GALLERY- April 2004

Images from the recently published Cinema in a Cathedral City by David R. Williams, by kind permission of the author.

The book is a very extensive, thorough piece of research at 373 pages and is recommended for the collection of anyone interested in Cinema history.

This is a small sample of illustrations with the associated caption.

Further details about this book here.

The Regal's art deco organ console up on the pit lift

(Chapter 5: OK for sound, page 194)

Ecce Signum! The Essoldo neon sign on the tower of the former Miners' Hall in the circuit style of lettering - with the running 's'

(Chapter 7 - Riding for a Fall - the post-war Boom, page 306)

The (Essoldo) Projection Box showing one of the pair of projectors. The spool boxes are open - illegal with the arc running in the days of flammable nitrate film and the film is threaded through the gate. A Westar mechanism and soundhead with a Peerless Magnarc lamphouse. The base is a very old contraption.

(Chapter 7 - Riding for a Fall - the post-war Boom, page 306)

The Palladium auditorium from the rear circle, showing the 27' wide proscenium. The Academy ratio screen is set well back on the stage, with a pair of screen tabs.This must have been before CinemaScope was installed.The concealed lighting badly needs re-lamping.

(Chapter 7 - Riding for a Fall - the post-war Boom, page 289)

The (Palladium) Stalls in 1975, curtesy Durham County Record Office.

(Chaper 5: O.K. for sound, page 182)

The Majestic's... projection box.

(Chapter 7 - Riding for a Fall - the post-war Boom, page 300)