Th ‘Jesmond’ is certainly worth saving and as far as I’m aware there’s no reason why it could not (given a bit of TLC) re-open as a traditional Cinema. It was (or so I am told) acquired by a local businessman for use as a warehouse but has remained unaltered. It is in a prime catchment area. It would be a terrible shame to let this one go to the ‘developers’!
I have many happy memories of this theatre both before and after the conversion. Screen 2 was basically the former circle area with original proj. box (replete with Vic.8s).
Screen 1, in the former stalls area was (as already indicated) fabulously comfortable. Presentation was also first class. I recall many 70mm screenings inc. Logan’s Run and A Star Is Born. There was also an impressive run of Polaroid 3D around 1972.
I know the place well. It was affectionately known just as the ‘Maj’ in the Ballroom days. As a cinema it had a very steep projection rake of 26 degrees (though that was way before my era).
It would be nice to have a look around again though. I only live 8 miles away!
The Sound of Music ran from April 1965 to December 1967 at the Queens Cinerama theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The venue had recently been converted from 3 strip Cinerama to TODD-AO with Philips DP70 (Norelco AA) projectors and OMA6 sound. The deeply curved screen was 73 feet wide x 31 feet high. Sadly, the theatre closed in 1980.
There may indeed have been longer runs. I know that South Pacific ran for well over 4 years at the Dominion theatre, London.
Th ‘Jesmond’ is certainly worth saving and as far as I’m aware there’s no reason why it could not (given a bit of TLC) re-open as a traditional Cinema. It was (or so I am told) acquired by a local businessman for use as a warehouse but has remained unaltered. It is in a prime catchment area. It would be a terrible shame to let this one go to the ‘developers’!
I have many happy memories of this theatre both before and after the conversion. Screen 2 was basically the former circle area with original proj. box (replete with Vic.8s).
Screen 1, in the former stalls area was (as already indicated) fabulously comfortable. Presentation was also first class. I recall many 70mm screenings inc. Logan’s Run and A Star Is Born. There was also an impressive run of Polaroid 3D around 1972.
There’s an amazing Cinema of the same name at Penrith, Cumbria. It’s a very friendly and welcoming venue which I highly recommend.
They still run Fedi XT (70/35mm) projector in their biggest screen.
I know the place well. It was affectionately known just as the ‘Maj’ in the Ballroom days. As a cinema it had a very steep projection rake of 26 degrees (though that was way before my era).
It would be nice to have a look around again though. I only live 8 miles away!
The Sound of Music ran from April 1965 to December 1967 at the Queens Cinerama theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The venue had recently been converted from 3 strip Cinerama to TODD-AO with Philips DP70 (Norelco AA) projectors and OMA6 sound. The deeply curved screen was 73 feet wide x 31 feet high. Sadly, the theatre closed in 1980.
There may indeed have been longer runs. I know that South Pacific ran for well over 4 years at the Dominion theatre, London.