1934-12-24 — Page 8

THE CHINA MAIL; MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1934

BURNETT'S

CELEBRATED

„HI BURMI

DTOM GR

"London Dry" and

NDONIJDRY

"Old Tom" Gins.

AS WATSON&C La /

い

ON SALE AT ALL THE LEADING COMPRADORES OR

FROM THE AGENTS

A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.

Est. 1841

G. FALCONER & CO. (HONG KONG) LTD.

WATCHMAKERS, & JEWELLERS.

DIAMOND MERCHANTS. Union Building (opposite G.P.0.).

Agente fors-ADMIRALTY CHARTS, ROSS'S BINOCULARS and TELESCOPES, KELVIN'S NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS, ENGLISH SILVERWARE, direct from Manufacturero, High Class English Jewellery.

REDUCE WITH

INKRETAN

A BIOLOGICAL PRODUCT IN TABLET FORM

is

STANDARDISED

made by the same. factory as

PROMONTA

THE WELL-KNOWN NERVE FOOD Obtainable from all dispensaries and stores

Sole Agents: BORNEMANN & CO.

Prince's Building

Des Voeux Road, Central HONGKONG

HAVE YOU ORDERED

WINES for XMAS?

"The Connoisseur comes

to

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Ice House Street

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'CONCERNING

CHRISTMAS

PRESENTS?

Every year we make good resolutions about our XMAS

SHOPPING. Most years we fail lamentably to fulfil

them, and what should, and could be made a pleasure,

becomes a frantic rush. Tired out and worried, we buy

something at random, and are often more disappointed

with it than the unlucky recipient. To avoid this dis

appointment and while our selection, is still variable;

we ADVISE

مجھ

SHOPPING EARLY

AT

Whiteaways

HERE, THERE

EVERYWHERE

DRINKS IN THE COMMONS A

Mr. A. P. Herbert's campaign. against drink' facilities at the House of Commons will advance another stage shortly.

FORTUNE IN CINEMA "CIRCUITS"

FILM INDUSTRY FIFTH IN BRITAIN

THE "WAR" WITH AMERICA

(By A. P. Luscombe Whyte)

EN years ago the British film Mr. John Maxwell.

Maxwell

Tindustry once the pioneer of had just broken into the big im

are vast.

a dreamer,

Mark,

Argunients will be heard in the courts on the rule calling on Sir Rollo Graham Campbell to show cause why he should not grant summonses against the Kitchen film entertainment-was staggering business. He was a Scots lawyer, Committee and the manager of the round the corner of Carey-street. who had started with a small clr. catering department for selling in- The war had practically killed cult in Scotland and become head toxicants in the House without a production, and post-war dumping of British International Pictures, licence..

of American films on long-term con- which he raised from the brink At the moment there la no Kit-tracts was making foreign dicta- of Insolvency to a dominaut posi tion in Blm production. He, too, chen Committee in existence. The torship scom inevitable.

Yet last year on an average had a circuit, A.B.C. Cinemas, committee against whom the sum monsen were asked ceased to func every man, woman and child Inflater to number about 150 cine- tion at the end of the session. England visited the cinema once a man.

He forred the price of P.C.T. ap A new committee will be elected, fortnight, and one quarter of the There will be several changes in films they saw were British. Forty by about half a million pounds, by the personnel, but it is understood million pounds went into the box bidding against Gaumont British that Sir John Ganzoni will be re-offices, about, one quarter on the and then dropped out.

These two companies elected chairman,⠀⠀

way to our studios. The British

zero They control between them about The legal proceedings will, offfim industry has risen from course, continue to be against the to become the fifth in the land, 500 of Britain's finest cinemas. Gaumont British alone has total members of the former committee. with a pay-roll of 70,000.

Ten years ago our studios con-assets of over £20 millions. tinued to spend money on filme The two Ostrers are in complete BODGING THE GAMING ACT

Isidore, the president which few cineman would book, contrast. А саме at Bow County Court. The receipts and the quality of the Gaumont British, is a pale, London, recently was an interesting shrank in unison. The financiers aesthetic-looking man, example of the methods by which helped to save the Industry by ra- an unorthodox economist, and no bookmakers evade that provision tionalising it. They knew that ade- fanatic for filma as such.

the second brother, is a practical in the Gaming Act by which any quate distribution must precede contract in relation to betting can production. They got together business man and plays games, not be enforcea."

