8mm Forum: Paignton Picture House

This is topic Paignton Picture House in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 11, 2014, 08:00 AM:

I just came across this and after looking at the photos it brought back many happy years of operating the same equipment in Taunton in Somerset, not far from the cinema shown which was in the next county, Devon.

Initially, we used the carbon arc as shown at top right, the Peerless Magnarc. The Westrex mech had a capacity for 5000' spools with changeovers. Some years later we had a Westrex Tower as can been seen in the large pic.

The cinema in Taunton is now a block of old peoples' flats, perhaps I should put my name down!

http://www.paigntonpicturehouse.com/projection-room.html

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on February 11, 2014, 09:56 AM:

Currently under water.. but what a lovely cinema the old Gaumont was. Nice interesting web site and I’m sure nostalgic for you Maurice.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 11, 2014, 10:55 AM:

The Taunton Gaumont became an Odeon when the little Odeon was taken over by Classic. The Odeon/Gaumont building is still open as Rank Mecca Bingo.

I worked at both cinemas. The Classic became a Cannon, and then later was owned by MGM. It closed in 1994, was demolished and a block of flats were built, named Laverock Court, after a long standing (deceased) cinema manager.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on February 11, 2014, 11:16 AM:

Yup and a pal of mine is involved in the new (fingers crossed) project to return it to an entertainment centre. Let’s hope this superb building gets back to its former glory for the sake of the arts.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on February 11, 2014, 12:46 PM:

Excellent site, Maurice.
[Smile]

Posted by Jonathan Trevithick (Member # 3066) on February 11, 2014, 02:32 PM:

Thanks for that link, Maurice. I remember visiting the Picture house as a kid in the 70s. I can even remember the film I watched, "101 Dalmations".

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