Silent showing of "Would You Believe It!" (1929) at ​​Morecambe Winter Gardens

Published

October, 2023

In partnership with Northern Silents in Morecambe Winter Gardens, the PPT supplied and installed two 35mm projectors for a showing of Can You Believe It! (1929) on 35mm from a BFI Archive print.

Two 35mm projectors were restored, installed and setup by the PPT at the Winter Gardens Theatre, Morcambe.

Projector 1 install

Pictures of the install of the first projector are shown below. This is a ​Cinemeccanica Victoria 4, which spent much of its life at the Muswell Hill Odeon in London, before later being installed at the Abbeydale Picture House by the PPT. The lamphouse is an Orcon xenon, which was refurbished by the PPT in Halifax, and is being fitted for this showing.

Projector 2 install

Pictures of the install of the second projector (matching the specs of the first) are shown below. Also shown is the install of the screen on stage.

Once we had power we were able to run both machines and align them as the screen install was complete.

The show

The first shot shows the grandest projection room entrance you have seen, then the machines laced up and ready. Followed by the audience arriving, lights down and projecting Reel 1 (Show 5). Then changeover to Reel 2 (Show 7) and the last reel (Show 9).

The film was Would You Believe It!, an archive print from the BFI. The Winter Gardens has now closed for a £4.5 million face lift and we will be back next year for The Northern Silents Film Festival.