I was offered the Manager’s post at this theatre by Lionel Johnson in 1982. At the time I was at a certain ‘Hell Hole’ of a venue in the North West (I refrain from naming it) but I declined the Wolverhampton offer stating that I would prefer to return to my native North East and thus I instead took over at Newcastle upon Tyne.
One of my former Managers , John McIntosh had relieved at Wolverhampton whilst his own theatre, the ABC Ritz Wigan was being subdivided and he told me that the people of Wolverhampton were very friendly.
Incorporated within is a ‘Stockton Globe Fly Through’ with a ‘watch here’ link to a video of some 3 minutes or so (via YouTube) and I have added what is thus far the only comment.
I understood that the same consultant engaged at Darlington Hippodrome had been assigned here and that his intention was to replicate as far as possible the original 1935 features and decor. The aforementioned were very impressive right until the very end of ABC operation with the house tabs being identical to the famous London Palladium ‘swags’ and the original art deco houselights still in situ, not having been replaced by the spray fittings which were to be found at most of the circuit. I assume that this same consultant’s services must have been dispensed with given that the result ,if the video is anything to go by, is a very austere looking venue indeed.
The CTA recently proclaimed that the finest surviving cinema interior in the North East is that of the former Blacks Regal/Odeon, Sunderland which, notwithstanding having been on Bingo for many years, retains many of its distinctive features (that is, of course, until Mecca either move to new premises or insert a false ceiling at circle level). I would once have asserted that the ABC Globe Stockton was of equal architectural merit but I am no longer of that opinion after viewing this……
Sorry to ATG and all involved with the ‘restoration’ but if this is the best that £26.7 million can achieve, forget it!
As highlighted in the article, it is heartening to see that the former Odeon/Black’s Regal still looks very ‘cinematic’ and that so many original features remain. It is regrettable, however, that they saw fit to remove the Compton organ……
Of course, Mecca are one of the few remaining operations owned by the once mighty Rank Organisation so one could argue that it has been under the same ownership since 1955.
Impressed as I am by the appearance of the building, I do not doubt for one moment that, given the opportunity, Rank/Mecca would vacate the building and move to new premises as they have done at the following locations:–
•Gateshead Odeon/Regal (sister cinema to Sunderland and now demolished).
•Stockton ABC Globe (undergoing restoration and arguably equal in architectural merit – or soon will be again – to Sunderland Odeon/Regal).
•Wallsend ABC Ritz (immaculately maintained, as in the case of Sunderland, but closed by Rank/Mecca and subsequently ruined by Wetherspoon’s).
•South Shields Odeon/Regal (demolished apart from FOH).
•South Shields Regent (attempt underway to preserve it but I do not care much for its chances).
Should the Sunderland venue ever cease to serve its current function it is unlikely that , as in the case of Stockton, it will be restored to theatrical use owing to the presence of the 2,000 capacity Empire Theatre so it is indeed to be hoped that Mecca continue to successfully operate their Bingo Club there.
Interesting article below but, as always, with inaccuracies. The 1200 seats of screen 1 were not all in the former circle which seated 737. In the case of Sunderland, the front stalls was retained and this ‘overflow’ area (rarely used for films) brought the number one auditorium capacity up to 1200.
I was there with my very good friend, Manager, Brett Childes on the last night of operation and the films were:–
Screen 1: ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ (reissue)
Screen 2: ‘The Empire Strikes Back’/’Star Wars’ (double bill)
Screen 3: ‘Mary Millington’s True Blue Confessions’
So, the Echo omits to mention the film showing in the main part of the building on the final day of operation of Sunderland’s finest cinema!
I completed the Business Report for Brett, one of the most decent and genuine people in the business, who understandably was upset by the finality of the Odeon. Afterwards he came back to our house in Shildon and stayed with us for a couple of hours or so chatting mainly with my Dad whose favourite cinema had always been Black’s Regal. I remember Brett telling my Dad that there were not many patrons in the main auditorium for ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ but that Screen 2 was full with the ‘Star Wars’ double bill. I don’t think he mentioned ‘Mary Millington’…..
