Here is a link to some wonderful photographs of the RKO Keith’s Theatre – courtesy of Phillip A. Edwards (click on photos to enlarge): http://www.jrjunction.com/keiths.htm
I can’t find any reference to Charlie Chaplin ever having a financial involvement in the Majestic Theatre. Of course he was involved in the United Artist’s Company (film-makers-distributors and exhibitors) together with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks etc.
However, here is what I found out about an incident at the Majestic Theatre, Clapham……The manager of the Majestic Theatre in the 1920’s was a gentleman named Castleton Knight. He arranged a stunt to create publicity for the cinema in either 1921 or 1922. The plan was to kidnap Charlie Chaplin whilst he was on a visit to the U.K. He dressed as a chauffeur and drove to Croydon Airport (London’s main airport in those days) pretending to be Chaplin’s driver. He picked up Charlie and drove him to the Majestic Theatre where, obviously Chaplin fell in with the spirit of the stunt, as he gave the only speech he made to a cinema audience in the U.K.
Listed in the 1941 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 750. The seating capacity is given 793 in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y.
The Picture House was equipped with a second-hand Walker church organ which was thought to be of 1899 vintage. The console was fitted to the right of the stage and several pipes were unenclosed, as they would be in a church. A one time noted organist Bobby Pagan was the resident organist.
The Harvey Theatre opened in 1927 and was remodeled in 1940 when a new marquee was fitted and the lobby modernised. Seating was provided in orchestra and balcony levels. It was operated by Publix Great States Theatres until 1968. After then, it screened ‘X’ rated features until finally closing in 1979. After demolition a store was built on the site.
The Showboat Theatre is not listed in the 1941 or 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook. Unfortunately I don’t have the 1944/45/46 or 1947 editions, but presume it must have first opened in one of these years, only to be damaged in April 1947. It is listed in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. (the address given in that edition is 416 6th Street N.)
The Star Theatre closed in May 1929 with the Western movie “Singer Jum McKee starring Bill Hart. It was converted into a store and as mentioned above by ThatOneGuy was torn down in 1956.
Four views of the National Film Theatre that I took in August 2002:
Exteriors
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/509724780/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/509724084/
Foyer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/509725528/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/509726430/
A photograph of the B.F.I. IMAX Cinema that I took in August 2002:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/509751593/
Here is a link to some wonderful photographs of the RKO Keith’s Theatre – courtesy of Phillip A. Edwards (click on photos to enlarge):
http://www.jrjunction.com/keiths.htm
I can’t find any reference to Charlie Chaplin ever having a financial involvement in the Majestic Theatre. Of course he was involved in the United Artist’s Company (film-makers-distributors and exhibitors) together with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks etc.
However, here is what I found out about an incident at the Majestic Theatre, Clapham……The manager of the Majestic Theatre in the 1920’s was a gentleman named Castleton Knight. He arranged a stunt to create publicity for the cinema in either 1921 or 1922. The plan was to kidnap Charlie Chaplin whilst he was on a visit to the U.K. He dressed as a chauffeur and drove to Croydon Airport (London’s main airport in those days) pretending to be Chaplin’s driver. He picked up Charlie and drove him to the Majestic Theatre where, obviously Chaplin fell in with the spirit of the stunt, as he gave the only speech he made to a cinema audience in the U.K.
Most of the auditorium had been demolished when I took these photographs in September 2004:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/506412659/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/506384272/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/506414683/
A photograph I took of the former Gaumont Streatham in September 2004:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/506207703/
A photograph of the Apollo 6 Cinemas taken in April 2005 whilst awating demolition:
http://flickr.com/photos/4737carlin/161299451/
Photographed as the Apollo 6 Cinemas during its last years of operation:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/334018030/
The opening film at the Ken Theater was “This Time For Keeps” starring Esther Williams and Jimmy Durante.
After closing it was converted into the Rose Bowl Restaurant. The building was later demolished and a convenience store was built on the site.
Listed in the 1941 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 750. The seating capacity is given 793 in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y.
Listed in the 1941, 1943 and 1950 editions of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 800.
The front entrance of the Odeon as photographed in December 1970:
View link
The Picture House was equipped with a second-hand Walker church organ which was thought to be of 1899 vintage. The console was fitted to the right of the stage and several pipes were unenclosed, as they would be in a church. A one time noted organist Bobby Pagan was the resident organist.
The Harvey Theatre opened in 1927 and was remodeled in 1940 when a new marquee was fitted and the lobby modernised. Seating was provided in orchestra and balcony levels. It was operated by Publix Great States Theatres until 1968. After then, it screened ‘X’ rated features until finally closing in 1979. After demolition a store was built on the site.
The Showboat Theatre is not listed in the 1941 or 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook. Unfortunately I don’t have the 1944/45/46 or 1947 editions, but presume it must have first opened in one of these years, only to be damaged in April 1947. It is listed in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. (the address given in that edition is 416 6th Street N.)
That movie was titled “Singer Jim McKee”. Sorry for the typo.
The Star Theatre closed in May 1929 with the Western movie “Singer Jum McKee starring Bill Hart. It was converted into a store and as mentioned above by ThatOneGuy was torn down in 1956.
Anther recent view which also shows the side of the building:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/460576399/
A recent 2007 photograph of the former Kingsway Cinema:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmdrgravy/409029589/
Here is a postcard view of the original 1899 design by Herrman von Endt:
http://flickr.com/photos/pulp-o-rama/146434659/
Here is a postcard view of the makeover that was carried out by the UFA circuit:
http://flickr.com/photos/pulp-o-rama/146433614/
An exterior photograph from May 2005:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seencity/215842990/
An exterior photograph from April 2005:
View link
A night photograph from December 2005:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imaginair/139974888/
A September 2006 close-up photograph of the entrance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/testpatern/235354790/
A night photograph from November 2006;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/milliped/285146860/
A recent 2007 exterior photograph of the Cinema Le Champo:
View link