Le Cinematograph de Thomas James West (County Hall, 18-25 août 1902)

Le Cinematograph de Thomas James West fonctionne au County Hall en août.

The Salisbury Times, Salisbury, vendredi 15 août 1902, p. 5.

La presse locale consacre un long article aux films du couronnement :

CORONASCOPE.
EXHIBITION OF CORONATION PICTURES.
The wonders science have been well brought home to Salisbury folk this week by the visit Mr. T. J. West, with his “Imperial Coronascope,’’— under which title lurks our old friend the cinematograph, or living pictures magic lantern. The name has no doubt been suggested by the fact that the chief set of pictures in a splendid series represents scenes at the Coronation at Westminster Abbey, not quite fortnight ago. The set is magnificent. First of all the procession is seen coming down the Mall on to the parade ground at Horse Guards. Troops of every description, home and colonial, go past four abreast. There are officers of foreign armies and native princes, but the long military panorama moving along between the lines of infantry under the trees never grows monotonous. Finally, there is strong escort of life guards in shining armour, and then, preceded by the Yeomen of the Guard, and drawn by the famous grey horses, gaily caparisoned, the royal coach goes by—the whole being more like a picture from fairy land than anything to be seen in London streets in these dull days. The next picture is taken from the front of Whitehall, and shows the procession surging through the quaint at the archway at the Horse Guards into the broad thoroughfare leading to Westminster. The buildings form a most appropriate background. Another scene shows the big-wigs arriving at the Abbey, coroneted peers stepping daintily along in their extraordinary attire, peeresses gorgeously apparelled, etc. Another rich scene is that in which the choir and clergy moved into the Abbey with the royal regalia, and finally there was the procession returning at a trot. Every time the royal coach appeared there was a great outburst of applause, for his Majesty and his Consort could be seen inside. Lord Roberts too, who rode solus along the route was accorded great reception. The whole thing was realistic that one is tempted to ask why anybody should go to London and pay fortune for a seat, or stand for hours in immense crowd, to see a sight of which a few days later a reproduction can be seen in one’s own town at little expense and without fatigue. Sound and colour are of course wanting, but in time these will undoubtedly be added. Were it not necessary to get the films shown before the novelty even of a Coronation has worn off the appropriate colours could be laid cleverly enough.
This was abundantly manifest in the five tableaux showing the story of "The Prodigal Son.” Mr. West regards this as a master-piece of colour work, and so indeed it proved. The delicate films were coloured by hand, and yet they showed no fault of manipulation when magnified immensely on the screen.
Other views shown were of a most instructive character. There was a long trip on the grand canal at Venice, showing the palaces, markets, bridges, and business life of the city. Then the ruins of Pompeii were explored and the work of excavating the remains of the ancient town witnessed. Vesuvius was shown smouldering in the distance. The flight and destruction of the Severo’s air-ship in Paris was cleverly shown, and further interesting series included scenes at the reception of Lord Kitchener at Southampton, the review of Colonials and of Indian troops by the Queen. There were some war pictures and many clever comic and descriptive general scenes, none being more popular than that in which a returned soldier recovers his mother from the Workhouse.
As the films were rolled off appropriate pianoforte music was contributed by Mr. T. N. Lax. Mr. Mattie Cheshire gave a humorous musical entertainment, which greatly delighted the audience.
Since Monday fresh scenes have been added, bringing the historic side of the show up-to-date. The pictures now include the scenes of the landing at Southampton of the Boer Generals, the set being very popular.
Further exhibitions will be given in the County Hall at eight o'clock this evening, and at three and eight to-morrow. The entertainment is one to which we can, without any hesitation whatever, cordially recommend patronage. It is full of delight and instruction from end end. The booking arrangements are in the hands of Mr. Brinsmead, of Queen Street.

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The Salisbury Times, Salisbury, vendredi 22 août 1902, p. 7.