The Walkey Palladium

[Guest tsavo]

The Walkey Palladium on South Road with the junction with Highton Street, opened in 1916. There was seating for around 1000, and an unusual feature were the handpainted Lakeland scenes that covered the walls. Entry to the auditorium was from the screen end and the balcony extended on three sides. Before it closed in October, 1962 I saw the second "Carry On" film, Carry on Nurse. We thought it very daring and funny when one of the charactors ended up with a daffodil up his rear end instead of a thermometer! Happy days.

Link to picture:

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=s08085

[RichardB]

The Walkey Palladium on South Road with the junction with Highton Street, opened in 1916

Lived on Greenhow Street from 1976-1981, until I left Sheffield

[Guest tsavo]

The Walkley Palladium, Highton Street / South Rd. Walkley. -

Opened on the 17th of December 1914, the Palladium had individual upholstered seating for all its 1,000 patrons. Externally the building had imitation stone dressing and pilasters. The auditorium itself had a balcony on three sides with the entrance at the screen end on the building. Twin Kaylee projectors

screened Brewstwrs Millions, war news and a cartoon on the opening night. A orchestra of six musicians accompanied the performances at 6.50 pm, 9.00 pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.

Talkies made their first performance on the 25th of November, 1929, the sixth Sheffield cinema to be converted for sound. Equipment was by Western Electric and it's first use was for the showing of Rainbow Man.*

During the next couple of years various improvements were made to the Palladium including the re-decoration of the auditorium. Hand painted Lakeland scenes were painted on the ceiling which were surrounded by mouldings of crimson and gold. Thsese were lit by six suspended lanterns in lemon and pink

New tub type seating was installed in 1935.

The projection room was at ground level on Highton St. Chief Projectionist Arthur Norton was presented with a cheque in 1962 for �25 in recognition of 25 years of service. This coincided with the final performance in October of that year.

Info: Sheffield Cinemas / Tsavo

* Review of Rainbow Man (1929) from IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020308/