Evening Despatch from Birmingham, West Midlands, England • 7

EVENING 5 ITSVETBBEETISSE BRYANT SON GRAND OPENING OF The RITZ Cinema BORDESLEY GREEN 7th NOVEMBER 1927 Builders and Contractors SMALL NEATH BIRMINGHAM Maters anVANT 'PHOM1 I VICTORIA) Ml i a BRYANT A 120-131 siiBMauinnaHfiiiiuMiiiuNtiHiHM(M maNiiaaiMiianaaaaaiaaiiuntaiaaaa laAHlalaaMaaaalalaaaaaaaBaaaaaaiallaaaaaaaaNalaaaaaaaaallaallalBaaNaN iMaimnmiS Contractors for Latest SUPER BORDESLEY GREEN EAST GU1LDSTONE FIBROUS PLASTER GUILDSTUC AND DECORATIONS AT THE RITZ CINEMA BY 1 SHAFTS Gill DESIGNERS CRAFTSMEN IMPERIAL HOUSE CHARLOTTE ST BIRMINGHAM and well modelled mouldings and cornice forma a dignified and imprassiva feature and provides just the right emphasis required to direct attention to the main entrance The walls of the vestibule ere tastefully finished in Guildstuc to match the stone dressings employed throughout the main facade and in quiet harmony with the beautiful terrazzo floor Ticket issuing offices are self-contained and planned with due regard for the convenience of patrons Passing through swing doors from the vestibule into the lounge hall visitors are impressed at once by the unique and Wautiiul decorations The hall is skilfully planned and well arranged the entrances to pit and balcony being conveniently placed to avoid confusion From its beautiful marble floor to the crown of its wonderful domed ceiline this apartment typifies the exceptional care which has been devoted to moulding every detail into its appropriate place in the main scheme of decoration The treatment adopted is frankly modern and strikes nn entirely new note The fibrous plasterwark details are refreshingly original and remarkably effective whilst the colour decorations are gay and brilliant and the electric light fittings a notable success Conceived in a care-free spirit of oar- speoially designed to harmonise with the decorations The Bitz has cost approximately £36000 and a word of praise is due to the principal contractors for the admirable and expeditious manner in which the work has been carried out Messrs Bryant and Son builders and contractors cf Whitmore-road Small Heath who were responsible for the building of the Bite have long specialised in the erection cf cinemas and Air new house forms an addition to the list of successful achievements The planning and execution of the elaborate and artistic scheme of interior decoration has been ably carried out by the Allied Arts and Crafts Guild Charlotte-street Birtningham under the personal supervision of Captain Finer Their contract included the provision and fixing of Guildstone fibrous plaster work decorations electrio light shades and Guildstuc" The construction and decoration of the impoaing entrance hall was entrusted to two well-known Birmingham firms specialising in work of that description Messrs Marbello Ltd and the Marble Arts and Allied Crafts The former supplied the Terrazzo and Marbello floors and the latter were responsible for the glazed tiles and marble entrance work That well-known firm of furnishing IN the arts and crafts Birmingham has always occupied a prominent position That in cinema construction the city can at leant hold its own with London and the leading provincial cities will be demonstrated to the publio on Monday evening next when the latest and most palatial cinema The Ritz Bordes-ley Green East will be opened by Sir Pereival Bower The ideal the promoters had in view was to construct in the rapidly growing district of Bordeslev Green the idpal cinema in which the latest and best screen productions will be shown accompanied by musical programmes of the highest etan-dard Those who visit The Ritz next week will need little if any assurance that that high ideal has been attained No cinema is complete to-day unless it is so designed as to provide accommodation for the parking of motor-cars and cycles of visitors from a distance In this respect The Bitz is not lacking for free parking space for 500 cars has been provided The seating capacity of The Eitz ig 1550 while there is also standing room in the circle and stalls promenades for another 400 patrons The auditorium will accommodate 1150 people while the luxurious balcony or circle bolds 400 Contractors tor Masonry Plumbing Joinery Decorating Shopfitting etc etc Rocomt Works Several BANKS Numerous HOUSES Several CINEMAS Several FACTORIES Several CHURCH ROOMS Several SHOPS and EMPORIUMS and Additions to HOSPITAL LITTLE BROMWICH HOSPITAL OONTRAOIOU OUlklC HBALTH DIPT (City at BlianO PARKS DEPT Da MUNICIPAL BANK NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK LM BARCLAYS BANK Ltd MIDLAND BANK Ltd MIDLAND Ud EtO tte INQUIRIES SOLICITED a mMiiNimaiimiHiiMiMmMMiHHiaiiaimiaMiiiii P1NCH1N JOHNSON CO LTD KING EDWARDS PLACE BROAD STREET The Ritz is a Cinema appropriately decorated with two of Pinchin Finishes HYGEIA FLAT WALL FINISH SATINETTE ENAMEL These decorations will speak for themselves Insist on your decorators using PJ SUPER FINISHES for your own homes