This is topic The Regal Cranleigh (UK) closes. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-15-2002, 10:17 AM:
Last night at 22.47 hours Cinemation on line 21 shutdown the show forever when the tabs finished closing! on "Gosford Park"
Following is an abridged version of the media release.
After the last showing of the film Gosford Park last night the screen curtains closed for the very last time ending 65 years of the Regal Cinema in Cranleigh.
Cranleigh has a long history of pictures for a village, the first cinema was the Central which played silent pictures from about 1912. Talking pictures lasted for only 5 years until closure in 1935 due to noise problems with the tin roof when it rained, and the steam trains. The Regal opened in October 1936 seating 466 seats with a small stage and two sets of curtains.
Some of the projection equipment will be put into use at the Plaza in Oxted. The screen curtains (tabs), 4 RCA 9031 soundheads, Cinemation, 2 Premier slide & effects lanterns have been donated to The Projected Picture Trust at Bletchley Park.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-15-2002, 11:39 AM:
It is always sad to see another theatre close but I hope you enjoy the time that you now have free.
PS when will we get some pictures of the theatre and the auditorium here at filmtech
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 03-15-2002, 02:54 PM:
Bernard, sorry to hear that you have closed. It's always sad, but life and time moves on.I moved back to my home town last year, and every time I walk into the town centre I pass the cinema where it all began for me. It's been closed for about two years, and the frontage is now boarded up and covered in grafiti., which is very sad end to a very old and conce grand cinema. (Believed to the oldest purpose built Cinematograph in Scotland). I spent may happy hours there, both as a child, and later in life as a projecionist. Inside are two GK21's, two GK19's and a Model 'A' Westar, which seem to have been left to rot with the rest of the place, take some joy in that thought that your theatre lives on, or at least some of it's equipment does.
Also you'll have more time to relax, travel and post here.
Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 03-15-2002, 08:18 PM:
Bernard, Sorry to hear of your place closing, i suppose it's a reflection of the way the industry is going. It's very sad that in the UK we have had one of the strongest years for some time, and yet 'proper' cinemas like yours are being closed.Like Pete, on my way to work i pass the cinema where it started for me, its now a part-timer with bingo its prime money maker. It now runs films on a Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. How long before it just runs on a Sunday? or gives up altogether?
Good luck with whatever comes your way, and keep posting, there are not so many Film-techers on this side of the big pond they call Atlantic 
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-16-2002, 05:42 AM:
It's always sad when another independent closes. The multiplexes might have state-of-the-art gear and computer designed sightlines, but a massive aircraft hanger out on some ring road industrial estate is not the same as a cinema which tries to be a real part of its community.Pete - is the cinema you're talking about the Picture House in Campbeltown? I had a stroll round Campbeltown a couple of years ago while staying with relatives near Lochranza: the cinema was closed at the time, but there was a sign in the window stating that it claimed to be the oldest purpose-built cinema not only in Scotland, but the whole of the UK. The Duke of York's in Brighton (now part of the City Screen empire) also makes that claim, too...
