Then why do you seek to tell people your version as though it has to be believed as you are telling it? and if you are not on the site to throw insults why do you? I went out of my way to pleasantly tell you of your mistake over the projection box only to get insulted! And this by someone who had never been to the cinema!
You really should do more research before you pontificate! Try looking back at old issues of the Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald as I have done for the TRUE facts instead of imagining what you think you heard in the dim distant past! Also lots of cinemas only registered under the act long after they had opened.
Afraid you have your facts wrong! Neuadd Goffa opened in 1900 and played host to several travelling Fil shows prior to having permanent lessees, cinema wise.
The 1909 act dealt only with the need to isolate the box from the audience so that any fire could not spread from the inflammable film into the auditorium, it did not specify the size of the box. Because of the problem of building ‘new'boxes in existing venues owners took advantage of this. Remember that Neuadd Dwyfor preceeded that act as a cinema!
1938 saw the cinema with a Duosonic sound system and 500 seats with continuous shows from 6.00pm to 10.15pm at prices of 4d to 1/–. The proscenium was 20 feet wide and the propreitor was William H. Baggett. Somehow seating had increased to 560 seats by 1951 at 9d to 2/3d and shows were now continuous from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. Western Electric sound had replaced the dousonic system and the cinema was now in the ownership of the Lyric & Public Hall Cinemas (Pontardawe)Ltd – who owned the only other cinema in town. Problems must have persisted with the sound however because the Western Electric system was later replaced by a British Acoustic system.
Opened some time prior to 1924, the owners were Llanbradach Colliery Workmens Institute who held one show per night with two matinees per week (On Mondays and Saturdays)and two changes of programme per week at prices of 3d to 9d. British Acoustic sound brought the hall into the sound era when shows were once nightly at prices of 4d to 9d for the 650 seats. By 1951 seating had been reduced to 500 seats (reason unknown)and shows remained once nightly with 2 changes per week. By 1966 Bingo had been introduced on Monday and Thursdays with films on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays with still 2 changes of programme per week and seating reduced to 492 seats.
Seating 1460 people at prices from 6d to 1/– in 1938, the cinema had a Sound Ltd sound system and the propreitor was Alfred Withers. By 1951 ownership was with Hanbury Palace & New Hall Cinemas Ltd, who controlled the other 2 cinemas in town, and seating had dropped to 1315 seats at 1/– and 1/9d. No reason is known for the drop in seating – this was pre-cinemascope – so lines of sight was not the reason.
The figure of 1050 seats applied only pre- the 1960’s, and in 1951 prices were 1/6d to 3/–. Programmes were coninuous from 4.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. By 1966 seating had been reduced to 1021 seats.
Whilst being unaware of when the cinema opened, it was certainly in existence in 1938, with Maddison sound supplying the sound. At this time it had 550 seats priced at 5d to 1/– with one show per night. By 1951 it was in the hands of J.R. Lewis of Caerphilly and had reduced its seating to 500 seats priced at 7d to 1/6d, but still with just the one show per night.
The cinema was operating in 1938 providing 420 seats at 3d to 1/–. Sound was by a B.T.F. system. Seating was reduced to 416 seats by 1951 priced at 9d to 1/9d. Shows were once nightly with 2 programme changes per week. A Dance Hall was noted as being attached to the cinema. Seating was further reduced by 1966, possibly to cater for the new lines of sight when Cinemascope was installed in the fifties when the proscenium was noted as being 30 feet wide containing a 26 feet by 11 feet 6 inches screen. Programmes were still once per night with two changes per week. THREE dressing rooms were now noted so it is possible that ocassional variety shows had been introduced.
The cinema was certainly open in 1924 when D.P/ Griffiths was Propreitor and Resident Manager, running it on 2 shows per night with 2 changes of programjme per week at prices of 5d, 8d and 1/–. In 1938 prices had risen to 6d to 1/– for the 480 seats. Programmes were still changed twice per week. By 1951 seating had been reduced to 400 seats priced at 4d to 1/9d. and shows were now once per day with 2 shows on Monday and Saturday. Mr Griffiths was still in charge but bookings were made in Cardiff.
In 1924 the cinema was under the propreitorship of J. Hopkin and running on one show per night with a childrens matinee on Saturday. Prices were 5d to 1/–. By 1938 a British Thomson Howell sound system had been installed and the one thousand seats were priced at 6d to 1/3d. The proscenium was 27 feet wide and shows were once nightly with two shows on Saturdays. By 1951 Mary Hopkin had taken over as propreitor (No information about her father/husband?) and seating had been reduced to 940 seats. Prices were now 1/– to 2/4d. By 1966 the Clydach and District Miners welfare Association had taken over the hall.
