The Theatre was purchased off Hugh Orr by the Local Council but leased back on an odd deal… It was done for Hugh Orr’s lifetime So when he died It closed…
Very Vaguely after all these years .. After all I had to cope with being in the office with Joan Cooks as well :o) I have a feeling we have met.. Jonny Simmons was a Top class manager and had style of the old school
@ Donna That is a long time ago I only had one Asian ever work for me and All I can remember His Family had a factory directly opposite the Old Regal Handsworth… The Family took over the Regal from Mecca Bingo and turned it back to a Cinema… If my memory is right “the Prime Minister of India Visited the Regal..
This Cinema was not built for Odeon Theatre Ltd., which was purely a Management company .. It was the Odeon Theatre (Newport)Ltd., and had 50 Shareholders With Oscar and Lilly having 100 shares each.. As was all built Odeons ..
@ Davi1152… They probably would be made by William Turner of Northfield Birmingham. If You send me a picture of the seats I could possibly tell what they are. .co.uk
Sol Sheckman … of Essoldo normally was tight with his spending on the Cinemas. But this one he did spend money with out argument… Hmm There are many tales about him.. But then again I am one to talk… :o)
J. Frank Blockliss was a British Company. They where shareholders in Our Company.. Most Peerless in the Country where made by Kelvin Beard and Bottomed.. They also made Prestige Kitchen Equipment
In answer to CF100. In law. It is practice when building or doing major alterations to theatres. there has to be a supervising architect.. not necessary the one that designed it. Its this that causes the problem of attribution of who designed the theatre. I have had a number of disagreements with armchair and local historians on the theatres we have had built or have been involved with..
My Last Theatre incidentally is still running Having had a complete refurbishment including a new roof floors seating stage rig tabs.. black box. sound complete and redecoration before I retired .. I changed it back to my families original starting point. a live theatre that also shows films before handing on to a trust…
Al Alvarez. A small point. The First six months of the Showcase being opened. Like for like a matched in business. But in real terms they where doing very poor for a multiplex. The Film companies assured us of our prints, when the planning application was being made.. Showcase had to give massive giveaways. still no good. So suddenly there where no prints available. except if it was a stinker.. They where supplied prints which where never used.. There was a documentary screened at the Prince Charles recently and Cannes that rattled the film companies.. I am told they are still using the same excuse of prints shortage with todays digital age.
I did 39 years in my own right in Theatres and Cinemas booking for 28 sites.. member of the Cinematograph Exhibiters Association. dealing with the Monopolies and mergers etc etc. and knew many of the principles involved at the time. In the Chains and renters..
The Theatre was purchased off Hugh Orr by the Local Council but leased back on an odd deal… It was done for Hugh Orr’s lifetime So when he died It closed…
Very Vaguely after all these years .. After all I had to cope with being in the office with Joan Cooks as well :o) I have a feeling we have met.. Jonny Simmons was a Top class manager and had style of the old school
@ Donna That is a long time ago I only had one Asian ever work for me and All I can remember His Family had a factory directly opposite the Old Regal Handsworth… The Family took over the Regal from Mecca Bingo and turned it back to a Cinema… If my memory is right “the Prime Minister of India Visited the Regal..
Yes I was the Company General manager and I managed the Theatre.
Hi Donna Did he come from hadswort ? and have a brummi accent
If my memory is right Peter Macrae was assistant Manager at the ABC New Street Birmingham before me..
This Cinema was not built for Odeon Theatre Ltd., which was purely a Management company .. It was the Odeon Theatre (Newport)Ltd., and had 50 Shareholders With Oscar and Lilly having 100 shares each.. As was all built Odeons ..
Correction This frontage was Hickton and Farmer and not Robinson will be doing a correction and repairing the picture
PS Keep up the Good work David
SVCT Belonged to John Maxwell and was the precursor to BIP then ABPC.. (ABC Cinemas Ltd.,)
Hi Sam I hate to say this But there may be only Eddie Hopkins who was an assistant manager alive who lives in West Bromwich I believe ..
@ quellaverde Yes you are right. Age… We used to own the Green Lane cinema as well
A Listed Building status alas is not worth the paper its written on. They soon find away round it. Only Grade 1 or 2plus a star has a chance..
A Very Sad Site.
Reminder. This was the first Odeon. in the UK
@ curmudgeon How about the Avion Aldridge designed by Roland Satchwell He conceived the Odeon Look with Cecil Clavering
@ Davi1152… They probably would be made by William Turner of Northfield Birmingham. If You send me a picture of the seats I could possibly tell what they are. .co.uk
A good set of pictures Terry….
Sol Sheckman … of Essoldo normally was tight with his spending on the Cinemas. But this one he did spend money with out argument… Hmm There are many tales about him.. But then again I am one to talk… :o)
I have put this picture its not good but is a fragment of History.
@ HJHill Thanks for taking the trouble… :o)
J. Frank Blockliss was a British Company. They where shareholders in Our Company.. Most Peerless in the Country where made by Kelvin Beard and Bottomed.. They also made Prestige Kitchen Equipment
In answer to CF100. In law. It is practice when building or doing major alterations to theatres. there has to be a supervising architect.. not necessary the one that designed it. Its this that causes the problem of attribution of who designed the theatre. I have had a number of disagreements with armchair and local historians on the theatres we have had built or have been involved with..
My Last Theatre incidentally is still running Having had a complete refurbishment including a new roof floors seating stage rig tabs.. black box. sound complete and redecoration before I retired .. I changed it back to my families original starting point. a live theatre that also shows films before handing on to a trust…
Al Alvarez. A small point. The First six months of the Showcase being opened. Like for like a matched in business. But in real terms they where doing very poor for a multiplex. The Film companies assured us of our prints, when the planning application was being made.. Showcase had to give massive giveaways. still no good. So suddenly there where no prints available. except if it was a stinker.. They where supplied prints which where never used.. There was a documentary screened at the Prince Charles recently and Cannes that rattled the film companies.. I am told they are still using the same excuse of prints shortage with todays digital age.
I did 39 years in my own right in Theatres and Cinemas booking for 28 sites.. member of the Cinematograph Exhibiters Association. dealing with the Monopolies and mergers etc etc. and knew many of the principles involved at the time. In the Chains and renters..