New Curzon collection video

[Paul Adsett]

Just found this wonderful TV produced video of the Curzon Collection of Cinema Technology in Clevedon Somerset UK.
Made in 2012 when the Curzon was celebrating its 100th anniversary, this video is crammed full of love for home film projectors, period music, and all things film. Don't be put off by the commentary being in Arabic, all the interviews are in English as are the songs.
Don't miss this one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vBdAWGr03g

[Maurice Leakey]

Thank you. Paul

Very interesting. The cinema is only 16 miles from my home here in north Bristol.

Some of my projectors came from the Curzon Collection after its closure, including the Pathescope Gem seen to the right of the lady.

It's good to see that the cinema is still open. It is the oldest continually running purpose built cinema in the world since its initial opening in 1912.

Home - Curzon

[Paul Adsett]

Hi Maurice, too bad they did not have an interview piece with Maurice Thornton and Colin Cowles who were the ones responsible for collecting all the memorabilia and were the curators of the collection.
I read from the Curzon website that they have now restored the roof and have removed the faux ceiling, revealing the cinema balcony and original ceiling in all its glory.

Here is another local TV visit to the Curzon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg6lMO2y3UE

[Xander van der Merwe]

Great video, note that the language is actually Persian and not Arabic and was made by Manato TV, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manoto

[Dominique De Bast]

Interesting, Maurice. The world's cinema is L'Eden in La Ciotat (France). It is still open, as well, but, unfortunately, has not always been, unlike the Curzon : EdenGBWEB082020.pdf (edencinemalaciotat.com)

[Maurice Leakey]

Paul

Yes.

It is a shame that neither Maurice Thornton nor Colin Cowles has appeared on screen. Regrettably, Maurice died in April 2020 aged 90, he never got over the sadness of the management ordering the closure of the "Curzon Collection", and the instructions for the owners of equipment to remove them, or else.

However, Colin had quite a lot of his equipment on display. After collecting his various items from the "Collection" he sold some projectors and 9.5mm sound films to me, including the 16mm Bolex S321 which is seen in many shots on a shelf.