Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Good Afternoon
The Regal Experience
1956 documentary about women taking a variety of outings
Sunday 3rd October, 2010 at 2-30pm
British Crime Double Bill
HOME TO DANGER
YOUNG AND INNOCENT
Sunday 24th October, 2010 at 2 pm (not 2-30)
SPECIAL "B" WESTERN MOVIE SHOW
Roy Rogers
"BELLS OF CORONADO"
Gene Autry
"THE STRAWBERRY ROAN"
William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy
"NORTH OF THE RIO GRANDE"
Sunday 7th November, 2010 at 2-30pm
MILLIONS LIKE US
(poster)
also showing
"THE FIRST DAYS"
Humphrey Jenning's acclaimed Documentary setting the scene in this country at the start of the war
Sunday 28th November, 2010 at 2-30p.m
Charity Show in aid of 389th BOMB GROUP EXHIBITION, HETHEL
PRIDE OF THE NATION
(story of the Kassel Mission)
also showing
LIBERATORS OVER EAST ANGLIA
Tickets for all shows are:- £5 or £4 concessions (60+ and under 16)
available from:- Maureen Dodman 01953 605593
Michael Armstrong 01953 603246
The Wymondham Heritage Museum
The Regal Experience group is dedicated to keeping classic cinema alive in Wymondham.
The town's Regal Cinema was built in 1937 and closed on the 29th June 1993. Following the closure, the main auditorium of the Regal was converted to a dance floor and bar for the Wymondham and District Ex Services Club, whilst retaining the decorative features, stage and ambience of the old cinema. The projection room remained largely undisturbed with its two Kalee 12 projectors with Vulcan Carbon Arcs.
Prior to the Regal being built, the proprietor instructed his architect to design a building which would last 25 years. However, the building has stood for over 70 years and once again, although on a limited basis, allows the magic of those classic movies to grace its silver screen and provide "The Regal Experience".
Many people expressed their sadness at the demise of the old Regal. However, one film enthusiast, Mr Michael Armstrong, who had been associated with the cinema for many years, rescued many of the original fittings and re-created a scaled down version of the cinema at his home. Over the years he showed 16mm and 8mm films in his mini cinema. At the same time, a small group of film enthusiasts who regularly attended film shows there, explored the idea of putting on a classic film show at the old Regal to bring back memories of cinema in Wymondham. This enthusiastic group called themselves "The Regal Experience".
With the aid of Cinema City in Norwich, it was decided to screen the classic Ealing comedy "The Titfield Thunderbolt" on the 23rd July 2000 to tie in with their exhibition of "100 Years of Cinema". The event was well attended and many patrons expressed their wish for more classic film shows.
Firstly, with the aid of Cinema City from 2000 to 2008 and now since 2008 with the aid of the Hollywood Cinema in Norwich, the Regal Experience Group has held many special one day screenings of famous old classical films, with guest visits from many well known stars.
We are now working on our programme for 2010. All films are shown on the original 1930s projection equipment, which by prior arrangement can be seen in operation on any of the forthcoming film dates.
We also welcome suggestions for future films.
Enquiries to Maureen Dodman 01953 605593
NEWS PAGE
"REGAL" GROUP HOLIDAY, 2010
The group had yet another successful "cinematic" holiday in June. Firstly we were based at Ross on Wye and radiated from there. We were delighted to be able to meet Michael Craig at his home. He starred in many films including, The Iron Maiden, The Angry Silence, Campbell's Kingdom, The Silent Enemy, Doctor in Love and Payroll. It was very interesting to hear about his life.
The group with Michael Craig Left to right:- David Oldfield, Maureen Dodman, Michael Armstrong, Michael Craig, Philip Yaxley, Les Woods
We visited the "Palace" cinema at Cinderford. It had been well cared for and restored. The manager gave us a talk on the history of the cinema. (with slides) He took some members to see the projectors. We watched the film "The Killers". We also went to the "Electric Picture House" at Wooton Under Edge and and saw the film "Vincere", about the life of Mussolini. Some of the group were shown the digital projection equipment. The group moved on further North to Preston. From Preston we visited the Stockport "Plaza". This was very impressive. We watched the film "Letter from an Unknown Woman". The organ was played before the show. Then afterwards we were given a short "extra" film on the old Kalee 8 projector, with disc. It was a long climb up to see the projectors, but several of our group made it.
The Palace Cinema at Cinderford
The Plaza Cinema at Stockport
We went to Ulverston to visit the Laurel and Hardy museumwhere there was plenty of memorabilia to see. There was an impressive statue outside the council offices.
We spent a very good day visiting the film location for "Whistle Down the Wind". We were invited by Diane Holgate, who had played Nan Bostock in the film. She was our guest earlier in the year, when we had "Whistle Down the Wind" at our Regal cinema in Wymondham. Diane gave us a lovely surprise as she had secretly arranged for four of the other ladies who had played children in the film to be there too. (disciples) ladies One of the ladies, Lois, played the little girl who gave a Bible to "Jesus" in the barn. She still had the original Bible and brought it to show us. We had a lovely tour of the surroundings and visited the original farmhouse. It all looks much the same today.
The group outside the farmhouse with Diane
Michael Armstrong holding the Bible, with Diane and Lois
The group in the village with Diane and four of the other cast members
The Laurel and Hardy Statue in Ulverston
Tribute to Jean Simmons
The Regal Group with Jean Simmons
Jean Simmons was a Hollywood legend. All of us in the Regal group were very shocked and sad to hear of her death in January. She had starred in many films, including "The Big Country", "Guys and Dolls" and lastly "Shadows in the Sun" which was filmed in North Norfolk. At that time, Maureen wrote to Mr David Rocksavage, the film's director, to see if we could meet her there. Mr Rocksavage wrote back to say that we had just missed her but he would speak to her about us.
Then when we had our holiday in America, Mr Philip Yaxley, a founder member of the group, wrote to her at her home in Santa Monica. Jean wrote back to him and invited us all to visit her at her home for afternoon tea. We were very surprised when her daughter Tracy Granger brought the tea into the room. Tracy is Jean's daughter from her first marriage to film idol Stewart Granger. We had a lovely afternoon and took many photographs. Jean signed posters and photographs. She was especially interested in Mr Michael Armstrong's poster of The Big Country.
We are now going to show "Shadows in the Sun" in a special tribute show to Jean on March 28th. Mr David Rocksavage, the film's producer and director will be coming as our guest and will talk about how the film was made. (see future programme page)
Contact Details
Contact: Maureen Dodman
Telephone: 01953 605593
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