The Murphy Family Era Cinema Screenings Edition Volume One 1907 to 1947 inclusive © 2023-2025 Athenry Town Hall Cinema Athenry Town Hall Cinema
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 2 Figure 1 – Page 1 of a 3 page 1938 letter from Dick Murphy's brother Patrick ‘PJ’ to Dick’s eldest daughter, Patsy Murphy (Walsh), i.e. Mary Walsh Love’s mother. Patsy would have been 16 at this time. PJ is reminiscing about Boyhill House. PJ mentions remembering Dick being born there. PJ had been born in that same house in 1886 and had emigrated to Australia at some point, never to return to Ireland again.
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 3 Figure 2 – Wanda Wiley (1902 – 1987) was a Silent era Movie Star from Texas
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 4 Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry: Volume One This Town Hall Cinema History is dedicated to the Murphy Family of Clarke Street, Athenry Dick & Nora, and their children Patsy, Margie, Joan and Richard 1 By Mary Walsh Love 2 and family – 2023 & 2024 Introduction Richard (Dick) Murphy (1872 – 1945) Dick Murphy was born in Boyhill House in September 1872 and later lived on Clarke Street, Athenry. Hall on Clarke Street was built for Dick Murphy by Thomas Cleary & Sons of Abbey Row, Athenry, circa 1907. The Hall was used for many purposes over the years: as a Dance Hall, for hosting Travelling Drama Companies (Wynne, Kitty Breen, George Mallin, Anew McMaster, Carl Clopet, Ibbs & Pringle etc.), Travelling Cinemashows (Carron Brothers, Leo Caslin, Billy Walsh Talkies, Collins, Walkin etc), hosting Magic Shows (The Great Benyon), Fashion Shows, Auctions, Live Music, Fundraisers, Whist Drives, Fancy Dress Balls, hosting the local Athenry Players, Exhibitions, Blood donations, Féiseanna and Meetings of all sorts. Our primary focus here is its use as a Cinema. 1948-50 Note – While Slideshows and Moving Pictures had been shown in the Hall from the very early days, and of course, the Hall held the requisite Cinematographic Licence, it would appear from the surviving documentation, that the films themselves were more often than not screened by suitably equipped Travelling Picture Companies, and not necessarily by the Murphy Family themselves. In the period following Dick Murphy’s passing in 1945, visiting companies continued screening Cinema Shows in the Hall (e.g. Daniel Ryan and also the Smith family). However, sometime around about late 1948, 3 Nora Murphy began managing the film screenings herself and Dick & Nora’s son, Richard Murphy Jr, began performing the role of projectionist for the Town Hall Cinema. Richard Jr would have been only 16 or 17 years old, at this time. It is certain that Richard Jr was performing this role by 1950, as The Irish Catholic Newspaper, 9th November 1950, page 5, carried a piece, asserting that Richard Jr was “one of the most efficient and certainly the youngest projectionist in 16 mm in this country...” (See page 81 of Volume 2). In terms of the early decades (1908 to 1932), and indeed the final decade (i.e. Autumn 1967 onward), of Murphy Family involvement, it is unfortunately the case that Hall Journals are in short supply, or totally unavailable. 4 Consequently, we have had to depend mainly on alternative sources for info on Hall activities: surviving Scribbled Notes, the Connacht Tribune, the Tuam Herald, Letters, Invoices, Receipts, Posters, Playbills, etc. Consequently, those entries are not as complete as we might like them to be. If we have omitted some activity in the Hall that you have personal knowledge of, it just means we didn’t find any reference to it in the source material available, so could not therefore include it, sorry! Volume 1 attempts to cover cinema screenings in the first 4 decades, or so. 20th April 1896 – Moving images were screened to a paying audience in Ireland, (for the very first time), at Dan Lowrey’s Star of Erin Music Hall, Dame Street, Dublin. (Source: Irish Cinema – An Illustrated History, by Brian McIlroy, © 1988, page 1). 19th May 1906 – Page 4 of The Tuam Herald, 19th May 1906, reported as follows: “The great want of a suitable building for a Town Hall in Athenry has been sorely felt for some time past, and steps were accordingly taken... to procure one.” 1907 – It is reasonably assumed that the Hall was in construction by 1907 and indeed this is corroborated by Joan Murphy’s account (Dick & Nora’s youngest daughter) and also Aggie Qualter’s account. Aggie Qualter, in Athenry – A Local History 1850 – 1983, (the July 1983 edition) states on page 8: “The Town Hall was built by Dick Murphy in 1907. The IRB and Volunteers had it free. Volunteers carried out an intensive training course there under Liam Mellows...” 29th November 1908 – It appears that by late 1908 construction was complete, as the Hall was now in operation, according to the Tuam Herald of 5th December 1908; see page 2, under Gaelic Athletic News, (admittedly this is not directly cinema related but it does clearly show that the Hall was active at this time): “The 41st anniversary of the execution of the Manchester Martyrs was celebrated in Athenry Town Hall on Sunday evening last, under the auspices of the Galway Co Board, GAA.” 1 Cover images include San Francisco (1936), screened in the Hall in June 1938. Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times and Wanda Wiley in Thrilling Romance 2 Mary was Dick & Nora Murphy’s granddaughter, Patsy’s daughter. Sadly, Mary herself passed away in 2023. We have done our best to finish this for Mary. 3 NB: Its possible that Richard Jr took over this role in late December 1948, with the screening of On Stage Everybody (see below), as the Smith family, which had been screening films in the Hall, placed an advert on page 9 of the Connacht Tribune 4th December 1948, saying that they would no longer be involved in the Hall Cinema. Unfortunately we don’t know for certain what the sequence of events was but there is no doubt that Nora began screening the films around this time with the assistance of Richard Jr and the others. 4 We suspect that more films may have been screened in the Hall in the period prior to October 1932 but for which records have not survived
