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Sheffield Cinemas and Theatres


Guest tsavo

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Guest tsavo

This is for work in progress. Please do not post here until list is finished.

Post any replies in the existing list and I will intergrate them on completion.

Thanks, Laurence. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

PS. if you wish to see the entry's already made select page 2 and scroll down.

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Guest tsavo

Don Picture Palace, West Bar. - http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=s20381

The Don Picture Palace, was opened in 1912. It originally had seating for 950 patrons, but this was increased by the addition of a balcony 1n 1914, providing an extra 350 seats. The seats themselves were considered very smart being covered in red plush. Cheaper seating in the form of wooden benches was also provided but these patrons had to use a separate side entrance. Also added in 1914 were a Cafe and Grll Room. The cinema introduced sound films in 1930. The frontage was partially faced wth orange tinted terracotta, a similar colour to the Insurance Offices on St Paul's Parade.

From the bottom of Snig Hill, the Don was about two thirds along towards West Bar on the left hand side.

Info. from Sheffield Cinemas.

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Guest tsavo

The Cinema House, Barkers Pool. - http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=s13271 http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=s08042

Opened in 1913, the Cinema House seated 800 and was one of the smaller city centre cinemas. Boasting a tea room, it had a narrow auditorium and patrons entered from the screen end of the hall. Being narrow, it's Cinemascope image size was severely restricted.

It's projection equipment was upgraded around 1961 and the Gaumont projectionist's were invited for a 'look see´. If I remember correctly they were BTH chain driven projectors and compared to our Kaylee's, rather noisy. John Hyde, the Gaumont's Chief Projectionist listened to the advantages of chains over gears and belts and said,"Chains can't be all that bad, after all, no sh*thouse is complete without one!" Crude but effective.

The evening of the Cinema House's last performance, in August 1961, all the Gaumont's front of house lights went off. It was just a blown fuse, but manager Harry Murray saw an opportunity for some free publicity. The following day's Star noted the event stating that "engineers were baffled by the failure of the lights, but maybe it was just one old cinema's way of saying goodbye to another!" What a showman.

Info: Sheffield Cinemas / Tsavo

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