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Thomas Reay Wood, 1935 - 1936 Born in 1868, Wood was the son of "Professor" Joseph Wood, a travelling showman skilled in mesmerism, phrenology and palmistry. Wood's early life was spent on the Isle of Man, and it was there that he became the manager of the Grand Theatre in Douglas and met his future wife, pianist Zella Vondi - otherwise Nellie Hewitt - who originated from Handsworth, Birmingham. Wood had began his career in the entertainment industry during his twenties, working with his father. He soon became a prominant figure in both the north of England and on the Isle of Man, and was to be one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry. He showed his first film in Bury, Lancashire, whilst on tour. In 1910 he settled in Bilston and presented films and variety shows at the Town Hall until the opening of Wood's Palace in 1921. Six years later he built the Savoy Picture House. He took over the directorship of the Queen's Picture House in Bradley the following year. He was managing director of Wood's Picture Halls Ltd until 1936, when it was sold to a syndicate. Wood also relinquished his interest in the management of the Theatre Royal, Wood's Palace (including the Palace Café), The Savoy, and the Queen's, although he retained his directorship of the Palace Cinema in Wednesbury. He was elected to Bilston Urban District Council in 1919, and was Chairman from 1925 until 1927. He was also Chairman of the Bilston Nursing Association, a post he held for ten years. He became mayor of Bilston at the age of 67. He was also a member of Staffordshire County Council and was made a justice of the peace. In May 1938 Wood attended his last public function, a dinner relating to extensions for Great Barr Park Colony. He died in December the same year, aged seventy. His funeral service was held at Bilston's Wesleyan Methodist Church. Wood's
Picture Halls: Bilston and Willenhall Times, 12th September 1936 |
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