PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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PICTUREDROME When a new licence was issued in 1911 for the Wycliffe Hall in St John's Road at Cattedown, Plymouth, it was issued to Mr E A Conybeare in the name of the Picturedrome. Only advert, at the end of 1911, has so far been traced for this 150-seater cinema. It announced "Life on the OXO Cattle Farm” as being 'one of many interesting items at The Electric Theatre, St John's Road'. Even the owner seems to have been uncertain as to the correct name for his premises. In January 1912 its licence was issued to Mr Harry Walker of 35 Prospect Place in Plymouth and in March 1913 it was transferred to Mr William Christopher Smith. What may have been the first local prosecution of a licensee for offences under the Cinematograph Act 1909 was brought before the Plymouth Petty Sessions on Tuesday February 17th 1914. On January 20th 1914 the assistant building surveyor to the Council, Mr Ernest Carder, had inspected the premises following the application for the renewal of the licence. As a result, Mr Smith found he had three charges to answer: 'Having an exit door in the building secured other than by automatic bolts'; 'Using a cinematograph apparatus without having each opening in the front face of the enclosure fitted with a screen of fire-resisting material which could be released both inside and outside the enclosure so that it automatically closed'; and 'Using film boxes which were not fitted with a film slot so constructed as to prevent that passage of flame to the interior of the box'. Answering the charges, Mr Smith said that he was surprised there was another bolt on the door. He assumed that one of his assistants must have fastened it as children had discovered that by pushing open the door they could let in others without paying. There were two other exits in the hall. The reason the film boxes were open was that a new film had just been put in before the inspector called. The second charge was not apparently answered. The prosecution intimated that they did not want a heavy penalty. The justices thought it clear that there had been a breach of the regulations and fined the defendant £2 5s. Mr Sydney Bambridge Mather took over the licence in 1919 and retained it until 1927 when it was taken over by Mr Henry Bambridge Mather. He seems to have fallen foul of the authorities as on December 14th 1932 the Council decided to revoke the licence because the premises did not meet the conditions attached to the licence. The owner decided that it should cease to show films after April 1st 1933.
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