tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post2841989635825100910..comments2023-11-05T09:26:06.044+00:00Comments on Start The Revolution Without Me: From Southend to Disney: The story of a life in movies!Pileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-10613869050949251692011-06-14T11:41:51.247+01:002011-06-14T11:41:51.247+01:00Wonderful. Thank you for this amazing archive, whi...Wonderful. Thank you for this amazing archive, which I came across whilst researching for the colours of council house doors in Southend in the 50's!<br /><br />Hahaa don't ask:)<br /><br />I spent my formative years in Southend. Wont say 'grew up' because I'm still learning that life-science. lol<br /><br />Oh…the memories….sitting in the back seat of the Odeon smoking our first cigarettes aged 13. And when the Teddy boys tore up the cinema after the release of Rock around the Clock. They used to have bands come to play on Saturday mornings before the A and B films were shown. <br /><br />Thank you again. I shall be back. <br />Cherri GilhamChezzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634179985243122379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-89431605159723999292011-06-14T11:40:45.827+01:002011-06-14T11:40:45.827+01:00Wonderful. Thank you for this amazing archive, whi...Wonderful. Thank you for this amazing archive, which I came across whilst researching for the colours of council house doors in Southend in the 50's!<br /><br />Hahaa don't ask:)<br /><br />I spent my formative years in Southend. Wont say 'grew up' because I'm still learning that life-science. lol<br /><br />Oh…the memories….sitting in the back seat of the Odeon smoking our first cigarettes aged 13. And when the Teddy boys tore up the cinema after the release of Rock around the Clock. They used to have bands come to play on Saturday mornings before the A and B films were shown. <br /><br />Thank you again. I shall be back. <br />Cherri GilhamChezzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634179985243122379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-63930792057665413952011-04-18T21:13:57.127+01:002011-04-18T21:13:57.127+01:00Great memories Richard, thank you SO much for shar...Great memories Richard, thank you SO much for sharing them - it makes it all worthwhile when I hear feedback such as yours.<br /><br />I lived in Hadleigh in the early 80's, but have no memory of the Kinsway. I know where it was, and what it looked liked, but alas never saw it for myself.<br /><br />There are a few other posts on local cinemas on my blog - do please have a look through (think they are all listed in the index down the right hand side in the 'odds and sods' section!<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br /><br />PileyPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-1903457505249175972011-04-17T05:24:48.033+01:002011-04-17T05:24:48.033+01:00Thank you very much for your blog. It brought back...Thank you very much for your blog. It brought back great memories<br />I moved from East Ham to Thundersly Park Road in Benfleet in 1947- our only entertainment was the cinemas and I think nearly all those mentioned were in operation – our “local” was the Kingsway at Hadleigh and I always was intrigued that the Balcony wasn’t really a balcony because unlike other cinemas, there were no stalls beneath – the underneath being occupied by the ballroom and restaurant. <br />As I was only 4 years old when the family moved, I was a member of the ABC Minors – the Saturday morning show for children at the Kingsway – Gus was the “MC” and manager and had to keep the noisy crowed in check – the normal cinema house lights weren’t used – just ordinary “cleaners” light bulbs. After the show – 3d worth of chips and crackling from the local chip shop - yummy!<br />I also went to the Rayleigh Regal for a period in 1952, for “Saturday Morning Pictures” – Flash Gordon was the favourite during this period – and after the show – a doughnut from the bakery where the brown buses of the City Coach Company to Southern and London stopped.<br />Once my mum took me to the Mascot in Westcliffe to see a Marx’s Brothers film but it was so bad, we left early!<br />We once went to the Eldorado to see the 1950’s film - “Blue Lamp” twice in a few days – there was no television then!<br />I remember queuing to get into some performances and seeing many people standing at the back of the stalls – particularly at the Odeon Southend, which considering its seating capacity must have been amazing.<br />The first “naughty” film I saw was on a Sunday at the Essoldo, I was 14 at the time! – I remember being shocked by a naked female getting out of a bath – the film was black and white and in Danish – though language wasn’t a problem – nor were the sub titles!<br />My family moved back to Ilford in 1959 and I never went back to a cinema in the Southend area except around 1965 when I met a projectionist at the Century in Pitsea to discuss life assurance.<br />Thanks once again for bringing back the memories.