8mm Forum: What film shops are no longer with us

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Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on April 30, 2015, 04:16 AM:

just like to see how many films shops we had in the uk that are no longer trading I will start with a few
Kirkham films warrington
regent films blackpool
there use to be one in westhoughton nr Bolton cant remember the name but the ownwer was ken greenhalgh he was avery good friend of my dad .I bought loads of films of him does anyone know what his shop was called

Posted by Paul Barker (Member # 4318) on April 30, 2015, 04:39 AM:

there used to be a film hire shop.( super8 & standard8) in king street in wigan many years ago. can not remember its name though.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on April 30, 2015, 05:20 AM:

There was a quite biggish one in Sunderland I believe and I think a library too run by chap called Keith.

I never went myself but sadly keith is now gone and CHC bought out the stuff still kept in his big house in the last year or two.

Best Mark.

There was also a little place/shop in Newcastle did repairs etc, I think until quite recently, you could find films etc in as well.

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on April 30, 2015, 05:40 AM:

There was Quality Products in Romford, who besides releasing sport related films had a large hire library. There was also a shop in Barking called, I think, just Home Movies who sold anything that they could get there hands on (8mm wise, that is!). Lee's Cameras of Holborn (I bought his remaining stock a few years back), P.M. Films in Beaconsfield, who brought many a good movie to 8mm. Powell Films in Ascot, again released a fine range of films on 8mm. I'll have a think, I know more names, but its a case of remembering them!

Posted by Mal Brake (Member # 14) on April 30, 2015, 07:37 AM:

Paul, would that be Phoenix Films run by Steve Ellison?

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on April 30, 2015, 09:53 AM:

When I was a kid growing up in Durham in the north-east, we had "The Movie Cabin" in local Sunderland.

When I was 9 or 10, I used to save my £1.00 pocket money every week and have a visit whenever I'd saved either £16.00 for a 200 footer, or, on special occasions (and maybe with some extra birthday money), £32.50 on a 400 footer.

Happy days.

I used to recognise a guy at the Blackpool conventions many, many years later and always thought he looked a bit like the guy that ran "The Movie Cabin". For some reason, I even remembered for some reason that he was called Keith.

Anyway, one convention, I finally asked this guy, hoping he didn't think I was a complete nutter...low and behold, it was Keith from "The Movie Cabin"!!

We had a chat and he moved into VHS, made a few bob, sold the shop and bought his own cinema...

My favourite purchases from him were my Craven extension loudspeaker, my still treasured 400ft "Day of The Triffids" and a 4 x 400ft version of "Dr. Who & The Daleks" (a very special birthday treat)!

Also have a special memory of the Saturday my uncle took me to buy a 400 footer for my 11th birthday and bought me the 2 x 400ft version of Battlestar Galactica (still have that one too!)

EDIT: Mark, just read your post after typing this. Yes, he had a big rental catalogue too.

So sad to learn he is no longer with us.

Trust me, as a kid into films, the shop was like heaven and always busy on a Saturday.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 30, 2015, 09:57 AM:

Jubillee Films (founded in 1977 hence the name) in Ashton Under Lyne close to Manchester. Cyril was the owner, just can't recall his surname right now. He expanded and moved onto selling just video in later years but his first shop was an aladdins cave of all the latest shorts, digests and features from that time.
I remember seeing full features of Grease, The Jolson Story etc etc.
A lovely little shop based on 2 floors packed with Super 8mm goodies back in its hey day!

Let's also not forget that Tom & Jerry shorts and the likes, in all the various permutations, could be found on rotating racks in quite a few high street stores back then including Dixon's.

There were of course quite a few others not mentioned here such as Pinedene in Southampton or Dane in Cornwall and Debonair which I think,were in Coventry? That's just 3 that sprung to mind.

