Baildon Picture House
| Address | Northgate |
|---|---|
| Architects | Kirby and Botterall |
| Owner | Baildon Picture House & Cafe Co Ltd |
| Built | 1916-17 |
| Demolished | Mid 1960s |
| Photo | |
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| Open Street Map | |
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| Other Links | Google Maps |
This page is related to the Baildon Picture House. More information about early cinema and film viewing in Baildon, prior to The Picture House, and for a more general history of local cinemas you can read an extract from the Bradford Timeline website here - Shipley Cinemas
Baildon Picture House - History
Archived from Baildon Picture House page on The Bradford Timeline. The Bradford Timeline website has a wealth of information about local cinemas and permission to use some of that research here has been granted by the creator, Colin Sutton, via facebook messenger.
Early Plans
Plans for a picture house at Baildon were first drawn up early in 1914 by Bradford architects Kirby and Botterall for the newly formed Baildon Picture House & Cafe Co Ltd with a Mr Haggas as company secretary. The ambitious scheme was to include a single deck cinema hall 45 feet wide and 90 feet long with a "semi-circular" (ie. arched) roof. It was proposed to seat approx. 600 people together with a large café to accommodate 250. Two self contained shop units were to be built either side of the cinema entrance in Northgate.
It was quite some time before building work commenced in late 1916 probably due to the war, shortage of labour and getting the plans passed by the Baildon Urban District Council.
The New Building
The brick built and purpose-designed building of the Baildon Picture House was prominently sited in Northgate, the main street leading to the moors, and almost opposite the Malt Shovel public house, a landmark hostelry which still exists today.
Despite the effects of the First World War (1914-1918) the picture house was built with an imposing two storey frontage in red brick with faience style white tile decoration and having a splendid central oriel style half hexagon bay window at first floor level suspended from the face of the building and supported on a substantial white corbel. A wrought iron and glass canopy was mounted above the front entrance. Its cosy auditorium with 550 seats had a proscenium width of 25 feet.
Under the ownership of Joe Holmes who was already involved with the Shipley Picture House (and was later to take over the Hippodrome in Barkerend Road, Bradford) and famed for his flamboyant style, he opened the Baildon Picture House on Monday 5th February 1917 with the feature:
Idol of the Stage - 1916 USA B/W Silent drama
Starring Malcolm Williams, Charles W. Travis and John Mackin.
A pianist accompanied the films.
The local newspaper advertised . . . .
It is undoubtedly a fact that no more up-to-date entertainment hall can be found anywhere than at Baildon. People visiting Baildon these weekends can spend a comfortable two hours in the Picture Theatre and may get all kinds of refreshments at the Café at moderate prices. Café also open on Sundays." Cinema admission prices were 2.1/2d, 5d, 7d and Reserved 9d.
A feature of the Baildon Picture House was that it had a large café upstairs and a dance floor with "Dancing to the Don Bell Orchestra" being a popular attraction. An old photograph taken shortly after its opening clearly shows a sign which reads "Picture House Café and Lounge open daily including Sundays".
All this was at a time when Baildon was run as an Urban District Council (as was Shipley) and not part of the now sprawling Bradford Metropolitan District. Then as now Baildon was a popular place for city business people to live and for visitors and moor walkers at the weekend - all potential customers for the new cinema and café.
In 1921 the Baildon Cinema Co Ltd was formed by the new owners Clifford Briggs (of Briggs Printers in Silsden) who was also proprietor of the Silsden Picture Palace. Briggs was joined by J.A Smith and J.D Smith of Keighley as principal shareholders.
Silent films with piano accompaniment continued until the American Western Electric sound system was installed around 1930 bringing it into the "talkies" era. In September 1933 the Picture House was advertising a new feature:
When visiting Baildon (cinema) this weekend don't forget the café and also the New Amusement Arcade
- to attract the many weekend walkers who came to the moors just up the road.
Later owners were Baildon Cinema Company with James Roberts as manager followed by A.H & N Cinema Circuit (P Artingstall) of Southport (also controlling the New Empire at Rawdon) who kept it going until 1939 when it closed for the duration of the Second World War (1939-1945) during which time the building was taken over (quite why is a mystery) by the Military and for housing evacuees. However, the popular café did continue to operate and was the setting for many formal dinners, wedding receptions and parties, eg. Baildon Army Cadets New Year Part in January 1945.
At the last performance on Saturday 4th February 1939 the final film was:
Slave Ship - 1937 USA B/W 100mins.
