Thanks Ken for putting the Scunthorpe Ritz on the site. As the ABC Scunthorpe, this was the first cinema I did Managerial relief at when I was an Assistant Manager with ABC Cinemas. The staff there made a very nervous young lad very welcome and all went well.
A ‘curtain walker’ was two people behind the curtains (tabs as they were known) who would walk backwards when the curtains opened and walk forwards when the curtains closed to guide them open & close.
Used to do Managerial relief at the ABC Bradford when it was a single unit and after it was tripled. when I was Assistant Manager at the ABC Huddersield, also a former Ritz Cinema.
Yes, I saw ‘Funny Girl’ in Odeon 1 just after it first opened. Odeon 1 was the original circle area with the screen brought up to that level and equipped with full 70mm facilities.Very comfortable from what I remember.
I would like to congratulate Reel Cinemas on the re-furbishment & re-opening of the former Odeon in York and wish them every success in the future.As a former manager of the Odeon’s one time opposition, the ABC Cinema which stood in Piccadilly (where M & S are now) I am sure the people of York will support you.The Odeon is a fine building.
The owners of these historic buildings need to be taken to task.This is the second building recently to be allowed to rot and fall prey to serious damage – following Derby Hippodrome.
My first visit to this beautiful theatre was in 1962 whilst on holiday in Southsea. The play was ‘Rattle Of A Simple Man’ – the stars were Sheila Hancock and Edward Woodward. The Kings is a beautiful theatre and thank goodness another of Matcham’s gems has been saved.
It will be a great loss if Doncaster loses it’s last old time cinema.As the Gaumont, the theatre was a great entertainment centre playing films & live shows and was a much better theatre for the Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society than the towns Civic Theatre.Surely, this could become the towns new Civic Theatre. The Regent in Stoke On Trent was de-tripled and now serves as a first class touring theatre.Doncaster’s former Gaumont could be the same.Come on Doncaster, get your finger out!
Always a good cinema to relieve when I was in ABC Cinema management as it was always a busy house. Use to enjoy working in the Advance Booking Office there.
The Kensington opened on Monday 4th April 1927 with seating for 1000. In 1967 Star Cinemas converted the cinema into a luxury entertainments centre for films, bingo and social centre. It reopened as the Ritz with ‘My Fair Lady’ but as Ken says, by September the last film was shown. I believe the bingo carried on for a while longer.
The Picture House had Egyptian style ornamentations in the auditorium, especially around the prosecenium arch. When cinemascope was installed here, these were covered up by the panoramic screen with its festoon tabs and border.I remember seeing Ursula Andress in ‘She’ at the Picture House and later Peter Cushing in the first Doctor Who film ‘Doctor Who And The Daleks’
In 1982 met the late Australian soprano June Bronhill in her dressing room after a performance of ‘The Sound Of Music’ (The Petula Clark production). A wonderful experience. Recently visited this fabulous building to see ‘Wicked’. Always great to sit in this wonderful atmospheric auditorium.
Yes, Somerfield is a supermarket. (sorry I spelt it wrong last time) City Road is not part of Intake – don’t think I put Intake on my original posting.
When the Gaumont was twinned,the larger Gaumont 2 in the former stalls area was also equipped to show 70mm films and re-runs of ‘Ben Hur’, ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ and ‘Oliver’ were shown in the 70mm format in this auditorium.
Went to the Festival Theatre in 1967 shortly after it opened to see ‘The Black & White Minstrel Show’ – the first of its summer season shows.Sight lines were terrible as the rake was very slight, which I believe was altered later.
The opening show in 1963 at the new Church Street ABC Theatre was in fact called ‘Holiday Carnival’.
Thanks Ken for putting the Scunthorpe Ritz on the site. As the ABC Scunthorpe, this was the first cinema I did Managerial relief at when I was an Assistant Manager with ABC Cinemas. The staff there made a very nervous young lad very welcome and all went well.
Richard Roper (abcman)
A ‘curtain walker’ was two people behind the curtains (tabs as they were known) who would walk backwards when the curtains opened and walk forwards when the curtains closed to guide them open & close.
