NOTES AND QUERIES
This column is for people seeking help in research projects etc. Entries to the administator

March 13th 2009

A musician looking for a venue…

Hi my name is Sebastiano Genovese I am contacting you because I have an interesting project that is ideal for your venue.

SEB GENOVESE  Guitarist/ Composer

Presents:  Live Music for the silent Movie

Sebastiano Genovese hails from Naples, Italy he is a classical guitarist and Composer, his latest project is “Live Music for Silent movies”.

The 1^st movie he has compiled music and provided accompaniment for is Charlie Chaplins The Kid (1921)

Featuring  composers from Brasil, France, Venezuela & his own compositions. The main inspiration for this project is the composer Anibal Augusto Sardinha (Garoto) (1915-1955) who  is of the same era as Chaplin himself, Garoto’s music weaves in and out of the  drama effortlessly. Chaplin & Garoto as a pair the two share a joyful irony and  at the same time depth of artistry.

Seb Genovese performs solo guitar and provides an exquisite live soundtrack for this classic silent film.

Titles:

GAROTO: Brasil  Tristeza de um violao, Esperanca, Jorge do Fusa, Gente Humilde, Grazioso,Choro Triste 2, Lamentos do Morro, Vivo Sonhando

Ronald Dyens: French:  Tango en Skai

SEB GENOVESE:Italy  Tango de los encuentros,  Tarantella  ieri e domani,

Antonio Lauro :Venezuela:  Vals Venezolano

Villa Lobos:Brasil: Choros No.1

 

Seb Genovese:

contact :07794 172 013

Email: sebgenovese@yahoo.co.uk

www.myspace.com/sebgenovese

 

-oOo-

February 17th 2009

Having only just been connected to the internet and only come across  
your web-site may I ask if you can be of assistance in my research of  
a past Cinema Manager by the name of Albert T C Bridge.

Mr Bridge before the 1st WW was a Manager of the Lozells Roller  
Skating Rink, Erdington, Birmingham, in 1911 or may be a few years  
earlier. He continued there but the roller skating rink at some time  
before the War closed, possibly due to the War or may be the rink  
became a Cinema ?

Unfortunately, I have found no other information on him except the  
date of his death from his death certificate. This was on 23rd  
November 1938. His address being at Glebelands, Cinema Nursing  
Retirement Home ? at Wokington, Berks. His occupation then was –  
retired cinema manager.

I contacted this Retirement Home a little while ago for any  
information but they were not helpful quoting the Data Protection  
Act. All I simply wanted to know was where had he been a Cinema  
Manager from after the 1st World War until he entered the Retirement  
Home.

I have searched the Birmingham Library records of Cinema publications  
in the area with no success but an retired Birmingham ex-cinema  
manager recalled his name vaguely, and thought that he may have  
worked in Nottingham ?

My interest in Mr Bridge is because he was the founder of the  
National Roller Hockey Association in 1904 and was in those days a  
Roller Skating Rink Manager fancy trick roller skater and a former  
roller speed Champion.

Can you please help in this matter.

Your sincerely

Roger Pout, 68, Bognor Drive, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 8QR
Hon Life Member NRHA and Historian,
Gen Sec, Kent County Roller Hockey Association,
Publisher; “The early Years of English Roller Hockey 1885 – 1914″

-oOo-

January 11th 2009- repost

 

 

-0O0-

February 16th 2008 (Updated 11th March)

I am researching Frank (or Francis) Percival, who was a theatre manager in Ashington, Northumberland, up until his death in 1915. Prior to moving to Ashington, he lived in Kirkdale, Liverpool, and is listed on the 1901 census as a theatrical advertising manager in this area.

Prior to this he lived in London where he was apparently employed as an actor. He
was previously known as Francis Rustomjee Patel, but was known by the
surname Percival when living in Liverpool and Ashington. I have not as yet
been able to establish which theatres he was involved with in London,
Liverpool or Ashington, and any information concerning this would be very
much appreciated.

As of 1891 Frank Percival was calling himself Francis Leslie, and his occupation as listed on the census was dramatic agent & actor. He was living in London at this time.

