Going to see “When Knights were Bold” at the Longford Cinema on Chester Road in 1936

Now I am looking at a picture of  the Longford Cinema on Chester Road in 1936.

It was ready for business on October 12th 1936 and as befitting a special occasion launched with the film ‘Tudor Rose’ starring Nova Pilbeam, Cedric Hardwicke and John Mills.

This was the story of Lady Jane Grey and her nine days as queen after the death of Henry V111 in 1547, and given that it was only released in the September of 1936 our cinema audiences on Chester Road were getting a brand new film.

And this picture house with its striking entrance on Chester Road was not only new but state of the art.

It had soundproofing, under seat heating and air conditioning.

“The foyer was floored in Venetian Marble and the Auditorium was decorated in tangerine and silver-blue art-deco designs. 

The room also contained a stage, which could be used for theatrical performances by various groups including the Streford Amateur Operatic Society and the building was the first in Britain to be illuminated by neon tube lighting. 

The arrangement of the business was that the Longford would be used as a Cinema for three weeks of the month and as a theatre for the fourth week. Cinema attendants were forbidden from accepting gratuities. 

The Longford Bar & Café occupied part of the first floor, with windows looking out across Chester Road, with comfortable sofas and furniture.

The stalls sat 1400, the balcony sat 600 and the café sat 146.”*

So this was a real cinema experience which brings me to the film showing when our photograph was taken.

“When Knights were Bold” had only been out on the circuits since February and I guess would have been a must to show.

 It was a musical comedy staring Jack Buchanan as Sir Guy de Vere who returns from a commission in India to claim his family inheritance.

But his relatives are none too friendly, except the lovely Lady Rowena.

After a drunken evening spent with a passing tramp, a bump on the head sends Sir Guy back to the 1400s and the golden age of chivalry.

And as the plot unfolds there are battle scenes along with a series of songs including "Let's Put the People To Work" "Onward We Go," and "I'm Still Dreaming".**




Pictures; The Longford Cinema in 1936 from the collection of Sally Dervan

* Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford, http://longfordcinema.co.uk/history/

**plot of When Knights were Bold, from Grahame N's Web Pages http://www.pathefilm.freeserve.co.uk/95flmcat/95flmcatt9101.htm