The Palace Cinema (Picture House)
By thge Late Norman Mackie
The new era in Cinema going in Burntisland began with the opening of the Palace Cinema Picture Palace on the afternoon of Wednesday the 11th October 1939 - just a year after the Burntisland Town Council had granted a building warrant for a cinema and two shops. The Palace replaced the Porte Cinema.
The new cinema had a seating capacity of 1,040 - 230 seats in the Balcony and 810 seats in the main Auditorium. The entrance into the foyer contained a confectionery and cigarette kiosk, toilet facilities and a central cash desk. Upstairs there was a magnificent lounge decorated with beautiful murals and matching carpet, and management offices.
The Fife Free Press reported the opening on the 14th October 1939:
DE-LUXE CINEMA |
In declaring the Cinema open, he praised Mr Wilson ARIBA Architect and all the contractors involved. Mr Wilson then presented Provost Leith with a beautiful tea service as a souvenir of the occasion. Mr Wilson praised all the contractors, for overcoming the difficulties due to the outbreak of war and acknowledged the assistance received from Miss Mackie. He now understood the Directors' great admiration for her Cinema administration.
Manageress Miss Mackie in upstairs lounge
After the opening, the new Cinema soon became the central point for local people queuing weekly to gain admittance, the prices of admission being 6d and 9d, 1/3d and 1/6d. The first full week's programme was: 'Up the River' starring Preston Foster; 'Racket Busters' starring Humphrey Bogart; 'The Young at Heart' starring Janet Gaynor and Robert Young.
Throughout the years of Cinema going in Burntisland many names come to mind who served the community loyally and faithfully. I offer my apologies for any names omitted:
Commissionaire - Mr Hugh McDonald; Usherettes - Grace Birrrell, Madge Birrell, Betty Charles, Ella Charles, Margaret Cunningham, Agnes Ferguson, Doreen Johnston, Peggy Le Blond, Pat Thomson, Agnes Turpie, Mary Turpie, Doreen Wood, Mrs Maplesden, Mrs Thomson, Jean Farquhar and Jenny Moodie; Cashiers - Miss Taylor, Nellie Langlands, Norah Cairncross and Miss McIntyre; Projection Staff - Thos Lumsden, Ivy Wilson, Tom Chalmers, Jack McInnes, Alex Brymer, Andrew Kidd, Ian Miller and Arthur McGregor; Management - Mr Andrew Maxwell (Kirkgate cinema), Mr Tom Lunn (Porte cinema), Miss A.C. Mackie (Manageress); Deputies - J.M. Mackie, N.B. Mackie.
Miss Mackie succeeded Mr Maxwell at the Kirkgate, then proceeded to the Porte Cinema before taking over the Palace, serving the community for over 45 years in Cinema Entertainment. (Miss Mackie is pictured, right, at her desk in the new Palace cinema.)
The advent of television reduced the profitability of a Cinema in a small town. After Miss Mackie's retirement in the early seventies, the cinema ran on for a short time, then closed. The building was gutted by fire on 16th December 1985. Ironic when you recall that the Palace had seating for over 1,000 persons, each seat having an ash tray that a loyal staff checked diligently after the evening performances - the final episode was the work of fire raisers.
My only film memorabilia is Miss Mackie's luncheon menu card, autographed by Laurel and Hardy at a lunch in Edinburgh in July 1947, which I have retained with affection. It has been a great pleasure to remind people past and present of the enjoyment given to the town by Cinema going. In conclusion I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Mr David Ferguson and Mr John Cooper for the information they both provided.
