Movies on your mobile will mean something different with the former Ministry of Technology’s Vintage Mobile Cinema starts doing the rounds in March 2010. Emma Gifford explains the project
In a workshop in Exeter, a small miracle is taking place. The Vintage Mobile Cinema is taking shape once again in preparation for a Devon-based project.
The cinema was originally commissioned by the Ministry of Technology to promote modern British production techniques. Seven were built, but they only ran for two years. The fate of most of the vehicles is unknown – one went to a circus and another was spotted at a festival in the 1990s – but sadly the rest of them are believed to have ended up on the scrapheap. The vehicles had a striking look, with a futuristic-looking clear perspex dome above the cab.
Ollie Halls is the present owner, and is in charge of the restoration. “When I bought the cinema four years ago the engine had seized and the gearbox had been stolen,” he said. “It took us two years to get it working again. The inside had been gutted, so it’s been hard work to rebuild it and get it looking right.”
The vehicle was owned briefly by Sir William McAlpine, who toured it with the Flying Scotsman locomotive. During this time it was painted green, but Ollie has now returned it to its original colours. “It’s looking magnificent once again, thanks to the help of a lot of people,” he said. “All along the way people have tried to help us succeed because they can see that this is an important piece of heritage.”
As testament to the Mobile Cinema’s place in history, Ollie received a restoration grant from the Transport Trust to help him on the way. These awards are only given to projects that have a rarity factor and are significant in terms of transport heritage.
When the restoration is complete in March 2010, the 22-seat cinema will begin a year-long tour of North Devon and the wider area, showing newly digitised historic footage of local relevance.
Check the Vintage Mobile Cinema for the latest information on the restoration and the project.
• Stay tuned to D+CFilm to find out how filmmakers can get involved with the Vintage Mobile Cinema as a resource and learning tool
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Fascinating. Would be cool to see a D&C documentary about this!
Brill. I have to say that I have wanted to convert an old coach into a mobile cinema for years. This as been ambition of mine for a long time and this looks like a fab project. I’m jealous!
I’d be really interested in inviting this guy and the bus up to Manchester to partake in the Manchester Film Festival as a touring venue in April. If anyone knows how I could get in touch with this guy let me know. my email is johnw@kinofilm.org.uk
Thanks
There is in fact a documentary being made about the Vintage Mobile Cinema and the restoration. It’s going to be screened as a 10 minute piece on ‘Inside Out’, a BBC South West production. The provisional screening date is February 22nd – once this is confirmed then I will put another post up. Thanks for your interest – it’s always encouraging to see people getting excited about it! Please feel free to get in touch with me if you want more information or to get involved with the project.
01271 346747 (Mondays & Tuesdays) or emma.giffard@northdevon.gov.uk