Brett’s overall summing up to my Dad was “They could have saved the place, you know!”.
Two such phenomena are reported in former cinema buildings,namely the Hippodrome/Essoldo and the King’s.
The former closed in 1966 (not 1960) since when it has been on Bingo and the latter, of which extensive structure only part survives, showed its final film in 1962.
Stan Laurel’s father’s theatre was the long lost Eden (former Theatre Royal) and I am unaware of him having any connection with the Hippodrome.
Re cinema hauntings: I worked in several venues (too numerous to mention especially if I were to include Holiday/‘Day Off’ Managerial Relief Duties). Staff at many of these places claimed them to be haunted and some described in great detail apparitions together with uncanny incidents. Probably the most prolific of all these would be the ABC Darlington which, as a rebuild of the Theatre Royal, I suppose is as likely a candidate as any. I have to say that I never saw any apparitions there (or anywhere else) but I did at times ‘pick up’ on an ‘atmosphere’ which made me feel uneasy.
I am sure there are many former cinema personnel with their own experiences…..
Whilst the Queen’s is probably most famously associated with ‘The Sound of Music’ which ran for 140 weeks from 18th April 1965, it was also the venue where, 5 years earlier in 1960, Hitchcock’s biggest commercial success, ‘Psycho’ had an extended run (photo uploaded).
It is exactly 60 years since the film’s New York premiere whilst August 4th this year will mark the 60th anniversary of the start of its engagement at the Queen’s
I remember seeing ‘Cromwell’ at Stockton’s fine new Odeon in 1971. What a short life it had! At least, however, one of the fine cinemas on the High Street is undergoing restoration (ABC Globe). No doubt the opening will be further delayed owing to the present ‘Covid 19’ situation whilst the restoration costs are £26.5 million and counting…..
One of the worst imaginable conversions of an ABC Theatre (under the EMI banner) in 1976.
Instead of having a full width number 1 screen in the former circle and two reasonable screens in the stalls, it was decided that EMI Social Clubs would acquire the ‘lion’s share’ of the building by having Bingo in the stalls resulting in the loss of the fully equipped stage and the famous Compton Organ which was broadcast for years on BBC Radio (Dudley Savage: ‘As Prescribed’).
The three screens, therefore, had to be ‘shoehorned in’ upstairs with the circle being split two thirds and one third whilst the grand entrance foyer was lowered to accommodate the third cinema (running along the building’s width).
Neither Screen 1 nor Screen 2 are symmetrical, being totally ‘cock eyed’ with an original ornate side wall and a ‘plain’ 1976 dividing wall – shocking!
ABC/EMI committed similar acts of vandalism at three other elaborate large capacity ‘live’ venues in Aldershot, Chester and Wigan, the results being equally as appalling.
I suppose that in Wigan it did not matter so much (no Odeon) but in Plymouth, Chester and Aldershot there were fine Rank theatres to compete with – how vastly inferior the ABC’s were to the Rank venues afterwards!
terry
commented about
ABC Derbyon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I think the house tabs were taken down and refitted elsewhere. They were not that old and were of a very good quality lined satin. I am not sure about the screen tabs as they were older and they may have been left hanging. I had just returned to that Zone (Newcastle Haymarket) prior to closure (Harrogate and Middlesbrough went on the same day).
One of my old bosses, the late John McIntosh told me that the building had two fires in its lifetime, the first resulting in the loss of the ‘upper circle’ and the second saw the ‘circle’ removed.
The place was then reconstructed as one of Essoldo’s ‘luxury’ venues all on one floor and very comfortable it was with all the technical side being (at the time) ‘top notch’ with Fedi projectors, 70mm, 6 track etc. (same as Newcastle).
