cinema souvenirs
MEMORABILIA page three
MEMORABILIA page three
GOODBYE JIMMY DEAN
Teenagers who worshipped the memory of American screen icon James Dean,
who died in September 1955, hung a wreath over a photograph of the actor
outside the Capitol Theatre, Bloemfontein, during the screening there of his last
film 'Giant' in June 1957. A card attached to the wreath said: "To our Jimmy. You
will never be forgotten - (signed) Deanagers.
who died in September 1955, hung a wreath over a photograph of the actor
outside the Capitol Theatre, Bloemfontein, during the screening there of his last
film 'Giant' in June 1957. A card attached to the wreath said: "To our Jimmy. You
will never be forgotten - (signed) Deanagers.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST...
Photo above shows Smith Street in Durban during the 1940s. The
imposing neon sign of the Metro Theatre can be seen on the right-hand
side of the street, with the 20th Century Theatre and the Embassy next to it.
(See also page 6 for more photos of Smith Street cinemas in Durban)
imposing neon sign of the Metro Theatre can be seen on the right-hand
side of the street, with the 20th Century Theatre and the Embassy next to it.
(See also page 6 for more photos of Smith Street cinemas in Durban)
The neon sign of the Piccadilly Theatre in the Johannesburg suburb of
Yeoville. This cinema opened in the 1950s as part of Bill Boxer's independent
chain of cinemas that included the Monte Carlo in Jeppe Street and the Pigalle
in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. All three cinemas are no longer in operation.
Yeoville. This cinema opened in the 1950s as part of Bill Boxer's independent
chain of cinemas that included the Monte Carlo in Jeppe Street and the Pigalle
in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. All three cinemas are no longer in operation.
Photo above shows the abandoned 20th Century Theatre in Germiston on the East
Rand. In its time this cinema was one of the most attractive of its kind with a seating
capacity of 1489 and a very large Cinemascope screen adorning the proscenium arch.
Rand. In its time this cinema was one of the most attractive of its kind with a seating
capacity of 1489 and a very large Cinemascope screen adorning the proscenium arch.
Advertisement in 1933 from African Consolidated Theatres announcing
the opening 'shortly' of their fabulous new Colosseum Theatre in
Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. Also featured in the ad are
(clockwise) His Majesty's, Plaza, Orpheum, Empire and Bijou Cinemas.
the opening 'shortly' of their fabulous new Colosseum Theatre in
Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. Also featured in the ad are
(clockwise) His Majesty's, Plaza, Orpheum, Empire and Bijou Cinemas.
Photo on left is of the 20th
Century Theatre in
Johannesburg taken during
the 1940s and showing a
live variety show on stage as
part of the supporting
programme.
Century Theatre in
Johannesburg taken during
the 1940s and showing a
live variety show on stage as
part of the supporting
programme.