I used to go up to the Balcony twice a day and go down the right hand Exit (On Picture) to my dressing room to change into (by 6pm) and out of my dinner suit (at close of the final performace) If I was quick enough I could sneek ot the bottom door. other wise I had to come back through the Balcony and down the main staircase The hight and rake was hair raising.. But not as Bad as the Old Theatre Royal next door… That was that high it had angels flying around :o) (That was before it was knocked down)
Union Cinemas did go over the top on promoting the Brand “Union Cinemas” They did it every where, even take over shows.. When I worked for ABC I had a discussion with Mr.D Combes. (forgot is Christan Name at the mo.) who was at Head Office. He came with the Union Take over by ABC.. Union Cinema Sign usualy overshadowed the name of the Theatre, which was normaly “RITZ” (He was kind to me.. and gave me a load of pictures)
Hmm. Point 1. It is difficult to judge from a Black and white print.. The Picture and sound quality where very good.. Seating comfortable. Temprature was always good. 2 The Theatre always had a friendly helpful long serving staff that treated the customers as humanbeings unlike the multiplexes.. The cinema lasted 17 years after it was converted into 3 Screens. point 3 The cinema closed due to being delayed by 6 – 10 weeks in showing films. Until that time the Capitol was the most profitable cinema in Birmingham. Rank had made offers to buy the Capitol and our silly MD turned them down…
On this Project the normal Contractors that did the Odeon Building work was used instead of the “Satchwell and Roberts” Team.. Funny Bullivant used one of their contractors to build Odeon Bradford (C.J. Bryant)
When I took over as General Manager, I got Pearl and Dean to put on the old Pillar Opening and Closing, instead of the Bolting Brothers “Moving letters”
@ Curfew.. Interesting picture. Satchwell used the same design on the edge of the 2 Circles. on the Alexander Theatre Birmingham. It is beleived that Roland Satchwell (Satchwell & Roberts) designed the first Art Deco cinema in the country “Capitol Cinema Birmingham” Drawing where done in 1924" The Owwner of The alex Birmingham was Chairman of The Clifton Circuit and was a Big Panto Producer. Question can you find out of Salberg did the pantos at the Palace ??? Because it is odd for Satchwell to even thinks of designing this theatre. It is out of his area
I have now loaded a picture of the Fanastic Foyer.. Before being wrecked by the **** modernisation by Moorebird Ltd., I have a picture of the Interior, which I still have not found..
I have the picture somewhere of the large queue for the Bingo.. I was seconded for 2 months to Help with the Bingo opening. Thankfully I was glad to be Back at the ABC Cinema Walsall at the end of it..
This was the last Theatre Operated by “Howard and Wyndam” The Panto Pruductions passed to HM Tennent )Binky Beumonts Company) “They then consentrated on Book Publishing.. and “Ciro Jewellers”
In 1932. The Cinema became Part of the BT Davis Circuit
In 1934 The Cinema became part of the BT Davis Circuit.
Robbie Hows the Los Angeles Theatre got in Alum Rock I never noticed it :o) Someones having a senior moment…
I used to go up to the Balcony twice a day and go down the right hand Exit (On Picture) to my dressing room to change into (by 6pm) and out of my dinner suit (at close of the final performace) If I was quick enough I could sneek ot the bottom door. other wise I had to come back through the Balcony and down the main staircase The hight and rake was hair raising.. But not as Bad as the Old Theatre Royal next door… That was that high it had angels flying around :o) (That was before it was knocked down)
Union Cinemas did go over the top on promoting the Brand “Union Cinemas” They did it every where, even take over shows.. When I worked for ABC I had a discussion with Mr.D Combes. (forgot is Christan Name at the mo.) who was at Head Office. He came with the Union Take over by ABC.. Union Cinema Sign usualy overshadowed the name of the Theatre, which was normaly “RITZ” (He was kind to me.. and gave me a load of pictures)
That was quick Ian.. Thought I’d beat ya :o)
Have found old picture of Theatre during better times..
In !962. The Theatre was owned by Mrs G. Harris and had RCA sound..
Hope I have matched the right picture..
Hmm. I Should never load pictures in the early hours of the morning….
I have a better quality picture somewhere.. I shall swap over when I find where she put it.. Safe
Hmm. Point 1. It is difficult to judge from a Black and white print.. The Picture and sound quality where very good.. Seating comfortable. Temprature was always good. 2 The Theatre always had a friendly helpful long serving staff that treated the customers as humanbeings unlike the multiplexes.. The cinema lasted 17 years after it was converted into 3 Screens. point 3 The cinema closed due to being delayed by 6 – 10 weeks in showing films. Until that time the Capitol was the most profitable cinema in Birmingham. Rank had made offers to buy the Capitol and our silly MD turned them down…
On this Project the normal Contractors that did the Odeon Building work was used instead of the “Satchwell and Roberts” Team.. Funny Bullivant used one of their contractors to build Odeon Bradford (C.J. Bryant)
When I took over as General Manager, I got Pearl and Dean to put on the old Pillar Opening and Closing, instead of the Bolting Brothers “Moving letters”
I have now added a Picture of Roland Sacthwell the Architect Beleived to be first to design an Art Deco Cinema in the UK
I should have said with his Partner Earnest Roberts
@ Curfew.. Interesting picture. Satchwell used the same design on the edge of the 2 Circles. on the Alexander Theatre Birmingham. It is beleived that Roland Satchwell (Satchwell & Roberts) designed the first Art Deco cinema in the country “Capitol Cinema Birmingham” Drawing where done in 1924" The Owwner of The alex Birmingham was Chairman of The Clifton Circuit and was a Big Panto Producer. Question can you find out of Salberg did the pantos at the Palace ??? Because it is odd for Satchwell to even thinks of designing this theatre. It is out of his area
I have now loaded a picture of the Fanastic Foyer.. Before being wrecked by the **** modernisation by Moorebird Ltd., I have a picture of the Interior, which I still have not found..
I have put on an Exterior picture.. I found it…
Hmm.. The Film. “Kentucky Fried Movie” comes to mind.. The first film in “Feelaround” :o)
I have put the picture on. It is a bus showing a lack of timing :o) My eyesite is getting ….
I have an exterior shot. But there is a Tram in the way that ruins the shot
I have the picture somewhere of the large queue for the Bingo.. I was seconded for 2 months to Help with the Bingo opening. Thankfully I was glad to be Back at the ABC Cinema Walsall at the end of it..
This was the last Theatre Operated by “Howard and Wyndam” The Panto Pruductions passed to HM Tennent )Binky Beumonts Company) “They then consentrated on Book Publishing.. and “Ciro Jewellers”
Have loaded a picture of “Oscar Deutsch"… The Father of The Odeon Cinema Chain… Reminder: When we had Great People running our Nation Cinemas