Thanks Mick… I enjoy reading your memories. Why did you have to borrow from the Cardiff Olympia rather than the Maxime or even the Olympia in Tredegar or other nearby JW circuit cinemas?
The Maxime was a more modern cinema compared to the Capitol.
How did you get on with your training as a Manager at the Olympia in Cardiff and dis you remain with the ABC circuit following completion of your training?
Hi Puddle – you’ve not been able to add your report back to us following your planned visit to the cinema so I have to assume that you were not able to secure access. If you have been inside it would be great to learn of your findings?
I’m sorry that I overlooked your comments above.
Even though I am struggling to recall the centre aisle at the Capitol both you and Editha will have a much better knowledge than I on the central aisle in the stores, you have a much better memory than I do as well.
My memories of the venue are as a patron and during an exterior visit after closure. The cinema must have had a central aisle when I used to go there to see movies, the one I remember being one of the last movies I saw there was Disney’s Jungle Book {it was a double bill although I cant recall the supporting feature}. The last movie I recall being advertised on the external poster displays included Taffy and the Jungle Hunters, which would have been a support feature.
During the visit following closure the screen had already been torn with some seating removed. Perhaps the central aisle had been removed for bingo?
The ticket and concessions booths still had stacks of both cinema admission tickets as well as bingo books.
Under the stage there was an enormous amount of old cinema posters and stills.
During my main cinema going days as a teen the Maxime was by then the primary cinema and probably the best from a cinemagoers point of view back then.
I can well imagine that the cinema was a very different experience when working there than visiting as a patron.
During a visit to Ebbw Vale this month I was surprised and saddened to see that the former Workmen’s Hall has ceased trading as a bingo club, the front doors boarded up and a for sale sign sadly positioned above the doorway.
While visiting the town in 2009 the venue was still operating as a bingo club. I understand that the venue ceased bingo in February or March 2010.
It is hard to imagine what use will be made of this historic building now that bingo is no longer viable.
Perhaps it could be used as a film club of some type, bringing big screen entertainment back to the town.
Hi Mick, great to read your comments on this cinema. I can’t remember the centre aisle in the stalls at all, am sure you will have known there was one. Do you remember seating capacity anf final film screened? Was it a Withers cinema when you were there as Chief and was it operated seperate to the Maxime?
Hi Puddle – great to read your memories, be good to read your findings if you are able to get inside the former cinema. Esp if you can take any pics:) You would probably need to pay for a game of bingo of course.
For me it was usually the Hanbury and Cameo in Bargoed for AA and X rated movies, the Maxime box office woman was very strict indeed. I also got into the Abertillery cinemas as well as the Ebbw Vale one but rarely the Blackwood cinema.
The background music used must have been a compilation album and like you I can remember them all being instrumentals.
Unsure if the CTA has done a feature on this venue, they had not done so a while back?
Visitors might be interested in this video made by students in Newport, it is a celebration of the former ABC cinema in Newport Gwent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYqBijhCZmo
A photograph of the Capitol exterior can be found using the link below, taken during the mid fifties. photograph of the Interior {auditorium} can also be found in the collection.
Another example of a fine cinema that has been left to rot. The Arts Council of Wales together with the local authority could surely remodel this venue to meet the needs and demand of modern day arts and media type community venues?
Are there any interior photographs?
I believe that this might be the last surviving cinema by the distinguished architect David Evelyn Nye.
And the local authority wants to turn it into a car park, what are they thinking!
Thank You Lost Memory for adding the workmen’s institute website URL and the Theatre Trust link.
During January and February of this year I was in Blackwood and noticed that the Institute façade was in a desperate need for a lick of paint and a general tidy up, this I understand remains the case.
Looking through the online programme once again confirms to me that the venue continues to be underused for film exhibition, a shame when you consider that until very recently there was no cinema competition nearby, therefore it has been a lost opportunity for the venue.
When first remodelled and restored a considerable amount of funding was provided to purchase cinema exhibition equipment including a large screen and projection equipment as well as Dolby Stereo. A few lads were also provided with training as projectionists, clearly underused I would imagine these lads would have moved on to work at Multiples in Cardiff, Newport or Bristol.