[ April 30, 2015, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Dave Groves (Member # 4685) on April 30, 2015, 12:30 PM:

I remember John King films of Brighton; Portland who had a shop in New Oxford Street, London and used to advertise in national papers ; Mountain films, who had a shop (if I remember rightly) on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. There was also a shop on Cheetham Hill, Salford that sold Super 8, and Burlington Cameras in Burlington Arcade, London, who supplied Rank Aldis, and other makes of 16mm products and 'scope lenses. If we include libraries (like Ron Harris who were massive in 16mm), mobile film shows, equipment distributors like Scientific Instruments who imported Cinegel projectors and independant dealers who worked from home, we've lost a massive number of outlets (and people) supplying our needs.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on April 30, 2015, 02:01 PM:

Pinedene were still going earlier this year at least, but the owner struggles with mobility etc now.

Best Mark.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 30, 2015, 03:20 PM:

Mark sent you a new non related PM thanks. [Smile]

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on April 30, 2015, 03:44 PM:

Alpha Film Libary I think was one PM Films Caulder Grove wakefield Some were just dealers though. At least the film dealers were around a lot longer than the video libraries. Regents Films were also Bolton in there eealy days I think.

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on May 04, 2015, 01:24 AM:

Another shop just came to mind, when we lived in Tottenham the biggest specialist cine shop was Haringey Photographics , I was looking around for a sound projector, so I went and had a look at what they had for offer. I remember this to this day, I walked into the shop, there were plenty of projectors on offer, but the manager said he had a special offer on a particular projector, would I like a demonstration, I had a look around it, it looked very modern, so I said OK. The manager got a BRAND NEW "Mighty Mouse" colour sound cartoon off the shelf, he un-wrapped it and put it through the projector, the machine seemed to work OK, I must admit I was quite impressed, the manager then said, "Would you like to see the cartoon again" to see it running again, "Yes" I said, but as soon as he turned the lamp on, I was a bit surprised by what I saw, on screen was a big GREEN SCRATCH right down the centre of the picture, and this was after only one turn through the machine. I may have been a little GREEN as a collector, but not that GREEN , and I left the shop saying I'd think about it, well I never went back. You're saying what was the projector make, well it turned out be a "CINEREX" , no wonder there was an offer on it.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on May 04, 2015, 03:24 AM:

err, without putting a damper on things its easier just to say there all gone except Phil at CHC [Big Grin]

Assuming your talking about actual film shops and not dealers of course.

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on May 04, 2015, 04:12 AM:

Its a few years since I visited Pinedene. Bought my first 16mm projectornd film The Silent Partner. His building at the back seemed to be like TARDIS full of films equipment.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on May 04, 2015, 05:45 AM:

Isn`t Umit still in London, small I know and lorell in Luton still do a bit and there is another camera shop does projectors and some films.

http://www.camcentre.co.uk/information.php?info_id=10

Theres also a small place in Hornsea ( mariots ) I think. Just a say hanging on.

http://www.marriottworld.com/articles/project.htm

Best Mark.

PS I know the thread is ones not still with us but nice to see which ones just about still are too.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on May 04, 2015, 10:14 AM:

Oh, the biggest Super 8 shops still open, ebay!

Just kidding [Wink]

[ May 04, 2015, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: Tom Photiou ]

Posted by Steve Carter (Member # 4821) on May 05, 2015, 05:26 AM:

H. Salanson & Co. Ltd Fairfax St Bristol, was a large store with plenty of window display.When I was a kid it was the place for Castle 200 footers, I purchased most of my later projectors from them, I had a DCM, DCR and still have my DCT. Saturdays were spent drooling over the goodies on display inside and outside this shop.By the way the rear entrance to Woolworth's was just a few steps from Salanson's, I remember Woolies sold an Italian sound projector and a few films in there sound and vision dept in the late 60's to early 70's.

Posted by Kevin Hassall (Member # 2352) on May 05, 2015, 06:24 AM:

there use to be a shop in bradford street walsall where i use to go and they use to get the films for you they had nearly all the suppliers catalogues and they would order them for you. They use to have a basket in the corner of the shop with films in it and i loved having a rumage through it , loved them days .

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on May 06, 2015, 01:15 AM:

We went to Umit's the day before the BFCC and bought quite a few titles from him. He has many bargains and is certainly worth a visit,(or ,more!!)