His wife was Frances Mary Spence, who he married in 1892. I am told that
she was an actress who used the stage name ‘Francesca Margarita (or
Margherita) Delvadores’, and after leaving the stage she set up a theatrical
boarding house. However I have found no proof that she was any of these
things and the census only has her listed as a theatre cashier. Any
information on Frances Spence would also be appreciated.

I can be contacted at wyrehill1842@gmail.com

Update: Since submitting the above enquiry, I have discovered that Frank Percival is listed as manager of the Pavilion Picture Palace, Ashington in the 1914 Kelly’s Directory.  I am still interested in any other information anyone may have on him; I can be emailed at wyrehill1842@gmail.com

September 22nd (updated 28/9)

Cinemas and the Sharp brothers from Linden Sharp
My grandfather, Philip Sharp, and his brother (George) Arthur Sharp seem to
have been involved in either managing, and/or owning early cinemas. I found
Arthur Sharp mentioned as managing the first cinema in Manchester, though it
didn’t say which one. He was also associated with cinemas in Birkenhead,
Hereford and maybe Harrogate (where he managed a skating rink in 1909). My
grandfather, Philip Sharp, had a cinema in Reading in 1929. And their
brother, Cuthbert, was said to have been a projectionist before WW1.Does
anyone have any information or records about these men?
Any information to: Linden Sharp [lindensharp@yahoo.co.uk]

or by traditional methods to:

Linden Sharp, 7 Castlereagh Place, Belfast, BT5 4NN Tel: 02890 288 232

August 24th 2006

Mole-Richardson Super 70 lamphouse fitted to the DP70

An email enquiry was received on the web site from a gentleman in Holland who said:-

“I like to address a question that I can’t get answered until now. I own 2 DP70′s that are supposed to be used in a new film-theatre in Eindhoven, Netherlands. In 3 years the theatre in which I work (www.plazafutura.nl) will get a new building. I am the chief-projectionist and I would like to work in the new building with the DP70 as it was made in the Philips factory wich is 200 metres from the place where our new theatre is going to be built.
My question: The DP70s both have a ‘Mole Super Seventy’ lamphouse. Do you have any information concerning these lamphouses and maybe a manual from wich a copy can be made.”

Usually, the answer to such enquiries can be found in the Projected Picture Trust’s archive records. Unfortunately, while they have information about the Mole Richardson/Gaumont Kalee Type 490 Arc Lamp, they do not contain any information about the Super 70.

So, could you say if you have any information – or know where it might be obtained? Pleae reply A C T Webb [infoppt@which.net] and NOT the Mercia web-master or Administrator..

March 9th 2006

From:david@d-poyner.freeserve.co.uk

I am writing to you in the hope that you might be able to shed some light on an early cinema that operated in Highley in Shropshire, from 1913. In that
year on Ernest Copson was granted a cinema licence to show films at a building known as the Gothic Hall in the village. He apparently did some
reconstruction work and opened for business in April. He seems to have left Highley in 1915; in August 1915 the licence was trnasfered to a Mrs Lightfoot.

Recently Mr Copson’s grandson, now living in Kent, has sent a picture of what he thinks is his grandfather standing outside his cinema in Highley.
This is attached. As far as I can tell from the posters, the picture is probably taken in the summer of 1915; they seem to feature Chaplain when he
was at Ennanoy Studios, which I believe was after November 1914. Thus it could easily be of Mr Copson, shortly before he left Highley. However, there
is a problem. A photo exists of a cinema in Prees Heath, also in Shropshire, taken in World War 1, showing a building with an identical facade.

The family are not aware that Mr Copson was ever at Prees Heath. I wonder if the facade of the cinema was of a standard type, adopted by a number of
cinema owners. This would explain the existence of apparently identical buildings some 40 miles apart from each other. The alternative is that there
is some confusion in the family history and that Mr Copson did manage the Prees Heath Cinema for a period and that the picture shows him outside this
building. I wonder if anyone within your group can shed any light on this matter for me?

