Prior to 1956 the cinema was equipped with Ross 35mm Projectors. These projectors were originally designed as silent with add-on sound units that were located between the projector and the lower spool-box, added later. Two types were available at the time of the talkies, Westrex and RCA models. The auditorium and projection room were modified to accommodate the arrival of the 70mm
Todd_AO film format in time for the screening of
Oklahoma, released in December 1956. The modifications to the projection room included enlarging the area into the rear of the circle so as to accommodate the new
Phillips DP70- AAII projectors, the accompanying Mole-Richardson arclamps, Westinghouse Rectifiers and Phillips surround sound per-amplifiers. The MR arclamps only being used for 70mm presentations due to the need for greater light coverage on the larger screen area. For 35mm presentations, on a smaller area of the screen, the MR arclamps were swapped to the more reliable, more efficient Peerless Magnarcs. Besides the alterations to the rear of the circle for the enlargement of the projection room, the circle was also extended toward the screen to increase audience capacity. The
proscenium arch was also moved into the auditorium to increase the backstage area to house the 5 surround sound loudspeakers and the 43feet wide screen. Also housed backstage were the motors to drive the adjustable black cloth screen-masking and the Phillips surround sound main-amplifiers. Some other alterations were made to improve access and exits in line with changes to increased seating. The projection equipment removed prior to the installation of the Phillips DP70 was reinstalled at the
Associated British Cinema ‘The Kings’ in Old Market St. In 1966 the Phillips DP70 projectors and the Mole-Richardson arclamps were removed and reinstalled at the Associated British Cinema at New Bristol Centre cinema Frogmore St. New 35mm only Phillips FP20 projectors equipped with both optical and magnetic soundtrack capabilities replaced the dual 70mm / 35mm equipment that had been moved to Frogmore St. == References ==