope,  Faraday  House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross 
Road,  W.C.2.  1285 


TEA  ROOM  TABLES 

CHAIRS  OF  EVERY 
DESCRIPTION. 

Send  for  Lists  of  GLASS 
TABLES,  RUBBER,  LINO, 
and  PLAIN  TOP  TABLES 
to — 

KAFA  TABLE  CO., 
6-7,  Church  8treet, 
Shoreditch,  London.  E. 

T-  lephunt- : »i,hop,gat«  17-!'. 


HALLS  AND  SITES 

MAGNIFICENT  Corner  Site,  three  frontages, 
prominent  position  on  main  bus  route, 
densely  populated,  good  class  residential  and 
business  district  (London).  Area  16,000  feet. 
Building  Lease  or  Freehold. — Apply  Frank 
Swain,  170,  Notting  Hill  Gate,  W.ll.  1282 


FOR  SALE 


LARGE  Cinema  seating  over  900.  Finest  in 
the  District.  Wonderful  proposition.  Just 
re-furnished  and  decorated.  Freehold.  Price 
£12,500.- — -Box  554,  c/o  The  Bioscope,  Faraday 
House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  W.C.2.  1283 


KINEMA  for  Sale  (Freehold),  Shropshire ; i 
seating  700  ; nearest  opposition  four  miles  ; 
Talkies  installed.  Good  consistent  profit.  Audited  | 
accounts. — Box  556,  c/o  The  Bioscope, Faraday  I 
House,  8-10,  Charing  Cross  Road,  W.C.2.  1284  | 


PATENTS  AND  TRADE  MARKS 


ING’S  Patent  Agency,  Ltd.,  146a,  Queen 
Victoria  Street,  E.C.4.  Free — Advice  and 
Handbook  on  patenting  Inventions  and  register-  I 
ing  Trade  Marks  by  Registered  Agent  with 
43  years’  experience. 


Distributor  of 

“ THE  ALPHA ” TICKET  ISSUING  MACHINES 


WANTED  TO  BUY 

WANTED. — “ Gaumont  ” Stand,  with  Lamp 
House  for  Mirror  Arc.  Twin,  Arc  Resist- 
ance. 5 to  30  amp.  Steped  in  5 amps. — William 
Slater,  The  Cinema,  Castle-Douglas.  1283 


WANTED. — Kalee  No.  7 Machines  and 
Spools,  complete  except  Lens  and  Motors, 
must  be  in  sound  running  condition,  and  cheap — - 
for  cash. — Hill,  Stonelands,  Ryde.  1283 


Gerrard  1331 

POST  RECORDING 
DUBBING 
PRESSING,  Etc 
EDISON  BELL,  LIMIT 

Talking  Film  Dept., 

1-5,  Manette  Street,  Charing  Cross  Road. 


May  6,  1931 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


xv 


i* 


't 


Telephone:  Gerrard  1192, 


Telegram!  : “ Lennocks,  London.” 


CINEMAS  FOR  SALE 

“A  little  palace,”  on.  which  a 
S/OUU  considerable  sum  has  been  spent 
in  the  last  eight  months  ; occupying  fine  corner 
position  in  very  busy  North  London  thorough- 
fare, and  which  has  many  thousands  of  workers 
in  regular  employment  on  which  to  draw,  entirely 
to  itself.  Our  Client  wants  £1,500  premium  for 
his  lease  at  £7  a week,  but  we  are  prepared 
to  put  forward  offer  of  £500  premium  at  £15 
a week  rent.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

£ A 0(1(1  An  unquestionably  prosperous 
show;  in  the  most  popular 
seaside  resort  in  the  Irish  Free  State,  in  the 
principal  thoroughfare.  Is  the  most  popular 
house  in  the  town ; seating  550.  Has  “ talkies  ” 
and  does  a steady  all-the-year-round  trade.  The 
town  is  a very  large  one,  and  is  rapidly  growing 
in  importance  and  population  with  the  growing 
prosperity  of  the  Free  State.  CLEMENT 
BLAKE  & DAY. 

