Alan Barker The projection Equipment at Bristol Road was Cinemeccaninca Victoria 8s Supplied by Cinerama Philips DP70 did not go in until The Cinema was tripled. These were brand new. Screen 3 on opening had a Ross GC3 RCA Soundhead and I believe a Westrex Tower fitted temporary. I did Relief Management at this Cinema before and after the conversion.
Strange I did the odd Management Relief here. The adds-trailers and 35mm supports were shown along with the 70mm feature in the downstairs box The Projectors were Cinemechanica Victoria 8’s They never had Philips DP70’s. Oddly enough this model was installed at The Gaumont Birmingham.. When the ABC was tripled on opening DP75s were installed in Screen ! and 2. Whilst Screen 3 opened with Ross- RCA and cakestand. and a Milbank Amplifier There was a shortage of DP75’s and Lew Grade would not allow EMI to have the set at The Coventry Theatre. and there lies a tale. Much Much later My associate and I removed the DP70’s from the Gaumont and sold them to a company in California
The Interior was identical to The ABC Empress Sutton Coldfield and the Exterior the same style as the Clifton Evesham second frontage These were designed by the Satchwell and Roberts company of Birmingham It has al the hallmarks of that companies hand in it. The majority shares and the freehold in the Cinema were owned by The Clift Syndicate . I believe that Harry Weedon is wrongly credited. This is a case of putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5.
I was working for ABC - EMI at the time of purchase… The Theatre was purchased off Bernard Delfont Who was also The Chairman of EMI Cinemas Ltd., which was part of EMI Film and Theatre Corp., Ltd., Eye Brows were raised at the time..
It has been found out in recent times That a number of WTC., shareholders had shares in “The Clifton Cinemas (Walsall) Ltd., which had "The Empire and Classic Cinemas in Walsall thus having 6 of the 7 sites in Walsall town centre
A Correction The ABC Savoy’s Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided to change it to “Regal then to “The Savoy” The Company that built Her Majesty’s Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director and General Manager was W Andrews. with William Tennant as Assistant Manager and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
I believe the designs were Sutton Coldfield’s just rejigged to fit this site. There is much much the same to be a brand new plan.. So Cecil Clevering should be credited
A Correction Odeon did not take ownership of ABC ABC took over Odeon and Rebranded ABC as Odeon. Which is often Misunderstood. This has Happened in the past Part of The Clifton circuit got rebranded Odeon. It is a strong Brand name.
When ever you see Harry Weeden credit for designing cinemas ignore it. He did not design any.. He managed the contract The Weeden Practice only designed cinemas when Robert Bullivant was appointed Head of Design.
Thanks for adding the pictures of the interior From the design characteristics I strongly believe that The Palace was designed by Earnest Roberts of Satchwell and Roberts who also did the Regal in the town. There are still over 20 cinemas of their work not accounted for.
Mayfair Cinemas Ltd., was a 50-50 company with Essoldo… Now Essoldo kept hold of the freeholds of all Mayfair Cinemas… The Cinema opened as the Majestic… as far as we can tell. Remember Associated British Cinemas.. Meant what it says on the label. A large percentage of the ABC Chain was run in partnership with other companies.
I found out recently that “The Walsall Theatre Company” had a financial interest in “The Clifton Cinema (Walsall) Ltd., which included as well as The Empire The Classic Walsall and "the Alexandra Lower Gornal. When the WTC sub let their Theatres to ABC William Andrews its General Manager moved over to manage "The Empire” So it seems WTC had a finger in all except “The Picture House” Walsall.. (The one that burned down.. Twice"
The Rectifier.. I think it was a Nevilector (Mercury) was moved to The Rex Cinema Walsall. (A Bollywood Cinema)
Alan Barker The projection Equipment at Bristol Road was Cinemeccaninca Victoria 8s Supplied by Cinerama Philips DP70 did not go in until The Cinema was tripled. These were brand new. Screen 3 on opening had a Ross GC3 RCA Soundhead and I believe a Westrex Tower fitted temporary. I did Relief Management at this Cinema before and after the conversion.
