Great! I understand that the former ABC Ipswich Wurlitzer was hardly ever played whilst in Scarborough. It is wonderful having these fine instruments housed in traditional cinemas and in regular use.
Below is a link to a video of the very same organ being played by Gerald Shaw whilst still in situ in the Ipswich ABC:–
Photos uploaded of both entrances. Newcastle, like all major cities, is all the poorer without its many cinemas of all sizes and styles. Even the smaller ones such as the Tatler/Classic added that certain extra interest amidst the shops and businesses of the vibrant metropolis.
I refer to Ian’s comment re ‘Super Cinemas’ still in their original form.
The term was used in the 1930’s in reference to (then) modern very large capacity cinemas usually with full stage facilities, Wurlitzer or Compton organs and restaurants as additional incentives to visit.
Whilst there is no dispute re OLS in this regard – and it is indeed the very last such venue operating exclusively or primarily as a cinema – examples quoted such as the Rio Dalston, Picture-House, Hebden Bridge and, in particular, The Tyneside, Newcastle were never , and are not, ‘Super Cinemas’.
They may be, in their particular areas, the nearest one can get to ‘Super Cinemas’ simply because they have survived – but ‘Super’,in accordance with the original term, they are certainly not.
The Tyneside, in particular, was a News Theatre and at its largest was a mere 412 capacity. These days it is around the 200 mark .
Had the North East been particularly fortunate in retaining a ‘Super Cinema’ it would, without doubt, have been the Odeon (Paramount) , Newcastle Upon Tyne which was listed and then, very conveniently, de-listed.
Fortunately,currently undergoing restoration, is the next best ‘Super Cinema’, the ABC Globe, Stockton on Tees. At 2,429 seats,it was a ‘cat’s whisker’ behind the Odeon Newcastle which, prior to subdivision, had 2,458 seats. The Globe, I hasten to add, has a much deeper and better equipped stage and, for this reason in particular, is considered worthy of preservation.
Re the Odeon Leicester Square, I am delighted that its integrity is to be preserved, albeit at the expense of capacity. How strange it is that theatre- goers are still prepared to put up with 1930’s seating and spacing, but cinema patrons require much greater comfort and up to date configuration.
The restoration is now at a critical stage as seen in the following clip:–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4UuASPcoC4
I had to laugh when I saw a stern notice appended with the name G L SKELTON, MANAGER. George was infamous for his notices wherever he went and,Stockton Globe being one of ABC’s most important stage venues, it figures that he would be even more rampant with his orders and stipulations there……..
As I may have said previously, I do hope that ATG do not follow the Andrew LLoyd Webber and Eventim UK route of having no house tabs as those buildings look ridiculous without them and all the hi tech lighting in the world cannot compensate for their absence.
The ABC Globe had a set of the very best quality maroon velvet bullion carrying curtains in the whole of the UK. If the Restoration is to be as authentic as everyone connected with the project claims it will be, then a replica set is an absolute must!
Photo uploaded: The Queens on a Market Day in the late 1960’s when the venue would only recently have seen its change of use to Bingo. As can be seen , the town was still vibrant and bustling back then. In relative terms, I suppose it still is
fairly busy when compared with nearby market towns of similar size such as Bishop Auckland.
At least Bishop Auckland retains one building (the Hippodrome) which could be restored to theatrical use whereas Chester Le Street lost its very last when the Queens was destroyed in the inferno of 1994.
Photo added:The Front of House of the Savoy is prominent in this 1930 image of what I assume to be ‘Shrove Tuesday Football’, an annual event which ceased two years later in 1932. The films showing are ‘The Unholy Three’ (Lon Chaney) and ‘The Richest Man in the World’(Louis Mann, Robert Montgomery).
Many years ago I knew the Manager/Lessee, a former ABC Manager called John Bailey. Whenever I was in the area I would call in and he would have a chat and a ‘cuppa’ with me. The last time I saw him was in the 1980’s when I was with my colleague, John McIntosh of ABC Wigan who has now also passed away.
Re The Royalty today, the Local Authority should be grateful that it is operated by someone as committed as Mr Morris. To also house a former ABC Wurlitzer (NOT Odeon as suggested by a photo of the console I saw elsewhere)is an added bonus.
It is a pleasant looking building and should be retained as part of the resort’s Heritage. Perhaps the L.A. who are so concerned ought to carry out an external refurbishment. This would be far more cost effective than an unneeded , unwanted and unnecessary redevelopment.
My Dad was Chief Projectionist at the Hippodrome in the early 1950’s when it was operated by Thompsons Enterprises of Middlesbrough.
This company had strong ties with Gaumont (later part of Rank who also operated Odeon Cinemas)from whom Thompsons acquired the venue.
Conversely, many former Thompsons theatres were sold to Denman and GTC (divisons of Gaumont British) including the huge Middlesbrough Hippodrome which still exists in a drastically altered form as a large Nightclub.
Thompsons had their own ice cream brand, ‘Erimus’ (no Lyons Maid or Walls at the Hipp) and it was manufactured on Longlands Road, Middlesbrough very close to Thompsons' Majestic Cinema.
Photos uploaded.
The closed Marina looking sad and forlorn awaiting demolition.
2 photos uploaded.
Photo uploaded
Photo uploaded.
Photo uploaded.
Photo uploaded.
Great! I understand that the former ABC Ipswich Wurlitzer was hardly ever played whilst in Scarborough. It is wonderful having these fine instruments housed in traditional cinemas and in regular use.
