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"
Well The Cinemas that Broadway Cinemas (Hewitson of Smethwick) had were taken over by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” Who as I write this still company own’s the site Bowling Alley and the Lazer downstairs. The Grandson runs the operation. Its a very complex situation of cinema ownership In many cases the left hand do’s not know what the right hand is doing. I was lucky as I knew most of the people involved. A lot of history of cinemas companies are myths. I have done a massive amount of digging to find out The Dirt..
Biffa The KYB were notorious for being never kept date. This was part of the 1929 big leasing deal struck by Cinema Proprietors Ltd., Boris Peters at that stage was Manager. Never Trust KYB..
The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick
At The end of the day. The Bar is the income earner. I suspect if there was to much moaning they would just stop the films… After all they are shutting quite a number down. Then the future of these building will be uncertain.
The Stage Door side if the Theatre are remnants of the old Theatre by Owen and Ward.. which also housed the old Leon Salberg’s office that was later transformed into the Leon Bar on the ground floor whilst the upper floors became the dressing rooms..
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.
Well The Cinemas that Broadway Cinemas (Hewitson of Smethwick) had were taken over by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” Who as I write this still company own’s the site Bowling Alley and the Lazer downstairs. The Grandson runs the operation. Its a very complex situation of cinema ownership In many cases the left hand do’s not know what the right hand is doing. I was lucky as I knew most of the people involved. A lot of history of cinemas companies are myths. I have done a massive amount of digging to find out The Dirt..
Biffa The KYB were notorious for being never kept date. This was part of the 1929 big leasing deal struck by Cinema Proprietors Ltd., Boris Peters at that stage was Manager. Never Trust KYB..
The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick
Just a thought The two screens under the Circle took 6 weeks to do the job.
Well The Earl of Dudley sold that land cheap with that covenant on. So the Council should have to pay the Earl a Massive compensation claim.
The 1958 Modernisation was carried out by Modernisation Ltd., a Freeze-Greene company It was typical of the design build work.
There is now an early picture of the Cinema on this page.
At The end of the day. The Bar is the income earner. I suspect if there was to much moaning they would just stop the films… After all they are shutting quite a number down. Then the future of these building will be uncertain.
I have placed an early picture of the Cinema on now.
The Stage Door side if the Theatre are remnants of the old Theatre by Owen and Ward.. which also housed the old Leon Salberg’s office that was later transformed into the Leon Bar on the ground floor whilst the upper floors became the dressing rooms..
Correction to that write up. He did not put the Capitol at Alum Rock up for Sale.. This happened much later.. Under the replacement Chairman
to Odeon Esque The organ was a temporary one ABC had for such openings