Leeds lost cinemas

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Mon 17 Sep, 2007 1:17 pm

mym wrote: A lot of cinemas were well before my time - but my mum (in her 60's) has told me of a lot around east Leeds...The Star(?) on York Road (further up from the Irish Centre, other side of the road, Shaftesbury (faintly remember that I think, didn't it close in the 70's?), Hillcrest, The Clock (on Roundhay Road), up at Crossgates (where the Mecca is now - don't know the name(?), and wasn't there one where the station is now at Crossgates???My first visit to the cinema was the much departed Tower on Briggate (one wet Bank Holiday Monday with my mum to see 'Snow White), and always remember my mum crossing the road when I was young, just past the Grand Theatre, because the Plaza was there (X rated films, lol)My son is 13 now, but I used to take him to see films at the Lounge in Headingley. It was a bit of a tradition, sitting on the front row of the balcony. A cinema very sadly missed!! You mention the cinemas in Harehills where I misspent some of my youth. Leodis has photos of the Shaftsbury and the Western ( Florence St) but I've never found a photo of the Hillcrest, the first cinema I ever went to. There was an office block called Hillcrest House on the site when I last saw it but that must have been 30 years ago. I remember the Westen being renamed the Vogue as I commented on Leodis "The Western Cinema in the photo was refurbished and renamed the Vogue Cinema. It reopened in 1954 with a screening of the newly released Cinemascope film "Three Coins in the Fountain" starring Dorothy McGuire & Rossanno Brazzi. Apart from the screen & sound system the seating and carpets were replaced. Unfortunately the seat cushions were filled with foam rubber and were easy to vandalise, and they were in a very poor state after just a few years." This was confirmed by Brian a former projectionist"I worked as 2nd projectionist at the Vogue Cinema (formerly Western) in 1957. Sadly it was destroyed by fire around 1961."

Jimbo5553 · Post by **Jimbo5553** » Mon 17 Sep, 2007 4:22 pm

Ian R P wrote: Hi,I visited the Rex Cinema near Tommy Wasses, Beeston just before it closed in 1976 to see Peter Pan ( I was 4 ) My dad had to tear me away from Hong Kong Fooey ha haIt was a shame it closed, It was replaced by houses. opposite Tunstall Road was The Pavilion ( building still there), on Dewsbury Road was The Crescent ( eventually became Whinston's ), opposite TGI Fridays was The Wellington ( now a car park ), The Tatler was originally where The Birdcage is now, The Plaza ( Assembly Rooms ) on New Briggate ( now part of The Grand Theatre ), and what was The Town & Country Club on Cookridge Street was originally The Gaumontjimbo

parksider · Post by **parksider** » Mon 17 Sep, 2007 6:58 pm

Hillcrest house....i passed my driving test there....when i got my first car..a capri..i went up headingley to the cottage road cinema...i loved that cinema....so cosy very small..you felt at home there..parksider

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Wed 03 Oct, 2007 4:11 pm

Eureka! (First one to say, 'Yer don't smell so good yerself!',Gets Barred!)Drapesy and Simonm, please refer back to page 2 on this thread18th June!I have had it confirmed that there WAS a SAAB Agent on the siteof the old Plaza cinema near Geo Spence' ironmongers on Wellington Road.It was called George Bryden's Garage,SAAB dealers,Spares and Repairs. This was during the late 60's early 70's. I used to call on them when I was in the motor trade. Glad I wasn't dreaming!cheers Arry Awk

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Wed 03 Oct, 2007 4:29 pm

I want Arry banned for disagreeing with me!!!! ..... Cheers for the sorting out of that Arry, never realised there was a Saab garage there. Fancy that, someone selling Saab's in Armley! Wonders will never cease eh?Spence's was still in the middle of the Armley gyratory though, on the left as you go into Leeds.. Edit to add. Brydons is still there, never knew they dealt in Saab's mind

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Wed 03 Oct, 2007 5:01 pm

Nay Si! Yis'll have to leave ONE of the Awks onsite to keep up the banter! Can I stay,if I promise tobe good?Glad to hear Bryden's is still working! perhaps they gave the SAAB franchise to Sykes' Garage (Tong Rd?).S'a different world nowadays in the trade. I can't evendifferentiate btwn cars now! They all seem to be Silver or Puke Yellow and Pea green and have permanently open windowsplaying hideous drum solos 'Boom-boom-bu-bu-bum!' Horrors!What happened to 'Gentlemen of the Road?I'd still like a SAAB tho' and play real music,Quietly!!CheersArry

roundhegian · Post by **roundhegian** » Wed 03 Oct, 2007 8:11 pm

arry awk wrote: Nay Si! Yis'll have to leave ONE of the Awks onsite to keep up the banter! Can I stay,if I promise tobe good?Glad to hear Bryden's is still working! perhaps they gave the SAAB franchise to Sykes' Garage (Tong Rd?).S'a different world nowadays in the trade. I can't evendifferentiate btwn cars now! They all seem to be Silver or Puke Yellow and Pea green and have permanently open windowsplaying hideous drum solos 'Boom-boom-bu-bu-bum!' Horrors!What happened to 'Gentlemen of the Road?I'd still like a SAAB tho' and play real music,Quietly!!CheersArry Still like a Saab ? Search motors on e-bay .

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Thu 04 Oct, 2007 5:29 pm

Hi Round'ead!do u do LOANS? SAABS are too dear even on e-bay!All I can do at my age (NOT telling!) is DREAM!Ta for the suggestion anyway mate!Arry

carrotol · Post by **carrotol** » Fri 05 Oct, 2007 12:05 am

Hi Arry! Still like a Saab? Is that a film? If so you are not going off thread too much. Don't want to be getting your wrists lightly slapped I'm sure. I think it is definately a film I saw at some cinema, somewhere, sometime

arry_awk · Post by **arry_awk** » Fri 05 Oct, 2007 1:04 pm

Hi CarrotolYep the Saabfilm was showing at the old PlazaCINEMA when it burned down! Bryden's garage built a Saab agents on the same site! You can still smell the burnt wood and fabric of the Plaza!I think Sanders, (of the River film!) owned the first imported Saabbut it wouldn't float so he went by canoe up the Limpopo(or was it the Leeds/Liverpool canal?),Anyroad mustn't get too far of piste(Sorry) post, or my name will be dis-comnockerated!CheersArry