Biography of 'HART, James'

Exhibitor, local topical producer

Relatively little is known about James Hart. He is credited with filming the first of a series of local films made in and around the West End of Glasgow, whilst employed as operator at the Hillhead Picture Salon, managed by George Baker. Opened in 1913 the cinema was one of the earliest purpose built cinemas in Scotland. Hart’s footage of the Sunday promenade along the fashionable boulevard of Great Western Road, was reported in the Scottish trade paper ‘Entertainer and Scottish Kinema Record’, to the effect that the film had been a success albeit with ‘the usual trouble of youngsters wanting to be in the picture all the time’. Hart moved to the newly opened Grosvenor Cinema (1921) as projectionist, later appointed its manager. He was to complete his ‘sequel’ to the 1915 film with Great Western Road shot in 1922 filming in the same street at the same time of the week, some seven years later [see ref. 0570]. An intertitle at the beginning of the 1915 film ‘A Peep into the Past’ suggests that Hart may have shown both films together at some stage. Throughout the 1920’s and into the 30’s Hart made local topicals for the cinema releasing them under the title of Grosvenor Topical News. Promotion to assistant manager of same in August 1928 as noted in the Bioscope “The directorate of the Grosvenor Picture House have recognised the meritorious services of their projectionist James Hart, who, in addition to his duties in the operating chamber, has been the cameraman responsible for the taking of local topicals which form practically a weekly attraction at the popular Hillhead house’. Hart also filmed on commission for other exhibitors in Glasgow. Hart survived the take over of the cinema by the ABC chain in the late 1920’s and was still at his post as manager in 1951.

Researcher: Janet McBain

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

16 hits

Asc Desc
	GLASGOW ACADEMY SPORTS [0809] Add to my films Coverage of Glasgow Academy Sports Day on 5th May, 1917. Includes footage of flat races, high jump, three legged race and prize giving	1917 silent bw
	GLASGOW'S YESTERDAYS [0012] Add to my films A selection of amateur films made in the early years of the 20th century looking at life in Glasgow including holidaymakers at Wemyss Bay, a picnic at Rouken Glen, a recruiting march in 1914 and pedestrians strolling along Great Western Road in 1922.	1922 silent bw
	GREAT WESTERN ROAD 1915 [0019] Add to my films Sunday morning church-goers promenade along Great Western Road, Glasgow.	1915 silent bw
	GREAT WESTERN ROAD 1922 [0570] Add to my films Made by James Hart as a promotional film for the Grosvenor Cinema, Byres Road, Glasgow, it shows Sunday afternoon promenaders on Glasgow's Great Western Road during Autumn.	1922 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: BAND CONCERT, KELVINGROVE PARK, 1928 [0519] Add to my films People queueing to enjoy a concert at the bandstand, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.	1928 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: BOY SCOUTS PARADE IN GEORGE SQUARE [0118] Add to my films Boy Scouts parade in Glasgow's George Square.	1926 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: CHURCH PARADE OF GLASGOW LOWLAND SIGNAL UNITS [0117] Add to my films Troops in church parade marshalling for inspection in Glasgow on 20th June, 1926. [Incomplete]	1926 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: DAY OF REMEMBRANCE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE GLASGOW CENOTAPH [0119] Add to my films Parade into George Square of war veterans. General Sir Ian Hamilton meets some of the men and makes his speech at the Cenotaph.	1927 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: GROSVENOR TOPICALS NO. 1 [1390] Add to my films Compilation of various events in Glasgow, including a bowls competition at Willowbank Bowling Club, Kelvinside sports day, Hillhead High sports day and Dedication of colours by the 157th Company Girl Guides.	1927 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: HILLHEAD HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS DAYS 1925-1929 [1444] Add to my films The three-legged race, balloon race, hurdles, sack race, pillow fight and presentation of prizes at Hillhead High Sports days.	1933 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS: STUDENTS' CHARITIES DAY, GLASGOW [0015] Add to my films McAlister's Rag Time Band plays in Glasgow's streets, while students parade through Glasgow for charity.	1926 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS; SPORTS AT WEST OF SCOTLAND SCHOOLS OTC CAMP [1439] Add to my films Sports day at the West of Scotland Schools OTC Camp at Gailes.	1926 silent bw
	GROSVENOR TOPICALS NO. 2:GROSVENOR TOPICAL NEWS [1389] Add to my films A compilation of various events, including a school sport's day, a trip to Aberfoyle, the Australian cricket team visiting Glasgow and shots of the Jury/Metro Goldwyn Ltd "trackless train". Glasgow West Conservation Trust believe the church to be Belmont Parish Church in Great George St (until 1952) identified from the distinctive railings.	1930 silent bw
	PRINCESS MARY PRESENTS NEW COLOURS TO ROYAL SCOTS [0116] Add to my films Princess Mary, Colonel in Chief of the Royal Scots, presents the new Colours to the 1st Battalion at Maryhill barracks, Glasgow. 4th August, 1926. [Incomplete]	1926 silent bw
	SIR HARRY LAUDER VISITS THE REGENT PICTURE HOUSE, GLASGOW, TO VIEW HUNTINGTOWER [7936] Add to my films Sir Harry Lauder visits the Regent Picture House, Glasgow, to view "Huntingtower" (the feature film adaptation of John Buchan's novel). Footage includes long queues outside cinema, and Sir Harry shaking hands with both cast and cinema personnel.	1928 silent bw
	SPORTS CARNIVAL AT HAMPDEN [1660] Add to my films Coverage of a Sports Carnival at Hampden, with Lord Birkenhead an interested spectator.	1925 silent bw