The Regal Experience
- News
Regal Experience Cinematic Tour of Devon and Cornwall
On Friday 11th July, seven excited members of the "Regal" group set
off for a ten day touring holiday. Every day was action packed. Not a minute
was wasted thanks to member Philip Yaxley's prior research and planning. Although
film locations and cinemas were the principle aims - we also enjoyed visiting
coastal villages, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. Many places had very narrow winding
roads for our mini-bus!
One of the first places to visit was Topsham Museum, where we saw an exhibition
dedicated to memorabilia of Vivien Leigh. She had married a local man, Leigh
Holman, before she became famous. The nightgown she wore in "Gone With the
Wind" was included in the display.
We then visited the "Radway" cinema in Sidmouth. It has been upgraded
in Art Deco style and has a 14m screen and is fitted with a Dolby SR sound system.
There were four reels on a stand for projecting. We also saw the original Carbon
Arcs.
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| The four reels | Michael Armstrong looking at the original Carbon Arc |
On the Sunday we were invited to visit the "Wellesley" cinema in Wellington.We were shown around the cinema and the projection room. An original projector was on display by the stage. The cinema is also used as a theatre.
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| The Original Projector |
The cinema opened in 1937, the same year as our Wymondham
Regal. It has had many closures during it's time, but was completely renovated
and restored in 1990 and is now in the hands of a private leaseholder with
a very experienced and enthusiastic management team. So we hope that they
will continue to be well supported.
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| The Wellesley Cinema | The screen and auditorium |
We paid a visit to the Toy Museum at Montacute. This
was a real Aladin's cave, jam packed with not just toys, but radios and
T.Vs of all kinds. It was very nostalgic and well worth a visit. Mounted
prints of some film stars were also on sale.
The next day we visited a cinema museum at Exeter University
where we had a very interesting talk by Bill Douglas. There was a lot of
archive material to see and it traced the development of film from it's
early beginnings.
From here we visited "Becky Falls" and travelled across Dartmoor
to Buckland Abbey, the home of Sir Francis Drake.
The highlights of Tuesday were firstly a visit to Jamaica
Inn, made famous by Daphne Du-Maurier's book with a smuggling
theme. We then visited Wadebridge and looked at the "Regal" cinema
there. It has twin screens and opened in 1931. It's two auditoria seat 224
and 96. The cinema hosted two British Premieres of "Amy Foster" in
1998 and "Saving Grace" in 2000.
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| The "Regal" at Wadebridge |
On Wednesday we had a trip on the steam train from Paignton to Dartmouth. We
then visited Bigbury- on- Sea, where we saw Burgh Island and the house that used
to belong to Agatha Christie.
In the evening we saw the acclaimed film "Mamma Mia" at the Reel
cinema in Kingsbridge. We were made very welcome and shown
over the cinema before seeing the film.
The next day we had another location trip to Megavissey,
where "Johnny Frenchman" was
filmed. Amazingly we met a lady who had been in the film
as a child. She pointed out many places that were in the
film. There was also a museum in Megavissey where there was
a display about the film.
Those were some of the places we visited.We found many tucked away places. Some
streets were very narrow, especially in Fowey, for our mini-bus, but thanks to
our very experienced and capable driver, Mr David Oldfield, we all survived to
tell the tale.
"AB-FAB", JUNE WHITFIELD VISITS THE REGAL
EXPERIENCE GROUP
On Sunday 13th April, we gave a very warm welcome to
a very special guest, the "Absolutely Fabulous" June Whitfield. June
was an "absolutely" delightful lady, who was full of enthusiasm
for all that is being done to keep classic cinema alive here
in Wymondham. She braved the steep steps up into the projection
room and was amazed to see that the original projectors were
still being used by projectionists Michael Armstrong and
David Oldfield. She exclaimed that it was quite unbelievable!!
"Unbelievable!" June looks at the original 1930s projectors with
Michael Armstrong
(photo of June with Michael) (photo of June looking at the projectors)
June has had a very successful radio, T.V. and film career. She had parts in several Carry On films. June was very well known in the 50s for playing Eth of the Glums on the popular comedy radio show "Take it from Here". She was the star of the classic 1970s and 1980s T.V. sitcom "Terry and June". More recently June played grandmother, June Monsoon, in "Absolutely Fabulous" and was famous for her "one-liners!" She is now still working in "The Last of the Summer Wine" series. June said that she will carry on working and does not even consider stopping.
