Local cinema records

[drumbeg]

Some time ago I read a post on Britmovie in which someone had enquired about movies he had watched at his local cinema when he was younger. I seem to remember that he asked how he could access the records of his local cinema.

My post is of a similar nature. I live in the South Wales valleys and my local picture house has long since ceased to exist but I would dearly love to obtain the cinema records of my local cinema if that is at all possible, assuming, of course,that they are still in existence. If anyone could direct me to some source I might access I would be extremely grateful.

[CaptainWaggett]

Have you tried the relevant local historay library? They'll definitely have local papers where you can check listings but they may have more.

[Lord Brett]

I'm assuming that it wasn't part of a major chain, in which case a handy source like Allen Eyles books about Odeon Cinemas (which has full listings of what was on general release) would be no use.



My only other suggestion is what I've had to do before now, a trawl through local newspaper records, which may be on microfilm by now at your nearest major library

[darrenburnfan]

If it was a cinema that advertised every programme they ran in the local paper, you can probably find the microfilms of the paper at your local reference library. A word of caution though. If you're figuring on copying down every programme ever shown at your local cinema, that would be a task that could take years. I copied down every programme shown at every cinema in Stoke-on-Trent from the Today's Cinemas columns of the Evening Sentinel from 1929 to 1979 and, spending three hours a day, six days a week, at the reference library, it took me fifteen years, between 1980 and 1995, to copy down over half a million programmes into a huge pile of exercise books using the microfilms in the Central Reference Library in Hanley. Many film enthusiasts had tried to do this before, but they had all given up when they realised what a big task it was going to be. I was the only person ever to attempt it and finish it and my hard work was recognised in The Sentinel newspaper and my expertise led me to securing a job writing a cinema column every month for six years in The Sentinel's popular nostalgia magazine The Way We Were.

[drumbeg]

Hello

That is quite an amazing story,darrenburnfan, and I must say your tremendous resolve and determination is to be commended. Thank you for the advice which I shall follow up.

[catflap]

I've managed to cover 20 years of Melbourne (1965-1984: The trash cinema years) and it has taken me the best part of a decade to do so (well over 100 venues). Most of it has now been transferred to an Excel database, with a web-based project due later this year.

[darrenburnfan]

Thanks, drumbeg and well done indeed, catflap. The best part of doing anything like this is that when you are nearing the end, there are a lot less cinemas to do than when you started, as most of them will have since been closed down since the earlier years. It has been suggested to me that I put all my programme records on a database, but the technology is beyond me and the thought of typing all of that onto a computer is too daunting for me. It would take quite a while too, I should think.

[CaptainWaggett]

Microfilm records are much easier to handle nowadays as the readers usually come attached to a PC so the records can be scanned onto a memory stick, then you can tinker with them as you wish. If you were just looking at one cinema, it wouldn't be too arduous a task.

[catflap]

name='darrenburnfan']Thanks, drumbeg and well done indeed, catflap. The best part of doing anything like this is that when you are nearing the end, there are a lot less cinemas to do than when you started, as most of them will have since been closed down since the earlier years. It has been suggested to me that I put all my programme records on a database, but the technology is beyond me and the thought of typing all of that onto a computer is too daunting for me. It would take quite a while too, I should think.

I certainly admire your stamina, mate.



I tinkered with the idea of going back to the 1930s but the number of venues (several hundred, most with double features and many changing their programmes mid-week) did me in.



There is something quite theraputic about the exercise and the peace and quiet of the library was always a relaxing escape, as was diving into a lost world of forgotten venues and films.

[darrenburnfan]

Thanks, catflap. I don't think I'd have the stamina to tackle anything like that nowadays, though. At the age of almost 63, it'd be just too much trouble for me. Even when I started it thirty years ago, I had no idea whether I'd ever finish it or how long it would take me to do it, but I eventually managed it.

[drumbeg]

As catflap as stated, it must take tremendous stamina and perseverance to see a venture like that of darrenburnfan's through to its conclusion. I am extremely grateful to all those of you who have responded to my query ,and will follow up on the various avenues suggested.

Thanks again.

