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Topic: Curzon Collection

Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 15, 2014 06:01 AM

The Curzon collection of projectors and other cine hardware is presently closed due to the resignation of the curator.
The cinema in North Somerset cannot give any more information for the future at present.

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Maurice

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 15, 2014 03:32 PM

That's very sad news Maurice. I spoke to Colin Cowles a couple of months ago and he told me that the Curzon was coming under new management, and he thought there was the possibility that the projector collection, presently housed in the adjacent old coach house, might be shut down, and the collection might be 'distributed' in various parts of the cinema. I hope this is not the case.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 15, 2014 03:47 PM

That's true Paul. I've heard that the new management has upset the part-time volunteers, including the curator, Maurice Thornton. It seems that the appeal of old projectors is not to everybody's taste!

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Maurice

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 15, 2014 06:08 PM

Don't they (the management) realize what a unique thing the Curzon Collection is? When I was there a couple of years ago there were several people strolling around enjoying it and getting an appreciation of home cinema heritage. And Maurice Thornton was running a 16mm film show up in the gallery. Both Maurice and Colin are unpaid volunteers and dedicate their time to the Curzon because of their love of projectors. The fact that some A** has come in and upset them really makes me mad. [Mad]

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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David Ollerearnshaw
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012

posted March 15, 2014 06:17 PM

Although I have never visited the Curzon Collection it would be sad if the 'new' lot did away with the collection. It is something I would visit if I was down that way.

I recall my local cinema had a difference of opinion with the 'Paramount' organ. The pensioners were abusive to the staff. Thry used to get coaches visiting on organ days, then they stopped them.

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I love the smell of film in the morning.

http://www.thereelimage.co.uk/

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted March 16, 2014 12:30 AM

There is an interesting video on "Vimeo" shot three years ago that is worth watching, type into "Vimeo" search...

"Curzon Youth Panel JAFFA CAKE NEWS."

Graham.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 16, 2014 10:57 AM

I have today had long telephone conversations with both Maurice Thornton (ex Curator of the Curzon Collection) and Colin Cowles, the "technical" man of the Collection.

It seems that the Curzon Board are undecided with any future plans for the Collection, there has been a very tentative thought about removing the Collection from its present site and distributing the various items all around the cinema. This would allow the "artefacts" to be seen by patrons of the cinema when they visited for a film presentation. However, the existing "hands on" would not be continued.

I further understand that quite a lot of the Collection is not owned by the cinema, it is only on loan. This may confuse the outcome.

Maurice Thornton, in addition to his previously published book on the cinema is shortly having his latest book published. It's called "When The Lights Go Down", it tells of his many years as a cinema projectionist in Kettering (in Northamptonshire) where he lived for many years. He was employed by Granada Theatres Limited.

Both Maurice and Colin still keep up their interest with their own home equipment.

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Maurice

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Panayotis A. Carayannis
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 969
From: Athens,Greece
Registered: Jul 2008

posted March 16, 2014 11:39 AM

Is Colin Cowles the same man who,with his son,wrote that wonderful book :FELIX,THE BLACK AND WHITE CATALOGUE ?

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 16, 2014 12:52 PM

Don't know about the book, but I do know that Colin specialises in collecting all he can on Felix the Cat, particularly on 9.5mm.
So it seems likely.

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Maurice

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012

posted March 16, 2014 12:57 PM

This is devastating news for anyone who has visited the museum. Not only is it a lovely part of the country to visit, but for anyone with an interest in anything Cine related, the free entry museum was an absolute must. I went with my wife last year and we were stunned by the amazing collection and the opportunity to talk with the knowledgable and helpful staff. Grahame Newnham was there demonstrating some of his equipment and 9.5 sound films. A real joy to the many enthusiasts there. Such a shame that some unappreciative cretin has come upon the scene to upset the apple cart. Seems to be the way of the world these days unfortunately.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 16, 2014 02:27 PM

