Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 10/6/2025, 6:54 pm

We were watching the Laurel and Hardy film from a year or two back and it shows an appearance at the Queens Hall(I don't think they actually appeared there). The Queens was a luxurious theatre especially after the refurbishment and the panoramic screen. You notice I said theatre as the Queens never had the word cinema on the signage.
I can remember as a young un that the Sound of Music seemed to be on forever. It was on for 140 weeks, I wonder if it was a record or anywhere ran a film for longer.

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Liz Dance on 10/6/2025, 8:27 pm, in reply to "The Queens - Newcastle "

I remember being taken their for my birthday treat in 1958, quite a plush place in the day.

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 10/6/2025, 9:17 pm, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

The projection when refurbished was done by 3 projectors, it was definitely special, the biggest screen in Newcastle. The reason the staff were given for the closure was the building foundations were compromised but it took a good few years to demolish it and it had traded as an indoor market for a couple of years .

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Liz Dance on 10/6/2025, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

I was trying to find out what film I saw, i thought it was Expresso Bongo with Cliff Richard but that film wasn’t released until 1959, it could have been South Pacific ?

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 11/6/2025, 12:22 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

South Pacific would have been spectacular on that screening. It ran from September 1958 for 81 weeks so in 1959 it would have been South Pacific. I hope you enjoyed it, you would never get to see that on the big screen nowadays.
I'm a huge Laurel and Hardy fan but have never seen them on the big screen but on 19th July I'm going to a triple Laurel and Hardy bill at the Forum Cinema in Hexham which is being presented by the 'Sons of the Desert' the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society 'Beau Champs' tent a local branch of the society. The screening is to raise funds in aid of Cancer Research. So I'm looking forward to seeing the boys on the big screen and for a good cause too.

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 11/6/2025, 8:39 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

Brian have you ever been to the Laurel and Hardy museum in Cumbria???

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Liz Dance on 11/6/2025, 8:58 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

I was going to ask you the same question Brian, it is in Ulverston.

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Norman on 11/6/2025, 9:03 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

I always wondered if Stan Laurel ever visited the 'Theatre Royal' in Hebburn which his dad Arthur Jefferson managed?

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 11/6/2025, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

I have been to the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston when it was in its original premises and ran by its founder Bill Cubin.Now on the site of the old Roxy Cinema in Ulverston it's ran by Bill's grandson. Norman, I would be very surprised if Stan hadn't visited the Theatre Royal as well some of the other theatres Arthur Jefferson managed

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 11/6/2025, 9:57 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

I cant remember the Queens, where was it?

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 11/6/2025, 11:24 am, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

It was on Northumberland Place which was a lane just behind Cooks Corner heading North. Amos Atkinson was on the corner of the lane and Northumberland Street, the Amos Atkinson building is now occupied by Moss Bros.

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Davy on 11/6/2025, 11:42 am, in reply to "The Queens - Newcastle "

Was It cinema scope?

Re: The Queens - Newcastle

Posted by Brian on 11/6/2025, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Re: The Queens - Newcastle "

Hi Davy, the system was cinerama which was delivered to the screen by 3 projectors, possibly the best known film released in this format was 'How the West was won'. This didn't mean that other formats couldn't be shown and Sound of Music was not made in cinerama and was shown there for 140 weeks.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No bad language or derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.