OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

Has anybody got any pictures of the interior (foyer, auditorium, stage etc) of the Tower Cinema at Carter's Green.

I am currently doing a bit of research about this cinema and would be grateful for any information.

Does anyone have any stories or memories. Particularly of the organ or the organist there in the 1940's = Wilfred Gregory.

Many Thanks.

Glen

wurliman1970@yahoo.co.uk

I think there is a bit of a write up on here on the forums somewhere (or there was) about the Tower cinema organ and where it is now, and i hope you get your info Glen, I would love to see some photos of the Tower, so come on everyone....get digging !!!

Make sure you get them put on this site Glen so we can all see them

I am sure the organ is still used todat at some swanky house or estate somewhere ?

The organ is at Fentham Hall, Hampton-in-Arden (see cinema organ society website)

There are several photo's of the exterior at Flickr.com  but nothing seems to be available of the interior.  I've been told it's colour scheme was blue and gold.

The only real memory of  the theatre I have is the day 'The Applejacks' played on the stage there. (this was the group with the female drummer) One of the guitarists was named Martin Baggott - the only one I remember

Any interior photo's out there though ?!?

Glen at 02:50PM on Jun 20, 2009

The organ is at Fentham Hall, Hampton-in-Arden (see cinema organ society website)

There are several photo's of the exterior at Flickr.com  but nothing seems to be available of the interior.  I've been told it's colour scheme was blue and gold.

 

Hi Glen. blue and gold reminds me oe of The Imperial after its refurbishment 1969/70 (I think) rather than the Tower. I'll ask some of my family over here, in  Aus  if they remember anything.

http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/blackcountrybugle-news/displayarticle.asp?id=72815

I found this Glen from The Black Country Bugle - you may already have this but just in case as there is a phone number to contact the writer of the article and has a long association with the Tower. I hope it helps.

According to the book 'Cinemas Of The Black Country' by Ned Williams, the auditorium of the Tower was blue and gold.

There is quite a long article on the cinema but that is the only reference to the colour of the decor.

I can post the whole article if you need it, Glen.

The only real memory of the theatre I have is the day 'The Applejacks' played on the stage there. (this was the group with the female drummer) One of the guitarists was named Martin Baggott - the only one I remember

Sorry Von but the Applejacks drummer was a man named Gerald Freeman. The female drummer you are thinking of would have been Honey Lantree of the Honeycombs. I Can remember The Rockin' Berries appearing there on a Saturday Morning. They came on stage hit the drum to start the show the drum set collapsed the Berries ran off the stage and that was it no show.

Just spent 2 hours writing a page about the Tower Cinema, showing some photos, clicked "publish" and it told me it was published OK.

Went to look at the site to see if it was Ok and it's not there Lost in Cyberspace !

I will try again tomorrow

I got a lot of info from a Gordon Whitehouse who is secretary of the Cinema Organ Society and he has been a mind full of information and his website is www.cinema-organs.org.uk

More tomorrow (with a bit of luck !)

Paul

Many thanks for the link to the Bugle.

Paul - did you have any jot re-posting your work to the website? If so, where can i find it?

I already have the info from Gordon Whitehouse. He sent a copy of the opening programme.

Cheers,

Glen

Hello Glen,

Yes, I am not far off posting the page about the Tower.

I also got some great pieces off Gordon and I have been in touch with someone else who is trying to find some photos of the Tower (Inside & Out), but he said it will take him some time to acess the collection, which is why I am waiting a bit.

Gordon Whitehouse has been great and is really enthusiastic about the old organ

More soon !!

Paul