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Author Topic: Edinburghs Oldest Lady At Risk! Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-30-2005 06:46 AM                     The Cameo Cinema, the oldest operating cinema in Edinburgh, and the oldest un molested operating cinema in Scotland, if not the UK, is under threat. It's present owners, City Screen, want to basically gut the main auditoream, which is pretty much as it was in 1914 when the place opened, and turn it into a bar/restaurant, and turn the current bar into a small cinema. Due to immense public opposition to this, they have withdrawn those plans and put the cinema up for sale, so it's future is now hanging in the balance. The cinema is in profit, although it would appear, not in enough profit to keep the owners happy. The Cameo has played host to the famous Edinburgh International Film Festival through the festivals entire existence, and is a much loved cinema to both locals, visitors and industry professionals, including Quentin Tarantino, Peter Greenaway and Ken Russel. Read all about it HERE  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 12-01-2005 08:52 AM                     From a friend who lives in Edinburgh: The Film Festival has used this cinema and also Film House, a more recent and larger place, for many years. There are plans to build a new, bigger, Film House so I suspect the Cameo owners were worried that their business was at risk if that happened.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-01-2005 11:28 AM                     The two cinemas don't really compete IMHO, they have a different audience base, they don't show the same material. This has more to with getting rid of the site as real estate, and turning a fast profit. There is the possibility that the Festival will run it alongside Filmhouse, if a buyer can be found to rescue what is undoubtedly a unique cinema.  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 12-01-2005 04:09 PM                     Sadly that is to often the case. Some Suit sees a chance for quick cash and nothing more. Are there any showmen left?  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-01-2005 05:49 PM                     Not on this side of the pond, no. The suits bought them out and closed them down.  |  IP: Logged William Hooper Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1879 From: Mobile, AL USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-02-2005 12:34 AM                        More photos of the Edinburgh Cameo here.  |  IP: Logged Carl Martin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1424 From: Oakland, CA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 12-02-2005 04:00 AM                        i highly recommend following william's link, then clicking on the "previous photo" thumbnail several times.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-02-2005 04:33 AM                     Here's more of this rather special old place. I worked there for 5 or 6 years back in the '90s, have to say it was definitely the best job I've ever had, the place ahs a real atmosphere about it, and I worked alongside some of the best people you could ever hope to.  |  IP: Logged Mark Hajducki Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: Edinburgh, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 12-02-2005 07:36 AM                     quote: Rick Raskin From a friend who lives in Edinburgh: The Film Festival has used this cinema and also Film House, a more recent and larger place, for many years. There are plans to build a new, bigger, Film House so I suspect the Cameo owners were worried that their business was at risk if that happened. The new Filmhouse plans have been created by the architect more as a showpiece development without a relistic chance of being built. The site proposed would not be that suitable and the Filmhouse does not currently have funding for a complete new build site. I have heard that they are looking at other sites (possibly making use of the basement level of an office development as a local theatre has done) but nothing has yet been decided.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-02-2005 09:29 AM                     Precisely Mark, the hotel who own that piece of ground were fascinated to learn they had agreed to sell it, and give their highly paying guests a cracking view of the back of the 'new filmhouse', rather than the rather nice view out across Edinburgh to the castle that they get, and pay through the nose for, at present!  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-06-2005 05:57 AM                     UPDATE Despite publicly stating that they will withdraw their planning application, City Screen have not done so, so the cinemas future is even less certain. Check the news section HERE  |  IP: Logged Adam Fuller Film Handler Posts: 13 From: Edinburgh / Scotland Registered: Dec 2003 posted 12-11-2005 11:53 AM                     I also worked there for a spell. I agree with Pete - it's a beautiful place and it was a pleasure to work there. I didn't see this coming. I really hope something comes of the Council and Film Festival looking to secure its future.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-11-2005 02:05 PM                     Blimey, they're crawling out of the woodwork! 'Ello Chippy  |  IP: Logged

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