Western Electric Sound was installed in April 1930, with cinemascope arriving at the Tinsley Picture Palace in March 1955 with Richard Burton & Jean Simmons in ‘The Robe’ being the first feature shown here in this format.The cinema never opened on Sundays and never succumbed to bingo, being a cinema all its life.
In 1967, saw two live shows on the Gaumont stage – Tom Jones with Kathy Kirby as support and Engelbert Humperdinck with the Rockin' Berries as support. One year later and all that beautiful interior was demolished along with the Gaumont’s large stage.
In the early 1960’s, when still called the Essoldo, one of Rotherham’s amateur operatic societies – The Steel, Peech & Tozer Operatic Society, cleaned all the backstage areas and redecorated the dressing rooms and produced ‘Carousel’ on the Essoldo stage, as they found the new Civic Theatre’s stage too small. I also recall the ‘Jimmy Clitheroe Show’ playing for a week at the Essoldo, bringing live theatre back to the building after many years as a cinema.
A DVD of ‘The London Nobody Knows’ has now been released and James Mason cam be seen going round the Old Bedford Theatre. Very interesting short film it is too.
Bingo was initially played during afternoons in the Majestic Ballroom from 1961.By 1967 it had taken over the ballroom completely.In 1969, Rank closed the former Coliseum/Gaumont which was now on Top Rank Bingo and moved the entire bingo operation into the Majestic Cinema.The final film shown at the Majestic was Clint Eastwood in ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ on 10th July 1969.
Only ever went to Leeds Majestic once and that was to see a re-run of ‘The King And I’ in 70mm. Another fine Leeds cinema no longer in use for that purpose.
It has a very large foyer area with two entrances. Was shown round last year. Staff very friendly and helpful, which makes a change. Very often when I ask to look around an old theatre, I’m told no, everything is locked up for security reasons, so this made a welcome change.
Thanks Ian for putting on the photos of the Lyceum. Sheffield never thought it would ever reopen, but thank goodness it did. It was the first live theatre I ever went to in Janaury 1958 to see Ronnie Hilton in the pantomime ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ which was presented by Gwladys Stanley Laidler, Francis Laidler’s(of Bradford Alhambra fame)widow.
Any update on the cinema re-opening. I was told by someone who lives in Doncaster that its roof had been removed so that rates didn’t have to be paid and it was due to be demolished in the Doncaster redevelopment scheme.
Victor Borge was the last person to appear on the Gaumont stage in 1968 about a week before the theatre was torn apart (criminally!)
Other films shown in 70mm in Gaumont 1 on the Cinerama screen included re-runs of ‘Doctor Zhivago’, ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’, ‘Mayerling’, ‘Oliver’ and of course ‘The Sound Of Music’
So, another former 70mm Roadshow house is to go!
Western Electric Sound was installed in April 1930, with cinemascope arriving at the Tinsley Picture Palace in March 1955 with Richard Burton & Jean Simmons in ‘The Robe’ being the first feature shown here in this format.The cinema never opened on Sundays and never succumbed to bingo, being a cinema all its life.
In 1967, saw two live shows on the Gaumont stage – Tom Jones with Kathy Kirby as support and Engelbert Humperdinck with the Rockin' Berries as support. One year later and all that beautiful interior was demolished along with the Gaumont’s large stage.
In the early 1960’s, when still called the Essoldo, one of Rotherham’s amateur operatic societies – The Steel, Peech & Tozer Operatic Society, cleaned all the backstage areas and redecorated the dressing rooms and produced ‘Carousel’ on the Essoldo stage, as they found the new Civic Theatre’s stage too small. I also recall the ‘Jimmy Clitheroe Show’ playing for a week at the Essoldo, bringing live theatre back to the building after many years as a cinema.
A DVD of ‘The London Nobody Knows’ has now been released and James Mason cam be seen going round the Old Bedford Theatre. Very interesting short film it is too.
Bingo was initially played during afternoons in the Majestic Ballroom from 1961.By 1967 it had taken over the ballroom completely.In 1969, Rank closed the former Coliseum/Gaumont which was now on Top Rank Bingo and moved the entire bingo operation into the Majestic Cinema.The final film shown at the Majestic was Clint Eastwood in ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ on 10th July 1969.
Will do! It’s a small world.
Only ever went to Leeds Majestic once and that was to see a re-run of ‘The King And I’ in 70mm. Another fine Leeds cinema no longer in use for that purpose.
Unfortunately quite a few of them have died, like Ken Pickering and Jimmy Gold. Did you know Alan Peel or Dave Riby. Still keep in touch with them
It has a very large foyer area with two entrances. Was shown round last year. Staff very friendly and helpful, which makes a change. Very often when I ask to look around an old theatre, I’m told no, everything is locked up for security reasons, so this made a welcome change.
He’s retired now and lives in Eastbourne. A few of us old ABC Managers try and meet up once a year for a reunion.
Yes, indeed it was. I still keep in touch with Roger!
No, Alan Thirlaway was Manager when I first went to Huddersfield, then when he retired, Roger Newcombe took over.
Don – Did you ever work at the new ABC in Doncaster.
Thanks Ian for putting on the photos of the Lyceum. Sheffield never thought it would ever reopen, but thank goodness it did. It was the first live theatre I ever went to in Janaury 1958 to see Ronnie Hilton in the pantomime ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ which was presented by Gwladys Stanley Laidler, Francis Laidler’s(of Bradford Alhambra fame)widow.
Saw ‘The Professionals’ here in the summer of 1967 when the Cinema was still called the Pavilion.
Saw ‘Paint Your Wagon’ at the ABC Princess in 70mm in 1969. Not the best of 70mm theatres, though the sound was reasonable.
Yes, it was Derek Warner that I relieved for his days off.
(abcman)
Did Management relief duties at the ABC Deansgate in the early 1970’s when Ken Pickering was the General Manager there. Always a busy house.
(abcman)
Did a two day relief at the ABC Eccles in 1972 when I was Assistant Manager at the ABC Huddersfield.
Richard Roper
(abcman)
Thanks Mike for the news.Obviously I was told some wromg information!
Any update on the cinema re-opening. I was told by someone who lives in Doncaster that its roof had been removed so that rates didn’t have to be paid and it was due to be demolished in the Doncaster redevelopment scheme.
Victor Borge was the last person to appear on the Gaumont stage in 1968 about a week before the theatre was torn apart (criminally!)
Other films shown in 70mm in Gaumont 1 on the Cinerama screen included re-runs of ‘Doctor Zhivago’, ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’, ‘Mayerling’, ‘Oliver’ and of course ‘The Sound Of Music’
Richard Roper (abcman)
The ABC Cinema Bristol Road was never run by the Classic Cinema chain. It was with ABC from 1944 onwards until taken over by the Cannon Group.
Yes Ken, the 1961 shot of the ABC is of the opening film ‘Don’t Bother To Knock’.
abcman