PICTURE MANAGERS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13094, 16 February 1937, Page 2

PICTURE MANAGERS

KERRIDGE CIRCUIT. MA N A GEES’ CONVENTION. The iirst picture, theatre managers’ convention held in Australia and New Zealand, Avas opened yesterday in the board room of Gisborne Theatres Ltd., the meeting being due to the enterprise of the managing director, ler R. J. Kerridge. The convention was limited to managers of theatres on the Kerridge circuit. . The room Avas tastefully decorated with iiigh-class samples of publicity work by Avbrld-famous film-producing firms. Near the chairman’s dais avus ;i large cut-out map of the North Isiand. Each toAvn on the Kerridge.circuit was denoted by an opening, about an inch square, covered Avith coloured (oliaphane paper. As each manager cii the circuit delivered an address, a light avus throAvn behind the cellaphano oaper denoting the name of his town, the Avhole forming a very artistic. and most informative display. Mr. Kerridgo presided and there wi jv present managers of the following theatres: Messrs. B. Chapman (Thames), W. R. Chrisp (Symons St., Auckland), .1. Tennant (Paeroa), T. F. Kerridge (Tauranga). S. Elliott (Kavangahapo road, Auckland), .1.1. Darby (Te Aroha), V. . Olouston (Whakatane), T. Wilton (Opotiki), J. Barclay (Wairoa) and If. Pearson (Levin), and in addition Messrs. M. Wahvorth (N.Z. general manager of Western Electric Co. Ltd.) and D. (■. Lcatlnun (technical manager oi Western Electric Co. N.Z., Ltd.), M. Toonitfy (Wellington manager Fox Films Ltd.), T. Angle (AVaipawa and Eltham Tliuatres), Will B. Keany (publicity manager, Gisborne), C. Smith (booker, Gisborne), and P. Fountain (accountant, Gisborne). The chairman of directors of Gisborne Theatres Ltd., Air H. B. Williams, Avelconicd the managers to the convention. Ho remarked humorously that if the meeting had been one of sbecpl'ariners lie might bo in a position to say something useful, but he knew little of the inner workings of the picture industry. The idea of a conA'ention of managers was on the' right lines, lioAvever, and material good should result from tho meeting. In regard to certain problems some saw one Avay of solution and some another Avay, and a general exchange of vieAVs must prove of the utmost value. He again extended a hearty welcome to tho convention and declared it open. (Applause.) Air R. .J. Kerridge, managing direch r of Gisborne Theatres, Ltd., endorsed the remarks of the former speaker, and, in extending a Avefcoine, said be could foresee a bright and happy meeting. They Avere no doubt all aware of the object of the meeting— to alloAV one manager to see and hear tho A'iev.-is of another manager. The picture industry Avas a most important one, and it Avas practically impossible to keep abreast of the times without a close study of tho trade 101 l mills. It was absolutely essential that a manager of any business should be brought into touch Avitli the latest developments, and that applied mo.ro to the picture business than to ; ny other in the Avorld. If a picture manager, for instance, avlio had been appointed ten years ago, avus suddenly asked to take charge of the modern picture house, he Avould he amazed at the development that had taken place, in the intrim. Tho distributing side of tho industry recognised the importance of an exchange ol ideas, and if the distributors, aaLo might be termed the wholesalers, did so. how much more important Avas it that the picture managers, avlio might be classed tho retailors, should meet l.imother and discuss their problems. L; would be found that each man could learn from tho other.

Continuing, Mr Kerridge said lie understood that this was the first theatre managers’ convention ovefr iic-ld in Australia or New Zealand. If that were so. and he.understood it to be correct, lie could not understand why the major circuits had not done so. Many interesting addresses would he given during tho convention, and at the conclusion of each the speakers would bo prepared to answer questions. Mr Kerridge concluded by paying a tribute to tho managing director, .Mr It. 11. Williams, whoso confidence had made the organisation possible. (Applause.) Mr Kerridge then read cablegrams and telegrams of congratulation from Messrs. W. Clarko (Australasian manager for Warner Bros, first National, Sydney), S. Craig (N.Z. manager of Paramount Pictures, Wellington. congratulating Mr Kerridge on opening a new ora in theatre administration) ; ft. P ll Hedge (general manager of Fox Films); It. • Marlow (Auckland, manuge'r of Fox Films); !!. Allen (N.Z. manager of United Artists') ; P. Maddoek (N.Z. manager of Afctro-Goldwyn-Mcycr) ; W. lies’! op (N.Z. manager of "Universal) ; B. Viueont (N.Z. manager of Columbia Pictures) ; W. Duff (N.Z. manager of It. K. 0. Radio) ; and J. Stewart (secretary of tho N.Z. Film Managers’ Assn.). Messrs. -Will Keany; O. -Smith and Fountain, of the Gisborne office,.briefly welcomed the delegates. During the day interestmig addresses were given, and as questions were invited and answered by the speakers at the conclusion of each, much information was enpailed to •tho managers. The addresses yesterday were as follow Accounting, by Mr J. Haisinan; the distribution side oif the Industry, by Mr Mark Tourney, Wellington manager for Fbx Films, Ltd.; the treatment of deafened patrons,, by Mr V. Olouston; newspaper, advertising, by Mr R. J. Eastwood; commercial-art, by Mr T. G. Johns'; trials of a. booker, by Mr Colin. Smith; the training of! theatre staffs, by Mr F. T. Kerridge; projection from a manager’s standpoint, by Mr J. Tennant; the legitimate stage, by Mr Will B. Keany; and interviews vvitli interesting cinema folk, 'by Mr If. Darby. . •

At 'intervals duriitg the. day the convention adjourned to witness trade screenings of “Romeo and Juliet” starring Norman Shearer, and Leslie Howard; and “Born ’to Dance,” featuring Eleanor Powell. / ... P ’ ’

The convention continued in the evening, when a., large number of remits brought forward by the Amrious managers, Avere discussed in tictail.

The convention.'will resume at 0 o’clock this morning, . and will continue until ; 5.15 p.nv. I* urthor addresses on. subjects of interest to tho industry. Avill be delivered, and .i n adjournment will, be made during the day for a' trade 'Screening 01, .“Gold Diggers" of 1937.’’ Hi the tvcjiing the managers will be the. guests of A Jr. R. J. Kerridge at dinner at the-Masonic Hotel.