Comments from abcman

Showing 1 - 25 of 56 comments

abcman
abcman commented about ABC Blackpool on Feb 18, 2012 at 10:41 am

The opening show in 1963 at the new Church Street ABC Theatre was in fact called ‘Holiday Carnival’.

abcman
abcman commented about ABC Scunthorpe on Feb 2, 2011 at 8:21 am

Thanks Ken for putting the Scunthorpe Ritz on the site. As the ABC Scunthorpe, this was the first cinema I did Managerial relief at when I was an Assistant Manager with ABC Cinemas. The staff there made a very nervous young lad very welcome and all went well.

Richard Roper (abcman)

abcman
abcman commented about Granada Mansfield on Oct 10, 2010 at 10:17 am

A ‘curtain walker’ was two people behind the curtains (tabs as they were known) who would walk backwards when the curtains opened and walk forwards when the curtains closed to guide them open & close.

abcman
abcman commented about Cannon Bradford on Aug 26, 2010 at 10:55 am

Used to do Managerial relief at the ABC Bradford when it was a single unit and after it was tripled. when I was Assistant Manager at the ABC Huddersield, also a former Ritz Cinema.

abcman
abcman commented about Odeon Leeds on Apr 3, 2010 at 8:20 am

Yes, I saw ‘Funny Girl’ in Odeon 1 just after it first opened. Odeon 1 was the original circle area with the screen brought up to that level and equipped with full 70mm facilities.Very comfortable from what I remember.

abcman
abcman commented about Roxy Cinema on Feb 12, 2010 at 11:12 am

As far as I am aware the cinema is now used as a Photographic Studio.

abcman
abcman commented about Happy New Year! on Jan 2, 2010 at 11:12 am

Great site and thanks to all the above for making it so.Happy New Year to you all.

abcman
abcman commented about Plaza Theatre on Dec 18, 2009 at 7:31 am

Great pics.Thanks Ian for putting them on.

abcman
abcman commented about ABC Blackpool on Nov 24, 2009 at 8:09 am

Sorry Keith, but Brucie & Millie appeared at the Opera House not the ABC otherwise I agree with what you say.

abcman
abcman commented about Everyman York on Jun 21, 2009 at 12:15 pm

I would like to congratulate Reel Cinemas on the re-furbishment & re-opening of the former Odeon in York and wish them every success in the future.As a former manager of the Odeon’s one time opposition, the ABC Cinema which stood in Piccadilly (where M & S are now) I am sure the people of York will support you.The Odeon is a fine building.

abcman
abcman commented about ABC Coliseum on May 27, 2009 at 10:22 am

The owners of these historic buildings need to be taken to task.This is the second building recently to be allowed to rot and fall prey to serious damage – following Derby Hippodrome.

abcman
abcman commented about Kings Theatre on Mar 25, 2009 at 11:42 am

My first visit to this beautiful theatre was in 1962 whilst on holiday in Southsea. The play was ‘Rattle Of A Simple Man’ – the stars were Sheila Hancock and Edward Woodward. The Kings is a beautiful theatre and thank goodness another of Matcham’s gems has been saved.

abcman

abcman
abcman commented about Save the Odeon on Mar 25, 2009 at 9:10 am

It will be a great loss if Doncaster loses it’s last old time cinema.As the Gaumont, the theatre was a great entertainment centre playing films & live shows and was a much better theatre for the Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society than the towns Civic Theatre.Surely, this could become the towns new Civic Theatre. The Regent in Stoke On Trent was de-tripled and now serves as a first class touring theatre.Doncaster’s former Gaumont could be the same.Come on Doncaster, get your finger out!

(abcman)

abcman
abcman commented about ABC Leeds on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:54 am

Always a good cinema to relieve when I was in ABC Cinema management as it was always a busy house. Use to enjoy working in the Advance Booking Office there.

abcman
abcman commented about Kensington Cinema on Mar 7, 2009 at 4:22 pm

The Kensington opened on Monday 4th April 1927 with seating for 1000. In 1967 Star Cinemas converted the cinema into a luxury entertainments centre for films, bingo and social centre. It reopened as the Ritz with ‘My Fair Lady’ but as Ken says, by September the last film was shown. I believe the bingo carried on for a while longer.

abcman
abcman commented about Elite Picture Theatre on Mar 6, 2009 at 2:32 pm

What a great photo.Never did any managerial reliefs in Nottingham when I was with ABC. Wish I had now, this looked a stunning auditorium.

abcman
abcman commented about Mysterious Odeon item on Mar 6, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Rotherham Odeon also had a restaurant which was converted into the Victor Sylvester Dance Studio in the 1960’s.

abcman
abcman commented about Picture House on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:57 am

The Picture House had Egyptian style ornamentations in the auditorium, especially around the prosecenium arch. When cinemascope was installed here, these were covered up by the panoramic screen with its festoon tabs and border.I remember seeing Ursula Andress in ‘She’ at the Picture House and later Peter Cushing in the first Doctor Who film ‘Doctor Who And The Daleks’

abcman
abcman commented about Apollo Victoria Theatre on Nov 3, 2008 at 5:45 am

In 1982 met the late Australian soprano June Bronhill in her dressing room after a performance of ‘The Sound Of Music’ (The Petula Clark production). A wonderful experience. Recently visited this fabulous building to see ‘Wicked’. Always great to sit in this wonderful atmospheric auditorium.

abcman
abcman commented about Tivoli Cinema on Nov 3, 2008 at 5:21 am

Yes, you’re right. It is Masbrough Street.Sorry. Should know, I was born near Rotherham!

abcman
abcman commented about Manor Cinema on Oct 28, 2008 at 6:10 am

Yes, Somerfield is a supermarket. (sorry I spelt it wrong last time) City Road is not part of Intake – don’t think I put Intake on my original posting.

abcman
abcman commented about Manor Cinema on Oct 27, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Yes, The Manor Cinema is now a Summerfield Supermarket.

abcman
abcman commented about Half of UK theaters in danger of closing in five years on Oct 26, 2008 at 5:01 am

Does anyone know which cinemas out of London and the Bradford Pictureville are still capable of showing 70mm films.

abcman
abcman commented about Gaumont Sheffield on Oct 26, 2008 at 4:43 am

When the Gaumont was twinned,the larger Gaumont 2 in the former stalls area was also equipped to show 70mm films and re-runs of ‘Ben Hur’, ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ and ‘Oliver’ were shown in the 70mm format in this auditorium.

abcman
abcman commented about Vue Paignton on Oct 17, 2008 at 1:07 pm

Went to the Festival Theatre in 1967 shortly after it opened to see ‘The Black & White Minstrel Show’ – the first of its summer season shows.Sight lines were terrible as the rake was very slight, which I believe was altered later.