W F J Hewitt - Obituary 1939

COUNTY CINEMA PIONEER

A PIONEER of the cinema in Northamptonshire and for many years manager of the Palace Theatre Co. (Wellingborough), Ltd., Mr. W. F. J. Hewitt, died to­day (Saturday) at his home, "Studland," Westfield-road, Wellingborough, aged 72.

For two years he had been in failing health, which necessitated his retirement from active business affairs. .

Mr. Hewitt was well-known in cinema trade circles, having served for a period on the General Council of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, and for a period he was one of the four deputies appointed to the British Board of Film Censors.

He began his association with the cinema in the old days of travelling shows, being connected over 30 years ago with the pioneer film company, Walturdaw.

Mr. Hewitt was associated with Mr. George Brown, of "Rose Hill," Wellingborough, in forming the Palace Theatre Co., which now controls the Palace and Regal cinemas at Wellingborough, and the Palace and Ritz at Rushden. The old King's Theatre, now a garage, in Church-street, Wellingborough, was the beginning from which the company sprang.

In August last year, Mr. Hewitt and his wife, Londoners by birth, celebrated their golden wedding.

In addition to the widow, three children are bereaved, Mr. Leonard W. Hewitt, the present manager of the Palace, Wellingborough, Mr. Wilfred R. Hewitt, manager of the Ritz, Rushden, and his twin sister, Mrs. T. Perkins, of Wellingborough.

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