Ep 6: The Ritz, Belfast - 1990s End Game, The Vanishing and Spielberg's Fax

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In the sixth episode of the Wonder Cinema podcast, we look at how the ABC reimagined and reinvented itself in the 1980s, before eventually shutting its doors for the final time in 1993.
Following the 1977 firebomb, the ABC remained closed until 1980, when the original auditorium was subdivided into four screens and the exterior saw substantial renovation. The glitz and glamour of the 1930s was now long gone, giving way to a more functional space at a time when cinema exhibitors struggled to attract audiences away from the lure of home video. Later in the decade, the cinema became part of the Cannon chain and rumours emerged that it would be replaced by a new multiplex cinema. The Cannon lasted until 1993, with one of its final films, The Vanishing, representing the eventual demolition of the building. The new MGM cinema celebrated its opening screening of Jurassic Park with a fax from Steven Spielberg, but how did that compare the to the grand opening of 1936?
Links:
Flickr - exterior of ABC, 1980
Belfast 35mm - exterior of ABC, 1986
Belfast 35mm - Great Victoria Street, 1992

Written and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin
Music by Score Draw Music
https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com

Chương

1. Ep 6: The Ritz, Belfast - 1990s End Game, The Vanishing and Spielberg's Fax (00:00:00)

2. What happened when the ABC returned in 1980? (00:01:00)

3. How did the multiplex change the cinema experience? (00:03:19)

4. Why does it look like a Soviet carpet factory? (00:05:42)

5. Apocalypse Now and the films screened in 1980. (00:08:21)

6. What was the impact of VHS on the cinema? (00:09:42)

7. When ET phones BBC Radio One. (00:11:06)

8. Who are the new owners Cannon Films? (00:12:46)

9. What is the future of cinema in the 1990s? (00:14:35)

10. The last dance with Kenneth Branagh. (00:17:13)

11. The Vanishing, Falling Down and Indecent Proposal. (00:18:36)

12. From The Wizard of Oz to Reservoir Dogs. (00:18:50)

13. The Wonder Cinema closes but what next? (00:20:46)

14. MGM and the 10 screen ultimate cinema experience. (00:22:17)

15. Jurassic Park and a FAX from Steven Spielberg. (00:24:02)

16. Where is the Wonder Cinema now? (00:27:31)