There were some real blockbuster movies playing in Odeon cinemas in 1975, when I first joined the Rank Organisation as an assistant manager early in that year.
Mind you, there were some real stinkers as well.
This was a time when many cinemas were being turned into multi-screen operations because the days of a full house at the single screen theatres were decreasing rapidly
Screen One, the largest of the screens, would be used for the latest release and if it weas good enough might be retained for three weeks or more.
A really good film might then be moved to Screen Two for another couple of weeks while a new release would be shown in the main theatre.
Screen Three at Romford normally showed lower grade movies, in the 70s films like Confessions of a Window Cleaner might run there for two or three weeks at a time.
The Confessions films centred on a character called Timothy Lea, played by Robin Askwith in all four films: Confessions of a Window Cleaner; a Pop Star; a Driving Instructor ; and finally Confessions From a Holiday Camp.
The story in each film was based on Askwith’s character, Timothy Lea, getting into very precarious situations which usually ended up with him and some buxom wench rolling around on the floor, the bed, in the bathroom; and even in some cases in the great outdoors, with little in the way of clothes.
In the 1970s there were many films like this doing the rounds. Confessions was not as blue as some of the X-rated films around. In fact these days it would be considered very mild, just somewhat smutty.
These sort of films proved popular in the afternoons with what came to be called The Dirty Mac Brigade. I think most of you will understand the reference.
At the same time the 1975 releases included some classics of that time, including Jaws; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; The Rocky Horror Picture Show; Picnic at Hanging Rock; Tommy.
With so many great films about you might have thought a cinema manager, or an assistant, would have seen them and known them off by heart.
Well think agsain.
In a three screen cinema the manager, or an assistant, not only had to be seen almost everywhere in the building he or she would need to keep any eye on the box office to make sure a cashier did not set aside some of the takings for their own benefit; to ensure the ushers and usherettes checked all the tickets; keep an eye on the projection rooms to make sure safety rules were being carried out; checking confectionery sales; and so much more.
The chance of even seeing 10 per cent of a film while it was on was remote.
In fact learning everything you needed to run a cinema could not be passed on by a manager while he or she was managing their own site.
This is why I was sent on a a management course in Birmingham not just for a few days but for six weeks.
I’ll tell you about that next time.
Robin's Nest 