Post by Waverley on Mar 2, 2008 12:32:21 GMT 1
SUPER CINEMA FOR BRIDGETON
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"Olympia" Taken Over By Famous "A.B.C." Group
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"Olympia" Taken Over By Famous "A.B.C." Group
An event of very great importance to east End cinema patrons took place during the week, when the Olympia Cinema, Bridgeton Cross, was acquired from its present owners by the Associated British Pictures Corporation, Ltd.
The Olympia, one of the best known East-End cinemas, commands a really excellent central position at Bridgeton's best known spot...the "cross." The Olympia was erected as a theatre in 1911, and has a present seating capacity of about seventeen hundred.
Mr.David A. Stewart. J.P., the managing director of the Associated British Picture Corporation, informs the Standard that plans are being rushed through for an almost complete reconstruction of the cinema, and the Olympia will be re-opened on the lines of a super-cinema, in which everything will be of the most modern type available.
The present galleries will be removed and replaced with an extensive stalls area and balcony. In view of the fine position of the building, it is not surprising that the A.B.C. regard their latest "capture" as one of the best cinema sites in Great Britain, and will use their great experience of public entertainment to make it a first rate concern. When re-opened the Olympia will have almost doubled its seating capacity, which will be in the region of three thousand.
Glasgow Eastern Standardd. Saturday 6th February 19
LORD PROVOST P. J. DOLLAN
OPENS BRIDGETON CINEMA
Lord Provost P. J. Dollan was mobbed by crowds of excited spectators when he drove up his car to open Bridgeton’s new super cinema, the Olympia, Bridgeton Cross, on Monday afternoon.
So large was the crowd present to witness the opening that mounted police had to hold themselves in readiness of accidents. It was a cheery and well-behaved gathering, however, and they gave a great cheer to the Lord Provost when he stepped from his car.
He was introduced by Mr. Len Griffiths, manager of the Olympia, and well know to Bridgeton cinema patrons. In his speech the Lord Provost observed that the working-class deserved the best that is going, and in this respect they were certainly getting it. He made reference to the educational value of the cinema, both from an instructional and leisure time point of view, and to the steady improvement in film technique.
Mr. David A. Stewart, J.P., general manager of Axxoiciated British Cinemas, spoke of the modern methods of ventilation, heating, and sound apparatus in the cinema and declared that everything of the most up-to-date make had been installed. Mrs.Dollan and Mrs.Stewart were presented with bouquets of flowers, and shortly after Mr. Dollan had to leave as he was travelling to London.
Glasgow Eastern Standard, 28th Saturday November, 1938
Nov 30th 1940, From Glasgow's west end The Kings cinema Sauchiehall street to Glasgow's East end The Olympia cinema comes W.P.Watson as the new manager,Mr Watson likes the change.They are grand people in Bridgton they know what they want and I'm going to see they get it.
From 1914--1918 Mr Watson was one of those death or glory boys-a dispatch rider,He served with the Royal Engineers throughout the Palestine campaign which culminated in Allembys triumphant march into Jerusalem.
From Eastern Standard 1940. (Tam McCann)