2-324-034 - www.picturethepast.org.uk/C H Nadin /Heritage Images

Proctor's Bioscope, sideshow at Chesterfield Races, Derbyshire, c1900. The travelling Bioscope showmen who visited fairs and events in the period 1890-1914 were the pioneers of the cinematographic world. These people played a very important role in the history of mass entertainment and no one should ever underestimate the part they played in bringing this medium of entertainment to the people. The bioscope shows began towards the very end of the reign of Queen Victoria and drew to a close at the time of the First World War. The showmen would buy their films at the beginning of each season for at that time film renting was unknown. These early films were made at Walton-on-Thames by such people as Cecil Hepworth. Other well known makers were Walter Barker and George Jackson, who was well known for his comedy and short drama films. The Yorkshire firm, Frank Mottishaw's Sheffield Photo Co made what was probably the first film of Dickens's Novels Oliver Twist and Scrooge in 1904. The first 'Westerns' were made in England. Other popular films showed news events of the day such as Boer War pictures or Colliery disasters. Some showmen introduced sound effects to create a more realistic atmosphere and employed an effects worker who would work behind the screen. Between 1906-1908 some showmen introduced sound films, with equipment made by Gaumont Chronophone. The travelling cinemas began to go out of fashion with the erection of hundreds of permanent picture houses up and down the country.