The Palladium’s manager Jack Lewis is at the extreme left of this photo. Definitely taken some time in the ‘70s. In his younger years John Hughes was able to dive for lobsters without the use of Scuba gear
It would be interesting to know what the music was which ran after the National Anthem. I think it joined, as a soundtrack, onto to the end of the anthem and played with the curtains closed. (I think the cue to press the switch to close the curtains was on the word “Victorious” in the National Anthem). I believe the music following the anthem may have been called “March Out”. It was an upbeat number which encouraged the audience to leave the auditorium quickly so everything could be prepared for the Second House.
I actually sat on that front carrier of John’s bike when he gave me a lift to the harbour at 4.00 am to go mackerel fishing and lobster potting. I see he’s encouraging one of the (live) lobsters to pose for the camera. My aunt used to boil them alive.
Does Eric – or anyone – remember what colour the doors of the Regal Cinema were painted? My sister is doing a painting of the Regal – based on the photograph – and wants to get this detail right. From the photo the doors look possible white or cream. I can’t, for the life of me, remember! Anyone any ideas? Are there any other photos of the Regal anywhere?
I don’t recall the roof being a problem in the rain – and I certainly spent enough time there, rain or shine! I think the corrugated roof was made not of steel but asbestos cement – no risk for the patrons unless it cracks!
The sound was, as far as I remember ok – but, well, we didn’t know any better in those days. I think there was a problem with ventilation of the box and the side door was usually open when the projectors were running in the summer.
My sister tells me this picture was taken by a Mr Victor Hills whose son she met during one of her art classes (so I hope he doesn’t mind it being used on here). It was submitted to someone who was writing a book bnn Anglesey and she is now using it as the basis for a painting of the Regal.
I would still love to know who now owns that original picture of the Palladium though!
The interesting thing about this shot is the steelwork outside the walls – which presumably held up the roof. It was quite a big span for a building of that era.
Eric – superb painting of the wartime Palladium. I wonder who owns that painting now?
..I’ve just come across a 1950s picture of the Regal Cinema, Beaumaris (now demolished) and added it to the Regal page. As it’s a “sister” cinema to the Palladium (although much smaller) I wondered if you had any technical details?
Wow! What a fabulous painting. I must confess I didn’t know about HMS Glendower – although, of course,I knew Butlins.
I wonder who owns this painting now? It’s marvellous; a real collectors item – and so evocative of the times. Thanks so much for posting it Eric.
Eric – Thanks for that. After all these years, at last I know what that sinister thing was!
I’ve just seen your pictures of the Palladium being demolished which I had never seen before. I can’t help having a lump in my throat. How could they have demolished such a beautiful building?
The pictures of the proscenium arch are great!
Meanwhile I have added some circa 1955 photos taken from the roof of the Palladium (the little balcony at the top right-hand side of the building looking at it from the front) looking up and down Cardiff Road and also across to the Maes. I just wish I’d attempted a time exposure photograph of the box and the projectors. ….Too late now!
Hi Eric: Agree re multiplexes! There’s no finesse these days.
PROJECTORS: Very interesting shot of the “box” . The projectors in your photo are very similar to the Palladium’s – (as you know they too were Gaumont Kalee) same configuration exactly except for the big switch at the rear. Unlike the Coliseum’s pair through, the Palladium’s were finished in black so they were probably older. There is a similar projector (a Kalee 40) on http://www.regalgroup.org.uk/collectiongallery.html but I wouldn’t be sure even that was exactly the same as presumably the Palladium’s projectors are the ones installed when it first opened.
The layout in the Palladium was that there was a fireproof door at the top of the stairs at the right of the building (looking from the front). This led to the rewinding room where all the films were respliced and each reel held in sequence individual metal cabinets with spring-loaded doors. As you know it had all be set up back in the days when film was celluloid.
Next door was the projection box with the two machines, faders, switches etc
Beyond that was a room which had a big black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it – glowing blue. Adjoining this was John Palladium’s tv- repair work-area (a bit of freelance business).
I just wish I’d taken photos of it all when I was there!
The projection box was incredibly noisy – not only were the machines noisy but the loudspeaker was always at full volume. No wonder John became hard of hearing! Being a inquisitive youngster at the time, I was probably a just a nuisance to John and his assistant but, fair-play, they put up with me many times.