Members of the very appreciative audience were thrilled to be able to talk to June. She signed many autographs and endeared herself to everyone. She loved Wymondham and said she would love to come again one day. We really hope she will!
SYLVIA SYMS, STAR OF SCREEN AND STAGE, VISITS WYMONDHAM REGAL EXPERIENCE GROUP
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| Left to right: Les Woods, David Oldfield, Maureen Dodman, Michael Armstrong, Sylvia Syms, Philip Yaxley. |
Before the screening of "Conspiracy of Hearts", in which she starred with Lilli Palmer and Yvonne Mitchell, Sylvia went up into the projection room to see the old 1937 Kalee projectors. She was absolutely amazed that they were still working and told projectionists, Michael Armstrong and David Oldfield that she was surprised anyone still knew how to work them.Sylvia entertained the audience for about 40 minutes, answering Philip Yaxley's leading questions about her long career in films and theatre.
She is especially remembered for her starring roles in "Ice- Cold in Alex", "The Tamarind Seed" and more recently "The Queen", in which she played the Queen Mother.Our audience loved her down to earth approach.
Sylvia stressed that we should not give up using our talents just because we get older! After her very interesting and informative interview, group secretary, Maureen Dodman presented her with a bunch of flowers.Sylvia is a very busy person and supports many causes. She also tutors in public speaking and drama alongside her work in films and theatre. Sylvia is a council member of RADA. We were very lucky that Sylvia gave up her spare time to visit us here in Wymondham.
Sylvia Syms with the Regal group up in the Projection Room
Virginia McKenna Attends a Special film show in support of the Born Free Foundation
On Sunday September 9th we were pleased and excited to welcome Virginia McKenna to a special screening of the film "Born Free". Virginia starred in the film with her late husband, Bill Travers. The film was based on the true story of Elsa the lioness being returned to the wild by George and Joy Adamson.
The show was a sell-out and raised over £1000 for the Born Free Foundation. It was sponsored by Cinema City, FostersSolicitors and Wymondham Ex-Services Club.
Virginia was delighted with the efforts of the Regal Experience group and enjoyed a tour of the 1930s projectors with Mr Michael Armstrong, the group's projectionist.
She very much enjoyed her visit to Wymondham and thought it was a lovely place to live.
(Photo 1 ) Virginia enjoys lunch at Mr David Turner's "Brief Encounter" restaurant with members of the group
( Photo 2 )The main sponsors presenting the cheque
standing left to right Mr Peter Birch, Mrs Heather Brown
sittingleft to right Virginia McKenna, Mr Michael Armstrong
( Photo 3 ) Projectionist Mr Michael Armstrong and Virginia McKenna by the 1930s projectors
The Regal Group's Third visit to Hollywood and California 2007
Yet another wonderful holiday was enjoyed by members of the Regal Experience group. This time, Mr Michael Armstrong was able to come with us . He had to miss our last trip.
We started by flying to Las Vegas and visiting the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, both very impressive. We also found the delightful little western style town of Oatman, where mules roam freely in the street. We then left Arizona to travel across to Cambria. It was a very long drive, but we had an excellent driver. Mr David Oldfield , a member of the group did all the driving, over quite long distances most days!
We had a guided tour of film locations in Monterey and revisited Carmel where Clint Eastwood lives and has his office. Doris Day also lives there and runs an animal sanctuary.
We also revisited Hearst Castle up in the San Simeon hills. Many film stars had been guests during its heyday.
We attended a film convention and were very excited to meet Debbie Reynolds, Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, Richard Kiel (Jaws in James Bond film ) and Shirley Eaton. The atmosphere was amazing and there was plenty of memorabilia to be viewed.
