OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

In the early 1950s, I was taken by my late mother, along with my sister 16 yrs- older, to the "Palace" Cinema, Paradise St, West Bromwich. I remember Clearly, that being a youngster of around five, the film at that time, being shown was a Western. In one of the scenes The film actors were sitting around a green card table, inside the saloon, drinking. The thing was...the Palace had wooden seating, rather uncomfortable. And the cinema was smoky, hot and stuffy. I was gasping for a drink, and Having no interest in the film, Whatsoever! Perhaps the heating was turned up, in order to sell more icecreams and drinks in the interval?

A week or so later, my late mother sent my brother stationed in Japan, on National Service a letter, she explained that we had been to the palace Cinema, in Paradise Street, and it was unbearably hot. So...he send her back a beautiful Japanese fan to use, should she ever go to see a film at the Palace.

At the age of 14 my brother I mentioned in my second paragraph, He paid my 2/6d ticket  to go upstairs in the once "Clifton" Cinema, on Stone Cross. When we both got up there, there only 3 others. The Lady shown her touch and said..."Go on, you Can sit in the 3 shilling seats, as there are not many in tonight".Yet I can remember in my minds eye, that folks were turned away as the place had Once been packed out,. Sometimes, they were standing up, waiting for a cinema seat in the early 1950s, whilst viewing a film. Several years Later, it was turned into a Bingo Hall, my cousin's wife worked as a Cashier at the time.

 I know that inflation has gone up, but Gone are these good old days, with two films a (B film and a main film). A trip to the cinema today with bus fare, entrance for two adults/Two kids... popcorn, drinks.  You'll see very little from around thirty quid (for one and a half hours viewing) in some cases. A lot of films today rely heavily on special effects, which is good. But some have little or no storyline, or its that Complex on occasion.

Lol...typo error (Torch).

Hello Alan

Are you sure it was the Palace Cinema you are talking about?  I know the main entrance was on the High Street and the side entrance was in Lower Queen street.  The only cinema in Paradise Street that I remember was the Georgies (St. George's Cinema) and I'm sure that Picture House would have had wooden seats!

Pat

where the kings was there was once the plaza cinema but i dont remember wooden seats anywhere but the georges  aka "the flea pit",    6pence to sit on a bench and a mallet to hit the fleas free,  was the local joke

                 regards jem

Hi Pat...I asked my older brother 12 yrs - older than myself. And it would seem most definitely, that it was the Palace Cinema, in question. It apparently had two entrances, one in the High St, and the other at the side, it was a one level building, that spanned from the High St, off/into Paradise St. Additionally the Georges it was said, was further down, past the old Arcade.Heading towards the old Fire Station, which was on the opposite side of the road I also vaguely remember, that my late mother passed a remark about the demolition of the Georgies, that was undergoing.

 Another old Cinema my dear late mother mentioned to me,as a young lad, was the Sandwell Cinema, in Sandwell Road, when she was a young child, it used to show a silent Movie, and kids, could have a toffee dip- all for an old penny. She was born in 1908. (A far cry from 3D and Dolby Digital) Thanks Both, and Best Regards. Alan.

There was definetely wooden seats in the Queens Cinema, if my memory serves me right there were about 10 rows.

They turned the Plaza into the kings, the building never changed just the name as for the palace, I just can't remember the palace ?

The Kings was in Paradise St wasn't it ???  I am sure you used to go down the windy hole of the Arcade, passed the deaf aid shop and the tall stools from the Cafe and on the corner of the Arcade was that hardware shop with the tin baths outside and the dance studio nearby and the Kings was directlu opposite where the new Kings is now or has that gone also ?

What a lot of people don't realise is that the old paradise St cut through where the precient is now, passed the Co-op (If thats still there too !), many think Paradise St is where the busy road is now.

I went back home a few years ago and couldn't believe the change and from what I am hearing it's changing again !

See http://www.west-bromwich-photos.co.uk/apps/forums/topics/show/307650-that-new-photo-on-the-home-page-showing-the-kings

There is a photo of the former Palace cinema entrance on High Street in one of the 'old photos of WB' books. The modern Kings is on almost the exact spot of the old KIngs - as NZ baggie says, Paradise Street ran where the north-south arcade runs today.

ABC Minors - remember it well circa 1965 They used to give prizes for something (a lottery on the tickets??) and I recall we won twice - a 5 foot poster on a hardboard backing of Napoleon Solo (man from UNCLE) and a 'scoop ball' set. We were so easily pleased in those days!!

Paul

I  remember the Plaza Theatre, my late mum used to take me to see a Panto. When it got changed into a one screen cinema ("Kings). I saw the film "The Joker went Wild" with Frank Sanatra, with some kids I once knew. However I wasn't keen on the film. Then later, At around 16 yrs-old I watched a double bill of James Bond There - Dr No and Russia With Love. (Over 4 hrs of viewing on a Sunday).

I was really gutted, when West Bromwich lost its new "KingsCinemas"  built in 1975 -  being the first 3 screen Multi-plex in the whole of the country!  I have to say. The regeneration of the town did much to cause the demise of "Kings Cinemas". Because regarding, the new bus station. "Kings" cinemas" had Now lost a car park! Nothing wrong with the old one, but that is, naturally where the "Public" was built. I think in all honesty, more could have been done by the powers that Be, to save this once lovely cinema, now a 99pence store. It was once said, the owner had ideas to turn/revamp it into a 6 screen. I'm wondering with all the upheaval, of building the new bus station, and lost takings, -if the council had then, wavered the cinema's business rates? West Bromwich has lost Much of its character, dont you think?

the side entrance of the palace was in lower queen street,incidentally my parents always called the Palace "The Electric" so i assume that was a previous name,i,m 86 so thats going back a bit..i remember the plaza being a theatre,then becoming a cinema,then reverting to a theatre again.until The Tower was built my favourite cinema was The Imperial,it always seemed more cosy than the rest,and it had a great fish and chip shop over the road,and a bloke outside selling roasted potatoes from a cart with a fire in,happy days..