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 5 25th November 1909 – The Cinematograph Act 1909, regulating the Film Industry, is passed. As per page 5 of the Irish Cinema – An Illustrated History, by Brian McIlroy, Published by Anna Livia Press, Dublin 1988: “...1909 saw the passing of the Cinematograph Act by the British Parliament. This demanded that all cinemas be issued with licenses from their local authority.” 20th December 1909 – In the broader context of Irish Cinema, James Joyce (yes, that one!) opened Ireland’s first dedicated Cinema (The Volta Electric Cinema or Cinematograph Volta), at 45 Mary Street, Dublin, on this date: 5 “It often shocks literary purists that James Joyce, the famous author of Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake, was responsible for Ireland’s first cinema, the Volta in Dublin. And although it only lasted a year, the cinema set a precedent for future enterprises.” Quote from page 4 of Irish Cinema – An Illustrated History, by Brian McIlroy Brian McIlroy goes on to say, in relation to Joyce’s Volta Picture Theatre (page 5): “After seven months of operation the Volta closed down and was sold to the Provincial Theatre Company.” To give some flavour of the cinematic experience at this time, the following is extracted from EARLY IRISH CINEMA 1895–1921 by Denis Condon, published by Irish Academic Press, © 2008: “During the initial novelty period of projected moving pictures, spectators went to see a technological wonder that... made photographs of everyday objects move. Devices such as the cinématographe, animatographe, vitascope, biograph and bioscope showed waves breaking on a beach or a train arriving at a station or the scene in a busy street. These film shows formed a recognizable part of established entertainments: they were the latest of the visual novelties that turned up occasionally at fairgrounds and in the popular theatre. They were more popular than most of their kind because the illusion of movement was not limited to the central action: to take a famous instance, that of the train arriving and the passengers alighting, motion extended to such incidental details as smoke billowing from the smokestack and steam rising from the engine. Movement was generalized within the frame in a realistic manner. Projected moving pictures were an improvement on a device that had appeared in Ireland the previous year, the kinetoscope, a machine that made photographic images move but that could only be viewed by one spectator at a time. ...The cinématographe... combined the moving-picture technology of the kinetoscope with the projected-image technology of the magic lantern to produce an instrument that could exhibit animated photographic scenes to large groups of viewers. With the interest that the device generated, it was a bill topping act in the music-hall programme that could completely fill a large theatre with spectators who were willing to pay a shilling for seats (or even standing room) that were normally priced at a third of that amount. The individual films lasted less than a minute each, so that they delivered a burst of images before being replaced by the next of the ten films that were typically shown. Therefore, when the first moving images of Ireland were shown at the Star in early 1897, the fact that they were local films was just one of the reasons that the audience were likely to have found them interesting...1895 ...was the year that the kinetoscope first exhibited moving photographic images to paying audiences in Ireland...” (NB: Brian McIlroy gives 20th April 1896 as the first screening to a paying audience in Ireland, see above for details). 28th & 29th April 1915 – The Connacht Tribune of 24th April 1915, page 8, carried the following advertisement for a touring troupe, featuring Vernonne, visiting the Town Hall on these dates: “Don’t Forget to Visit the Finest Pictures out of London. Also the Great Character Actor, VERNONNE.” It is unclear exactly what fine pictures Vernonne was showing but nonetheless, it is solid evidence of early picture shows in the Hall. It would also appear that Manchester born Vernonne had already visited the Town Hall Galway before his Athenry performances, as the Galway Express 17th April 1915 reported as follows: “...Mr HV Harcourt (Vernonne) sang The Deathless Army splendidly, and was enthusiastically received for his rendering of The Green Eye of the Yellow God. He is an actor of absolute genius, and later in the evening brought 5 The original building was demolished and the site is currently occupied by a Penney’s Department Store. Screenings on the Volta’s opening night included The Tragedy of Beatrice Cenci, a 1909 Silent Italian Film about the life of 16th Century Italian Noblewoman, Beatrice Cenci, played by Maria Caserini Figure 3 – Irish Academic Press © 2008
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 6 down the house when he recited extracts from David Copperfield and the speech of Daniel Pegotty was really brilliant. What a pity Mr Harcourt is not a fixture in Galway...” 6 The Galway Express 24th April 1915 carried an advertisement for Vernonne appearing in Clifden on 24th to 26th April 1915, Athenry on 28th & 29th April 1915 and Ballinasloe on 1st to 7th May 1915 inclusive: “COMEDY, DRAMA, TRAVEL AND THE Latest War Pictures. Magnificent Films – Never shown before. Mr Vernonne carries the finest Fit-up out of London...” The Galway Express 1st May 1915 further reported as follows on Vernonne’s appearances in Clifden and Athenry: “Mr HV Harcourt (Vernonne) had a splendid reception in Clifden, and the Town Hall was crammed on both evenings. The whole entertainment went with great vim, and was thoroughly enjoyed. The picture show was voted the best ever seen in Clifden, and the various songs and recitations given by Mr Harcourt were heartily applauded. On Wednesday and Thursday the performance was given in Athenry before crowded audiences, who were delighted. Miss Agnes Coulter presided at the piano with her usual care and ability in Athenry... Mr Harcourt, at the urgent wishes of the people, has rebooked at both towns for three weeks hence.” The East Galway Democrat newspaper of 1st May 1915 carried an advertisement for Vernonne’s Ballinasloe appearances in May 1915. 12th & 13th May 1915 – Vernonne performed in Athenry Town Hall again, as promised. Connacht Tribune of 1st May 1915, page 4 had carried the following in relation to performances by Mr Vernonne at Athenry and Clifden: “A large audience assembled at the Town Hall, Athenry, on Wednesday and Thursday, and gave Mr Vernonne a very enthusiastic welcome. He has re-booked Athenry for May 12 and 13...7 Mr. Vernonne delighted ...with his first class and up to date pictures, and his own incomparable songs and sketches... Miss Wren very ably presided at the piano.” The East Galway Democrat newspaper of 8th May 1915 gives us further insight into Vernonne’s performances in County Galway: “The pictures exhibited by Mr Vernonne in the Town Hall throughout the week were of a very high order of merit. The subject and their presentation proved conclusively that the proprietor is a very experienced person in his business. The pictures were particularly interesting, and absorbed one’s attention for every moment of the performance. They were of a fine size and very clear. At intervals Mr Vernonne, with an exceptionally fine voice, rendered some songs in perfect style, while his classic sketches were justly appreciated.” It would appear that Mr Vernonne performed across the water as well, as the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 7th June 1916, carried the following on page 3: “Mr. Vernonne gave his humorous and character entertainment last night, to the wounded soldiers in the wards, at the Sheffield Royal Hospital...” In the News Archives, Vernonne (aka Henry Vernon Harcourt, Henry V Harcourt, Henri Vernon, H Vernon Harcourt, HV Harcourt, Vernon Harcourt, Henry Vernonne & Professor Vernonné) is variously described as a Character Actor, 8 Protean Actor, Mimic and Character Vocalist, 9 Impersonator and Character Vocalist, 10 as well as a Society Entertainer & Humorist. 