@ surf_digby. Very good pictures.. I used to do Managment Relief there in the 1970’s I spent many happy hours investergating the building. If you see what I mean. This Theatre would have been better being taken over and used as the local Theatre instead of the one they have..
The company owning it was “The Stratford Picture House Coompany Ltd.,” On the Break up of the Clifton Group in the early 1960’s.. The S.P.H.CO with the BT Davis Circuit formed Theatre Administration Ltd., as a Film Booking and Group buying group.
The local architectural firm Penty & Thompson, only acted as an agent for William Glenn. They had no design input.. Basically Day to day dealing with the builder and Local Authority..
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”
@ surf_digby. Very good pictures.. I used to do Managment Relief there in the 1970’s I spent many happy hours investergating the building. If you see what I mean. This Theatre would have been better being taken over and used as the local Theatre instead of the one they have..
The company owning it was “The Stratford Picture House Coompany Ltd.,” On the Break up of the Clifton Group in the early 1960’s.. The S.P.H.CO with the BT Davis Circuit formed Theatre Administration Ltd., as a Film Booking and Group buying group.
I have pictures of this Theatre and will load them as soon as I found where my Late mother had put them for safty….
This could be the only Poster of the Last Edition left..
The local architectural firm Penty & Thompson, only acted as an agent for William Glenn. They had no design input.. Basically Day to day dealing with the builder and Local Authority..
“One Mans meat is another mans poison” as the old saying go’s…
I closed the cinema around 1975-76…
The Cinema was sold to “The Capitol Cinema (Ward End) Ltd., in the 1960’s Prior was controled By George Parker who was a member of "The Clift Circle”
In 1935 The Cinema became part of the BT Davis Circuit
The Theare was Owwned and Built by “The Capitol Cinema Ward End) Ltd.,
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