Below is a link to a video of the very same organ being played by Gerald Shaw whilst still in situ in the Ipswich ABC:–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DADni8APhHk
1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
Photo uploaded.
Photo uploaded.
Nostalgic Evening Chronicle article below :–
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/once-popular-newcastle-cinema-how-14277311
Photos uploaded of both entrances. Newcastle, like all major cities, is all the poorer without its many cinemas of all sizes and styles. Even the smaller ones such as the Tatler/Classic added that certain extra interest amidst the shops and businesses of the vibrant metropolis.
I refer to Ian’s comment re ‘Super Cinemas’ still in their original form.
The term was used in the 1930’s in reference to (then) modern very large capacity cinemas usually with full stage facilities, Wurlitzer or Compton organs and restaurants as additional incentives to visit.
Whilst there is no dispute re OLS in this regard – and it is indeed the very last such venue operating exclusively or primarily as a cinema – examples quoted such as the Rio Dalston, Picture-House, Hebden Bridge and, in particular, The Tyneside, Newcastle were never , and are not, ‘Super Cinemas’.
They may be, in their particular areas, the nearest one can get to ‘Super Cinemas’ simply because they have survived – but ‘Super’,in accordance with the original term, they are certainly not.
The Tyneside, in particular, was a News Theatre and at its largest was a mere 412 capacity. These days it is around the 200 mark .
Had the North East been particularly fortunate in retaining a ‘Super Cinema’ it would, without doubt, have been the Odeon (Paramount) , Newcastle Upon Tyne which was listed and then, very conveniently, de-listed.
Fortunately,currently undergoing restoration, is the next best ‘Super Cinema’, the ABC Globe, Stockton on Tees. At 2,429 seats,it was a ‘cat’s whisker’ behind the Odeon Newcastle which, prior to subdivision, had 2,458 seats. The Globe, I hasten to add, has a much deeper and better equipped stage and, for this reason in particular, is considered worthy of preservation.
Re the Odeon Leicester Square, I am delighted that its integrity is to be preserved, albeit at the expense of capacity. How strange it is that theatre- goers are still prepared to put up with 1930’s seating and spacing, but cinema patrons require much greater comfort and up to date configuration.
The restoration is now at a critical stage as seen in the following clip:–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4UuASPcoC4
I had to laugh when I saw a stern notice appended with the name G L SKELTON, MANAGER. George was infamous for his notices wherever he went and,Stockton Globe being one of ABC’s most important stage venues, it figures that he would be even more rampant with his orders and stipulations there……..
As I may have said previously, I do hope that ATG do not follow the Andrew LLoyd Webber and Eventim UK route of having no house tabs as those buildings look ridiculous without them and all the hi tech lighting in the world cannot compensate for their absence.
The ABC Globe had a set of the very best quality maroon velvet bullion carrying curtains in the whole of the UK. If the Restoration is to be as authentic as everyone connected with the project claims it will be, then a replica set is an absolute must!
Photo uploaded: The Queens on a Market Day in the late 1960’s when the venue would only recently have seen its change of use to Bingo. As can be seen , the town was still vibrant and bustling back then. In relative terms, I suppose it still is fairly busy when compared with nearby market towns of similar size such as Bishop Auckland.
At least Bishop Auckland retains one building (the Hippodrome) which could be restored to theatrical use whereas Chester Le Street lost its very last when the Queens was destroyed in the inferno of 1994.
Photo added:The Front of House of the Savoy is prominent in this 1930 image of what I assume to be ‘Shrove Tuesday Football’, an annual event which ceased two years later in 1932. The films showing are ‘The Unholy Three’ (Lon Chaney) and ‘The Richest Man in the World’(Louis Mann, Robert Montgomery).
Many years ago I knew the Manager/Lessee, a former ABC Manager called John Bailey. Whenever I was in the area I would call in and he would have a chat and a ‘cuppa’ with me. The last time I saw him was in the 1980’s when I was with my colleague, John McIntosh of ABC Wigan who has now also passed away.
Re The Royalty today, the Local Authority should be grateful that it is operated by someone as committed as Mr Morris. To also house a former ABC Wurlitzer (NOT Odeon as suggested by a photo of the console I saw elsewhere)is an added bonus.
It is a pleasant looking building and should be retained as part of the resort’s Heritage. Perhaps the L.A. who are so concerned ought to carry out an external refurbishment. This would be far more cost effective than an unneeded , unwanted and unnecessary redevelopment.
My Dad was Chief Projectionist at the Hippodrome in the early 1950’s when it was operated by Thompsons Enterprises of Middlesbrough.
This company had strong ties with Gaumont (later part of Rank who also operated Odeon Cinemas)from whom Thompsons acquired the venue.
Conversely, many former Thompsons theatres were sold to Denman and GTC (divisons of Gaumont British) including the huge Middlesbrough Hippodrome which still exists in a drastically altered form as a large Nightclub.
Thompsons had their own ice cream brand, ‘Erimus’ (no Lyons Maid or Walls at the Hipp) and it was manufactured on Longlands Road, Middlesbrough very close to Thompsons' Majestic Cinema.
Photo uploaded.
Housing Clearance in New Shildon 1959. The Rex sign can be seen on the apex of a building in the distance on the right.
The structure seen resembles a fly tower but in actual fact was the extension to the main building (lower and not visible) when the circle was added.
Image uploaded to photos section.