Starring Warner Baxter, Mickey Rooney and George Sanders.
Admission Prices from 4d to 1/-.
Travelling Cinema
Several weeks after the Picture House had closed, a "travelling indoor cinema" visited Shipley's Unionist Club and the Parochial Hall in Baildon along with similar venues in nearby villages. These free film shows showed such compilations as:
Island Nation - Stanley Holloway presenting a naval study.
National Magazine - A government propaganda film.
A Great Endeavour - Social documentary.
Deeds Not Words - Nosmo King monologue and playlet.
together with a Will Hay comedy, cuts from news films
plus Mickey Mouse cartoon and a nature film.
After the War
Soon after the war the Baildon Picture House was to re-open again on Friday 18th May 1945 at 7.15pm with some ceremony following an expensive refurbishment by new owners as part of the expanding A.S Hyde Circuit who already controlled the Glenroyal, Pavilion de Luxe and Prince's Hall cinemas in Shipley and several Bradford suburban cinemas. The opening was performed by D.V Scholes, Chairman of Baildon Urban District Council and Clifford Cawthorne, Chairman of the Directors, responded saying that "it has cost a lot of money to re-furbish the cinema. I hope the public of Baildon will support the venture". The audience then enjoyed the film:
Pride & Prejudice - 1940 USA B/W 117 mins.
Starring Greer Garson, Marten Lamont and Laurence Olivier.
Prices 9d, 1/- and 1/6d.
Concert Performance
To have an orchestral/choral concert performed in a suburban cinema is a bit of a rarity in the Bradford/Shipley area but the Baildon Picture House (courtesy of Shack Hyde) played host to the Baildon Music Society Choir and Orchestra for a fine performance of Handel's Messiah on Sunday 29th November 1953 at 7.15pm.
Performers included . . .
Christine Roe (soprano); Margaret Whiteley (contralto);
Edward York (tenor); Frederick Noble (bass);
Willie A. Long (trumpet); Harold G. Robinson (piano);
Conducted by Harry Garbutt.
Leader of the Orchestra Donald Rushworth.
Press reports said "it was one of the best they have given and delighted a large gathering". Tickets for this special event were 2/6d, much more than the regular cinema prices.
Shack Hyde also encouraged stage shows, amateur operatic and dramatic performances to be staged in his Elite cinema in Toller Lane, Bradford.
End of the Line
CinemaScope was installed in early 1956 and seating capacity reduced to 396. Sadly this popular and comfortable little cinema only survived until Saturday 26th March 1960 when it closed with the final double X-certificate programme:
The Mummy - 1959 UK Technicolor 88 mins.
Starring Peter Cushing, Eddie Byrne and Christopher Lee.
and
Bed Without Breakfast - 1957 Denmark B/W 81 mins.
(aka "Night Girls" in USA and "Natlogi Betalt" in Denmark)
Starring Lee Paterson, Vera Sticker and Hanne Borchsenius.
This landmark building for over 40 years was then used as a library for a while until the Ian Clough Hall opposite was built then the cinema and café building (excluding the butchers shop to the left of the entrance) were offered for sale to the council where it is recorded that . . .
"The District Valuer is to be asked to negotiate with the owners (A.S Hyde group) of the Baildon Cinema and Café with a view to purchase by the Council of the property. This was agreed at the monthly meeting of Baildon Finance and General Purposes Committee. The Committee had before them a letter from the Baildon Townswomen's Guild on the subject of the picture house. Also a letter from Towngate Properties Ltd stating the terms upon which they were prepared to sell."
However, on the intervention of Councillor Reginald W. Bolton (aka "Inky" Bolton, a physics teacher with no interest in cinema!) who declared that the Council (Baildon U.D.C.) were likewise not interested in the proposal. That was the end of that and the cinema was demolished to allow for road widening and redevelopment with shops on the remainder of the site.
Sunday Concert Sept 1917
A Souvenir Programme[1], the content of which can be seen here, shows that The Picture House was used for a Sunday Concert on September 23 1917. The programme includes a Baildon Roll of Honour - those that had died in service of their country and those that had joined His Majesty's Forces.