Used to do Managerial relief at the ABC Bradford when it was a single unit and after it was tripled. when I was Assistant Manager at the ABC Huddersield, also a former Ritz Cinema.
Yes, I saw ‘Funny Girl’ in Odeon 1 just after it first opened. Odeon 1 was the original circle area with the screen brought up to that level and equipped with full 70mm facilities.Very comfortable from what I remember.
As far as I am aware the cinema is now used as a Photographic Studio.
Great site and thanks to all the above for making it so.Happy New Year to you all.
Great pics.Thanks Ian for putting them on.
Sorry Keith, but Brucie & Millie appeared at the Opera House not the ABC otherwise I agree with what you say.
I would like to congratulate Reel Cinemas on the re-furbishment & re-opening of the former Odeon in York and wish them every success in the future.As a former manager of the Odeon’s one time opposition, the ABC Cinema which stood in Piccadilly (where M & S are now) I am sure the people of York will support you.The Odeon is a fine building.
The owners of these historic buildings need to be taken to task.This is the second building recently to be allowed to rot and fall prey to serious damage – following Derby Hippodrome.
My first visit to this beautiful theatre was in 1962 whilst on holiday in Southsea. The play was ‘Rattle Of A Simple Man’ – the stars were Sheila Hancock and Edward Woodward. The Kings is a beautiful theatre and thank goodness another of Matcham’s gems has been saved.
abcman
It will be a great loss if Doncaster loses it’s last old time cinema.As the Gaumont, the theatre was a great entertainment centre playing films & live shows and was a much better theatre for the Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society than the towns Civic Theatre.Surely, this could become the towns new Civic Theatre. The Regent in Stoke On Trent was de-tripled and now serves as a first class touring theatre.Doncaster’s former Gaumont could be the same.Come on Doncaster, get your finger out!
(abcman)
Always a good cinema to relieve when I was in ABC Cinema management as it was always a busy house. Use to enjoy working in the Advance Booking Office there.
The Kensington opened on Monday 4th April 1927 with seating for 1000. In 1967 Star Cinemas converted the cinema into a luxury entertainments centre for films, bingo and social centre. It reopened as the Ritz with ‘My Fair Lady’ but as Ken says, by September the last film was shown. I believe the bingo carried on for a while longer.
What a great photo.Never did any managerial reliefs in Nottingham when I was with ABC. Wish I had now, this looked a stunning auditorium.
Rotherham Odeon also had a restaurant which was converted into the Victor Sylvester Dance Studio in the 1960’s.
The Picture House had Egyptian style ornamentations in the auditorium, especially around the prosecenium arch. When cinemascope was installed here, these were covered up by the panoramic screen with its festoon tabs and border.I remember seeing Ursula Andress in ‘She’ at the Picture House and later Peter Cushing in the first Doctor Who film ‘Doctor Who And The Daleks’
In 1982 met the late Australian soprano June Bronhill in her dressing room after a performance of ‘The Sound Of Music’ (The Petula Clark production). A wonderful experience. Recently visited this fabulous building to see ‘Wicked’. Always great to sit in this wonderful atmospheric auditorium.
Yes, you’re right. It is Masbrough Street.Sorry. Should know, I was born near Rotherham!
Yes, Somerfield is a supermarket. (sorry I spelt it wrong last time) City Road is not part of Intake – don’t think I put Intake on my original posting.
Yes, The Manor Cinema is now a Summerfield Supermarket.
Does anyone know which cinemas out of London and the Bradford Pictureville are still capable of showing 70mm films.
When the Gaumont was twinned,the larger Gaumont 2 in the former stalls area was also equipped to show 70mm films and re-runs of ‘Ben Hur’, ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ and ‘Oliver’ were shown in the 70mm format in this auditorium.
Went to the Festival Theatre in 1967 shortly after it opened to see ‘The Black & White Minstrel Show’ – the first of its summer season shows.Sight lines were terrible as the rake was very slight, which I believe was altered later.