The Bernstein Circuit - land erected a solid rampart of

cinema The ingenious bookmaker, un-British-owned

"clrcuits" The circuits are not limited to dertakes to hold his hand against and distributing companies which those owned by producers. There. the debtor in return for a pro-would guarantee a certain market jare probably, twenty others, rang- mise by the latter to pay the debt for British films. And then they ing from five to 40 cinemas apiece, hibition of export credits, credite at a future. date. When the date built up the studios to make them owned solely by exhibitors. The for the purchase of arms from a reached the bookmaker can sue and make them well.

most important of these is that abroad, and national control on The sons and relatives of the late agreed lines of the manufacture on this agreement for "valuable Two pioneers are largely res run by young Sidney Bernstein, ponsible for Britain's position to who, starting with four houses in Flora Edgar thank all for their of arms such as we practise by a This is

A Conven-

round-the-corner day. One was a French scientist, 1918, has built up a fleet of over kind expressions of sympathy and system of licences.

tion with clauses framed on these

method, but my sympathy lies with turned film-maker, M. Leon Gau-80 "supers." for attendance at the funeral.

lines would mark a great ad-

that maligned character, the book mont, who opened a London office. He is building up spectacular cinemas, seating about 200 each, If he falls to pay he is virtually

all over England, and he plans to The inquiry which the Govern-run out of business. The client

The Rise Of Gaumont's

bring, the theatre back to the pro- ment is to hold into the mano-can fail to pay and get away with

The old Gaumont company, unvincial town by ruuning a West facture of arms is to include not it.

der A. C. Bromhead, crested a do-End stage show at each of 12 pro- only the existing system of li

minant British film industry. For vincial cinemas for one week in

con,(each month. one thing it introduced the question of whether a State mon-

tinuous programme. It showed Nowadays the small cinema' opoly would be desirable. Sit John Simon urged that it should

synchronised, gramophone disc owner is getting a straighter deal "talkies" in London in 1902, and and a fair profit. The old rentera be conducted on the right lines much

colour Aims In 1913. It supplied racket, by which he was forced to What many Pacifists and Socia "No; I figure It will double the life a large part of the American con buy up unseen, and possibly un- lists obviously want is a "fishing of my tires and cut my gasoline bili

made the films of the company it inquiry," with a view to discover in two"

[WHITEAWAY - LAIDLAW & CO LTD]

OPEN UNTIL 6 O'CLOCK EVERY EVENING,

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The China Mail

vance.

Hong Kong, Monday, Dec. 21, 1934. censing and control but also the

Britain's Record On Traffic In Arms

How

consideration."

maker.

Your Daily Smile!

"I've about decided to get married "Won't it increase your expenses too

*

*

Dauntless

(in 1898.

sumption.

At about the same time a cer represented for 18 months ahead, Sir John Simon showed his ing "scandals" which they can large-mindedness recently by ad-profitably exploit. What serious-

tain Dr. Jupp was building up in if he wanted to rent one or two mitting and correcting the only minded people would want in-wits, I tell you," said the sophomore cuit," a collection of comfortable, de- Parliament, limiting the period of "It's going to be a real battle of the provinces the first cinema "cir- good films, is dead. An Act of fortunate and mistaken impres-vestigating is whether a State member of the debating team. sion created by his speech on the monopoly is "practicable and de-

corative houses,

forward booking, killed that, saving "How brave of you.” said his room control of the traffic in and the sirable" from the point of view of mate, "to go unarmed.”

The war appears to have helped exhibitors from ruin and fans manufacture of arms. What he the safety of the State.

Dr. Jupp's idea; it emerged later from boredom... said should remove all honest anyone who remembers the ter her husband war depressed.

The bride of a few weeks noticed that as the Provincial Cinematograph The bargaining which still goes misapprehensions of the attitude rible munitions shortage which,

Theatres circuit, with 60 cinemas, on in Soho offices between renter "Gerald, desrest," she said, "I know But it nearly killed Gaumont's and and exhibitor would stagger of the British Government. They stood nakedly, revealed before there is, something troubling you, and are accused of being lukewarm in the Great War had been in pro-I want you to tell me what it is; your

French house, wife, but film rent- other producers, their efforts at Geneva. It is gress for a month, and also re-worries are not your worries now, they

The most important year for Bri- ing prices are now far more stakle utterly untrue. Equally isiseless roembers the dogged obstinacy are our worries.

tish films was 1922, when two than they were. With the coming "Oh, very well then,” he said, "we've is the charge that they have done with which the Ordnance Depart just had a letter from a girl in Man- bought out M. Gaumont's share in tinction or the alternative of Ostrer of the talkies, exhibitors faced ex: bankers....named young nothing effective in getting an ment resisted passing over to chester, and she's suing us for breach his company and became partners paying £1,500-£5,000 for apparatus, embargo placed on the despatch outside firms the work they were of promise."

with Brombead.{

plus a fat percentage of takings,

of arms to the combatants in the totally unable to do themselves,

1

interminable war for the Gran can place his confidence in a State acquaintances the thrilling events of the British films could be made to go. receipts.