The venue appears to programme a varied calendar of live performances and community events.
Delighted to read that this cinema is still open. While serving at nearby RAF Upavon I went along to this cinema several times in 1977/78 to see the then popular movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease, the WRAF I took along loved both movies so much we went to see each one twice, the romantic type she was.
From memory the cinema in the former circle/balcony was a good conversion, back then the cinema was more popular than the bingo due to the popularity that both movies received in the UK. The screen was a fair size so I imagine it would have been the original? Utilised after conversion of bingo in the former stalls area of the auditorium.
Hi Element 54,
The Capitol Blackwood already has a listing here {/theaters/28108/
}. Comments placed by Editha and I already draw reference to the Capitols use as a theatre and market. Unfortunately other than what we’ve included in the text under this venue there is little else confirmed. Editha once worked there while I’ve experienced the cinema as a patron and also entered the venue while it was closed and unused following a period of use as bingo. This cinema had a good size stage with fly tower.
Additionally if you view my website there are images of the venue alongside additional written information. If you have any further information please do add. Also, view my website, if you discover anything incorrect please do let me know.
I’ve also spent time in the local library and found nothing – surpriding because the Argus did cover the original closure of the cinema and included a feature when the new screen 1 and 2 opened in the former balcony. they probably covered the closure of screen 1 and 2 later too, it left most of the SE valleys without a cinema.
Bingo operates in the old stalls, when passing by it never seems that busy so assume bingo days are numbered…
Info on the Capitol is patchy and conflicting, suggesting the cinema opened after the Maxime which was purpose built. Unlikely the Capitol will have opened for folm after the Maxime was built so must have been before. The library in Newport might be a better port of call for info esp through the south wales argus archives…
Hello Ian – good to read your comments. Maxime does seem to be used as a cinema name from time to time during the thirties even so, it is rare. I’m not altogether sure of the origins. I realised there was a cinema in Swansea that shared the name and there is another in Wales originally named Maxime.
While researching the JW circuit i’ve seen no mention of any working relationship between Albert Withers and Max Corne although it does sound interesting. How about you Editha, have you any knowledge of any form of working partnership between these too?
I can confirm that the official name is MAXIME, my website includes a photograph from the late 1960’s or early 70’s and the cinema name is clearly identified. I’m unsure why it appears as Maxine in the header here, probably an oversight.
The sunday performance at the Maxime was always advertised by a poster outside the cinema, tp the far left as you look at the lower level of the fasade. It was always an X rated double bill or an AA as I was not old enough then to attend, this would have been the late 1960’s.
Hi Editha
The Sunday double bills that I recall were always X rated horrors although I’m sure that towards the very late 1960’s there were X rated double bills of an adult nature. It never crossed my mind that these double bills were screened as a result of the lower rental charges. I often wondered why the Maxine didn’t just play the usual programme on a Sunday.
Unsure if they did so during your time there, however it was always impressive when a foyer display was used to promote a film. I clearly remember the CHITTY, Chitty Bang Bang car on display in the foyer for the run of that film at the Maxine and Herbie, The LOVE BUG car on display when that film was playing.
Did you ever meet A Jackson when working for the circuit? I can Understand that Julian Hodge would not be seen, I believe he was mostly the financier.
Hello Element 54 – Thank you for your interesting contribution. I’ve not seen mention of Max Corne while researching this cinema and your question is interesting, do let me know if you have any further information?
I also agree with your comments that the Plaza â€" North Road, Cardiff was the best of the local cinemas around Cardiff â€" a real shame they demolished it.
Hi Editha – you are out in the sticks a little being in Uzbekistan I’m sure. I’ve read with interest the coments on Neon at the Regent.
Please do try again to view the website and please do contact e using the email link on the site.
Thanks Mick… I enjoy reading your memories. Why did you have to borrow from the Cardiff Olympia rather than the Maxime or even the Olympia in Tredegar or other nearby JW circuit cinemas?
The Maxime was a more modern cinema compared to the Capitol.
