Little Theatre, now managed by Peppino Santangelo, survived and sometimes prospered. To survive, insisted Santangelo, it was necessary to balance artistic principles with commercial viability. In 1939, despite difficult times, the company raised finance to purchase the neighbouring Assembly Rooms and created in its place the New Theatre. It survived various crises and today is Hull's largest theatre, most recently renovated in 2017 during Hull's year as UK City of Culture. Exit By 1935 Morton's businesses ceased to be viable, a financial examination revealing a deficiency of nearly £50,000. The Grand's last film was the American documentary "Africa Speaks". The Grand and the Majestic were sold to Associated Hull Cinemas Ltd, a consortium managed by Brinley Evans. Renamed the Dorchester and the Criterion respectively, both were remodelled. 'W. F.' Morton, aged 65, died that June. Tom Morton continued as licensee of the still successful Prince's Hall Cinema. (It became the Curzon about 1950). Tom Bogue, son-in-law and manager of the Majestic, became licensee of the West Park Cinema, Anlaby Road. (He retired in 1943, aged 83, after losing his wife and his home in an air-raid.) William Morton, now aged 97, severed his connections with cinema and theatre and finally retired to lead a quiet life of hobbies, cared for by an unmarried daughter. Tributes Tributes were paid in a Hull Daily Mail editorial in 1935 to the family's forty-year contribution to quality entertainment in the city. A correspondent to the paper also wrote: "I am old enough to remember, like many others, when Hull was very crudely served in the way of entertainment, and we owe a big debt to the Morton family for all they have done for the way of clean and refined recreation in this city." Finale In his nineties Morton still put in a full day's work at his office. Because strangers often expressed incredulity about his age, he kept his birth certificate with him. Asked about the secrets of his longevity, his prescriptions were simple: a healthy lifestyle, regular simple meals, no late night activities, no alcohol. Hobbies and relaxation were important: an evening game of billiards with his daughter; photography in the summer months, colouring his prints with chalks to a professional standard; reading six newspapers every day; listening to the radio; a cigar and 15 cigarettes. Morton was a man of contrasts. He had deep convictions but always tried to see the