The Abbeydale Picture House
ABBEYDALE PICTURE HOUSE
As and when I get information about events open to the public here, I will be putting the details here on this page.
There will be further open day sessions on 8th and 9th September 2007.. Well worth a visit to see behind the scenes.
Please note that Abbeydale Road will be closed on the Sunday from 8.00 to 13.30 owing to a 10km run. During this time it will be access on foot only to the Picture House.
I understand that the building has sustained some damage in the recent windy weather during January.
NEWS FROM OUR DECEMBER 1920 CORRESPONDENT
Christmas News
Christmas will soon be here and the price of turkeys looks to be more expensive than last year. Where last year you would have paid 3/0 (15p) per pound, this year you can look to be paying from 3/3 (16p) to 3/6 per pound (17½p ).
If you are planning to go to any parties then you will need to visit Cockayne’s to buy a party frock.
Should you be one of the eight lucky mistresses at Abbeydale Girls’ School, you will be pleased to know you’ll be getting a rise in salary to £80.
If you want to write to all your friends to let them know about this, then you’ll be able to take advantage of the postal service. There will be three deliveries on December 23rd and 24th , but on December 25th, 26th and 27th there will only be one delivery of letters and parcels. There will be a last collection at 8-30pm on both 23rd December and 24th December.
The Watch Committee have advised against tipping drivers with drinks at this time; far better to give gifts of money.
If you were planning to catch a tram home on Christmas Day there is good news and bad news. For the good news comes the message that in the last 12 months over £2 million of new properties have been completed in Sheffield, but the bad news is that there will be no buses or trams running on Christmas Day, however there will be a matinee at the new Abbeydale Picture House
Tragedy in Sheffield Home
While talking to her father at 10 Court 1 House on Broad Lane Sheffield, and standing in front of the fire, Annie Flinders, aged 15 suffered her dress catching fire. Her father had the presence of mind to extinguish the flames with a bucket of water. Miss Flinders was taken to the Royal Hospital for treatment.
Work for Sheffield Unemployed
Work has begun on the new boulevard which is being built to provide work for the unemployed. The road will connect Darnall with Intake.
Crime in Sheffield
There appears to be a spate of thefts of overcoats at the moment.
Foreign news
There has been an earthquake in either Japan or China.
Death
The death is announced of Mr W.H. Fox, son of Samuel Fox.
Entertainments
Coffin to open at new Picture House
A wide range of cinemas offer entertainment in Sheffield. Joining the list of Sheffield Picture Houses will be the new Abbeydale Picture House, where the programme will include the British 6-reeler adventure film Call of the Road showing at 6-30 and 8-30 with matinees on Monday, Thursday and Saturday (yes, even on Christmas Day).
In Call of the Road , a film directed by A.E. Coleby, the role of Lady Ullswater will be played by Adeline Hayden Coffin. The cast is as follows:
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Victor McLaglen |
Alf Truscott; |
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| Phyllis Shannaw |
Lady Rowena |
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| Warwick Ward |
Lord Delavel |
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| Philip Williams |
Sir Martin Trevor |
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| A.E. Coleby |
Punch Murphy |
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| Adeline Hayden Coffin |
Lady Ullswater |
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| Ernest A. Douglas |
Silas |
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| Henry Nicholls-Bates |
Paganini Primus |
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| Barry Furness |
Paganini Secundus |
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| Fred Drummond |
Hammer John |
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| Olive Bell |
Miller's Wife |
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The Opening as reported in the Sheffield Telegraph December 21st 1920
The Abbeydale Picture House was opened by the Lord Mayor (Alderman W. F. Wardley) at a special matinee performance yesterday afternoon. Alderman Wardley, who was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, in congratulating the management on the opening of the hall, and wishing them success in their venture, hoped that a high standard of film would always form the feature of the programmes. In some of the lower-class houses in the city films were shown which he did not think had been seen by the censor.
The new picture palace is a palatial building containing all modern conveniences. There is seating accommodation for 1800 and the fittings and decorations are pretty and artistic. The building is warmed by hot air, while the atmosphere is changed every five minutes. The proceeds of the matinee will be devoted to Sheffield charities. The palace was opened to the public last night, and two performances will be held nightly, with three matinees on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
The programme contains several good films including “The Call of the Road”, a British production, a good comedy “The Grocery Clerk,” and interest and topical pictures.
Advance tickets were available; the box office opened from 10 to 12 each morning and from 2 to 4 in the afternoon.
For the grand opening the prices were 5/- (25p)for the circle and 2/6 (12½p) in the stalls. This was a special occasion and the prices were higher than normal. Normal prices are 2/- (10p), 1/3 (6p), 9d (4p) and 6d (2½p).
Compare these with the price of entertainment along at Bramall Lane: Adults 1/- (5p), Boys 5d (2p) and seats in the stand cost 1/6 (7½p).
Contemporary Prices
As we have seen, the top priced seats cost more than the seats at a football match. But to put things into some sort of perspective, I consulted the local Sheffield Daily Telegraph which advertised Swan brand fountain pens for 12/6 (62½p) , 15/- (75p) , 17/6 (87½p). Jars of Horlicks were on sale at 2/- (10p), 3/6 (17½p) , 15/- (75p). Davy's coffee was available 2/- to 2/10 per lb 10p to 14p). For those wanting something a little stronger Scotch was 12/6 (62½p); gin was 12/- (60p)and 5 star brandy was 18/6 (92½p). Spinet brand cigarettes were on sale at 1/6 (7½p)for 20.
To put these prices into context, bricklayers' jobs in Southport were advertised at an hourly rate of 2/4 (12p) with a guaranteed 44 hour week with the possibility of overtime (Normal weekly wage was £5-2s-8d). The newly formed RAF was advertising for recruits, depending on the trades offered by the recruits, a daily rate was offered between 3/- (15p)and 5/6 (27½p).
For those after more luxurious goods, Cole Brothers was advertising men's ties at 6/11 (34½p); silk pyjamas at 45/- (£2-25p) and men's gloves at 37/6 (£1-87½p) a pair (Glovemakers were on four shillings (20p) per dozen and at full speed they could make three pairs per hour - a rate of a shilling (5p) an hour!) T & J Roberts were offering a special rate on silk blouses at a guinea each (£1-05p).
International Fame
I checked on the internet trying to find information about the opening film Call of the Road and discovered one site in Russian. I was amazed that news of this film should have reached there, but then I realised that the beauty of silent films is their international adaptability. With the action being punctuated by caption shots, it would have been a simple matter for the editor to prepare a copy for foreign audiences. As an example, look at the following English and French clip:
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| "There's someone at the door!" |
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Putting this into French gives us:
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| "Il y a quelqu'un à la porte!" |
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Just a simple task of cutting out the old caption and putting in the new. Time consuming, yes, but easier than recording sound.
Click on the image below for more information about the
Abbeydale Picture House
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