11 The Stage, a UK theatrical publication, recorded as follows on 13th January 1910: “Vernonné, an impersonator, made his appearance in town at Collins, when he scored in some imitations of wellknown characters.” The same edition of The Stage quotes Henry Selwyn, Manager of Collins’ Theatre, Islington Green, as follows: “I can strongly recommend Mr Vernonne’s show. It is thoroughly artistic and a credit to any theatre.” 12th June 1915 – The quotes below, (relating to events in June 1915), are extracted from the Weekly Freeman 1st January 1916, page 10, and Connacht Tribune of 1st January 1916, page 2: “At Athenry Petty Sessions on Friday Stephen Jordan, Athenry was again charged with having been guilty of conduct calculated to prejudice recruiting on June 12 at a picture house performance in the Town Hall, Athenry...” “Evidence was given by Constables Doherty, Stafford, Murphy, Cullinane and Donohue to the effect that on the occasion of an exhibition of pictures they were in the Town Hall and heard the defendant hiss the pictures of King George, Lord Kitchener, and the crowned heads of Allied countries, and cheer pictures of the Kaiser and Turkish troops. Mr R Murphy, proprietor of the Town Hall stated that no lights were thrown, as alleged by the police, from the side 6 Vernonne performed in the Town Hall Galway on Thursday 15th April 1915. The Deathless Army is an 1891 song published by Boosey & Company with lyrics by Frederic E Weatherly and music by H Trotère. “...their gallant swords may broken lie, Their bones may bleach ‘neath an alien sky, But their souls, I know, will never die, They march in a deathless army...” The Green Eye of the Yellow God, is a 1911 dramatic monologue poem by J Milton Hayes. 7 This presumably is referring back to Vernonne’s appearances on 28th & 29th April 1915, as cited above 8 Bedfordshire Advertiser 2nd April 1909 9 Staffordshire Sentinel 12th May 1908 10 Staffordshire Sentinel 12th May 1908 11 Sheffield Daily Telegraph 9th June 1916 and 2nd July 1921
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 7 which would enable the police to identify anyone... Mr L Lardner stated that he attended the entertainment. He did not hear any observations made by the defendant. The pictures were given a mixed reception of cheers and hisses... Mr John Cleary gave corroborative evidence...” NB: Included here as further proof of early screenings in Athenry Town Hall It seems highly probable, based on his June 1915 correspondence (see images at the back of this Volume), that Robert McDonald, Proprietor of the Premier Cinema Swords, screened films in the Hall around about this time: “Would you please be as kind as (to) let me know if it would be possible to rent the Hall from you for Cinema Entertainment, I have good Equipment & would like to get started... if you would entertain the idea, kindly let me know at your earliest convenience & we could arrange terms...” 1916 – Again, in the broader context of Irish Cinema, we can garner more insight from Brian McIlroy’s book: “By 1916 there were approximately 150 cinemas and halls showing films in Ireland...” Irish Cinema – An Illustrated History by Brian McIlroy, page 19 We know from the 1915 entries above, that Murphy’s Hall in Athenry was already included among that number. 16th July 1923 – The Minister for Home Affairs, Kevin O'Higgins, a member of the Government of the fledgling Irish Free State (aka Saorstát Éireann) passes the 1923 Censorship of Films Act: “AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICIAL CENSORING OF CINEMATOGRAPH PICTURES AND FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.” Under Section 2(1) of that Act, the Minister appointed James Montgomery as the first Irish Film Censor. James Montgomery served in the role until 1940: “Admitting that he had no qualifications for the job, he later stated that the two things he kept in mind when deciding whether or not to reject films were the Ten Commandments and Aesop's fable about a man who tried to please everybody but succeeded in pleasing nobody.” Quote from The Dictionary of Irish Biography, contribution by Marie Coleman 27th June 1925 – The Censorship of Films (AMENDMENT) Act of 1925 extended censorship powers to include posters and displays outside cinemas and halls: “AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTROL OF PICTORIAL ADVERTISEMENTS OF CINEMATOGRAPH PICTURES AND FOR THAT AND OTHER PURPOSES TO AMEND THE CENSORSHIP OF FILMS ACT, 1923” 12th January 1927 – A 1925 Black & White Silent Motion Picture ‘comedy short’ (i.e. 2 film reels long) 12 titled Won By Law, starring Wanda Wiley, Bob Reeves, Lillian Worth and Frank Whitson was screened (source: A surviving Invoice from the European Motion Picture Company Ltd, dated 15th January 1927). 13 NB: The earliest documented screening of a motion picture in the Hall. The following film synopsis is from Lost Laugh magazine Issue #13, page 18: “Wanda is a bored rich girl, so lazy that she sits down to play tennis. She is roused from her apathy when she is sent to the backwoods, and learns to love the outdoor life.” NB: This film was directed and written by Edward Ludwig. Wanda Wiley (real name Roberta Prestina Wiley, 1902–1987) was a Silent Era Movie Star from Texas. During the 1920s Wanda starred in 46 Two-Reel Century Film Corporation Comedy Shorts, including The Trouble Fixer (1924), Won By Law (1925), A Thrilling Romance (1926) and Thanks for the Boat Ride (1927). Invoice extract below: 14 1st July 1929 – Once again we are indebted to Brian McIlroy’s Irish Cinema – An Illustrated History, regarding the arrival of film with sound into Ireland, commonly known as Talkies or Talking Pictures: 12 Each film reel held about 1,000 feet of film and lasted about 10 minutes of screen time. A 2 reel film short was therefore about 20 minutes long. See image capture of Wanda Wiley on the front cover from A Thrilling Romance (1926). Wanda is also seen on the inside of the front cover. 13 The European Motion Picture Company was based on Burgh Quay in Dublin city 14 The full European Motion Picture Company Ltd Invoice can be seen in the images at the back of this Volume
