Ep 1: Say Yes To VHS - Format Wars, Video Boom and the Home Entertainment Revolution
The second series of the Wonder Cinema podcast turns its attention to the remarkable story of the rise and fall of videotape in Northern Ireland. In this first episode, Brian and Sam discuss the format wars, the video boom and the home entertainment revolution that took place from the mid-1970s to the early ‘80sThe arrival of VHS, and to a lesser extent its rival format Betamax, came at the perfect time for cinema lovers in Northern Ireland, who were often unwilling to leave their homes due to the ongoing conflict of the Troubles. In spite of difficult economic circumstances, Northern Ireland had the highest concentration of VCRs in the United Kingdom. Video rental dealers sprang up to accommodate demand and films such as Alien, Superman, Airplane and An American Werewolf in London were all big video hits in the early 1980s. The introduction of home video forever changed our relationship with cinema and television, with people now able to record content and to play, pause or rewind at their own leisure.LinksThe Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive, '80s Tech!' collectionSend us a messageWritten and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin Music by Score Draw Music https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com
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Say Yes To VHS - The Wonder Cinema Series 2 Trailer
Join filmmaker Brian Henry Martin and cinema historian Dr Sam Manning for the new series of the Wonder Cinema Podcast: ‘Say Yes to VHS’. Press play on the remarkable story of home video in Northern Ireland as Brian and Sam rewind everything from the format wars to video nasties, piracy and paramilitaries to the wonder of the video shop in a new six-part series. The Wonder Cinema Podcast will be available wherever you get your podcasts.Send us a messageWritten and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin Music by Score Draw Music https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com
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Ep 8: The Ritz, Belfast - LIVE with 88th birthday cake at the Belfast Film Festival
In this special episode of The Wonder Cinema Podcast, recorded live from the Black Box at the 2024 Belfast Film Festival, hosts Brian Henry Martin and Dr Sam Manning celebrate the 88th birthday of the Ritz, which first opened its doors on 9 November 1936. They discuss how the cinema quickly became a landmark in Belfast city centre and hosted stars such as Gracie Field, Cary Grant and even The Beatles. The cinema later faced more turbulent times during the Troubles, including a firebombing in 1977 and a reimagining of its identity, before finally closing in 1993. Brian and Sam dive into the history of 'Ireland's Wonder Cinema', hear personal memories from those who were, and unveil Stuart Marshall's new model of this iconic cinema.Send us a messageWritten and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin Music by Score Draw Music https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com
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Bonus Episode: Mark Kermode shares his favourite cinemas in London, Cornwall and Belfast
In this bonus edition of the podcast, Brian chats with old friend and the UK's No 1 film critic Mark Kermode at the Cinemagic Festival in Belfast. Mark shares his love for the Phoenix Cinema in London, the Plaza Cinema in Truro and the Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast. Mark also reveals the best place to sit in the cinema. Classic movies mentioned include Passport to Pimlico, The Man in the White Suit, The Exorcist, The Devils, Moon, 71 and The Life of Brian. This podcast was recorded at the Queens Film Theatre in Belfast. Send us a messageWritten and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin Music by Score Draw Music https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com
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Ritz Day LIVE EVENT at the Belfast Film Festival 2024
Join Brian Henry Martin and Dr. Sam Manning, hosts of The Wonder Cinema podcast, to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the Ritz, Belfast’s long-lost picture palace. If you have memories of the Ritz, come along and let us know. Enjoy a slice of birthday cake and join us for a discussion of the cinema’s history, where we will also unveil Stuart Marshall’s new model of the Ritz. Be there for the chance to win exclusive Ritz memorabilia and to see never-before-seen images from its storied past.The Black Box18-22 Hill StreetBelfastBT1 2LANovember 9, 2024, 2:00pm GMTSend us a messageWritten and presented by Dr Sam Manning and Brian Henry Martin Music by Score Draw Music https://thewondercinema.buzzsprout.com
Join hosts, filmmaker Brian Henry Martin and historian Dr. Sam Manning as they wonder about cinema in Northern Ireland. Series One reveals the remarkable story of the Ritz cinema in Belfast, while Series Two explores the rise and fall of videotape in Northern Ireland.
Ireland