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 03-16-2002, 06:02 AM:
Leo, no it's the former Robins in East Port, Dunfermline, formerly the Caledonian Associated Cinemas Orient Express (after tripling), formerly the CAC Regal (single), and anything before that is well before my time! It was built as a cinema before WW1, I can't remember the exact date offhand. Next time I'm in the libray I'll look it up. There's a great cinema section in the local history department. The East Port cinema is the last remaining one in Dunfermline, it's a real headache for the council it being closed, as they can't grant change of use due to the buildings listed status. Various companies have wanted to turn in into all kinds of things, mainly pubs and clubs, but there's the listing issue, plus we already have ample drinking establishments, and the local police would not give support to a drinks licence, on the grounds that they already have more than enough to do of a Saturday night! So for now the building stands boarded up. At least it hasn't been broken into or set on fire. Yet. That fate befell the High Street Regal (Another former CAC), in the '70's. Littlewoods wanted the site, but couldn't get planning permission as there was an unsed, but listed cinema there. The Regal was a real old school '30's palace of a place, marble stairs, chandeliers, restaurant etc. Mysteriously one night it caught fire and was razed to the ground. Took most of Fife Fire Brigade several days to bring it under control, and could be seen for miles. The fire also destroyed several surrounding buildings. So Littlewoods got their site, and several surround one too. I'm not saying that the fire was deliberately started, but it's rather convenient.... A bit like the former CAC in Paisley that went the same way.The Campbelltown Picture house seems to have an on/off relationship with being open! It's one of the few indies up here that I don't look after.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-16-2002, 06:45 AM:
Gordon, I certainly will be sending some pictures in once I have left the empty shell in just over a weeks time. But for now is a picture of the old Central cinema which was only demolished just over two years ago, you will notice the projection portholes never to see film through them again 67 years ago. And a picture of the Regal.BTW we managed to keep the closing a secret with only the staff knowing. Posters as normal everywhere and a full reel of Trailers. Our copy of "Gosford Park" is now showing at the Odeon in Canterbury.
Andy and Pete, thank you. Film-Tech will help me to keep in touch with an industry that has given me 50 rewarding years. Brad might even put a new picture of me on the left. 
Leo, BTW The Plaza in Oxted was taken over by Mainline Pictures.
Posted by Sandie Caffelle (Member # 1168) on 03-18-2002, 10:52 AM:
BernardAnother day, another death .....
I'll (sadly) close the Regal's file
Take care
Sandie
Jack Roe (CS) Ltd
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-19-2002, 07:39 AM:
Hi Sandie,Hang onto that Regal file for a bit, the cheque (completion) wont be cleared until 1600 hrs. If that fails, we re-open Friday week.
I WISH ! Not really, it is time to go weve seen the best of it and, with renters terms & practices, its just getting impossible for an independent operator to carry on.
When the Rex Haslemere closed, there were complications & two weeks later the cinema re-opened (I was also offered a lease). It lasted for another year! The Rex would have still been here today had it been turned into 3-4 screens.
Sandie, I thought that youd like to know that I have donated the category boards, lettering and boxes etc. from Jack Roe to the National Museum of Cinema Technology, the Projected Picture Trusts new cinema and museum at Bletchley Park.
I am aware that I went a bit over the top on the Topic heading, but it was a reflection of how I felt at the time I closed the cinema, completely gutted.
Posted by Sandie Caffelle (Member # 1168) on 03-19-2002, 08:19 AM:
BernardI know what it is like to be in a cinema that is breathing its last few breaths. I visited the Drake (Odeon) in Plymouth the week it shut. The chief (Rob Wilson) had helped install the kit (in the 70's I think) and was there to take it all out. Horrible.
I'm glad that the PPT is going to get some of your stuff though. I must get down to Bletchley Park sometime. Maybe I might just arrange something with Stephen when I see him at Amsterdam EXPO.
Until next time ......
Sandie
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-19-2002, 08:31 AM:
On the subject of Odeons, another one seems to be at risk. My parents live in Wimbledon, South London, and the last time I was there (just after Christmas), I noticed a planning application sign on the first cinema I can ever remember going to as a child - the Odeon on Wimbledon Broadway. They want to knock it down. I thought it was a Grade II listed building but obviously not. Apparently Odeon are building a 10-plex further up the Broadway just opposite the station (on top of a massive Safeways supermarket - how quaint and atmospheric! 
). I won't shed any tears for the presentation there (not so much film done wrong - film done to death, more like), but surely there has to be more to cinema than huge breeze block and corrugated aluminium boxes with hundreds of identical auditoria?I guess the new Warner out at Marsh Barton was what finished off the Odeon in Plymouth. I hope the Arts Centre is still going - it was a small auditorium, but the presentation was great and it showed some wonderful films.
