Doug was the manager. I had been told he was going to the Capitol when Sparkbrook closed. Johnny Brockington phined me up and in the conversation told be that Doug Did not make the move.. within 10 days I had been appointed Manager of the Capitol Doug went to the Warwick Acocks Green.
@ Michael1948 I used to do relief for Doug Reeves.. From memory they used to have a female Projectionist there. and for a short time The District Offices wher there… Peter Albutt. Jim Hunt was engineer
In 1898 ish.. The Walsall Theatre Company had planned a brand new Theatre on the Imperial Site. which involved taking over extra land to the left. The Walsall Council it seems offered the land that was earmarked but never used for the new Walsall Townhall. So they Built the Spectacular “Her Majesties Theatre” on Townend Bank..
I think I have found an error.. Hmm using other sources It looks as though Archibald Hurley Robinson had no had if the Major change for Sound films or the current frontage. This was based theory was based on the “Rookery Cinema” Handsworth Birmingham which is credited as an Hurley Robinson design by the experts.. The Architect that should be credited should be the local firm of “Hickton and Falmer” That did other work for the Walsall Theatre Company.. At the same time calls into question the Rookery Cinema. which could have been one of the lost Hickton and Falmer designs..
Referring to my previous comments. On further research. The Theatre along with Odeon Warley.. Stafford.. Shirley. Kettering.. Hereford.. and another one, Which is possibly the built Odeon Bradford Where controlled by the Clifton Syndicate (share wise all except the 200 shares in each site J. Arthur Rank had purchased off the Deutsch Family ). until Rank – Odeon did a Share rites issue in December 1947 to buy up anomalies like these theatres. Most Built Odeon’s had a Clifton Syndicate holding of a lesser degree. Hmm So we ended up buying shares in the Odeon Properties Ltd., So they could by us out of these odd companies..
The Blue Plaque details wrong Roland Satchwell designed 80 Cinemas and 2 live theatres and was also a Director of around 30 Cinemas
The comment in the first Paragraph commenting on the Odeon Style of this building.. Is Very simple Roland Satchwell and Cecil Clavering created the Odeon Look at the Odeon Kingstanding and Warley These Cinema although Branded as Odeon where in fact controlled by the Clifton Circuit (Share wise) until 1947-48
So right terry…. The mulitplexes lack a Magic the old ones had…
What is the use of 12 Screens plus.. when there are not enough good films to show. I have been a Cinema veteran for 4 years and I have not used my Veterans pass yet..
Problem with to-days multiplexes they a refreshment Vendors that also shows films as a side line..
Here endeth to-days rant..
I forgot to mention from my notes Modernisation Ltd., The Freize-Greene company did the interior decor and fittings. I believe it was Hall Stage that fitted out the stage house
This is a very difficult Project as there is already a Fine Theatre in Bradford.. “The Alhambra” The Lottery Fund only gives money Providing other monies are obtained.. Another place to look is the EU communities Fund… Good Luck..
It was at the ponit of building this Cinema That the parent company bought in B. T Davis a Birmingham accontant to be a Director.. To protect the company from being taken over by Sidney Clift and his associates, which at the time had a substantial interest in the Company.. The following Cinema the Capitol Built was “The Olton Cinema” where they used another architect that had no connection to Clift..
My Company had dealt with John Friese Greene’s company Modernisiation Ltd. for over 50 years I had planned to do a Project in 1996 but alas it was not to be He died before the Savoy could be done.. In that time we never had a written contract for any of the major works he did for us.
@ Harryrig. I was present at that demonstration I ran the Capitol at Alum Rock. and “The Regal was a sister Theatre to Ours
Leslie Holderness ended up a Supervisors for the Clifton Cinema Circuit.. There is a picture of him on the Regal Wolverhampton listing (First Left)
Doug was the manager. I had been told he was going to the Capitol when Sparkbrook closed. Johnny Brockington phined me up and in the conversation told be that Doug Did not make the move.. within 10 days I had been appointed Manager of the Capitol Doug went to the Warwick Acocks Green.
