Recent content by handlebar

Only went to the Futurist once to see a Cinemascope film. Can't remember the name but it was my one and only encounter with 'Perspecta' directional stereophonic sound. Thought it most impressive and better than any of the later stereo systems.

Just catching up. Smint100. Thanks for the photo of Furbers. If you look to the left of the building you'll see my fathers shed with all the roof windows. It was at the back of the house (275 High Street). My dad and uncle sharpened lawn mowers and shears and there was a pair of shears over the...

I too remember the Daily Mail Ideal Home exhibition. I was fascinated by one or two stands that had film projectors above head height back projecting their wares onto a screen. I was captivated by the 'Bingoscope' toy projectors stand and loved the 'dancing waters'.

Smint100. My dad (Jack Groves) worked for Beaumonts doing removals for a number of years. We lived in the house next to Furbers on the High Street.

I particularly remember going to see Hondo in 3D at the Bristol. I was about 16 earning around £3 a week as an apprentice Compositor. It was much more expensive to get in than at The Picture House, Harborne. Then they charged for the 3D glasses! I had to walk home as I had nothing left but what...

Sheila, my grandmother always called it Tenants. I guess it then became Morgan's.

Murray's fish and chips were something else. Coal fired fryers, chips cut from potatoes one at a time right in front of you and just 3d (1 1/2p) a bag, or 4d if you were well off. Alex Murray had a daughter, Gloria. Often wondered what happened to her. I used to get the Harborne Society...

If you look up The Picture House' you'll see my description of it as I spent my childhood/teen years there. Hardly a flea pit! The sweet shop was Morgan's, a well stocked little place with a distinctive smell.

Sorry Brenda, can't say I ever heard of the Venetian Flooring Company. Lorraine, the 'OldHarborne' cinema in Serpentine Road is still there but belongs to the Village Social club. If you type into the search bar 'The Picture House Harborne' it will bring up the Cinema Treasures site. Click on...

Lorraine, I used to deliver papers for the shop which then was owned by Mr. O'connor. Delivered all along Serpentine Rd. in 1952. The shop had police cells at the back. Was probably the old police station way back.

Williamstreet, In the 50's I used to cycle past the Ledsam, so decided to visit one Saturday afternoon. I entered to find the film half way through and empty, apart from myself. The echo made the sound unintelligible, but as the locals started to arrive the echo disappeared and dialogue could be...

Looking at the videos of the fire I'd guess it's pretty well a write off. As there had been a previous fire I'd have thought it would have become a priority for security observation. So sad if someone thought it so useless that they'd destroy it. Interesting to see the fire brigade pouring...

Especially when their cooking range was coal fired. 3d for a bag of chips or a bigger bag for 4d and cod for 7d. Saturday night was film. night. Fry's 4d cream bar, 6d for an ice cream, three hours at the pictures, and change out of 2/- (10p) Can't believe it now, especially as an ice bun...

Anthony, I too went to Station Road Junior and Senior School and attended St. John's Church till I left in 1957 aged 18. Wonder if our paths ever crossed. I lived directly opposite the Royalty. Just lifted the curtain and saw what was on. My favourite cinema was the old Harborne in Serpentine...