We used to have to sit on the bare concrete floor to eat our fish and chips. Despite the smell of film-cement and arc-lamps and the incessant rattle of the projectors nothing ever tasted so good.
Eric: That new photo of the stage from the auditorium is amazing; a sight I thought I would never see again and which evokes so many memories of so many movies. As far as I remember it was usually the film certificate which was projected onto the curtain before they were drawn aside to expose the screen – not very subtle perhaps, but effective enough at the time.
Of course as the Palladium featured two houses every night (at least in the period I remember) and the curtains closed at the end of the main feature and “God Save the Queen” – for which the audience stood.
At the end of the National Anthem the last few seconds were projected onto the curtains as they closed. You may be able to augment my memories of this, but when the anthem ended, and the shutter was closed, I believe the projector carried on running to play a tune which I think was called “March Out” – a lively up-tempo orchestra number designed to get the audience moving out to the exits relatively quickly. I can hear it in my head even now as I am typing these notes 60 years on!
Just to say how interesting that photo of the Palladium auditorium is – thanks for posting it. Interesting too how relatively shallow the rake was of the seating in the stalls. If the Palladium was being designed today there would be a far steeper angle to provide better sight-lines for the audience.
Acknowledgements to “Mister Reel” who features this very interesting photo on his Flicker site and says it was taken in May 1964. The film depicted on the poster is ‘The Running Man’ starring Lawrence Harvey which was released in 1963.The vehicles in shot are a Ford Thames van, a Hillman Minx, a Ford Anglia van, a Post Office Telephones Morris Minor van, a Vauxhall Cresta PD emerging from the Shell filling station and, outside the Chocolate Box, an Austin A55 Cambridge. The bike leaning against the side wall if the Palladium belongs to the manager Jack Lewis who used it to commute to work every day from Manor Avenue, South Beach.
ERIC: Re Stereo – actually, come to think of it, I’m sure you’re right. I can’t recall ever actually hearing stereo at the Palladium!
One thing I do remember though is how the masking around the screen had to be specially adjusted for “Strategic Air Command” which was in VistaVision. Although I can’t remember exactly what the image ratio of VistaVision was, I think it was wider than Academy Screen format but nowhere near as wide as Cinemascope.
Eric: It’s very interesting to see the old academy-format screen in the Palladium. As you know this was replaced by the Cinemascope screen which, it was claimed, was the “largest in North Wales”.
It was a bit of a challenge for the existing projectors to deliver enough light to illuminate the screen properly but projectionist John Hughes collared some good anamorphic lenses from another cinema in the circuit (it could have been the City Cinema in Bangor) and with a few tweaks CinemaScope came to Pwllheli. I believe the sound system was upgraded to stereo at the same time.
A constant problem with the screen though was the accumulation of brown nicotine from cigarette smoke on the reflective surface. They never found a way of combating that!
Sorry to hear that Liz has passed away. Despite its small stage the Palladium, in addition to movies, staged live performances by Eric Winston and his Band (who performed at Butlins).
A number of stars like Anthony Steel and I think David Attenborough visited the cinema to promote their movies and I personally remember Britain’s first World Motor Racing champion Mike Hawthorn and his fellow driver Peter Collins visit the Palladium to see a submarine movie that was playing at the time.
Hawthorn and several other racing drivers were-in North Wales at the time involved in filming the motor-racing movie “The Green Helmet” (although he does not appear in the film’s credits). The film was partially shot in Portmeirion – which doubled as an Italian village in the plot. The straighter parts of the main Pwllheli/ Caernarfon /Bangor road was also used to shoot real racing sequences – some of which can be identified by the views of the distinctive walls of the Vaynol estate.
I meant to try to change the picture so that the aerial shot of the Palladium, which I’ve also posted, would appear on the main page of this section – but I’m not quite sure how to do this.
John Hughes (a.k.a. “John Palladium”) -projectionist, and J.E.“Jack” Lewis (manager) – pose outside the Palladium on Saturday 22nd of October 1977 before a poster marking the closure of the Palladium, Pwllheli and thanking the patrons for their support. It was the day the curtains literally closed on the only purpose-built cinema in Pwllheli.
During a screening of “Rock Around the Clock” the manager Jack Lewis had to go down the central aisle to stop youngsters jiving.
