Suppose it’s fate was secured because of the amount of theatres that already exist in Blackpool. We found an advertising reel in your former stomping ground (ABC South Shields) for the summer season at ABC Blackpool with Cilla Black featured, we used to often run it for private use. I think my friend might still have it on a reel.
(My apology too for straying from the attended use of this site, however the memories of the Odeon Sunderland evoked memories of other old cinemas that arose because of the said cinema).
I’m thinking the screen in the former ABC Blackpool must be of similar size to the screen at the Metrocentre Odeon screen 7, the widescreen is 60ft X 31ft. The ABC must’ve been very impressive. I only saw films in it once it had been twinned (or maybe tripled). You have a wealth of valuable memories Terry.
Wow Terry, thank you so much for the information. I’ll check the sites out on the computer as I’ll get a better image. Bet they were very impressive cinemas.
I remember Big Daddy coming to The Savoy too, was packed. The odeon screen 1 screen was big, not many of the old cinemas had big screens but that one certainly did. All the ones I worked at had relatively small screens compared to the auditorium. Thankfully the new Odeon at Metrocentre has very large screens, incl an IMAX theatre, awesome!! The last cinema I worked at was Blyth and it is now a Wetherspoon pub but hasn’t changed much to when it was the cinema, a very sympathetic converion. I was projectionist there for many years, loved it.
Not to sureJohn, I didn’t know any of them till they come to the savoy and then after it closed in 1984 for the final time, never saw them again. PS do you know if the Studios 1234 in Newcastle was also operated by Fairworld, I sometimes used to see the occasional film there, if I’d missed it at one of the bigger cinemas. Remember seeing Mahogony there, the Diana Ross film. They didn’t have very big screens, I think smaller than the one in my home cinema.
I can just remember Peggy. That was a nice cinema. No, I don’t work anymore, retired at 55 which was always the plan but I do like going to the cinema still and really like the Odeon at the metrocentre, it’s a very nice cinema with excellent sound and massive screens, I go a couple times a week and to feed my love of cinema and projection, I’ve got a cinema at home, it' really satisfies my love for the business and I entertain friends in it. Sad to tell you that Lawrence and Vera divorced although they remained great friends till Vera died a few years ago, that was a shock. Been nice catching up with you and hope life’s treating you very well.
hello southofgtown, been great reading your memories of working in the cinema business and for a while our paths crossed when we both worked at The Savoy Entertainment Centre in South Shields. I went on to working at The Wallaw Blyth for 13-14 years, firstly on front of house and then when it became a 3 screen cinema, as projectionist. I also worked briefly for Warner Bros at their site in Bury, Manchester as Manager, but sadly couldnt settle into the role or venue, so back I came to the North East. I remember with fond affection visiting the Odeon Sunderland as a customer, with my cousin to see a few films, one being James Bond, The Spy who loved me, great film. It has been a pleasure to read your message, I have fond memories of your lyrics to a song from the panto at The Savoy ‘why does everybody call me’ and dont think ill ever forget the little limerick ‘keep your trousers up’,I know it off bat and this must be 30yrs+.
David.
Hello Terry,
I have only just read your message on facebook and fully agree with every comment you have made, albeit, I am still a keen cinema goer so still attend the Odeon Metro Centre very regular but tend to often pull the presentation to pieces, especially when they decided to stop using the masking, leaving it in the scope setting regardless of the format they were showing, although I’m glad to say they seem to have started to use this again feature again.The new digital projection is amazing too but sadly its invention has come at great cost to projectionists as they are no longer needed, although I think that the employers are a little rash disposing of all the years of experience as the system isnt as easy to use as they would have us believe and I know they will have a need for the experienced staff they have chosen to make redundant. I read recently that 2 long time projection employees in the North East have been made redundant after approx 40 years of service each, very sad. I used to so love to see 70mm presentations at both the ABC Westgate Road and especially at The Queens with its Cinerama screen and both with lovely house curtains. Like you, I resigned myself to knowing I wont ever have the pleasure of working in such lovely picture palaces again, even the grottier sites I ahve worked at such as the former Gaumont in South Shields still had a charm about it that cant be recaptured in the multiplex cinemas. I now have a home cinema of my own, complete with house tabs, obviously but I did go for the digital projection, on that I have to agree does project a better image than the former 35mm systems that I loved working on, but sadly film scratched although have to admit, not on my watch, I cleaned the gate and rollers after every showing. Nice to hear from you Terry and hope youre well.
Been good reading the above postings. RE Geordielad info about it becoming a Wetherspoons pub, I see that this is scheduled to open on Dec 10th. Its good to see that the place will have a new lease of life, as I enjoyed both my time working at the Wallaw as front of house staff and then projectionist at the time the cinema was tripled and also as a patron of the cinema as well. As a keen cinema goer, I think the 30s style cinemas cant offer the same level of presentation and comfort as the new cinemas we have in our region, so am really pleased to know that the Wallaw has a new lease of life. I believe/hope that the new owners will have been sympathetic in retaining as much of the architecture that they could incorporate within the new business, as they have at The Forum, Hexham. I am keen to see the Wallaw and will visit early after it opens.Its good to know, that since the first posting back in January 2005, that The Wallaw will now be back in use, a happy ending.
Hello Terry, I had forgotten that you had taken over the management of the ABC South Shields after Peter Lish had left. I had thought I was right in thinking Peter has died but pleased you confirmed this, although not that Peter had died. Did you also manage the ABC Westgate Road?, I believe I can recall seeing you FOH. I had forgotten about Peter MacRae and didn’t know of his nickname.I didn’t have much dealing with him during my time of employment with Brent Walker.
Hello Mike, some nice cinemas in Birmingham, although been a while since I visited, the last film I saw at Cineworld in the city centre was Super 8, so probably about 2 years ago or so, but a great experience, good size screen and quality sound. Brent Walker was a decent company to work for and to this day, I can still maintain that my preferred cinema is the Gaumont/Focus123/Regal cinema in South Shields, had a great atmosphere and I worked with some of the nicest people I have ever know, Gogsy is still a friend of mine after 20+yrs since we parted company as colleagues. Thanks for reply, David.
Hi Mike Blakemore, been reading with interest your connection to local cinemas and believe that the Peter you might be recollecting at The ABC South Shields will have been Peter Lish, he was manager at that site until the cinema transferred to the control of Brent Walker. I used to work at the former Focus/Regal cinema also in Shields and then at the Savoy in Ocean Road. I also worked briefly at The Customs House, Warners at Bury Manchester and for a lengthy period at The Wallaw Cinema in Blyth, where I worked for Peter, sadly I believe that Peter died at a young age, although someone might be able to confirm this detail.
Suppose it’s fate was secured because of the amount of theatres that already exist in Blackpool. We found an advertising reel in your former stomping ground (ABC South Shields) for the summer season at ABC Blackpool with Cilla Black featured, we used to often run it for private use. I think my friend might still have it on a reel.
(My apology too for straying from the attended use of this site, however the memories of the Odeon Sunderland evoked memories of other old cinemas that arose because of the said cinema).
I’m thinking the screen in the former ABC Blackpool must be of similar size to the screen at the Metrocentre Odeon screen 7, the widescreen is 60ft X 31ft. The ABC must’ve been very impressive. I only saw films in it once it had been twinned (or maybe tripled). You have a wealth of valuable memories Terry.
Wow Terry, thank you so much for the information. I’ll check the sites out on the computer as I’ll get a better image. Bet they were very impressive cinemas.
I remember Big Daddy coming to The Savoy too, was packed. The odeon screen 1 screen was big, not many of the old cinemas had big screens but that one certainly did. All the ones I worked at had relatively small screens compared to the auditorium. Thankfully the new Odeon at Metrocentre has very large screens, incl an IMAX theatre, awesome!! The last cinema I worked at was Blyth and it is now a Wetherspoon pub but hasn’t changed much to when it was the cinema, a very sympathetic converion. I was projectionist there for many years, loved it.
Not to sureJohn, I didn’t know any of them till they come to the savoy and then after it closed in 1984 for the final time, never saw them again. PS do you know if the Studios 1234 in Newcastle was also operated by Fairworld, I sometimes used to see the occasional film there, if I’d missed it at one of the bigger cinemas. Remember seeing Mahogony there, the Diana Ross film. They didn’t have very big screens, I think smaller than the one in my home cinema.
They also run/managed the cinema your dad worked at, The Studios although was named The Eros by then. I never knew where that cinema was.
Ray Daines, Stuart ? (Hall maybe) and Bob Curtain.
I can just remember Peggy. That was a nice cinema. No, I don’t work anymore, retired at 55 which was always the plan but I do like going to the cinema still and really like the Odeon at the metrocentre, it’s a very nice cinema with excellent sound and massive screens, I go a couple times a week and to feed my love of cinema and projection, I’ve got a cinema at home, it' really satisfies my love for the business and I entertain friends in it. Sad to tell you that Lawrence and Vera divorced although they remained great friends till Vera died a few years ago, that was a shock. Been nice catching up with you and hope life’s treating you very well.
