Leeds lost cinemas

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Sat 16 May, 2009 9:48 pm

chameleon wrote: Well I never new this -'The Odeon cinema chains are named after their British founder Oscar Deutsch, and the acronym stands for Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation.' Untrue - this is an urban myth (like the story about 'posh' standing for Port outward starboard home.)'Odeon' is an ancient Greek word for a small, roofed, theatre and so predates Oscar Deutsch by about 3,000 years!

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 16 May, 2009 10:43 pm

drapesy wrote: chameleon wrote: Well I never new this -'The Odeon cinema chains are named after their British founder Oscar Deutsch, and the acronym stands for Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation.' Untrue - this is an urban myth (like the story about 'posh' standing for Port outward starboard home.)'Odeon' is an ancient Greek word for a small, roofed, theatre and so predates Oscar Deutsch by about 3,000 years! Both sound plausible Drapesy though I have a feeling my half-crown should be on you. Lifted this from the weekly '10 things' column on the BBC News website.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sun 17 May, 2009 1:18 am

'Arry 'Awk wrote: BLAKEY wrote: Just in passing, I THINK that the Ecko brand name was derived from the name of the manufacturer - E.C.Kole. Other wonderful names from the past :-KB - Kolster Brandes.Murphy.Ferguson ("Fine sets these Fergusons")Cossor.PyePhilips and many many more. Nearly right,Blakey! Ekco is derived from EK Cole Ltd whosefactory was in Essex (I think).They made light bulbs too.and you missed out ULTRA from the old radios list. We had onefrom 1934 right thru the war (The '39-45 war,before you ask!).I can still remember radio Luxemburg 'Fading out' right at the crucial moment of summat interesting! Funny thing,it NEVERfaded during the adverts! Happy days! You're right 'arry - Ekco were in Essex (Southend I'm pretty sure) and did also make other electrical goods.Our big valve radio was a LIZZEN. Dad was always embarrassed to discuss its acquisition - evidently he'd got it on hire purchase from Wigfalls in Lower Briggate at 3/6d a week. It seems that when he went to pay the first instalment he was hurriedly told "Forget about it, and don't try to pay any more." So what mystery laid behind the set (in 1939) we shall never know Mind you, looking back, it was rather strange that every time we switched it on, after it had finished wheezing, humming and spluttering, it did used to say "LISTEN CAREFULLY - I SHALL PLAY THIS PROGRAMME ONLY VUNCE !!"

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sun 17 May, 2009 10:23 am

drapesy wrote: chameleon wrote: Well I never new this -'The Odeon cinema chains are named after their British founder Oscar Deutsch, and the acronym stands for Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation.' Untrue - this is an urban myth (like the story about 'posh' standing for Port outward starboard home.)'Odeon' is an ancient Greek word for a small, roofed, theatre and so predates Oscar Deutsch by about 3,000 years! I must admit I knew the acronym but didn't think that it was true. The first cinemas which were a fairground attraction in the US were called "Nickelodeons" and presumably the word "Odeon" came from this source.

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Sun 17 May, 2009 1:04 pm

drapesy wrote: Bert wrote: Anybody remember the Parkfield Picture Palace at the junction of Jack Lane and Parkfield Street in Hunslet? It closed down back in the 1940s but the building survived at least until the 1960s as a factory. Not sure if it's survived all the latest re-development in the area. I was too young when I lived in Parkfield Street to remember it now, though I'm told I was taken there as a kid, and an older brother recalls watching World War 2 newsreels there; Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars; an early terror series called 'the claymen', and Deadwood Dick . The front seats, he says, were backless benches at three old pence for kids, and the back seats proper upholsted ones at five pence. You're uncertainty about the fate of the Parkfield can be resolved by looking at page 6, half way down, of this very thread, Bert!!! (Nothing has changed since I posted the photo almost 2 years ago,incidentally) What an amazing survival. Many thanks Drapesy. Sorry I didn't spot your earlier post.

