PAIGNTON PICTURE HOUSE	SAVE PAIGNTON'S HISTORIC CINEMA

SITUATED IN DEVON, ENGLAND—IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST PURPOSE BUILT CINEMAS

1980 saw the installation of long running equipment, Paignton cinema being the first cinema in Devon to have the new tower system with 22000ft spools. This now made it possible to have around 2hrs of continuous running, so most of the show for the first time could be put on without numerous changeovers between two machines. A new WESTREX 7000 mark 3 projector was fitted which was designed for continuous running.

With the arrival of DOLBY STEREO, a better quality sound could be achieved on the optical sound track. Over the years DOLBY made many improvements, from basic surround sound to the multi channels we have today, Paignton cinema kept up with some of these changes, and in 1994 made a major upgrade with a new J B L sound system.

The photo is one of the last to be taken in the projection room, and shows John Mann who ran the cinema up to its closing in 1999. So over the years many changes in technology but not so many in the look and feel of the general building. I feel sure with a bit of work it can be returned to its former glory.

One idea if we obtained this cinema would be to reinstate these machines as an exhibit, plus add 16mm and digital for any society or school presentations. This little cinema must be opened up to any and all possibilities to do with film, music, theatre and general media. We should also ask the people of Paignton, Torquay, Brixham and any interested party what they would like to see it used for.