Catalogue

Interview
91, MA200/099/099
Mantle Oral History Project

Speaker: Demming, Edward, 1922 - , Interviewee, Male,
Speaker: , Interviewer,

Summary of interview item: Son of the owner of the Coalville Grand Cinema, born and brought up in the flat above the cinema until after the Second World War. Describes the history of the Grand Cinema, first as the Electric Cinema, then the Grand when his father reopened it in 1922, until it closed in 1940, then its use as a food store until becoming a ballroom in 1954. Describes the orchestra, types of films, film distribution process, prices and the audience who attended and why the cinema was popular in the interwar years. Also describes his own experience as a child in the cinema. Mentions the 'Smiling Johnny Smith and his Orchestra' band playing at the ballroom in 1954.
Place of birth: Coalville, Leicestershire
Education: Lansdown Road school; Granby Road school;
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Cinema owner
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Coalville
Periods Covered: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date:
Playing time:
Access Restrictions: no copyright Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.