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..
The Atlas was Owned by Harry Dare the builder.. Films where booked by B.T Davis who had a number of Cinemas in the Midlands, Home Counties, and the South West.. Harry Dare had a second Cinema “The Castle @ Castle Bromwich..
Correction Seating capacity was 662 when a single screen.. Before Hutchinson owning the Grand it was Buxton High Peak Entertainments Ltd., Converted to a Triple by Modernisation Ltd.,
@ Picturedrome You info is correct… My Knowledge comes from 40 years waged in the business… Plus knowledge from my family, who had interests in their own theatres plus other chains. I am currently working on correcting Cinema and Theatre Myths..
Correction Time. 20th Century did not take over the Theatres. There was an agreement as in THX to-day.. When Cinemascope and 4 Track came out Rank would not spend the money on the instulation… So Fox went to the leading Independant in the City or Town and gave them the release if the owners spent the money on the needed alterations We did the same in Walsall (Empire) (Clifton) Wolverhampton.. Regal Leamington.. and a few others in our chain.. The Futurist and Scalas in Both Liverpool and Birmingham was controled by Alderman Levy… Liverpool Theatres sold to ABC Birmingham much laters was sold to Shipman and King which at the time ws owned by Lew Grade…
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..
The Atlas was Owned by Harry Dare the builder.. Films where booked by B.T Davis who had a number of Cinemas in the Midlands, Home Counties, and the South West..
Harry Dare had a second Cinema “The Castle @ Castle Bromwich..
Buxton High peak also owned “The Regal” which was near by.. That had 621 seats Screen 21' wide. I visited Regal when the Bingowas stripped out.
Correction Seating capacity was 662 when a single screen.. Before Hutchinson owning the Grand it was Buxton High Peak Entertainments Ltd., Converted to a Triple by Modernisation Ltd.,
Have loaded a better picture
Have loaded a picture of better days….
How I hate the name… Cannon….
I have loaded a better view… taken some years ago now…
Just Before WW2 Hurley Robinson was comissioned to design a new Theatre, But the start of the War stopped any ideas…..
I have now put on the Cinemrama interior.. Still have not found the original interior views…
@ Picturedrome You info is correct… My Knowledge comes from 40 years waged in the business… Plus knowledge from my family, who had interests in their own theatres plus other chains. I am currently working on correcting Cinema and Theatre Myths..
Have load 3 pictures of ABC..
I have loaded 3 pictures of the r-opening day 1967. which will help with discription
Have added picture of view of stage 1966 experiment I did taking 2 shots…
Loaded a view from the stage end on the re-opening night 1967
Have load a view from the stage end. just before the grand opening
Have loaded Stage view..
Have put a photo view of the Stage just before the opening…
Correction. ABC was NOT taken over by ODEON… ABC bought out Odeon and as the Strongest name brand was Odeon they chained the whole chain to Odeon..
Correction Time. 20th Century did not take over the Theatres. There was an agreement as in THX to-day.. When Cinemascope and 4 Track came out Rank would not spend the money on the instulation… So Fox went to the leading Independant in the City or Town and gave them the release if the owners spent the money on the needed alterations We did the same in Walsall (Empire) (Clifton) Wolverhampton.. Regal Leamington.. and a few others in our chain.. The Futurist and Scalas in Both Liverpool and Birmingham was controled by Alderman Levy… Liverpool Theatres sold to ABC Birmingham much laters was sold to Shipman and King which at the time ws owned by Lew Grade…
Please Note That Shipman and King was a division of the same company EMI Cinemas Ltd., same as ABC