£0  (1(1(1  Small  show,  but  occupying  a 
5"””  very  valuable  position  in  the 
chief  business  thoroughfare  of  one  of  the  largest 
Scottish  cities.  The  show  was  specially  built 
for  a Cinema  and  is  of  good  appearance  ; has 
been  in  present  hands  for  four  years.  Now  being 
sold  owing  to  other  interests  preventing  adequate 
attention  being  given.  Sound  business  is  being 
done  with  “ silents.”  But  with  the  installation 
of  “ talkies,”  the  position  of  the  show  is  such 
that  it  would  prove  a gold  mine,  especially  if 
run  as  a “ News  Reel  ” house,  or  on  similar 
lines  to  the  “ Tatler  Theatre,”  Charing  Cross 
Road,  W.C.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

£7  000  Large  show  of  950  seating 
dw  I capacity  in  one  of  the  most 

thickly  populated  districts  of  Manchester ; 
occupying  an  island  site,  with  frontage  of  50  feet 
Showing  quite  good  profit  despite  no  great  super- 
vision. Has  Stage  and  Dressing  Rooms,  and  is 
equipped  with  “ talkies.”  Really  a cheap  show 
at  the  price  of  £7,000  freehold,  subject  to  £40 
a year  Chief  Rent.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 

A bargain.  Handsome  house 
in  the  most  popular  resort 
on  the  North  Wales  Coast ; holds  about  1,300 
or  more ; is  licensed  for  everything  (has  good 
Stage  and  Dressing  Rooms)  ; “ talkies  ” installed. 
Being  disposed  of  solely  as  vendor  is  keenly 
desirous  of  getting  free  of  all  business  responsi- 
bilities ; is  getting  on  in  years  and  getting  tired 
of  the  strain  of  business.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 


£21,000 


£5,000 


A really  smart  show,  on  which 
several  thousand  pounds  have 
been  spent  in  the  last  few  months  ; a show  only 
six  miles  from  our  offices,  but  which  has  its 
field  entirely  to  itself ; a show  which  from  the 
first  day  it  was  open,  years  ago,  has  always  been 
a money-maker.  Holds  about  700  ; has  “ R.C.A” 
talkies ; and  profit  is  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
£40  a week ; long  lease.  We  think  we  shall  be 
able  to  arrange  mortgage  for  pretty  well  half  the 
purchase  price.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

Super-Cinema  in  the  outer 
London  area ; a show  that 
to  our  personal  knowledge  cost  nearly  £60,000 
to  build  eight  years  ago  ; seating  quite  1,200  ; 
good  lease  at  a rent  that  is  really  a low  one ; 
profit  £5,000  a year.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 

'T'Xk  T |£  'T'  Large  Cinema  in  dominating 
_ -*•  position  in  the  richest 
London  district ; has  seating  capacity  for  1,200  ; 
is  a show  which  should  take  £700 — £800  a week 
average  ; will  be  let  on  lease  at  £6,000  a year ; 
first  year’s  rent  payable  in  advance,  subsequently 
quarterly  in  advance.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 


£15,000 


22.  WAR  DOUR 


LON  DON,  W.  I . 

rT'/~|  T ■p'  rp  Sound  little  show  in  the  best 
A possible  position  in  Norfolk 
seaside  resort,  will  be  let,  to  satisfactory  tenant, 
at  £208  a year  ; is  licensed  for  everything  except 
Drink  ; is  only  being  disposed  of  as  our  Clients, 
a manufacturing  firm  of  imperial  repute,  don’t 
want  the  bother  of  installing  “ talkies.”  The 
show  is  only  a little  side-line,  and  they  simply 
don’t  want  the  trouble  of  it.  CLEMENT 

BLAKE  & DAY. 