The Palladium’s manager Jack Lewis is at the extreme left of this photo. Definitely taken some time in the ‘70s. In his younger years John Hughes was able to dive for lobsters without the use of Scuba gear
It would be interesting to know what the music was which ran after the National Anthem. I think it joined, as a soundtrack, onto to the end of the anthem and played with the curtains closed. (I think the cue to press the switch to close the curtains was on the word “Victorious” in the National Anthem). I believe the music following the anthem may have been called “March Out”. It was an upbeat number which encouraged the audience to leave the auditorium quickly so everything could be prepared for the Second House.
I actually sat on that front carrier of John’s bike when he gave me a lift to the harbour at 4.00 am to go mackerel fishing and lobster potting. I see he’s encouraging one of the (live) lobsters to pose for the camera. My aunt used to boil them alive.
Does Eric – or anyone – remember what colour the doors of the Regal Cinema were painted? My sister is doing a painting of the Regal – based on the photograph – and wants to get this detail right. From the photo the doors look possible white or cream. I can’t, for the life of me, remember! Anyone any ideas? Are there any other photos of the Regal anywhere?
I don’t recall the roof being a problem in the rain – and I certainly spent enough time there, rain or shine! I think the corrugated roof was made not of steel but asbestos cement – no risk for the patrons unless it cracks!
The sound was, as far as I remember ok – but, well, we didn’t know any better in those days. I think there was a problem with ventilation of the box and the side door was usually open when the projectors were running in the summer.
My sister tells me this picture was taken by a Mr Victor Hills whose son she met during one of her art classes (so I hope he doesn’t mind it being used on here). It was submitted to someone who was writing a book bnn Anglesey and she is now using it as the basis for a painting of the Regal.
I would still love to know who now owns that original picture of the Palladium though!
The interesting thing about this shot is the steelwork outside the walls – which presumably held up the roof. It was quite a big span for a building of that era.
Eric – superb painting of the wartime Palladium. I wonder who owns that painting now? ..I’ve just come across a 1950s picture of the Regal Cinema, Beaumaris (now demolished) and added it to the Regal page. As it’s a “sister” cinema to the Palladium (although much smaller) I wondered if you had any technical details?
Finally come across a photo of the Regal Cinema!
A great aerial photo. I wonder when it was taken? It gives a real appreciation of the geography of Pwllheli – “back in the day”
Wow! What a fabulous painting. I must confess I didn’t know about HMS Glendower – although, of course,I knew Butlins. I wonder who owns this painting now? It’s marvellous; a real collectors item – and so evocative of the times. Thanks so much for posting it Eric.
Great photo – and so much of its time. That looks like an Austin Cambridge in the foreground.
I’m no spring chicken but I certainly never knew that! …Only in Pwllheli eh?
From the Palladium roof – looking towards the Maes
Eric – Thanks for that. After all these years, at last I know what that sinister thing was! I’ve just seen your pictures of the Palladium being demolished which I had never seen before. I can’t help having a lump in my throat. How could they have demolished such a beautiful building? The pictures of the proscenium arch are great! Meanwhile I have added some circa 1955 photos taken from the roof of the Palladium (the little balcony at the top right-hand side of the building looking at it from the front) looking up and down Cardiff Road and also across to the Maes. I just wish I’d attempted a time exposure photograph of the box and the projectors. ….Too late now!
Hi Eric: Agree re multiplexes! There’s no finesse these days. PROJECTORS: Very interesting shot of the “box” . The projectors in your photo are very similar to the Palladium’s – (as you know they too were Gaumont Kalee) same configuration exactly except for the big switch at the rear. Unlike the Coliseum’s pair through, the Palladium’s were finished in black so they were probably older. There is a similar projector (a Kalee 40) on http://www.regalgroup.org.uk/collectiongallery.html but I wouldn’t be sure even that was exactly the same as presumably the Palladium’s projectors are the ones installed when it first opened. The layout in the Palladium was that there was a fireproof door at the top of the stairs at the right of the building (looking from the front). This led to the rewinding room where all the films were respliced and each reel held in sequence individual metal cabinets with spring-loaded doors. As you know it had all be set up back in the days when film was celluloid. Next door was the projection box with the two machines, faders, switches etc Beyond that was a room which had a big black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it – glowing blue. Adjoining this was John Palladium’s tv- repair work-area (a bit of freelance business). I just wish I’d taken photos of it all when I was there!