Posted by Sandie Caffelle (Member # 1168) on 03-19-2002, 08:52 AM:
LeoYou're right about the Warners in Plymouth, I think it was the final nail in the coffin for the Drake. To be fair, the Drake had no parking and was difficult to get to on foot. It was a beautiful cinema though, with all the original fittings.
However, the Plymouth ABC was always fighting with the Drake anyhow. They were almost back to back.
We sent out some stuff to the Plymouth Arts Centre just before Christmas, so I guess they're still going - I've not had any news to the contrary.
Sandie
Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 03-19-2002, 04:12 PM:
I am too too sorry to hear the the sad news of the closure of the Regal.
I had the pleasure a month ago to meet Bernard at this superb cinema and what a true Showman!.Sandie- The Plymouth Arts Centre is still doing well when I visted them two months ago and the ABC is still open, The former Drake/Odeon is still boarded up.
The Drake was opened by 20th Century Fox about (1957?) and had almost a 82' Todd-AO wide curve screen with the famous Philips DP70's, the projectors were still there (in parts)untill the mid 1990's when they taken away for parts to the NFT/BFI in London,
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-19-2002, 05:32 PM:
Which model of cinemation is that
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-20-2002, 05:11 AM:
Glad to hear the Arts Centre is still in good shape. As it's single-screen and only has about 70 seats it must be quite hard for it to stay afloat, especially as the Film Council spending round this year appears to be squeezing regional arthouse exhibition pretty hard.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-26-2002, 07:17 PM:
Thank you Ben, I look forward to seeing you again soon in London or Southampton (my weekly haunt).
.Gordon,
It is my own version of Cinemation (at the time I named it Autocinemation). On and off it took me 3 months to build, and was fully approved by Bernard Bentley who kindly supplied the matrix board. It is now at Bletchley Park, and there is dialogue going on that it might be installed in the Enigma Cinema, The Projected Picture Trusts new cinema. Hopefully the curtains from the Regal will also be ready for the opening in April.
Two members from The Projected Picture Trust dismantled all of the equipment on Thursday afternoon until late evening!
Look out for a picture of the empty projection room tomorrow!
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-26-2002, 07:23 PM:
How did it differ from the standard Cinemations?
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-26-2002, 08:06 PM:
Sorry Gordon, but I just have no idea how it compares with the real Cinemation units. I did manage to use up all of the 30 function lines across, and when we were on 6,000 reels many years ago it did do the one or two changeovers. Cam timers for intervals were not included.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-26-2002, 08:20 PM:
Looks like a interesting unit
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-27-2002, 06:53 AM:
The 30 functions across the matrix board are as follows.01 08. - Projectors 1 & 2 Xenon, Motor, Stop, Changeover.
09 10. - Main houselights.
11 - 12. - 2nd houselights for stage surround grilles & concealed lighting.
13 14. - Stage curtains.
15. - Non-sync start.
16. - 2nd houselights half check mode.
17 18 19.- Masking 1.66 1.85 2.39.
20 - 21.- Footlights.
22 23. - Premier effects lantern. (Brenograph at Bletchley Park).
24 - 25.- Standard slide lantern.
26 27 28.- Sound, non-sync, film, mute.
29. - Bell warning.
30. - Auto-reset.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-27-2002, 07:54 AM:
Looks like that is a well planned out unit
what type of dimmers did it control?
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 03-27-2002, 10:07 AM:
As part of this years grand touring holiday of the south of England (my grandmother lived in Corsham, haven't been down since she died, and the other 'alf has never been down there in 'er puff), myself, 'er indoors, two border collies and our Range Rover intend to have a keek at Bletchley Park, well I do at any rate, and as I'm the only driver the rest of them will just have to go where they are taken! Also on my list to see (since I haven't seen in years) is Bovington Camp tank museum, Yeovil Fleet Air Arm musem and a quick stop at Jodrell Bank on the road home. Wouldn't mind a gander at the Broadway, Nottingham and the Plaza, Stockport, as we're passing, so to speak. Looks like I've just filled my weeks holiday! I suppose I'd better ask 'er indoors where she wants to go! Might see you at Bletchley then Bernard?!