£Q  nnn  The  only  Cinema  in  an  indus- 
trial  town  of  11,000,  Shrop- 
shire ; has  a seating  capacity  for  700 ; and  is  a 
show  that  is  being  run  on  very  nice  lines  ; con- 
sequently does  very  fine  business  at  considerable 
profit.  We  shall  have  no  difficulty  in  arranging 
mortgage  for  £5,000  as  the  property  is  freehold. 
CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

CINEMAS  WANTED 

A SOUTHPORT  Client  has  asked  us  to  make  a 
special  effort  to  get  him  a show  in  the  South- 
West  of  England.  He  has  £ 1 0,000  cash  available  ; 
and,  of  course,  wants  a nice  show  showing  an 
adequate  return.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

have  been  instructed  to  find  “ Key  ” 
**  Theatres,  in  the  capital  cities,  by  one  of 
the  most  important  American  houses.  Only 
leading  shows  in  large  cities  will  be  considered  ; 
as  they  are  wanted  for  the  purpose  of  “ shop 
windows  ” as  much  as  anything.  CLEMENT 
BLAKE  & DAY. 

EXHIBITOR  Client  of  ours,  a man  who  gives 
his  decisions  quicker  than  anyone  we  know, 
wishes  to  obtain  shows  in  towns  like  Crewe, 
Coventry  and  Loughborough  ; and  in  good  towns 
in  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire.  Seating  capacities 
of  properties  offered  him  must  preferably  be 
large  ; but  the  moment  ANY  thing  is  placed 
before  him  he  will  investigate  immediately,  and 
come  to  a decision,  “ Yes  or  No,”  within  a few 
hours.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

MANAGING  DIRECTOR  of  small  circuit  in 
the  Midlands,  finding  himself  not  too 
comfortable  with  his  partners,  is  wishful  of 
acquiring  a small  concern  in  the  Midlands. 
Capital  about  £1,000.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 

A NAME  well-known  in  the  Trade,  one  of  the 
oldest  names,  a name  that  has  always  been 
associated  with  very  large  enterprises,  is  now 
desirous  of  building  up  a circuit  of  small  shows 
(capacities  300-500),  in  small  towns  where  there 
is  no  competition,  in  the  counties  of  Suffolk,  Essex, 
Cambridge  or  Hertford.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & 
DAY. 

PROBABLY  the  most  enterprising  of  the  newer 
men  in  the  Trade,  a man  who  has  acquired 
some  ten  or  twelve  shows  in  the  past  17  or 
18  months,  wants  other  concerns  within  a radius 
of,  say,  30  miles  of  London.  Here  again  is  a man 
who  knows  his  own  mind,  and  quick  decision  is 
assured.  He  is  a man  of  considerable  financial 
resources  and  of  outstanding  credit.  CLEMENT 

BLAKE  & DAY, 

VAfE  are  experiencing  a considerable  demand 
” for  shows  in  Scotland  ; a demand  greater, 
at  the  moment,  than  we  have  ever  previously 
experienced ; and  enquiries  are  of  a very  varied 
character.  We  can  deal  with  small  concerns ; 
and  we  can  deal  very  quickly  indeed  with  large 
concerns.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY. 

AN  old-established  circuit  in  the  Potteries  area 
wants  to  add  to  their  present  shows,  and 
will  entertain  anything  we  put  before  them  in 
Warwicks,  Staffs,  Shropshire.  CLEMENT 
BLAKE  & DAY. 

POPULAR  and  highly  successful  Exhibitor 
(a  wealthy  man),  in  the  Midlands,  wishes 
us  to  get  him  another  show  in  the  Town  or  County 
of  Nottingham;  or  in  the  Town  or  County  of 
Derby.  We  can  also  get  him  to  investigate 
anything  we  place  before  him  in  Lincolnshire  or 
Leicestershire.  CLEMENT  BLAKE  & DAY, 


Palmer’s  Cares 

ARE 

Tip-Up  Chairs 

AND 

Cinema  Spares 


BLUE  CORD  SPRUNG  SEATS, 
20-in.  Centre  with  9-in.  Deep 

V W V Pincushion  and  Panelled  Backs, 
Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and  Gold  Bronze 
Standards. 

red  velvet  sprung 

4IIII  SEATS,  20-in.  Centre  with  8-in. 

