Coventry Cinemas

Was the Standard cinema ever called the Constantinople or something like? I know the Standard showed the first Brigitte Bardot films in the mid-fifties, and a very funny French guy I believe was Fernandel. I believe the French version of the 'Wages of Fear' was to me the most gripping film I ever did see. No gimmicks whatsoever. But like everything, the time and place has gone forever for me, is that what scrutiny calls a 'senior moment'.

You may be thinking of La Continentale in Earlsdon Street?

You couldn't have seen a "French version" of THE WAGES OF FEAR for THE WAGES OF FEAR (LE SALAIRE DE LA PEUR) was a French movie (1953), based on a French novel by Georges Arnaud, directed by Henri-Claude Clouzot, and starring Yves Montand. There was a 1954 English-language adaptation for American television in the ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS series, and - much later (1977) - there was a theatrical film production by William Friedkin (he of THE EXORCIST fame) that went by the name SORCERER. I can't comment on the TV production, but I can comment on the original film and the 1977 Friedkin-directed adventure. Both films had much to commend them, but both are overlong. The original could have lost 40 minutes (I kid you not) and the 1977 production 30 minutes. Given the furor that chased me off this forum last September, largely concerning my departure in a post or two from the COVENTRY theme, I should say that regardless of where you saw the original movie - THE STANDARD or LA CONTINENTALE - or where you saw the Hollywood SOCERER English-language remake in Coventry, be assured that the original cinemas were in Coventry, and the remake showings were in Coventry also. In closing, I perhaps should point out that me conribution to this thread overwhelmingly concerns the where (Coventry) and not the what (France/America) nor the why (money). If I have offended, I am sorry.

I agree about the movie Wages of Fear, very gripping, although I did watch the original French version on TV (without the ads) many years ago. I didn't know there was an up to date version. I can't imagine it being as good as the original. Personal views may differ. The French version has been shown a couple of times since on our SBS, a channel I enjoy for the sub-titiled foreign films.

LongfordLad, I only know that I did see the French version in 53/4, it had subtitles, and it was the French actor, Yves Montand and it was I believe at the old Standard, and you didn't need to hear the story, the faces told it all. The Americans made a version of it, that didn't come anywhere close for me. I would dearly like to see the original one I saw, just to find out about myself in those days. LongfordLad, I for one enjoyed reading your posts and like the different views of the members, adds to the interest for me, so please reply and tell me why you think I did not see the French version. Regards, Kaga.

LongfordLad. Giving more thought to the fifties, could have been mid-fifties, got ticked off for so much attention to the film. You would never get a British film in those days showing a man's reaction to a fear.

Ah, Kaga, you misunderstand the point of my posting. I have been absent from this site since September last, and I hoped that my return might have been a little more auspicious. But, no - dogged with controversy again. Never for a moment did I suggest that you saw THE WAGES OF FEAR in anything other than French (with subtitles) in 1953/54. I merely contested the use of the word "version" (as in French "version") to describe this film. The film was produced in France, based upon a French novel, directed by a major French director, Henri-George Clouzot, and starring a major French star, Yves Montand. I thought this akin to describing what you saw - those many years ago - was not a French "version" but a French original production. It was not the French I found difficulty with, but the notion that this production was a "version". To me this seemed akin to describing the 1948 production of OLIVER TWIST (novel by Dickens, directed by David Lean, starring Alec Guinness, Robert Newton, Anthony Newley, et al) as a British version. That much, Kaga, was the entire point - no questioning your recollections, no suggestion of the kind. I suspect I'm destined for the badlands again, and perhaps that is a good thing.

Hi LongfordLad, don't you think the black and white movies are more dramatic than those of today. I too watched Oliver Twist with the stars you mentioned and it was certianly more eerie than any new version I have seen since. I was in Coventry when seeing the old original movies and have watched a few of the modern versions since, in fact many repeats of the coloured showings, and not even half as good as the originals. PS. Don't put yourself down LongfordLad, no one is complaining about your posts - keep on keeping on! We don't send members to the 'badlands' here, only an hour in the naughty corner!

Hi LongfordLad, I agree with Kaga and dreamtime about you chastising yourself for disagreeing with other comments on this site, I think it promotes healthy discussion. I have read your previous threads and have never found anything you have written to be abusive or offensive. You can always disagree with anything I write about, because my memory could be wrong and your memory could be wrong but with debate we may both agree which is correct. You can't go to the "badlands" yet in this country of supposedly "free speech" and free views for disagreeing with what others say. I hope all this makes sense.

LongfordLad. Hi, thank you for your reply, cleared that little difference then. johnwright. Yes I second that, and my memory is longer than anyone's I believe on this forum but I do remember seeing Miss Bardot go in to the Carlton Hotel one time, never gave me a second glance, can't think why? Also saw a Tarzan film in a French cinema, His yodel sounded the same to me. Went with a party from the Dunlop to a cinema to see Ben Hur, front row seats, still got the scars from the chariot wheels. Boy I did love the cinema in those days. Wonder if anyone saw the film 'The Affliction'

Anyone know if there was a news/cartoon cinema at any time in Coventry (like the one on Victoria station). I can't recall one, easy way to spend half-hour if it was raining.

Could have Kaga, briefly, what was it about?

A good photo here of the Standard Picture House in 1939 from the book, The Coventry we have lost (Volume 2) by David Fry & Albert Smith

Dougie, only a mother could love a building that ugly. I have no doubt that many locals regarded it as an eyesore when it was first put up. If my grandmother was still alive, I would ask her even though I have a good idea as to what she thought.