<br />Richard Hayden<br />Brisbane <br />Queensland<br />AustraliaRichard Haydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590206959769795200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-88512027127386137592011-03-19T13:49:38.343+00:002011-03-19T13:49:38.343+00:00Used to go to the Regal in Rayleigh when I was a y...Used to go to the Regal in Rayleigh when I was a young kid. Saturday morining pictures, and saw 'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines' before it closed when I was 5. So sad when it shut down, and its former site remained derelict for so long...gba1968http://www.limehouselizzy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-80166131245507234602010-04-07T19:33:18.897+01:002010-04-07T19:33:18.897+01:00Sap - I faired a little better than you, I managed...Sap - I faired a little better than you, I managed to get from Benfleet to Leigh... I win by about 3 miles!<br /><br />Dan - top spot fella, thanks for this. Let's All Go To The Picture In Southend sounds like a must see doesn't it? I'm guessing the Southend branch of the L&H fanclub must be involved in the second event.<br /><br />Will get the word out about them both - nice work, not sure i'd have found out about this.<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-89468717082573514182010-04-06T18:07:32.850+01:002010-04-06T18:07:32.850+01:00BREAKING NEWS:
The Southend on Sea Film Festival ...BREAKING NEWS:<br /><br />The Southend on Sea Film Festival takes place in April/May and I've just seen these two gems advertised.<br /><br />Sunday 2nd May 8.15 pm @ The Palace Theatre<br />Entry £2<br />Let's All Go To The Picture In Southend<br />"Come and join us as we shamelessly wallow in nostalgia and take a look at Southend’s cinemas over the years. Settle back in your seat and enjoy an evening in the company of local cinema historians Chris Izod and David Simpson, together with their very special guest Ron Stewart. Known as “Uncle Ron” to thousands of children who went along to Saturday morning pictures at the Regal at Rayleigh and the Classic at Westcliff, this legendary cinema manager will look back over a lifetime spent working “at the pictures”. A real treat for anyone who’s ever enjoyed a night in the ‘one and nines’!"<br /><br />Monday 3rd May 12.30 pm @ The Park Inn Palace Hotel<br />Entry £2<br />The Ultimate Laurel & Hardy Picture Show <br />"We are thrilled to be associated with the Park Inn Palace Hotel, and that the hotel is extremely keen to acknowledge the part it has played in the cultural life of the town over the years. In August 1952, when Laurel and Hardy performed live at the Odeon cinema, they had suites in this hotel. Now, those suites have been transformed into function rooms. The Ultimate Laurel & Hardy Picture Show will illustrate their extensive careers, with special reference to their visit to Southend. The show will run approximately 90 minutes, and will culminate with a screening of the classic short Helpmates. "<br /><br />All the details are here: http://www.southendfilmfestival.com/<br /><br />I think it's hugely important to support the film festival and will be trying to sort my diary out to fit as much in as possible.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01773088730561800442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-52815211990835348102010-03-26T21:01:05.947+00:002010-03-26T21:01:05.947+00:00that was such a good story. it make's me fill ...that was such a good story. it make's me fill very lazy stephen went from the odeon southend all the way to disney i gone from benfleet to hadleigh how sadsapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-39794697096543269112010-03-23T21:09:49.220+00:002010-03-23T21:09:49.220+00:00Carl... you should worry, the Odeon has played hos...Carl... you should worry, the Odeon has played host to some downright iffy gigs in my past!!! I've Velvet Revolver, CSN and even Vick n Bob.... I saw Meatloaf there once which was actually bloody good (but don't tell anyone ok??!!)<br /><br />Thank you ISBW. You've beaten me, I can't even picture the place! you actually visited it!! I've said it before above, but why on earth were some of these places not 'listed' buildings?? (because the council didnt want them to be perhaps??!)<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-26900468939683797022010-03-23T17:14:35.880+00:002010-03-23T17:14:35.880+00:00I've been to the Regal in Rayleigh! One of my ...I've been to the Regal in Rayleigh! One of my big sisters lived in Chalkwell after she got married and I can remember being taken there when I was about eight - so not long before it finally closed its doors. Wish I could recall what the film was.<br /><br />That was another great post - and the majestic beauty of some of those buildings brings a tear to the eye. There's a sense of wonder in the whole thing that we'll never, never get back. Thank you for keeping the memories alive, though.Kolley Kibberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07055145770836351738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-85701780382774076102010-03-22T22:53:09.390+00:002010-03-22T22:53:09.390+00:00Ahhhh Heff Hammersmith Odeon now we are talking , ...Ahhhh Heff Hammersmith Odeon now we are talking , not films though. I saw so many bands there in my youth they could have charged me rent. BOC , Quo , Rainbow , Gillan , Ozzy , Robert Plant , Priest and Maiden (bit embaressing them two) ,REO Speedwagon , Metallica , the list goes on and on and on.......<br /><br />Carl.