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 8 “The arrival in Dublin of the Catholic Centenary Celebrations in 1929 and the screening in Belfast and Dublin that year of Al Jolson’s The Singing Fool, established sound cinema in Ireland... The reverberations of sound cinema were felt throughout the world. For Ireland, it meant that foreign films lost their popularity... Sound also brought the demise of musicians. From 1916, the Picture House in Belfast had a forty member orchestra... even country cinemas had a trio and a piano....” The arrival of film with sound is corroborated by an interesting piece by Gavin Finlay, published in Volume 15, Issue 5 of History Ireland Magazine (September/October 2007): 15 “Ireland’s first sound film was a record of the Catholic Emancipation centenary celebrations on 1 July 1929 at Dublin’s Capitol Cinema. Sharing the bill that night were two Hollywood comedies and the twelve Capitol Tiller Girls...” 20th to 25th October 1932 – These October 1932 dates are the next film screenings in the Hall for which a physical record still exists but it seems highly likely that there had been other screenings for which no record has survived? Messrs Carron Brothers Travelling Picture Company showed what the Journal simply describes as ‘Talking Pictures’ in the Hall across these 6 consecutive nights (source: Hall Journal). However, it is regrettable, that the Hall Journal did not actually record the titles for any of the films screened at this time. 17th November 1932 – River’s End, a 1930 Warner Bros Western was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). This film stars Charles Bickford, Evalyn Knapp and ZaSu Pitts. 16 NB: Charles Bickford, in dual leading roles, plays both John Keith, (a man on the run, wrongly suspected of murder) and also his lookalike doppelganger, Sergeant Derwent Conniston, the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman in pursuit of him. The Danish title of the film is Død eller Levende which translates into English as Dead or Alive. This film is a remake of a Silent 1920 Film titled The River’s End, starring Lewis Stone and Marjorie Dawe. 17 NB: Michael Curtiz directed. 18th November 1932 – Three Faces East, a 1930 Warner Bros WW1 Spy Drama starring Constance Bennett, Erich von Stroheim and Anthony Bushell was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the screenplay was based on Anthony Paul Kelly’s 1918 Broadway play of the same name. 19th November 1932 – The Aviator, a 1929 Warner Bros Comedy starring Edward Everett Horton, Patsy Ruth Miller and Lee Moran was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: NB: Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the screenplay was based on James H Montgomery’s 1910 Three Act Comedy play of the same name. 20th November 1932 – On the Border (aka Over the Border), a 1930 Warner Bros Adventure Film was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars RinTinTin, John B Litel, Armida, Philo McCullough and Walter Miller. NB: RinTinTin was a German Shepherd dog, listed in the credits here as Rin-Tin-Tin. Armida Vendrell (aka Armida or Mimi Vendrell) was a Mexican actress, singer, dancer and vaudevillian. Armida, playing the part of Pepita, sings 2 songs in this picture. Directed by William C McGann, the screenplay was written by Lillian Hayward. 15 NB: Gavin Finlay is a freelance film critic and a postgraduate history student at NUI, Galway. 16 Named ZaSu after her 2 maternal aunts, Eliza and Susan, her name being formed from the last two letters of Eliza and the first two of Susan 17 The mage above on the right is from a 1930 Warner Bros Pressbook stored by the Internet Archive https://archive.org/ Figure 4 – © Warner Bros
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 9 10th January 1933 – The Millionaire, a 1931 Warner Bros Comedy was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Directed by John G Adolfi, it stars George Arliss, Florence Arliss, David Manners and Evalyn Knapp. NB: A young James Cagney also features, as Schofield, the Life Insurance Agent. NB: The movie cast from Page 1 of the 1931 Warner Bros & Vitaphone ™ Pressbook is shown on left. 11th January 1933 – The Argyle Case, a 1929 Warner Bros Mystery movie was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Lila Lee, John Darrow, Thomas Meighan and ZaSu Pitts star in this Bretherton film. 12th January 1933 – The Hottentot, a 1929 Warner Bros Comedy was shown by Carron Brothers (source: the Hall Journal). Directed by Roy Del Ruth, it stars Edward Everett Horton, Patsy Ruth Miller, Douglas Gerrard, Edward Earle and Stanley Taylor. 18th February 1933 – The Donegal Democrat of this date, (see page 5), carries the following piece about Carron Bros under the heading Killybegs News: “Messrs Carrons’ Talkie Picture Co paid a visit to the town during the week-end and exhibited a number of very interesting and amusing films... This is the most modern touring talkie company visiting these parts and their films never fail to attract large crowds.” 24th February 1933 – The Showboat, a 1929 Universal Pictures Romantic Drama based on Edna Ferber’s 1926 novel Show Boat, was screened by Messrs Daniels (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Harold A Pollard, it stars Laura La Plante, along with Joseph Schildkraut, Emily Fitzroy and Alma Rubens. 25th February 1933 – All Quiet on the Western Front, a 1930 WW1 Picture, based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel, Im Westen nichts Neues, was screened in the Hall by Messrs Daniels Travelling Picture Show (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Lewis Milestone, it stars Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Arnold Lucy and Ben Alexander. 26th February 1933 – Broadway, a 1929 Universal Pictures Drama based on the 1927 play of the same title by Jed Harris, Philip Dunning & George Abbott was screened in the Hall by Messrs Daniels (source: Hall Journal). Glenn Tryon, Evelyn Brent, Thomas E Jackson, Robert Ellis, Paul Porcasi, Leslie Fenton and Otis Harlan star in this Paul Fejos directed film. 27th February 1933 – Dracula, a 1931 Universal Pictures Horror Film was screened by Daniels (source: Hall Journal). Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade and Joan Standing star here. NB: Directed by Tod Browning and Karl Freund, the screenplay was adapted from Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel, Dracula, first published by Archibald Constable & Company in 1897. It would be screened again on 11th August 1940 see below. 8th to 10th May 1933 – Carron Brothers showed several movies across these May dates, including the following (source: Hall Journal): Figure 5 – © Warner Bros, Vitaphone Figure 6 – Murphy Collection Figure 7 – © Universal Pictures Limited
