Widnes, WA8 0QY
Date opened: Saturday 17th December 1910.
Owner: Widnes Picturedrome Co Ltd.
Architect: Campbell and Fairhurst of Southport.
Building Contractor: Edwin Wood.
Seating Capacity: 790.
Opened by: The Mayor of Widnes~ Councillor Frederick Neil.
First General Manager: Edward David Hesse.
One of the first films shown on opening day: ”The Excursion of a Dirigible’.
Pianist accompanying the silent films: T.A. Dennett.
Sound installed: April 1931. First sound feature: ‘Whoopee’, starring Eddie Cantor and Ethel Shutta.
Year Closed: 1959.
The façade demolished. The auditorium section is extant and used for retail.
WIDNES was home to several cinemas. Their last two were the Empire, Widnes Road and the Plaza, Peelhouse Lane. The Plaza switched to bingo in February 1970, having run films since 1937. The Empire was demolished.
One of the early venues for film entertainment was the Picturedrome, a one level hall, opening on Saturday 17th December 1910, in Victoria Road. It was designed by Campbell and Fairhurst of Southport. The doors were opened in the afternoon by the Mayor, Frederick Neil, who was also a Councillor.
The cinema was run by the Widnes Picturedrome Co Ltd.
It was built in brick and stone by Edwin Wood, taking only sixteen weeks to construct. There were two main entrances with two pairs of swinging doors. The auditorium had a sloping floor and was carpeted with Axminster. The first manager was Edward David Hesse.
Electricity was generated on the premises like many other cinemas at the time.
Films ran for three days and musical accompaniment was by T.A. Dennett on the piano. Screenings were twice nightly with matinees on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, at three O’clock. Afternoon tea was on offer.
The opening was by invitation only. It is reported that every seat was occupied by three thirty. There was an appearance of the Mayor of Manchester Mr J. Ingleby, chairman of Widnes Picturedrome Co Ltd. The Mayoress of Manchester was also in attendance.
The opening film programme included, ‘The Excursion of a Dirigible’. From the Monday films included, ‘Two Waifs and a Stray’, ‘Football at Home’ and ‘Range Riders’. The proceedings were opened by Mr Atkinson, who sang a verse of God Save the King, the audience standing. He was then joined by vocalist Miss F. Wilmot who sang ‘A Night in Venice’. She sang it with a Mr Atkinson.
In 1916 one of the projectionists was Andy Currier. He was badly burned when lighting the boiler. He recalled his time at the cinema for the local press and said there was an occasion when a benefit performance was given for the popular manager Arthur Bell. He said, “I have never heard of that sort of thing before or since.” He also recalled showing a film called ‘Over the Hill’, which was a sob story and the customers were each given a handkerchief to cry on.
In September 1920, Widnes Cinemas Ltd were formed and shares were offered. Directors were: Charles Fingland, Robert Lea, John William Paget, John Dean, Ernest Nash Eaton William Thornley and William Hilton. Though Samuel George Owens is involved he is not listed as one of the directors, but is mentioned elsewhere in the prospectus. They ran the Picturedrome and Premier Picture House, which had a seating capacity of 800. There were extensive alterations and additions. Reseating arrangements were proposed and it was also suggested that an ornamental veranda be erected to the entire front of both halls. The capital of the new company was £30,000. It was stated that there was seating for 790 at the Picturedrome.
On Wednesday the 22nd September 1920 a concert and picture show was given in aid of the Queen’s Nurses Association. There was a very large audience. Mr George Owens was thanked by the Mayor for allowing use of the building. He also thanked the artists for their services. The daughter of manager Arthur Bell, Zena, sang three songs. The film attraction was ‘His Forgotten Secret’.
In November 1921 manager Arthur Bell, who had worked at the hall since 1916 took action against the company for wrongful dismissal. It was stated that it was owned by George Owen. Bell was claiming £50 in damages. His salary was £6 a week and he also managed the Premier. Bell was also responsible for booking films for both cinemas.
Laurence A. V. Plumpton became the manager following the departure of Arthur Bell. By December 1921 Mr G. W. Pettigrew was the manager.
In 1923 Mr Ernest McCall was the manager. He had worked in s number of cinemas, including the Liverpool Palladium.
On July 26th, 1926 Widnes Picturedrome Ltd registered with a capital of £2500 in £1 shares. Objects to carry on business as indicated by the title. The directors were B. Parkinson and W. Jones both permanent governing directors, subject to each holding 500 shares. Secretary was B. Parkinson and the solicitor J.H. Fisher. Later, Century Pictures (Widnes) Ltd ran the Picturedrome. They had run the Empire Widnes before being taken over by Cheshire County Cinemas.
Manager in 1926 was Ernest E. Westhead. He was summoned in February 1926 for a contravention of the cinema act for not keeping the gangways clear.
The first sound film shown at the Picturedrome, Widnes.
When sound arrived a British Talking Picture system was employed. This was installed in April 1931. The first sound film shown was ‘Whoopee’, starring Eddie Cantor and Ethel Shutta. Later, Kalee equipment was employed. It is stated that the cinema closed in early 1959, but that is not clear. The frontage was demolished and the auditorium section is used for retail.
David A Ellis © chestercinemas.co.uk
