South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | March | 17
From the archive, first published Friday 17th Mar 2006.
MOVES to bring cinema back to Thornbury have been so successful that the town's Picture House is now back in action.
After two well-attended free trial screenings (a third is scheduled for next Saturday, March 25), film buffs in the town have decided to bring movies to the local community "at a screen near you".
Film club chairman Jules Craig said: "Our venue is the Armstrong Hall which has a huge 18x12 feet screen, great sound and up-to-date digital projection.
"Things have moved on since the old film club which ran for 25 years starting in the late 50s, based in the Cossham Hall using 16mm reels which were hand threaded - often to jovial cheering!
"We've chosen to call the new club Thornbury Picture House to echo the old one in High Street which contributed so much to the social life of the town and district."
The old picture house - situated on the current site of Besley Hill estate agents and Park Insurance Services - was built in 1919 by local businessman Edmund Cullimore. Operated by his daughter and son-in-law it originally seated 200 people,
Thanks to local historians at Thornbury Museum, we know that it was officially opened on May 1 1920 by the Rev Canon Cornwall with a special showing of a WW1 melodrama The Nature of the Beast, a silent film directed by Cecil M Hepworth.
The film The Power of a Child and a serial The Mystery of 13 were shown for the rest of the week together with a football match - Cardiff versus Bristol.
The first projectionist, winding the film by hand, was Fred Church.
Eventually the talkies arrived and 1938 saw refurbishment, especially to the foyer, which meant customers could wait in the dry. New projection equipment was installed and the first Technicolour film to be shown was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Seating increased to 300 and not surprisingly the cinema was popular with troops billeted in Thornbury during World War Two.
Television and the arrival of other entertainment - especially in Bristol - forced its closure in December 1959. Many, however, still remember it fondly.
In its first season the new club - set up under auspices of Thornbury Arts Festival - will be setting out on an international film journey calculated to entertain, challenge and provoke.
The itinerary includes Kenya (The Constant Gardener), the Persian Gulf (Syriana), Spain (Only Human), Patagonia (Bombon el Perro), North America (The Squid and the Whale), France (Belleville Rendezvous), Antartica (March of the Penguins) and South Africa (Tstosi).
Members will vote to choose future destinations.
Said Julie: "This season we want to do something aimed at young children and teenagers. On May 6 as part of Thornbury Arts Festival we'll be screening the Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit: The Return of the Were-rabbit. And yes, popcorn will be available."
Next Saturday's final free screening (7.30pm) will be the Oscar-nominated Sideways, set in California's wine country and bursting with humour and emotion.
Said Julie. "Admission is free - although donations will be gratefully accepted - and people will also get a free glass of Californian wine with every prize draw ticket purchased."
She said thanks went to arts festival organisers for supporting the trial screenings and also to the town council for programme sponsorship.
Thornbury Picture House is a non-profit making film club funded by membership subscriptions and sponsorship. For more information call 01454 414457/412272 or visit www.thornburyartsfestival.com/film.htm
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