The open space had previously been the site of Russell Bros garage, which meant the cinema could only be seen from the shop for about 4 years after the garage was demolished.
I’d better own up David, Mr Reel is yours truly, This photo could not be done today (assuming the Palladium was still standing of course)as it was taken from an upstairs window of what is now a ladies hair salon on the Maes. at the time it was my father’s grocer shop and I grew up there, the site in front of the Palladium is now occupied by the Spar & Iceland supermarkets, which of course would have obscured the cinema.
The screen actually had sharp box like corners, but John Hughes made these nice curved corners either with plywood or hard cardboard, I’m not quite sure, and painted them black.
Climbing up ladders came easily to John, the top of the screen was quite high, He used to erect television antennas around Pwllheli as a sideline, as well as being an outstanding self taught tv engineer as Mr Morris has already pointed out in one of his posts.
It may surprise younger viewers that the building at the far end of the Maes car park was the town’s abbatoir, where the public toilets now stands. Imagine having such a building today, slap bang in the middle of town.
Not having looked up this cinema on CT for some time I was saddened when in Liverpool yesterday to see that the Odeon was no more,I asked a chap working in a shop opposite as to when it was demolished, and he said it was a couple of months ago,anything to get rid of me I suppose. I decided to take a picture anyway, I wonder what happened to the plaque honouring the late Liverpool film star John Gregson, which I remember being unveiled although I never saw it myself.
I did the guided tour again in 2008, but this time the projection suite was not included, is the booth now out of bounds to the pulic ? The carrier bag on the bench was mine, I’d placed it there in order to take pictures, and then forgot all about it. I was outside when I realised this, but the lady kindlytook me back there, and left me there, so I was able to snoop around a bit more. Being a projectionist myself was not likely to do any damage.
I’ve done a little research, Miss Saigon was on in 1995, I’ll check with my niece next time I see her, as the show could have been there more than once for all I know.
When I was on holiday in the States from wales in 1990, I’m sure there was a multiplex called the Plaza.
I saw the Harrison Ford movie Presumed Innocent there, but the cinema is not listed on this site, so am I mistaken ?
Hi David, your photos are brilliant, I can see the fencing or barriers on the Maes end of the path from Cardiff Rd. We lived on the Maes for many years, and it was my Dad who suggested to the Town Council that the barriers would be a good idea as the children used to run from the Saturday afternoon matinee straight into the road at the Maes.
We lived at Siop Newydd where Alan’s Hairdresser is now situated, that is where from that I photographed the Palladium photo you found on Flickr after the garage was demolished. The barriers are no longer in place, but then neither is the Palladium.
Hi David,the black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it, as you described it was the rectifier, the large valve or bulb was full of mercury bubbling away inside.
The rectifier converted the AC supply to DC for the carbon arcs.
Hello David, just seen your comments, you have a good memory, we at the Town Hall also opened out the credits on the curtains, the idea being you only see the screen when there’s a picture on it.
Most multiplexes don’t even have curtains, everything is so automated with no showmanship.
I also remember the march out music.
I’ve included a photo of equipment identical to the Palladium’s, also 2 of the demolition work, and another of the interior from the balcony.
There are also of course photos linked under the comments, it’s no longer possible to upload them in that fashion.
Yes David, one thing about these new multiplexes the sight lines are excellent, no matter where you sit, even behind the tallest of people there’s no problem.
Found the other interior photo of the palladium, this one pointing towards the stage.
I’ve uploaded 3 photos from 1991,the projection equipment,spotlights & rewind bench. Sorry for the poor quality but any photo is better than none I guess.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took in 1992 when on holiday from Wales UK.
It’s of the side & back of the building where there used to be a car park,(sorry lot)
Please click on photos.
The open space had previously been the site of Russell Bros garage, which meant the cinema could only be seen from the shop for about 4 years after the garage was demolished.
I’d better own up David, Mr Reel is yours truly, This photo could not be done today (assuming the Palladium was still standing of course)as it was taken from an upstairs window of what is now a ladies hair salon on the Maes. at the time it was my father’s grocer shop and I grew up there, the site in front of the Palladium is now occupied by the Spar & Iceland supermarkets, which of course would have obscured the cinema.
