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The

Castle Cinema

Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil

<Click on the photograph to Enlarge>

 
 

The Castle Cinema opened in 1929. Built on the site of the old Castle Hotel by local trader Fred Price. The building erected by contractors G. Warlow of Merthyr, had a seating capacity of 1,600 and was one of the best and most comfortable cinemas of the time.

One of it's features was a Magnificent Christie Organ placed in front of the screen it was raised and lowered as required by an electrical lift.

The cinema generated it's on electricity by installing two Petter vertical oil (Diesel) engines, fitted with generating equipment.

On the first (Mezzanine) floor was a dance hall which was laid out with a spring Maple floor.

 
 
The Castle Cinema - 1947.

 
Castle Cinema - May 1971.

 

Castle Cinema staff  in the 1960's.

Left to Right: Back row-    Mr Lewis, Gladys Elliot, ?, Mrs Senior, Mrs Harrington, Mrs Firth, Manager ?.

                   Middle Row: John Cross, David Nicholls, Ken McCarthy,

                   Front Row-   Alice Griffiths, Barbara McCarthy (nee George), June Thomas, Mrs Evans, Mrs Hynes.

(Photograph courtesy of Susan McCarthy)

 

Barbara McCarthy (nee George) being presented with her  leaving present off the manager and all the staff at the Castle Cinema, she was leaving to have her first baby.

 

Left to Right:  Mrs Firth, Mrs Evans, Mr Vines Perry, ? , Mr. Pearson, ?, Alice Griffiths, Alice Jones (Susan McCarthy's Mother), John Cross, Mrs Hynes, Barbara McCarthy (nee George), ? , June Thomas.

(Photograph courtesy of Susan McCarthy)

 

Castle Cinema Staff in the 1960's.

Back Row: Alma Rees,

Front Row: Barbara McCarthy (nee George), Alice Jones (Susan McCarthy's Mother), Mr Lewis, and Mrs Fisher.      

(Photograph courtesy of Susan McCarthy)

Merthyr Express - 17th July 1954.

 

The Dynatones at the Castle Cinema

Merthyr Express 31st December 1960

With Cyril smith and Vines Perry.

Commissionaire Vines Perry with a promotional display for the film "The Viking Queen"

 

Manager Cyril Smith shakes hands with Merthyr's Mayor whilst ABC Minors look on.

(Photograph courtesy of Lynda Treharne)

Fire Service fundraising at the Castle Cinema in the 1930's?

(Photograph Courtesy of Iestyn - Celtic Pride)

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