Hi Fred,
The use of the word rayne was a play on words
As many people know, Henry Rayne was a notable cinema engineer of the 1920’s and 30’s
He was most noted for his standardisation of procedures and equipment in British cinema projection rooms
Bill Gibb maintained many of these high standards at the Odeon Haymarket.
After Bill left the Odeon, to continue his work with Dickie Attenborough, we ran the projection department without a chief for approximately 6 months.
It was hard; however we persevered, and if anything, were able to maintain a high level of showmanship.
By early 1988 a new generation of management had taken over.
They were more interested in their ego than quality and presentation.
Less skilled projection staff were employed due to ignorant management (Apparently the new chief had only recently started work for Rank Cinemas, after loosing his job as a bus driver in Liverpool) Am I correct Fred?
Quality showmanship vanished as the standards were dropped to the level of the new chief and his staff.
This in turn led to a loss of patronage, followed by product and budget, resulting in the building becoming run down.
Vincent, I am Afraid you are wrong and more so is Marty.
I own copies of both these prints, in original 55 format. I can confirm that they were indeed released in scope 55. The prints I have are X West End London.
Edd
I worked here too! The walls were not silk but cheap nylon. It was a very nice theater under the Chief: Bill Gibb (long may he rayne). However the asbestos in the roof drove everybody mad. Bill left and the cinema employed idiots I.E Fred & Sandy
This was a lovely theatre when I worked there. What a lot of people don’t know is most of the decorative wall panels are glass, painted to match the rest of the walls.
This glass was lighted from behind in 3 colors,very nice!!!
Hi Fred,
The use of the word rayne was a play on words
As many people know, Henry Rayne was a notable cinema engineer of the 1920’s and 30’s
He was most noted for his standardisation of procedures and equipment in British cinema projection rooms
Bill Gibb maintained many of these high standards at the Odeon Haymarket.
After Bill left the Odeon, to continue his work with Dickie Attenborough, we ran the projection department without a chief for approximately 6 months.
It was hard; however we persevered, and if anything, were able to maintain a high level of showmanship.
By early 1988 a new generation of management had taken over.
They were more interested in their ego than quality and presentation.
Less skilled projection staff were employed due to ignorant management (Apparently the new chief had only recently started work for Rank Cinemas, after loosing his job as a bus driver in Liverpool) Am I correct Fred?
Quality showmanship vanished as the standards were dropped to the level of the new chief and his staff.
This in turn led to a loss of patronage, followed by product and budget, resulting in the building becoming run down.
The rest is history!!!
Edd
Vincent, I am Afraid you are wrong and more so is Marty.
I own copies of both these prints, in original 55 format. I can confirm that they were indeed released in scope 55. The prints I have are X West End London.
Edd
When I was last here I was shown that the original ceiling of the old empire still is alive and kicking above the new 1960’s one.
Yes David, The Rest I have in my Personal Collection.
The closing of this theatre was a because of Rank employing X pizza Hut staff as managing directors!!!!
I worked here too! The walls were not silk but cheap nylon. It was a very nice theater under the Chief: Bill Gibb (long may he rayne). However the asbestos in the roof drove everybody mad. Bill left and the cinema employed idiots I.E Fred & Sandy
I remember running films p*ssed off my face at this show!!!
This was a lovely theatre when I worked there. What a lot of people don’t know is most of the decorative wall panels are glass, painted to match the rest of the walls.
This glass was lighted from behind in 3 colors,very nice!!!
The Regent theatre’s foyer was saved in the fire of 1945 and is the same one you see today. (Plus a bit of paint!!)