Transcribed Roll of Honour - MEN WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY
Transcribed Roll of Honour - MEN WHO HAVE JOINED HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES
Ads
Baildon Picture House, Northgate, Baildon, Shipley 1056, advertised in the 1930 Baildon Hospital & Charities Week
The Cinemas of Bradford (extract)
Elsie Moxham has given the following information via facebook:-
The original proprietors of Baildon Picture House, according to "The Cinemas of Bradford" written by G. J. Mellor, published 1983, were Joe Holmes, Baildon Cinema Co. (James Roberts), and C. and H. Cinemas ( Cawthorne and Hyde). The cinema was brick built with café attached, with seating for 550, and opened 5 February, 1917, The main feature was "Idol of the Stage" and supporting pictures; popular prices were 2 1/2 d. to 9d. The cinema closed 1939 and the premises were occupied by evacuees and Military personnel. The Gala Re-opening on Friday, 18 May 1945, and Mr. D. V. Scholes, Chairman of B.U.D.C., and the final closing was on Saturday, 19 March 1960. Cawthorne and Hyde were also involved in several other cinemas: Arcadian, Legrams Lane, Coliseum, Toller Lane, Coronet, Undercliffe, Glenroyal, Shipley, Pavilion de Luxe, Shipley. Prince's Hall, Shipley Picture House, Briggate, (former Queens Palace Theatre).[2]
Library
A Baildon Library has been near the Town Centre for many years and on 31 March 1955 it opened new premises in the Baildon Picture House building under the Cafe. The Shipley Times and Express of 6 April 1955 ran an article describing how much the facilities had improved over the previous location, more floor space, new sloping shelves, spaces for special subject displays, a desk with 2 leather chairs and a much improved and larger children's area with a low circular bench.[3]
Photos and Facebook comments
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Picture House from further up Northgate.
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Picture House. Looking up Northgate.
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Picture House. Looking up Northgate.
Here are some of the comments on facebook when a photo was shared in 2018. The photo shows a poster for The Woman Who Was Forgotten - a film released on 1 Dec 1930
- Malcolm Leyland:- Front six rows were sixpence on Saturday afternoon in 1938 all cowboy films and stamping feet and boos when the baddies came.
- Susan Hibbert:- Front 4 rows cost 6d, Victor Gould was the projectionist, if the film broke down all the kids would start stamping their feet, happy days lol.
- Lynne Fordyce:- I went, remember seeing a film with Dean martin and Jerry Lewis, also cowboy films ...I was under 5
- Sue Butler:- I remember my first ever film there, Disney's Snow White, probably around 1961. I was very frightened by parts of it.
- Julie Hudson:- I have been upstairs to Masonic parties when I was about 5 years old I still have the photograph so that would be about 1945.
- John-Val Cox:- First film I ever saw was "101 Dalmatians" there when I was about 5 years old(64 now!). My parents also had their wedding reception at the " picture house cafe".
- Graham Parker Mountain:- Remember playing round the back with the charcoal sticks used in the lamps.
- James Baxter:- Hi Graham, with my mates , we used to check out the back for any old film clips being destoryed , back in the 50,s
- Ralph Dickson:- yes we collected the bits of film rolled them up in paper lit the end they made fine smoke bombs
- Shirley Fillingham:- Went twice a week remember Gone with Wind also cafe upstairs we had our wedding reception there in 1955 5 shilling per head x
- Kate Smith:- Gosh, certainly brings back many happy memories for me. Spent hours at the cinema and at parties at the room above Cheers Kate aka Eileen Parr
- Liz Simpson:- Went to see films as often as I could get the money! My sister had her wedding reception there and wasn't the library housed there at one time?
- Kate Smith:- I was a bridesmaid for a wedding and the reception was held there. Cheers Kate
- Jacqueline Hingston:- My sister had her wedding reception there, too.
- Julie Walmsley:- My Great Grandad was the Manager James Roberts, and my Lovely Nana used to be a cleaner there Laura Roberts
- Jennie Pickard:- Remember your Nana well and you’re quite right she was a lovely lady
- Ralph Dickson:- Remember going to see (Beast with five fingers) starring Peter Larre. It was a bit scary would be deemed unfit for children these days. I would have been nine at that time 1946. The film (The woman who was forgotten) posted here [on one of the photos] was filmed in 1930 staring Belle Bennet she died in 1932 making many silent movies in her long career.
- Trev Hall:- Went every Friday night
- Kate Smith:- I went every Friday night too. I loved those double seats 💺 near the back 😂 As I went on my own they were not much good to me. 😢
- Sheila Smith:- Went every night for a week to see Elvis starring in 'Blue Hawaii'. Think it was sixpence to get in. I would have been about 15 at the time!