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Sun 17 May, 2009 5:36 pm

BLAKEY wrote: 'Arry 'Awk wrote: BLAKEY wrote: Just in passing, I THINK that the Ecko brand name was derived from the name of the manufacturer - E.C.Kole. Other wonderful names from the past :-KB - Kolster Brandes.Murphy.Ferguson ("Fine sets these Fergusons")Cossor.PyePhilips and many many more. Nearly right,Blakey! Ekco is derived from EK Cole Ltd whosefactory was in Essex (I think).They made light bulbs too.and you missed out ULTRA from the old radios list. We had onefrom 1934 right thru the war (The '39-45 war,before you ask!).I can still remember radio Luxemburg 'Fading out' right at the crucial moment of summat interesting! Funny thing,it NEVERfaded during the adverts! Happy days! You're right 'arry - Ekco were in Essex (Southend I'm pretty sure) and did also make other electrical goods.Our big valve radio was a LIZZEN. Dad was always embarrassed to discuss its acquisition - evidently he'd got it on hire purchase from Wigfalls in Lower Briggate at 3/6d a week. It seems that when he went to pay the first instalment he was hurriedly told "Forget about it, and don't try to pay any more." So what mystery laid behind the set (in 1939) we shall never know Mind you, looking back, it was rather strange that every time we switched it on, after it had finished wheezing, humming and spluttering, it did used to say "LISTEN CAREFULLY - I SHALL PLAY THIS PROGRAMME ONLY VUNCE !!" L O L ! I bet it was a job lot acquired from some German exporterand when the war broke out, Wigfalls were embarrassed havingsold enemy goods and denied all knowledge of the Nazi'rundfunksender' radios! Sounds like the ITMA character called 'Funf' ("Dis ist Funf Schpeekink!" Perhaps it's only me canremember ?I got my first 2-wheeler bike from Wigfall's Lower Briggate.It was a 'Wigfall's Royal' and cost Mum an arm and a legif I remember. I have mentioned this fact on a previous postabout Watson Cairns.well over a year ago! Wigfall's was onthe other side of the road to W.Cairns and much cheaper! Iwas 12 at the time (1942) and my feet didn't reach the groundwith my short legs! The saddle was about 18 inches tallerthan the situpand beg handlebars and that was in it's lowestposition! Stopping and getting off was AGONY, dropping downonto the crossbar! Help! ,Sharks!(in a falsetto voice!) LOL!or not! Memories,what?

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sun 17 May, 2009 6:26 pm

Blimey 'Arry - I am astonished and happy at the similar memories that we have 1) I'm sure you're right in your "Nazi" theory - there can be no other reason why Wigfalls would stand the full cost of the set, and possibly their "conscience" policy was introduced just after Dad had signed up for the set.2) Believe me I remember ITMA as if it were yesterday - it was great. I think I'm right in naming some of the other fabulous weekly characters besides "fluff" Miss Hotchkiss , his terrifyng secretary. Down Upsy with the yapping little dog. Colonel Chinstrap "A double brandy ?? - I don't mind if I do Sir." My name is SERGE SUIT - I'm Russian. Mona Lott - "Its being so cheerful as keeps my going Sir." Mrs. Mopp - "Can I do yer now Sir ??." 3) MY first bike was ............a black Wigfalls Royal, yes same sit up and beg handlebars, roller lever brakes, Dunlop Westwood rims, and no gears until a later birthday present had it "Sturmey Archered" and "Miller dynamoed." Poor Dad - another HP agreement - I remember collecting it after meeting him from work and taking it home to Ilkley in the train Guard's Van - Oh the lovely leather smell of that real leather "Brooks" saddle. That would be 1948 and I was twelve. What happy happy days.

