Granadier…. As a point of interest each Granada was a separate project.. Both ABC and Rank had money in Granada. Now Those Granada’s that had ABC money was Ross-RCA Equipped. Rank money was GB Kalee Equipped. It also has to be remembered that the Bernstein’s had a management arrangement with J. Arthur Rank whilst Rank had money invested in Granada. (A name dropping moment) I met Sidney Bernstein when I was much younger when I worked with ABC as an Assistant Manager. Granada’s head office was diagonal to ABC’s in Golden Square. ABC had some of their offices in their building.. We have to give thanks that we once had so many individually magnificent Theatres – Cinemas whatever their ownership.. Unlike the bland boring bog standard modern ones we have today. Run by people that do not seem to have the same passion as our generation did.
This cinemas was managed by Miles Jervis Cinemas It was owned by the Original Miles Jervis wife. who lived in a caravan at the back of the cinema. and used to take a Big teapot into the staff for the tea break
Firstly. John Cecil Clavering designed the whole thing. he with Roland Satchwell created Odeon look.. There is no evidence that Weedon designed a whole cinema.. Prior to the Odeon work he was assistant architect at the Harold Seymour Scott practice. Cleaving transferred from the Satchwell & Roberts co., (they were a larger Practice) to become Head architect . 16 cinemas Later Bullivant took his place. Weedon did prepare the budgets for the eighth cinema onwards in the Odeon Chain.
Secondly.. Ambak is correct.. It was designed in a morning. The Rank engineer Mr Poole and Morgonites technical Rep Les Castree along with a Bell and Howell 631 16mm Projector a step ladder. tape measure and chalk Les Castree did rough drawings, which Ranks Architects converted to proper drawings. The big mistake Rank did was not getting Modernisation Ltd., to do the job. So you could here 3 films at once It was a Moore Bird Job.. Noted for sound breakthrough..
The Film Producer Euan Lloyd started as a Trainee Manager Here Noted for working on the Bond Movies and later his own. “Shalako” “Wild Geese” “Sea Wolves” “Paper Tiger” to name a few. Plus some Travel films to accompany the Bond Movies. to achieve the British Quota showings ..
Granadier…. As a point of interest each Granada was a separate project.. Both ABC and Rank had money in Granada. Now Those Granada’s that had ABC money was Ross-RCA Equipped. Rank money was GB Kalee Equipped. It also has to be remembered that the Bernstein’s had a management arrangement with J. Arthur Rank whilst Rank had money invested in Granada. (A name dropping moment) I met Sidney Bernstein when I was much younger when I worked with ABC as an Assistant Manager. Granada’s head office was diagonal to ABC’s in Golden Square. ABC had some of their offices in their building.. We have to give thanks that we once had so many individually magnificent Theatres – Cinemas whatever their ownership.. Unlike the bland boring bog standard modern ones we have today. Run by people that do not seem to have the same passion as our generation did.
Hmm Well I have just deleted the picture the picture … There is a mystery now.. and I cannot be asked.. to solve it.
Both of their Cinemas burned down….
The Entrance was down the side passage
Photo thanks to David Mills
1941..
Terry I have seen a picture and thought I had a copy. Someone had put it and a number of other pictures in a safe place
This cinemas was managed by Miles Jervis Cinemas It was owned by the Original Miles Jervis wife. who lived in a caravan at the back of the cinema. and used to take a Big teapot into the staff for the tea break
Its is a pity that there is no picture of the Proscenium end.
The Whit building shown was the Classic small old Dance Hall see other pictures.
Advert Walsall Observer 1944
Advert Walsall Observer 1944
Advert 1944 Walsall Observer
The Post Code is LL41 3UN
Thanks to Ivy Climbs for this advert
Firstly. John Cecil Clavering designed the whole thing. he with Roland Satchwell created Odeon look.. There is no evidence that Weedon designed a whole cinema.. Prior to the Odeon work he was assistant architect at the Harold Seymour Scott practice. Cleaving transferred from the Satchwell & Roberts co., (they were a larger Practice) to become Head architect . 16 cinemas Later Bullivant took his place. Weedon did prepare the budgets for the eighth cinema onwards in the Odeon Chain.
Secondly.. Ambak is correct.. It was designed in a morning. The Rank engineer Mr Poole and Morgonites technical Rep Les Castree along with a Bell and Howell 631 16mm Projector a step ladder. tape measure and chalk Les Castree did rough drawings, which Ranks Architects converted to proper drawings. The big mistake Rank did was not getting Modernisation Ltd., to do the job. So you could here 3 films at once It was a Moore Bird Job.. Noted for sound breakthrough..
Picture from Neville Cohen Grandson of Joseph Cohen
I have revamped the picture
On the News today that the frontage collapsed in the street….
popcorn pets He used to have the Ritz Nuneaton
The Bingo Operator was Parker Bros of Rhyl
The Film Producer Euan Lloyd started as a Trainee Manager Here Noted for working on the Bond Movies and later his own. “Shalako” “Wild Geese” “Sea Wolves” “Paper Tiger” to name a few. Plus some Travel films to accompany the Bond Movies. to achieve the British Quota showings ..
The Ceiling of the Cinema survived on the upper floor that was used as a gym. The stalls floor line is that used in the arcade.
On an odd note. Both Theatres designed by Thomas Guest got bombed in 1941 … Alexandra Theatre Hull
Correction They bought a Hurricane Fighter.