Biography of 'DICKSON, Louis'

Image 1 for 'DICKSON, Louis'

Films associated with 'DICKSON, Louis'

Cinema Exhibitor and topical film-maker

Born: 1880
Died: c.1960

Dickson trained as an electrical engineer, before entering the cinematograph trade in 1899. A keen cameraman, Dickson was quick to establish himself within the industry and in 1908 he was appointed the official 'Kinematographer' to the Scottish National Exhibition in Edinburgh. In 1912 he opened the first purpose built cinema in Bo'ness, the Hippodrome, in Hope Street. Designed by the local architect, Matthew Steel, the Hippodrome was one of the finest buildings in the town and was distinctive of Steel's style, which also characterised many other Bo'ness buildings. Seating 1,004 on two levels, the Hippodrome's opening ceremony was performed by the town's Provost Grant.

Unlike many other individuals involved in the industry at this time, Dickson did not seek to consolidate or expand his business throughout Scotland, instead preferring to remain the proprietor and manager of the Hippodrome. Nevertheless, Dickson did play an important role in the trade in general, through the positions he held in the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association (CEA), of which he was Vice Chairman of the Scottish Branch. In 1926 he also was one of the Scottish delegated to attend the CEA's General Council.

Dickson produced local topicals for the Hippodrome including films of the annual Miner's Day Gala in Bo'ness, which evolved into the Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival. The festival was held on Fair Friday, which fell on the second Friday of July each year. It was an annual event which caused much excitement in the town and the film which was usually shown a week later at the Hippodrome was always a popular show.

Dickson remained and worked in Bo'ness until his death in the early 1960s. He was an innovative man with a strong sense of humour which could be seen by the fact that he called his house "Hollywood". Following his death the Hippodrome closed. In April 2009, it reopened as a working cinema - see http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/hippodrome for further information.

See also website with detailed information about the Fair at http://www.thefairday.com/ [last accessed 22/5/2009]

Researcher: Eamonn Butler