The projection box was incredibly noisy – not only were the machines noisy but the loudspeaker was always at full volume. No wonder John became hard of hearing! Being a inquisitive youngster at the time, I was probably a just a nuisance to John and his assistant but, fair-play, they put up with me many times.
We used to have to sit on the bare concrete floor to eat our fish and chips. Despite the smell of film-cement and arc-lamps and the incessant rattle of the projectors nothing ever tasted so good.
Eric: That new photo of the stage from the auditorium is amazing; a sight I thought I would never see again and which evokes so many memories of so many movies. As far as I remember it was usually the film certificate which was projected onto the curtain before they were drawn aside to expose the screen – not very subtle perhaps, but effective enough at the time. Of course as the Palladium featured two houses every night (at least in the period I remember) and the curtains closed at the end of the main feature and “God Save the Queen” – for which the audience stood. At the end of the National Anthem the last few seconds were projected onto the curtains as they closed. You may be able to augment my memories of this, but when the anthem ended, and the shutter was closed, I believe the projector carried on running to play a tune which I think was called “March Out” – a lively up-tempo orchestra number designed to get the audience moving out to the exits relatively quickly. I can hear it in my head even now as I am typing these notes 60 years on!
Just to say how interesting that photo of the Palladium auditorium is – thanks for posting it. Interesting too how relatively shallow the rake was of the seating in the stalls. If the Palladium was being designed today there would be a far steeper angle to provide better sight-lines for the audience.
Great photo Eric. Amazing to see the Palladium auditorium again.
Acknowledgements to “Mister Reel” who features this very interesting photo on his Flicker site and says it was taken in May 1964. The film depicted on the poster is ‘The Running Man’ starring Lawrence Harvey which was released in 1963.The vehicles in shot are a Ford Thames van, a Hillman Minx, a Ford Anglia van, a Post Office Telephones Morris Minor van, a Vauxhall Cresta PD emerging from the Shell filling station and, outside the Chocolate Box, an Austin A55 Cambridge. The bike leaning against the side wall if the Palladium belongs to the manager Jack Lewis who used it to commute to work every day from Manor Avenue, South Beach.
ERIC: Re Stereo – actually, come to think of it, I’m sure you’re right. I can’t recall ever actually hearing stereo at the Palladium! One thing I do remember though is how the masking around the screen had to be specially adjusted for “Strategic Air Command” which was in VistaVision. Although I can’t remember exactly what the image ratio of VistaVision was, I think it was wider than Academy Screen format but nowhere near as wide as Cinemascope.
Eric: It’s very interesting to see the old academy-format screen in the Palladium. As you know this was replaced by the Cinemascope screen which, it was claimed, was the “largest in North Wales”. It was a bit of a challenge for the existing projectors to deliver enough light to illuminate the screen properly but projectionist John Hughes collared some good anamorphic lenses from another cinema in the circuit (it could have been the City Cinema in Bangor) and with a few tweaks CinemaScope came to Pwllheli. I believe the sound system was upgraded to stereo at the same time. A constant problem with the screen though was the accumulation of brown nicotine from cigarette smoke on the reflective surface. They never found a way of combating that!
Sorry to hear that Liz has passed away. Despite its small stage the Palladium, in addition to movies, staged live performances by Eric Winston and his Band (who performed at Butlins). A number of stars like Anthony Steel and I think David Attenborough visited the cinema to promote their movies and I personally remember Britain’s first World Motor Racing champion Mike Hawthorn and his fellow driver Peter Collins visit the Palladium to see a submarine movie that was playing at the time. Hawthorn and several other racing drivers were-in North Wales at the time involved in filming the motor-racing movie “The Green Helmet” (although he does not appear in the film’s credits). The film was partially shot in Portmeirion – which doubled as an Italian village in the plot. The straighter parts of the main Pwllheli/ Caernarfon /Bangor road was also used to shoot real racing sequences – some of which can be identified by the views of the distinctive walls of the Vaynol estate.
I meant to try to change the picture so that the aerial shot of the Palladium, which I’ve also posted, would appear on the main page of this section – but I’m not quite sure how to do this.
John Hughes (a.k.a. “John Palladium”) -projectionist, and J.E.“Jack” Lewis (manager) – pose outside the Palladium on Saturday 22nd of October 1977 before a poster marking the closure of the Palladium, Pwllheli and thanking the patrons for their support. It was the day the curtains literally closed on the only purpose-built cinema in Pwllheli.