Robin Smitten, Cinema Projectionist

Luck comes in many ways to all of us. It has been my good luck to have been able to have a hobby which has turned into a job in a million. For 8 years, I have been the Cinema Projectionist at the Theatre in Spring Street though I can’t say there’s any such thing as a typical day in my life.

Cinema in Chipping Norton has been a feature since 1916 when the Picture House opened in London Road. The New Cinema opened, in New Street, in 1934, changing its name, over time, to the Ritz and finally the Regent which closed on 22 September 1973. During its time two notable film stars of the day came to watch their films at Chippy – Jack Warner (The Blue Lamp) and Robert Donat (Goodbye Mr Chips).

As many of you know, the cinema today is part of the operation of the Theatre and it is from here that cinema, live theatre and music mix together in a colourful and varied programme throughout the year.

My involvement started in early 1994. Having pursued film and cinema as a hobby from an early age, I wasn’t quite sure what I was letting myself in for when shown the projection room for the first time. It was pointed out to me that the numerous notches in the woodwork were the result of unsecured reels of film flying off one of the projectors, notch the woodwork, bounce back and crash to the floor. Rewinding the film was always done by hand. Great care had to be taken to secure everything BEFORE rewinding. Unfortunately, if you were distracted, the reel would fly off at high speed, skid across the floor, bounce and bash its way down the access ladder and end up joining the patrons in the gents toilet which used to be below the projection box. Imagine, this all happening while a film was being shown – how we laughed!.

It was also clear that the projectors were showing signs of much use and over age! It is still a chilling memory that before any particular show there was only a 50/50 chance of one of the projectors firing up when required, leading to some VERY interesting times. Taking pity on me, I was treated to new projection equipment in January 1995 and, touch wood, this should give ‘sound’ service for many years ...

Working in the cinema or theatre world puts big demands on your social and family life and requires a lot of understanding from them. Depending on the programme, you can find yourself working until 10 or 11 o’clock at night. However, Ethel Merman – the American singer – summed up why we do it, ‘Theres no business like show business.’

Since 1975, the Theatre has exhibited a wide range of film from all over the world, from the popular and well publicised, to lesser known, but often, brilliant films from home and abroad. Our  programme runs through to mid November. After that, it’s pantomime time and the projector and I are carefully wrapped up and put back into our cupboard to hibernate until mid January, when we are warmed up, ready for the new season.

If you’re at a loose end and fancy a film or live theatre come and share in some of my luck.

Reprinted from the  Chipping Norton News.