Birmingham Cinemas

[Banjo]

I think that the opulence and the sense of occasion was indeed the key feature of a "night at the pictures". The Orient at six ways, Aston even had a tearoom on the first floor directly over the entrance. It had a large window at the front where you could look out while drinking your tea ( little finger straight? ).

 

[maypolebaz]

maypolebaz


The Robin Hood was on Stratford Rd at the junction of Ingestre Rd and it closed in 1970 it was demolished and replaced by a Waitrose Supermarket.

Cheers mate, I don't recall that one. I must've been thinking of somewhere else.

Funny thing about the pictures. Our little gang would sit through a movie, being complete oafs, then as the film was ending we would make a rush for the exit to get out before the National Anthem was played. As soon as that drum roll started, indicating we weren't going to get out in time, we would skid to a halt and stand facing the screen 'til "God Save The Queen" was finished.

 

[wam]

I don't think the idea of cinema as an event is entirely dead. There's still IMAX - not that I've ever been to one. I got used to the smaller screens for some movies over time. That was mostly from going to the more art-house cinemas like the MAC or Triangle and part of that was that they were cheaper. On the other hand the big event pictures didn't come with a supporting programme. They'd never fit the extras around something that had a 3 hour feature. You do get double features occasionally or complete screenings of trilogies or even series. I seem to remember an advert for a run of "Lord of the Rings" somewhere local which couldn't have been more than a few years back.

 

[wam]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53DMdn6HRBA (one of the old Pathe reels) shows the opening of the Cinephone by the Mayor. There are a couple of items of interest in there. It's part of the same group (Jacey) as the news theatre on Station Street and the Tatler (which I don't remember). The Jacey group was owned by Joseph Cohen so I suppose that explains where the name comes from. The Cinephone was always intended to show foreign films which explains a lot about it's reputation.

 

[oldbrit]

Flash Gordon, Lots of good memories Pathe News, Cowboys and Indians, all at the Tivoli (Remember that one Dave?) by the Swan on Coventry Rd in Yardley. Snogging with my 'Bird' in the back row. There was a movie house in Sheldon at one time, also, one on the way to Brum on the Coventry Rd after the OldBill Pub on the other side of Cov Rd? Use to go one on the #11 after Stetchford and the RR bridge that I use to train spot on. John Crump OldBrit, Parker, Colorado USA

 

[Jayell]

Wan - Interesting clip about the opening of The Cinephone. I went there a few times and I think there was a restaurant upstairs if I remember correctly. The Tatler was in Station Street, and the News Theatre in High Street. Been to them both many times as a child.

Old Brit - My uncle, Percy Thompson, was the manager of the Tivoli Cinema in Yardley. I think it would be in the 1930s/1940s.

Judy

 

[mossg]

Hi oldbrit, I am not sure if this picture of the Sheldon has been posted before.

 

[handlebar]

The Tatler is still operating in Station Street. I think it's a two screen luxury cinema. When I went once it was rather small so I'd love to know what it looks like now! Perhaps one day. Does anyone remember the film 'House on Haunted Hill' presented in EMERGO with Dennis Price. I so much wanted to see it but couldn't. I've read descriptions of how a plastic skeleton was trundled on a wire above the audiences head and that it often got stuck. Three years ago we went to the states and visited Loew's Theatre in New Jersey. What was playing? 'House on Haunted Hill' Massive 50ft wide screen in a fantastic building seating over 3000. The skeleton came out in the last five minutes right on que. It was an absolute hoot. The Royalty, Harborne couldn't have done it better. William Castle's gimmics couldn't be bettered. They brought fun to the Cinema. I think there's still an audience for such.

 

[Eddie 14]

I remember all the picture houses along the Cov Road. Starting at Sheldon on the corner of Lindon road, then the tivoli at the Swan then the Adelphi on the hill towards town. up to Smallheath was the Coronet then the Grange on the corner of little green lane. then the Kingston just past the Blues ground. these and many more I used to go to, maybe twice a week in the Winter. I suppose you did the same John. Happy days. I think there were 26 cinemas in B'Han in those days, I stand correcting.


Dave

 

[Eddie 14]

I think you are talking about The Beaufort there ,John or was it the Atlas which was just at the back of the stove manufacturers on the right hand side at the bottom of the hill from the station (Cannot think of the stove manufacturers).

Dave

 

[brummie nick]

[h=2]Parkinson[/h]

 

[Eddie 14]

Funny never heard of the "West End", in all my years in Birmingham, was it called something else??, confused. Paul.

Pau[ I saw my first 3D film there way back.

Dave

 

[Eddie 14]

For the life of me I could not think of the name. Cheers Nick.

Dave

 

[handlebar]

My Grandmother worked at the West End Cinema when it was the Curzon Hall and Waller Jeffs ran his animated Pictureshows. Very old fashioned cinema but opened Todd AO. Went to see South Pacific. Didn't think much of the film but the picture on the screen was quite something. The support was a short about cops chasing a criminal up and down San francisco hills. Never forgotton it.

 

[Selly Oak boy.]

My late paternal Grandfather worked at the West End. He was, I believe, the last frock-coated commissionaire there before closure and demolition.

 

[tomjuonkins]

Re: Cinemas

Don't forget the Carlton in Taunton Road Sparkbrook,to my knowledge it was the only cinema in Birmingham to have a lift, I visited the area many years later when it had been demolished and was amazed at how small the site was that it had occupied.

How could I forget the Carlton!I was taken by mom to see my first ever film at the Carlton. The house I lived in backed directly on to the Carlton & was a terrace that held 10 small houses. Like you, I was totally amazed at how small the entire area was, including the terrace? I checked it out on Google Earth & for the life of me, I can't believe how small an area it is and how much was squeezed into it?