[Rick C]

name='drumbeg']Some time ago I read a post on Britmovie in which someone had enquired about movies he had watched at his local cinema when he was younger. I seem to remember that he asked how he could access the records of his local cinema.

My post is of a similar nature. I live in the South Wales valleys and my local picture house has long since ceased to exist but I would dearly love to obtain the cinema records of my local cinema if that is at all possible, assuming, of course,that they are still in existence. If anyone could direct me to some source I might access I would be extremely grateful.

Drumbeg; may I ask the identity of the cinema in question? Some of the links we can provide include photographs of cinemas from all over the British Isles showing the current release at the time of the photograph in random years after the Second World War and you might be able to piece together a few weeks here and there.

[drumbeg]

Hello Rick C,



The name of my local cinema was The Welfare Hall, Tylorstown, Rhondda, Mid-Glamorgan, which,of course, is in South Wales. If you are able to assist me in any way, Rick, I shall be extremely grateful.

[catflap]

name='drumbeg']Hello Rick C,



The name of my local cinema was The Welfare Hall, Tylorstown, Rhondda, Mid-Glamorgan, which,of course, is in South Wales. If you are able to assist me in any way, Rick, I shall be extremely grateful.

A nice bit at the Cinema Treasures site -



Cinema Treasures | Welfare Hall

[drumbeg]

Hello catflap,



Thank you for that. I find it fascinating that people can connect childhood memories to some of the films they may have watched when they were young. That is definitely true in my case. I have one particular date that stands out for me in my childhood: Friday April 19th 1963. I can remember so much about the day except the name of the movie I went to see at the above mentioned local cinema. I have tried many different avenues to discover the name of the film in question ,but so far to no avail.

I can recall

the names of many of the films I saw in the Welfare Hall, Tylorstown in the 1950's, but not the dates. I can remember going to see movies such as: Pepe- The Vikings- Invaders from Mars - Thunder in the Sun- Time Lock-

Davy Crocket, King of the Wild Frontier - The Hound of the Baskervilles (with Peter Cushing) and many others too numerous to mention.

I think that if I were to obtain the cinema records of my local cinema for the 1950's then so many more of my childhood memories would come flooding back.

[darrenburnfan]

If the manager or projectionist at the Welfare kept written records of all the films shown with the dates they were shown, perhaps they have survived somewhere...although usually, these things end up in the skip when the cinema closes down. Also, you could always appeal on local radio or in your local paper for information as to the whereabouts of these record books. You never know, they may have survived. But, assuming that the Welfare did advertise in the local press, the microfilm records of your local paper is your best bet.

[Rick C]

name='catflap']A nice bit at the Cinema Treasures site -



Cinema Treasures | Welfare Hall

The Cinematreasures site is the one I had in mind and Catflap has dutifully obliged;thanks.

[darrenburnfan]

As an example:



From My Own Hand-Written Records.



Stoke-on-Trent Cinema Programmes Commencing Monday, December 31st, 1956.



ODEON, Hanley – For Two Weeks – The Royal Performance Films of 1956. John Gregson * Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch in THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE (u) in VistaVision and Technicolor. also Delightful! Enchanting! Pascal Lamorisse in THE RED BALLOON (u) Technicolor.



GAUMONT, Hanley – All Week – George Sanders and Yvonne De Carlo in DEATH OF A SCOUNDREL (a) also Richard Egan and Dorothy Malone in TENSION AT TABLE ROCK (u) Technicolor.



GAUMONT, Stoke – All Week – Walt Disney presents Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter in THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE (u) CinemaScope and Technicolor also Brigitte Bardot and Mischa Auer in MAM’ZELLE PIGALLE (u) CinemaScope and Eastmancolor.



GAUMONT, Burslem – All Week – Walt Disney presents Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter in THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE (u) CinemaScope and Technicolor also Brigitte Bardot and Mischa Auer in MAM’ZELLE PIGALLE (u) CinemaScope and Eastmancolor.

ABC CAPITOL, Hanley –

ABC MAJESTIC, Stoke –

ABC EMPIRE, Longton –

ABC SAVOY, Newcastle-under-Lyme –

All Week – Ronald Shiner * Greta Gynt * Ted Ray and Robertson Hare in

MY WIFE'S FAMILY (u)

Eastman Colour

also Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys in

CRASHING LAS VEGAS (u).