<br /><br />Carl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-71271838213553135332010-03-21T22:34:26.969+00:002010-03-21T22:34:26.969+00:00thanks Ist, and yes, you are spot on sir... I just...thanks Ist, and yes, you are spot on sir... I just don't know how some of these buildings have been allowed to be demolished... Look at that fabulous Art Deco cinema in Westcliff (Essoldo). Only demolished in the early 90's - surely that should have been a listed building?? <br /><br />But then I live in Southend, so it's all too believeable... this council doesn't have a clue.<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-20708578631807293982010-03-21T07:53:49.159+00:002010-03-21T07:53:49.159+00:00I really loved this post and enjoyed reading about...I really loved this post and enjoyed reading about Stephen's memories, what a fantastic contribution. <br />All of these picture houses that have burnt or closed down...it's a sin. I love the art deco architecture and there doesn't seem to be that many about nowadays. We get faceless Vue multiplexes instead.Istvanskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00300986800641512516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-31026786352400467572010-03-20T08:55:21.811+00:002010-03-20T08:55:21.811+00:00Really interesting article. Seeing the picture of ...Really interesting article. Seeing the picture of the cinema in Rayleigh brought back memories. I never visited it but I remember seeing kids queueing up for Saturday morning pictures whenever we went shopping in Rayleigh as a child.<br /><br />I also discovered that the premier of Help was shown on the day before I was born so it is highly likely my Mum was in labour at the time of the showing and was probably shouting "Help...I need somebody" along with Lennon.<br /><br />Great post and fab photos.marmiteboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06727386811098683743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-10570583674840400952010-03-18T21:24:25.330+00:002010-03-18T21:24:25.330+00:00Heff - Hmmm, yes don't think 'the maiden&#...Heff - Hmmm, yes don't think 'the maiden' or 'the sabbath' ever played the Southend Odeon!! But the Beatles and the Stones did in the 60s... you must give it a few points for that eh?!<br /><br />Thanks Cocktails, looking back at the e-mail conversations I had with Stephen over the last week or two, I do believe he does work at Burbank yes!!<br /><br />Great link, thanks Dan... Oh the good news is I received an e-mail from Stephen today and he said he had been very moved by the responses to this post... so much so that it has motivated him to work on a sequel!! So keep an eye out for that!<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed Martin, I really love stuff like this... This is real local history as far as i'm concerned. You are right, it sounds like it was a job to go into because you had a passion for it in those day... today it's just another choice between McDonalds or bar work. <br /><br />PH - two great links in one day! Many thanks for that. Will grab that in a minute.<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-83311814340348562962010-03-18T20:55:14.453+00:002010-03-18T20:55:14.453+00:00You might like this link too.
Its a thirty minute...You might like this link too.<br /><br />Its a thirty minute radio documentary on the history of cinema advertising. (mp3 format)<br /><br />Unfortunately Ere Bert..This is the place is not recalled!<br /><br />http://www.box.net/shared/14fx61gry4phsendnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-57259254286425744522010-03-18T20:31:30.245+00:002010-03-18T20:31:30.245+00:00What a great story. Can't help feeling that t...What a great story. Can't help feeling that there's very few cinema employees that show that level of commitment and enthusiasm for the job these days. Although I grew up in Grays, where we still had the State and The Ritz left to go to when I was a boy, I had the same feeling of being scared of the staff. Must be a common theme. Hats off to Stephen for sharing this. As a dedicated film man I'm sure he's planning the sequel already. There certainly seems to be a demand for it.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15938831260403899842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-28012189271199656142010-03-18T17:38:02.947+00:002010-03-18T17:38:02.947+00:00In a lovely bit of synchronicity, someone on Twitt...In a lovely bit of synchronicity, someone on Twitter posted a link to this 3-minute film about a cinema projectionist working in London. It's a lovely little short and just seemed to fit very nicely with your post.<br /><br />http://vimeo.com/8972758<br /><br />Oh, and I echo yours and cocktails desire to know a bit more about Mr Pickard and how he came to be where he is today.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01773088730561800442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-22009205536498404452010-03-18T00:19:01.717+00:002010-03-18T00:19:01.717+00:00Well, I would definitely like to know more about S...Well, I would definitely like to know more about Stephen's later career and how he came to be working for Disney. Does he work in THE Burbank studios?! Find out Piley!Cocktailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06091341579556869010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-15167777431297683772010-03-17T23:48:00.595+00:002010-03-17T23:48:00.595+00:00Such historical fodder !
