Hi David,the black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it, as you described it was the rectifier, the large valve or bulb was full of mercury bubbling away inside.
The rectifier converted the AC supply to DC for the carbon arcs.
Hello David, just seen your comments, you have a good memory, we at the Town Hall also opened out the credits on the curtains, the idea being you only see the screen when there’s a picture on it.
Most multiplexes don’t even have curtains, everything is so automated with no showmanship.
I also remember the march out music.
I’ve included a photo of equipment identical to the Palladium’s, also 2 of the demolition work, and another of the interior from the balcony.
There are also of course photos linked under the comments, it’s no longer possible to upload them in that fashion.
Yes David, one thing about these new multiplexes the sight lines are excellent, no matter where you sit, even behind the tallest of people there’s no problem.
Found the other interior photo of the palladium, this one pointing towards the stage.
I’ve uploaded 3 photos from 1991,the projection equipment,spotlights & rewind bench. Sorry for the poor quality but any photo is better than none I guess.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took in 1992 when on holiday from Wales UK.
It’s of the side & back of the building where there used to be a car park,(sorry lot)
Please click on photos.
This was taken in 1986, 15 years before the 1995 refurbishment.
You can just about see 2 of the port holes (these are the windows from the projection room to into the auditorium).
It’s interesting that some cinemas such as the former palladium down the road & the Coliseum porthmadog had theirs much to low, even though the buildings were designed as cinemas and Neuadd dwyfor was not. The Coliseum’s windows are so low peoples images are to be seen on screen if the walk along the back wall during the show.Neuadd Dwyfor’s are so high up you can stand on the edge of the stage and the beam from the projector will still clear your head.
2 new photos, photographed on Easter Monday 2012.
It was a very wet day, which accounts for the “blob” on the picture which I did not notice on the camera’s screen.
Hi David,yes it was a very large screen for a cinema of the Palladium’s size,thios was because Mr Baker wanted a bigger one than the Town Hall’s which had Cinemascope installed the previous year 1955.
I think I’ve mentioned on one of my previous posts that they did this by erecting the screen in front of the proscenium arch, as I was only 12 at the time I thought the arch was demolished, only for me to see it again when Kwik Save started conversion to a supermarket.
Of course it really came down then, I don’t beleive the circuit erected screens in this fashion in any of their other screens, so it could well have been the biggest.
They did not install a stereo sound system, The equipment at the time of closure was B A sound system from the closed down Guild Hall Cinema Caernarfon, which of course was run by them.
I’ve uploaded 3 photos of the interior as it is now, and one of the exterior.
At least Wetherspoons have kept to the theme of the building, they’re very good at that, unlike the supermarket lot.
Please click on photos.
Hi David,the black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it, as you described it was the rectifier, the large valve or bulb was full of mercury bubbling away inside. The rectifier converted the AC supply to DC for the carbon arcs.
Hello David, just seen your comments, you have a good memory, we at the Town Hall also opened out the credits on the curtains, the idea being you only see the screen when there’s a picture on it. Most multiplexes don’t even have curtains, everything is so automated with no showmanship. I also remember the march out music.
I should add that this was the Palladium’s carnival float, late 40’s early 50s.
I’ve included a photo of equipment identical to the Palladium’s, also 2 of the demolition work, and another of the interior from the balcony. There are also of course photos linked under the comments, it’s no longer possible to upload them in that fashion.
Yes David, one thing about these new multiplexes the sight lines are excellent, no matter where you sit, even behind the tallest of people there’s no problem. Found the other interior photo of the palladium, this one pointing towards the stage.
Just to add the top of the procenium arch is not visible as the camera was under the balcony, which obscured it.
I’m not sure, it looks quite wide & the picture frames seem larger than 35mm
I’ve uploaded 3 photos from 1991,the projection equipment,spotlights & rewind bench. Sorry for the poor quality but any photo is better than none I guess.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took in 1992 when on holiday from Wales UK. It’s of the side & back of the building where there used to be a car park,(sorry lot) Please click on photos.
I’ve uploaded a photo i took in 1992, please click on photos.
Hi again Mike, tried looking for your cinema, it does not seem to be on this site.
Hi Mike, BTH sound heads & BTH Type A projector head. The lamps were also BTH during the carbon years.
This was taken in 1986, 15 years before the 1995 refurbishment. You can just about see 2 of the port holes (these are the windows from the projection room to into the auditorium). It’s interesting that some cinemas such as the former palladium down the road & the Coliseum porthmadog had theirs much to low, even though the buildings were designed as cinemas and Neuadd dwyfor was not. The Coliseum’s windows are so low peoples images are to be seen on screen if the walk along the back wall during the show.Neuadd Dwyfor’s are so high up you can stand on the edge of the stage and the beam from the projector will still clear your head.
Iv'e added some more pictures, please click on photos.
2 new photos, photographed on Easter Monday 2012. It was a very wet day, which accounts for the “blob” on the picture which I did not notice on the camera’s screen.
Hi David,yes it was a very large screen for a cinema of the Palladium’s size,thios was because Mr Baker wanted a bigger one than the Town Hall’s which had Cinemascope installed the previous year 1955. I think I’ve mentioned on one of my previous posts that they did this by erecting the screen in front of the proscenium arch, as I was only 12 at the time I thought the arch was demolished, only for me to see it again when Kwik Save started conversion to a supermarket. Of course it really came down then, I don’t beleive the circuit erected screens in this fashion in any of their other screens, so it could well have been the biggest. They did not install a stereo sound system, The equipment at the time of closure was B A sound system from the closed down Guild Hall Cinema Caernarfon, which of course was run by them.
I’ve uploade a photograph of the Memorial Hall, which I took in 2010. Please click on photos.
I’ve uploaded 3 photos of the interior as it is now, and one of the exterior. At least Wetherspoons have kept to the theme of the building, they’re very good at that, unlike the supermarket lot. Please click on photos.
Please click on photos for 3 more pictures.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took shortly before closure. (Just click on photos) work on the new complex seems to have come to a halt, no idea why.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took in 1990.
I’ve uploaded 3 photos all soon after closure, with one displaying a poigniant line from the Titanic.
I’ve uploaded two pictures.
I’ve uploaded another photo of The Palladium’s screen before Cinemascope.
I’ve added a couple of photos of the present equipment.