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Mon 18 May, 2009 5:04 pm

BLAKEY wrote: Blimey 'Arry - I am astonished and happy at the similar memories that we have 1) I'm sure you're right in your "Nazi" theory - there can be no other reason why Wigfalls would stand the full cost of the set, and possibly their "conscience" policy was introduced just after Dad had signed up for the set.2) Believe me I remember ITMA as if it were yesterday - it was great. I think I'm right in naming some of the other fabulous weekly characters besides "fluff" Miss Hotchkiss , his terrifyng secretary. Down Upsy with the yapping little dog. Colonel Chinstrap "A double brandy ?? - I don't mind if I do Sir." My name is SERGE SUIT - I'm Russian. Mona Lott - "Its being so cheerful as keeps my going Sir." Mrs. Mopp - "Can I do yer now Sir ??." 3) MY first bike was ............a black Wigfalls Royal, yes same sit up and beg handlebars, roller lever brakes, Dunlop Westwood rims, and no gears until a later birthday present had it "Sturmey Archered" and "Miller dynamoed." Poor Dad - another HP agreement - I remember collecting it after meeting him from work and taking it home to Ilkley in the train Guard's Van - Oh the lovely leather smell of that real leather "Brooks" saddle. That would be 1948 and I was twelve. What happy happy days. The things we natter about eh,Blakey? I'm sure the saddle on myvelocipede was a Lycett's. Probably leather and it was wide enough for a horse saddle! Frame, the usual black but it hadred and gold livery stripes. It lasted till I joined up in '47,and, coming home on leave once,I enquired of it's whereaboutsand Mum said ' Oh, your dad sold it to a mate at work for a POUND!!! Short of beer money,no doubt! I don't think mum wastoo happy as the bike cost her £7.10s. in '42 and she paid it offabout 2 bob a week! (Provident Club-check!).I had a Miller dynamo too. Caused quite a drag on your top speedafter lighting up time!God knows what all this has to do with 'Lost Cinemas' butgood to reminisce,eh? Many thanks for the ITMA characters!Forgotten one or two!

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Fri 29 May, 2009 6:56 pm

'Arry 'Awk wrote: BLAKEY wrote: Blimey 'Arry - I am astonished and happy at the similar memories that we have 1) I'm sure you're right in your "Nazi" theory - there can be no other reason why Wigfalls would stand the full cost of the set, and possibly their "conscience" policy was introduced just after Dad had signed up for the set.2) Believe me I remember ITMA as if it were yesterday - it was great. I think I'm right in naming some of the other fabulous weekly characters besides "fluff" Miss Hotchkiss , his terrifyng secretary. Down Upsy with the yapping little dog. Colonel Chinstrap "A double brandy ?? - I don't mind if I do Sir." My name is SERGE SUIT - I'm Russian. Mona Lott - "Its being so cheerful as keeps my going Sir." Mrs. Mopp - "Can I do yer now Sir ??." 3) MY first bike was ............a black Wigfalls Royal, yes same sit up and beg handlebars, roller lever brakes, Dunlop Westwood rims, and no gears until a later birthday present had it "Sturmey Archered" and "Miller dynamoed." Poor Dad - another HP agreement - I remember collecting it after meeting him from work and taking it home to Ilkley in the train Guard's Van - Oh the lovely leather smell of that real leather "Brooks" saddle. That would be 1948 and I was twelve. What happy happy days. The things we natter about eh,Blakey? I'm sure the saddle on myvelocipede was a Lycett's. Probably leather and it was wide enough for a horse saddle! Frame, the usual black but it hadred and gold livery stripes. It lasted till I joined up in '47,and, coming home on leave once,I enquired of it's whereaboutsand Mum said ' Oh, your dad sold it to a mate at work for a POUND!!! Short of beer money,no doubt! I don't think mum wastoo happy as the bike cost her £7.10s. in '42 and she paid it offabout 2 bob a week! (Provident Club-check!).I had a Miller dynamo too. Caused quite a drag on your top speedafter lighting up time!God knows what all this has to do with 'Lost Cinemas' butgood to reminisce,eh? Many thanks for the ITMA characters!Forgotten one or two!29th May already!reading thru the Itma bit, I've remembered two morecharacters! 'Poppy Poopah' and 'Signore SOSO'!OH and wasn't there a 'Sam Scram' (American gangster type?)'Shall I fill'lem full o'lead,boss?'I always think of Pikey,nowadays, with his Home Guard Tommy Gun Don't do that,Pike,Stupid boy!Wasn't there a diver too? 'Don't forget the diver sir'sounds of bubbling then-'I'm going down now,sir!'That's it!Cheers

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sat 30 May, 2009 12:13 am

Spot on with those extra ITMA characters 'arry - and there's no better gang of characters these days than Captain Mainwaring and his outfit - just wonderful - ay up ,better get back to the pictures, that pesky usherette's here again with that bloomin' torch