Never mind Hitler, the show must go on
OUR thanks to Dudley reader Laurence Brownhilll for putting our way a fascinating wartime programme from the old Dudley Odeon.
Dark
Dating from June 1940 this was still in the darkest days of the Second World War, but the focus was very much still on entertainment – and even summer holidays. The Odeon’s Resident Manager, Charles Weygang, wrote: “Dear Patron, “In this chat of mine I have on different occasions discoursed on my Programmes, on that service
W. which we of the ODEON Circuit now look upon as something that you as an ODEON patron expect; many and varied have been the subjects I have chosen to bring to your attention and for once in a while I would like to talk to you about our ODEONS by the sea.
“It may not be generally known that ODEONS at holiday resorts – and there is one at practically every principal seaside town in the Kingdom – screen during the summer months many outstanding films concurrent with their showing in the West End of London. Naturally in my various discussions on films with patrons I have gathered certain impressions of a general nature, and one such impression is that many people think that there is a season in films, the winter season being the best and the summer season heralding a drop in quality film product.
Summer
“This is a great mistake – we of the ODEON Circuit pride ourselves on consistency of good product throughout the year.
“ODEON has become a familiar word wherever entertainment is mentioned and if you see the sign this summer at your chosen resort I hope you will remember the ODEON ‘back home’ – I am sure you will find there the same courtesy that we endeavour to uphold here.”
Attractions that month included Hitler, Beast of Berlin, Tower of London and Geronimo. And coming up later in the year, and of great interest to Black Country film-goers, would have been The Invisible Man Returns – featuring Lye’s own knight of the silver screen, Sir Cedric Hardwicke.
There are also plenty of adverts for local businesses, some of which you may remember. We’ve reproduced a handful of them here.