I was senior projectionist there from 1973 up to the closure in 1983. When it reopened as the Ritz Film Centre, my old boss went back, (I had a different job by then), but I worked on Sunday evenings to give him some time off. It was a job I actually really enjoyed.
thanks for posting pal.i have some fond memories there.first film I saw was hook then power rangers the movie lol.saw street fighter batman forever and spice world aswell it was very cosy inside the main screen and the popcorn was lovely.i am still a bit upset that its gone even now when I go into the grand arcade its the first thing I think about.my granny Watson used to work there a long time ago and she told me she met the beatles there I think.
Absolutely heartbreaking to watch the Ritz cinema also once called the ABC cinema being demolished because of corporate greed and incompetent actions of Wigan metro idiots I personally took photos on and old 35mm camera 📸 during the early stages of the cinema from station road when it was being blocked from the public during the demolition work!😔 Ps I was also told that the seating area for one of the rooms is still under the floor of the Debenhams store in the grand arcade as a time capsule entry apparently by a trap door of some kind in the store but don't know if this is actually correct if any else has heard of this replies would be most appreciated!👍😎
Spent half my childhood in the ritz. My mum worked there and in the school holidays. I had to watch same film for 8 hours Living off cinema refreshments. Don’t mention kin bed knobs and broom sticks. I’ll scream
Wow they demolished it with everything still in it What a bloody shame I see Chorley Council have now demolished the old Odeon building on market street
Kind of odd still seeing the screen and seats still in place, but I guess they had no real value. It's quite sad that the younger generation will never experience film going on a grand scale as many view films these days while walking about on a five inch screen in the wrong ratio...sign of the times I guess.
@@mrcrazyjonpresents4312 The closure of many a cinema is due partly though lack of investments by the cinema's owners, the high value of the land but in many cases, lack of interest by the public. Often because of the poor condition of the cinemas, the public stop going it's then a sliding slope to closure. Seen it so many times.
Hope you have some footage the old Tom Whaley”s pet shop. And the old saddle I lived there. The saddle not the pet shop. Wigner’s would have been all over that it’s what we do.
8:12 It's odd that they sold cigarettes in movie theaters; did they ever allow smoking in the auditorium in the UK? It was always against the law where I live, but I worked in a theater with special smoking areas that were enclosed with concrete-block trellises. I used to fill the machines once a week, if that, and all the Marlboros were gone in a day, so anyone willing to smoke True's or Dorals could get them for $.75 a pack (a bargain at the time), then miss part of the movie to feed their addiction.
You ask was smoking allowed in the auditorium in the UK ----- you bet your life it was !!!! It was allowed everywhere in the 1950's when I went to the cinema. On the back of every seat in the row in front of you, was a brass ash try. The beam of blue light from the projector had curls of smoke passing up through it, Our local cinema Manager, would greet his patrons at evening shows, dressed in a dinner jacket and bow tie, smoking a cigar. It was smoking everywhere, there was no designated "No Smoking" area. People who did not smoke just had to put up with it. Yes times have changed --- quite a bit lol
@@colindaley1992 In my local ABC and Odeon cinemas in Oldham they always allowed smoking everywhere to but eventually they changed it to smoking on the right side of the central isle only.
Yes, there used to be a metal half-moon shaped ashtray on the back of the seat in front of you. Used to love the projected film cutting through the smoke like a laser. Still allowed in the 1980's at least.
Bloody disgusting. all to make way, for, the grand arcade. like the casino, wigan council, responsible, as usual. forget, all the wonderfull groups, we saw there. The beatles, the small faces, Cilla, the rolling stones, roy orbison. Buddy Holly.
@@jonkino Look. I enjoy smashing the crap out of shit. Other people like keeping it. They are all simply opinions. Most people agree with me judging by the amount of old buildings which get busted up. It's also a question of economics. Are you able to express and respect opinions, without passing patronising character judgements?
I was senior projectionist there from 1973 up to the closure in 1983. When it reopened as the Ritz Film Centre, my old boss went back, (I had a different job by then), but I worked on Sunday evenings to give him some time off. It was a job I actually really enjoyed.
This building must have provided people with many happy memories since 1938. 📽🎞👍
Ace video, bringing back loads of memories. I will never forget The Ritz.
thanks for posting pal.i have some fond memories there.first film I saw was hook then power rangers the movie lol.saw street fighter batman forever and spice world aswell it was very cosy inside the main screen and the popcorn was lovely.i am still a bit upset that its gone even now when I go into the grand arcade its the first thing I think about.my granny Watson used to work there a long time ago and she told me she met the beatles there I think.
