Just checked my files. Seating capacity was 594. Stage depth was 30ft not 45ft scope picture was 25ft Projection Equipment BTH phone number had been Wells 3195
Minor correction. The downstairs was fitted out and ran by “STAR BINGO” This is one of the theatres I usd to cover the Manager for his time off and Holidays while I was with ABC…
Correction Myth 2. The Architects was Satchwell and Roberts with John Cecil Clavering.. Harry Weeden was just shown the plans by Deutsch and was basically told he wanted all his projects done like this… If You look at the work Satchwell and Roberts it proves my point. and Satchwell and Roberts where far bigger then Harry Weeden at the time..
Correction of Myth.. The Theatre Opened under Clifton Control “The Beacon Cinema (Kingstanding) Ltd., The Sidney Clift Faction controlled the Majority of Shares. Oscar Deutsch only had £100 in Shares, so had no say.. The same with "The Warley” From my memory as my family and I had interests in a number of Theatres and Cinemas.. It did not become a full Odeon untill around 1941 when J. Arthur Rank took over Oscar Deutsch’s
interests although they where badged as Odeons before this date. Hope this makes it clear..
If My memory is correct the theatre was hit by a bomb during the war. The luck thing was it did not explode. The person defusing the bomb was awarded a medal that allowed him to go free to any Odeon Cinema in the country
somewhere in my files I have a picture of the interior which I shall post. when I find it
Hmmm The Company I worked for as one of its General Managers, bought The Strand Bideford We had around at one time 50 or so Cinemas on BTH Supers and had very little problem with most of them. Provided they where kept free of Carbon Dust and oiled Daily.. they where never any problem. In 1974 if my memory is correct we installed one of the 6 sets of Brand new Westrex 7000s equipments in Bideford.. Which ended up being replaced in most of our the Theatres very quickly.
The Classic Television Series Film Rushes of the “The Prisoner where shown nightly after the normal programme finished.. and I think White Night Film did the same. Hope it manages to re-open
The original Company was Odeon Cinema(Rhyl) Ltd., Incorpoated in Birmingham Offices in Temple Street. Every Odeon Cinema was a Seperate Company and shareholders up to max 50 in totaL
HI yet another correction The Hall opened in 1846. There is a myth that it was some form of Market Hall. This incorrect it was a Concert Hall come theatre from the very start.. My Family where shareholders in the old “Walsall Theatre Compay” They used to lease the Theatre and sold out to ABC…
Hmm. Correction. The fire was not caused by a disgruntled former projectionist… FACT.. it was disgruntled former vegatable delivery man that set fire to a number of catering establishments at that time. I found this a sad time.. even though I was Assitant Manager of the Local ABC Cinema.. at the time.
I did a Spell at The ABC New Street as an Assistant Manager 1968 – 1969 moving back to the ABC Walsall. I worked with Johnny Simmons. and Joan Cooks. The Organ was infront of the screen dead centre on a lift. This was removed and a platform placed infront of the screen.. The Cinema was orginally owned by Cinema Properties Ltd., Leon Salberg (Alex Theatre) Sidney Clifft, and J Cohen.. ABC bought the Theatre and William Glenn re styled the building
Just checked my files. Seating capacity was 594. Stage depth was 30ft not 45ft scope picture was 25ft Projection Equipment BTH phone number had been Wells 3195
Minor correction. The downstairs was fitted out and ran by “STAR BINGO” This is one of the theatres I usd to cover the Manager for his time off and Holidays while I was with ABC…
Correction Myth 2. The Architects was Satchwell and Roberts with John Cecil Clavering.. Harry Weeden was just shown the plans by Deutsch and was basically told he wanted all his projects done like this… If You look at the work Satchwell and Roberts it proves my point. and Satchwell and Roberts where far bigger then Harry Weeden at the time..
Correction of Myth.. The Theatre Opened under Clifton Control “The Beacon Cinema (Kingstanding) Ltd., The Sidney Clift Faction controlled the Majority of Shares. Oscar Deutsch only had £100 in Shares, so had no say.. The same with "The Warley” From my memory as my family and I had interests in a number of Theatres and Cinemas.. It did not become a full Odeon untill around 1941 when J. Arthur Rank took over Oscar Deutsch’s interests although they where badged as Odeons before this date. Hope this makes it clear..
If My memory is correct the theatre was hit by a bomb during the war. The luck thing was it did not explode. The person defusing the bomb was awarded a medal that allowed him to go free to any Odeon Cinema in the country somewhere in my files I have a picture of the interior which I shall post. when I find it
The Regal had been owned by the B.T. Davis family and Ken Jones from Late 1950’s to 1981. Then renting the Theatre out for a number of years
Hmmm The Company I worked for as one of its General Managers, bought The Strand Bideford We had around at one time 50 or so Cinemas on BTH Supers and had very little problem with most of them. Provided they where kept free of Carbon Dust and oiled Daily.. they where never any problem. In 1974 if my memory is correct we installed one of the 6 sets of Brand new Westrex 7000s equipments in Bideford.. Which ended up being replaced in most of our the Theatres very quickly.
The Classic Television Series Film Rushes of the “The Prisoner where shown nightly after the normal programme finished.. and I think White Night Film did the same. Hope it manages to re-open
The Short Figure is “Pat Collins”
Odeon Chain Did not take over ABC 2000… ABC took over Odeon.. ABC then renamed Cinemas Odeon as it was a better branding….
The original Company was Odeon Cinema(Rhyl) Ltd., Incorpoated in Birmingham Offices in Temple Street. Every Odeon Cinema was a Seperate Company and shareholders up to max 50 in totaL
HI yet another correction The Hall opened in 1846. There is a myth that it was some form of Market Hall. This incorrect it was a Concert Hall come theatre from the very start.. My Family where shareholders in the old “Walsall Theatre Compay” They used to lease the Theatre and sold out to ABC…
The number 3 cinema came backwards under the circle. so it was back to back the other5 side of the number 3 was the pub..
Hmmm I remember the day after The Theatre had burned down. My Gran and Aunt had gone to that last show.. “Hilder Baker” was the star act..
Hmm. Correction. The fire was not caused by a disgruntled former projectionist… FACT.. it was disgruntled former vegatable delivery man that set fire to a number of catering establishments at that time. I found this a sad time.. even though I was Assitant Manager of the Local ABC Cinema.. at the time.
I did a Spell at The ABC New Street as an Assistant Manager 1968 – 1969 moving back to the ABC Walsall. I worked with Johnny Simmons. and Joan Cooks. The Organ was infront of the screen dead centre on a lift. This was removed and a platform placed infront of the screen.. The Cinema was orginally owned by Cinema Properties Ltd., Leon Salberg (Alex Theatre) Sidney Clifft, and J Cohen.. ABC bought the Theatre and William Glenn re styled the building