The Empire Cinema
The Empire Cinema was built just before WW1. In its time it was used for many types of performance, not just film, for example: opera, musicals, school concerts and music hall.
Having been born in 1945 I twice a week walked to the cinema from Unthank Terrace, New Brancepeth, during the years 1952 and 1953.The half a crown that I got from my generous grandparents every Sunday funded two sixpenny performances - with lots of change to spare for ice cream.
The first film might involve a plot in stunning Africa and then later in the week I thrilled at the wagon train threatened by the Apache nation or some other tribe. When the drums stopped it did not look good for the wagon train! My favourite actor was Jimmy Stewart - he was a fine real life war hero as well as an actor.
Looking back I can see that some of the films were blatant propaganda, for example the Red Indians were just fighting to retain land that was rightfully their own. The cavalry [including John Wayne's character if applicable] were agents of the American state and in the wrong. That of course was too subtle for an eight year old.
In about 1957 the Empire seats were reupholstered. The result was a fine gold colour and really posh.
I always found it difficult to decide whether or not to dash out of the cinema when God save the Queen was played at the end of the performance.Most people did dash out. I think I stayed in my seat for about 75% of the time.I stayed out of some vague respect for the monarchy [all a bit Victorian and Edwardian I suppose].
I do recall, that as an eight year old, I felt that the 'older' women that entered the cinema seemed rather tired and wan, despite their careful Saturday make-up. I suppose that was down to their daily responsibilities, lack of a washing machine ,lack of a hoover and a need to be awake all hours to attend to their shift working husband and sons who were coming or going to the mine.
I bet many romances started or were enhanced by the cinema experience. I know that Jack and Doris Easter met at the Empire in the early 1940s. Jack asked whether he could climb over some seats to sit in the last available seat in the cinema. Next to him he found Doris, his future wife.
There is an account of the history of the Ushaw Moor Empire in the Spring 2004 edition of the 'Screentrade' magazine. As it would cost seven pounds and fifty pence, including postage and packaging to get it, I have declined to do so. Still I hope we have got by with this article.
Wilf Bell
He along with a partner named Joe(still trying to find out his surname)did manage the Empire theatre for a while.
Previously to this, my Grandad Father Norman had been the projectionist at Ushaw Moor Workingmens Club after he was discharge from the army on medical grounds.Unbelievably he served his time in WW2 in Northen Ireland.
Wish I could get a better look on the photo on this site, of the army lads taken in 1940 with the Club in the background and the projection room still in situ on the gable wall.As my Grandad could be in the picture.
Even though I was born in 1962 this community site holds great fascination.Lots of the names mentioned from times gone by ,can ,even now be still found through there descendents,living in Ushaw Moor.
One day soon I hope also to contibute further with an insite of growing up in the years from the 60s and 70s.
Till then,Keep up the good work
Jeff Wilson (Comment this)
Bearing in mind this feature is about the Empire I would like to share with you the fact that I have just returned with my family from the Odeon at Guildford, having watched an evening performance of the Simpsons film.It is about ten years since I was last in a cinema.The modern experience is nothing like the 50s version!During my lifetime I have witnessed a wide range of human behaviour but I was surprised at what I witnessed at the cinema. The foyer experience was very Americanised [I expected that] and possibly twice as bad in respect of consumerism.Most people had huge Pepisi Cola containers and many of them also had very huge popcorn boxes.Much of that popcorn was destined to end up on the floor ready for the cleaner to clean it up - so that is why it costs eight pounds 60 pence to get in - its because of the swarms of cleaners required to tidy up the debris. The film was quite amusing in parts and I always enjoy the fact that it takes the mickey out of the USA, but overall it was disappointing.The 50s crowd had less money, were a little better behaved,and very easily pleased with what were often [but not always] simplistic films.I know,I need to get out more! Whatever - cool etc etc!
Regards
W Bell. (Comment this)