I totally agree with you Terry. To me, and I am sure many other people, the projector collection was the crown jewel of the Curzon. I bet this new manager is some geek who has never seen or heard of home cine, and thinks that anything not digital is irrelevant.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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Mark L Barton
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 621
From: Bristol, South Glos, England
Registered: Mar 2009

posted March 16, 2014 03:07 PM

This is a terrible shame. I have donated projection kit to the cinema. My colleague, Dr Charlotte Crofts, created the award winning Curzon Memories App about the cinema et al.
On a mercenary note l wonder if they will have to sell off some of the kit, better to go to collectors rather than the tip (which, according to an Odeon technician l spoke to who was removing the 35mm projectors to make way for digital projection, is where the perfectly running 40 year old cinemechanica projectors were heading, the tip!)

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 16, 2014 06:46 PM

O.k. Anybody got the name and phone number of this new guy. Time for us all to make a personal protest!

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted March 16, 2014 07:04 PM

Paul

Just "Google" it, for their web-site and contact e-mail address.

Best of luck.

Graham.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 17, 2014 07:27 AM

Yer tis!
http://www.curzon.org.uk/

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Maurice

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Mark L Barton
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 621
From: Bristol, South Glos, England
Registered: Mar 2009

posted March 17, 2014 08:41 AM

Of interest the new managers name is Gary Topp

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Panayotis A. Carayannis
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 969
From: Athens,Greece
Registered: Jul 2008

posted March 17, 2014 09:18 AM

Look what they write on their site!
"In 1965, Super-8 film was released and was quickly adopted by the amateur film-maker. It featured a better quality image, and was easier to use mainly due to a cartridge-loading system which did not require re-loading. Super-8 was at one point available with a magnetic sound track at the edge of the film but this only made up 5 to 8% of Super-8 sales and was discontinued in the 1990s.
Information from Wikipedia "

As a collection it IS tops but look what they "teach" about Super-8 !!

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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1269
From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008

posted March 17, 2014 09:38 AM

I suspect they are referring to "Sound film stock" sales, not release prints of commercial films.

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Retired TV Service Engineer
Ongoing interest in Telecine....

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 17, 2014 11:20 AM

I have just sent the following message to Mr.Topp:

Dear Mr. Topp,
A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of visiting the UK and during a day in Clevedon I stopped by the Curzon. I was delighted with what I found there with the original 1912 cinema and organ. The highlight for me was the Curzon Collection of cinema and home movie projectors which I thought was an incredibly interesting museum of cinematography. While I was there Mr. Maurice Thornton and Mr. Colin Cowles spent much time with me, explaining the various exhibits and showing some films.
I am looking forward to another trip to Clevedon this year, and of course a follow up visit to the Curzon. However I noted that the Curzon Collection has been dropped from your web site, and rumours are floating on the international film forums that it is being closed down. I certainly hope that this is not the case as your collection is truly unique and a great heritage of motion picture apparatus. I hope you will find a way to keep it going for many years to come.

Paul Adsett
USA

[ March 18, 2014, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Paul Adsett ]

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 18, 2014 03:51 PM

Clevedon, Paul, Clevedon.

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Maurice

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 18, 2014 06:21 PM

Of course Maurice. Thanks for seeing that.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted March 20, 2014 07:05 PM

Paul

How did you get on?

Graham.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 20, 2014 07:39 PM

Zero response so far Graham. [Frown]

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 25, 2014 03:37 PM

The new management at the Curzon would do well to watch this video and appreciate what they have:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwPyaNCN7aw

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted March 25, 2014 04:08 PM

Paul

Thanks for that link, I do remember one of Keith Wilton early video's that includes a visit to the "Curzon" which was most interesting.

I am afraid you might be up against a "mindset" that are not really interested in films or projectors, and those type of people can be very "narrow minded" in there thinking.

I hope I am wrong, but the fact that they have not bothered to reply to your letter so far, does not say much for them.

Film and projection in all its formats seems destined for the history books and there also a strong move at present to make sure, that it all goes to the scrap as quickly as possible by those same very "narrow minded" folk.

Sad really.

Graham.

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