- Vivien Parkinson:- I fell in love with Elvis too..in G.I.Blues..1961 or 62 at this picture house
- Andrea Moorhouse:- I remember going to see a film with my cousin, she was a Pat Boone fan and he was in the film, I am sure someone will be able to name the film. I was about 6 she was about 12, parents now wouldn't let kids of that age go to the flea pit without an adult. I got into trouble for running around, I was bored!
- Jennie Pickard:- My dad took us there to see Swiz Family Robinson but I think this might be of interest to John McEvoy I think he has a family connection
- Sue Rae:- I saw Jail house rock there ? And who remembers Torchie ? She was a force to be reckoned with 😱😱! 🤣🤣
Several of the comments indicate that The Picture House was still showing films after the published closing date of 26th March 1960 as quoted on Bradford Timeline or 19 March 1960 in The Cinemas of Bradford.
- Blue Hawaii with Elvis Presley released 9 February 1962 (UK)
- 101 Dalmations released 25 July 1961 (UK)
- G.I. Blues released 11 December 1960 (UK)
- Swiss Family Robinson released 19 March 1961 (UK)
Timber reuse
Some of the timber from the cinema building was used in the roof structure of some of the garages on Threshfield.[4]
Showing
Shipley Times and Express - Wednesday 22 December
This weekend: Song of the Island (U)
Mon Tues. Victor Mature in Fury at Furnace Creek (U)
Wed Thurs. Van Johnson & June Allyson in The Bride Goes Wild (A)
Fri Sat Robt Taylor & Audrey Totter in High Wall (A)
Working as Projectionist at the Baildon Picture House
By Victor Gould[5]
The Picture House was located in the building that also housed the former Baildon Café, Baildon Ballroom, and Baildon Branch Library. I was projectionist at Baildon Picture House for a number of years.
The entrance to the Picture House was on the (Towngate) end of the building. The box office was situated near the entrance – usually staffed by Miss Emma Bell. From there, it was a walk along a sloping passage to the entrance to the auditorium – a small cinema space without either a balcony or curtains.
The projection box could not be accessed from the auditorium but had a separate entrance at the outside of the building. To get to it you had to go through an archway (which linked to the next-door property belonging to Mr and Mrs Roberts) on Northgate, along the side of the building, into a large yard and up a flight of metal steps to a metal door.
The first room on entering the projection area was the rewinding room. This was separated from the projection room with another fire steel: both rooms had steel doors because of fire regulations.
Every time the programme started, the projectionist had to walk down the stairs from the projection box, round to the entrance to the Picture House and up the long passage into the auditorium, to make sure the sound was okay. If there was a breakdown, and the projectionist was in the auditorium, they then had to dash back outside and round to the projection room to fix the problem. During this time, there were calls to 'Put money in the meter'...'Wind it up...' and lots of stamping of feet.
The projectors were old but reliable; they were made by Kayley and powered by carbon rods, in the same way as searchlights. It was the films that were liable to breakdown. Small cinemas like Baildon had to make do with films that had already been to hundreds of other cinemas; sprocket holes at the side of the film were sometimes so damaged that they would break. One night, the film actually split in two below the gate (where the film was held still prior to the opening of the shutter). The damage to the film did not affect the programme!
By the late '50s, cinema audiences were in decline, especially at small local venues like Baildon Picture House. The cinema was also expensive to maintain. Not long before the cinema closed permanently, the heating pipes under the floor in the auditorium burst; the management decided not to close, and hired a firm to remove the seating on the right side of the auditorium and dig up the floor. The excavation was roped off and paraffin lamps laid along the edge to prevent anyone falling in!
It remained like that for a long time. As there was no heating in the auditorium during that time, and a huge hole in the floor, word got around and not many people came to the cinema. However, one night during that period, a lady came in at the start of the programme and sat there until the cinema closed for the night; she sat through two ‘houses’, and was the only customer that evening. What you’d call a private viewing!
References
- ↑ Original paper copy supplied by Malcolm Leyland.
- ↑ "The Cinemas of Bradford" written by G. J. Mellor, published 1983
- ↑ Shipley Times and Express Wednesday 6 April 1955 Baildon News
- ↑ Told to me by the person that owned The Cedars nursing home, Threshfield, at that time.
- ↑ Memories by Victor Gould of Working as Projectionist at Baildon Picture House. Made available by his sister Carol Jennings
