Gaumont, Manchester, England
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The 70mm Newsletter
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Written
by: David Slack, Boston, UK |
Date:
24.05.2009 |
The
huge marquee with its red neon signs was made good use of during the
roadshow era
Further
to my contribution for "My First
70mm", I have received the attached photos of the Gaumont cinema in
Manchester, from a gentleman who had read my article and agreed to let
me send them to you. I have been searching for such photos for years.
Not only is the Gaumont featured in one of them, but the Oxford, next
door, is too; and its feature was "Ben Hur". "Can Can" in
Todd-AO was heavily advertised around the building, you can just see the
panels beneath the canopy covering the pavement. The Gaumont marquee was
used to great effect, especially after dark. A couple of photos pre-date
Todd-AO. The one shot of the interior gives a hint of the elaborate
decor in the auditorium, note the ceiling panels, it really was a
magnificent theatre.
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More
in 70mm reading:
Gaumont, Manchester, England
A
Visit to Manchester
"The Miracle of
Todd-AO"
"The
March of Todd-AO"
"South Pacific"
"Oklahoma!"
Todd-AO
My First 70mm
Internet link:
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Entrance
to the Long Bar, a popular bar and meeting place situated in the
basement of the Gaumont
Well,
after all my years of searching I cannot believe that someone actually
had these photos. To him, I am very grateful. Many times I sat in that
auditorium, climbed those stairs and enjoyed a drink in the Long Bar
which was located beneath the cinema and was quite extensive. The
portrait colour shot is taken from the main foyer and shows the mirror
hall on the balcony from where the entrances to the circle were located.
The colour landscape shot is of the mirror hall. Note the poster on the
side of the advance booking office advertising "The Alamo" - in
Todd-AO!
The name of the gentleman who sent me the Gaumont photos is Christopher
Porter. He send his best wishes to you and compliments your website!
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Even
more magical after dark with crowds heading for "Can-Can" or "Ben-Hur" next
door at The Oxford |
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An
advance booking office was installed in the main foyer, this time for "The
Alamo" in Todd-AO. The staircase led up to the Mirror Hall |
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The
plush stalls seats were raked to give everyone a god view |
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The
Mirror Hall gave access to the Circle and Loges |
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The
Mirror Hall gave access to the Circle and Loges |
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A
detail from some of the magnificent plasterwork seen throughout the
Gaumont |
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Updated
28-07-24 |
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