Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 1st January, 2012)

Good photo Dave, it's nice to see that the small tree has been removed from close to the top, it was growing there for years.

If only you could go live to King street right now 12.45 am 1st January 2012

Congratulations on having the first picture of 2012 Dave.

Great photo Dave. Is it now a night club?

We once had a choice of 3 cinemas in King St.,The Court,The County and The Palace.Many of us have fond memories of all three.I remember as a child my Dad took me to see the film 'Shane' at The Court.It was the only cinema,if I remember correctly,that had double seats and these were at the front of the back stalls!

Dave, The Palace had double seats upstairs. Saw Calamity Jane there starring Doris Day about 1956.

A few weeks ago i was sat in Roger Alker's office which is opposite to the Court. It brought back many happy memories.

Thanks for the information on The Palace,Alan H.It would have been 1953 when I went to see 'Shane' with my Dad at The Court.I remember queuing at The Palace when we were kids,we queued in a long covered corridor and the Commissionaire in his old red overcoat with gold braid used to walk up and down the queue looking for urchin troublemakers.It was the only cinema I have been thrown out of before I got in.

Now Dave Marsh. It would be my Dad that through you out. He took that job after he retired ,for pocket money.

I also used to go there on a saturday morning, queueing up in that long entranceway. Ron D your dad may have had a word or two with me and my mates.

Hi,Ron,he was strict and you didn't mess him around.I read an article in Past Forward about The Palace Cinema,but I am straying off the subject.We were a bit boisterous at times.

Remember in the fifties,the county and court cinema`s.Remember the princes but not on King St.Is the picture you have taken,one of these?Going to the "pictures" then, If the film you wanted to see happened to be an "A "You would ask an adult(complete stranger!!)"to take you in !"!Could you lmagine that happening now ??
Just looking at the picture again....I can see it was called the royal COURT theatre....DOH !!Perhaps too many baileys last night!

I too remember asking complete strangers to "TAKE US IN" I moved from Spring St. in 1953 so I would have only been 6 at the most...

Could be a good thread this cinema experiences.When a group of us went to see an 'X' horror the oldest looking one would buy all the tickets and turn up his collar to look older than he was.I remember going to se an 'X' Bardot film at The Prince's using this method and As we went in an usherette said "just look at the dirty little scoundrels".Then she said " She doesn't show owt."

first film i ever saw there was bedknobs and broomsticks.we didn't av much money so it was a very special night for me and our sue

Stick this in your browser:
http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/3/lp64w6va.jpg....The Palace cinema King St

It's good to get all the comments bringing back memories, the County also had the double seats upstairs, and don't forget the Court Dance Hall, also the Hippodrome Theatre between the Palace and County. Thanks Dave. H.

Remember the Hippodrome well.Mum and Dad took us there every friday for the show ....Dear Dad must have been on a good wage !

I remember all the above cinemas including the Ritz which was my favourit,two films for the price of one. any one remember the Empire,they showed french films in the 50s.BRIGET BARDOT i Remember ONE LAD SHOUTED OUT COME AND SIT ON MY KNEE LOVE.I WAS A SATURDAY MONITOR AT THE RITZ AND IF ONE SOLD MORE BADGES YOU GOT FREE TICKET FOR THE MIDWEEK SHOWS.

Wasn't the Princess Cinema down by the Clarence pub, the entry continued down into King Street West.

There used to be an awning covering the full legnth of the Court Cinema, with the legend "Talking Pictures"
Meesons sweetshop at one end, & the booking office at the other(next to the entry)
David, it was "The Princes" in Clarence Yard