Tony Shapps

[Edward Nicielnik]

I was watching John Clancy Movie Collector on FaceBook and he said Tony Shapps Widescreen Center has passed away He didnot say what day he passed. l meet him brought Super 8 items from his Shop.

Moderator's note: At the time (December 2021), John was mistaken in his mention of Mr. Shapps passing. Tony Shapps lived till the age of 91, passing away on September 10, 2023.

[Rodney Bourke]

Yes I knew his son Grant Shapps a MP, mentioned his Father Tony had COVID in Feb 2021, in the Daily Mail News.
But I only got his CONCEPTS issue 697 Dec 2021, email: on Saturday 4th December a few days ago.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ovid-ward.html

[Maurice Leakey]

Very sad to hear about Tony, but it's nice to know the company is still in businesses at their new address.
About Us - Widescreen Centre (widescreen-centre.co.uk)

[Lee Mannering]

Sad news indeed 😥 Used to call in each week in the 1970's on my way home from drama school with lots of film encouragement from Tony so sorry to hear this news.

[Brian Fretwell]

I couldn't find the Facebook post from John. But very sad news, I hope Beryl his wife is still around. I remember when he did demonstrations of widescreen to cine clubs and went to conventions other than Widex, also at least one Derann Open Day and organised a coach from the Widescreen centre to Dudley.

I'm not sure if he is in this photo, but it is the nearest I could find

RIP Tony.

[Edward Nicielnik]

On here

STAR WARS: 1977 Press Pack + Channel Update - YouTube

[Brian Fretwell]

Ah! I looked at his personal Facebook page not the Movie Collector one - let alone You Tube.

[Alan Rik]

I got my first Elmo 1.0 lens from him. We emailed back and forth a bit- very nice man. That was a pricey lens though!

[Mike Newell]

I remember him well very polite and professional. His shop was more geared for film makers than collectors but mind you the prices were in the mega rich tycoon stratosphere.

Mind you I bought one of the last brand new Elmo projectors from him at a fair price in 1989. I believe it was a clearance item but it was nice to have a brand new projector.Now 32 years young but has never caused any issues.

Didn’t know that Grant Shapps the MP was his son they are very similar in looks and personality.

[Dominique De Bast]

Another sad news. I visited several times the Widescreen Center in London (close to Baker street) and subscribed to the newsletter. Sadly, the shop moved from central London and the last years there was nothing cine related anymore in the newsletters.

[Paul Adsett]

'Mr Widescreen' Tony was probably the main force that initiated the release of CinemaScope prints to the package movie market. I purchased my sole scope lens, a used Isco Gottingen Iscomorphot 16/2x in 1993, and it is still a faultless lens.
Here's hoping Tony finds heaven in 2.35:1!

[Lee Mannering]

Not forgetting the Fuji single 8 camera with his solid block scope filming lens.
The giants for the best part have sadly gone...

Many young film students used to use the shop way back when and a popular haunt most certainly in London.

[Mike Newell]

Must have been very rich students.

[Ali Hipperson]

Sad news - but it made me remember that the first proper 'pull-down' screen that I purchased in 1980 was indeed from Tony at the Widescreen Centre, happy memories 🙂

[Rodney Bourke]

For some reason after emails are sent, I get them days later,

but after putting my comment on here about getting Tony's CONCEPTS Newsletter, on Dec the 4th
I also wrote to him directly to Double check, comments made on youtube Video placed there also the 4th Dec
Tony wrote back saying

"It has been a tough year, but I am fortunately recovering and am now able to walk.... Well, stagger around without support.
I came out of hospital towards the end of August and have made remarkable progress getting back to producing the various newsletters that I put out...

Our NHS have been truly fantastic, along with family support from literally the whole family....
It was their telephone calls that kept me going whilst I was in hospital and they are still all very attentive.

Anyway it was lovely to hear from you and please do keep in touch

Kindest personal regards

Tony
Editor: Concepts"