Odeon Swansea

Pange’s comment above that he was technically not old enough to work during the run of “Alien” reminded me that soon after I started as a junior projectionist,I was told by the chief that I could not work during the run of the “Little Hut” which had an X certificate, it starred David Niven & Ava Gardner.
Now this was 1958, and fifteen year old’s were much more naive than today’s youngsters,so I stayed home on the first evening of the film’s run. only to find that when I turned up to work the following morning it was a big wind up.
So everyone had a big laugh at my expense, the cinema in question was the Town Hall Pwllheli,which is still open under it’s new name Neuadd Dwyfor.

When on holiday in South Wales in 1990 I visited the Odeon Swansea,it was a scorching June day (remember them?) The projectionist (who’s name I do'nt recall) very kindly showed me around all 3 screens.

I seem to recall that he told me the projectionist’s had to lose their wash room to accomodate a third screen. We never had such comforts, if you needed a wash or whatever, it was down endless flights of stairs, and even worse up again !

I think that the people residing in the cities are very lucky in being able to compare one multiscreen against the other, our nearest multiplex the Cineworld LLandudno Junction is 50 miles from Pwllheli, and although the seating is extremely comfortable there’s no showmanship involved in the film presentation. I like many on the Cinema Treasures posts love tabs.

Such an amazing cinema. Despite the lack of tabs and ornamental decor, it just seemed to have the right “feel”. The Empire Strikes Back was a highlight of my life here!

Ironically, the UCI at Parc Tawe was a HORRIBLE place but since rebranding as Odeon it’s so much nicer with decor and colour schemes that remind you of and Odeon, even if there are still no tabs. I find Vue very much sterile and horrible (pretty much like the old UCI) but for some reason the ODEON on Kingsway was magnificent – although being designed in the 1960s, it shouldn’t have been!

Here are updated links for the 1968 and 1971 photos.

Photo1

Photo2

Side view of the rear of the Odeon auditorium with the overhanging projection box part of the building over the old terrace area.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtians/2221775832/

Another full view of the Odeon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtians/2222610775/

I have March 2007 pictures of the Odeon as it is today. It looks appauling and so run down parts of the exterior are actualy faling off. Hope to post them soon.

A 1989 view can be seen here:

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/328111248/