An Interview with a Wartime Projectionist / Engineer for Gaumont Cinemas
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- I met Jack back in 2000 by chance on a street in London. It turned out that Jack started in Projection way back in 1936. He was a Chief Projectionist in 1940 in the West End for Gaumont British when he was 18. Jack told me about what it was like being a Projectionist during the War years, He went on to become a Cinema engineer. Jack's story is truly fascinating and is certainly a great Memory of Cinema.
Brilliant ,what a lovely man , with a fantastic story . Thanks Jack 👍
As an Australian one-time projectionist who began as an assistant at my local cinema when I was 15, I fully enjoyed hearing Jack's story. Here too the minimum age requirement was to be allowed in a bio-box was 17 years. Because my parents were very regular patrons, the manager bent this rule somewhat and allowed me to visit ‘but only for ten minutes’.
The movie screening at the time was RKO's Superscope epic, ‘Underwater’.
My knowledge of anamorphic lenses (gleaned solely from reading technical magazines) seemingly impressed the chief projectionist who took it upon himself to state “Feel free to pop in anytime“. Eventually, that ‘10-minute visit’ stretched to several decades during which time I ended up, not only a relief projectionist but the sole serviceman for a chain of 15 cinemas in Sydney.
For some of this time, I also performed a ‘day job’, that of television servicing. Little wonder that, even now, I regularly suffer from insomnia.
Hello HMV101. Thank you for your comment. I too was 15 when I started in projection. My Mother had to sign a statement that it was OK for me to work in the cinema when "X" films were shown. You had to be 16 to see an "X" film in those days. It's amazing when we look back over the years re: the various things we have done in the industry. All great memories. Take Care.
What an amazing gentleman - if nothing else, the stowic attitude of his recollection of the war years, so matter of fact. We need people like him today. Superb video & I'm also glad you recorded this interview for posterity!
Hello Mark, Thank you for your kind comments. Jack was amazing and an example to us all. Take care. All the best.
WoW ! Fantastic story and life. Thank goodness he was recorded .
Hello Andrew, Thank you for your comment. I had forgotten I had this footage. I discovered it whilst looking for another piece of footage. Jack was amazing. We were standing outside of the Bell Vue Cinema in Willesden. Take care. All the best.
Now, that's a real projectionist. He really seems to know his stuff. He talks about not only projecting but setting up cinemas and projectors. That's a lot of work and there is a lot of wiring that goes with it. What a great man.
Hello Paul, Thank you for your comment. I agree with you, Jack was very impressive. What a lovely talented man.
Could listen to this gentleman all day 😅
Hello William, Thank you for your comment. Me too. Jack talked naturally, fluently and with lots of passion. Take Care.