This is topic The Palace Of Dreams in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.


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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 30, 2018, 03:40 AM:
 
On UK's Channel 5 tonight (Friday 30 November 2018) from 9pm to 10pm is "The Palace Of Dreams".
In the 1930s there were almost 5000 cinemas in Great Britain. Bradford's New Victoria boasted 3000 seats. It closed in 2000. On a visit to its abandoned shell Michael Portillo discovers what dream palaces like this meant to British cinemagoers.
 
Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on November 30, 2018, 04:33 AM:
 
'Portillo's hidden history' is a fascinating series but as an ancient projectionist and film worker I'll look forward especially to this episode.
 
Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on November 30, 2018, 06:04 AM:
 
Just set my digital recorder for it. Thanks!
 
Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 30, 2018, 06:12 AM:
 
Memories. Ah yes! It's only yesterday. Actually, 1952. My first job in a cinema. Aged 17.

Odeon, Bristol. Only fourteen years old then, having opened in 1938 with just under 2000 seats. Nitrate films on Sundays. Kodak film cement. Robert Rigby film bins, rewinds, film joiners and a film waxer.

The pair of BTH Supas were quite new, having replaced the BTH type C as originally installed. 3750 watts of carbon arc with auto strike. The SUPA (single unit projection assembly) projectors were ahead of their time.

Click to see one:-
http://www.villagehallcinemas.co.uk/%23cinema/cinephoto/complete_pro jectionist_1949_bth_supa_projector.htm
 
Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on November 30, 2018, 09:02 AM:
 
More or less as I remember it, only from 1959.
The films were waxed with the same stuff we waxed the floors, sometimes aided by wax sticks as they ran through the projector on first run copies.
The chief projy ran the place like an army unit.
Don't know how many kids would put up with that today.
 


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