The original projection box had nothing to do with the length of throw, but the 1909 cinematograph act that required the projection box to be seperated from the audience in case of fire! One of the Wrexham cinemas had a similar overhanging box, I can’t remember which offhand.
Henry Claypole must have been the original “Yuppie”, because by 1924 he was not only the MANAGER, BUT Managing Director of Grand Cinema Co. Ltd., the owners of the cinema! In 1924 he was presiding over 2 shows per night and two changes of programme per week at prices of 2d to 1/6d. In 1938 the 550 seats were priced at 4d to 1/6d, still with 2 shows/night and 2 changes of programme per week. 1951 saw only changes in prices to 1/– to 2/9d and the addition of a saturday matinee. By 1966 Cinemascope had been installed on a 32foot x 12 foot screen with the proscenium 32 feet wide.420 seats were available at 1/6d to 4/– and there was one show daily at 7.30pm with 2 on saturdays from 5.30pm. 3 changes of programme per week was now the norm.
The cinema opened as the “New Cinema” under the propreitorship of Gwaun Cae Gurwen with a British Thomson Howell sound system and 750 seats. By 1951 its name had changed to “Workmans Hall” under the same ownership and now held 642 seats at 7d to 1/9d. The proscenium was 20feet wide and the stage was 14 feet deep. There were two dressing rooms to cater for when variety was held. Shows were once nightly with 2 on saturdays. I can find no record of it ever going under the name given to it by Editha Pearce.
In 1924 the propreitor was Alfred Withers and programmes changed twice weekly with prices of 5d to 1/3d. Under the same ownership in 1938 prices were 6d to 1/– and a Sound Ltd system had been installed to take it into the sound era. By 1951 seating had dropped to 684 seats and prices were 1/– to 1/9d. A GB – Kalee sound system had been installed by 1966, possibly at the same time it was converted to Cinemascope and shows were now twice daily/
In 1938 the cinema had 489 seats at 6d to 1/6d. By 1951 this had been reduced to 465 seats at prices from 1/10d to 2/3d and films were shown coninuously from Monday to Friday with a matinee on Saturday and 2 changes of programme per week. The cinema had vanished from the records in 1966.
Castle and Central cinemas owned the cinema from at least 1924 and ran it on 2 changes of programme per week at prices of 5d to 1/3d. They installed Western Electric sound system to see it into the sound era. It was noted as having 890 seats in 1951 when prices were 0d to 1/9d.
The cinema could seat 720 people at opening at prices of 6d to 1/3d. Programmes were continuous and a British Acoustics sound system was installed. In 1951 this had been replaced by a British Thomson Howell system and 750 seats were now available at prices of 1/– to 2/3d.
Prior to 1966 the sound system was changed yet again to a G.B. – Kalee system and programmes were continuous from 5.15pm
In 1924 Aberdare Cinemas (1923) Ltd is noted as the Propreitors with prices of 6d to 1/3d. Records shpow that a British Thomson Howell sound system took the cinema into the sound era, when the cinema could seat 800 people. This was still in situ in 1951 when prices were from 1/– to 2/7d.
The venue started film shows fron at least 1924 when being run by Abergorky workmens Hall Ltd under resident Manager Fred Wiltshire. Programmes were continuous at prices of 3d to 8d.
W.E. Willis had takenover by 1938 when 600 saets were noted with an R.C.A/ sound system providing the sound. Seating had been reduced to 503 seats by 1951 (reason unknown) when prices were 10d to 1/9d.
The hall is noted as being used as a cinema under Windsor Colleries Wokmans hall Ltd with one show per night and two on saturdays with two changes of programme per week at prices of 6d to 1/– in 1924.
Western Electris sound was installed to take it into the sound era when prices DROPPED to 5d to 9d! 700 could be seated in 1938. This had increased to 712 in 1951 when Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday saw one show per night with 2 shows on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at prices of 8d to 1/6d. The proscenium was 25 feet wide. Ocassional variety shows were noted.
By 1966 Bingo had been introduced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with film shows being once nightly on Tuesdays and Thursdays and twice on Saturdays with two changes of programme per week at prices of 1/– to 2/–. Occassional variety shows sometimes replaced film.
Then why do you seek to tell people your version as though it has to be believed as you are telling it? and if you are not on the site to throw insults why do you? I went out of my way to pleasantly tell you of your mistake over the projection box only to get insulted! And this by someone who had never been to the cinema!
