After almost 35 years, the Mecca Bingo Club closed its doors on Sunday 25th March 2007. This is in advance of the new ‘no smoking’ in public places law which comes into effect in June. There is now serious concern as to what will become of this fine Grade II* Listed building.
Opened on or around 16th May 1913, the original building had a seating capacity of 750. In 1930 it underwent a major re-building which increased the seating capacity to 2,000.
Last operated as a cinema by the Jackson Withers circuit, they converted the building into a bingo club and a few years later that company were taken over by the Rank Organisaion who re-named it the Top Rank Bingo Club. It is currently a Mecca Bingo Club.
The original seating capacity of the Universum Kino was 1,791 and it was equipped with a theatre organ that had its chambers located on the left-hand side of the auditorium. Full stage facilities were also provided.
In August 1937 it was re-named Luxor Palast and from 1943 it became the Halensee Palast. After the heavy war damage mentioned in the opening text above, from 1948-1973 the foyer was converted into a 282 seat Studio Kino. In 1950 the remains of Mendelsohn’s auditorium was removed and architect Hermann Fehling reconstructed a 899 seat cinema which opened as the Capitol Kino. ‘Roadshow’ movies were followed by a period as a ‘Cinerama’ theatre for several years.
The Capitol was closed in 1968 and was converted into a dance-hall which closed in 1975. From 1976, the entire building, apart from the rounded front of the entrance facade was demolished to build the Schaubuhne. It re-opened in 1981, the exterior side-walls had been rebuilt in the same style as the original, but the auditorium is now a plain box which has removable seating and stepping which allows the space to form any theatre space that is required.
In addition to the Universum Kino, there was an almost matching building across a plaza to the left which Erich Mendelsohn designed as a 2,000 seat theatre named the Kabarett Der Komiker that had a large restaurant located on the first floor. By 1943 this had been re-named Scala and after the war in 1948 it had become the British Centre being used to entertain the troops based in post-war Berlin. It later became the Garden of Eden cabaret theatre and shows such as “Hair” and “Boys in the Band” played here. Later the interior was stripped out to be converted into a bowling alley which I believe still operates today. In 1931 Mendelsohn completed his scheme of buildings on the Lehniner Platz by designing the linking buildings at the rear of the two entertainment sections. These consisted of two blocks of 300 unit apartment blocks, offices and parking spaces which can still be seen today.
Here is a scan of a rare view of the auditorium as seen from the stage, showing the position of the projection booth in the front center of the balcony: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/374980167/
The Gaumont underwent a modernisation in 1968 and it was at this time that metal cladding was fixed the facade. Here is a photograph taken in May 1970 while playing the Rank release: View link
After almost 35 years, the Mecca Bingo Club closed its doors on Sunday 25th March 2007. This is in advance of the new ‘no smoking’ in public places law which comes into effect in June. There is now serious concern as to what will become of this fine Grade II* Listed building.
A photograph I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435724428/
Two photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435673272/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/434395282/
Two photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435624094/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435624996/
A view of the entrance that I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435594919/
Three photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435527865/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435529535/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435530389/
A photograph of the entrance I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435241987/
The foyer and entrance I photographed in April 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435250891/
Here are 4 photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435237612/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435238876/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435239387/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/435240710/
Two photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433768896/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433772344/
Two photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433763756/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433766536/
Two photographs I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433753953/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433754745/
Ooopps, sorry, here is the correct link to the first of the above poster photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433758453/
Three exterior photographs that I took in March 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433760193/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433761545/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433762602/
In the new Centro Commercial Paseo de El Hatillo which is close-by, there are a couple of posters on display, located on the multiplex cinema level, which pay homage to the El Cine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433758435/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/433759123/
The Walkers Bingo Club operation at the Hippodrome Theatre closed on 26th January 2007.
Sorry for the typo, the demolition was February 2007.
The Gaumont was demolished in February 2006, despite protests from campaigners to save it.
Opened on or around 16th May 1913, the original building had a seating capacity of 750. In 1930 it underwent a major re-building which increased the seating capacity to 2,000.
Last operated as a cinema by the Jackson Withers circuit, they converted the building into a bingo club and a few years later that company were taken over by the Rank Organisaion who re-named it the Top Rank Bingo Club. It is currently a Mecca Bingo Club.
Here are 3 excellent photographs of the auditorium of the Granada Theatre, Clapham Junction which show its condition as seen in October 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbarr/274106188/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbarr/274106250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbarr/274106317/
The Film Daily Year Book (1952 edition) gives a seating capacity of 1,248.
The original seating capacity of the Universum Kino was 1,791 and it was equipped with a theatre organ that had its chambers located on the left-hand side of the auditorium. Full stage facilities were also provided.
In August 1937 it was re-named Luxor Palast and from 1943 it became the Halensee Palast. After the heavy war damage mentioned in the opening text above, from 1948-1973 the foyer was converted into a 282 seat Studio Kino. In 1950 the remains of Mendelsohn’s auditorium was removed and architect Hermann Fehling reconstructed a 899 seat cinema which opened as the Capitol Kino. ‘Roadshow’ movies were followed by a period as a ‘Cinerama’ theatre for several years.
The Capitol was closed in 1968 and was converted into a dance-hall which closed in 1975. From 1976, the entire building, apart from the rounded front of the entrance facade was demolished to build the Schaubuhne. It re-opened in 1981, the exterior side-walls had been rebuilt in the same style as the original, but the auditorium is now a plain box which has removable seating and stepping which allows the space to form any theatre space that is required.
In addition to the Universum Kino, there was an almost matching building across a plaza to the left which Erich Mendelsohn designed as a 2,000 seat theatre named the Kabarett Der Komiker that had a large restaurant located on the first floor. By 1943 this had been re-named Scala and after the war in 1948 it had become the British Centre being used to entertain the troops based in post-war Berlin. It later became the Garden of Eden cabaret theatre and shows such as “Hair” and “Boys in the Band” played here. Later the interior was stripped out to be converted into a bowling alley which I believe still operates today. In 1931 Mendelsohn completed his scheme of buildings on the Lehniner Platz by designing the linking buildings at the rear of the two entertainment sections. These consisted of two blocks of 300 unit apartment blocks, offices and parking spaces which can still be seen today.
Here is a scan of a rare view of the auditorium as seen from the stage, showing the position of the projection booth in the front center of the balcony:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/374980167/
The Odeon photographed in its opening week;August 1937 playing the opening film Conrad Veidt and Vivien Leigh in “Dark Journey”:
View link
A photograph from its final years as a Mecca Bingo Club:
View link
J.F. Lundy;I have taken the liberty to re-post the link you gave above:
http://brooklynpix.com/photo1/F/flatbush58.jpg
Great shots, Thanks
The Gaumont underwent a modernisation in 1968 and it was at this time that metal cladding was fixed the facade. Here is a photograph taken in May 1970 while playing the Rank release:
View link
The Odeon photographed in December 1970 when still a single screen, playing the Rank Release:
View link