ESTABLISHED 1909 Lighting and Heating Co Ld BIRMINGHAM MID 3070 REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AND SPECIALISTS Five been responsible for the self-contained Electrical installation in this Theatre This consists of two 55 hp Crude Oil Engines with two Generators for the lighting of the Hall and two for the projectors The special feature of the lighting is the colour changing scheme by which it is possible to com pletely alter the colours of all the decorations Demonstrations can be given at our office by appointment Another feature is the outside lighting and signs in which are fitted over 550 Electric Lamps Mm Sfe mmr HYGEIA FLAT WALL FINISH SATINETTE ENAMEL GRIPON SUPER PAINT DEYDOL DISTEMPER GRIPON SUPERVAR 5 SUPER FINISHES A new era in the interior illumination of cinemas dawns with the novel and effective system adopted at the Ritz The wizardry of electricity is vividly demonstrated by the installation of the Holo-phane Duo-Phantom lighting system Thin is only one instance in which patrons will bs convinced that the promoters have imaiiNinaiiiij sm SpSi Sj fx COX ENGINEERING Co Ltd Supplied 2 Low Pressure Crude Oil Engines (By FIELDING PLATT) and also Installed the Complete Power Plant for the Ritz Cinema QpBIBBBBMIBPBRBIMUNMIBniNMpBMBBMK nival the fibrous plasterwork is alive with interest There is an air of fantasy in the treatment of the varied details which accords with the daring of its rich and gorgeous colour scheme The modelled plaster enrichments and colour decorations are augmented by a most remarkable series of painted panels treated in a highly diverting and whimsical manner The lighting units have been designed to harmonise with the decorations and skilfully arranged to enhance the general effect The large fitting suspended from the balcony dome farms a spectacle of fcintillating beauty whilst imposing array of magnificent shades employed to illuminate the main walls are peculiarly appropriate The shadow drama must be supported by an adequate orchestra under capable leadership The importance of this is fully appreciated by the proprietors of The Ritz Cinema who have engaged a first-class band whose efforts will be skilfully directed towards the production of a musical atmosphere appropriate to each ami every picture At one moment the interior of this unique theatre may appear in beautiful shades of refined and delicately blended tones In the twinkling of an eye tho scheme ig changed and the auditorium flooded with rich and glowing colours and throbbing with vitality Instantaneous changes aie by no means compulsory Transitions can bg effected gradually from the full glory of the mid-aay sun to tha pale spleniour of the harvest on aro a'to-gether inadequate tq describe the beauty of this wonder lighting and decorations It must be seen not once but many times to be appreciated The ventilation is exceptionally good and like the lighting with the" assistance of the decorators has been arranged to harmoniso with and assist the general effect of the decorations No description of this cinema would be complete without reference to the beautiful stained glass windows in the auditorium which have been designed in harmony with the main scheme of decorations and are glazed with a special kind of glass exhibiting remarkable colour effects The screen is of larger size than usual front projection is adopted from the operatoyr room situated under the balcony where two of the latest type of machine have been installed The theatre is luxuriously carpeted in harmony with the decorations Seating accommodation is provided for nearly 1600 Every seat in the houae is a tip-up chair of ample size designed to afford exceptional comfort and upholstered in velvet the colour scheme is orange and blue The pelmet and curtains have been specialists Messrs Lee Lomgland and Oo Broad-street supplied and fitted the magnificent and eostly Kidderminster carpets which were specially designed for the Ritz Prominent electrical engineers have complemented the Etna Lighting and Heating Co Ltd 293a Broad-street Birmingham upon the efficient manner in which they have carried through the oontract for the independent electrical installation The Ritz by the way ia the only cinema in Birmingham which generates its own current and is not aejendent upon the Corporation for this all-important adjunot In addition to the private generating station this firm have successfully carried through the difficult task of installing the Holophane lighting sytem The two 55 Imp oil engines were supplied and erected bv the Cox Engineering Oo (Birmingham) Ltd 27 Newtown-row Birmingham The extensive contract for supplying and laying the asplialte flooring etc has been carried through by the Asphalte and Cement Co Ltd Commercial-street Birmingham The whole of the special paints enamels etc used in the decoration of the Ritz were supplied by Messrs Pincliin Johnson and Co Broad-street Birmingham The chairs pelmet and curtain were supplied by Messrs Turner aid Co of