Browse Sections
- Rochdale Canal
- Family notices
- Speed cameras
- Traffic cameras
- Travel news
- Useful information
-
Nostalgia
- Images of Middleton
- Middleton expats
- Property price guide
Interactive
Popular Sections
A shower earlyNostalgia
| 
Submit Comments
This retro image was taken from the corner of Fountain Street.
View gallery (total of 4 images)
advertisement
That darn cat!
Harold Cunliffe28/ 2/2008
LAST week we featured the Empire cinema/theatre at a time when Thomas Baker ran the business. Thomas also owned the Victory on Wood Street and advertised them as 'Middleton's premier entertainment houses'. The Victory gained the title the 'flea pit,' so I will leave the judgement to you.
Whenever the Empire became sold out Thomas would inform patrons, "Don't be disappointed, pop over to the Victory, the same film is being shown there."
What the punters did not realise, it was the actual same film as the Empire. This worked by showing a newsreel at one cinema whilst running the big film at the other.
A young boy was employed to cycle between the two houses exchanging films.
This practice was confirmed by Hollin resident Freda Joyce. Employed as an usherette one of her duties was to exchange the films between venues when necessary. From the Empire projection room she would exit the building onto Corporation Street, turn right and then left down Old Hall Street, at the bottom she would turn right into Wood Street where the 'Vic' was on the right.
Freda Brogden, as she was then known, worked six evenings a week at the cinema for more than four years. Her main job was at the Neva Mill on Grimshaw Lane. At 5.30pm she would rush home, running most of the way, especially down Gas Works brew to her home at Half Street, aptly named because only one half of the street was constructed, which was close to Durnford Street School.
She would have her evening meal, wash, change and set off for the Empire. During her time at the cinema which was also a theatre she witnessed many events and certainly has a tale to tell.
Nudity within the films back in 1951 was closely censored, as an 18-year-old she remembers one film where part of the female anatomy was shown, only for a matter of seconds however.
Just at the precise moment the screening took place the cinema's cat decided to take a stroll along the parapet causing a feline silhouette to cover the semi naked woman.
There were roars of laughter, mainly from the women in the audience.
Freda's job of usherette had a quiet period when the film was underway. This time was used to go to a small room backstage with the other girls to have a crafty cup of tea, and depending on the film they could find time to nip out of the backdoor to the chippy.
"All happy days," said Freda, but one person sticks in her mind for being rude. Celebrity Frankie Howerd once performed in a play at the theatre. Freda politely asked for his autograph. She was shocked by his attitude, "Oh no dear, not now, go away, see me later," was his reply.
Middleton Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society held their first show at the theatre in 1925 with 'The Bathroom Door'. All profits were given to local and national charities. £4,941 was donated up to 1953.
One of their last performances was 'Salad Days' in 1967.
By the late 1960s cinema audiences were in decline and the building was converted into a bingo hall. Eventually the premises were used as a night club called The Hippodrome.
This venture had a relatively short life and the building which gave pleasure to so many theatre and cinema goers was left to fall into decay.
Demolition took place last year and today the site is to be used for the town's new leisure and entertainment facility. Ironically on the same site that has been used for recreation for centuries.
Click on 'View gallery' for more ...
Most recent 2 of 3 user comments
7/03/2008 at 21:34
Got an opinion you want to share?Should GPs have to undergo an annual test of competence?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Term Deposit |
7.00% |
|
ICESAVE 6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account |
6.86% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Term Deposit |
6.70% |
Daft Les! What can I Say? Where have all the characters gone?
Danny Hardman.
9/04/2008 at 20:12