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..
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..
Hi Carl.. I have a group picture of Projectionists when they won best box Containing I think George Mottram, Larry Freeman.. Dennis Thomas.. and John Constable when I find it. I have put it somewhere safe.. When I find it I shall put it on.. I met George when he visited Theatre after retirement around late 1974, While I was Assistant Manager to Jonny Simmons
Was In Birmingham. Capitol and Plaza Stockand Green..
and the last one.. Savoy Theatre Monmouth… Monmouth I retired 2007 Family had Theatre – Cinema Interests from 1890’s onwards.. Based in Walsall..
I seen the interior of Cinema After the Arrest of Peter Moore.. I had the Job of retrieving all the Film Prints for the film renters from all of MOORES cinemas. All it need was a Westrex Tower and it could have opened.. But I think it would have been a total waste of time doing so… I had considered Holyhead but this was to g=far from my other Cinema Interests
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..
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….
Hi Carl.. I have a group picture of Projectionists when they won best box Containing I think George Mottram, Larry Freeman.. Dennis Thomas.. and John Constable when I find it. I have put it somewhere safe.. When I find it I shall put it on.. I met George when he visited Theatre after retirement around late 1974, While I was Assistant Manager to Jonny Simmons
Post Script. That is how I ended up with most of the pics… I have put on here.. plus ABc’s Head office visits :o)
Was In Birmingham. Capitol and Plaza Stockand Green.. and the last one.. Savoy Theatre Monmouth… Monmouth I retired 2007 Family had Theatre – Cinema Interests from 1890’s onwards.. Based in Walsall..
I seen the interior of Cinema After the Arrest of Peter Moore.. I had the Job of retrieving all the Film Prints for the film renters from all of MOORES cinemas. All it need was a Westrex Tower and it could have opened.. But I think it would have been a total waste of time doing so… I had considered Holyhead but this was to g=far from my other Cinema Interests
I have loaded a picture of the Empire showing the overhanging Projection Box
In the 1970’s I did the Winter Relief there while the Manager was on holiday..