Now for some reason, the...Such historical fodder !<br /><br />Now for some reason, the "Southend Odeon" just doesn't resonate as powerful to me as the term "Hammersmith Odeon" which is a name I'm somewhat familiar with thanks to both Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden.<br /><br />Happy St.Paddy's day, dude !Heffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396114362826135207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-8461774699304757742010-03-17T22:55:47.677+00:002010-03-17T22:55:47.677+00:00Carl - delighted you enjoyed the post, it's a ...Carl - delighted you enjoyed the post, it's a really great bit of local history isnt it??<br /><br />Cocktails - yes we've come a long way from Stephens days, and not for the better either. The weird thing is, sure every business is about making money, but I don't think it was the ONLY thing back then. They really wanted people to enjoy themselves and allow them to escape for a few hours. Today it's just about ripping you off and making as much money as quickly as possible. Must have been a wondeful time to be involved in the cinema world.<br /><br />PH - thanks for your comments. Will certainly post some of those film logs soon. They too are also a great piece of local history. Lets be honest, without Stephen capturing them at the time, that information would have been lost forever. They make interesting reading.<br /><br />Don't know about anyone else (and I'm SURE i'm just being greedy now), but I am more than a little interested in the post Southend years of Stephens career! Love to know what films he's been involved in and how he ended up going to LA and working for Disney!<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-89483265165190172242010-03-17T22:50:31.211+00:002010-03-17T22:50:31.211+00:00Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments....
D...Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments....<br /><br />Dan - Glad it hit the spot for you, I know exactly what you mean about the delight\sad vibe. I too yearn for so much of the 'old school' days. Sure I know its progress, but why is progress so often worse that it was originally??!<br /><br />Warble - amazing! You remember this Scotish woman too eh??! I wonder if she's up for an interview! I all but missed these glory days, but at least I did go to 'proper' cinemas as a kid, and have witnessed seeing a film in a big auditorium (AND with people who could behave themselves). Thats so true what you say about being scared on the staff!! I remember if someone did happen to mess about, all it took was a flas of the torsch and a stern look from a staff member and that was it!<br /><br />Cheers Mondo - I loved that Beatles snipet too. Amazing to think that a film as iconic as that was shown in southend before anywhere else in the world! <br /><br />Will be upping a selection of Stephens film log in the next week or so, it makes facinating reading.<br /><br />PCCP - thanks for popping by! Yes, the last two names for that cinema were 'The Classic' at the end 'The Cannon'. I saw loads of stuff there, and was a regular at their Friday Night (after the pubs had shut) Rocky Horror screenings!<br /><br />PPileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15540380685492699957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-34814340825768741942010-03-17T20:49:16.012+00:002010-03-17T20:49:16.012+00:00Wow -that was a fascinating read. I loved going t...Wow -that was a fascinating read. I loved going to the Odeon, ABC & Classic when I was around nine or ten.<br /><br /><br />Saw a great mix of movies too including Earthquake, The Towering Inferno, Jaws, Grizzly, and more bizarelly Man <br /><br />About The House, The Likely Lads and Steptoe & Son :)<br /><br />My first movie was Winnie the Pooh & the Blustery Day at the Ritz.<br /><br />I too saw Ben Hur on the big screen at the Classic - amazing movie but looking back on it now had a few dull patches in between the spectacle.<br /><br />I would love to see the film log too!phsendnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-18510509188020191902010-03-17T15:37:27.756+00:002010-03-17T15:37:27.756+00:00I'd like to echo Dan's post that this was ...I'd like to echo Dan's post that this was fascinating, yet saddening. The idea of cinema being not just as a money making exercise, but a whole 'experience' has disappeared from so many venues - especially the standard cinema chains where one person is expected to be responsible for 8 screens. I really admire and respect Mr Pickards dedication to his profession.Cocktailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06091341579556869010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47636629640428119.post-12409656355428593212010-03-17T13:48:45.198+00:002010-03-17T13:48:45.198+00:00Really enjoyed that. It's always fascinating t...Really enjoyed that. It's always fascinating to hear about the area you have lived in your whole life. I live in Eastwood and I remember the cinema in Hadleigh being pulled down as a small boy and i also went to a cinema in Rayliegh and at least 3 in Southend and one in Westcliffe. Now we have the choice of ONE in Southend and thats it !. It's nice to see some one get on in the film world who is motivated purely by his love of films. Nice one.<br /><br />Carl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com