V W V Deep  Stuff  over  Backs,  Polished 
Wood  Arm  Pads  & Gold  Bronze  Standards. 

4 m V RED  VELVET  " PADDED 
1 /I  i SEATS,  20-in.  Centre  with  6-in. 
I ™ I Deep  Polished  Wood  Backs, 
Polished  Wood  Arm  Pads  and  Gold  Bronze 
Standards. 

AAA  SHAPED  WOOD  SEATS,  20-in. 
4 in  Centre  with  6-in. Deep  Polished 
UUV  Wood  Backs,  Arm  Pads  and 
Gold  Bronze  Standards. 


CINE  MOTORS,  l h.p.  Guaranteed  in 
First  Class  Condition.  For  any  Direct 
Current  Voltage.  Each  £2  10s. 

SPEED  REGULATORS.  In  Excellent 

Condition.  Each,  15s. 

HEAVY  BRASS  SLIDE  CARRIERS,  Shop 
Soiled.  Each,  12s.  6d. 

CURTAIN  CUT-OFFS  in  Excellent  Con- 
dition. Each,  11s. 

SECOND-HAND  BARRIER  ROPES,  com- 
plete with  all  Fittings,  including  Break- 
away Centres,  4 ft.  6 in.  long. 

Each,  11s.  9d. 

FIRE  PAILS,  Second-Hand.  Each,  2s. 


GEORGE  PALMER 

Universal  Cinema  Supplies,  Ltd. 

13,  GERRARD  ST.,  LONDON,  W.l 
Phones:  GERRARD  5476  & 5477 


XVI 


THE  BIOSCOPE 


May  6,  1931 


COMING  TRADE  SHOWS 


Own  Theatre.  3 p.riv. 


LONDON 

WEDNESDAY.  MAY  6,  1931 

Five  Shorts P.  !).C 

THURSDAY.  MAY  7.  1931 

Five  Shorts P.D.C Own  Theatre.  3 p.m. 

The  Millionaire Warner Prince  Edward.  3 p.m. 

FRIDAY.  MAY  8,  1931 

Six  Shorts P.D.C Own  Theatre,  3 p.m. 

Down  River Ganmont Astoria.  8 p.m. 

Ten  Shorts Warner Own  Theatre.  11  a.m.  & 3 p.m. 

The  Officers'  Mess Paramount Carlton,  11  a.m. 

Sous  Lcs  Toits  De  Paris  (New  Version) Wardour Rialto.  I 1 a.m. 

TUESDAY.  MAY  12.  1931 

Gun  Smoke Paramount Carlton.  11  a.m. 

Eleven  Shorts Warner Own  Theatre.  11  a.m.  & 3 p.m. 

Let's  Love  and  Laugh Wardour Prince  Edward.  8.15  p.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

Six  Cylinder  Love Fox New  Gallery,  11  a.m. 

The  Blue  Monkey  (Silent) Butcher's Own  Theatre.  2.30  and  1.30  p.m. 

BIRMINGHAM 

THURSDAY.  MAY  7,  1931 

Mother’s  Millions Universal Forum.  10.30  a.m. 

FRIDAY.  MAY  8.  1931 

It's  a Wise  Child M.-G.-M Scala,  10.30  a.m. 

June  Moon Paramount Futurist.  10.45  a.m. 

Monsters  of  the  Deep W.  & F West  End.  10.30  a.m. 

MONDAY.  MAY  11,  1931 

Wild  West  Whoopee W.  & F West  End.  10.30  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

Potiphnr’s  Wife F.X.P Forum,  10.30  a.m. 

Stepping  Out M.-G-.M Scala,  10.30  a.m. 

Man  of  the  World Paramount Futurist.  10.45  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY.  MAY  13,  1931 

Quick  Millions Fox West  End,  10.30  a.m. 

Beyond  Victory P.D.C Futurist.  10.45  a.m. 

