ABC Leicester
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1 3GP
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1 3GP
2 people
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To clear up any misunderstandings, there were no pop concerts at the ABC in the 1960’s, or any other stage presentations. When the cinema was converted for Todd-AO in February 1959 the new 70mm screen was erected in front of the original proscenium and as it was not moveable the stage was rendered unusable from this time on.
Reopening as ABC 123 on March 16th, 1973
reopening as ABC 1 & 2 on November 1st, 1970
and
Opened on June 26th, 1937. Opening ad below:
A memory from when I lived in the area in the 1960s. When 70mm was installed, the back six rows of the stalls could not be used because you couldn’t see the top of the screen as it was cut off by the front of the circle. I once went to a Saturday kids' matinee of ‘War Games’ in 70mm. The 70mm was great but the kids running around was a nuisance. I saw many other 70mm stuff there.
Hi Alan, Just spotted your posting from last year! Don’t know if you go to the cinema now but if you do I have strong views on presentation. You can always email me : ijdrummond @hotmail.com Ian
Hi Ian. Hope you’re keeping well. I recall Doug Sanders telling me that there had been live shows at the ABC. Also there were a couple of rooms back stage on the actors left (below the organ chamber rooms) that Bill Croft used as store rooms,that I was told used to be changing rooms(there was also a toilet on the same floor. Alan
I was surprised to read that the cinema was used for pop concerts in the 60’s. As Assistant Manager there between November 1963 and October 1969 I have no recollection of any stage presentations there, however I do recall pop concerts at the other ABC Trocadero in Leicester during the 60’s.
Thanks MikeJC for jolting a memory. I worked with Clifford Birchall (He was one of the better ABC organists) for just over 14 days at the Imperial Walsall. We both had got lumbered for the Bingo Opening… He composed a famous march. But cannot for the life remember the name.. Our Zone Manager L.S. Barry was based here.. Lucky I did not have to releive at this Cinema :o)
I served my appreticeship in Leicester from 1961 to 1966 and this was my absolute favourite cinema. I was fortunate enough to hear the organ played by Clifford Birchall as a prelude to the film “Can-Can” in 1961 – perhaps the last time it was played in public. The instrument was not very loud (at least not in the balcony) and I began to wonder if it was installed out in the car park! To be fair though, it could just have been that Mr Birchall was being restrained, so as not to drive out the non-organ lovers.
I worked there in the 90s.Great to see Alan’s pics with Ian the last Chief Projectionist. Great cinema to work in,pity i was not able to run 70mm there. Bill
Heres a photo from my collection.
http://img471.imageshack.us/i/abc2fb8.jpg/
Alanproj
alanproj; Thanks for the clarification. It has now been amended.
I would like to correct a small mistake in the details above.I worked at the cinema from 1965 to closure and when converted to a twin cinema,the whole of the stalls area was used for screen 2.
Demolition was completed toward the end of 2007 and at time of writing(march ‘08),the area is in use as a car park.
I would love to add some photos when this feature is up and running.
Sadly the cinema is now having its heart riped out. View link
I would love to see a photo of the inside of the cinema in its youth, as well as the compton organ.
Work stripping out the former ABC Savoy started in February, ahead of demolition.
Another photo when under the Cannon name in 1995:–
View link
A photograph of the ABC Leicester that I took in July 1965:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/245722450/