Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 126 - 150 of 609 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Plaza Cinema on Sep 8, 2023 at 8:17 am

Now in use, as of 2023, as a charity shop/volunteer centre called ‘My Impact Centre’.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Oxford Cinema on Sep 8, 2023 at 7:41 am

StreetView in 2023 confirms that the rest of the building has been cleared following the arson attack. It is currently a vacant plot of land.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Elysian Picture House on Sep 7, 2023 at 5:39 am

Seating capacity reduced further to 380 seats according to the 1944 KYB, lessee given as C.M. Preedy.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about St. George's Hall on Sep 7, 2023 at 5:09 am

The location map for this venue seems way out on the larger area map!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Belle Vue Cinema on Sep 5, 2023 at 4:10 am

The former cinema is the more ornate building on the right, operating then as Kapoor Enterprises. After being a cinema, the area was converted into a restaurant.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rex Cinema on Sep 2, 2023 at 3:42 am

1943 seems to be the year that the cinema’s name changed to the Palace, as the 1944 KYB has two cinemas listed, both with the same phone number of 109… Borough Green Electric Theatre, Symox sound equipment, 300 seats, pictures and variety. The second entry gives Palace, proprietor H.H. Sawdy, Morrison sound equipment, once nightly shows, no seating capacity given unfortunately though.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Strand Cinema on Sep 2, 2023 at 2:59 am

Firemen tackle the blaze. From the Liverpool Echo archives with permission.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Metropole Theatre on Sep 2, 2023 at 2:36 am

The Metropole Theatre is listed as still being open in the 1944 KYB with 1500 seats, operated by the Leslie Greene circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Majestic Cinema on Sep 1, 2023 at 1:08 am

The Majestic was located opposite Prescott Street, demolished now I’m afraid, though the business Majestic Self Drive gives reference to the former cinema. Address was 167, St. Helens Road, BL3 3PA.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gem Cinema on Sep 1, 2023 at 1:01 am

The cinema was located at what is now a Girlguiding HQ at 100, Shepherd Cross Street, BL1 3BS.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Roxy Cinema on Aug 31, 2023 at 10:19 am

Good news! Due to re-open as a community arts centre on 2nd September, 2023!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Windsor Cinema on Aug 31, 2023 at 5:08 am

This is the only picture that includes the Windsor Cinema, which sneaks in on the far left edge of the picture. The picture is dominated by the Farmers Arms pub. All was swept away in the early 1970’s for road improvements and new housing.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Windsor Cinema on Aug 31, 2023 at 4:59 am

The 1944 KYB has the proprietor as being Frank Donaldson.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Hippodrome Theatre on Aug 31, 2023 at 4:49 am

The 1944 KYB gives the proprietors as being Bolton Theatre & Entertainments Ltd., they also operated the Regent and Theatre Royal at this time. H.D. Moorhouse was booking agent.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Theatre Royal on Aug 31, 2023 at 4:48 am

The 1944 KYB gives the proprietors as being Bolton Theatre & Entertainments Ltd., they also operated the Hippodrome and Regent at this time. H.D. Moorhouse was booking agent.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Regent Cinema on Aug 31, 2023 at 2:39 am

The 1944 KYB gives the proprietors as being Bolton Theatre & Entertainments Ltd., they also operated the Hippodrome and Theatre Royal at this time. H.D. Moorhouse was booking agent.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palladium Picture House on Aug 31, 2023 at 2:03 am

In the 1944 KYB the owners are listed as Gardowan Cinemas Ltd., Palladium Cinema, Bolton. They also operated the Palladium of course at this time.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rink Cinema on Aug 29, 2023 at 2:11 am

Known as the Bijou Theatre, it was later called the Pareezer Hall. The Rink name was retained when converted into a pub, it’s final use before demolition.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odeon Loughborough on Aug 25, 2023 at 2:27 pm

Bachmann models do a resin facade of this very cinema. Catalogue number 35004, they call it the Regal Cinema though!!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Savoy Cinema on Aug 23, 2023 at 2:26 pm

The Savoy was still operating into the early 1970’s.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Picture House on Aug 18, 2023 at 12:32 am

In the 1944 KYB, there is a cinema listed as Quinns, Reform Street, Proprietor Henry Quinn, 520 seats, proscenium width 25 ft., this will be the Picture House, a British Acoustic sound system is noted as well. The postcode is PH10 6BF. The façade to the flats has been styled to look like the old Picture House, but it is much wider than the original.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Park Cinema on Aug 17, 2023 at 1:00 am

The Empire, Forum and Park cinemas all had the same address, Lloyd’s House, 18, Lloyd Street, Manchester 2, but differently named proprietors in 1944.. were they all a part of Hoylake Entertainments Ltd.’s circuit? Or just using the same booking agent?

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Ritz Cinema on Aug 8, 2023 at 11:01 am

Somewhat at odds to the above text, the 1944 KYB lists the proprietors as being Union Cinemas Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London, SW1.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palace Cinema on Aug 7, 2023 at 5:55 am

Listed in the 1944 KYB as the Palace Picture House, booked by George Stoddart at the King’s Theatre, Chopwell. Proprietors were the Chopwell Cinema Co. Ltd.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odd Hour Cinema on Aug 5, 2023 at 2:52 am

According to The Ideal Kinema & Studio, Vol. III No. 32 (18th July, 1935), proprietors of the News House were Nottingham News House Ltd., of which H. C. Carlton is managing director.

Alfred J. Thraves FRIBA of Nottingham was the architect. 300 seats with an ultra-modern interior. Nothing of the Regal’s interior remains, the front has been entirely reconstructed.

Article uploaded, the interior must have been quite a surprise to patrons, as the façade was still very much as originally built. The front referred to in the article was front of house (foyers etc) rather than the façade itself.