Restaurant picks the flicks

The cinema will have two screenings a week

Film buffs in Devon are trying to revive the golden age of silent movies.

A replica Edwardian cinema has been built at the back of a Torquay restaurant, with all original fittings.

Films, including silent movies complete with pianist, are being screened twice a week at Sue and Mike Edmonds' restaurant, the Blue Walnut.

The idea came after their neighbour apologised for disturbing them because he was watching "The Dambusters" in his flat on a 16mm projector.

We will be showing everything, from approximately 40 years old to back to the very beginning - the 1900s

John Mann

Sue and Mike built the cinema in a former conservatory at the back of their restaurant in just eight days.

There is no widescreen, big seats or digital surround sound, but so far the auditorium has been full any time films have been shown.

Mike Edmonds said: "It's come about because of our next-door neighbour, Chas Osmond.

"He's got his own projector, tip-up cinema seats and a screen.

"I then asked him if he wouldn't mind showing that film in our conservatory."

They enlisted the help of local film expert John Mann to build the new cinema.

The films are coming from John's extensive collection of hundreds of movies, which he has amassed over the years in their original formats.

'Great adventure'

John said: "We will be showing everything, from approximately 40 years old, to back to the very beginning - the 1900s.

"Most of the stock we're getting are actually prints off the original negatives. We're very lucky because we've got contacts with the United States."

The films have really caught the interest of movie-lovers in Torquay.

Cinema goer Raymond Lucas enjoyed silent movies the first time around.

He said: "They take you back to happy days of long ago, when it was a great adventure to go to the theatre or cinema at all. So I thoroughly enjoy it."