ODEON PRESTON FINAL DAYS

This video was shot in September 1992 (32 years ago). This edit is taken from a copy of the video, so is not of the quality that we are used too. However it is an important piece of Cinema History. In Projection 1 there are 2 x Cinemeccanica Victoria X 35/70mm projectors. We follow Norman around on the final day before the cinema closes for good. At the end of the video we see the lights turned off for the final time. A big thank you to the Monks family for allowing this edit to happen. Music was replaced with licensed music for copyright reasons. This is a beautiful Memory of Cinema.

[@MichaelBeeny]

Hello Fred. I find so many of your videos, so very sad. It's like watching your own death, over and over again. Seeing people, you know being thrown on the scrap heap, often never working again. Then digital came along and thousands worldwide joined this fate.
I'm so glad I left the business before I also ended up on the same scrap heap. The past seams unreal at times. Was I involved in cinema or was it just a film I had watched?

[@fp30e]

Hello Mike, So good to hear from you. I know exactly what you mean. I am currently working on one (time now 0040 Wed Morn UK) which is another great cinema that has closed. It's sad because I knew the projectionist in the video. I have a great multiplex near me. It's a very well run cinema. I have noticed some picture and sound issues when watching films there and have mentioned it to the very friendly management team, and they do get things done, it helps when this cinema makes lots of money. But what I am finding now, Digital is not looking that great on screen these days. I'm guessing the light engines are getting clogged up with dust, the image just looks soft and smokey all the time. Not sharp or dynamic at all like it used to be. I think we watched the same Road Show movie. All the very best.

[@MichaelBeeny]

@@fp30e A 35mm projector, provided you keep the lamp, mirror, gate and lens in good condition, you will get a great picture. Video is a completly different ball game. The image path is quite complex, problems possible everywhere. Dust is a real danger. Not helped by no staff, little if any maintenance. Areas than cannot be maintained, thousands of components, that can age and degrade the image.
A typical video projectors life is really only about 10 years, but it's the slow degradation that is less apparent. Changing one part will not fix it. I have also noticed this and running the lamps far too long. Corners getting dark, poor light stability and low light.
This will only get worse because the bill to replace these projectors will be mined blowing.
Never had to replace the complete 35mm projector every 10 years, and a video projector cost many times the price. At least no one has to pay those annoying projectionists!!

[@fp30e]

@@MichaelBeeny Hello Mike, I totally agree with you, 35mm projectors just kept going, 70 or 80 years in some cases. Yes dust is a nightmare for digital projectors. None of the circuits have any money these days for major maintenenace to the projectors, and I'm sure more cinemas will close this year, which is really sad. But the interesting thing is, does the public ever complain. No, they accept the image as they don't know any different. I was very pro digital in the early days, as the picture was so good. In a perfect world, I would love to do a side by side screen quality comparison with a 70mm (filmed in 65mm) print and a digital print from a well used Digital projector. This will only get worse. Thank you again for your excellent comments. All the best.

[@MichaelBeeny]

@@fp30e A few last thoughts Fred (I promise!) Odeon and ABC did make some dreadful twining's and triples in the past. One of my favorite cinemas as a teenager was the ABC Victoria in Cambridge. A great 70mm show. I watched Ryans Daughter, three days in a row. I just loved the big screen and sound. Poor focus around the edges but otherwise perfect. Some 3 weeks later I thought just one more time. To my horror it was in ABC2. Not been in that hall before. Probably around 60 seats. Mono, of course, level floor, really hot and muggy, the smallest screen I have ever seen. You could hear the projector running. Very poor sight lines, and an amazing flicker to the picture.
The experience was like chalk and cheese. 70mm down to mono. I tolerated this for about 20 minuets. I went to the counter and asked for my money back, Afterall it cost the same in both screens. They refused my money back. I NEVER returned to that cinema again.

[@BrynTyson]

Hi do you have anymore videos from cinemas in the cumbria area like barrow, ulverston or even lancaster? I have too watched many of your videos and work at the roxy cinema in ulverston would love to see old footage of cinemas i remember cheers

[@fp30e]

Hello Bryn, Thank you for watching the videos. Sadly I don't have any footage of the locations you mention. Thank you for your comment. All the best.

[@BrynTyson]

@fp30e no worries thanks anyway! I believe my boss knows of you from many years ago you've probably heard of him charles Morris

[@andrewclegg6541]

Was the fire arson ?

[@fp30e]

Hello Andrew. Lanclive reported that a14 year boy was arrested. I don't know any more details. Thank you for your comment. All the best