March 5th 2006

Any Information? Sussex Cinema Architect – Peter Dulvey Stonham I am researching an Eastbourne architect who designed several cinemas in
Sussex and beyond. Peter D. Stonham designed cinemas in Worthing 1914, Margate 1914, Northampton (De Luxe) 1914, Bognor 1919, Chichester 1920, Eastbourne 1920 and Haywards Heath 1931. He also drew up plans for a Coliseum cinema in Eastbourne 1914 and a similar building was planned in New Theobolds Road, London, (ever built?). He was helped by his brother Arthur D Stonham, who acted as Company Secretary for some of these schemes.
My information is pretty hit and miss, so if any one has any information about the Stonhams, or these and other cinemas by them, I would really
appreciate hearing from you. Many thanks. (Canon) Tony Delves, Goldthorpe Presbytery Lockwood Road Goldthorpe Rotherham SE3 9JY 01709 898426 ajd@delwood.plus.com.

February 10th2006

Query:
Johannesburg Plaza from Edward Joffe [screenscene@hotmail.com]

I am looking for details of the PLAZA CINEMA, Rissik Street, Johannesburg, South Africa. It was the place where I and many other kids were sent on
Saturday mornings to get us out of parental hair and where we watched Flash Gordon and Zorro serials and loads of stuff including “B” westerns, Bud
Abbott & Lou Costello et al.
There used to be a regular comic book exchange market outside the building every week, even when it rained as the cinema marquee overhung the pavement.

I think it was an art deco building but nowhere near as impressive as the posher cinemas (or bioscopes as they are still called by S Africans…) like
the Colloseum (sic!) or the Empire or MGM.

Any help members can offer will be greatly appreciated to 81 Saltram Crescent, Maida Vale, London W9 3JS

December 31st 2005

From: gay pirrie-weir [mailto:pirrie-weir@thanksgiving.demon.co.uk]
Sent: 29 December 2005 14:25
To: Mervyn.Gould@virgin.net
Subject: help, please

Hello
I found your details surfing Google, on a post Christmas trawl to try to find out something about my maternal grandfather, who died many years before I was born, maybe at the beginning of the war. Family legend has it that he ran cinemas or theatres in the north east of England before meeting my grandmother and running away south with her.
My mother’s maiden name was Olga Barron-Sandy (spelled in a variety of ways, depending on the source) and his first name was Van. My grandfather and grandmother were not married, so I really don’t know which, if either, name, came from him, though he seems to have been called Van Barron.
Do you know of any reference sources I might research to find out more.
Many thanks
Gay Pirrie -Weir

December 29th 2005

Dear Sirs,

I have obtained your details from the internet and am writing to establish if you can assist or at least point me in the right direction.

I have purchased Ashorne Hall in Ashorne Warwickshire which includes the old Nickelodeon Theatre. Regrettably, I have no use for the theatre now and plan to covert the building into offices. However, before I do I was enquiring if any of the internal part of the theatre would be of any interest to you or
your members. All of the free standing items have been removed, however a grand balcony (seats circa 30 people) the ceiling (which I understand was
reclaimed itself from a 1950′s theatre) and some specific architraves will become victims of builder’s demolition unless a home can be found.

I do have photographs of the items if you are interested but, even if you are not, would be appreciative of you suggesting a society or other
organisation that might be.

Kind regards

David Cooper

December 2005

Crewe, Nantwich, and Burton-on-Trent from Mervyn Gould (details on contact page)

I am compiling a history of Crewe and Nantwich cinemas, to be published next year, hopefully, by the Mercia Cinema Society, in our A5 Cinema History booklet series.
I have opening photographs of the Odeon, and the souvenir brochure, and some knowledge of the Lyceum (then the Crewe Theatre) as a start.
Also, I am well into the history of cinema history of Burton-on-Trent, and use this opportunity to ask for anyone to add to this.
I would be interested to hear from anyone with knowledge and stories of, or photographs of, the buildings or the staff involved. Any material would be
copied and returned, and acknowledged in the eventual publication.

Thank you in advance.