I may as well tell the story the ABC staff told me that at the time of the second fire, the Essoldo (as it then was) was showing a James Bond film ( I am guessing ‘You Only Live Twice’ given the year 1967) and enjoying full houses whilst the ABC was playing something that was attracting meagre audiences (probably an ABPC release). The Assistant Manager in charge of the ABC said jokingly to the staff as they were leaving at the end of the show: “Someone throw an oily rag on the Essoldo as they go past!”. Well, that night it went up in smoke! What a coincidence!
For the two years or so that the Essoldo was out of action the ABC picked up the best of the Rank product in addition to its own. The Princess did not apply for temporary first run and the other remaining cinema, the Empire, played its own variety of mainly ‘X’ rated ‘exploitation’ fare.
Photos of the abandoned and decaying interior attached. It can clearly be seen why South Shields Amateur Operatic Society could no longer present their annual productions on the capacious stage following the 1981 modifications.
I remember speaking to the then Manager of the Mecca Bingo when the very last stage presentation, ‘Camelot' was staged on the Saturday evening. He had been Manager there when it was still Thompsons’ Regent cinema in 1966 and, to my dismay, he told me that he was glad to see the stage shows go and for Bingo to reign for 52 weeks of the year instead of for a mere 51….
I, personally, would have been glad to see the back of the ‘Bingo Brigade’ for a week.
I was offered the Manager’s post at this theatre by Lionel Johnson in 1982. At the time I was at a certain ‘Hell Hole’ of a venue in the North West (I refrain from naming it) but I declined the Wolverhampton offer stating that I would prefer to return to my native North East and thus I instead took over at Newcastle upon Tyne.
One of my former Managers , John McIntosh had relieved at Wolverhampton whilst his own theatre, the ABC Ritz Wigan was being subdivided and he told me that the people of Wolverhampton were very friendly.
ATG Page here:–
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/stockton-globe/your-visit/
Incorporated within is a ‘Stockton Globe Fly Through’ with a ‘watch here’ link to a video of some 3 minutes or so (via YouTube) and I have added what is thus far the only comment.
I understood that the same consultant engaged at Darlington Hippodrome had been assigned here and that his intention was to replicate as far as possible the original 1935 features and decor. The aforementioned were very impressive right until the very end of ABC operation with the house tabs being identical to the famous London Palladium ‘swags’ and the original art deco houselights still in situ, not having been replaced by the spray fittings which were to be found at most of the circuit. I assume that this same consultant’s services must have been dispensed with given that the result ,if the video is anything to go by, is a very austere looking venue indeed.
The CTA recently proclaimed that the finest surviving cinema interior in the North East is that of the former Blacks Regal/Odeon, Sunderland which, notwithstanding having been on Bingo for many years, retains many of its distinctive features (that is, of course, until Mecca either move to new premises or insert a false ceiling at circle level). I would once have asserted that the ABC Globe Stockton was of equal architectural merit but I am no longer of that opinion after viewing this……
Sorry to ATG and all involved with the ‘restoration’ but if this is the best that £26.7 million can achieve, forget it!
As highlighted in the article, it is heartening to see that the former Odeon/Black’s Regal still looks very ‘cinematic’ and that so many original features remain. It is regrettable, however, that they saw fit to remove the Compton organ……
Of course, Mecca are one of the few remaining operations owned by the once mighty Rank Organisation so one could argue that it has been under the same ownership since 1955.
Impressed as I am by the appearance of the building, I do not doubt for one moment that, given the opportunity, Rank/Mecca would vacate the building and move to new premises as they have done at the following locations:–
•Gateshead Odeon/Regal (sister cinema to Sunderland and now demolished).
•Stockton ABC Globe (undergoing restoration and arguably equal in architectural merit – or soon will be again – to Sunderland Odeon/Regal).
•Wallsend ABC Ritz (immaculately maintained, as in the case of Sunderland, but closed by Rank/Mecca and subsequently ruined by Wetherspoon’s).