Dreyfus Wardour Forum,  10.30  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14.  1931 

Bad  Sister t'niversal Forum.  10.30  a.m. 

BRISTOL 

TUESDAY.  MAY  12,  1931 

No  Lady Ganmont Regent,,  11  a.m. 

CARDIFF 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

Born  To  Love P.D.C Capitol,  10.45  a.m. 

FRIDAY.  MAY  8,  1931 

Mother’s  Millions Universal New  Imperial,  11  a.m. 

Potiphar's  Wife F.X.P Queen’s,  11  a.m. 

Honour  Among  Lovers Paramount Capitol,  11  a.m. 

The  Outsider M.-G.-M Park  Hall,  11  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12.  1931 

The  Conquering  Horde Paramount Capitol,  11  a.m. 

It's  a Wise  Child M.-G.-M New  Imperial.  11  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY.  MAY  13.  1931 

Alibi W.  & F Park  Hall,  11  a.m. 

THURSDAY.  MAY  14.  1931 

Beyond  Victory P.D.C Capitol,  10.45  a.m. 

EXETER 

SUNDAY,  MAY  10,  1931 

Bom  to  Love  and  Lonely  Wives P.D.C Plaza,  2.30  p.m. 

GLASGOW 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

Quick  Millions Fox Picture  House,  10.45  a.m. 

Adios F.X.P Cranston's,  11  a.m. 

FRIDAY.  MAY  8.  1931 

Brown  Sugar Warner Coliseum,  11  a.m. 

Stepping  Out M.-G.-M La  Scala,  11  a.m. 

The  Lyons  Mail W.  & F Picture  House,  11  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

The  Iron  Man Universal Regal,  11  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

Man  of  the  World Paramount Green’s,  11  a.m. 

Mother's  Millions Universal Regal,  11  a.m. 

THURSDAY.  MAY  14,  1931 

Potiphar’s  Wife F.N.P Regal,  11  a.m. 

Sea  Devils Gaumont Picture  House,  11  a.m.  ; Own  Theatre,  2.30  p.m. 

LEEDS 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

Beyond  Victory P.D.C Majestic,  10.45  a.m. 

The  Iron  Man Universal Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8.  1931 

Dreyfus Wardour Scala,  11  a.m. 

Man  of  the  World Paramount Majestic,  10.45  a.m. 

Adios F.N.P Rialto,  11  a.m. 

Strangers  May  Kiss M.-G.-M Tower,  11  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

Monsters  of  the  Deep  and  Wild  West  Whoopee W.  & F Scala,  10.45  a.m. 

The  Conquering  Horde Paramount Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 


.Rialto,  10.45  a.m. 


LEEDS — continued 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

Six  Shorts Universal 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931 

Sea  Devils...... Gaumont. Majestic,  11  aim. 

The  Prodigal M.-G.-M Rialto.  11  a.m. 

LIVERPOOL 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

Laugh  and  Get  Rich Radio ...Scala  11  am 

«J&d. Sist£r-: V, AU “i™801 Futurist,  10.45  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8,  1931 

The  Prodigal M.-G.-M Scala.  10.45  a.m. 

Honour  Among  Lovers Paramount Futurist  10  45  a m 

Midnight  Special  and  Paradise  Valiev W.  & F Trocadero  10  45  a m 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

My  Past Warner Futurist,  11  a.m. 

Stepping  Out M.-G.-M Palais  de  Luxe.  10.30  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

June  Moon Paramount Futurist,  10:45  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931  y 

Father’s  Son F.N.P Futurist,  lKl.m. 

The  Lyons  Mail W.  & F Trocadero.  llvljn. 

Tilly  of  Bloomsbury Sterling Scala,  10.45  a In 

MANCHESTER 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8,  1931 

June  Moon Paramount Paramount  Theatre,  10.45  a.m. 

A Tailor-Made  Man M.-G.-M Market  Street  P.H.,  10.45  a.m. 