@ Michael1948 I used to do relief for Doug Reeves.. From memory they used to have a female Projectionist there. and for a short time The District Offices wher there… Peter Albutt. Jim Hunt was engineer
In 1898 ish.. The Walsall Theatre Company had planned a brand new Theatre on the Imperial Site. which involved taking over extra land to the left. The Walsall Council it seems offered the land that was earmarked but never used for the new Walsall Townhall. So they Built the Spectacular “Her Majesties Theatre” on Townend Bank..
I think I have found an error.. Hmm using other sources It looks as though Archibald Hurley Robinson had no had if the Major change for Sound films or the current frontage. This was based theory was based on the “Rookery Cinema” Handsworth Birmingham which is credited as an Hurley Robinson design by the experts.. The Architect that should be credited should be the local firm of “Hickton and Falmer” That did other work for the Walsall Theatre Company.. At the same time calls into question the Rookery Cinema. which could have been one of the lost Hickton and Falmer designs..
I have revamped this picture..
Referring to my previous comments. On further research. The Theatre along with Odeon Warley.. Stafford.. Shirley. Kettering.. Hereford.. and another one, Which is possibly the built Odeon Bradford Where controlled by the Clifton Syndicate (share wise all except the 200 shares in each site J. Arthur Rank had purchased off the Deutsch Family ). until Rank – Odeon did a Share rites issue in December 1947 to buy up anomalies like these theatres. Most Built Odeon’s had a Clifton Syndicate holding of a lesser degree. Hmm So we ended up buying shares in the Odeon Properties Ltd., So they could by us out of these odd companies..
Hmm I had a senior moment when loading picture. Its Roland Satchwell and not Ronald..
The Blue Plaque details wrong Roland Satchwell designed 80 Cinemas and 2 live theatres and was also a Director of around 30 Cinemas The comment in the first Paragraph commenting on the Odeon Style of this building.. Is Very simple Roland Satchwell and Cecil Clavering created the Odeon Look at the Odeon Kingstanding and Warley These Cinema although Branded as Odeon where in fact controlled by the Clifton Circuit (Share wise) until 1947-48
So right terry…. The mulitplexes lack a Magic the old ones had…
What is the use of 12 Screens plus.. when there are not enough good films to show. I have been a Cinema veteran for 4 years and I have not used my Veterans pass yet..
Problem with to-days multiplexes they a refreshment Vendors that also shows films as a side line..
Here endeth to-days rant..
A Point of interest Modernisation Ltd., become “Chart Developments” They did a lot of work at Disney France.. The Castle and most of Main Street
I have now loaded the picture of the Stage area before the 70mm conversion..
It would be very interesting to find out. To me it stylisticly looks like a David Evelyn Nye. design.. Who did Our Regal Cinema Marlow
The Building has recently re-opened as a Bingo Hall
Answer to ritzman… the reason is Rates….. and removal of seats..
Apollo Did put screen in the cafe. My associate supplied the Projection Equipment
See Notes I put on to the Picture I loaded..
Hmm Sorry for the typing error AGE…..
Its amazing how many top class Theatres have been knocked down just to provide a car park
I forgot to mention from my notes Modernisation Ltd., The Freize-Greene company did the interior decor and fittings. I believe it was Hall Stage that fitted out the stage house
This is a very difficult Project as there is already a Fine Theatre in Bradford.. “The Alhambra” The Lottery Fund only gives money Providing other monies are obtained.. Another place to look is the EU communities Fund… Good Luck..
It was at the ponit of building this Cinema That the parent company bought in B. T Davis a Birmingham accontant to be a Director.. To protect the company from being taken over by Sidney Clift and his associates, which at the time had a substantial interest in the Company.. The following Cinema the Capitol Built was “The Olton Cinema” where they used another architect that had no connection to Clift..
Pictue from the Walsall History
My Company had dealt with John Friese Greene’s company Modernisiation Ltd. for over 50 years I had planned to do a Project in 1996 but alas it was not to be He died before the Savoy could be done.. In that time we never had a written contract for any of the major works he did for us.