A FILM LUNCHEON

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 3

A FILM LUNCHEON

WELCOME TO MR. W. A. GIBSON, 0.8. E, ADVENT OF NEW COMPANY There was a representative gathering of film exhibitors from all parts of the Wellington, Taranaki, ami Hawke’s Bay districts at the Strand Theatre on Tuesday morning to witness the first screenings under the auspices of Australasian Films (N.Z.), Ltd., the company which has fused with New Zealand Picture Supplies in tlio hiring business in the Dominion. The pictures shown were ‘‘The Dahlia” (coloured), ‘.‘Tin: Beloved Brute,” a full-blooded Western drama, featuring William Russell and (Marguerite do la Motte tand which includes a thrilling series of fights), and ‘‘The King of "Wild Horses," a very fine picture of equine interest. At the conclusion of the screening luncheon was served to between thirty and forty guests at the Grand Hotel, at which Mr. E. J. Righton presided. In referring to the change which had come about by the advent in New Zealand of Australasian Films (N.Z.), Ltd., the chairman said that New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., had been in the business since 1913, before which it had been in tlie hands of Fullers’ and Haywards’ separately. Then came the union, when it was run as what was generally known as the “combine,” which had been given many hard names that were never deserved, for if anyone knew the viewpoints of the exhibitor as well as the exchange men it was New Zealand Picture Supplies, which was both. They had always given the exhibitors cf this country a fair deal. Now it had come to pass that New Zealand Pictuie Supplies had changed its scope of film 'activities, and had joined forces with Australasian Films. He hoped that those who in the past had been dealing with New Zealand Picture Supplies would, now that they had fused together, have a chat with Mr. Allan, McGowan, the general manager for New Zealand of Australasian Films. The New Zealand representation on the board would he Sir Benjamin Fuller, Mr. John Faller, Mr. Henry Hayward, and the speaker, and there were four men representing Australia. He trusted that the support given the Picture Supplies m the past would be continued with Australasian Films, Ltd. (Applause.) Mr. W. A. Gibson, 0.8. E., stated that he had been associated with the picture business for over 25 years, from its very intaney. He had commenced by showing pictures from the window of a ihemist’x shop in St. Hilda to people who paid nothing lor the privilege of seeing them. Then he had transferred his activities to St. Hilda beach—why he did not know —and there again the crowd had paid nothing to have a look. He then began to look upon the new invention irom a money-making point of view, and had not done too badly at it. There were those in the business who still went round calling the film hirers robbers. He did not think any of the exhibitors wanted to return to the davs when thev paid 30s. for a week’s programme. Australasian Films were in a very large way of business in Australia, and were there allied to Union Theatres, Ltd., which had a hundred theatres under its control, a sufficient guarantee tint they had to get the pictures the (public wanted. Without such pictures they must inevitably go down. They had to have the goods—they were as indispensable as in any other business. Another policy was to be the even quality of tlaeir programmes for the future. He could promise very fine programmes, .md as long as they could get a fair thing out of it that was all they wanted. It there were exhibitors who found that they could not make money out of their films, all he asked them to do was to go to Mr. McGowan and get their money back. An exhibitor; That’s the stull 1 (Laughter.) . . , Mr. Gibson said they only wished for a fair deal ail round, and for the remainder of this year and for the whole of the next he could promise them that. Their buyer, Mr. Stua.it Doyle, had made the most careful inquiries as to programmes, and had been advised that Warner’s came first, and these had been secured for 18 mouths to come. (Applause.) All exhibitors could expect a fair deal, and would be treated as men. (Applause.) The speaker then introduced Mr. Allan -McGowan, the general manager whom he had first met sticking up bill’s in Onehunga, and who knew his methods. Mr. McGowan spoke of the good name held by Australasian Films in Australia, wheif it was said that they never lost an exhibitor until he died. They all got a square deal, and in his experience there was not a “kicker” as an exhibitor or as an employee associated with Australasian Films, Ltd. If there was a “grouch’' anywhere, the “groucner” did not have to wait weeks or months for a hearing; it was settled right away. The result whs a satisfied and contented lot, and that he could assure (hem would be rhe case in New Zealand. Mr. Garnet Saunders (New Plymouth) recalled the just and even liberal treatment he had always received at the hands of New Zealand Picture Supplies, and how, during a fight against strenuous opposition, they had reduced his film hire to half, which had enabled him to win the fight, and to take over the opposition as well, If they could rely c.n similar treatment from Australasian Films they deserved the whole-hearted support of the exhibitors. . Air. H. El. Bennett (Palmerston North) recalled the time when he had fought the “combine," and said that for the past 81 rears he had been dealing with New Zealand Picture Supplies, and it had been very satisfactory to both parties. He was impressed with the promise cf a fair and square deal, and was pretty sure that with Mr. McGowan as manager. they would get it. The health of Air. W. A. Gibson, the Press, and the chairman (Air. Righton) were enthusiastically honoured.