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)
Odeon Theatres Ltd., Came in much later, but only as a Management company During Deutsche’s Moste sites where seperate companies. with their own set of Shareholders..
Hmmm Correction Time. The Theatre was owned by Bertie Bull 90%. Sidney Clift held only 10% of Shares and booked the Hall The (original) Picture House Stratford Upon Avon was only associated for a very short time with Clifton Curcuit Management for film booking Clift on having a small percentage
The Imperial Seated 1021… May have lost 20 seats when the new act came out regarding the distance from the screen. Top of the screen cannot be more then 30% degrees higher the normal vision in the front row.. Being the first full-time built Cinema could be the Classic in Stafford street, Which Pat Collins had for a time. then passed to Clifton. I am looking at family papers to check…
1958 It was taken over by a Birmingham Cinema Operator B.T. Davis. The Theatre is still owned by his Daughter and grandsons. In the late 70’s was then run leased to the then Manager. Who then passed on the Cinema to another exhibitor. The then past it onto the operator of “The Magic Lantern. This failed. Much later around 1993 to a Devonshire operator, who could not get films and that Failed. I took over and re opened and re-named the Theatre "Savoy” July 1995. after 13 years Having seen the Theatre Re-fitted out to a very high standard. I retired and fully handed over to a Trust…
For those that do not know.. TODD AO was created by Mike Todd.. One of Elizabeth Taylors husbands. He died young.. Due to the stress they say of Making “AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS”
The Classic company did not carry on with the continental programmes . They tried 2nd run. When Cannon bought out ABC. They then got the Futurist.. ABC New Street and Bristol Road. They then sold the lease to “Theatre One Coventry… They then sold lease to Elephant Films..
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
Odeon Theatres Ltd., Came in much later, but only as a Management company During Deutsche’s Moste sites where seperate companies. with their own set of Shareholders..
Hmmm Correction Time. The Theatre was owned by Bertie Bull 90%. Sidney Clift held only 10% of Shares and booked the Hall The (original) Picture House Stratford Upon Avon was only associated for a very short time with Clifton Curcuit Management for film booking Clift on having a small percentage
The Imperial Seated 1021… May have lost 20 seats when the new act came out regarding the distance from the screen. Top of the screen cannot be more then 30% degrees higher the normal vision in the front row.. Being the first full-time built Cinema could be the Classic in Stafford street, Which Pat Collins had for a time. then passed to Clifton. I am looking at family papers to check…
Hmmm The Frontage has as much charm as a “Matalan” Shop
Have loaded 2 pictures on here
1958 It was taken over by a Birmingham Cinema Operator B.T. Davis. The Theatre is still owned by his Daughter and grandsons. In the late 70’s was then run leased to the then Manager. Who then passed on the Cinema to another exhibitor. The then past it onto the operator of “The Magic Lantern. This failed. Much later around 1993 to a Devonshire operator, who could not get films and that Failed. I took over and re opened and re-named the Theatre "Savoy” July 1995. after 13 years Having seen the Theatre Re-fitted out to a very high standard. I retired and fully handed over to a Trust…
For those that do not know.. TODD AO was created by Mike Todd.. One of Elizabeth Taylors husbands. He died young.. Due to the stress they say of Making “AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS”
From 1958 Become “Art Display Services Ltd” Poster contractors for ABC Cinemas…. Remember being sent there for Posters while with ABC….
The Classic company did not carry on with the continental programmes . They tried 2nd run. When Cannon bought out ABC. They then got the Futurist.. ABC New Street and Bristol Road. They then sold the lease to “Theatre One Coventry… They then sold lease to Elephant Films..