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National Library of Scotland

Biography of 'KING, Alexander B.'

Cinema manager and booking agent

Born: 24th October, 1888
Died: 1973

Sir Alexander Boyne King’s career in cinema began at the age of twelve, selling programmes in the Princess Theatre in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. He was appointed assistant manager of the Grand Theatre, Glasgow and later manager of the Lorne Cinema by 1914. He became the principal booking manager for the Inverness based Caledonian Associated Cinemas (CAC), whose humble beginnings with only 9 cinemas in the north east in 1935, had risen to 49 by 1950 under his careful supervision.

CAC were a serious rival to ABC circuit in Scotland; they held a solid base in the northern half of the country from which they expanded to the Lothians and Fife. King was an astute businessman; distributors knew him as a shrewd buyer, whilst his fellow exhibitors had the greatest respect for his sound views and judgement. He campaigned against the Entertainment Tax that was introduced in 1916 and pushed for reductions of tax on cheaper seats, which helped relieve the financial burden especially for the smaller exhibitors. He continued to push for the abolition of the tax through the Cinematograph Films Council and the owners’ organisation, the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association, and is remembered for championing this cause.

During the war years, as a result of being associated with one of the largest groups of cinemas in the west of Scotland, King became involved in a scheme to provide kinema (film service) entertainment to evacuated school children and organised travelling cinemas to remote areas of Scotland. In 1944, he was made chairman of the Scottish Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Information and had raised over £50,000 for charities in Scotland.

King was appointed chair of the second Films of Scotland Committee formed in 1954 a position he held until his death in 1973. He used his influence in the cinema industry to guarantee exhibition of the Committee’s films. He also became associated with innumerable other publicity committees likely to advance the interests of Scotland.

King contributed much to the status of the cinema in Scotland during his lifetime. He was made CBE in 1937 and Knighted in 1944. He was a JP and a deputy Lieutenant of the county, City of Glasgow. In June 1957, the University of Glasgow bestowed upon him their highest honour of Doctor of Law. He was a well-respected figure in the American film and cinema industries, and was admired by his colleagues at home for his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Researcher: Joan Allan

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

Title Release date Film reference Sound Colour Date film record added Date video added Asc Desc
	BRITISH MOVIETONE NEWS No. 793, GLASGOW ARMY EXHIBITION [0023B] Add to my films The Opening of the Glasgow Army Exhibition at Queen's Park Recreation Ground by General Sir Thomas Riddle-Webster and Sir Alexander King of the Ministry of Information.		1944 sound bw
	BRITISH MOVIETONE NEWS No. 937A, AMERICANS WALK OFF WITH THE WALKER CUP [0269] Add to my films Filmed at the Royal and Ancient golf course, St Andrews. The American captain is presented with the Walker Cup. Will Fyffe and Sir Alexander B. King are spectators.		1947 sound bw
	BRITISH PARAMOUNT NEWS No 1812, FILM CHIEF'S DAUGHTER WEDS [3955] Add to my films Film of the marriage of Sir Alex King's daughter to Iain Somerville. Includes shots of important guests from the entertainment industry, views of the wedding itself and the reception at the Central Hotel, Glasgow.	Onsite only	1948 sound bw
	Cinematograph Exhibitors Association CONFERENCE, GLENEAGLES [1790] Add to my films Coverage of a CEA (Cinematograph Exhibitors Association) Conference at Gleneagles Hotel.		1949 sound bw
	FESTIVAL IN EDINBURGH [1493] Add to my films Compilation of events, people and shows which helped to create the 1954 Edinburgh Festival.		1955 sound col
	IT HAPPENED IN PAISLEY [0561D] Add to my films A brief history of the La Scala Cinema, Paisley in its first 14 years, introducing the management and staff.		1935 silent bw
	OPENING OF NEW GRAMPIAN STUDIOS [N0864] Add to my films Sir A.B. King and Professor M. Swan make speeches to audience at the opening of a new Grampian TV studio in Edinburgh.	Onsite only	1967 sound and mute bw
	SCOTLAND WELCOMES THEIR MAJESTIES [0673] Add to my films King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit Scotland. The royal tour includes Clydebank and Paisley, the National Fire Service Training School and Miners Welfare Centre at Blantyre.		1941 sound bw