Nigel Mantell

• Nigel Mantell was a projectionist working at several Odeon cinemas in London (and possibly elsewhere). Chester Cinemas

• He re-opened the new Odeon Chelsea, and later worked at Odeon Kensington, which was one of the first Odeon cinemas in the West End area to be “tripled” (i.e. converted from a single screen to three). Chester Cinemas

• Mantell became Chief Engineer / Chief Projectionist at Odeon Leicester Square toward the later part of his career. Chester Cinemas

Awards & Recognition

• In 1997, he was made a Fellow of the BKSTS (British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society). Chester Cinemas

• In 2004, Mantell was awarded the Frank Littlejohn Award for “an outstanding contribution to the art and craft of cinema projection.” This was presented to him by Sir Sydney Samuelson. Chester Cinemas

Technical / Operational Details

• He worked with three Cinemeccanica Victoria VIII (Vic 8) projectors at Odeon Leicester Square. Chester Cinemas

• During screenings, especially major ones like royal premieres, his team always ran a backup projection system in case of failure. Chester Cinemas

• When showing film, the xenon lamps (4K xenons) ran high current (approx. 140 amps), with air-cooling of the picture gates; there was also air blown on the back plate for cooling. Chester Cinemas

Other Information

• He began his work with Odeon at several locations: Odeon Chelsea, Odeon Kensington, then eventually Leicester Square. At times he helped with royal premieres and stage show events. Chester Cinemas

• He remained in his post at Leicester Square until retirement. Chester Cinemas