Absolutely heartbreaking to watch the Ritz cinema also once called the ABC cinema being demolished because of corporate greed and incompetent actions of Wigan metro idiots I personally took photos on and old 35mm camera 📸 during the early stages of the cinema from station road when it was being blocked from the public during the demolition work!😔
Ps I was also told that the seating area for one of the rooms is still under the floor of the Debenhams store in the grand arcade as a time capsule entry apparently by a trap door of some kind in the store but don't know if this is actually correct if any else has heard of this replies would be most appreciated!👍😎
Thanks. Glad you were there to make this record. Also glad you opted for cheery music, this kinda thing affects me.
I THOUGHT THE MUSIC WAS BLOODY AWFUL AND IT WASN'T IN KEEPING WITH THE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. OBVIOUSLY NOT A WIGANER WHO WENT THERE REGULARLY
@@wiganyankeeron I`m not a Wiganer either so I`m in no position to judge. Well put together video though.
Spent half my childhood in the ritz. My mum worked there and in the school holidays. I had to watch same film for 8 hours Living off cinema refreshments.
Don’t mention kin bed knobs and broom sticks. I’ll scream
Its criminal whats happened to wigan town centre. Saw some great films here so many memories.
Anybody, remember , the midnight horror films. they showed there. probably in the 70s.
Who needs another retail park? xxx
Very sad - fabulous building - should have been returned to being a theatre...
Wow they demolished it with everything still in it What a bloody shame I see Chorley Council have now demolished the old Odeon building on market street
What a shame that these beautiful picture palaces have all but gone! Australia.
watched loads of films there , a bridge too far and jaws etc , it was 5p to join the tufty club too haha , a sad end to a great place to be
Kind of odd still seeing the screen and seats still in place, but I guess they had no real value. It's quite sad that the younger generation will never experience film going on a grand scale as many view films these days while walking about on a five inch screen in the wrong ratio...sign of the times I guess.
you missed out the sound quality too that went with the cinema movie experience
Everything in that building had value they just wouldn't let anyone have it so demolished it with everything still there
@@mrcrazyjonpresents4312 The closure of many a cinema is due partly though lack of investments by the cinema's owners, the high value of the land but in many cases, lack of interest by the public. Often because of the poor condition of the cinemas, the public stop going it's then a sliding slope to closure. Seen it so many times.
Very sad to see the history disappointing with a blink of a eye.
Hope you have some footage the old Tom Whaley”s pet shop. And the old saddle I lived there. The saddle not the pet shop. Wigner’s would have been all over that it’s what we do.
loved it thank you
8:12 It's odd that they sold cigarettes in movie theaters; did they ever allow smoking in the auditorium in the UK? It was always against the law where I live, but I worked in a theater with special smoking areas that were enclosed with concrete-block trellises. I used to fill the machines once a week, if that, and all the Marlboros were gone in a day, so anyone willing to smoke True's or Dorals could get them for $.75 a pack (a bargain at the time), then miss part of the movie to feed their addiction.
You ask was smoking allowed in the auditorium in the UK ----- you bet your life it was !!!! It was allowed everywhere in the 1950's when I went to the cinema. On the back of every seat in the row in front of you, was a brass ash try. The beam of blue light from the projector had curls of smoke passing up through it, Our local cinema Manager, would greet his patrons at evening shows, dressed in a dinner jacket and bow tie, smoking a cigar. It was smoking everywhere, there was no designated "No Smoking" area. People who did not smoke just had to put up with it. Yes times have changed --- quite a bit lol
@@colindaley1992 In my local ABC and Odeon cinemas in Oldham they always allowed smoking everywhere to but eventually they changed it to smoking on the right side of the central isle only.
Yes, there used to be a metal half-moon shaped ashtray on the back of the seat in front of you. Used to love the projected film cutting through the smoke like a laser. Still allowed in the 1980's at least.
Who selected the music? What a poor choice.
Bloody disgusting. all to make way, for, the grand arcade. like the casino, wigan council, responsible, as usual. forget, all the wonderfull groups, we saw there. The beatles, the small faces, Cilla, the rolling stones, roy orbison. Buddy Holly.
+margaret King Smash that old building down! We don't need cinemas, we can watch at home now. We need better shopping facilities instead.
@@PreservationEnthusiast dick head
@@PreservationEnthusiast Man - can't believe I just read your comment - It says it about you..
@@jonkino Look. I enjoy smashing the crap out of shit. Other people like keeping it. They are all simply opinions. Most people agree with me judging by the amount of old buildings which get busted up. It's also a question of economics.
Are you able to express and respect opinions, without passing patronising character judgements?
Discusting , typical of this country no apreshation for mid- 20th century architecture
Very sad!
Music and intermission very tacky.
Poor choice of music. Insensitive.