Comments from Mike_Blakemore - Cinema Treasures

Mike_Blakemore commented about Majestic Cinema on Nov 11, 2011 at 3:00 am

I have loaded a pic of earlier Days. I did a 16 Day Relief (Management) in the 1970’s Saturday night The Ballroom was very loud. and had to work later.

Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC New Street on Nov 9, 2011 at 4:38 am

To Johncine. Yes the films are right for the Cinema. Yje screen was only 28ft scope… at the time Odeon New Street was the next largest in the City The Capitol Ward End was 48ft scope slightly bigger then New street

Mike_Blakemore commented about King's Norton Cinema on Nov 5, 2011 at 9:18 am

The Company that owned it from its building till it was sold for demolition was “Kings Norton Picturehouse Co., Ltd.,” Not Clifton….

It had a 36' Screen… Westrex Sound and Projection..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Aston Cross Picture House on Nov 4, 2011 at 4:47 am

This Cinema was built and on the screen in around 8 weeks from the foundations being laid… No messing in those days..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Coliseum Cinema on Nov 3, 2011 at 8:45 am

Hmm Kalee 12 Projectors with drum shutters Universal sound heads (When first put in would have had sound on disc as well) and I think Kaylee Commadore arcs..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Odeon Hastings on Nov 2, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Loaded 3 pic from the Cannon Era. Opening

Mike_Blakemore commented about Shepherd's Bush Pavilion on Nov 1, 2011 at 3:22 am

@ Davepring.. I hate to say it NOT just Rank…. The March of the Multiplex…. Gone are the days when Cinemas where run by people with passion for what they do… They are now sweet shops that also show films…

Mike_Blakemore commented about Regal Cinema on Oct 31, 2011 at 8:32 am

I hope I have remembered correctly The Theatre.. If wrong put it down to nearly old age..

Mike_Blakemore commented about City Super Cinema on Oct 28, 2011 at 5:26 pm

The Cinema was in High Street…. approx 40 yds to junction “The Plaza Cinema was built..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Vue Leamington Spa on Oct 28, 2011 at 5:03 pm

The Theatre along with all the other Theatres in Leamington. was owned by. “The Stratford Picture House Co.Ltd., (Founded by Bosco ) I have a number of pictures in my files of The Regal before the 70mm was installed in the 60’s I will load them as soon as I find wher she had put them…..

Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Middlesbrough on Oct 28, 2011 at 3:50 pm

I have loaded 2 pictures Hope you enjoy

Mike_Blakemore commented about Fulham Road Picturehouse on Oct 27, 2011 at 5:33 pm

Have load 4 pictures hope you enjoy

Mike_Blakemore commented about Vue West End on Oct 27, 2011 at 2:35 pm

I have put an early picture of the Warner

Mike_Blakemore commented about Plaza Cinema on Oct 27, 2011 at 10:27 am

Miles Jervis bought The Plaza as a job lot with the Alhambra Dudley Port. Plaza (renamed KINGS) West Bromwich There was another. I cannot rember the name.. AGE..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Ritz Cinema on Oct 27, 2011 at 4:24 am

This was a regular relief for me… I usually got relief duties when there was advance boooking going on.. Wrestling, odd concerts and am.. Pantos….

Mike_Blakemore commented about Elite Picture Theatre on Oct 27, 2011 at 4:03 am

I did a number of Holiday Manager reliefs there. In the early 70’s the Auditorium at that stage was in very poor nic. The staff where good to work with..I remember one the films showing at the time was “Love They Neigbour” My Theatre at the time was being converted to a 3 screener.. The Elite was an oddity ABC-EMI only had a 50% interest the other was the landlord that owned the block.. When The Cinema was built.. They discovered there was Projection box…. So they ended up with a very tight one and the Projectionist had to be a acrobat to get to it… Projection Equipment was Ross GC3s with RCA sound…

Mike_Blakemore commented about Odeon Cinema Perry Barr on Oct 22, 2011 at 5:49 pm

The First Odeon…

Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC West Bromwich on Oct 22, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Have loaded 2 more pictures

Mike_Blakemore commented about Commodore Theatre on Oct 21, 2011 at 4:52 pm

At Last I have found a picture of the Commodore.. It is not good.. But there might not be any other around…

Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Regal Cinema Derby on Oct 21, 2011 at 10:34 am

Hmm… I was an ABC Minors Uncle…Based at the ABC Walsall. I did cover for a Managers Holiday and Uncled at Minors Matinee there..

Mike_Blakemore commented about Gaumont Birmingham on Oct 19, 2011 at 12:33 pm

I have load a picture of the original Stage… Hope enjoy

Mike_Blakemore commented about Capitol Cinema 2 on Oct 18, 2011 at 6:16 pm

The Big Problems we had was the throw and acute angle Legal site lines. When we did it the local Authority came in and measured to check we did it to the book. They came in and marked when it had to go.. The inspectors to-day do not seem to know of the regulations when it came to the multiprexes…… Birmingham was pain in the neck the to do anything.. 2.The Wall that the screen was on. used the front gerder of the Balcony edge to supprt it.. As a Family company we did not have the funds to put in extra steel work to extend out.. The screen was 26' scope. The No1 Screen we used 48' wide with moveable to masking as well as sides.. Hope this helps

Mike_Blakemore commented about Rialto Theatre on Oct 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

I The 20’s and early thirties The Cinemas was Operated by ABC Cinenas. The Manager that I trained with at The ABC Savoy Walsall. Was assitant Manager at the Commodore Hammersmith and did management relief at Rialto

Mike_Blakemore commented about Rialto Theatre on Oct 17, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Have found a picture of the auditorium….

Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Derby on Oct 17, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I have loaded 3 pictures from 1959.. Hope you enjoy..