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Birmingham Cinemas

Chris B we spoke about the History of the Forum about 4or5 pages back thanks for that post it saved me trawling back:)

Reminder folks its Birmingham Cinemas on these pages;)
 
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Hi Malvern:
Looks like the story about Oscar Deutsch naming the Odeon after his initials, etc. was a publicity stunt. I have read the Wikipedia account of the
history of him and the Odeon's etc. Looks like you have done a fair amount of research and come up with what you have posted. Very interesting. It would be nice to find out the exact date of purchase of the Odeon, New Street. Thanks for posting.
 
Yes when it comes to Birmingham history it is amazing what is out there. My research has lead me into some very unusual and interesting areas.

I have just found out in the last few minutes that my two year campaign to get two Birmingham roads named after industrial connections has been successful. New Imperial Road and Clifford Road, off Spring Road.

Oh and the connection, Solomon CLIFFORD Joseph lived next door to Oscar Deutsch in Augustus Road (but manly in their house) and eventually married Lily, so he is Ronnies Deutsch's stepfather! Solomon and Oscar where childhood friends and both lived in Balsall Heath.

Solomon's brother was also involved with Oscar, Michael Balcon and Victor Saville with film renting. Saville and Balcon later went on to start Gainsborough Pictures employing an unknown actor called Orson Welles!
 
jennyann said:
Hi Malvern:
Looks like the story about Oscar Deutsch naming the Odeon after his initials, etc. was a publicity stunt. I have read the Wikipedia account of the
history of him and the Odeon's etc. Looks like you have done a fair amount of research and come up with what you have posted. Very interesting. It would be nice to find out the exact date of purchase of the Odeon, New Street. Thanks for posting.
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Jennyann, in the SECOND of Alan Eyles' two books regarding the Odeon cinema circuit, the exact date of handover is recorded as 25th August 1942:)
 
I always love reading posts about the Odeon cinemas. The Perry Barr Odeon was my local, it is still there, I passed by within touching distance last year when I was at my old school. Fingers crossed it isn't noticed by the planners, or they'll have it knocked down.
 
I think it is still there Alfie, as a Banqueting Suite, but better that than the hammer.:shocked:

Lovely photo's of it on that site, thanks for that Alfie. :)
 
Do you know Alfie, I can't recall ever going in at the front and up those steps We always went in at the side, and in the cheap seats at the front. But when it was a quiet night you could always nip to the loo and go in the posh seats when you came out. :rolleyes: I think the last time I was there was '59, the night before Brian left to do his national service. I was soooo miserable I cried all through whatever film we saw.:cry:
 
Another less well known and even less mentioned cinema in Birmingham was the Picture House New Street. It opened in 1910 and had a frontage 4 storeys high and was very distinguished looking and at that time it was claimed to be the most luxurious ever. It even had its own lounge where patrons were encouraged to take refreshments, relax and read.

It only ever showed silent films and closed it doors for ever in 1926. It was then converted into an arcade of shops, retaining the elegant façade. At the first it was it was known as The West End Arcade. But later it was renamed The Piccadilly Arcade. A name that many of us with a misspent youth will associate with a club at the lower end of the arcade.

Attached photo’s, of front façade, patron lounge, and rear entrance.

Phil

Lost photos replaced by what I am certain are the same as originals

City Picture House Lounge.jpgCity Picture House New St.jpgCity Picture House rear.jpg
 
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Nice one Phil here's another

New Star Snow Hill 1885 closed within the year. Opened after alterations Dec 1886 as Queens Theatre & Opera House.

After 1895 it became the Metropole showing Films in between the Stage acts. It then became a Full time Cinema untill closed by Bomb damage twice during WWII.
Plans to restore it as the Metropole in 1946 were never done and it was demolished.
 
Alf said:
Nice one Phil here's another

New Star Snow Hill 1885 closed within the year. Opened after alterations Dec 1886 as Queens Theatre & Opera House.

After 1895 it became the Metropole showing Films in between the Stage acts. It then became a Full time Cinema untill closed by Bomb damage twice during WWII.
Plans to restore it as the Metropole in 1946 were never done and it was demolished.
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Built as a cinema in 1885? I don't think so, Alf. Or in 1895, for that matter. The world's first cinema (and not really as we know the term) was opened in 1896 by the Lumiere Brothers in France.

I'd say the New Star opened as a theatre or a music-hall, but not as a cinema, unless us clever Brummies had one over the French in those days...

Big Gee
 
Opened as the New Star 23rd November 1885 as a theatre. We are talking about how it became a Cinema the Building. Big Gee:)
 
Exactly Phil we are talking Birmingham Cinemas were they where and what happened to them,:)
 
A bit of nostalgia, well it is Saturday afternoon and the clips as old as myself:)

[ame="https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=B707Ava4wrY&feature=related"]YouTube - Flash Gordon (1936) Serial clip[/ame]
 
That must have done the rounds when we were hiding behind our hands,Alfie. It seems familiar, or it might have been the sword we have one in the snug that looks just like it:rolleyes:
 
Yes Di thats where Chris got it from.

I was looking for a clip on The Clay People bit couldn't find it, can anyone help.:)
 
ELECTRIC THEATRE

I was looking at a piece on the Electric Theatre Birmingham this morning BBC1 Breakfast Show.

They said it was 100 years old which one? there is two listed in Birmingham
One 47 Station Street opened July 30th 1910 & One 400 Coventry Road Small Heath opened 29th July 1910

They are both 98 years old or was it a misprint or was I still half asleep.:)
 
The only one i Know is in Station St our dad used to take us there in the early 50s to watch cartoons

One time in particular on the tram going home our dad fell asleep and we went passed our stop and our kid got up to pull that chain type thing to ring the bell:D:D:DMau-reece

Forgot to mention it was on Sunday afternoon
 
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Alf said:
ELECTRIC THEATRE

I was looking at a piece on the Electric Theatre Birmingham this morning BBC1 Breakfast Show.

They said it was 100 years old which one? there is two listed in Birmingham
One 47 Station Street opened July 30th 1910 & One 400 Coventry Road Small Heath opened 29th July 1910

They are both 98 years old or was it a misprint or was I still half asleep.:)
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No Alf you are quite right, on 'Breakfast' they said it was 100 years old.

Graham.
 
Thanks Graham, for a minute I thought I was getting old:D

They also said and I hope this is not true that over 300 Cinemas could close down:(
 
Re: Apollo theatre?? Tyburn road

Stav said:
Does anyone have any information or pics of the Apollo theatre on Tyburn Road, my mother thinks it closed down about 40 years ago but isnt sure and i'm trying to find out for her.
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Sure do remember the Apollo cinema. (before WW2).
The 2penny crush on a Saturday morning (2p upstairs, 1p downstairs).
Flash Gordon ..... The Clay men .... Tom Mix .... Ken Mainard ... etc etc.

Probably remember your Mother too ......
 
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