Biography of 'HINKS, Walter'
Cinema manager and showman
Born: 1902, Govan
Died: 1964, Glasgow
Hinks began his working life in the shipbuilding industry in Govan. After two years as an engineer in England he decided to pursue a career in the cinema industry. His first appointment was as the manager of the Tower Cinema, Helensburgh in the late 1920’s. From there he moved to the New Alexandra Cinema, Paisley in 1929.
Walter Hinks’ management style was notable for his publicity stunts and marketing campaigns for which he won the Blue Riband Award in the early 1930s, one of only two men to do so in Europe. This award was only one of many, including two Gold Shields from Columbia Pictures in 1937 and 1939. His publicity gimmicks included charging admission of an egg, in aid of the Paisley Royal Infirmary in May 1934, the filming of the largest Sma’ Shot excursion ever to take place, that of the Ferguslie Thread Mill workers (over 1,500) who travelled from Paisley to Braemar. The 3-mile long line of buses was filmed by Hinks and shown at the New Alexandra in July of that year. In April 1933 he offered a guinea to whoever would dare to sit alone at midnight in the cinema during the horror film The Old Dark House. The challenge was taken up by Agnes Fleming who was greeted outside by a crowd that had gathered outside to see if she could last the night. He established a ‘death from laughter ‘ insurance policy for the latest Universal comedy, in collaboration with Prudential company. In 1936, he donated a silver trophy to St Mirren Football Club, for the Highland dancing competition at their annual sports event. He also held a charity matinee at the New Alexandra in aid of the football team’s supporters’ club.
In 1939, Hinks moved to Kirkcaldy, becoming the manager of the town’s Rio Cinema. In addition to his managerial duties at the cinema, he carried out work on behalf of Polish soldiers stationed in the town during the war, and earned a great deal of money for charity. Shortly before the war ended, he moved back to Glasgow. He became the supervisor for Glasgow and West of Scotland Cinemas, and was based at the Seamore Cinema, Glasgow. Many of the fourteen cinemas under his control were closed or turned into bingo halls during the fifites.
He remained at the Seamore until 1964, when he died of a heart attack on 16 March. Known to local children as Uncle Walter, Hinks was one of the great ‘characters’ in the cinema business.
Researcher: Richard Fry and Julie McCrone
Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'
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PAISLEY CHILDREN'S HAPPY HUNTING GROUND [1384]Add to my filmsA Saturday matinee at the "Alex Cinema" in Paisley with the local children queuing up eagerly outside. |
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1929 silent bw |
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