King's Heath The Ritz Is now complete and awaits the attendance of the public The directors have secured the services of Mr Louis Lingard as manager A man possessing a long experience of successful cinema management and one of the most popular men in the business locally Mr choice is an excellent cue As musical director in charge of the Ritz orchestra of 10 accomplished instrumentalists Mr Devey has chosen Mr Harold Jackson late of the Capitol Ward End Tha importance of providing patrons with a first-class film programme has not been overlooked A in the construction equipment and furnishing of the Ritz no expense has been to secure fr patrons the finest productions forthcoming from British and American studios at the earliest possible date The Ritz which will be opened by Alderman Sir Pereival Bower on Monday evening will start its career with an all British programme The features of this will be the New Era production "Nelson" and The lYiumph of The Rat" starring Ivor Novello A varied and interesting series of musical interludes which will form a regular feature of the Ritz programmes have also been arranged the world to install at an enormous cost this wonder of electricity whereby the building can be transformed into a fairyland of endless changing colour With the development by the Birmingham Corporation and private enterprise of Batchelors' Farm and other estates in the Bordesley Green and Stechford areas Mr William Devey of 19 Park-avenne Handsworth realised that this winter well over 10000 residents would find themselves unprovided jvith cinema entertainment in the immedlWe vicinity of their homes A shrewd business man possessing long experience of the entertainment business Mr Devey sought a suitable site whereon to build a cinema to meet this assured public demand At the junction of the new Bordesley Green East-road and the proposed extension of Eastfield-road running into Stechford he secured an excellent corner site upon which he could build an up-to-date cinema The site having been secured a company The Bitz Cinema (Birmingham) Ltd was formed to carry out the scheme which received the provisional approval of the Birmingham Justices in September 1926 Mr Devey who is managing director of the Wineon Green Picture House the Ashted-row Picture House and joint managing director of tho Empress Cinema itton is chairman and managing director ef the Ritz Cinema (Birmingham) Ltd The other members of the directorate are Messrs Devey Devey A McGeoch McGuire Hurley Robinson and Shakeshaft The designing of a oinema calls for special and expert knowledge and among Birmingham architects who have specialised in this direction few have had a more successful career than Mr Hurley Robinson FRIBA of 174 Corpora tion-etreet Birmingham Desirous of making the Ritz tlie ideal picture house Mr Devev therefore sought the assistance of Mr Hurlev Robinson in designing and executing his latest scheme This nouse sets an entirely new standard in theatre design The principal elevation is extremely effective in brick cleverly enhanced with Guildstone dressings and cornice The corner pile with its massive Guildstone pillars i' Chairs as installed in the Rtlz Cinema also fitted Pelmet and Curtain the only one of its kind in the country made of Artificial Silk of beautiful design in fire colours Have been responsible for the fitting up of 69 Theatres in Birmingham and 850 in the British Isles WE ENQUIRIES FROM THE AUTHORISED BIRMINGHAM SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEWTOWN ROW BIRMINGHAM Central S36 TURNER CO LTD York Road Heath Birmingham Asphalte Cement Co Ltd (LATE ASPHALTIC LIMESTONE CONCRETE CO) Contractors and Manufacturers of MASTIC ASPHALTE FOR ROOFS DAMPCOURSE FLOORS ROADS etc Contractor for Tarred Slag Derbyshire Limestone Paving for school playgrounds footpaths tennis courts roads etc Bitumen Paint Mastic for Laying Wood Blocks Bitumen and Box Compound for Electrical purposes Commercial Street Birmingham Telephone Midland 1347 1 i THE RITZ! THE RITZ! THE RITZ! BORDESLEY GREEN EAST TEL VICTORIA 1070 Managing Mr Devey Licensee and Manager Louis Lingard When visiting the Cinema forget your THE MOST MAGNIFICENT CINEMA IN THE MIDLANDS GRAND OPENING By Alderman Sir Pereival Bower MBE JP BRILLIANT PROGRAMME Monday Next 7th November AT 6-30 PM SUPERB ORCHESTRA 9 Rowntree Mi wiMMiwimm i A Great and Inspiring British Production 1 NMiiBaiimtiain aaanaiMBaaiaiaaiiMiaaimiaiiaMmmatiimaiii I In addition (For this occasion) TRIUMPH I I )1 I 1 1 I i 1 I 1 SaiaaaitMaiaNaaiaaai 1 1 I I I I 1 I I I I i -1 mntaniaaaaaawaaal I "Dm firat Cinema in the World to instal at enormous cost THE DUO-PHANTOM LIGHTING llOVvllJr SYSTEM (Wizardry of electricity) A fairyland of endless changing colour 2S8 CHOCOLATES GUMS OR PASTILLES Prices of Admission 13 1- 8d and 6d HOW TO GET TO THE RITZ 12 Car from High Street stops at the door No 15 Stechford passes within two minute Outer and Inner Circle Bute pass within a few minutes Parking space for cars free of charoa I.