The lady in the photo is the late Elisabeth (liz) Griffiths,Cashier.
The screen actually had sharp box like corners, but John Hughes made these nice curved corners either with plywood or hard cardboard, I’m not quite sure, and painted them black. Climbing up ladders came easily to John, the top of the screen was quite high, He used to erect television antennas around Pwllheli as a sideline, as well as being an outstanding self taught tv engineer as Mr Morris has already pointed out in one of his posts.
It may surprise younger viewers that the building at the far end of the Maes car park was the town’s abbatoir, where the public toilets now stands. Imagine having such a building today, slap bang in the middle of town.
Please click on photos for the picture.
Not having looked up this cinema on CT for some time I was saddened when in Liverpool yesterday to see that the Odeon was no more,I asked a chap working in a shop opposite as to when it was demolished, and he said it was a couple of months ago,anything to get rid of me I suppose. I decided to take a picture anyway, I wonder what happened to the plaque honouring the late Liverpool film star John Gregson, which I remember being unveiled although I never saw it myself.
I did the guided tour again in 2008, but this time the projection suite was not included, is the booth now out of bounds to the pulic ? The carrier bag on the bench was mine, I’d placed it there in order to take pictures, and then forgot all about it. I was outside when I realised this, but the lady kindlytook me back there, and left me there, so I was able to snoop around a bit more. Being a projectionist myself was not likely to do any damage.
I’ve been told that the photo was taken in 1994, show was probably still running in ‘94.
I’ve done a little research, Miss Saigon was on in 1995, I’ll check with my niece next time I see her, as the show could have been there more than once for all I know.
I’ve added a photo, it’s the one with the ‘Miss Saigon’ banner on the side wall.
When I was on holiday in the States from wales in 1990, I’m sure there was a multiplex called the Plaza. I saw the Harrison Ford movie Presumed Innocent there, but the cinema is not listed on this site, so am I mistaken ?
I beleive that the building was a former chapel, with the red bricked frontage added on for conversion into a cinema.
The Ucheldre Theatre/Cinema in Holyhead North Wales, is also a former church, and is currently open.
Hi David, your photos are brilliant, I can see the fencing or barriers on the Maes end of the path from Cardiff Rd. We lived on the Maes for many years, and it was my Dad who suggested to the Town Council that the barriers would be a good idea as the children used to run from the Saturday afternoon matinee straight into the road at the Maes. We lived at Siop Newydd where Alan’s Hairdresser is now situated, that is where from that I photographed the Palladium photo you found on Flickr after the garage was demolished. The barriers are no longer in place, but then neither is the Palladium.
Hi David,the black cabinet with something like a giant radio valve in it, as you described it was the rectifier, the large valve or bulb was full of mercury bubbling away inside. The rectifier converted the AC supply to DC for the carbon arcs.
Hello David, just seen your comments, you have a good memory, we at the Town Hall also opened out the credits on the curtains, the idea being you only see the screen when there’s a picture on it. Most multiplexes don’t even have curtains, everything is so automated with no showmanship. I also remember the march out music.
I should add that this was the Palladium’s carnival float, late 40’s early 50s.
I’ve included a photo of equipment identical to the Palladium’s, also 2 of the demolition work, and another of the interior from the balcony. There are also of course photos linked under the comments, it’s no longer possible to upload them in that fashion.
Yes David, one thing about these new multiplexes the sight lines are excellent, no matter where you sit, even behind the tallest of people there’s no problem. Found the other interior photo of the palladium, this one pointing towards the stage.
Just to add the top of the procenium arch is not visible as the camera was under the balcony, which obscured it.
I’m not sure, it looks quite wide & the picture frames seem larger than 35mm
I’ve uploaded 3 photos from 1991,the projection equipment,spotlights & rewind bench. Sorry for the poor quality but any photo is better than none I guess.
I’ve uploaded a photo I took in 1992 when on holiday from Wales UK. It’s of the side & back of the building where there used to be a car park,(sorry lot) Please click on photos.
I’ve uploaded a photo i took in 1992, please click on photos.