•South Shields Odeon/Regal (demolished apart from FOH).
•South Shields Regent (attempt underway to preserve it but I do not care much for its chances).
Should the Sunderland venue ever cease to serve its current function it is unlikely that , as in the case of Stockton, it will be restored to theatrical use owing to the presence of the 2,000 capacity Empire Theatre so it is indeed to be hoped that Mecca continue to successfully operate their Bingo Club there.
Filmlet re Blacks Regal/Odeons in Gateshead, Sunderland and Byker :–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kItx4nYSz3s
2019 article re the ABC Ritz:–
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/retro/look-how-beautiful-new-look-1930s-sunderland-cinema-was-162656
Interesting article below but, as always, with inaccuracies. The 1200 seats of screen 1 were not all in the former circle which seated 737. In the case of Sunderland, the front stalls was retained and this ‘overflow’ area (rarely used for films) brought the number one auditorium capacity up to 1200.
I was there with my very good friend, Manager, Brett Childes on the last night of operation and the films were:–
Screen 1: ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ (reissue) Screen 2: ‘The Empire Strikes Back’/’Star Wars’ (double bill) Screen 3: ‘Mary Millington’s True Blue Confessions’
So, the Echo omits to mention the film showing in the main part of the building on the final day of operation of Sunderland’s finest cinema!
I completed the Business Report for Brett, one of the most decent and genuine people in the business, who understandably was upset by the finality of the Odeon. Afterwards he came back to our house in Shildon and stayed with us for a couple of hours or so chatting mainly with my Dad whose favourite cinema had always been Black’s Regal. I remember Brett telling my Dad that there were not many patrons in the main auditorium for ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ but that Screen 2 was full with the ‘Star Wars’ double bill. I don’t think he mentioned ‘Mary Millington’…..
Brett’s overall summing up to my Dad was “They could have saved the place, you know!”.
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/heritage-and-retro/retro/history-sunderlands-wonderful-art-deco-holmeside-cinema-now-bingo-hall-reopens-its-doors-2904173
Below is an article regarding the ‘state of play’ on 10th April :–
https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2020-04-10/work-continues-to-renovate-stockton-glove-despite-coronavirus-restrictions/
Article re ‘Hauntings’ in Bishop Auckland :–
https://www.spookyisles.com/bishop-auckland-haunted/
Two such phenomena are reported in former cinema buildings,namely the Hippodrome/Essoldo and the King’s.
The former closed in 1966 (not 1960) since when it has been on Bingo and the latter, of which extensive structure only part survives, showed its final film in 1962.
Stan Laurel’s father’s theatre was the long lost Eden (former Theatre Royal) and I am unaware of him having any connection with the Hippodrome.
Re cinema hauntings: I worked in several venues (too numerous to mention especially if I were to include Holiday/‘Day Off’ Managerial Relief Duties). Staff at many of these places claimed them to be haunted and some described in great detail apparitions together with uncanny incidents. Probably the most prolific of all these would be the ABC Darlington which, as a rebuild of the Theatre Royal, I suppose is as likely a candidate as any. I have to say that I never saw any apparitions there (or anywhere else) but I did at times ‘pick up’ on an ‘atmosphere’ which made me feel uneasy.
I am sure there are many former cinema personnel with their own experiences…..
Whilst the Queen’s is probably most famously associated with ‘The Sound of Music’ which ran for 140 weeks from 18th April 1965, it was also the venue where, 5 years earlier in 1960, Hitchcock’s biggest commercial success, ‘Psycho’ had an extended run (photo uploaded).
It is exactly 60 years since the film’s New York premiere whilst August 4th this year will mark the 60th anniversary of the start of its engagement at the Queen’s
I remember seeing ‘Cromwell’ at Stockton’s fine new Odeon in 1971. What a short life it had! At least, however, one of the fine cinemas on the High Street is undergoing restoration (ABC Globe). No doubt the opening will be further delayed owing to the present ‘Covid 19’ situation whilst the restoration costs are £26.5 million and counting…..