You really should do more research before you pontificate! Try looking back at old issues of the Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald as I have done for the TRUE facts instead of imagining what you think you heard in the dim distant past! Also lots of cinemas only registered under the act long after they had opened.
Afraid you have your facts wrong! Neuadd Goffa opened in 1900 and played host to several travelling Fil shows prior to having permanent lessees, cinema wise.
Neuadd Goffa was the host to several travelling film shows prior to 1910, prior to it permanently hosting film shows!
The 1909 act dealt only with the need to isolate the box from the audience so that any fire could not spread from the inflammable film into the auditorium, it did not specify the size of the box. Because of the problem of building ‘new'boxes in existing venues owners took advantage of this. Remember that Neuadd Dwyfor preceeded that act as a cinema!
1938 saw the cinema with a Duosonic sound system and 500 seats with continuous shows from 6.00pm to 10.15pm at prices of 4d to 1/–. The proscenium was 20 feet wide and the propreitor was William H. Baggett. Somehow seating had increased to 560 seats by 1951 at 9d to 2/3d and shows were now continuous from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. Western Electric sound had replaced the dousonic system and the cinema was now in the ownership of the Lyric & Public Hall Cinemas (Pontardawe)Ltd – who owned the only other cinema in town. Problems must have persisted with the sound however because the Western Electric system was later replaced by a British Acoustic system.
Opened some time prior to 1924, the owners were Llanbradach Colliery Workmens Institute who held one show per night with two matinees per week (On Mondays and Saturdays)and two changes of programme per week at prices of 3d to 9d. British Acoustic sound brought the hall into the sound era when shows were once nightly at prices of 4d to 9d for the 650 seats. By 1951 seating had been reduced to 500 seats (reason unknown)and shows remained once nightly with 2 changes per week. By 1966 Bingo had been introduced on Monday and Thursdays with films on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays with still 2 changes of programme per week and seating reduced to 492 seats.
Seating 1460 people at prices from 6d to 1/– in 1938, the cinema had a Sound Ltd sound system and the propreitor was Alfred Withers. By 1951 ownership was with Hanbury Palace & New Hall Cinemas Ltd, who controlled the other 2 cinemas in town, and seating had dropped to 1315 seats at 1/– and 1/9d. No reason is known for the drop in seating – this was pre-cinemascope – so lines of sight was not the reason.
The figure of 1050 seats applied only pre- the 1960’s, and in 1951 prices were 1/6d to 3/–. Programmes were coninuous from 4.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. By 1966 seating had been reduced to 1021 seats.
Whilst being unaware of when the cinema opened, it was certainly in existence in 1938, with Maddison sound supplying the sound. At this time it had 550 seats priced at 5d to 1/– with one show per night. By 1951 it was in the hands of J.R. Lewis of Caerphilly and had reduced its seating to 500 seats priced at 7d to 1/6d, but still with just the one show per night.
The cinema was operating in 1938 providing 420 seats at 3d to 1/–. Sound was by a B.T.F. system. Seating was reduced to 416 seats by 1951 priced at 9d to 1/9d. Shows were once nightly with 2 programme changes per week. A Dance Hall was noted as being attached to the cinema. Seating was further reduced by 1966, possibly to cater for the new lines of sight when Cinemascope was installed in the fifties when the proscenium was noted as being 30 feet wide containing a 26 feet by 11 feet 6 inches screen. Programmes were still once per night with two changes per week. THREE dressing rooms were now noted so it is possible that ocassional variety shows had been introduced.
The cinema was certainly open in 1924 when D.P/ Griffiths was Propreitor and Resident Manager, running it on 2 shows per night with 2 changes of programjme per week at prices of 5d, 8d and 1/–. In 1938 prices had risen to 6d to 1/– for the 480 seats. Programmes were still changed twice per week. By 1951 seating had been reduced to 400 seats priced at 4d to 1/9d. and shows were now once per day with 2 shows on Monday and Saturday. Mr Griffiths was still in charge but bookings were made in Cardiff.
In 1924 the cinema was under the propreitorship of J. Hopkin and running on one show per night with a childrens matinee on Saturday. Prices were 5d to 1/–. By 1938 a British Thomson Howell sound system had been installed and the one thousand seats were priced at 6d to 1/3d. The proscenium was 27 feet wide and shows were once nightly with two shows on Saturdays. By 1951 Mary Hopkin had taken over as propreitor (No information about her father/husband?) and seating had been reduced to 940 seats. Prices were now 1/– to 2/4d. By 1966 the Clydach and District Miners welfare Association had taken over the hall.
