- Détails
- Création : 19 mai 2024
- Mis à jour : 9 janvier 2026
- Publication : 19 mai 2024
- Affichages : 1503
George Robson BEAUMONT
(Londres, 1871->1930)
Jean-Claude SEGUIN
2
Les origines (1871-1895)
Dans le début des années 1890, George Robson Beaumont est employé dans une usine de génie électrique où il travaille comme électricien :
Previous to going to Newcastle I was engaged in a large electrical engineering factory, and was employed chiefly in the manufacture of electrical instruments.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
Il travaille par la suite à Newcastle-upon-Tyne dans celle de MM. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co où il s'occupe de la fabrication de canons lourds :
I was engaged in most important work in connection with the manufacture of heavу guns in the factory of Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co.,o., Ltd.,., Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
Le Cinématographe (1896-1906)
C'est alors qu'il est à Newcastle-upon-Tyne que George R. Beaumont entend parler des projections cinématographiques qui ont lieu à l'Empire Theatre de Londres, sans doute au printemps 1896 :
I had read of a most marvellous show then being given at the Empire Theatre, London, in which it was said that life motion had been attained by a series of photographs, and that some wonderfully contrived mechanism was used in the production and reproduction of these snapshots.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
Peu après [1897], il est engagé comme chef électricien par les directeurs de la Modern Marvel Co. d'Edimbourg :
[...] and a fortnight later I was in Edinburgh to meet the directors of the Modern Marvel Co., Ltd., who were advertising for a chief electrician.
[...]
"Well, from amongst some 80 applicants for the position, I was engaged, and I need hardly say that, having sole charge of two of the greatest scientific novelties of the day-viz., the cinematograph and the X Rays apparatus, I toured Scotland apparatus, I toured Scot for many months with complete success.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
Cette entreprise, fondée en 1897, exploite un appareil cinématographique, le Zoegraph et offre des projections animées en Angleterre. L'un de ses principaux animateurs sera Thomas James West :
- Is not that," I interrupted, "the company who are responsible for the introduction of pictures at the Shaftesbury Hall, with Mr. T. J. West as general manager?"
- "The very same," said Mr. Beaumont, "Mr. West joined the company later.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
En [1898], il est engagé comme opérateur par l'Edison Royal Vitascope Co. de Londres. Il va par la suite développer une activité de chercheur et déposer plusieurs brevets avec la collaboration de George William Brown. Le premier (GB 16302 du 13 septembre 1900) concerne un appareil de projection, "l'historyscope" qui permet de projeter des vues animées et des vues fixes :
nº 16302. 13th September, 1900. George William Brown and George Robson Beaumont. The historyscope- an apparatus for showing or exhibiting motion photographs, framed and bordered with a stereoscopic frame.
The Optical Magic Lantern Journal, Vol. II, nº 138, novembre 1900, p. 151.
Dans la foulée, deux perfectionnements sont déposés : Covering Lantern Slides (GB19.487 du 31 octobre 1900) et un "Improvements in and connected with kinematographs and magic lanterns." (nº 22981 15th December, 1900). Quelques semaines plus tard, il se lance dans l'exploitation de son appareil rebaptisé pour l'occasion "Biolograph" :
WANTED, Known, the Biolograph (Reg.)
The Poetry of Motion-Photography. Invented by Mr. G. R. Beaumont. Co-inventor of the Stereo-Bloview at Empire, Leicester-square. Ready Monday first with a Production of Moving Art Pictures on a System which will Eclipse anything ever attempted in the Word. Adress Mr. G. R. Beaumont, 37, Buckingham-road, Dalston, N.
The Era, Londres, 23 mars 1901, p. 29
Il se présente alors comme le responsable de la "British Biolograph Company". Il propose des projections de vues animées avec le Biolograph au Sadler's Wells de Londres (avril-août 1901), à l'Alhambra Theatre d'Attercliffe (avril), aux Winter Gardens de Bournemouth (été). Il évoque ainsi ses différents séjours dans cette ville :
In fact, my show is to remain at the Winter Gardens as a permanent attraction. During my stay in Bournemouth I have been busily engaged constructing new picture stories, which will eventually find their way to the public through my film producing branch of the business in London. Hereare some negatives of new pictures," continued Mr. Beaumont. "These were taken and developed at my temporary laboratory in Bournemouth; and as one who has more than a 'nodding acquaintance' with the tastes of the public (having held the sole managerial reins at one of the largest provincial houses of entertainment), I have little doubt but that prints from these will convulse many an audience."