Short video about the theatre here :–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMSJDwVk8Hs
Photo uploaded of when it was a ‘proper’ cinema.
One of the worst imaginable conversions of an ABC Theatre (under the EMI banner) in 1976.
Instead of having a full width number 1 screen in the former circle and two reasonable screens in the stalls, it was decided that EMI Social Clubs would acquire the ‘lion’s share’ of the building by having Bingo in the stalls resulting in the loss of the fully equipped stage and the famous Compton Organ which was broadcast for years on BBC Radio (Dudley Savage: ‘As Prescribed’).
The three screens, therefore, had to be ‘shoehorned in’ upstairs with the circle being split two thirds and one third whilst the grand entrance foyer was lowered to accommodate the third cinema (running along the building’s width).
Neither Screen 1 nor Screen 2 are symmetrical, being totally ‘cock eyed’ with an original ornate side wall and a ‘plain’ 1976 dividing wall – shocking!
ABC/EMI committed similar acts of vandalism at three other elaborate large capacity ‘live’ venues in Aldershot, Chester and Wigan, the results being equally as appalling.
I suppose that in Wigan it did not matter so much (no Odeon) but in Plymouth, Chester and Aldershot there were fine Rank theatres to compete with – how vastly inferior the ABC’s were to the Rank venues afterwards!
ABC Derby had 70mm until it was tripled.
And a band playing “Believe It If You Like!”……
I think the house tabs were taken down and refitted elsewhere. They were not that old and were of a very good quality lined satin. I am not sure about the screen tabs as they were older and they may have been left hanging. I had just returned to that Zone (Newcastle Haymarket) prior to closure (Harrogate and Middlesbrough went on the same day).
One of my old bosses, the late John McIntosh told me that the building had two fires in its lifetime, the first resulting in the loss of the ‘upper circle’ and the second saw the ‘circle’ removed. The place was then reconstructed as one of Essoldo’s ‘luxury’ venues all on one floor and very comfortable it was with all the technical side being (at the time) ‘top notch’ with Fedi projectors, 70mm, 6 track etc. (same as Newcastle).
I may as well tell the story the ABC staff told me that at the time of the second fire, the Essoldo (as it then was) was showing a James Bond film ( I am guessing ‘You Only Live Twice’ given the year 1967) and enjoying full houses whilst the ABC was playing something that was attracting meagre audiences (probably an ABPC release). The Assistant Manager in charge of the ABC said jokingly to the staff as they were leaving at the end of the show: “Someone throw an oily rag on the Essoldo as they go past!”. Well, that night it went up in smoke! What a coincidence!
For the two years or so that the Essoldo was out of action the ABC picked up the best of the Rank product in addition to its own. The Princess did not apply for temporary first run and the other remaining cinema, the Empire, played its own variety of mainly ‘X’ rated ‘exploitation’ fare.
Two photos uploaded.
Photo uploaded.
Photo uploaded. Overview photo, of course, shows the earlier ‘Picturedrome’….
2 photos uploaded.
Photo uploaded.
Photos of the abandoned and decaying interior attached. It can clearly be seen why South Shields Amateur Operatic Society could no longer present their annual productions on the capacious stage following the 1981 modifications.
I remember speaking to the then Manager of the Mecca Bingo when the very last stage presentation, ‘Camelot' was staged on the Saturday evening. He had been Manager there when it was still Thompsons’ Regent cinema in 1966 and, to my dismay, he told me that he was glad to see the stage shows go and for Bingo to reign for 52 weeks of the year instead of for a mere 51….
I, personally, would have been glad to see the back of the ‘Bingo Brigade’ for a week.
Photo uploaded.
This was the largest cinema in South Shields followed by the ABC, Odeon and Gaumont in that order. There were/are full stage facilities at the Regent.