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-27-2002, 04:35 PM:
If you can make the Broadway between 3-8 April the 5th British Silent Film Festival is on. A week of archive film screenings (all at correct speed and ratio) with live piano, plus lectures and papers. Sadly, I can only make it to the Monday but it promises to be a great event.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-27-2002, 06:22 PM:
A mixture of automatic dimmers whatever I could get hold of mostly 2nd hand at the time.Main houselights a, Rank Strand 5Kw.
2nd houselights a, Electrosonic 2Kw.
Footlights a, Mercury 1Kw.
Premier effects lantern, a Mercury 5Kw (new).
Pete, well that would be great if I did see you in Bletchley Park. I shall be wearing a black armband with Regal on it. If your ears were burning last Sunday, it could have been because your name echoed out in the completely empty projection room. Ray Dunns from the Cameo in Edinburgh popped in to see me, and what a shock he had. You may need to give Ray some counselling! please let me know how he is.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-27-2002, 08:49 PM:
If you have the schematics for the Stand Up down preset dimmer and the electrosonic one I would appreciate a copy of them
Lots of them made it across the pond but the documentation didn't
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 03-27-2002, 09:54 PM:
I really liked those Cinemations units; Bernard, yours seems like a Cinemation on steroids ...! The one I used only had 15 functions. Like any good projectionist, I wanted more, so I modified some functions to "toggle" (example- the footlights: step to that function, light go down; step to same function later, lights go up.)But 30 functions! I'm green with envy! Although, I didn't have 30 things I could contol... unless I really did hook up a coffee maker!
I always though the Cinemations had a "telephone-equipment" look to them. Did Bernard Bentley ever work with telephone switching equipment?
I hope they install your Autocinemation at Enigma Cinema. They should put in a big port window so people can watch it work.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-28-2002, 06:35 PM:
Gordon,Sorry unable to help you, there was nothing with the 2nd hand dimmers, and the new one only had wiring instructions.
John,
As far as I know telephone type uni-selectors were always used. I will ask BB when I make contact again. Info-lite have 50 x 50 matrix boards. www.info-lite.com
Give me electrical-mechanical anyday, but I must go and have a look at the new computer based Cinemation 2005.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-29-2002, 12:01 PM:
Are those pins compatable with the Cinemation ones?
Those green pins are getting hard to get overhere
PS enjoy your first easter off
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 03-29-2002, 01:37 PM:
My my, he gets around that Mr Dunns! Ray joined the team there soem time after my departure, but I met him when I went there on service one day. Instantly likeable chap, who's fallen heir the odious task of maintaining the Cameo building, some of which (mainly the drains!)goes back to 1860'ish and is in constant need of fettling.Leo, I'm not due south of the border until week 2 of June. I'd love to go see the Broadway as my colleagues spent many hours installing it. Unfortunately (??) I'll be in Madrid in early April installing a 3D system. Gordon, thank you again for your advice on that subject.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 03-29-2002, 02:45 PM:
Gordon, From the rough measurements I made Cinemation diode pins are not compactable with Info-Lite. I will put a posting out soon on Film Handlers Forum as I do know of a source in France that stock Cinemation matrix boards. You will be able to buy diode pins by the bucket full in several body colours beside green. I of course buy the diodes local from RS, the 1N4000 series. Pity that RS stopped stocking the diode pins several years ago, and they were as much as £1.25 each then.Thanks, I will enjoy my first Easter off for years.
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 04-08-2002, 09:22 AM:
Yesterday was the farewell Regal lunch with all the staff. And a good time was had by all. 