 

[Richie]

The Tatler is still operating in Station Street. I think it's a two screen luxury cinema. When I went once it was rather small so I'd love to know what it looks like now! Perhaps one day. Does anyone remember the film 'House on Haunted Hill' presented in EMERGO with Dennis Price. I so much wanted to see it but couldn't. I've read descriptions of how a plastic skeleton was trundled on a wire above the audiences head and that it often got stuck. Three years ago we went to the states and visited Loew's Theatre in New Jersey. What was playing? 'House on Haunted Hill' Massive 50ft wide screen in a fantastic building seating over 3000. The skeleton came out in the last five minutes right on que. It was an absolute hoot. The Royalty, Harborne couldn't have done it better. William Castle's gimmics couldn't be bettered. They brought fun to the Cinema. I think there's still an audience for such.

The lead player was VINCENT Price, handlebar. Here's the American film poster
https://www.impawards.com/1959/house_on_haunted_hill.html

 

[perry commoner]

I think I am right in saying that the 1930s Flash Gordon series is the only weekly series ever to win an Oscar! I saw it at the MAYFAIR Cinema, College Road, Perry Common in 1954.

 

[Astonian]

HI Perry commoner ;
Bingo ; I also seen it that year of 1954 ; at the saturday 3d crush ; [ Flash Gordon ] at the Victoria picture house
Victoria rd Aston ; and yes it was a weekly series and if the projectist did not start the film correctly we al the kids
used to go beserk shouting and booing him and the staff would charged down and threaten us with the manager but it was only a threat
he never came out [ mind you if i had a full house of screaming kids i don,t think i would ; [ would you ? , ]
but it always started with the pathe news then we would get the ice cream lady walking down
then whenj the series finished we got roy rogers ; [ my hero ] have a nice day perry ; and al other members of this great forum Astonian;;;;

 

[handlebar]

Thanks Richie, I knew it was wrong when I typed it but couldn't think of anyone else at any price (sorry!!!) I also saw Flash Gordon but at the Royalty, Harborne but probably in 1952. It was such exciting stuff. I can hear even now the sound of the Rocketship starting. Remember the Clay men seeming to disappear into the wall with that strange music. It's all on dvd but I've got one of the chapters on 16mm film.It looks a bit tame now but then we've watched 20001 Space Odysey, Star Wars, Avatar and more Star Trek's than most would wish to mention.

 

[Lady Penelope]

Whilst out with Parker and his Box Brownie yesterday we went to peer through the fence at what's left of the Ee-light (Elite) Cinema in Bordesley Green. It was such a beautiful day thought you may like to see the tiles and moulding which are virtually all that's left.

 

[Banjo]

In 1962 when I was 16, I went to the Odeon, Perry Barr with a couple of mates. The Manager was standing on the steps and refused to let us in because we were wearing drainpipe jeans!! No amount of persuasion would change his decision so, we went up to the Villa Cross which was showing the same film. The film? Disneys Sword & the Stone!!!! Anyone remember the cinema in Edward St, Sandpits?What was it called?

 

[Chris B]

The Only cinema I can remember round there was THE PALACE THEATRE a corner site on Summerhill Road, opened in 1905 then was converted to a cinema in 1911 closed sometime in the early 60s and became BULPITTS who used trade under the SWAN Brand name and made kettles etc.

 

[Banjo]

Hi Chris, This Cinema was in Edward St on the corner of Helena St. I used to go to the Saturday Matinees there in 1953 when I lived in New Spring St.

 

[Phil]

Banjo

The cinema would have been the Lyric Picture Playhouse the once Church of Christ the Saviour I believe this cinema has been documented elsewhere on this thread.

 

[Mike Blakemore]

The Palace Theatre (Owned at the time by Associated British Cinemas) was damaged by German bombs and closed in 1941, and was still listed as being a ‘closed’ in 1947. It was taken over by Bulpit & Sons Ltd

 

[Astonian]

Hi mike have you got a picture of it the palace was directly oppersite bill landonds the bathroom specialist it was there great grand father
In those years whom owned the shop as it was a huge hardware shop and builders merchants and along side it meaning g the palace
Was across the road facing spring hill library it was a very nice feature of the frontage of the palace
If I think hard enough I do believe I have a picture of it in one of my books I will most certainly getting them out tonight
Also on the opersite bills Landon shop was the midland bank where I used to fetch the cash and change for a little shop lady named Mrs Pearson
And also facing the libzry was the turf public house best wishes Astonian,,,,,,,

 

[mossg]

There you go banjo. A picture of The Lyric. moss

 

[Astonian]

Hi Chris
You are correct about the Lyric it was edwards road and banjo the palace closed down years before you said of 1961
I grew up just along from there about 500 yards up the rd being the palace and the Lyric was our three penny crush every Saturday morning
And a tanner at the evening sessions it was a flee Pitt compared to the others with the edgbasdtonpicture house and the crown picture house
And that's where the London's ended up eventually and one of his son inlaws done my security at many of the pubs I ran
And yes he bought a little shop across the road on monument red facing the ecbaston picture house
On the subject of the palace on that pitch in the fifthtys it was cliosed down and I used to sell hot dogs right on that very corner
For a friend of my brother whom .lived in ickneild square at the very bottom house by the shop
Also with my other two brothers the guy made four karts and also up at the top of ickneild port rd and out side the tower ballroom
Until one evening pushing the cart up monument red he was stopped by an health and safety officer whom inspected the karts and was told to get them off the red
Only to find the company of another big company swamped the city centre with there big flash carts all around the city
Best wishes Astonian,,,,

 

[Phil]

Alan

The Palace Cinema inside and out, it opened in 1911 and closed in 1941 when it was taken over by Bulpits it was demolished in 1961 and a new factory was built on the site in 1984.