Mrs. newly-rich was recounting to As business men they know that which often exceeded their actual

WOMAN'S HEROISM

COMMEMORATED

Grace Darling Oak Planted In London

Chaco swamps between Bolivia monopoly we do not understand night before, wher the house had been and Paraguay. They were in The private firms saved the situa- burgled. As a matter of fact," the But they also knew that a moder To-day the first general release fact, the first to make any sort tion at a ghastly cost in soldiers' said, "we were eating our soup

ately successful film must have a of a big film may cost then about of move at all, and the first. last lives. There can be no moral

"Then, of course," interrupted the "circulation" of round about seven 85 per cent. of their takings. The May, to stop all licences for the and ethical consideration which candid friend, "none of you heard any millions. They bought brains, skill "second run" houses, which get it

thing.” export of arms to that region transcends this aspect of the

and beauty for their studios. But some months later, pay consider- Since then they have worked un-problem. What would be easier,

first they concentrated on a marably less, while at the end of the remittingly to persuade all Euro-yet what could be more flagrant-

ket.

Alm's British life-perbaps a year pean countries to follow their ex-ly immoral, than for a Socialist

They acquired modern cinemas small owner may get a copy of ample, and they have at last sua-Government to put the State ar-

in London and the provinces in 2100,000 film for a tenner. ceeded. Whether this will stop senals on quarter time and so, on

batches, together with renting,

And then the agent of an East- the fighting and the slaughter one pretext or another, neglect

distributing, and producing in-African tin shack buy it from the remains to be seen. But at any even the minimum requirements

terests. In 1927 they formed the junk merchant a fifteen bob all rate the conduct of the British of the Services. Questions of the

Gaumount British Corporation, told. Government has been above re-relative cost and efficiency of a

which had à capital of £2,500,000. proach.

State monopoly, though of. para-

In all G. B. purchased 22 cinémas

The annual Christmas concert Sea scouts and lifeboatmen salled including the "Davis circuit," a They are now trying to secure mount importance, must be se-

was held by the Hong Kong Univér- agreement among the Powers at condary to this where you have up the Thames and landed on the collection of London cinemas run sity Christian Union in the Great Geneva to a Convention on cer- party which when in Opposi last month to plant a Grace Darling of a builder, and sold for over Baldwin led the community singing, foreshore of Battersea Park S.Was a hobby by Mrs. Davis, the wife Hall last evening. Mr. Rupert tain specific subjects capable of tion votes "on principle" against Oak tree. During the next four $500,000. Within a year they had while the singing of Mrs.. N. E. separate treatment without pre-military and naval efficiency. Has judice to the larger problems of every lesson of the Great War to years almilar trees will be planted control of 120 cinemas.

was greatly appreciated.. Mr. Reginald Woolley was Disarmament. Sir John Simon be learnt over again at the same in British ports throughout the mentioned. for example, full pu- appalling cost?

plano.

blicity for budgetary expenditure

on armaments, the creation of a permanent. Disarmament Com-

mission and the control of the UNEMPLOYMENT IN traffic in arms. No one should FRANCE GROWING be over-confident of success. but

till the effort has been made no

one should scoff at its possibility.

It is difficult to believe that there

Great Increase

world to commemorate Grace and

Hollywood's Fight William Darling's heroism. The oak Gaumont British films, backed tree sent by Sir Charles Trevelyn, by an assured market of Lord Lieutenant of Northumber G.B. cinemas, and aided by the land, was planted by Commander new. Quota Act, were a success. Strong on behalf of the Merchant Profits and production efficiency Navy

grew together. "An amiable circle, Lighthousekeeper Mills, of Chat-this time.

Then came another push from. ham, placed the first spadeful, of į earth into the hole, while carrier American companies, alarmed at has been no advance in interna- Great increases in the number pigeons were released with news of Erowing British solidarity, Holly- tional public opinion since the of unemployed in France is re- the ceremony The story of Grace wood studios fought to maintain Arms Traffic Convention of 1925. ported for the week ending De- Darling was recalled by Admiral their monopoly by planning a ring That was promptly ratified by cember 3, official statistica re-Mark Kerr. Great Britain but not by Bei veal These show that 9,658 gium, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Ja, more persons began to draw re- pan, Germany, and the United lief, bringing the total to 884,- 841 which is 115,223 more than States Washington has just pro- duced a draft proposal. It can at the same time a year ago. The hardly fail to secure British sup estimates give only one-fifth to The Prix Goncourt for 1984, the had looked enviously at the P.C.T. port if it promises to secure the one-fourth of the actual number must highly coveted French literary circuit, now swollen to 1200- application of an effective embar of unemployed. Yet France; im- prize, has been Awarded to Roger dern cinemas. They decided to go wherever war is threatened ports numbers of foreign labour-Vercel for his book "Capitalno swallow t Sir John Simon favours the proers.

But they had reckoned without

FRANCE'S MOST COVETED LITERARY PRIZE

Conun

of "super-cinemas" round Britain. Gaumont British at once decided to entrench from the United States (fire behind the biggest wall of cinemas over collected in this country. For years they had

Bennitt

at the

Pat my fur coat away carefully so that the moths cannot get into

"Certainly, mum." I'll button it