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 10 The Gorilla, a 1930 Warner Bros film starring Joe Frisco, Harry Gribbon, Walter Pidgeon & Lila Lee The Girl of the Golden West, a 1930 Warner Bros Western starring Ann Harding and James Rennie Eucharistic Congress (1932) British Pathé newsreel Canister 32/52 18 Misbehaving Ladies (aka The Queen of Main Street), a 1931 First National Pictures/Warner Bros Comedy starring Lila Lee, Ben Lyon, Louise Fazenda & Lucien Littlefield. 19 The Cast of this movie, captured from the accompanying Warner Bros Pressbook, is shown below on the right. 1st June 1934 – I Am a Fugitive (from a Chain Gang), a 1932 Warner Bros Drama was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinson and Preston Foster. Muni plays James Allen, a wrongly convicted WW1 veteran, imprisoned and sentenced to hard labour on a Chain Gang. 8th June 1934 – The Maid of the Mountains, a 1932 Associated British Pictures Musical was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Nancy Brown, Harry Welchman, Betty Stockfeld, Albert Burdon and Wallace Lupino 20 star in this Lupino Lane film. NB: The screenplay was based on the 1916 Operetta, also titled The Maid of the Mountains. 15th June 1934 – The Sign of the Cross, a 1932 Paramount Pictures Historical Film starring Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton (as Emperor Nero) and Charles Middleton was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). A Historical Epic, directed by Cecil B DeMille, with a screenplay based on Wilson Barrett’s 1895 Four Act Tragic Play of the same name. NB: The images at the back of this Volume show Claudette Colbert, as Empress Poppaea, in the legendary Milk Bath scene from this film. Did this scene make it on to the Hall screen intact in 1934? We just don’t know but it seems highly unlikely, given that National Film Censorship began in Ireland with the introduction of the 1923 Censorship of Films Act! 2nd October 1934 – Gambling Ship, a 1933 Paramount Pictures Drama starring Cary Grant, Benita Hume, Jack La Rue, Glenda Farrell, Roscoe Karn, Arthur Vinton, Charles Williams and Edwin Maxwell was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Louis J Gasnier and Max Marcin. Benita Hume was married to fellow actor, Ronald Colman. 12th October 1934 – The Way of Life (aka They Call It Sin), a 1932 Warner Bros Drama starring Loretta Young, George Brent, David Manners and Una Merkel was screened in the Hall by Carron Bros (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Thornton Freeman. Quote: “The story of a young girl who was loved by three men and had to make a hasty choice eventually.” 21 19th October 1934 – Gold Diggers of 1933, a 1933 Warner Bros Musical was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Guy Kibbee and Ginger Rogers star together in this Mervyn LeRoy directed film. 21st October 1934 – Hard To Handle, a 1933 Warner Bros Comedy starring Jimmy Cagney, Mary Brian and Ruth Donnelly was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: the Hall 18 NB: An interesting Documentary titled, The Story of British Pathé is available to view for free on YouTube™ 19 NB: First National Pictures was a subsidiary of Warners. Louise Fazenda was married to Hal B Wallis, a Producer at Warner Bros. 20 Wallace Lupino was a brother of Director Lupino Lane (real name Henry Lupino) and an uncle to screen star Ida Lupino 21 Quote is taken from the Empire Theatre (Galway) advertisement in The Connacht Tribune 16th December 1933, page 8. Figure 8 – © Warner Bros & First National Pictures Figure 9 – Murphy Collection
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 11 Journal). NB: Directed by Mervyn LeRoy. 4th November 1934 – Song O’ My Heart, a 1930 Fox Film starring Alice Joyce, Maureen O’Sullivan, Tommy Clifford, Effie Ellsler, John Garrick, Edwin Schneider and Count John McCormack was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Frank Borzage, it was his first sound picture. 11th November 1934 – The Eagle and the Hawk, a 1933 Paramount Pictures WW1 Film was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). The cast includes Cary Grant, Fredric March, Carole Lombard, Sir Guy Standing and Jack Oakie. Also shown was a movie titled Parachute Jumper. This 1933 Warner Brothers Comedy stars Bette Davis, Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Frank McHugh. NB: Parachute Jumper was directed by Alfred E Green, produced by Darryl F Zanuck, with a screenplay by John Francis Larkin, based on a Rian James story, titled Some Call It Love. 7th December 1934 – Chandu the Magician, a 1932 Fox Film Corporation Fantasy Film starring Edmund Lowe (as Frank Chandler aka Chandu), Bela Lugosi (Roxor), 22 Irene Ware (Princess Nadji) and Herbert Mundin was screened by Carron Brothers. A 1932 Fox Film Comedy, titled Rackety Rax, was also shown in the Hall on this date. It stars Victor McLaglen, Greta Nissen and Nell O'Day (source: Hall Journal). NB: Rackety Rax was directed by Alfred Werker. 16th December 1934 – Penalty of Fame (aka Okay America!), a 1932 Universal Pictures Film was screened in the Hall by George Coates’ Travelling Cinema Show (source: Hall Journal). Maureen O’Sullivan stars (as Sheila Barton), along with Lew Ayres (Larry Wayne), Louis Calhern (Mileaway Russell) and Edward Arnold (Duke Morgan). 18th January 1935 – The Desert Song, a 1929 Warner Bros Musical was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Myrna Loy, Carlotta King, John Boles and Louise Fazenda. NB: Myrna Loy’s real name was Myrna Adele Williams. The Danish title was Den Hvide Sheik, which translates into the English language simply as, The White Sheik. NB: Directed by Roy Del Ruth. 1st February 1935 – Blossom Time, (aka April Blossoms and April Romance), a 1934 British International Pictures Musical was screened in the Hall by Carron (source: Hall Journal). Richard Tauber, Jane Baxter, Carl Esmond and Athene Seyler star in this Paul L Stein directed film. GH Clutsam is credited with composing the Music. 8th March 1935 – The Devil is Driving, a 1932 Paramount Pictures Film starring Edmund Lowe, Lois Wilson and Wynne Gibson was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Benjamin Stoloff. 15th March 1935 – The Lost Chord, a 1933 Drama was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Maurice Elvey, this film stars Elizabeth Allan, John Stuart, Mary Glynne, Anne Grey and Jack Hawkins. NB: Would be screened again on 21st August 1947, see below. 22nd March 1935 – The Girl in 419, a 1933 Paramount Pictures Drama was screened in the Hall by Carron Bros (source: Hall Journal). It stars Gloria Stuart (as Mary Dolan), James Dunn, (as Dr Daniel French), Shirley Grey (as Irene Blaine), David Manners (as Dr Martin Nichols), William Harrigan (Peter Lawton), Vince Barnett (Otto Hoffer), Johnny Hines (Slug) and Jack La Rue. NB: It was directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes. 20th to 21st April 1935 – Carnival Boat, a 1932 RKO Pictures Adventure Film was screened by Daniels (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Albert S 22 Bela Lugosi would later get to play the role of Chandu in the 1934 sequel, The Return of Chandu Figure 10 – Murphy Collection