ESSOLDO, Hanley – All Week – Touch Connors * Lisa Gaye and Fats Domino in SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROCK! (u) also Ray Milland and Mary Murphy in A MAN ALONE (u) Trucolor.



ESSOLDO DANILO, Stoke – All Week – Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I (u) CinemaScope 55 and Color by De Luxe. Also Full Supporting Programme.



ESSOLDO ROXY, Newcastle-under-Lyme – All Week – Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in WHITE CHRISTMAS (u) VistaVision and Technicolor also Martin Benson and Thea Gregory in THE GAMBLERS (u).



ESSOLDO RITZ, Burslem – All Week – Burt Lancaster * Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigida in TRAPEZE (u) CinemaScope and Color by De Luxe also John Bromfield and Joy Lansing in HOT CARS (u).



ESSOLDO RITZ, Tunstall – All Week – Burt Lancaster * Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigida in TRAPEZE (u) CinemaScope and Color by De Luxe also John Bromfield and Joy Lansing in HOT CARS (u).



ESSOLDO REX, Newcastle-under-Lyme – All Week – Spencer Tracy and Robert Wagner in THE MOUNTAIN (u) VistaVision and Technicolor also Dennis Morgan and Patricia Medina in URANIUM BOOM (u).



ESSOLDO RIO, Newcastle-under-Lyme – All Week – George Nader and Esther Williams in UNGUARDED MOMENT (a) Technicolor also Audie Murphy and Anne Bancroft in WALK THE PROUD LAND (u) CinemaScope and Technicolor.



ALEXANDRA, Longton – (Three Days) – Bob Hope and Katharine Hepburn in THE IRON PETTICOAT (u) VistaVision and Technicolor also Paul Langton and Leslie Denison in THE SNOW CREATURE (a).



ALHAMBRA, Normacot – (Three Days) – George Baker and Stanley Baker in A HILL IN KOREA (a) also Kenneth More and Many Miller in RAISING A RIOT (u) Technicolor.



BARBER’S PALACE, Tunstall – (Three Days) – William Holden and Deborah Kerr in THE PROUD AND THE PROFANE (a) VistaVision also Richard Denning and Trudy Marshall in DISASTER (a).



BROADWAY, Meir – (Three Days) – Bob Hope and Katherine Hepburn in THE IRON PETTICOAT (u) VistaVision and Technicolor also Paul Langton and Leslie Denison in THE SNOW CREATURE (a).



FOCUS, Longton – (Three Days) – Dale Robertson and Vincent Price in SON OF SINBAD (u) SuperScope and Technicolor also Robert Newton and Linda Darnell in BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE (u) Technicolor.



ROXY, Hanley – (Three Days) – Burt Lancaster and Joan Rice in HIS MAJESTY O’KEEFE (u) Technicolor also Bob Mathias and Ward Bond in THE FLAMING TORCH (u).



VICTORIA, Hartshill – (Three Days) – Randolph Scott and Angela Lansbury in A LAWLESS STREET (u) Technicolor also Arthur Franz and Beverly Garland in RIOT ON PIER 6 (a).

[drumbeg]

Wow, I am so envious of those records you compiled ,darrenburnfan. I realise,of course, just how much hard work went into such detailed records, and I find myslf asking: Why couldn't I have kept a record like that. It does make impressive reading though. Very well done,sir!

[wearysloth]

Seconded, wow



I only have the films that I saw:

e.g.

Savoy, Newcastle-under-Lyme



Nov 7th 1980

Chariots of Fire



Nov 14th 1980

Caligula



Jan 9th 1982

War of the Worlds

The Sentinal



May 1st 1982

Fort Apache, The Bronx



May 29th 1982

Death Wish II



June 19th 1982

Sharky's Machine



Nov 10th 1982

The Thing



May 21st 1983

Mad Max

Mad Max II



June 11th 1983

Airplane II: The Sequel



June 16th 1983

First Blood



June 25th 1983

The Dark Crystal