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 04-08-2002, 10:05 AM:
It's good that you and your staff had the chance for a good send off Bernard.Oddly enough......
Having got back from Spain late on Sunday, I'm taking a couple of days off to sleep! Of course I con't in daylight so I took a walk into town today, as usual walked past my old cinema, and stood outside staring at it looking melancholy was a guy who worked there at the same time as I did. Like me he'd moved away from the town and now has come back. He didn't know it had closed and had gotten quite a shock. We wound up nipping into the establishment across the road and having 'lunch' and talking about the times when we worked there.
I read a newspaper article on the plane that made my blood boil. It was basically saying that cinemas are bad for you because you have to sit still for so long, and with longer films it's worse. It then went on to say that old cinemas were the worst as they have the smallest leg room and seat width. A 'top ten' most uncomfortable list was included, but whoever wrote that obviously hadn't sat in the same seats I have in the cinemas mentioned! According to this two page dribble, all old cinemas will give you DVT and therefore you should only visit new multiplexes. 'Real' cinemas have a hard enough time without ill researched rubbish like that going to press. Our local multiplex has the most uncomfortable seats I have ever experienced in a modern building! I'm 5'10" and struggle for leg room in that place, imagine how my poor girlfirned suffers there as she stands at a lofty 6'2"! She always has to take an aisle seat so her legs can stick out and not have to be amputated after the show. Not to mention the 'numb bum' feeling you get after 90 minutes or so.
Sorry rant over. It just wound me up at the time and is kind of relevant to this topic.
Bernard I will probablo pop into the Cameo tomorrow, I'll let you know if Ray has survived ! Poor lad he's quite sensitive, especially about cinema closures.
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-09-2002, 02:18 AM:
The problem, IMHO, happened when a lot of 'old' single-screens were twinned, tripled or even worse, and the gap between each row of seats was reduced from the original architect's spec in order to maximise the capacity (and thus income).Being 6'3", my solution is to sit in the front row. I'm quite lucky in that my local cinema (and former workplace) has reasonably good sightlines from the front in all three screens, and for watching older films in 1.33 that's probably the best place to be.
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 04-09-2002, 03:56 AM:
I dunno about that Leo, my first cinema when tripled actually got far more leg room and bum width than it had previously. The Cameo in Edinburgh once sat 600+, now seats 253, and the seating area of the auditoreum has not changed. In fact the seating in there does not tip, you can walk across a row full of people without them having to get up for you. I'll grant you that's unusual for any cinema, but it is nice!
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-09-2002, 04:36 AM:
The Cameo clearly has an enlightened view of its customers (like many art/rep houses). All I can say is, try the Odeon Exeter - I did once, because my girlfriend at the time was demanding to see Shitanic and thank goodness, we (their main opposition cinema) weren't showing it. The gap between rows was so tiny my knees were virtually jammed into the back of the person in front! The same thing happened when they converted the Odeon Wimbledon from 3 screens to 5. I've come across several others like this, too.
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 04-09-2002, 12:47 PM:
Very true Leo. That place does remember who's paying the wages. The Dominion in Edinburgh also takes that same attitude. I will bow down and say that they don't have the worlds best seating, sound or picture, but they make up for that in customer service. How many places do you find these days where they owner shakes you hand as you leave and thanks you for coming to see the show in his cinema?Not so my local building, that sells sweets, ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs and apparently shows films too, sorry multiplex, where I raised a complaint about a show I'd seen of Harry Potter that was really unbelievably bad. They looked at me like I'd come down with ET and asked me what I thought I knew about film exhibition !!!!
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-09-2002, 03:30 PM:
Yes, I do remember that about the Dominion. I saw Wilde there at the '97 (I think) Edinburgh Film Festival, and the manager was in the foyer in full evening dress (i.e. dinner jacket, the works) to greet people as they came in. Sadly, it's very rare to get showmanship like that nowadays.