A recent exterior photograph of the Phoenix Cinema. (Note where an old sign has been removed on the right hand side…now reveals the outline of the letter ‘E’ from when it was named the Rex): View link
Jack Buchanan appeared in person to opened the Carlton Cinema. The opening programme included his starring film “Thats a Good Girl” which was part written and directed by Jack Buchanan himself.
The cinema was built for an Independent operator and was taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) from 26th December 1937.
A close up photograph of the entrance of the Gaumont in Summer 1949: View link
A view of the entire facade in January 1957: View link
As a twin Gaumont Cinema in Summer 1971: View link
A colour nightime shot as a twin Gaumont Cinema and some more details, historic photographs and a photograph of what His Royal Highness Prince Charles called ‘The Monsterous Carbuncle’ which was built on the site: View link
The Regal was built for A.E. Abrahams and opened on 16th January 1930. It was leased by Hyams & Gale from 24th April 1933 and taken over by Gaumont Super Cinemas in October 1935. It was equipped with a Christie 3Manual theatre organ.
Closed due to wartime conditions at the beginning of the war, it re-opened on 3rd November 1940. The closing programme on 8th February 1964 was the Peter Sellers double bill;“I’m Alright Jack” plus “Two Way Stretch”. It immediately became a Top Rank Bingo Club which opened on 20th February 1964 and it closed in 1978. The building was demolished and a D.I.Y. hardware store was built on the site.
Despite being in need of a re-furbishment, the old Astoria Theatre can still attract top name artists onto it’s stage. A few weeks ago (November 2005) saw Madonna performing to a packed house of ‘boyz’ at G.A.Y. on a Saturday night.
Sorry Ron; This theatre is already listed on Cinema Treasures http://cinematreasures.org/theatre/14779/ Can you post some of the information you give above on that page please.
Opened as Lothrop’s Opera House on 17th August 1891 with “The Spectre Bridegroom” and “Queena”. It was used for Drama, Vaudeville and Movies over the years and artists who appeared on it’s stage include Al Jolson and Charlie Murray.
Joe; Thanks for that information. I agree, the photo of the Canadian Building is definately the same building which housed the Main Theatre. I have e-mailed the Parkinson Archives to correct their mistake.
The facade of the former Taits Auditorium building still survives. After closing as the Mayfair Theatre,the interior was either demolished or gutted and is used today as a retail unit and offices.
cjc; No it’s not Listed and there is practically nothing remaining of the interior decoration apart from a few fragments of ceiling detail in what would have been the rear balcony area. Everything else was stripped out when it became a Top Rank Bowl.
A recent exterior photograph of the Curzon Soho:
View link
A recent exterior photograph of the Phoenix Cinema. (Note where an old sign has been removed on the right hand side…now reveals the outline of the letter ‘E’ from when it was named the Rex):
View link
Two 2003 exterior photographs showing the current signage on the Odeon Bromley:
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/odeon_bromley.htm
Here are two vintage postcard views 1909 and 1912 and some historical details:
View link
OOoops – Sorry, here is that Summer 1971 link again:
View link
A close-up view of the entrance to the Odeon in Autumn 1949:
View link
A full view of the facade of the Odeon in late-Spring 1956:
View link
A close-up view of the entrance in Summer 1971:
View link
Jack Buchanan appeared in person to opened the Carlton Cinema. The opening programme included his starring film “Thats a Good Girl” which was part written and directed by Jack Buchanan himself.
The cinema was built for an Independent operator and was taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) from 26th December 1937.
An exterior photograph of the Odeon taken in Autumn 1949:
View link
An exterior photograph taken in 1971:
View link
A close up photograph of the entrance of the Gaumont in Summer 1949:
View link
A view of the entire facade in January 1957:
View link
As a twin Gaumont Cinema in Summer 1971:
View link
A colour nightime shot as a twin Gaumont Cinema and some more details, historic photographs and a photograph of what His Royal Highness Prince Charles called ‘The Monsterous Carbuncle’ which was built on the site:
View link
The Regal was built for A.E. Abrahams and opened on 16th January 1930. It was leased by Hyams & Gale from 24th April 1933 and taken over by Gaumont Super Cinemas in October 1935. It was equipped with a Christie 3Manual theatre organ.
Closed due to wartime conditions at the beginning of the war, it re-opened on 3rd November 1940. The closing programme on 8th February 1964 was the Peter Sellers double bill;“I’m Alright Jack” plus “Two Way Stretch”. It immediately became a Top Rank Bingo Club which opened on 20th February 1964 and it closed in 1978. The building was demolished and a D.I.Y. hardware store was built on the site.
An exterior photograph of the former Page Hall/Roxy Cinema as vied in 2000 can be seen here:
View link
An exterior photograph of the Odeon, taken in October 1949:
View link
In the Summer of 1971, a few weeks before closing:
View link
An exterior view of the Odeon, taken in October 1949:
View link
Undated, but possibly around 1952:
View link
A closer view of the entrance and tower feature in Summer 1971:
View link
An exterior photograph of the Odeon, taken in December 1970:
View link
The same view in 2005 as the Sol/Viva nightclub:
View link
An exterior photograph of the Odeon, taken in the Summer of 1971:
View link
An opening view of the Odeon in 1936:
View link
An evening photograph with the Classic Cinema signage and bingo which dates it around 1969 after Coral had taken over:
View link
Some recent excellent 2004 photographs (exterior and interior) of the Royal Cinema, with thanks to Jonathan Goodbun:
View link
Despite being in need of a re-furbishment, the old Astoria Theatre can still attract top name artists onto it’s stage. A few weeks ago (November 2005) saw Madonna performing to a packed house of ‘boyz’ at G.A.Y. on a Saturday night.
Here are some more historical details and a couple of vintage photographs (click on to enlarge) of the Astoria, Charing Cross Road:
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/astoria_ch_x_rd.htm
Sorry Ron; This theatre is already listed on Cinema Treasures http://cinematreasures.org/theatre/14779/ Can you post some of the information you give above on that page please.
Opened as Lothrop’s Opera House on 17th August 1891 with “The Spectre Bridegroom” and “Queena”. It was used for Drama, Vaudeville and Movies over the years and artists who appeared on it’s stage include Al Jolson and Charlie Murray.
Joe; Thanks for that information. I agree, the photo of the Canadian Building is definately the same building which housed the Main Theatre. I have e-mailed the Parkinson Archives to correct their mistake.
The seating capacity in 1950 when still a single screen was listed as 1,351.
I believe the church who occupied the building recently have moved out and the building sits empty and unused.
The facade of the former Taits Auditorium building still survives. After closing as the Mayfair Theatre,the interior was either demolished or gutted and is used today as a retail unit and offices.
cjc; No it’s not Listed and there is practically nothing remaining of the interior decoration apart from a few fragments of ceiling detail in what would have been the rear balcony area. Everything else was stripped out when it became a Top Rank Bowl.