Quick links to other sections on this page . . .

• Location
  
• The Building
  
• Proprietors
  
• 'Talkies' Arrive
  
• Star Take Control
  
• Bingo Replaces Films
  

Location
A short distance out of town was the Premier Picture Palace in Kimberworth Road between Devonshire Street and Ferham Park Avenue and opposite Ferham Park (Masbro' Recreation Ground).

The Building
Built to the design of H. Alien of Manchester and constructed by William Airy & Sons of Leeds. The local newspaper reported that the purpose-built brick building had an auditorium 84 feet long and 67 feet wide with a proscenium opening 30 feet wide. The raked floor boasted the latest tip-up seats together with a stepped circle giving a total capacity of 1,100 seats. The Premier opened on Monday 9th December 1912.

Proprietors
The proprietors were George W. Smith and his son George E. Smith with Claude Shyler as general manager also holding the same position at the Rotherham Hippodrome. Resident manager was initially Harry Leyton. Later W.C Harte became general manager. Typical prices were stalls 2d, 4d and circle 6d.

George W. Smith also controlled the Dewsbury Whitehall cinema where he claimed to be the first to install a kiosk inside the foyer for the sale of sweets. He did a similar thing here at the Premier and also the Hippodrome and Whitehall with which he had an involvement in the early years.

'Talkies' Arrive
In mid-1931 the British Thompson Houston (BTH) sound system installed and the first 'talkie' film on Wednesday 8th July 1931 was . . .

"Whoopee" - 1930 USA Technicolor 94 mins.
Starring Eddie Cantor, Ethel Shutter and Paul Gregory.

During the second word war (1939-1945) the School Clinic, Child Welfare Centre and Ante-Natal Clinic were next door to the Premier Picture Palace.

Star Take Control
In the mid 1950's Walter Eckhart's expanding Star Cinemas circuit took control. The Premier closed on Saturday 14th January 1956 for a luxury refurbishment and the installation of a wide panoramic screen for CinemaScope together with new seats, carpets and modern redecoration in what was becoming the Star style in their cinemas. Seating capaity was now reduced to approximately 700.

The Premier re-opened on Monday 30th January 1956 with . . .

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" - 1954 USA Technicolor 127mins.
Starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason and Paul Lukas.

Bingo Replaces Films
By mid 1960 Star had introduced Bingo on Sundays and soon followed to include Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to keep up with public demand. Films only shown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. By the end of October 1961 Bingo was being played every day and the only film was for the Star Junior Club each Saturday afternoon - a pattern of events typical of many of Star's houses throughout the north.

Bingo ceased around 1964 and the building became the Premier Casino then a Billiard Hall. The premises still exist in 2004.