The Electric Cinema is 100 years old over the years its had Meany names and a few years back it become a blue film cinema and on reopening they have found loads of old 35mm films shot in and around brum and now its had a make over
any body got any pictures or know any history on the cinema
Jacey had TWO News Theatres in Birmingham and also the Cinephone Cinema in Bristol Street. I joined the News Theatre in High Street as a trainee projectionist in 1957 and closed this lovely cinema in Easter 1960. I also ran the show many times at the Tatler when short of staff- both houses used BTH SUPA machines (carbon arc in those days of course), sadly all the programme was bashed through at the Tatler without a break, whereas at the News Theatre was far superior in showmanship, tabs (curtain) at every end and beginning, sound faded in or out, and colours to match. We also had the distinction of intermission sound off classical records (78 double turntable) indeed the last performance was Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture. When I first went there, the secondary lighting was gaslit- my job was to check all the mantles before opening at 1015 (10.15am) and closing at 2230 (10.30pm) Monday to Saturday, a continuous performance. Not much rest on Sunday as the show had to be made up for the week, but at least we finished at 2115 (9.15pm) just enough time for the Chief to make the Red Lion next door before closing time.
The Tatler was probably a bit older than the News Theatre- the latter opened in 1932 and the frontage developed post war. The Tatler had an upstairs whereas the News did not. The Tatler may well claim to be the oldest working, but not with the oldest equipment as the BTH's went from there as they did from the News. I might also be inclined to dispute newsreels being generated from Station Street as such, indeed I consider it more likely to have been High Street. Jacey Offices were in Temple Row, and they had many News Theatre's up and down the Country.
Happy Days!
Colin J Brookes