I would like to learn more about Quality Products.What titles did they release,beside the sport films? I have a few std films from them,titles I haven't seen elsewhere.Did they survive the change to Super 8?

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on May 06, 2015, 06:40 AM:

Quality Products only released sport related films (mostly Football, I believe), I think they survived until the early 1980's.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 06, 2015, 07:34 AM:

I also remember The Chiltern Screen/Clearvue Projection Company sold films as well as screens and screen material. They were in north London, 92 Stroud Green Road. All my screens have come from them, my last purchase was various end of rolls when they closed down.
Harringay Photographic 435 Green Lanes also had a good range of films and projectors in the 1970's.
In South London there was Penrose Cine in Streatham and a one I can't remember the name of in Garret Lane where I bought my first film "Easy Street".

Posted by John Richard Almond (Member # 2939) on May 07, 2015, 07:11 AM:

David Guest.
I was brought up near Westhoughton (Daisy Hill) and I dont remember a dedicated film shop as such. What year are you talking?

here was a photographers shop that I

Posted by John Richard Almond (Member # 2939) on May 07, 2015, 07:18 AM:

David Guest.
I was brought up near Westhoughton (Daisy Hill) and I dont remember a dedicated film shop as such. What year are you talking?

there was a photographers shop that I used to go in and bought a copy (black and white)of the aristocats, 200' still have it somewhere.

The shop was directly opposite the indoor market. its an italian cafe bar now.

Posted by Mark Howard (Member # 870) on May 07, 2015, 10:11 AM:

There was also Elizabethan Films in Farnworth and one in Ardwick. Andrew, was it Mazel? I know you used to trek there on your bike.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 07, 2015, 10:45 AM:

It was indeed Mark! Mazel Radio to give it it's full title.
It was like Steptoes yard but was also an Aladdin's cave for all things audio visual back in the day.
It was first and foremost a record shop but they always had plenty of second hand films also, in all gauges.
The shop was located on London Rd heading into Picadilly Manchester.

http://www.manchesterbeat.com/shops/mazelradio/mazelradio.php

Umit's shop in London runs in a close second place! LOL

Very well remembered Sir and long time no see ha ha [Smile]

Posted by Mark Howard (Member # 870) on May 07, 2015, 03:14 PM:

Yeah, it's been too long. I've still got the Superman 2 and Roger Rabbit boxes for you, ready for next time you're passing. As for Mazel, it was a chaotic place, but I don't remember too many affordable bargains for someone on paper-round wages!

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 07, 2015, 03:58 PM:

50ft shorts only for me back then Mark.

Thanks mate for saving the boxes for me.

If you are free on Monday come and watch a film at mine mate if you like. I can pick you up if you are?

Got a great new action feature print since I last seen you that you may be interested in seeing perhaps.

Posted by Steve Carter (Member # 4821) on May 08, 2015, 04:22 AM:

Can some-one correct me if I'm wrong with the name, but in the late 70's early 80's there was a shop near where I lived called I think 'Scientific and Technical' they also had mail order in the Sunday papers. They used to sell techi gadgets and electronics,a bit like Tandy, they also sold super 8 sound projectors, and were the main distributor for Marketing Films in the South-West, they had all the Marketing titles in stock, the whole place was like an Aladdin's Cave, and their prices were very good.....

Posted by Mark Howard (Member # 870) on May 08, 2015, 04:49 AM:

I start a ten day shoot on Monday, Andrew, but after that am definitely up for a screening. Steve, the Scientific and Technical rings a bell for me, I seem to remember adverts for it.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 08, 2015, 06:00 AM:

PM me Mark when you next get some free time pal.
Happy Shooting! [Smile]

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 08, 2015, 06:18 AM:

I remember a Scientific and Technical Instruments in High Holborn. The handled or maybe imported Russian camera equipment, cine, still and projectors also radios and even surgical equipment. I didn't see any film but as they were so close to Mountain's headquarters I suspect they didn't get a deal with anyone.

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on May 08, 2015, 08:34 AM:

yes there was one in westhoughton it was owned by ken greenhalgh my dad was very good friends with him it was in the late 70s

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