"Illustrated Interviews, nº 5. A Chat with a Leading Operator", The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal", samedi 15 octobre 1905, p. 272.
Puis, il est de retour à Londres, au Surrey Theatre (septembre 1901) et à Attercliffe (septembre). Il donne également des séances à Forfar (juin 1902) et Arbroath (juillet), en Écosse, peut-être son mariage àvec Gertrude, Lilian, Mary Cray.
C'est en 1902 que le nom "Biolograph disparaît de la presse. À Sheffield, en avril, il n'est plus question que d'"animated pictures", puis de "Historigraph" (parfois Historiograph ou historagraph, qui pourraient être des coquilles). À la fin de l'année, George R. Beaumont prend en charge l'Alhambra Theatre of Varieties d'Attercliffe où il organise des spectacles dont font partie les projections animées. Il rester manager du théâtre jusqu'en avril 1904. Selon certains programmes, il semble que George R. Beaumont a pu tourner des vues locales :
ATTERCLIFFE
[...]
ALHAMBRA THEATRE OF VARIETIES.-General Manger, Mr. G. R. Beaumont.- [...] and the Alhambra pictures, which include events of local interest.
The Era, Londres, 31 janvier 1903, p. 8.
En 1905, on le retrouve aux Winter Gardens de Bournemouth avec un "New Bioscope". Vers cette même année, il produit des films parlants pour la société Gaumont :
He made, booked and exhibited Gaumont talking pictures just 25 years ago.
London Daily Chronicle, Londres, vendredi 3 janvier 1930, p. 13.
George R. Beaumont continue, en outre, à développer ses activités de chercheur :
AN invention of an invaluable kind has been perfected by Mr. George R. Beaumont, late manager of the Alhambra, Sheffield, and now of Bournemouth. It is called the Solar Kinematographe, and is an instrument which allows sufficient daylight to pase through its optical system and the photographic ribbon to display a moving scene clearly on a screen placed in the shade in broad daylight. The machine can also be used indoors at night with an artificial illuminant. Patents have been applied for.
The Era, Londres, 19 mai 1906, p. 22.
Et après... (1907->1930)
Dans les années qui suivent, George R. Beaumont va continuer à exploiter son cinématographe, en particulier à Bournemouth. En outre, il va occuper une place plus importante au sein de la New Bioscope Co. dont il va devenir le directeur sans doute avant 1910 :
PRESENTATION TO A MANAGER
Mr. G. R. Beaumont, manager for the New Bioscope Co., Newcastle, who has been appointed by the same firm to a responsible position at their London depot, and is leaving the city for the south this week, has been presented by his friends and admirers with a gold watch, suitably inscribed. The presentation was made at a dinner held at he Woolpack Inn, Newcastle, the chair being occupied by Mr. H. H. Woods. During the evening songs and speeches were made by Messrs Cade Burnett, H. Ward, O. Simpson, "T. T. Mac," [S.] H. Woods, Strother Stewart, and Dr. Fortune. Mr O. Simpson presided at the piano.
Newcastle Journal, Newcastle, vendredi 19 août 1910, p. 6.
À cette époque, George R. Beaumont est recensé à Londres (recensement 1911). Sous sa direction, la New Bioscope Trading Company propose une nouveau projecteur, le "Dreadnought" :
BRITISH BUILT BY BRITISH LABOUR.
One of the best and cheapest British-built projectors on the market is the ‘‘ Dreadnought,” manufactured by the New Bioscope Trading Company. Mr. George R. Beaumont, the genial manager of this progressing concern, tells us that the sales of the splendid machine are increasing rapidly, and it would certainly repay every one who is in want of a really reliable machine to get into immediate touch with the firm.
The Bioscope, jeudi 29 août 1912, p. 13.
The Era, Londres, 1er janvier 1910, p. 42.
Il édite à la même époque une brochure sur les différents appareils de la New Bioscope :
Mr. Geo Beaumont, manager of the New Bio., has just issued a capital little brochure, containing valuableinformation to the Trade, describing the innumerable useful accessories supplied by the firm. This will be supplied free to applicants.
Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 10 octobre 1912, p. 20.