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 12 Rogell, it stars Ginger Rogers, William Boyd, Fred Kohler, Hobart Bosworth, Edgar Kennedy and Marie Prevost. 31st May 1935 – Captured! (aka Fellow Prisoners), a 1933 Warner Bros WW1 POW Film starring Leslie Howard, Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Margaret Lindsay was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the screenplay was based on Sir Philip Gibbs’ 1930 short story, Fellow Prisoners. 7th June 1935 – A Southern Maid a 1933 Associated British Pictures Musical was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Bebe Daniels, Clifford Mollison, Hal Gordon and Lupino Lane star in this film. 23 NB: Directed by Harry Hughes, the screenplay was based on Harold Fraser-Simson’s 1917 Three Act operetta, A Southern Maid. 14th June 1935 – No Escape, a 1934 Warner Bros Drama was screened by Carron Bros (source: Hall Journal). This Ralph Ince directed film stars Ian Hunter, Binnie Barnes, Molly Lamont, Madeline Seymour, George Merritt and Ince himself. The screenplay was written by W Scott Darling. 21st June 1935 – The Kid’s Last Fight (aka The Life of Jimmy Dolan), a 1933 Warner Bros Drama was shown by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Archie Mayo, it stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Loretta Young, Guy Kibbee and John Wayne. 24 NB: Warners remade this story in 1939 under the title, They Made Me a Criminal, starring John Garfield and Claude Rains. The 1939 version was shown in the Hall on 27th September 1940 by Leo Caslin. Confusingly, there is also a 1933 Jack Hayes Comedy Short titled, The Kid’s Last Fight, which stars Shirley Temple, Georgie Smith and Lawrence Harris. However, it is only 11 minutes long, so it seems unlikely that it was shown here as a main feature? For that reason, we are not proposing it as the film screened on this date. 4th October 1935 – The Thundering Herd, a 1933 Paramount Pictures Western starring Randolph Scott, Judith Allen, Buster Crabbe and Noah Beery Sr was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: Directed by Henry Hathaway, the screenplay was based on Zane Grey’s 1925 novel. Buster Crabbe (i.e. Clarence Linden Crabbe II) was a Gold Medal winning Olympic swimmer before turning to acting. He is probably best remembered for the playing the lead roles in the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials made by Universal Pictures. 24th October 1935 – The Bengal Lancers (aka The Lives of a Bengal Lancer), a 1935 Paramount Pictures Adventure film starring Gary Cooper, Kathleen Burke, Franchot Tone, C Aubrey Smith, Richard Cromwell, Guy Standing and Douglass Dumbrille was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Directed by Henry Hathaway, the screenplay was based on Francis Yeats-Brown’s 1930 autobiography, The Lives of a Bengal Lancer. NB: Screened again on 4th November 1952. 8th November 1935 – The Lemon Drop Kid a 1934 Paramount Pictures Comedy starring Lee Tracy, Helen Mack and William Frawley was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). This Damon Runyan story was later remade by Paramount, in 1951, starring Bob Hope and this later version would be screened in June 1953. William Frawley featured in both the 1935 and 1951 versions. NB: Directed by Marshall Neilan. 22nd November 1935 – The Little Giant, a 1933 Warner Bros Comedy Romance was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: the Hall Journal). It stars Edward G Robinson, Mary Astor, Helen Vinson and Russell Hopton. NB: Edward G Robinson’s real name was Emanuel Goldenberg. 29th November 1935 – The Mystery of the Wax Museum, a 1933 Warner Bros Horror Film was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell and Frank McHugh. NB: Fay Wray is probably best remembered for her role as Ann Darrow, in the original 1933 King Kong movie, (see 9th May 1940 entry below). 6th December 1935 – Car 99, a 1935 Paramount Pictures Thriller, directed by Charles Barton, was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Fred MacMurray, Ann Sheridan, Guy Standing, Marina Schubert (Koshetz), Dean Jagger, William Frawley and Frank Craven star in this film. NB: Edited by Eda Warren, with Cinematography by William C Mellor. MacMurray plays Michigan State Trooper Ross Martin. 23 Lupino Lane was a cousin of fellow film star, Ida Lupino 24 This is a minor early screen role for John Wayne
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 13 10th January 1936 – You Belong To Me, a 1934 Paramount Pictures Drama starring Lee Tracy, Helen Mack, Helen Morgan, David Holt, Arthur Pierson, Lynne Overman and Dean Jagger was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 17th January 1936 – Arizona to Broadway, a 1933 Fox Film Corporation movie starring James Dunn, Joan Bennett, Herbert Mundin, Merna Kennedy and Theodore von Eltz was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: This same storyline later formed the basis for a 1943 Laurel & Hardy Comedy Feature Film, where it was reworked by Twentieth Century Fox as, Jitterbugs. A 1933 Fox Film Drama titled, Marooned, was also shown in the Hall on this date. It stars Edmund Gwenn, Viola Lyel and Hal Walters. 7th February 1936 – The Narrow Corner, a 1933 Warner Bros Drama was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Patricia Ellis and Ralph Bellamy. NB: The screenplay was based on W Somerset Maugham’s 1932 novel of the same name. 14th February 1936 – Lone Cowboy, a 1933 Paramount Pictures Western was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). This film stars Jackie Cooper, Lila Lee and Addison Richards. NB: Jackie Cooper was 11 years old when this film was released. 5th March 1936 – Thank Your Stars (aka Shoot the Works) a 1934 Paramount Pictures Musical Comedy starring Jack Oakie, Dorothy Dell, Arline Judge, Roscoe Karns, Alison Skipworth, Spencer Tracy and Ben Bernie & His Band was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Quote: “It’s Fast! It’s Funny! It’s Even Furious!” 11th March 1936 – Son of a Sailor, a 1933 Warner Bros Comedy was screened by Carron Brothers (source: the Hall Journal). It stars Joe E Brown, Jean Muir, Frank McHugh, Thelma Todd, Johnny Mack Brown and Sheila Terry. 