Tom Bancroft

This is not strictly a film question - more a cinema question.

I have been reading an excellent 48 page tabloid publication, produced on a regular basis by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle called "Remember When". It consists of nostalgic stories and old photos mainly contributed by the readership.
The issue I have is a 'special' celebrating 100 years of Tyneside cinema with recollections of the glory days of British cinema from people who worked in the cinemas as well as cinemagoers.

Fascinating memories such as the time the staff of the Regal in Gateshead were all dressed in stars and stripes top hats when 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' was showing (the same cinema had Gracie Fileds singing from the roof when it first opened). Then there was the time 'Blue Murder At St. Trinian's' came to the Newcastle Odeon and the female staff all dressed up in costumes from the film and attended the local dance hall as a publicity stunt.

Anyway at last to that 'Essoldo' question . . . . One lady was reminiscing about the Essoldo in Newcastle and one of her quotes was that the name of this 'Essoldo' was derived from the christian names of the family who owned it. The names being ESther, SOLoman and DOrothy. Now I always thought that the many Essoldos up and down the country were part of a corporate group like the Odeons and Gaumonts which were found in all major towns and cities (there were at least five Essoldos in Greater Manchester). I'm sure someone out there will know whether this lady's story is fact or a little bit of local folklore.

"I want to be a sailor - sailing out to sea"

Tom Bancroft

Sorry, but I seem to make a habit of doing this, but I've solved my own query.

A search of the name Essoldo Cinemas reveals that the lady's story is indeed true!

During and after the second world war Soloman Sheckman a former boxing promoter turned cinema owner, began to buy up cheap cinemas across the country and name them 'The Essoldo'. He formed a company 'Essoldo Circuit (Control) Ltd', operating from offices in Newcastle. His wife was Esther, his daughter was Dorothy and he did indeed concoct the Essoldo name using parts of their three names. You learn something new every day!

"I want to be a sailor - sailing out to sea"

earlb

Tom Bancroft that is indeed how the name 'Essoldo' was founded. It was a group of about 240 cinemas with its Headquarters in Newcastle and the big man was Solomon (Solly) Sheckman, next was his wife Esther (Essy) and the daughter Dorothy, Captain Mark Sheckman was Sollys brother who ran the London end. I was part of a Cinema Circuit called S.M Cinemas which was one of many smaller chains gobbled up by Essoldo along with many independants.
Regarding publicity stunts, most cinemas did that in the days of yore and I remember Tarzan and Jane doing stunts on our outside canopy attracting people to come and see the latest Tarzan film.

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

Gazza

I love that sort of trivia!

Tom Bancroft

Not far from where I live an Essoldo just about survives! It is a listed building (for what that's worth) in Stretford on the A56 not far from Man. United's ground. After the customary years as a bingo hall it now lies empty.

Go to this website for a story and video about it.

Essoldo

A brilliant example of Art Deco of the era!

Tom

"I want to be a sailor - sailing out to sea"

Merton Park

It's a bit like the name ODEON coined by the founder.

earlb

Oscar Deutch Entertains Our Nation.

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

julian_craster

I never realised that there were so many Essoldo cinemas......a book length account of the chain, and their booking policies would be most interesting.......Did they play main circuit programmes on a 'first run' basis ?

I seem to recall them playing many Fox films between 1953 and 1959.....

Tom Bancroft

The website of the Cinema Theatre Association advertises booklets called "Picture House". Issue 31 of 2006 tells the story of the Essoldo group and lists all the cinemas.
Details of how to order it at £7.50 are on the site at Cinema Theatre Association and click on Picture House in the left hand column.

This could provide some answers!

"I want to be a sailor - sailing out to sea"

Tony Pendrey

The Essoldo in my town used to specialise (if that is the correct term), in showing the "big" films a week or two after the the main cimemas.

So it was a lot cheaper. But I always kept schtum about it at school.

The Southend Essoldo was a lovely art deco affair. Became part of the Cannon group and then demolished in the 90's. Now it is an awe-inspiring branch of Halfords.

Ah Yes, the Soviet Union. All them wheatfields and ballet in the evenings

Santonix

I remember it well. I used to go to the Saturday morning kids show and then walk home, stopping off at "The Regal" fish and chip shop to pickup lunch.

orpheum

Essoldos were essentially second run cinemas,a concept that no longer exists in the UK,although it does in the US.As has been stated above there is a very good history of the Essoldo circuit in "Picturehouse" available from the CTA>To anyone out there interested in cinema buildings i would strongly recommend joinining this organisation.Apart from anything else it fights the corner for cinemas who have no other friends.Objecting to pointless delisting of buildings and trying to get important cinemas listed.

Welcome To Highbury The Home Of Football

Cooper S

Immortalised in a namecheck in this classic from 1980 -

'I've only got one spare'

'Well, borrow one !'

BobL

Sadly not true see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odeon_Cinemas

Deutsch opened his first cinema in 1928 and his publicity department used the blurb as publicity....

There were nickelodeons in 1905 and Odeon Cinemas in France in the EARLY 1920'S..

The word Odeon comes from the Greek

One fact that I didnt know was that The First Odeon was built in my home town Brierley Hill

Tom Bancroft

Thanks a bunch Cooper S for reminding me just how old I am!!

So the Buggles recorded Video Killed The Radio Star and Plastic Age as well as Elstree way back in 1980 - where have all those years gone?

However, you've prompted me to dig out those Buggles 45's in the cupboard and as a bonus I've also found Living By Numbers by New Musik - another synth. pop track of the same era with brilliant lyrics (they don't want your name!).

Sorry everybody - I know this is supposed to be a film forum, but I couldn't resist!

"I want to be a sailor - sailing out to sea"