In the 1960’s when I worked for British Cinematograph Theatres, this hall was booked by Willie Morris although I beleive it was owned by Frank Okin. I remember Willie asking me once about spares for the Nevelector Rectifiers and I told him that we had picked up a second-hand one for Enfield Town (Florida) for £50.00 and Willie telling me that the Coliseum was a hall on which he did not want to spend £50.
I remember that this was owned at one time by the Morganstern family who also owned the Picardy Harlesden and the Astoria Purley. This latter was sold to Shipman and King in the 1940’s. I knew Jack Morganstern – somewhat old fashioned with stiff collars to his shirts – quite the gentleman.
There was a time in the 1970’s when the Plaza, Regent STreet, Central London and home to Universal and Paramount product was operated by Famous Players. Stephen Wischhusen
Gas secondary lighting was the norm before battery powered secondary lighting was possible. It was a secondary source of powere enabling the auidence to find its way out should there be a mains filure or other emergency. It was kept on at low level and was in wall sconceds and the exit ways and exit signs. Often at the Floria Enfield I had to light some 40 of these a day when the handyman was off. They were shut off at night by a main turncock. On the Davies circuit certain;ly we had gas secondary at Enfield and the Ionic, Golders Green until the 70’s, and when I worked for Shipman and King we had gas at The Pavilion Hoddesdon as well. Stephen Wischhusen
In the 1960’s when I worked for British Cinematograph Theatres, this hall was booked by Willie Morris although I beleive it was owned by Frank Okin. I remember Willie asking me once about spares for the Nevelector Rectifiers and I told him that we had picked up a second-hand one for Enfield Town (Florida) for £50.00 and Willie telling me that the Coliseum was a hall on which he did not want to spend £50.
I remember that this was owned at one time by the Morganstern family who also owned the Picardy Harlesden and the Astoria Purley. This latter was sold to Shipman and King in the 1940’s. I knew Jack Morganstern – somewhat old fashioned with stiff collars to his shirts – quite the gentleman.
There was a time in the 1970’s when the Plaza, Regent STreet, Central London and home to Universal and Paramount product was operated by Famous Players. Stephen Wischhusen
Gas secondary lighting was the norm before battery powered secondary lighting was possible. It was a secondary source of powere enabling the auidence to find its way out should there be a mains filure or other emergency. It was kept on at low level and was in wall sconceds and the exit ways and exit signs. Often at the Floria Enfield I had to light some 40 of these a day when the handyman was off. They were shut off at night by a main turncock. On the Davies circuit certain;ly we had gas secondary at Enfield and the Ionic, Golders Green until the 70’s, and when I worked for Shipman and King we had gas at The Pavilion Hoddesdon as well. Stephen Wischhusen