Au début de l'année 1913, George R. Beaumont présente sa démission comme manager de la New Bio Trading Company :
Mr. Geo. R. Beaumont tells me that he has tendered his resignation as general manager of the New Bio Trading Company.
Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 16 janvier 1913, p. 5.
Au courts des années 1913-196, George R. Beaumont va occuper la place de directeur générale de la "London Bioscope Co." :
SHEERNESS-Co-operative Hall. Lessees. The London Bioscope Co.; General-Manager, Mr. G. R. Beaumont.
The Era Almanack and Annual 1913.
Il se trouve alors à Newcastle où il dirige un cinéma. Il est également condamné pour ne pas s'être conformé aux dispositions relatives aux salles de cinéma :
PICTURE HALL MANAGED FINED.-At the Newcastle Police Court, George Robson Beaumont, picture hall manager, was charged with having failed to compty with the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, requiring a statement of male employes of military age to be prepared and posted up.-For the prosecution, it was stated that defendant had employed a man named William Polson, aged 23, as an operator at the Grainger Street Picture House. Polson was, on February 24, arrested on leaving the picture hall on a charge of having stolen a motor cycle. He had represented to Mr Beaumont that he was a wounded soldier, and defendant thought that by employing him he was doing him a benefit.-The accused was fined 20s.
Newcastle Journal, Newcastle, samedi 31 mars 1917, p. 4.
Deux ans plus tard, à Sunderland, il dirige une autre salle :
Mr. G. R. Beaumont, well known in film circles in the four Northern counties, has been appointed manager of the Roker Theatre, Sunderland.
The Bioscope, jeudi 12 juin 1919, p. 81.
La famille de George R. Beaumont figure dans le recensement de 1921 (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), mais lui n'y est pas. Par la suite, il semble avoir été directeur d'une autres salle à Bishop Auckland :
" Reveille " Exploited
The King's Hall, Bishop Auckland, enjoyed one of the most successful weeks in its history when "Reveille" was shown during Christmas week. The manager, G. R. Beaumont, spent a good deal of time and money on the exploitation of the picture which was announced several weeks in advance, and at the commencement of the run the front of the building was gaily decorated with flags and posters. A man in the garb of a Chelsea pensioner gave out throwaways at the entrance, and the residents were circularised with handbills. The showing was preceded by an excellent musical prologue. A Union Jack was raised in front of the screen, and the leading bass vocalist of the local amateur operatic society in soldier's dress sang "The Trumpeter." A soprano singer sang "Keep the Home Fires Burning" and other patriotic songs, and the orchestra, between the renderings, played many wellknown war time melodies, effects being introduced. All the local councillors and officials were invited, and also the Auckland branch of the British Legion.
Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 8 janvier 1925, p. 81.
Quelques années plus tard, il dirige une autre salle à West Hartlepool :
G. R. Beaumont has been appointed manager at the Hippodrome, West Hartlepool, a hall controlled by the Grand Empire Theatres, Ltd., of Glasgow.
The Bioscope, mercredi 25 septembre 1929, p. 22.
Les dernières informations concernant George R. Beaumont datent de 1930 alors qu'il vient d'envoyer un courrier au London Daily Chronicle :
The Big Screen.
I have received a very interesting letter from George R. Beaumont, of the Hippodrome, West Hartlepool, with regard to the coming of the wide screen. Mr. Beaumont has been in the film world since films began.
He made, booked and exhibited Gaumont talking pictures just 25 years ago.
Thirty years ago he presented stereoscopic pictures at the Empire.
Mr. Beaumont refers in his letter to the article from ‘“ The Daily Chronicle *’ Correspondent in San Francisco, regarding the inventions of Leon Douglass, and gives me sufficient details to prove that he invented a series of lenses on the Douglass principle ten years ago.
Mr. Beaumont complains that he cannot get a hearing from British film producers.
I shall make it my duty to show his letter to all those producers who ought to be interested in such an invention, since there is nothing more certain than that, by another year, the big screen will be as generally in use as talking pictures are to-day.
London Daily Chronicle, Londres, vendredi 3 janvier 1930, p. 13.
Sources
"Illustrated Interviews, nº 5. A Chat with a Leading Operator", The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal", samedi 15 octobre 1905, p. 271-273.
"Pictures at the Winter Gardens. How the are produced. Cinematograph Mysteries. An interesting interview with Mr. G. Robson Beaumont", Bournemouth Graphic, jeudi 12 avril 1906, p. 239.
