Tameside cinema managers

[brian]

Either during the war or just afterwards my father took me to a Tameside cinema (beyond Ashton, coming from Droylsden) to see a film and then to chat to the youngish manager, who showed us round the theatre. This had a stage behind the screen and used back-projection.
I think that the manager was a relation, but have no idea who he could be, and obviously never saw him again!

I bought "Flickering Memories" from Tameside libraries (covering Ashton cinemas) and they also sent photocopies of details of other Tameside cinemas. The only one I can see that used to be a theatre was the Hippodrome in Stalybridge.

Please does anyone have the knowledge to identify cinemas/ex-theatres and can think of a way of finding the managers in the 40s/50s?

Thanks,
Brian

[Woody]

Hi Brian

This information might prove to be of no use at all, but there used to be a Cinema Managers Association. There also used to be a Cinema Employers' Association, together with something called the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees (NATKE).

The Modern Records Centre at Warwick University has archives of information about the history of the cinema and they might be able to help if you contact them. Try this URL

www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/subject_guides

You might just get lucky and find that old membership lists have been stored somewhere.

Regards

Woody

[brian]

Many thanks, Woody, I'll give that a shot.

Brian

[brian]

No luck with the Warwick site. Does anyone have access to "modern" directories (1940s-50s) please?

Brian.

[brian]

Desperate measures now; I've been trawling the 1911 census for young family boys in Openshaw/Droylsden and submit this short list. Assuming that he moved nearer to Stalybridge, do any of the following names ring a bell with anyone, please?
Eric GRUNDY, Harold GRAY, Cyril BAMBER, Frank HARDY and Lawrence HARDY.

Thanks,
Brian

[Woody]

Hi Brian

I found possible birth records for all these people on www.freebmd.org.uk in the period around 1910. With the exception of Eric Grundy who was registered at Ashton Town, the births of all the rest were registered in the Manchester area, notably Chorlton. I focus on Chorlton because it’s the only place where birth registrations for both Frank and Laurence Hardy coincide.

FreeBMD also gives possible Tameside marriages in the right era for all of them (1930-1945). Cyril Bamber’s the exception; his marriage is registered at Stockport. You’ll find the details on www.cheshirebmd.org.uk

As to one of your earlier requests, the 1939 phone book lists an Eric Grundy at Ruskin Avenue, Audenshaw (tel: Droylsden 1764). He’s still living there in 1951 but his whereabouts are more confusing after that date. There’s no death record for him anywhere in Cheshire County.

The death registration for Frank Hardy at Tameside in 1987 might be your man; if I found the right Chorlton birth, his age at death fits. On the other hand, the telephone directory gives many people called Frank Hardy - the New Inn, Buxton (tel: 454) and 4 Meadow Bank, Chorlton (tel: 2808) to mention otheres with no real way of checking whether they’re related, let alone the same person.

The phone books do reveal that between 1938 and 1953 at least, the Hippodrome Cinema was in Corporation Street, Stalybridge. I can’t find a reference to it after 1953 so that might be the date its name or function changed. Of course there was another Hippodrome cinema/ theatre in Clarendon Street, Hyde during the exactly same era.

While I was at it, I also did a few very quick phone book checks for some of the other people you mentioned. Of course it’s all guesswork without dates of birth, etc, but I was looking to eliminate people who probably weren’t working in a cinema – Cyril Bamber, the Preston potato merchant or Harold Gray who lived too far away at the same Latchford/ Grappenhall, Warrington address for many years.

Hope this helps relieve the desperation a bit

[brian]

Many thanks for your trouble, Woody.

Eric Grundy was a long shot; he lived in Fairfield Avenue on his marriage in 1940 when he was a commercial traveller and was still there on the birth of his son in 1943, though I don't have the cert on that one.
The others were born in Openshaw or Gorton.
Harold Gray about 1894 - any other Grays welcome.
Cyril Bamber 1907, Frank Hardy 1910, Lawrence Hardy 1911, (census) so there may have been other Hardys.

I'll check the deaths you have mentioned.

As said, the cinema we saw had a stage behind the screen, which narrows the choice.

You never know, someone may say "my dad knew Frank Hardy" Or "my mum".

[caletaman]

From memory, during the 1950's/1960's Bennie Downs owned/managed the two cinemas in Mossley and I also think he was involved in the Stalybridge cinema as well. Not sure if that helps.

[brian]

Thanks, Caletaman. Bennie Downs is not in found our family names.