@ 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…
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…..
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..
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…
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
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
In the early days The Theatre did Cine-Variety, When I did reliefs (Management) there I did a lot of exploring of the building. Behind the Pros that was built for Cinemascope. There was the original Theatre one intact complete with dressing rooms… Full of Junk…
The Manager at the time had been told for years and years that it would be given a refurbishment. When it finally came.. He had a heart attack and died… Hmmm.. We always thought it was shock…
The Grand Theatre was owned by “The Walsall Theatre Co, Ltd., Fronted by W. Westwood… Prior to selling to Associated British Cinemas… ABC had to buy all of the 4 Theatres or NONE… They only wanted Her Majesties..
January 1968.. ABC Had their District Office. Where I had my interview to become a Trainee Manager with the Company.. ended up doing 39 years in the business..
I also had to relieve on occasions, the Manager on his days off.. Still the food was good at the Bowling alley… :o)
@ 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…
I hope I have remembered correctly The Theatre.. If wrong put it down to nearly old age..
The Cinema was in High Street…. approx 40 yds to junction “The Plaza Cinema was built..
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…..
I have loaded 2 pictures Hope you enjoy
Have load 4 pictures hope you enjoy
I have put an early picture of the Warner
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..
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….
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…
The First Odeon…
Have loaded 2 more pictures
At Last I have found a picture of the Commodore.. It is not good.. But there might not be any other around…
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..
I have load a picture of the original Stage… Hope enjoy
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
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
Have found a picture of the auditorium….
I have loaded 3 pictures from 1959.. Hope you enjoy..
Please Note.. The Art Deco ceiling is the original 1925 one… and had troff lighting
In the early days The Theatre did Cine-Variety, When I did reliefs (Management) there I did a lot of exploring of the building. Behind the Pros that was built for Cinemascope. There was the original Theatre one intact complete with dressing rooms… Full of Junk… The Manager at the time had been told for years and years that it would be given a refurbishment. When it finally came.. He had a heart attack and died… Hmmm.. We always thought it was shock…
The Grand Theatre was owned by “The Walsall Theatre Co, Ltd., Fronted by W. Westwood… Prior to selling to Associated British Cinemas… ABC had to buy all of the 4 Theatres or NONE… They only wanted Her Majesties..
January 1968.. ABC Had their District Office. Where I had my interview to become a Trainee Manager with the Company.. ended up doing 39 years in the business.. I also had to relieve on occasions, the Manager on his days off.. Still the food was good at the Bowling alley… :o)
His Father-in-law was William Astley
????? Clifton Cinemas Circuit.. Small… With around 60 Cinemas