Quick  Millions Fox Piccadilly,  11  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

Sea  Devils Gaumont Market  Street  P.H.,  11  a.m. 

The  Officers'  Mess Paramount Paramount  Theatre,  10.45  a.m. 

Sunny F.N.P Deansgate,  il  a.m. 

Tilly  of  Bloomsbury Sterling Piccadilly,  10.45  a m 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

The  Ringer Ideal Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931 

The  Lyons  Mail W.  & F Piccadilly,  10.45  a.m. 

NEWCASTLE 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

The  Spy Fox Queen's,  10.30  a.m. 

Outward  Bound Warner Grainger,  10.30  a.m. 

The  Lyons  Mail W.  & F Stoll,  10.30  a.m 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8.  1931 

The  Prodigal M.-G.-M Stoll,  10.15  a.m. 

Stolen  Heaven Paramount Queen’s,  10.30  a.m. 

The  Iron  Man Universal Grainger,  10.45  a.m. 

MONDAY,  MAY  11,  1931 

Brown  Sugar Warner Grainger,  10.30  a.m. 

Midnight  Special W.  <fc  F Queen's,  10.30  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

Toast  of  the  Legion F.N.P Queen’s,  10.45  a.m. 

No  Lady Gaumont Stoll.  10.15  a.m.  ; Own  Theatre.  2.30  p.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

Strangers  May  Kiss M.-G.-M Stoll,  10.15  a.m. 

Fighting  Caravans Paramount Queen's,  10.30  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931 

Born  To  Love. P.D.C Stoll.  10.15  a.m 

Alibi W.  & F Queen's,  10.45  a.m 

NOTTINGHAM 

THURSDAY,  MAY  7,  1931 

Laugh  and  Get  Rich Radio Elite,  11  a.m. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8,  1931 

Fighting  Caravans Paramount Elite,  10.45  a.m. 

A Tailor-Made  Man M.-G.-M Scala,  11  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

Honour  Among  Lovers Paramount Elite,  10.45  a.m. 

Strangers  May  Kiss M.-G.-M Scala,  11  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13.  1931 

Adios F.N.P Elite,  10.45  a.m. 

It’s  a Wise  Child M.-G.-M Scala,  11  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931 

Beyond  Victory P.D.C Elite,  10.45  a.m. 

SHEFFIELD 

FRIDAY,  MAY  8,  1931 

No  Lady Gaumont Regent,  11  a.m. 

Fighting  Caravans Paramount Central,  10.45  a.m. 

Heroes  of  the  Flames  (Eps.  1 & 2) Universal... Union  Street  P.H.,  10.45  a.m. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1931 

It’s  a Wise  Child M.-G.-M Union  Street,  1 1 a.m. 

Adios F.N.P Central,  10.45  a.m. 

Hell  Bound W.  & F * Regent.  11  a.m. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1931 

My  Past Warner Union  Street  Picture  House,  1 1 a.m. 

Sea  Devils Gaumont Regent.  11  a.m. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  14,  1931 

The  Prodigal M.-G.-M Cinema  House,  II  a.m. 

Alibi W.  & F Regent.  11  a.m. 

Dreyfus Wardour.. * Central,  11  a.m .. 


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May  (),  1931 


Mm  OLIVER  TWIST 


“‘MIDDLE  WATCH’ 

IS  DOING  VERY  WELL,  AND 
OUR  PATRONS  VERY  LAUDA- 
TORY: IN  THEIR  PRAISE  OF 
THE  FILM.  THIS  IS  A PICTURE 
THAT  NOT  ONLY  IS  A BOX- 


OFFIOE  TONIC,  BUT  A FILM 
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BRING  PRESTIGE  TO  BRITISH 
FILM 'PRODUCTION  WHEREVER 
IT  IS  SHOWN,  AND  CANDIDLY 
I MUST  BE  HONEST,  AND, 
LIKE  OLIVER  TWIST- 

ASK  FOR  MORE  ” 

W.  RUST,  DAFFODIL,  CHELTENHAM. 


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