I have posted some information I have about the reopening of the Electra cinema in Station Street as I was 2nd operator there in 1940-1941 when it was The Tatler but I also was at The News Theatre High Street ( the only cinema in the Midlands with a scintillating sign) and also worked as relief at the Bristol Cinema,Luxor Balsall Heath,Moseley Picture House, The Bordesley Palace and the Waldorf. Incidently the only cinema in the Midlands with rear projection was the Astoria in Aston. I knew many of the staff at various cinemas, I suppose now dead and gone but if anyone has any questions I would be glad to try and help
The Tatler, I worked at that cinema 1940-1941 as an operator having previously worked at the News Theare High Street, both of these cinemas being owned by Joe Cohen of Jacey Cinemas.
At this time it showed cartoons, newsreels and interest films all with the credits cut out to bring the programme down to 70 minutes and if there was a queue one of the shorts was also taken out.
The staff during my time there were manager La Campe, Billy Watts (star screen reporter and later manager of Percival Mackies Band. A dogs- body Schuman. Lesley Tonks was “General Manager” I have many memories of my time there. I remember a Czeckoslovakian refugee starting there, he was the poster writer named Andre Druker, he went on to open all of the coffee shops in Brum. I still remember all of the staff who worked there until I went into the army in December 1941.The whole sale newsagents WH Smiths were next door and on the other side Wheatlys the undertakers and on fire watching during air raids we shared the Tatler roof top./
If anyone wants to know anything about that cinema and quite a few more please get in touch.
The Tatler, I worked at that cinema 1940-1941 as an operator having previously worked at the News Theare High Street, both of these cinemas being owned by Joe Cohen of Jacey Cinemas.
At this time it showed cartoons, newsreels and interest films all with the credits cut out to bring the programme down to 70 minutes and if there was a queue one of the shorts was also taken out.
The staff during my time there were manager La Campe, Billy Watts (star screen reporter and later manager of Percival Mackies Band. A dogs- body Schuman. Lesley Tonks was “General Manager” I have many memories of my time there. I remember a Czeckoslovakian refugee starting there, he was the poster writer named Andre Druker, he went on to open all of the coffee shops in Brum. I still remember all of the staff who worked there until I went into the army in December 1941.The whole sale newsagents WH Smiths were next door and on the other side Wheatlys the undertakers and on fire watching during air raids we shared the Tatler roof top./
If anyone wants to know anything about that cinema and quite a few more please get in touch.
I have posted some information I have about the reopening of the Electra cinema in Station Street as I was 2nd operator there in 1940-1941 when it was The Tatler but I also was at The News Theatre High Street ( the only cinema in the Midlands with a scintillating sign) and also worked as relief at the Bristol Cinema,Luxor Balsall Heath,Moseley Picture House, The Bordesley Palace and the Waldorf. Incidently the only cinema in the Midlands with rear projection was the Astoria in Aston. I knew many of the staff at various cinemas, I suppose now dead and gone but if anyone has any questions I would be glad to try and help
The Tatler, I worked at that cinema 1940-1941 as an operator having previously worked at the News Theare High Street, both of these cinemas being owned by Joe Cohen of Jacey Cinemas.
At this time it showed cartoons, newsreels and interest films all with the credits cut out to bring the programme down to 70 minutes and if there was a queue one of the shorts was also taken out.
The staff during my time there were manager La Campe, Billy Watts (star screen reporter and later manager of Percival Mackies Band. A dogs- body Schuman. Lesley Tonks was “General Manager” I have many memories of my time there. I remember a Czeckoslovakian refugee starting there, he was the poster writer named Andre Druker, he went on to open all of the coffee shops in Brum. I still remember all of the staff who worked there until I went into the army in December 1941.The whole sale newsagents WH Smiths were next door and on the other side Wheatlys the undertakers and on fire watching during air raids we shared the Tatler roof top./
If anyone wants to know anything about that cinema and quite a few more please get in touch.
The Tatler, I worked at that cinema 1940-1941 as an operator having previously worked at the News Theare High Street, both of these cinemas being owned by Joe Cohen of Jacey Cinemas.
At this time it showed cartoons, newsreels and interest films all with the credits cut out to bring the programme down to 70 minutes and if there was a queue one of the shorts was also taken out.
The staff during my time there were manager La Campe, Billy Watts (star screen reporter and later manager of Percival Mackies Band. A dogs- body Schuman. Lesley Tonks was “General Manager” I have many memories of my time there. I remember a Czeckoslovakian refugee starting there, he was the poster writer named Andre Druker, he went on to open all of the coffee shops in Brum. I still remember all of the staff who worked there until I went into the army in December 1941.The whole sale newsagents WH Smiths were next door and on the other side Wheatlys the undertakers and on fire watching during air raids we shared the Tatler roof top./
If anyone wants to know anything about that cinema and quite a few more please get in touch.