It was a busy day yesterday for people leaving comments against my Blackpool photos at Flickr. (no longer online) Someone mentioned the old Cinema USA on the Pleasure Beach and, although I haven't any photos of it there I knew there was one of it on the Central Pier somewhere.
A bit of rooting through the computer came up with this. Taken in 1981 this shows the Cinema USA dome. Inside, a film was shown with the normal eye-line way above the normal horizon. There were no seats so you stood looking upwards which threw you off balance a bit to start with. The films were of the fast motion variety - a ride in a Porsche, a roller coaster ride, a helicopter over a gorge etc. People would sway or even lurch sideways watching the film. I seem to remember the odd one in 3D too. They were a pre-cursor to Imax.
It is now the site of a Big Wheel. Almost immediately after uploading the photo to Flickr (still no longer online), a comment appeared against it from "Yorkie", an ex-pat living in America.
"There's a similar attraction still operating in Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire, and though the film has definitely faded over the years they're still showing the same footage you describe ..."http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkie/tags/cinema180/ "Love your old shots of Blackpool, John!"
Cheers, Yorkie! The link in Yorkie's message is to his photograph taken inside the dome he mentions showing a film that has decidedly yellowed with age!
Wow I am too young to remember this!
ReplyDeleteYes, but in another 27 years people will be saying "Wow? You remember a big wheel on the pier???" and "But hasn't the Promenade always been this shape?"
ReplyDeleteJohn
I have a memory as a very young child going into to the cinema USA with my Uncle and older cousins - However, unknown to my Uncle, there was a horror movie showing.
ReplyDeleteAll I remember is a girl in the dark with a candle, walking up a curving staircase, and something jumping out at her!! (At this point I burst into screaming hysterics and had to be removed outside) - Why they let a child in, I'll never know!
You would happen to know if there would be a way of finding out what the film may have been do you?
Many thanks,
Dali
I used to work at the Cinema USA as the projectionist on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach back in the early 80's.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun although cleaning up sick was not so pleasant!!
It was situated very close to the loop of The Revolution ride.
Happy Days!!