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Birmingham Cinemas
- Thread starter Alf
- Start date
farmerdave
master brummie
Looks 1930s to me. Clue might be in the hairstyles of many of the young ladies at the front of the photograph i.e. very tight wavy curls. Are these finger-wave curls, which were in fashion in the 1930s? Need a female hairstyle expert to have a look. Dave.
The dresses look like 20s/30s rather than the more austere/formal wear of the 40s. The event is probably a dance of some sort which might mean people are in costume which might change the date. I say this is a dance because of the wide wooden floor and the sign at the right of frame that says "Quick Step". If that was just the available hall and the sign was a left-over that might not be true but I would have expected to see tables in the background or to the side if it wasn't. I have the feeling I've seen those shield designs on the wall in a local hotel at some point (Grand? Imperial?) although the blank shield could mean it was just a generic decoration. If this was late 40s and a costume event, the National Service problem could be avoided if it was Christmas/New Year when many of those on service would be on leave. The best way of figuring out when it was is by the apparent age of your mother-in-law in the picture. There could be some effect that makes her look younger (flash photography/deliberate softening of the image) but we're talking about a 30 year range here.
Sorry I do not know the name of the Pub, but this cinema (amongst others) was owned by my family business Jacey Cinemas Ltd. that no longer exists. Anyone interested in learning more can find my webpage devoted to the 'History of the Jacey Group' that included Jacey Cinemas, this was created by my late Grandfather Joseph Cohen (I am the last surviving Director) Please have a look at my website: -
https://www.jncohen.net/JaceyGroup/JosephCohen.htm
Radiorails
master brummie
Seeing the name Jacey in a recent post reminded me of Jacey Road in Shirley. I had relatives that lived there. Reading the Jacey web site I noted that in fact the road was named after the founding gentleman.
Mike Blakemore
master brummie
I think we where involved with two early companies that Joseph Cohen involved with Cinema Proprietors Ltd., and CD Cinemas Ltd., We supplied the pipework for the central heating and building supplies and got part paid in shares and money. Later we had share concerted to ABPC shares... We had same arrangements with Clifton and a Number of Odeon sites Our main interests where the Walsall Theatre Co.,.. I had shares in The Capitol Cinema (Ward End) Ltd which owned 4 cinemas. I was BT Davis's last General manger. I liked the Cinephone's design and the Fabulous chandeliers in the café lounge area.
brummie nick
master brummie
It was on Bordesely Green, opposite Blake Lane.
brummie nick
master brummie
There was no balcony really, just about three or four steps to go down to the 'stalls'
Not sure if these are the same pictures of the Royalty as were on the 28 days later site mentioned in post 1356 but now coming up as "not found".Seem pretty comprehensive
https://www.midlandsheritage.co.uk/leisure/8524-royalty-cinema-birmingham.html
https://www.midlandsheritage.co.uk/leisure/8524-royalty-cinema-birmingham.html
Thanks jnCohen for a most interesting write up. I often passed both cinemas in the 50's and on odd occaions my mum would take me to the High Street theatre. Mikejee. These are not the same pictures but again show a property that has been criminally neglected. I lived directly opposite the Royalty and just lifted the curtain to see what was on. The rich entered through the front doors and the rest of us through the end door having a separate paybox. The people of Harborne should be ashamed of themselves for not seeing the potential of this old Cinema. It was a single screen to the end. Personally, I loved The Picture House (The Old Harborne) in Serpentine road where my grandmother had worked as an usherette under Waller Jeffs. It's now the Village Club. The stage is now the opposite end to the screen . It had no balcony but always had first class presentation. I still think of it fondly, especially the Saturday morning picture club ('we come along, on Saturday morning etc.) Happy days indeed.
paul stacey
master brummie
Thanks for the "Royalty" thread, this was the centre of my young life from 1956 to 1963. Paul
Mike Blakemore
master brummie
Two cinemas have stood on that site.. The last one alas got damaged by Goring's boys
Phil
Gone, but not forgotten.
The other version of The Picture House 56 Lozells Road. I don't know which was the first or second, but the original was opened in 1911,it was rebuilt in 1922. It was completely destroyed in an air raid on July 28th 1942 when the manager Lionel Jennings who was on fire watch was killed.
Attachments
Phil
Gone, but not forgotten.
Yes it is, I hadn't noticed that, Mind you I don't even know what day of the week it is half the time.
yes barry the lozells pic house has been discussed in depth i think it was on the lozells road thread..our mom was in the same class as the managers daughter at lozells girls school...she told me how she remembers the head teacher letting the school know in assembly about mr jennings being killed..
lyn
lyn
Mike Blakemore
master brummie
The Lozells QuestionAccording to the Files. When First the Cinema opened for a very short time it was known as Aston Picture Palace. Then to Lozells Picture house designed by Hipkiss and Stephens. The new theatre was built to the plans of architect Horace G. Bradley, it opened on 23rd December 1922 as the Lozells Picture Theatre with a special opening programme. It was officially opened to the public on 26th December 1922 with Conrad Nagel in "Saturday Night" and Gerald McCarthy in "Married Life".Seating was provided in stalls and circle levels, and cinema had a cafe. In 1926, a Wulitzer 2Manual/6Rank Style B organ was installed and opened by organist Ernest Newman. In 1927, it became the first provincial cinema organ to be broadcast on BBC radio, with Paul Rimmer playing. A later resident organist was Edwin Godbold.On 28th July 1943, the Lozells Picture Theatre was completely destroyed by German bombs, killing the manager, who was fire-watching on the roof. The film playing was Clarke Gable in "Honky Tonk"I hope that this is of help 
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paul stacey
master brummie
Many memories as a kid, went with dad and mom often, it was the place to see "Disney", cartoons and films, saw, "Snow white, Bambi, and Pinocchio, and regular Donald Duck, MM", Dad liked the News programs and such like. Then for a cuppa in New St Station, and perhaps a sight of the "Flying Scotsman". Paul
devonjim
master brummie
I thought the Mayfair was in College Road which is Kingstanding ie not Erdington.