|
Dear Katie
It was good to make contact with you this afternoon at the EMD
cinema.
It is really splendid that you have started a campaign in response
to the ABC pulling out of the Granada, and that you are proposing
'alternative' films there. It is a wonderful opportunity for silent
films with organ accompaniment. We successfully put on The Four
Horsemen of the Apocalypse (with Wurlitzer) at the Free Trade
Hall in Manchester a few years ago; it was, as you will know, the
original purpose of these instruments to accompany silent pictures
as an alternative to an orchestra.
As I said during our brief chat, I spoke to Maev Kennedy (arts
correspondent of The Guardian) about Odeon's restrictive
covenants-- she said she would write an article about the case together
with the similar situation at a cinema in Bristol. I'm not certain
whether the article has appeared yet. As I also said, Radio 4's
'Front Row' programme have shown interest, although they wanted
proof that it is a national trend and not just to particular localities.
I hope you can persuade your local MP to take the case up as a
parliamentary question. We have Gerald Kaufman as one of our patrons,
although he hasn't been particularly forthcoming in the past when
I have asked him to help with cinema problems I could approach him
if you thought he might add weight to that of your MP's. Perhaps
you could let me know your opinion?
I return the completed membership form, together with a cheque
for Supporting Membership (my personal cheque but really on behalf
of the Assocation). I also enclose information about the Cinema
Theatre Association, English Heritage's booklet produced for the
recent cinema listing survey in which the Granada is mentioned,
and, at the risk of appearing somewhat commercial, a flyer for my
book Cinemas in Britain and there is a reference to the Granada
in that as well. You can obtain it through public libraries.
Please do keep us in touch with developments.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Gray
Chair, Cinema Theatre Association
|
