Is it a bird? Is it a 'plane?
Up until recently, my hometown had its own independent cinema, the Playhouse. It was as proper old-style cinema, with a balcony level sitting proudly above the stalls. It cost an extra 50p to sit up there. My most abiding memory of the place was being taken to see Superman: The Movie when it came out in 1979.

Now this was my first experience of going to see a brand new, blockbuster movie. My cinema experiences up to that point had consisted of dusty old kids films that have long since passed into the obscurity of memory. I was excited. I loved Superman comics, and here was a full-blown movie! Entering the foyer of the cinema, I bought my ticket, got some sweets and went to find a seat. As the curtains opened and the Pearl and Dean music started, I got a little shiver of excitement. The adverts passed so, so slowly, then the regulation Tom and Jerry cartoon started before the main feature.

As an image of a comic came up on screen, complete with young boy’s narration, I leaned forward, taking in every word. And then the music started… Goose bumps. One of the best movie themes ever, surely? The credits seemed to go on forever, and then, suddenly, we’re on Krypton…

The next two and a half hours had me completely drawn in; captivated. This was awesome stuff. I remember the thrill of first seeing Superman in costume, the flying sequences looked so convincing. Two and a half hours later I left the cinema with a spring in my step and feeling utterly elated by what I had just watched on the screen.

Looking back, I still have fond memories of the film, and have it on DVD. Every now and again I’ll rewatch and it takes me back to 1979 and that cinema. OK, looking at it now some of the flying effects have dated a bit. The scene where young Clark Kent races the train was ropey even in 1979, and some of the comic relief grates slightly. But I still love that film, and the music still gives me goose bumps. For a lot of years, I thought Superman 2 was better as it had really cool villains. But these days, I think that the original is the best. And Christopher Reeve is the definitive Superman.

And the cinema? It closed last year, due to the retirement of the owners. It’s being turned into flats.

Another part of my childhood has just died. Bloody planners.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 21 Jul 2008, 14:49, 2 replies)

Don't blame the planners!
I speak as one of those 'bloody planners'.

Simple economics dictates that old cinemas are not very (if at all) profitable. Certainly, the only people who would take them on would do it for the love of it, not for the cash. Generally then, philanthropists or charitable trusts. Certainly, some cinemas are kept open this way, but it is very few, the majority fall into disuse. With disuse, comes decay. The building ends up being vandalised, losing its original features, and often, just falling down.

Result - no building, no heritage, no memories. Just a generic piece of modern development in its place.

Residential conversions are the only use which generate a high enough land value to make conversion of this type of building financially viable. With a residential conversion, ok, it's not a cinema anymore, but the building is still there, and those 'bloody planners' work fucking hard to make sure that a conversion is done sensitively and to retain all the features of interest.

Result - one former cinema building, kept in good repair. Heritage and memories intact.

I have absolutely no doubt which I would choose.
(grandmaswhiskers, Mon 21 Jul 2008, 16:58, closed)

I meant no offence to planners
Having nearly gone down that road myself when I was looking at a change of career. The four years of study (at the time) coupled with no income put me off though... Hope my slightly tongue-in-cheek 'indignation' is taken in the spirit it's meant.

I do agree that keeping the building in use and maintaining the facade and features is the better way to go, rather than let it fall into dereliction.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 21 Jul 2008, 17:18, closed)