I was working for ABC - EMI at the time of purchase… The Theatre was purchased off Bernard Delfont Who was also The Chairman of EMI Cinemas Ltd., which was part of EMI Film and Theatre Corp., Ltd., Eye Brows were raised at the time..
It has been found out in recent times That a number of WTC., shareholders had shares in “The Clifton Cinemas (Walsall) Ltd., which had "The Empire and Classic Cinemas in Walsall thus having 6 of the 7 sites in Walsall town centre
A Correction The ABC Savoy’s Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided to change it to “Regal then to “The Savoy” The Company that built Her Majesty’s Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director and General Manager was W Andrews. with William Tennant as Assistant Manager and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
I believe the designs were Sutton Coldfield’s just rejigged to fit this site. There is much much the same to be a brand new plan.. So Cecil Clevering should be credited
A Correction Odeon did not take ownership of ABC ABC took over Odeon and Rebranded ABC as Odeon. Which is often Misunderstood. This has Happened in the past Part of The Clifton circuit got rebranded Odeon. It is a strong Brand name.
When ever you see Harry Weeden credit for designing cinemas ignore it. He did not design any.. He managed the contract The Weeden Practice only designed cinemas when Robert Bullivant was appointed Head of Design.
Thanks for adding the pictures of the interior From the design characteristics I strongly believe that The Palace was designed by Earnest Roberts of Satchwell and Roberts who also did the Regal in the town. There are still over 20 cinemas of their work not accounted for.
Mayfair Cinemas Ltd., was a 50-50 company with Essoldo… Now Essoldo kept hold of the freeholds of all Mayfair Cinemas… The Cinema opened as the Majestic… as far as we can tell. Remember Associated British Cinemas.. Meant what it says on the label. A large percentage of the ABC Chain was run in partnership with other companies.
I found out recently that “The Walsall Theatre Company” had a financial interest in “The Clifton Cinema (Walsall) Ltd., which included as well as The Empire The Classic Walsall and "the Alexandra Lower Gornal. When the WTC sub let their Theatres to ABC William Andrews its General Manager moved over to manage "The Empire” So it seems WTC had a finger in all except “The Picture House” Walsall.. (The one that burned down.. Twice"
Well The Cinemas that Broadway Cinemas (Hewitson of Smethwick) had were taken over by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” Who as I write this still company own’s the site Bowling Alley and the Lazer downstairs. The Grandson runs the operation. Its a very complex situation of cinema ownership In many cases the left hand do’s not know what the right hand is doing. I was lucky as I knew most of the people involved. A lot of history of cinemas companies are myths. I have done a massive amount of digging to find out The Dirt..
Biffa The KYB were notorious for being never kept date. This was part of the 1929 big leasing deal struck by Cinema Proprietors Ltd., Boris Peters at that stage was Manager. Never Trust KYB..
The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick
The Last Films were. “Rising Sun”, “Tina” and “The Fugitive
I was working for ABC - EMI at the time of purchase… The Theatre was purchased off Bernard Delfont Who was also The Chairman of EMI Cinemas Ltd., which was part of EMI Film and Theatre Corp., Ltd., Eye Brows were raised at the time..
The Shareholders of WTC still held an interest in the Sites operated by ABC until 1956.. when ABC pad off the final payment due.. 1936 -1956.
It has been found out in recent times That a number of WTC., shareholders had shares in “The Clifton Cinemas (Walsall) Ltd., which had "The Empire and Classic Cinemas in Walsall thus having 6 of the 7 sites in Walsall town centre
A Correction The ABC Savoy’s Original Name was going to be “The New Her Majesty’s Theatre” But being a super Modern Theatre decided to change it to “Regal then to “The Savoy” The Company that built Her Majesty’s Theatre was “The Walsall Theatre Company” The Managing Director and General Manager was W Andrews. with William Tennant as Assistant Manager and George Blakemore as Directors Pictures of these can be seen on The Palace cinema Walsall, which was one of their Theatres
If You look at the pictures with the Organ You will note there was a Cinemascope Picture.. It was 20th Century Fox approved
Cinema Services (Birmingham )Ltd., was run with Sidney Clift of Temple Street Birmingham ..
Strange.. They did not have a festoon until I transferred it from The Plaza Stockland Green when WE sold that cinema 1979-80ish..
I believe the designs were Sutton Coldfield’s just rejigged to fit this site. There is much much the same to be a brand new plan.. So Cecil Clevering should be credited
A Correction Odeon did not take ownership of ABC ABC took over Odeon and Rebranded ABC as Odeon. Which is often Misunderstood. This has Happened in the past Part of The Clifton circuit got rebranded Odeon. It is a strong Brand name.
The Theatre was Operated by “The Savoy Theatre (Monmouth)Ltd., 1995 till 2006
When ever you see Harry Weeden credit for designing cinemas ignore it. He did not design any.. He managed the contract The Weeden Practice only designed cinemas when Robert Bullivant was appointed Head of Design.
Well If the Duchess of York Opened the Theatre That is the Old Queen Mother…
Harry Weedon never touched the designs Not capable to do so..
Thanks for adding the pictures of the interior From the design characteristics I strongly believe that The Palace was designed by Earnest Roberts of Satchwell and Roberts who also did the Regal in the town. There are still over 20 cinemas of their work not accounted for.
The person doing the presentation was Umberto Reanero Known as Bert I am not sure of the spelling of his surname
The person doing the presentation was Umberto Reanero Known as Bert I am not sure of the spelling of his surname
Mayfair Cinemas Ltd., was a 50-50 company with Essoldo… Now Essoldo kept hold of the freeholds of all Mayfair Cinemas… The Cinema opened as the Majestic… as far as we can tell. Remember Associated British Cinemas.. Meant what it says on the label. A large percentage of the ABC Chain was run in partnership with other companies.
Guy Baker operated a Film Transport business from here as a side line to his cinemas
I found out recently that “The Walsall Theatre Company” had a financial interest in “The Clifton Cinema (Walsall) Ltd., which included as well as The Empire The Classic Walsall and "the Alexandra Lower Gornal. When the WTC sub let their Theatres to ABC William Andrews its General Manager moved over to manage "The Empire” So it seems WTC had a finger in all except “The Picture House” Walsall.. (The one that burned down.. Twice"
Biffaskin. Take care with KYB They were never unreliable in keeping it up to date.
Well The Cinemas that Broadway Cinemas (Hewitson of Smethwick) had were taken over by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” Who as I write this still company own’s the site Bowling Alley and the Lazer downstairs. The Grandson runs the operation. Its a very complex situation of cinema ownership In many cases the left hand do’s not know what the right hand is doing. I was lucky as I knew most of the people involved. A lot of history of cinemas companies are myths. I have done a massive amount of digging to find out The Dirt..
Biffa The KYB were notorious for being never kept date. This was part of the 1929 big leasing deal struck by Cinema Proprietors Ltd., Boris Peters at that stage was Manager. Never Trust KYB..
The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick