ABOVE: John and Peter Douglas in 1970

Twin brothers John and Peter Douglas worked as projectionists for Odeon cinemas from 1953 to 1997 and in that time gained a unique insight into the cinema business during a period of considerable change.

Live stage shows, the first multiplexes, Cinemascope and roadshow presentations all featured in their 44 year careers in theatres from small local cinemas with bench seats to the luxurious city centre Odeon. Over a drink on a wet Friday night in February 2005, John and Peter took time to talk about their time in the projection room.

EARLY INTEREST

John and Peter's interest in the cinema began when they were age 11 or 12 when they started going to Saturday morning shows at the magnificent Ascot Anniesland, close to their home in Hyndland. "It was our first taste of the cinema properly", recalls John" we went every Saturday and eventually when we were about 13 or so, we started going regularly to cinema shows after school".

In those days the programme consisted of a main feature, second feature, adverts and trailers. Leaving the cinema at about 8pm the young boys remember being impressed by the manager in his 'dicky bow' tie and evening suit greeting patrons. This played

some part in their decision that they both wanted to be cinema managers.

A CAREER IN THE CINEMA

Leaving school at 16, John and Peter were interviewed by Gaumont British Cinemas but were told that they were too young to train as managers, but that starting on the technical side would stand them in good stead for management when they reached 21.

In 1953 the job of cinema technician was a recognised trade with a five-year apprenticeship. "Cinema owners in Scotland were very progressive" commented John, "They set up a training scheme for projectionists, at a time when there was no such scheme in England". An apprenticeship in a cinema was no more glamorous than any other trade.

Peter who trained at the Capital Ibrox and Odeon Scotstoun recalls that his early days were spent polishing and sweeping projection room floors, making tea and that "it was maybe a year before you started handling film and rewinding film at which point you become a 'spool boy', responsible for checking the films as they arrived at the cinema and preparing them for screening.