Comments from Mike_Blakemore

Showing 376 - 400 of 659 comments

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Davenport Cinema on May 30, 2013 at 9:32 am

I had a purchased a number of seats from this Theatre when it closed, for the Savoy Theatre Monmouth. We used these until we had enough funds to have brand new one..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Focus Cinema on May 30, 2013 at 4:18 am

Hi Gogsy In 1996 I had a minor stroke names I get mixed up.. We dealt with a Peter.. I think his nickname was kipper (Behind his back) plus Mangers and Projectionist at sites We supplied Focus. Appolo..Hutchinson.. Star.. Classic.. Even did Emergency repairs for Rank at Birmingham.. I got given a hugh amount of Pictures when I was younger.. and met the Big names in Cinema.. They where always very helpful.. when I praised the cinemas That they had built.. There lies tales.. Hmm.. These people that drop names get on my nerves. as I said to the Queen the other Day :o)

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Walham Green on May 25, 2013 at 11:28 am

@ Bill Gibbs Hmm.. I remember when we played Purple Rain at Our cinema 2 reels had the wrong leaders and tails on.. The Film Played Sunday and was noticed by a customer on the Thursday night… Nobody else noticed. Friday morning it was corrected.. We traced the effending Circuit Cinema that played it before us and Complained ( I must add “Purple Rains was a very odd film anyway..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Putney on May 23, 2013 at 10:37 am

Hmm The 1975 interior shot looks like a Moorebird Ltd., (I am trying t be kind in my comment) Load of **** They did for interiors what “Herod” did for Childcare.. In that period they where EMI flavour of the month. (CHEAP)

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Llandudno Pier Pavilion Theatre on May 20, 2013 at 11:00 am

Hutchinson Leisure Ltd., was the last company to show films for the summer season before they took over the Savoy.. Projection Equipment was Ross GC3 Picture mechs. RCA sound.. and I think they had BTH Zenons

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Pier Pavilion Theatre on May 20, 2013 at 10:54 am

Notice the Chappell & Co Wagon.. They where the major piano dealers and the Countrys Biggest Music Publishers..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Savoy Cinema on May 20, 2013 at 5:08 am

Those pictures of the Projection boxes reminded me of our projection equipment at the ABC I was at. We had Philips DP75s Cakestand.. Morganite conversion and those nasty Milbank amps Hmm The automation I think was Gretton-Ward.. All those Fantastic Theatres wreaked by progress.. When I worked for ABC I did Relief Management at 30 plus Cinemas and only 3 I think are still open .. Run by independents..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Focus Cinema on May 20, 2013 at 4:50 am

Hi Gogsy… I had the picture from someone at Focus that I worked with, at ABC years previously. Was involved with supplying spare parts for Projectors etc. etc.. to Focus.. Brent Walker That was over 30 years ago… Thanks for making me feel old…

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Mansfield on May 18, 2013 at 1:03 pm

@ andirichardson.. Those pics bought back memories.. When I did Relief Management there. I had to go on the stage to go to the Managers Flat to collect the theatre keys. The Stage Tabs when I was there was a proper Theatre flying set.. and The Drenchers.. The Lighting bars where still in place..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Edinburgh on May 12, 2013 at 9:08 am

Mike_Blakemore on May 12, 2013 at 5:04 pm (remove) So.. Right.. Fanatical— Odeon… From when I started with ABC and finished being an Independent Circuit Director. I Expected and gave Presentation. to almost All Programmes. Inc of an Overture inc a suitable colour on the Tabs to set the mood.. Turning the sound up on Trademarks and screems Hmm.. The Bang of the Gong.. The Fox Fanfair.. The Roar of the Lion.. The Multiplex management are only interested in Coke and Popcorn sales. Cinema has lost “The Magic”

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Coliseum Cinema on May 2, 2013 at 9:08 am

Hmm. There is no choice, by the end of this year no more 35mm… They must have digital.. The are current problems in getting prints of films.. Mind you have always been told that there is a shortage of prints.. Thankfully I have retired.. and I have not got the worry of finding the money to do it….

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Glynn Cinema on May 1, 2013 at 4:13 am

That is a great picture find

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Palace Theatre on Apr 27, 2013 at 7:45 am

I have found an early picture of the interior

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Scene Cinemas on Apr 24, 2013 at 10:47 am

It was sad Our Family had Cinema and Theatre interests since 1900 till I retired in 2007. I handed the last theatre over to a Trust..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Savoy Theatre on Apr 22, 2013 at 7:57 am

I have loaded two pictures. I must thank Ken Roe in solving the mystery of where they are of…. :o)

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Apr 8, 2013 at 10:58 am

The first replacement I thought was designed by someone colour blind… The only thing they got right was the Doors. The current one.. To much glass.. sorry call me old fashioned :o)

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Apr 7, 2013 at 10:12 am

Ken you are right… He was American.. Memory is a Problem for us over 30’s :o)

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Apr 7, 2013 at 9:40 am

Chung-Ling-Soo. If my memory is correct was an Englishman.. He had a famed trick of catching a bullet in his teeth.. Hmm.. The trick went wrong.. He lived long enough to tell them to close the tabs..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Apr 7, 2013 at 9:36 am

There had been plans to show films during the summer months if the Birmingham Council had not purchased the Theatre. Stoll-Moss had plans to do the same at all their Provincial Theatres instead of them being dark during the summer months, as was their custom.. Projection Equipment had also been arranged..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Forum Cinema on Apr 7, 2013 at 6:08 am

Note the use of the serial…

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Scene Cinemas on Apr 1, 2013 at 6:04 am

@ jeffrey Morris. This theatre will not be the last to close due to digital progress. I am now glad I retired from Cinema ownership when I did…

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Aston Hippodrome Theatre on Mar 31, 2013 at 12:47 pm

Forgot to mention this was a press photo taken at the time..

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Savoy Theatre on Mar 31, 2013 at 3:30 am

In 2006 The Savoy Became a Grade 2* rated building

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about ABC Mansfield on Mar 30, 2013 at 9:42 am

@ andirichardson. There should be some internal. They where taken after the ABC 1960’s ferub.. I have been searching.. I loaned a number of photos out some years ago and they where never returned.. The Cladding would come off. Might have to do repairs to the bolt areas and the front pediment

Mike_Blakemore
Mike_Blakemore commented about Savoy Theatre on Mar 24, 2013 at 3:32 am

This picture was taken after the major 2006 restoration project. Please note there is normally no gap on the curtain stage right..