Orhpeus Cinema celebrates 75th anniversary

The smell of the popcorn, the hush of the crowd and the excitement as the story unfolds. This familiar scene has taken place in Henleaze for the past 75 years. 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the opening of The Orpheus Cinema on Northumbria Drive.

The cinema as it stands today is very different from the Art Deco original that once stood in its place. Bristolians have had a long-standing love affair with the moving image. Silent movies were accompanied by everything from organs to orchestras and Bristol’s numerous screens also kept the public up to date with the latest newsreels.

Here in Henleaze, Bristol’s Lord Mayor attended the opening of The Orpheus. It was in that very lobby that he unveiled a plaque dedicated to William Friese-Greene, the Bristol-born inventor who is credited with the creation of cinematography. The original cinema building itself was designed by Bristol architect Alec French. It was a beautiful cinema featuring a large window on the front as well as majestic flag poles on the roof’s edge. One could imagine it must have been a grand sight and a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Like many public buildings during World War II, the cinema was used as a warden’s post in addition to showing films.

A local resident told me a story about her husband as a boy living in Shirehampton, and working as a "rewind boy" at the cinema. He spoke often of those war-time years when he would ride his bicycle to The Orpheus to help the projectionist painstakingly rewind the reels of the films in time for their next showing.

After the war, the cinema enjoyed a period of success. It was a well-loved and popular place for local entertainment. However, the late 1950’s were a time of change in Bristol.

At one time, there were over 60 local cinemas, but week after week, another cinema closed due in part to the opening of larger multiplex cinemas, which could offer sharper pictures and better sound.

People’s tastes were changing, and televisions were becoming a familiar sight in the front rooms of the nation’s homes. The time came when it was clear that The Orpheus was no longer viable as a business. In 1972 the cinema closed and the property was sold to the John Lewis Partnership who intended to build a Waitrose supermarket. It looked as though the era of a local cinema in Henleaze was over. Outraged residents signed petitions and held meetings to save the cinema; through their hard work they were able to save it. Almost. Changing their original plans, The John Lewis Partnership decided to include three screens above their new store. It opened in 1973 under the name "Screens Five to Seven ".

Do you have any memories of the Orpheus?

Erik Houlihan-Jong is a documentary film maker who is producing a short documentary about the cinema.

If you would like to share your memories, please contact Erik at:

bristoldoc2011-orpheus@yahoo.com

or Tel. 07843 308517

An opening ceremony featured a screening of the latest Bond film "Live and Let Die". Bristol film critic Bill Sims noted that the film title was more than fitting, because the cinema was alive again albeit under a different name. The cinema managed to sustain itself through the 1970s and into the 1980s until it was taken over by the successful American company, The Cannon Group. They already owned several cinemas in the city, so it must not have come as a surprise that the company was interested in buying The Orpheus.

By 1994, the cinema was in danger of closing again. The owners thought the three-screen cinema was not a financially viable model. As they did in the 1970s, the local people made their voices heard. Hundreds of people attended a public meeting held at the Cock O' the North pub across the road. (Now the Westbury Park Tavern)

The cause gained substantial media attention and public support from the famous Welsh comedian and Coronation Street actor Stan Stennett. After lengthy negotiations with the current owners, a buyer was found in the form of British film director and cinema owner Peter Walker. Mr. Walker then re-opened the cinema under its former name "The Orpheus". Since that time, it has changed hands twice, undergone some much-needed renovations, but has still managed to maintain its charm. After the threats of closure, the rebuilding and renaming, the people of Henleaze are lucky to have a place like The Orpheus to call their own.

Erik Houlihan-Jong

Thanks to Veronica Bowerman for her assistance with the research for this article.

Orpheus Cinema celebrates 75th anniversary