CHESTER CINEMAS - Key Persons
Staff at the closing of the Classic cinema, Chester (inset picture Kath Jones, second from left Helen Jones, far right Wendy Lewis)
Job Titles:
- Chief Projectionist Early 1960s
Derrick Moore began his cinema career at the ABC Chester in 1956 as a probationer projectionist. Within a relatively short time he had progressed his position to that of third operator. He looked after all things mechanical and electrical both in the projection room and the downstairs auxiliary plant. He was one of the projection team selected to do an advanced training course organised by NATTKE, the UK's television, theatre and cinema's union, which set out an in-house plan of further advancement in the areas of electrical and technical expertise. Derrick was at the ABC during the cinema's one and only major refurbishment which was carried out during 1963, and the introduction of the stage pop concerts which commenced in 1964.
Douglas Stewart Baker was a typical cinema manager of the era when the business was in fierce competition from television, bingo, and bowling. D.S. Baker joined the company in 1946 as an assistant manager at the Ritz Stockport. He came to manage the ABC Regal during 1955. Previously he had been the General Manager at the ABC Litchfield.
Claremont cinema in Moss side, Manchester. The first cinema Douglas Baker managed.
Douglas S Baker holds the prestigious ABC National Good Housekeeping Award for 1965
He regularly won awards for his promotions, and indeed for the coveted National ABC Good House Keeping award, which he was particularly proud of, as seen in this 1965 press photograph.
In 1966, a surprise for his colleagues was when Douglas Baker announced that he was moving to Bristol to manage a brand new cinema there. He left the Chester cinema in a buoyant business position, and will always be remembered for his talented contribution to cinema exhibition.
Job Titles:
- General Manager Mid 1960s
I forget the order of these shows but my favourite pop star was Gene Pitney, and … yes you guessed it … I got to meet him! But … not only that, it was his birthday and the event was reported on regional (Granada TV) news. He arranged a small party after the show and yes - I was there! Other performers I remember were, the Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Hollies, the Checkmates, Spencer Davis Group, Moody Blues, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Unit Four + 2, Walker Brothers, Bee Gees, Searchers, the Kinks and Chuck Berry. I definitely had "boasting rights". I also had a collection of autographed show programmes, still trying to find out where they are.
Taking part in the promotional events for the films scheduled to show, was an interesting "hobby" that got me out of the cinema offices. Another "activity" was the ABC Minors shows on Saturday mornings, I was fortunate to end up on stage and run some of those events, supported by other staff members, notably Jack Lally, Sheila Pickford and Lil Rogers.
Lil Rogers was a well respected, and liked manager to her colleagues and customers, many who fondly remember her generosity with those free tickets!
Lynne Wainwright, pictured here in the rear stalls at the ABC Chester, worked on sales and as an usherette during the early to mid sixties. Often she would take part in publicity events, one being for "Carry On Cabby", although for this she was dressed in uniform and sat on a motor scooter for the press photographs.
Job Titles:
- Ge Neral Manager Early 1960s
A lady well remembered and liked by movie goers to the Classic cinema during the 1960s was the general manager, Margaret (Peggy) Rawson. Her efficient and charming manner ensured visiting the Classic was a pleasure. She was known for her film promotions, such as "The Finest Hours", when she arranged a special viewing and Civic reception inline with the city's tributes to Sir Winston Churchill.
Her son, Tony Rawson followed her into cinema management with the ABC circuit. In 1985 Tony was selected as a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust … What goes around comes around! Thanks Mum xx.
Pat Collins was the son of John Collins and Norah Collins nee (Mc'Dermott) of Ireland.Pat Collins, like his contemporary George Green, was a lessee, roundabout proprietor, and bioscope exhibitor, and also went on to build up a chain of cinemas. He was born on May 12th 1859 and until his death in 1943 he was the most successful showman of his generation both on and away from the fairground.
Pat Collins on the steps of his travelling fairground home.
The fairground bioscope was the early foundation of film exhibition to an audience. Pat Collins went on to travel several bioscopes on his many fairgrounds. He also established several cinemas, although his involvement in the cinematograph business appears to that of a investor and proprietor.
He was born at Boughton Heath, Chester in 1859 and was one of five children.
Pat was educated at St Werburgh's School Chester where he did very well in the time that he was there. He became fascinated with cinematography, and after including a bioscope in many of his fairs he began to acquire cinemas, eventually owning thirteen cinemas. In his home city of Chester this would included the purpose built Collins new Cinema De Luxe (later shortened to Cinema De Luxe) in Chester, which eventually became the MAJESTIC in Brook Street.
Patrick Collins, known as Pat Collins was regarded as the King of showmen, having run a successful fairground and cinema business. Collins was born in Chester on 12th May 1859 and attended St Werburgh's RC school. Later, he presented the pulpit to the church and made many gifts there. He moved to the Midlands and became a Liberal councilor in 1918. He became a Liberal MP for Walsall from 1922 to 1924. In 1920 he became president of the Showman's Guild until 1929. He was an Alderman in 1930, and became mayor of Walsall in 1938. In 1939 he was made a Freeman of the borough of Walsall.