The original projection box had nothing to do with the length of throw, but the 1909 cinematograph act that required the projection box to be seperated from the audience in case of fire! One of the Wrexham cinemas had a similar overhanging box, I can’t remember which offhand.
Henry Claypole must have been the original “Yuppie”, because by 1924 he was not only the MANAGER, BUT Managing Director of Grand Cinema Co. Ltd., the owners of the cinema! In 1924 he was presiding over 2 shows per night and two changes of programme per week at prices of 2d to 1/6d. In 1938 the 550 seats were priced at 4d to 1/6d, still with 2 shows/night and 2 changes of programme per week. 1951 saw only changes in prices to 1/– to 2/9d and the addition of a saturday matinee. By 1966 Cinemascope had been installed on a 32foot x 12 foot screen with the proscenium 32 feet wide.420 seats were available at 1/6d to 4/– and there was one show daily at 7.30pm with 2 on saturdays from 5.30pm. 3 changes of programme per week was now the norm.
1938 saw the cinema with 1100 seats at 6d to 1/3d and fitted with a R.C.A. sound system with 2 changes of programme per week at prices of 6d to 1/3d.
The cinema opened as the “New Cinema” under the propreitorship of Gwaun Cae Gurwen with a British Thomson Howell sound system and 750 seats. By 1951 its name had changed to “Workmans Hall” under the same ownership and now held 642 seats at 7d to 1/9d. The proscenium was 20feet wide and the stage was 14 feet deep. There were two dressing rooms to cater for when variety was held. Shows were once nightly with 2 on saturdays. I can find no record of it ever going under the name given to it by Editha Pearce.
In 1924 the propreitor was Alfred Withers and programmes changed twice weekly with prices of 5d to 1/3d. Under the same ownership in 1938 prices were 6d to 1/– and a Sound Ltd system had been installed to take it into the sound era. By 1951 seating had dropped to 684 seats and prices were 1/– to 1/9d. A GB – Kalee sound system had been installed by 1966, possibly at the same time it was converted to Cinemascope and shows were now twice daily/
In 1938 the cinema had 489 seats at 6d to 1/6d. By 1951 this had been reduced to 465 seats at prices from 1/10d to 2/3d and films were shown coninuously from Monday to Friday with a matinee on Saturday and 2 changes of programme per week. The cinema had vanished from the records in 1966.
Castle and Central cinemas owned the cinema from at least 1924 and ran it on 2 changes of programme per week at prices of 5d to 1/3d. They installed Western Electric sound system to see it into the sound era. It was noted as having 890 seats in 1951 when prices were 0d to 1/9d.
If Mr Evans lets me have his e-mail address I will send him a copy of my photo with the box in place so he can see for himself!
The cinema could seat 720 people at opening at prices of 6d to 1/3d. Programmes were continuous and a British Acoustics sound system was installed. In 1951 this had been replaced by a British Thomson Howell system and 750 seats were now available at prices of 1/– to 2/3d. Prior to 1966 the sound system was changed yet again to a G.B. – Kalee system and programmes were continuous from 5.15pm
In 1924 Aberdare Cinemas (1923) Ltd is noted as the Propreitors with prices of 6d to 1/3d. Records shpow that a British Thomson Howell sound system took the cinema into the sound era, when the cinema could seat 800 people. This was still in situ in 1951 when prices were from 1/– to 2/7d.
The venue started film shows fron at least 1924 when being run by Abergorky workmens Hall Ltd under resident Manager Fred Wiltshire. Programmes were continuous at prices of 3d to 8d. W.E. Willis had takenover by 1938 when 600 saets were noted with an R.C.A/ sound system providing the sound. Seating had been reduced to 503 seats by 1951 (reason unknown) when prices were 10d to 1/9d.
The hall is noted as being used as a cinema under Windsor Colleries Wokmans hall Ltd with one show per night and two on saturdays with two changes of programme per week at prices of 6d to 1/– in 1924. Western Electris sound was installed to take it into the sound era when prices DROPPED to 5d to 9d! 700 could be seated in 1938. This had increased to 712 in 1951 when Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday saw one show per night with 2 shows on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at prices of 8d to 1/6d. The proscenium was 25 feet wide. Ocassional variety shows were noted. By 1966 Bingo had been introduced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with film shows being once nightly on Tuesdays and Thursdays and twice on Saturdays with two changes of programme per week at prices of 1/– to 2/–. Occassional variety shows sometimes replaced film.