PS. Was telling Lawrence about your post on this site.
hello southofgtown, been great reading your memories of working in the cinema business and for a while our paths crossed when we both worked at The Savoy Entertainment Centre in South Shields. I went on to working at The Wallaw Blyth for 13-14 years, firstly on front of house and then when it became a 3 screen cinema, as projectionist. I also worked briefly for Warner Bros at their site in Bury, Manchester as Manager, but sadly couldnt settle into the role or venue, so back I came to the North East. I remember with fond affection visiting the Odeon Sunderland as a customer, with my cousin to see a few films, one being James Bond, The Spy who loved me, great film. It has been a pleasure to read your message, I have fond memories of your lyrics to a song from the panto at The Savoy ‘why does everybody call me’ and dont think ill ever forget the little limerick ‘keep your trousers up’,I know it off bat and this must be 30yrs+. David.
Hello Terry, I have only just read your message on facebook and fully agree with every comment you have made, albeit, I am still a keen cinema goer so still attend the Odeon Metro Centre very regular but tend to often pull the presentation to pieces, especially when they decided to stop using the masking, leaving it in the scope setting regardless of the format they were showing, although I’m glad to say they seem to have started to use this again feature again.The new digital projection is amazing too but sadly its invention has come at great cost to projectionists as they are no longer needed, although I think that the employers are a little rash disposing of all the years of experience as the system isnt as easy to use as they would have us believe and I know they will have a need for the experienced staff they have chosen to make redundant. I read recently that 2 long time projection employees in the North East have been made redundant after approx 40 years of service each, very sad. I used to so love to see 70mm presentations at both the ABC Westgate Road and especially at The Queens with its Cinerama screen and both with lovely house curtains. Like you, I resigned myself to knowing I wont ever have the pleasure of working in such lovely picture palaces again, even the grottier sites I ahve worked at such as the former Gaumont in South Shields still had a charm about it that cant be recaptured in the multiplex cinemas. I now have a home cinema of my own, complete with house tabs, obviously but I did go for the digital projection, on that I have to agree does project a better image than the former 35mm systems that I loved working on, but sadly film scratched although have to admit, not on my watch, I cleaned the gate and rollers after every showing. Nice to hear from you Terry and hope youre well.
Been good reading the above postings. RE Geordielad info about it becoming a Wetherspoons pub, I see that this is scheduled to open on Dec 10th. Its good to see that the place will have a new lease of life, as I enjoyed both my time working at the Wallaw as front of house staff and then projectionist at the time the cinema was tripled and also as a patron of the cinema as well. As a keen cinema goer, I think the 30s style cinemas cant offer the same level of presentation and comfort as the new cinemas we have in our region, so am really pleased to know that the Wallaw has a new lease of life. I believe/hope that the new owners will have been sympathetic in retaining as much of the architecture that they could incorporate within the new business, as they have at The Forum, Hexham. I am keen to see the Wallaw and will visit early after it opens.Its good to know, that since the first posting back in January 2005, that The Wallaw will now be back in use, a happy ending.
Hello Terry, I had forgotten that you had taken over the management of the ABC South Shields after Peter Lish had left. I had thought I was right in thinking Peter has died but pleased you confirmed this, although not that Peter had died. Did you also manage the ABC Westgate Road?, I believe I can recall seeing you FOH. I had forgotten about Peter MacRae and didn’t know of his nickname.I didn’t have much dealing with him during my time of employment with Brent Walker.
Hello Mike, some nice cinemas in Birmingham, although been a while since I visited, the last film I saw at Cineworld in the city centre was Super 8, so probably about 2 years ago or so, but a great experience, good size screen and quality sound. Brent Walker was a decent company to work for and to this day, I can still maintain that my preferred cinema is the Gaumont/Focus123/Regal cinema in South Shields, had a great atmosphere and I worked with some of the nicest people I have ever know, Gogsy is still a friend of mine after 20+yrs since we parted company as colleagues. Thanks for reply, David.
Hi Mike Blakemore, been reading with interest your connection to local cinemas and believe that the Peter you might be recollecting at The ABC South Shields will have been Peter Lish, he was manager at that site until the cinema transferred to the control of Brent Walker. I used to work at the former Focus/Regal cinema also in Shields and then at the Savoy in Ocean Road. I also worked briefly at The Customs House, Warners at Bury Manchester and for a lengthy period at The Wallaw Cinema in Blyth, where I worked for Peter, sadly I believe that Peter died at a young age, although someone might be able to confirm this detail.