I very rarely use the Metro system these days but since starting the OU, I figured it would be easier and cheaper to take the Metro into town, to get to the University. As we pulled into West Jesmond station, I noticed the building connected to The Longsdale Pub had disappeared. A small part of me died. That building was the Jesmond Picture House.
The Jesmond Picture House holds many fond memories for me. I spent a good part of my youth. Indeed as a Student, I was a patron of this establishment. Every other Saturday, we would visit my maternal grandparents, and with my younger brother in tow, we would walk the small distance from Bayswater Road to the Cinema. Saturday afternoons was 'Kids Matinee', and we were treated to an array of movies from 'Jason and the Argonauts' to the many Sinbad films that were made during the 60s and 70s. I can't quite remember how much it costs but I seem to think it was about 50p. For that we got not one but two movies. The first movie tended to be a short film, usually a Bugs Bunny/ Tom and Jerry Cartoon or an old Stooges film. Then there was an intermission and then the main feature.
Let me explain what I loved about The Jesmond Picture house. It was imperfect. As you went into the auditorium you were greeted by a large red curtain. On that curtain, from the projectionist, a light show was played with a cardboard cut out of all the astronomical birth signs spiralling to the sound of Cliff Richards and the Shadows hits. Weirdly this was mesmerizing. Eventually the movie would begin. The curtains would squeak across the stage and then the projectionist would play the first movie. Of course for the first few minutes it was out of focus, but he would get there.
After the first movie an Usherette came out selling ice creams, although I never saw them, selling Albatross. (This is for Python fans).
Now the main feature...For the first few minutes it was out of focus. (I have never not been entertained at this cinema. Even when the film was rubbish!)
It wasn't just the movie, the staff were second to none. They were friends of my Grandma. They always looked out for us.
The last time I was there I was about 20 and I went to see 'The Doors'. I'd seen it at the ODEON in Pilgrim Street. I am a big Doors fan and I wasn't impressed. However my flatmates were out, I had consumed quarter a bottle of Jack Daniels so I decided to go to the pictures to see 'The Doors'. I hid my bottle of Jack Daniels in my coat and bought a few Hamlet cigars. Went upstairs to the upper circle, where there were a few people, drank, smoke and finally, thought I understood the film. If only because I was drunk! (No I didn't smoke anything illegal!) As I left the upper circle I bumped into an usherette, who said 'Are you the son of 'my mother with maiden name'?”
“Yes.” I said
“Ooh she used to go to school with my daughter 'name', does your mother remember?”
I don't know, she never mentioned her. Yet I lie, to make her happy.
It made me realise how much I hate these modern, expensive, can't bring your own sweets, multiplex Cinemas.
I'm now a grumpy old man, but, 'when I were a lad'...We didn't have to pay a booking fee, or an extortionate amount of money, because they have more screens or associated with some American studio. Cinema houses were independent, and because of this a certain charm.
Progress does not always equal good.