How did you get on with your training as a Manager at the Olympia in Cardiff and dis you remain with the ABC circuit following completion of your training?
Hi Puddle – you’ve not been able to add your report back to us following your planned visit to the cinema so I have to assume that you were not able to secure access. If you have been inside it would be great to learn of your findings?
Hi Mick
I’m sorry that I overlooked your comments above.
Even though I am struggling to recall the centre aisle at the Capitol both you and Editha will have a much better knowledge than I on the central aisle in the stores, you have a much better memory than I do as well.
My memories of the venue are as a patron and during an exterior visit after closure. The cinema must have had a central aisle when I used to go there to see movies, the one I remember being one of the last movies I saw there was Disney’s Jungle Book {it was a double bill although I cant recall the supporting feature}. The last movie I recall being advertised on the external poster displays included Taffy and the Jungle Hunters, which would have been a support feature.
During the visit following closure the screen had already been torn with some seating removed. Perhaps the central aisle had been removed for bingo?
The ticket and concessions booths still had stacks of both cinema admission tickets as well as bingo books.
Under the stage there was an enormous amount of old cinema posters and stills.
During my main cinema going days as a teen the Maxime was by then the primary cinema and probably the best from a cinemagoers point of view back then.
I can well imagine that the cinema was a very different experience when working there than visiting as a patron.
During a visit to Ebbw Vale this month I was surprised and saddened to see that the former Workmen’s Hall has ceased trading as a bingo club, the front doors boarded up and a for sale sign sadly positioned above the doorway.
While visiting the town in 2009 the venue was still operating as a bingo club. I understand that the venue ceased bingo in February or March 2010.
It is hard to imagine what use will be made of this historic building now that bingo is no longer viable.
Perhaps it could be used as a film club of some type, bringing big screen entertainment back to the town.
Hi Mick, great to read your comments on this cinema. I can’t remember the centre aisle in the stalls at all, am sure you will have known there was one. Do you remember seating capacity anf final film screened? Was it a Withers cinema when you were there as Chief and was it operated seperate to the Maxime?
Love to hear more?
Hey Puddle…
How did the visit to the former Maxime cinema go?
You got me jealous now, I cant wait to read how it went:)
Hi Puddle – great to read your memories, be good to read your findings if you are able to get inside the former cinema. Esp if you can take any pics:) You would probably need to pay for a game of bingo of course.
For me it was usually the Hanbury and Cameo in Bargoed for AA and X rated movies, the Maxime box office woman was very strict indeed. I also got into the Abertillery cinemas as well as the Ebbw Vale one but rarely the Blackwood cinema.
The background music used must have been a compilation album and like you I can remember them all being instrumentals.
Unsure if the CTA has done a feature on this venue, they had not done so a while back?
Nice Website Martin:)
Visitors might be interested in this video made by students in Newport, it is a celebration of the former ABC cinema in Newport Gwent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYqBijhCZmo
A photograph of the Capitol exterior can be found using the link below, taken during the mid fifties. photograph of the Interior {auditorium} can also be found in the collection.
View link
Photo of the Maxime from the mid sixties.
View link
Another example of a fine cinema that has been left to rot. The Arts Council of Wales together with the local authority could surely remodel this venue to meet the needs and demand of modern day arts and media type community venues?
Are there any interior photographs?
I believe that this might be the last surviving cinema by the distinguished architect David Evelyn Nye.
And the local authority wants to turn it into a car park, what are they thinking!
Thank You Lost Memory for adding the workmen’s institute website URL and the Theatre Trust link.
During January and February of this year I was in Blackwood and noticed that the Institute façade was in a desperate need for a lick of paint and a general tidy up, this I understand remains the case.
Looking through the online programme once again confirms to me that the venue continues to be underused for film exhibition, a shame when you consider that until very recently there was no cinema competition nearby, therefore it has been a lost opportunity for the venue.
When first remodelled and restored a considerable amount of funding was provided to purchase cinema exhibition equipment including a large screen and projection equipment as well as Dolby Stereo. A few lads were also provided with training as projectionists, clearly underused I would imagine these lads would have moved on to work at Multiples in Cardiff, Newport or Bristol.
