Forthcoming Coventry book
Mercia’s next publication -
The PICTURE PALACES of COVENTRY
will be at the printer shortly
Gil Robottom’s history – very fully illustrated with plans, programmes, and photographs of the buildings
After-piece bringing the story up-to-date by Ian Meyrick – author of Oxfordshire Cinemas. Over 170 pages. Fully indexed.
Laminated card colour cover. As soon as details of price and availability are known, they will be posted on the web-site.
Expected to be ready for the AGM in December. Please keep checking.
on November 26, 2008 at 9:32 pm
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Gil and I met at the Gaumont Coventry back in the 1950s, through the Saturday morning film club. He told me about his book, but after his untimely passing on I did not think it would get published. I am now in Adelaide South Australia, and involved with an historic Theatre called the Capri, which is owned and run by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (SA Div)inc. I am still interested in Coventry’s history, when visiting xmas 2003 I took photos of some of the remaining cinema buildings to bring home with me. Gil and I spent half a day together, catching up on things too.
on November 27, 2008 at 10:22 am
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There is a newspaper cutting from the Coventry Telegraph with a photo of Gil at the Gaumont Saturday Club, where he is on the front row dressed as a cowboy! Perhaps you were on this too, but sadly there wasn’t a copy of the photo in the papers his widow Lynne passed on to me while I was putting the book together. Gil’s text has been enlarged by the inclusion of material from Bill Edkins’ collection, mainly from his days as chief projectionist of the Astoria, and as owner of the Imperial / Continental, so I trust you’ll all you want in it. The files are at the printer now, and we hope it will be out just (and I mean just)before Christmas.
The Mercia Bioscope editor might be interested in a piece on Australian historic cinemas, and even organs!
on November 27, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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Someone contacted my brother John McSparron (in Coventry) about using one of my photographs in this book and he gave verbal permission over the phone. However, as the photographer, I must withdraw permission for any of my photos to be used in this publication without any consideration. I’ll be happy to grant permission for any of my photos to be used if we receive a copy of the book upon publication.