Projection equipment was Westar with Western Electric sound and Peerless Carbon arcs. For many years the late Dennis Cummings was the chief operator. Another operator was John Forster, who had moved from the Odeon. He went on to do relief operating for Cheshire County Cinemas. He moved to Bournemouth and retired from projection at the Odeon.
The cinema was never equipped for sound and there was an orchestra called Hillman and Glynn. The Gaumont opened in March 1931 and this cinema closed in September 1931.
The cinema was run by Bedford Cinemas (1928) Ltd run by the Wood family. They ran several cinemas including the Mayfair Aigburth and the Empire Garston.
The neon was just above the windows at the top. The entrance doors were in red. I went to the cinema on a number of occasions and remember sitting through twice to see the Kubrick film Paths of Glory. Occasionally I would visit the balcony and if you sat near the back, you could faintly hear the projector. Also, as the cinema was built by the railway station, a vibration could be felt when a train passed over the bridge, which led to the station.
The Kalee 11 had a frames per second meter on it.This was handy in the silent days so the operator could keep his eye on the speed. When sound came in the speed was fixed at twenty-four frames per second.These machines needed running for a short time before the show.Before they warmed up the speed could be under twenty-four frames per second. The meter came in handy, showing the operator this.
The Classic was a great place to see films that were several years old. Unfortunately there isn’t many places that oldies can be seen on the big screen because of DVD.This is a shame because some movies, such as epics really only look their best on the giant screen.
With this machine you could leave the projector running while the aperture plate was changed. Handy if you forgot to change it when changing ratios.On most machines the plate could only be changed when the machine was stationary, so if the machine was started with the wrong plate,it would have to be stopped,creating booing and stamping of feet.
The first film should have been The Drum but was changed to The Prisoner of Zenda.
The only cinema in Warrington to be equipped with four track magnetic sound. A poster advertised this fact.
Projection equipment was Westar with Western Electric sound and Peerless Carbon arcs. For many years the late Dennis Cummings was the chief operator. Another operator was John Forster, who had moved from the Odeon. He went on to do relief operating for Cheshire County Cinemas. He moved to Bournemouth and retired from projection at the Odeon.
Projectors were Kalee 8. For many years a Mr John Lightfoot was the projectionist. The manager was a Mr Albert Close.
The cinema was never equipped for sound and there was an orchestra called Hillman and Glynn. The Gaumont opened in March 1931 and this cinema closed in September 1931.
Looks like it’s going to have the wrecking ball on it. A great cinema that made an impression on me. Sadly, we have lost so many wonderful cinemas.
Original projection equipment was Simplex. Digital equipment is now installed. Sad to see the demise of the 35mm projectors.
The last two late night showings were ‘Accident’ and Blue Jeans.
Not as I know of. This, I think, is when it was being demolished to make way for other uses.
The cinema was run by Bedford Cinemas (1928) Ltd run by the Wood family. They ran several cinemas including the Mayfair Aigburth and the Empire Garston.
The neon was just above the windows at the top. The entrance doors were in red. I went to the cinema on a number of occasions and remember sitting through twice to see the Kubrick film Paths of Glory. Occasionally I would visit the balcony and if you sat near the back, you could faintly hear the projector. Also, as the cinema was built by the railway station, a vibration could be felt when a train passed over the bridge, which led to the station.
The Kalee 11 had a frames per second meter on it.This was handy in the silent days so the operator could keep his eye on the speed. When sound came in the speed was fixed at twenty-four frames per second.These machines needed running for a short time before the show.Before they warmed up the speed could be under twenty-four frames per second. The meter came in handy, showing the operator this.
The Classic was a great place to see films that were several years old. Unfortunately there isn’t many places that oldies can be seen on the big screen because of DVD.This is a shame because some movies, such as epics really only look their best on the giant screen.
With this machine you could leave the projector running while the aperture plate was changed. Handy if you forgot to change it when changing ratios.On most machines the plate could only be changed when the machine was stationary, so if the machine was started with the wrong plate,it would have to be stopped,creating booing and stamping of feet.
After C&A it became a Woolworth store. It is now a Primark store.
Not taken in the late 1940s. The above photo was taken in the opening week. The cinema opened on 30th October 1937 with Slaveship.
Former chief projectionist Fred Sheldon operating the cakestand system. Photo by David A Ellis
Photographed on auction day 25th January 2007 by David A Ellis. Note: Lot 274.
Taken on auction day 25th January 2007 by David A Ellis
Taken by David A Ellis on auction day 25th January 2007.
Taken by David A Ellis on auction day 25th January 2007.
Taken on auction day 25th January 2007 by David A Ellis.
Taken on auction day 25th January 2007 by David A Ellis.
This was taken by David A Ellis on the day of the auction 25th January 2007.
The above picture was taken before the morning show for seniors. Taken by David A Ellis on Wednesday 13/6/2007