Palace Theatre

[richard moore]

If my memory serves me correctly the Grand Cinema was where McDonalds is. The Palace was nearer to Woolys.

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by richard moore

If my memory serves me correctly the Grand Cinema was where McDonalds is. The Palace was nearer to Woolys.

I presume you mean the old Woolies because nowadays it's next to McDonalds.

[CanCan]

Originally Posted by richard moore

Thank you can-can!

Can you let me have tittles of the book concerned ?

On the Palace theme. My uncle was the projectionist there for a while and used to allow me up into the projection box. My first visit was to see the pant "Cinderella" in which they had a carriage pulled by real ponies.
I saw lots of things there including the first film in Cinemasscope "The Robe" a biblical epic and a strange event called "The Dancing Waters" during which live fountains of water cascaded about on stage to a background of classical music.
At one stage the management put on what was (then) a rather racy french film. To publicise it they put up a large black and white picture of a nude actress. An awfully discreet one by today's standards but the local watch committee made them put a concealing strip across it which, of course, gained them even more publicity !

Hi Richard, books where I found information on are: Golden years of Burnley shows pictures of Palace/Savoy/Empress also gives some information. A century of Burnley by Chris Makepeace, Burnley a pictorial history by Brian Hall & Ken spenser. The history of Burnley vol 3+4 by W Bennett. If your looking to purchase the books check out Amazon I bought a couple of them for 1p each!!!(plus postage of 2.75) but they were brand new in the wrappers. They also have other books on Burnley if you 'search' Burnley. The history of Burnley index lists Theatres- Duval's,Empire,Gaiety,music hall,New,Palace,Pickles,Royal and Victoria. Not positive but I think the Library in Burnley only have these as reference books and not to leave the library. I was lucky enough to collect all 4 volumes, no4 being the hardest to get. If your unable to get it I could type out info for you. These volumes though really only tell you about when they were built,how much they cost etc. quote;"" In 1900 the two chief places of entertainment in Burnley were the "Victoria" and the "Empire" the latter of which was entirely reconstructed in 1911. The "Victoria" continued to present plays, light opera, and, on occasions, classical concerts; the "Empire" was the home of variety, and introduced it's audiences the most famous music-hall artistes if the time. The supremacy of these two theatres was challenged in 1908 when the "Palace-Hippodrome" was opened. This, too, was a variety theatre for the most part, though it turned to"straight" plays and musical comedies from time to time."" Hope it's some help, Like I say the Library are great help!! Karen

[burnleyhomegirl]

Here is some info extracted from the following article. Thanks to M. Child of Burnley Historical Society for obtaining original article:

Burnley Express and News January 9, 1973
Palace Built in Record Time
By Allan Halstead
References found in the Article:
Palace TheatreFacts
Place-Hippodrome: St. James Street and the tramlines were re-aligned where the Palace-Hippodrome was built.
The stone- fronted Georgian-style building cost L13,000 and seated 2,2000---
It was torn down "after more than 60 years and two world wars of bringing laughter and tears to generations of Burnley audiences."
The buliding contract was signed on June 18th
the official opening took place on December 2nd-all in 1907.
building work was done in six months The complete operation, from purchase of the land to the first performance in the theatre, spanned eight months
Shows at the Palace Theatre
Housed vaudeville, silent pictures, talkies CinemaScope and live theatre, concluding with its use as a bingo hall. The Halle Orchestra also played there.
Smith Brothers
(Burnley) Ltd., Local Building Firm (Three Brothers including Coun. W.E. Smith and Jerimiah Smith), Probably also built Gem and Imperial Theatres. This info added by Great Grandaughter
Macnaughten Vaudeville Circut
Mr Frank Macnaughten born in Karachi, India
Capt. T.H.G. Grey, Mr Jess Linscott and Mr. J. Morphet (perhaps best remembered for their great days at the "Vic")
Buxton Theatre Circuit Ltd
Mr. Harry Buxton, chairman and managing director Theatre Circuit Ltd
Mr Herbert Hartley
Local film impresario who towards the end of 1937 turned over theatre
Capt. T.H.G. Grey, Mr Jess Linscott and Mr. J. Morphet took over in 1937 (perhaps best remembered for their great days at the "Vic") Burnley Express and News, January 9th, 1973
Buxton Theatre Circuit Ltd.
Reopened the following year in a fanfare of publicity by Mr. Harry Buxton, chairman and managing director of the Buxton Theatre Circuit Ltd, who was reported to have spent L20,000 on renovations and Cinema Scope equipment
Burnley Corporation
Two years later Mr. Buxton took over Burnley's Empire Cinema and offered the Palace to Burnley Corporation.
Tidbits from the Article by Allan Halstead
"One concerned a member of the building firm, Coun. W.E. Smith, who was once being asked to slow down by an opposition colleague during council debate, with the words "Remember-Rome wasn't built in a day.""Ah." replied Coun. Smith. "But Smith's didn't build Rome.""

"Once, in a desperate effort to boost the box office takings, the Palace deviated from its first claim about appealing to wives and sweethearts and posted nude pictures publicising a film. That only attracted complaints to the Watch Committee."Oh well' said a disillusioned manager "take down the nudes and put up pictures of the Roman era. the ones showing them throwing the Christians to the lions.""

[CanCan]

Originally Posted by richard moore

Hello everybody. I'm interested in all the long gone burnley theatres and cinemas, particularly the Victoria Theatre in the 1940's and 50's.

Hi Richard, just a quick note to let you know, if you have access to ebay someone is selling a theatre programme of the Victoria Theatre from the 40's. Just put it Burnley it finishes on the 10th Sept. Regards Cancan.