23rd March 1936 – Rocky Mountain Mystery, a 1935 Paramount Pictures Western starring Randolph Scott, Ann Sheridan and Mrs Leslie Carter was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 24th April 1936 – The Girl in Pawn (aka Little Miss Marker) a 1934 Paramount Pictures Comedy was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). NB: The screenplay was based on a 1932 Damon Runyon story and stars Shirley Temple, Adolphe Menjou and Dorothy Dell. This film was Shirley Temple's first starring role in a major motion picture. It was remade by Paramount in 1949, as Sorrowful Jones, starring Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Mary Jane Saunders (in the Shirley Temple role). Sorrowful Jones would be shown in the Hall on 22nd October 1952. 15th May 1936 – The Gay Divorcee (aka The Gay Divorce) a 1934 RKO Pictures Musical starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton and Betty Grable was screened by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 22nd May 1936 – A film titled A Thousand Loves is documented as having been screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers on this date (source: Hall Journal). Unfortunately we have been unable to identify this movie. 5th June 1936 – A film titled Melody Cousins is documented as having been screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). Unfortunately we have been unable to identify this movie. 13th June 1936 – The Limerick Leader carried the following Billy Walsh Talkies note on page 12, under the heading Bruff Notes: “Mr. Billy Walsh's touring ‘talkies’ paid a three days' visit to the local hall, where interesting screen programmes were presented.” 26th June 1936 – Shadows of SingSing, a 1933 Columbia Pictures Gangster Film starring Mary Brian, Bruce Cabot and Grant Mitchell was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 9th October 1936 – Now and Forever, a 1934 Paramount Pictures Drama starring Shirley Temple, Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 4th January 1937 – A film called The Spy was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). This was probably a 1931 Fox Film titled The Spy, starring Kay Johnston, Neil Hamilton, John Halliday and Milton
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 14 Holmes. NB: German Director Fritz Lang made a very highly regarded 1928 movie with a similar title that is also an outside possibility for this screening. 5th January 1937 – Forgotten Men, a 1933 British International Pictures Documentary about WW1 was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). NB: World War 1 veterans relate their experiences during the war and also discuss their present circumstances. 6th January 1937 – Bulldog Drummond a 1929 United Artists Crime Drama starring Ronald Colman, Joan Bennett, Claud Allister, Lawrence Grant and Montagu Love was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). NB: This film was produced by Samuel Goldwyn. Ronald Colman was actually married to fellow actor, Benita Hume, star of Paramount Pictures 1933 Film Gambling Ship, screened on 2nd October 1934, see above. 26th February 1937 – Over The Garden Wall, a 1934 Associated British Pictures Romantic Comedy starring Bobby Howes and Margaret Bannerman was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). Southern Star 30th July 1938 carried the following background note on page 12, under the heading Snaps from Schull: “BILLY WALSH'S Talkies are... in Schull, and are presenting a picture programme for three nights in the CYMS Hall. Some first-class shows are being exhibited, including the Farr-Braddock Fight and the Adventures of Tarzan. Large audiences are availing of the opportunity to see these pictures.” 2nd April 1937 – Storm over the Andes, a 1935 Universal Pictures Adventure Film starring Jack Holt, Antonio Moreno, Mona Barrie, Gene Lockhart and Grant Withers was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 4th April 1937 – A Face in the Fog, a 1936 Victory Pictures Corporation Mystery movie starring June Collyer, Lloyd Hughes and Lawrence Gray was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 21st June 1937 – The Singer of Seville (aka Call of the Flesh) a 1930 MGM Musical starring Ramon Novarro, Dorothy Jordan and Renée Adorée was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 25 24th June 1937 – Ourselves Alone (aka River of Unrest), a 1936 British International Pictures Drama, set against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, starring John Lodge, John Loder, Antoinette Cellier, Niall MacGinnis and Máire O’Neill was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). NB: John Loder, real name William John Muir Lowe, was the son of Major General WHM Lowe, who was in command of the British Forces in Ireland during the 1916 Easter Rising and who accepted the surrender of PH Pearse. Loder/Lowe was a 2nd Lieutenant in the British Army and was actually with his father when PH Pearse, (accompanied by Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell), surrendered. 26 28th June 1937 – Sitting On The Moon, a 1936 Republic Pictures Comedy was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Grace Bradley, Roger Pryor and Pert Kelton. 12th July 1937 – Mark of the Vampire, a 1935 Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Horror movie was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Bela Lugosi, Carroll Borland, Lionel Barrymore, Lionel Atwill, Elizabeth Allan and Henry Wadsworth. 26th July 1937 – A Son Comes Home, a 1936 Paramount Pictures Drama starring Mary Boland, Julie Haydon and Donald Woods was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 2nd August 1937 – The Preview Murder Mystery, a 1936 Paramount Pictures Comedy Mystery movie was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Reginald Denny, Frances Drake and Gail Patrick. 9th August 1937 – The Case of Gabriel Perry, a 1935 British Lion Films Crime Drama starring Henry Oscar, Olga Lindo and Margaret Lockwood was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). 18th August 1937 – Public Hero Number 1, a 1935 MGM Crime drama was screened in the Hall by Carron Brothers (source: Hall Journal). It stars Lionel Barrymore, Jean Arthur, Chester Morris and Joseph Calleia. 10th September 1937 – Million Dollar Ransom, a 1934 Universal Pictures Gangster Film was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). It stars Phillips Holmes, Edward Arnold, Mary Carlisle, Wini Shaw, Andy Devine and Robert Gleckler. 25 MGM stands for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer formed by Marcus Loews’ merging of 3 film companies in 1924 26 The film debuted in the Grafton Picture House, Dublin on 5th June 1936 and ran for 5 weeks to packed houses. John Loder was married to Hedy Lamarr, (real name Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler), from 1943 to 1947 and they had 3 children together.