The "icing on the cake" for us was an invitation to visit Jean Simmons at her house in Santa Monica. Her daughter, Tracy Granger was also there. We were made very welcome and Jean chattedover tea and biscuits about her film life. She told us what it was like to work with Howard Hughes, who "bought" her from Rank and took her to America. Jean said that she got on well with Hughes and enjoyed riding in his plane. Her favourite films were "Guys and Dolls" and "The Actress". She was also fond of Gregory Peck. She starred with him in "The Big Country"
We also revisited Paramount studio and Universal Studios. We saw different things this time. We were able to visit the projection room at Paramount.
"The Formosa" cafe was full of photographs of stars who had been there i.e. Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. The pictures were all round the inside walls.
Unfortunately we had to miss Roger Moore visiting Hollywood Boulevard as we had to return home the day before.
( Photo ) The Regal group with Jean Simmons
Special Visit to Wymondham "Regal Experience" by Ava Astaire McKenzie and her husband Richard
We
were so thrilled to welcome Fred Astaire's daughter Ava and her
husband Richard to visit us for a weekend and attend a screening
of the 1949 musical "The Barkleys of Broadway", in
which her father starred opposite Ginger Rogers. People came
from all over the country to see Ava at the old "Regal" cinema
and hear about her father's life. The tickets were all sold. Fred Astaire has been an inspiration to so many people and his partnership with Ginger Rogers continued for many years.
Ava was invited to attend the 70th anniversary screening of "Swing-Time" in March. The "Regal" first opened with "Swing-Time" on March 18th in 1937. Our chairman, Mr Michael Armstrong, had the brilliant idea to have a special show to mark the anniversary exactly seventy years later, on the same day, March 18th , showing the same film "Swing- Time" using the same projectors. Unfortunately, Ava was in America at the time and could not come. So she promised to come on another date and we screened "Barkleys of Broadway" on June 17th to honour her father's memory.
Ava said that she was delighted to have been invited and loved the warm, friendly atmosphere in the old "Regal" cinema. On stage, she answered many questions put to her by Philip Yaxley, a founder member of the group. She loved to talk about her father's life. Maureen Dodman presented Ava with a framed still of "Finian's Rainbow " that had been signed to her by Petula Clark. The group had recently met Petula in Lowestoft, when she told us of her fond memories working with Fred Astaire in that film. She remembered Ava and was pleased to sign the still for us to give her .
During the weekend the group took Ava and Richard to visit Blickling Hall and see a bit of the Norfolk countryside.
Ava and Richard with the"Regal Experience Group" at Blickling Hall
A sell out show for the 70 years Anniversary on March 18th, showing "Swing-Time", starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Two founder members of the group, Les Woods (on left)
and Philip Yaxley by poster of "Swing- Time"
The queue to get in
A packed audience
The old Wymondham Regal, now part of the Ex-Services' club, was packed to capacity for it's 70th anniversary show. With 200 picture-goers inside, the house-full notice had to go up and some people who arrived on spec had to be disappointed. Cinema enthusiasts, some of them members of the Projected Picture Trust and the Cinema Theatre Association, had travelled from around the country for the event. One came from Whitby and another from Preston---just for the afternoon.
Proceedings got underway with Joe Mooney, the Town Mayor, congratulating the Regal Experience Group on their highly successful staging of classic movie shows, which have now been running since 2000. On behalf of the group, Philip Yaxley thanked the Ex-Services' Club for their first-class co-operation in the venture.
Michael Armstrong, the group's chairman, presented Mr Mooney with a cheque from the proceeds of the raffle, which would be put to the Mayor's chosen charity - the Quidenham Hospice.
Local cinema legend, Les King, who was the manager of the Regal from 1966 to 1993, received a warm welcome from the enthusiastic audience when he took the stage. Les delighted everyone with a string of amusing anecdotes about his time in the cinema. Well known entertainer Olly Day, who is also a movie buff, paid his tribute to the Regal and the work of the group.
People wallowed in nostalgia as they watched shorts about movie history, old advertisements and the main feature "Swing-Time", starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. This classic musical was last screened on the cinema's opening night --18th March, 1937----seventy years ago to the day!!!!
After the show there was a long queue of intrigued visitors waiting their turn to view the old projectors. Michael Armstrong was pleased to welcome them up into the Projection Room and talk about how they worked.