Biography of 'HART, James'

Image 1 for 'HART, James'

Films associated with '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 ÒThe 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