Murphy’s Town Hall Cinema Athenry 15 17th September 1937 – The Prescott Kid, a 1934 Columbia Pictures Western was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). It stars Tim McCoy, Sheila Mannors (Bromley) and Walter Brennan. 24th September 1937 – Law Beyond the Range, a 1935 Columbia Pictures Western was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). Tim McCoy, Billie Seward, Robert Allen, Guy Usher, Harry Todd and Walter Brennan star in this film. 1st October 1937 – Eight Bells, a 1935 Columbia Pictures Adventure Film starring Ann Sothern, Ralph Bellamy and Catherine Doucet was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). The screenplay is based on Percy G Mandley’s 1933 Three Act stageplay of the same name. 8th October 1937 – White Lies, a 1934 Columbia Pictures Gangster Film starring Victor Jory, Fay Wray and Walter Connolly was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies, (source: Hall Journal). 5th November 1937 – I Give My Heart (1935) and Juggernaut (1936) were screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). The Tuam Herald of 6th November 1937 notes as follows on page 2: “At Athenry Town Hall on Friday night, Boris Karloff in Juggernaut will be thrown on the screen. Four people at the mercy of an insane physician. The famous musical play that was the sensation of two continents, I Give My Heart, will also be shown.” I Give My Heart is a 1935 Associated British Pictures Musical, sometimes known under the alternative title, The Loves of Madame Dubarry. This film stars Gitta Alpar, Patrick Waddington, Margaret Bannerman, Owen Nares, Arthur Margetson & Hugh Miller. The screenplay was adapted from Carl Millöcker’s stage operetta, The DuBarry. We know from the Tuam Herald (see above) that Juggernaut (aka The Demon Doctor) was also screened at this time. Juggernaut is a 1936 Associated British Pictures Horror Film starring Boris Karloff, 27 Joan Wyndham, Arthur Margetson, Mona Goya, Antony Ireland, Morton Setten, Mina Boucicault, Gibb McLaughlin and HH Roberts. NB: Directed by Henry Edwards with a screenplay adapted from Alice Campbell’s 1929 novel, Juggernaut: A Golden Age Mystery. Arthur Margetson appears in the cast of both movies. 12th November 1937 – The Tenth Man, a 1936 Associated British Pictures Drama was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). John Davis Lodge, Antoinette Cellier and Athole Stewart star in this film. 19th November 1937 – A Star Fell from Heaven, a 1936 Associated British Pictures Comedy was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). It stars Joseph Schmidt, Florine McKinney and Billy Milton. 26th November 1937 – The Old Curiosity Shop, a 1934 Associated British Pictures big screen adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1841 novel of the same name, was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh Talkies (source: Hall Journal). It stars Elaine Benson (as Nell), Ben Webster (Grandfather), Hay Petrie (Quilp) and Reginald Purdell (Dick Swiveller). 3rd December 1937 – Dusty Ermine (aka Hideout in the Alps and also Love in the Alps), a 1936 Julius Hagen Productions Crime Drama was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). Anthony Bushell, Jane Baxter, Margaret Rutherford and Ronald Squire star in this film. 28 The support feature was Those Were the Days, a 1934 Associated British Comedy starring Will Hay, Iris Hoey and John Mills. NB: This Comedy’s screenplay was based on Arthur Wing Pinero's 1885 play, The Magistrate, a Stage Farce in Three Acts. As an added bonus, the Pathé Gazette was also shown on this date (source: Hall Journal, see also Billy Walsh’s advertisement in the Tuam Herald 4th December 1937). Doors opened at 8.00pm and the show commenced at 8.30pm. NB: The very same bill had been shown in Headford Town Hall on 2nd December 1937. Admission: Adults, 1s/4d or 9d and for Children under 12, it was 9d or 4d. 10th December 1937 – Someone at the Door, a 1936 Associated British Pictures Comedy Thriller was screened by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: the Hall Journal). Aileen Marson, Billy Milton, Noah Beery, John Irwin and Edward Chapman star. NB: Remade in 1950 by Hammer Films starring Michael Medwin, Yvonne Owen & Garry Marsh. The screenplay for both films was adapted from Dorothy & Campbell Christie’s popular West End play of that name. 19th December 1937 – Two Hearts in Harmony, a 1935 Time Films Comedy Drama starring Bernice Claire, George Curzon and Enid Stamp-Taylor was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). 31st December 1937 – A Cowboy Picture was screened in the Hall by Billy Walsh’s Talkies (source: Hall Journal). Unfortunately, the Hall Journal gives no further details about this Western. 27 Boris Karloff’s real name was William Henry Pratt (1887-1969) 28 “A Thrilling Chase on Skis!” see Billy Walsh’s advertisement in the Tuam Herald 4th December 1937 for this quote. Dusty Ermine’s screenplay was adapted from Neil F Grant’s 1936 Three Act Stage Play, also titled Dusty Ermine.
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