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)
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..
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..
@ 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
I did cover at the ABC Chester.. when it was moved to our Zone.. I was able to do a Full Theatre Advance Booking. So I got lumbered. Morcombe & Wise Show and an Orcestra Concert.. for the Chester festival.. We at least we worked for the Real ABC company :o)
I can see you point.. But under normal practice on this site.. A LEGAL FACT.. ABC Theatre was not a NEW Theatre as such. The 4 Walls of the original theatre, where used in building of the Refurbed theatre.. This apart from cost.. Was a contrivance to legally get round the planning laws. Interior was gutted and old roof removed. New spans where installed on the Original Walls. Exterior got make over.. Internal. Had new steelwork and refit etc etc… One here a great number of theatres have had such a make over.. and not had seperate entires..
I am Ex ABC and knew members of the design team and even met Jack Foster) As I was interested in design. He explained what work was done..
I remember seing on Television. There Screen and Tabs (In The Main Hall) rise up from underneath the stage in a 1 piece unit… anybody got a picture of this unit ??
I knew One of the families well They had a small supermarket on the Alum Rock near Our Cinema. I visited with then regular. The Theatre Was Spotless always..
A Reminder.. Cinemascope Films could only be shown in Cinema Authorised by (20th Century Fox) As it was their Trademark… In the early days the sound was in 4 Track Mag. ABC and the others did a kind of Scope minus 4 Track.. to get around the situation. In most cases ABC also installed festoon Curtains and installed the screen as close to the front as possible. A number of ABC sites and Independants where budget allowed got Modernisation Ltd., to build New Larger Pros outside the small one.. The Original Cinemas Equipt with Cinemascope was Granada.. Essoldo.. and the leading Independant in a Town.. Rank would not invest in Cinemascope until later… When this happened 20th Century Fox then did the dirty and moved to scope release back to Rank except where there was no Rank Cinema in a town..
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..
I have loaded two pictures. I must thank Ken Roe in solving the mystery of where they are of…. :o)
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)
Ken you are right… He was American.. Memory is a Problem for us over 30’s :o)
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..
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..
Note the use of the serial…
@ 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…
Forgot to mention this was a press photo taken at the time..
In 2006 The Savoy Became a Grade 2* rated building
@ 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
This picture was taken after the major 2006 restoration project. Please note there is normally no gap on the curtain stage right..
Hmm. That brings back memories.. Did a week plus 2 day management relief There. A fantastic Theatre
I remember the First Manager of the of the Facelift Theatre.. Bob Parsons the following one was Frank Chadwick. If my memory is correct..
I did cover at the ABC Chester.. when it was moved to our Zone.. I was able to do a Full Theatre Advance Booking. So I got lumbered. Morcombe & Wise Show and an Orcestra Concert.. for the Chester festival.. We at least we worked for the Real ABC company :o)
I can see you point.. But under normal practice on this site.. A LEGAL FACT.. ABC Theatre was not a NEW Theatre as such. The 4 Walls of the original theatre, where used in building of the Refurbed theatre.. This apart from cost.. Was a contrivance to legally get round the planning laws. Interior was gutted and old roof removed. New spans where installed on the Original Walls. Exterior got make over.. Internal. Had new steelwork and refit etc etc… One here a great number of theatres have had such a make over.. and not had seperate entires..
I am Ex ABC and knew members of the design team and even met Jack Foster) As I was interested in design. He explained what work was done..
I remember seing on Television. There Screen and Tabs (In The Main Hall) rise up from underneath the stage in a 1 piece unit… anybody got a picture of this unit ??
I knew One of the families well They had a small supermarket on the Alum Rock near Our Cinema. I visited with then regular. The Theatre Was Spotless always..
Hmm Another building ruined by Hermans Gorings Boys..
I have a Line drawing of the frontage and a better Picture somewhere. which I will put on when i find them
AT LAST…. Found It.. Interior picture of theatre found.. Have done my best I can for clarity..
For the life of me I cannot see the picture of the Theatre… Answers please :o) my eye sight is getting bad..
The Tesco Supermarket is closed.. and awaiting the Co-operative Supermarket and Primark to move on to the site
This Cinema was used as a backdrop of a Chanel 4 Programme 20 or so years ago..
A Reminder.. Cinemascope Films could only be shown in Cinema Authorised by (20th Century Fox) As it was their Trademark… In the early days the sound was in 4 Track Mag. ABC and the others did a kind of Scope minus 4 Track.. to get around the situation. In most cases ABC also installed festoon Curtains and installed the screen as close to the front as possible. A number of ABC sites and Independants where budget allowed got Modernisation Ltd., to build New Larger Pros outside the small one.. The Original Cinemas Equipt with Cinemascope was Granada.. Essoldo.. and the leading Independant in a Town.. Rank would not invest in Cinemascope until later… When this happened 20th Century Fox then did the dirty and moved to scope release back to Rank except where there was no Rank Cinema in a town..