Bingo was always the first nail of death to any cinemas in those days. Bingo aways took the prime days usually leaving Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for cinema. With only 3 cinema days left, distributors would not give any first run films, the final nail of death and the end of cinema. Seen it so many times.
Yes that is true. My old cinema went to 2 nights bingo in the mid 60s too. Fortunately the owner sold it to the council in 72 and it survives to this day. Council spent 3.5 million it in 2021 with a complete re-imagining including providing 2 extra screens. Unfortunately most of the art-deco look and feel was lost Regal Stowmarket
Hi Neal, I looked through your old videos thinking he must have made a video on his local cinema. But no! sounds like a good contender. A before and a now view. I good project for this weekend. Not strictly lost but an extension subject. Now and then. What do you think.? Regards from NZ Mike.@@cinemaslostforever
No I haven't done one on my old cinema yet but I have written a script for it and have lots of staff names and photos as you may guess. They actually ruined the original cinema when they did the big project, adding screens etc. So I will do it remembering the beautiful building that they took the wrecking ball to!. The Regal the first 50 years. Sounds like a good title! @@MichaelBeeny
Yes indeed, and sad that the local museum were a little dismissive of my enquiry. The Jehovah's Witnesses who bought the building and demolished it did take pictures of the interior but after contacting them several times to no avail, I gave up. You never know what will come to light following this video!
Bingo was always the first nail of death to any cinemas in those days. Bingo aways took the prime days usually leaving Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for cinema. With only 3 cinema days left, distributors would not give any first run films, the final nail of death and the end of cinema. Seen it so many times.
Yes that is true. My old cinema went to 2 nights bingo in the mid 60s too. Fortunately the owner sold it to the council in 72 and it survives to this day. Council spent 3.5 million it in 2021 with a complete re-imagining including providing 2 extra screens. Unfortunately most of the art-deco look and feel was lost Regal Stowmarket
Bingo kept many a cinema standing after its film life so should not be knocked so lightly.
Hi Neal, I looked through your old videos thinking he must have made a video on his local cinema. But no! sounds like a good contender. A before and a now view. I good project for this weekend. Not strictly lost but an extension subject. Now and then. What do you think.? Regards from NZ Mike.@@cinemaslostforever
No I haven't done one on my old cinema yet but I have written a script for it and have lots of staff names and photos as you may guess. They actually ruined the original cinema when they did the big project, adding screens etc. So I will do it remembering the beautiful building that they took the wrecking ball to!. The Regal the first 50 years. Sounds like a good title! @@MichaelBeeny
Yes bingo did save many a building The original Odeon Ipswich for one! Good point. @@angelsone-five7912
Nice looking building, a shame there are so few details available.
Yes indeed, and sad that the local museum were a little dismissive of my enquiry. The Jehovah's Witnesses who bought the building and demolished it did take pictures of the interior but after contacting them several times to no avail, I gave up. You never know what will come to light following this video!
I’m wondering if it’s similar inside to the county cinema Oakham , which I own the simplex projector I’m restoring, great videos by the way