7 - Infrastructure: From Theatre to Cinema

Summary

This chapter examines Bandmann’s efforts to buy, build or improve theatres along his circuit. These endeavours were motivated not only by practical and pecuniary considerations but also functioned as a means to form deeper relationships with the localities where he operated. This chapter explores both his theatre-building and his forays into cinema, including activities distributing British war propaganda films during the First World War. The chapter includes detailed discussions of The Empire (Calcutta), the Royal Opera House (Bombay) and his last building initiative, the New Empire in Gibraltar. The second section provides a detailed discussion of Bandmann’s competition with J. F. Madam to obtain exclusive distribution rights of the British propaganda films.