As a ten year old boy, Collins, who was one of five children travelled the shows with his father John Collins, an agricultural labourer. At twenty one he operated his first children's roundabout, which was hand operated. Collins, who had great affection for his home town would visit Chester at least once during race week. He went on to run fairs all over the UK, including a seasonal one at Barry Island in South Wales. Pat Collins Ltd was formed in 1899.
Every year the Pat Collins fair puts in an appearance on the Roodee, during the May races. The fair, which is still known as Pat Collins' fair, is run by Anthony Harris. He took full control and sole ownership in 1983.
Collins married his first wife Flora Ross in 1880, when she was just 17. They had one son. Flora passed away in 1933 aged 69. She was the daughter of a watchmaker from Wrexham. Collins ran a number of cinemas, including five in Walsall, the Olympia Picture Palace Darlaston, the Grosvenor, Bloxwich, later taken over by Oscar Deutsch, under the title The Picture House (Bloxwich) Ltd and The Pat Collins Cinema deluxe in Brook Street Chester from 1921 until 1926.
In 1920 the staff of the Olympia had their annual Sunday trip out and though Collins couldn't attend he wrote out a cheque for a substantial amount towards it. He was generous in so many areas. His son Pat Collins junior was also involved in cinema and at one point ran the New Brighton Tivoli and Palace.
Collins re-married In 1935 at the age of 75 to a Miss Clara Mullett, aged 54, who was his secretary.
As an organist, Paul has a keen interest in the cinema and theatre organ. We have a section on the website dealing with this subject which is under Paul's supervision. Click on the Theatre & Cinema Organs tab listed below.
Peter Davies was employed in Chester cinemas since the age of fifteen, starting as a trainee projectionist at the ABC. A career that spanned 52 years of projecting film and digital presentation. Having worked in all three of the final remaining city centre cinemas ABC, Tatler/Classic, and Odeon for most of those years. Although always associated with the large cinema circuits, he would quickly state that the Tatler was the cinema he most preferred. During his time at the ABC, he was involved with the staging of the BIG named pop groups of the 60s. In 1971 he joined the Odeon, which was then operated by the mighty Rank Organisation, becoming technical manager in 1977. He was actively involved in the changes when the cinema was made into a three screen Film Centre in 1976, and then when it became a five screen venue in 1991.
He was also involved with Odeons at Crewe, Warrington, Sale, Oldham, Bury, and the original Wrexham Odeon. As branch secretary for the entertainment union, N.A.T.T.K.E., he covered cinemas, theatres and bingo halls in the North West and North Wales during the 1970s.
Turning away from suggestions that he should move into general cinema management, along with being lined up as regional engineer and technical training officer, he had no regrets as he preferred, along with his family, to remain in Chester and district. He headed the technical operation at the opening of three local multiplexes- Bromborough and two in Wrexham. Later managing the projection departments at both Wrexham and Chester Odeons. He completed over twenty three years at Chester, being the final technical manager as Odeon left the building.
Following a road accident, Peter left the business.
Together with other cinema enthusiasts, Peter is pleased to be actively associated with chestercinemas.co.uk
Photographs, articles, programmes, posters, film, seats, furnishings, plaster work are but many of the preserved items in the extensive collection that Roger Shone has built up over the years. Many articles of historical value would have been lost forever if not for his tenacity in acquiring them so that others interested in cinemas and theatres could view and enjoy them. Negotiating with the owners of the defunct businesses to persuade them that such articles should be saved from the skips for posterity is commendable. Donning overhauls and safety equipment, wading in to sites with a band of helpers before demolition begins to remove these important pieces of local memorabilia.
Ron Evans, started his cinema career at the Classic Cinema where he quickly learned the skills of projecting and presenting films. He later moved to the nearby ABC Theatre where he is pictured above. Ron had taken promotion there in the early to mid 1960's. At the ABC he was responsible for not just showing films, but for organizing the immense amount of technical maintenance that was associated with a cinema of that size (2016 seats). He was involved with the preparations in converting the cinema stage in readiness for the highly successful pop shows, meeting many of the major stars who appeared on stage at that time.
RONALD BARRIE The highly sought after position of General Manager at Chester's largest cinema was awarded to Ronald Barrie. Well respected and talented, he had previously managed the large ABC Hippodrome cinema in Blackpool and was therefore the ideal candidate to take control of this splendid cinema/theatre.
His sons, Douglas and Charles followed him into the industry as projectionists, while Terry pursued a career in theatre management, becoming the assistant manager at the Royal Court, and later manager at the Empire Liverpool. Rita, his daughter also worked at the cinema.
Job Titles:
- Chief Projectionist Late 50s