The venue appears to programme a varied calendar of live performances and community events.
Delighted to read that this cinema is still open. While serving at nearby RAF Upavon I went along to this cinema several times in 1977/78 to see the then popular movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease, the WRAF I took along loved both movies so much we went to see each one twice, the romantic type she was.
From memory the cinema in the former circle/balcony was a good conversion, back then the cinema was more popular than the bingo due to the popularity that both movies received in the UK. The screen was a fair size so I imagine it would have been the original? Utilised after conversion of bingo in the former stalls area of the auditorium.
Further information and memories of this cinema can be found on the following website along with photographs.
http://cinemawales.homestead.com/INDEX.html
Hi Element 54,
The Capitol Blackwood already has a listing here {/theaters/28108/
}. Comments placed by Editha and I already draw reference to the Capitols use as a theatre and market. Unfortunately other than what we’ve included in the text under this venue there is little else confirmed. Editha once worked there while I’ve experienced the cinema as a patron and also entered the venue while it was closed and unused following a period of use as bingo. This cinema had a good size stage with fly tower.
Additionally if you view my website there are images of the venue alongside additional written information. If you have any further information please do add. Also, view my website, if you discover anything incorrect please do let me know.
http://cinemawales.homestead.com/INDEX.html
I’ve also spent time in the local library and found nothing – surpriding because the Argus did cover the original closure of the cinema and included a feature when the new screen 1 and 2 opened in the former balcony. they probably covered the closure of screen 1 and 2 later too, it left most of the SE valleys without a cinema.
Bingo operates in the old stalls, when passing by it never seems that busy so assume bingo days are numbered…
Info on the Capitol is patchy and conflicting, suggesting the cinema opened after the Maxime which was purpose built. Unlikely the Capitol will have opened for folm after the Maxime was built so must have been before. The library in Newport might be a better port of call for info esp through the south wales argus archives…
Hi Editha –
Hello Ian – good to read your comments. Maxime does seem to be used as a cinema name from time to time during the thirties even so, it is rare. I’m not altogether sure of the origins. I realised there was a cinema in Swansea that shared the name and there is another in Wales originally named Maxime.
Same here Editha { you managed to look at my website yet? – guess you’ve not as you could have emailed me}.
Element 54, seems as though it is down to you to throw more light on any partnership or link beetween JW and MC?
While researching the JW circuit i’ve seen no mention of any working relationship between Albert Withers and Max Corne although it does sound interesting. How about you Editha, have you any knowledge of any form of working partnership between these too?
I can confirm that the official name is MAXIME, my website includes a photograph from the late 1960’s or early 70’s and the cinema name is clearly identified. I’m unsure why it appears as Maxine in the header here, probably an oversight.
The sunday performance at the Maxime was always advertised by a poster outside the cinema, tp the far left as you look at the lower level of the fasade. It was always an X rated double bill or an AA as I was not old enough then to attend, this would have been the late 1960’s.
Hi Editha
The Sunday double bills that I recall were always X rated horrors although I’m sure that towards the very late 1960’s there were X rated double bills of an adult nature. It never crossed my mind that these double bills were screened as a result of the lower rental charges. I often wondered why the Maxine didn’t just play the usual programme on a Sunday.
Unsure if they did so during your time there, however it was always impressive when a foyer display was used to promote a film. I clearly remember the CHITTY, Chitty Bang Bang car on display in the foyer for the run of that film at the Maxine and Herbie, The LOVE BUG car on display when that film was playing.
Did you ever meet A Jackson when working for the circuit? I can Understand that Julian Hodge would not be seen, I believe he was mostly the financier.
Hello Element 54 – Thank you for your interesting contribution. I’ve not seen mention of Max Corne while researching this cinema and your question is interesting, do let me know if you have any further information?
I also agree with your comments that the Plaza â€" North Road, Cardiff was the best of the local cinemas around Cardiff â€" a real shame they demolished it.
Hi Editha – you are out in the sticks a little being in Uzbekistan I’m sure. I’ve read with interest the coments on Neon at the Regent.
Please do try again to view the website and please do contact e using the email link on the site.