Strange I did the odd Management Relief here. The adds-trailers and 35mm supports were shown along with the 70mm feature in the downstairs box The Projectors were Cinemechanica Victoria 8’s They never had Philips DP70’s. Oddly enough this model was installed at The Gaumont Birmingham.. When the ABC was tripled on opening DP75s were installed in Screen ! and 2. Whilst Screen 3 opened with Ross- RCA and cakestand. and a Milbank Amplifier There was a shortage of DP75’s and Lew Grade would not allow EMI to have the set at The Coventry Theatre. and there lies a tale. Much Much later My associate and I removed the DP70’s from the Gaumont and sold them to a company in California
The Interior was identical to The ABC Empress Sutton Coldfield and the Exterior the same style as the Clifton Evesham second frontage These were designed by the Satchwell and Roberts company of Birmingham It has al the hallmarks of that companies hand in it. The majority shares and the freehold in the Cinema were owned by The Clift Syndicate . I believe that Harry Weedon is wrongly credited. This is a case of putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5.
The Last Films were. “Rising Sun”, “Tina” and “The Fugitive
I was working for ABC - EMI at the time of purchase… The Theatre was purchased off Bernard Delfont Who was also The Chairman of EMI Cinemas Ltd., which was part of EMI Film and Theatre Corp., Ltd., Eye Brows were raised at the time..
The Shareholders of WTC still held an interest in the Sites operated by ABC until 1956.. when ABC pad off the final payment due.. 1936 -1956.
It has been found out in recent times That a number of WTC., shareholders had shares in “The Clifton Cinemas (Walsall) Ltd., which had "The Empire and Classic Cinemas in Walsall thus having 6 of the 7 sites in Walsall town centre
A Correction The ABC Savoy’s Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided to change it to “Regal then to “The Savoy” The Company that built Her Majesty’s Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director and General Manager was W Andrews. with William Tennant as Assistant Manager and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
If You look at the pictures with the Organ You will note there was a Cinemascope Picture.. It was 20th Century Fox approved
Cinema Services (Birmingham )Ltd., was run with Sidney Clift of Temple Street Birmingham ..
Strange.. They did not have a festoon until I transferred it from The Plaza Stockland Green when WE sold that cinema 1979-80ish..
I believe the designs were Sutton Coldfield’s just rejigged to fit this site. There is much much the same to be a brand new plan.. So Cecil Clevering should be credited
A Correction Odeon did not take ownership of ABC ABC took over Odeon and Rebranded ABC as Odeon. Which is often Misunderstood. This has Happened in the past Part of The Clifton circuit got rebranded Odeon. It is a strong Brand name.
The Theatre was Operated by “The Savoy Theatre (Monmouth)Ltd., 1995 till 2006
When ever you see Harry Weeden credit for designing cinemas ignore it. He did not design any.. He managed the contract The Weeden Practice only designed cinemas when Robert Bullivant was appointed Head of Design.
Well If the Duchess of York Opened the Theatre That is the Old Queen Mother…
Harry Weedon never touched the designs Not capable to do so..
Thanks for adding the pictures of the interior From the design characteristics I strongly believe that The Palace was designed by Earnest Roberts of Satchwell and Roberts who also did the Regal in the town. There are still over 20 cinemas of their work not accounted for.
The person doing the presentation was Umberto Reanero Known as Bert I am not sure of the spelling of his surname
The person doing the presentation was Umberto Reanero Known as Bert I am not sure of the spelling of his surname
Mayfair Cinemas Ltd., was a 50-50 company with Essoldo… Now Essoldo kept hold of the freeholds of all Mayfair Cinemas… The Cinema opened as the Majestic… as far as we can tell. Remember Associated British Cinemas.. Meant what it says on the label. A large percentage of the ABC Chain was run in partnership with other companies.
Guy Baker operated a Film Transport business from here as a side line to his cinemas
I found out recently that “The Walsall Theatre Company” had a financial interest in “The Clifton Cinema (Walsall) Ltd., which included as well as The Empire The Classic Walsall and "the Alexandra Lower Gornal. When the WTC sub let their Theatres to ABC William Andrews its General Manager moved over to manage "The Empire” So it seems WTC had a finger in all except “The Picture House” Walsall.. (The one that burned down.. Twice"
Biffaskin. Take care with KYB They were never unreliable in keeping it up to date.