It was still in use as a BBC radio theatre in the late 1960s I used to go there regularly to watch various comedy programmes be recorded. I t was just known as the Camden Theatre.
I am so pleased that this cinema has been saved. I was assistant manager here way back in the mid nineteen-seventies and loved the place. I was known then as Robin Brewer.
I moved to Selsey from Birmingham in 1959, first film I saw there was Gigi,lovely little cinema, this photo bought back many happy memories of films seen there. I also appeared in a couple of pantomimes there with local amateur theatrical group. My name then was Robin Brewer.
I can understand why you hate this picture Mike, Thank you for posting so many other pictures though, you have brought me so much pleasure,reminding me of my past in Birmingham and other places.
My friend Richard Isaac was deputy manager here whilst the Gaumont, Barkers Pool, Sheffield was being refurbished in the mid 1980’s I think Paul Archer was the manager at the same time. Paul was a really knowledgeable man about cinema too. I miss them both.
another of my local cinemas, and I went to school at Cardinal Wiseman RC secondary (now named Cardinal Wiseman Technical school) I left there in Feb' 1959.
I can remember seeing this film at the West End in Birmingham, UK. If I remember correctly it was also a record breaking run there too. I hope someone here in the UK will celebrate the film’s 55 birthday with a 70mm showing or several.
Way back in the early 1970’s I used to do the odd relief manager duties here I loved the place because of its wonderful décor and style. I was known then as Robin Brewer if anyone remembers me feel free to get in touch.
A friend of mine had an uncle who was a projectionist here for many years his name was Phillip surname can’t remember, he was a great theatre organ man too. When the ODEON closed for refurbishment he was given one of the old cinema clocks that the time was marked with the name Odeon theatre. I now have this lovely art deco clock on my lounge wall and it still keeps time perfectly.
Lovely festoon curtain.
tntim, Thank you for posting the link to Loew’s Wonder theatres, a wonderful example of what can be done to save the theatres of yesteryear.
I spent many a happy Saturday morning in this cinema during my childhood!
I only once went up into the balcony and I so agree with the above comment! From then on it was stalls or dress circle for me LOL
Hello Jeff, yes I do remember you. WOW How you doing? you can contact me at would love to hear from you.
It was still in use as a BBC radio theatre in the late 1960s I used to go there regularly to watch various comedy programmes be recorded. I t was just known as the Camden Theatre.
I’m a sucker for festoon type curtains.
That was my thought too Mike! I can remember going to this cinema back in the mid 1950s,
I am so pleased that this cinema has been saved. I was assistant manager here way back in the mid nineteen-seventies and loved the place. I was known then as Robin Brewer.
A perfect name for a drive-in.
I spent a wonderful summer season here with Tommy Steele, Billy Dainty and Mary Hopkin, I think it was 1968 loved every minute of it.
I did relief manager at this Odeon many times between 1972 and 1974 really liked the theatre.
“Oh no you can’t” Mike! I think you’re right too!
I moved to Selsey from Birmingham in 1959, first film I saw there was Gigi,lovely little cinema, this photo bought back many happy memories of films seen there. I also appeared in a couple of pantomimes there with local amateur theatrical group. My name then was Robin Brewer.
I can understand why you hate this picture Mike, Thank you for posting so many other pictures though, you have brought me so much pleasure,reminding me of my past in Birmingham and other places.
My friend Richard Isaac was deputy manager here whilst the Gaumont, Barkers Pool, Sheffield was being refurbished in the mid 1980’s I think Paul Archer was the manager at the same time. Paul was a really knowledgeable man about cinema too. I miss them both.
another of my local cinemas, and I went to school at Cardinal Wiseman RC secondary (now named Cardinal Wiseman Technical school) I left there in Feb' 1959.
I lived in great Barr and this along with the Beacon, The Clifton and the Birchfield were all my local cinemas, I loved visiting all of them
I can remember going to see pantomimes here as a child in the 1950’s and loving the place.
I can remember seeing this film at the West End in Birmingham, UK. If I remember correctly it was also a record breaking run there too. I hope someone here in the UK will celebrate the film’s 55 birthday with a 70mm showing or several.
Mike It must have been a very senior moment :) Sorry about that. It should have read 5 back of 44 Alum Rock Road.
Way back in the early 1970’s I used to do the odd relief manager duties here I loved the place because of its wonderful décor and style. I was known then as Robin Brewer if anyone remembers me feel free to get in touch.
A friend of mine had an uncle who was a projectionist here for many years his name was Phillip surname can’t remember, he was a great theatre organ man too. When the ODEON closed for refurbishment he was given one of the old cinema clocks that the time was marked with the name Odeon theatre. I now have this lovely art deco clock on my lounge wall and it still keeps time perfectly.
Mike Blakemore thank you for posting the panto advert It brought back many fond memories of a lovely old theatre.
CSWalczak thank you for the link to the 1934 link showing the interior. It’s almost just as I remember it before the tripling took place