@ andirichardson. There should be some internal. They where taken after the ABC 1960’s ferub.. I have been searching.. I loaned a number of photos out some years ago and they where never returned.. The Cladding would come off. Might have to do repairs to the bolt areas and the front pediment
I did cover at the ABC Chester.. when it was moved to our Zone.. I was able to do a Full Theatre Advance Booking. So I got lumbered. Morcombe & Wise Show and an Orcestra Concert.. for the Chester festival.. We at least we worked for the Real ABC company :o)
I can see you point.. But under normal practice on this site.. A LEGAL FACT.. ABC Theatre was not a NEW Theatre as such. The 4 Walls of the original theatre, where used in building of the Refurbed theatre.. This apart from cost.. Was a contrivance to legally get round the planning laws. Interior was gutted and old roof removed. New spans where installed on the Original Walls. Exterior got make over.. Internal. Had new steelwork and refit etc etc… One here a great number of theatres have had such a make over.. and not had seperate entires..
I am Ex ABC and knew members of the design team and even met Jack Foster) As I was interested in design. He explained what work was done..
The ABC Savoys Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided on “The Savoy” The Company that built the Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director was W. Westwood. with his son and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
I remember seing on Television. There Screen and Tabs (In The Main Hall) rise up from underneath the stage in a 1 piece unit… anybody got a picture of this unit ??
I knew One of the families well They had a small supermarket on the Alum Rock near Our Cinema. I visited with then regular. The Theatre Was Spotless always..
A Reminder.. Cinemascope Films could only be shown in Cinema Authorised by (20th Century Fox) As it was their Trademark… In the early days the sound was in 4 Track Mag. ABC and the others did a kind of Scope minus 4 Track.. to get around the situation. In most cases ABC also installed festoon Curtains and installed the screen as close to the front as possible. A number of ABC sites and Independants where budget allowed got Modernisation Ltd., to build New Larger Pros outside the small one.. The Original Cinemas Equipt with Cinemascope was Granada.. Essoldo.. and the leading Independant in a Town.. Rank would not invest in Cinemascope until later… When this happened 20th Century Fox then did the dirty and moved to scope release back to Rank except where there was no Rank Cinema in a town..
When The Cinema Opened as where most Odeons was set up as a separate company with its own set of shareholders, balance sheets and dividends only unified later by the J. Arthur Ranks take over.. Then there was Odeon Circuit Management was set up to administer them..
Hi Robbie.. I have another one to put on. and I have a press picture of Laurel & Hardy. When I am in the mood I will be doing a item on “The Butterworth Circuit” It should have never been knocked dowm. The replacement building __________
@ tinseltoes… Lilian Bayliss Who was noted for being careful with money. Even known to charge actors to act on her stage. (My type of woman) To Balance her books.. BY Showing films during her time.. She Kept the Theatre Open..
Lilian Bayliss Stories…
She used to do her office work in one of the boxes during performances even typing, which drove actors mad.. Just before the end of the play she would start cooking food for the cast on a gas ring in prompt corner.. (My Drama teacher worked for her)
British Theatre have a massive debt to her.. Her Opera company based at “The Wells” became “The English National Opera” “Sadlers Wells Ballet” became the “The Royal ballet” “The Old Vic company” Became the National Theatre" She was a remarkable woman..
@ andirichardson. There should be some internal. They where taken after the ABC 1960’s ferub.. I have been searching.. I loaned a number of photos out some years ago and they where never returned.. The Cladding would come off. Might have to do repairs to the bolt areas and the front pediment
This picture was taken after the major 2006 restoration project. Please note there is normally no gap on the curtain stage right..
Hmm. That brings back memories.. Did a week plus 2 day management relief There. A fantastic Theatre
I remember the First Manager of the of the Facelift Theatre.. Bob Parsons the following one was Frank Chadwick. If my memory is correct..
