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The Imperial, Dunston (The Bottom Hall)
The Imperial Cinema
The cinema was located on Ravensworth Road and was known locally as the 'Bottom Hall'. It was opened in 1910 and eventually closed in 1961 when it became a tyre depot before demolition. It opened twice-nightly six nights a week, changing films each Monday and Thursday, and had a film and a "short" as well as the Pathe News. Films were then classified into A and B films.
There was also a Saturday matinee for children, which was very popular. Entry was one penny, or twopence for the back two rows which had plush seats. Some parents gave their children two pence with the intention of keeping them away from the riff-raff in the penny seats. Little did they know that one penny was spent on sweets and their offspring met their friends in the penny seats!
When there was a film on involving Cavalry and Indians or Cowboys chasing Baddies the row of the stamping feet and the yelling was deafening! Mr Morrison did a wonderful job of controlling the children (and the fleas), by continuously going around and squirting 'Jeyes Fluid' everywhere.
At Christmas-time before the Second World War every child was given an orange. He also provided the tea at the Dunston Church School Christmas party.
Later, it was owned by a Mr Scott who had a small circuit of cinemas in the area.
Regretfully it was demolished for road developments.
Comments
I was born in Dunston in 1949 and remember my Gran taking me to the Top Hall to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - I was terrified by the witch!
My Gran was a shareholder in the company that owned the Albert Cinema, her father Peter Walmsley was one of the original syndicate that built the Albert along with J Wilson, E Wigham, J Hogg and J W McGowan they formed the Dunston Picture Hall Company and the the Albert opened on 27 October 1912.The official opening was done by Eli Whitfield a Whickham coucillor.
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Thanks for your comments. There is a little more about the Albert and other local cinemas on http://www.swalwelluk.co.uk on the Memories 3 page.
Posted by: Enid James at January 19, 2007 5:14 PM