I did cover at the ABC Chester.. when it was moved to our Zone.. I was able to do a Full Theatre Advance Booking. So I got lumbered. Morcombe & Wise Show and an Orcestra Concert.. for the Chester festival.. We at least we worked for the Real ABC company :o)
I can see you point.. But under normal practice on this site.. A LEGAL FACT.. ABC Theatre was not a NEW Theatre as such. The 4 Walls of the original theatre, where used in building of the Refurbed theatre.. This apart from cost.. Was a contrivance to legally get round the planning laws. Interior was gutted and old roof removed. New spans where installed on the Original Walls. Exterior got make over.. Internal. Had new steelwork and refit etc etc… One here a great number of theatres have had such a make over.. and not had seperate entires..
I am Ex ABC and knew members of the design team and even met Jack Foster) As I was interested in design. He explained what work was done..
The ABC Savoys Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided on “The Savoy” The Company that built the Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director was W. Westwood. with his son and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
I remember seing on Television. There Screen and Tabs (In The Main Hall) rise up from underneath the stage in a 1 piece unit… anybody got a picture of this unit ??
I knew One of the families well They had a small supermarket on the Alum Rock near Our Cinema. I visited with then regular. The Theatre Was Spotless always..
Hmm Another building ruined by Hermans Gorings Boys..
I have a Line drawing of the frontage and a better Picture somewhere. which I will put on when i find them
AT LAST…. Found It.. Interior picture of theatre found.. Have done my best I can for clarity..
For the life of me I cannot see the picture of the Theatre… Answers please :o) my eye sight is getting bad..
The Tesco Supermarket is closed.. and awaiting the Co-operative Supermarket and Primark to move on to the site
This Cinema was used as a backdrop of a Chanel 4 Programme 20 or so years ago..
A Reminder.. Cinemascope Films could only be shown in Cinema Authorised by (20th Century Fox) As it was their Trademark… In the early days the sound was in 4 Track Mag. ABC and the others did a kind of Scope minus 4 Track.. to get around the situation. In most cases ABC also installed festoon Curtains and installed the screen as close to the front as possible. A number of ABC sites and Independants where budget allowed got Modernisation Ltd., to build New Larger Pros outside the small one.. The Original Cinemas Equipt with Cinemascope was Granada.. Essoldo.. and the leading Independant in a Town.. Rank would not invest in Cinemascope until later… When this happened 20th Century Fox then did the dirty and moved to scope release back to Rank except where there was no Rank Cinema in a town..
When The Cinema Opened as where most Odeons was set up as a separate company with its own set of shareholders, balance sheets and dividends only unified later by the J. Arthur Ranks take over.. Then there was Odeon Circuit Management was set up to administer them..
The Picture Impression from the Share Prospectus
It was because of this Cinema.. and “The Palace Walsall Wood” I did not use the old name of the Savoy Monmouth… when re-opening it..
Hi Robbie.. I have another one to put on. and I have a press picture of Laurel & Hardy. When I am in the mood I will be doing a item on “The Butterworth Circuit” It should have never been knocked dowm. The replacement building __________
Laurel & Hardy
@ tinseltoes… Lilian Bayliss Who was noted for being careful with money. Even known to charge actors to act on her stage. (My type of woman) To Balance her books.. BY Showing films during her time.. She Kept the Theatre Open.. Lilian Bayliss Stories… She used to do her office work in one of the boxes during performances even typing, which drove actors mad.. Just before the end of the play she would start cooking food for the cast on a gas ring in prompt corner.. (My Drama teacher worked for her)
British Theatre have a massive debt to her.. Her Opera company based at “The Wells” became “The English National Opera” “Sadlers Wells Ballet” became the “The Royal ballet” “The Old Vic company” Became the National Theatre" She was a remarkable woman..
Well. When driving by. Plenty of space in the Carpark..
As I was The General Manager of the Local Independent Cinema “The Capitol” that was forced to close due to this cinema. I am over the moon. “KAMA”
A Theatre is not complete without its Ghost… :o)
Hmm I thought I’d beaten Ken with this… Drat and double Drat….