This area as described by Marc-Henri as the Ladies' Rest-room, with a
triple-coved cornice and glass lighting at frieze level, the settee is specially designed with flood lights in the back to fit under a coloured relief mural decoration of an Egyptian female figure bathing
amidst lotus flowers, the lower part of the panel being covered with grooved glass, to represent water, fixed into a chromium plated metal frame.
This Mural was hand painted by Eugene Mollo.
When I spoke to Michael Egan many years ago, who also worked at the time for Marc-Henry & Laverdet and where he first met Eugene Mollo. He confirmed that the murals here and those within the ladies powder room were painted by Eugene Mollo and possibly other areas. This was to be Mollo’s first cinema interior work in 1929 since leaving the Royal College of Art. Had these panels survived there is no doubt this cinema
would now be listed Grade II*. Sadly so much of Mollo’s work is lost.
There is a full listing of the Streatham Astoria Opening Brochure on the Arthur Lloyd Theatre web site.
Leslie Kemp told me he designed the neon lighting with the firm Ionlite. “It took long hours of designing and redesigning, it was a wonderful display, there were not many technical problems with the installation, the only difficulty was getting it approved by the London
County Council”. He said.
This modern futuristic auditoria design was by Eugene Mollo, who worked
with a series of stencils to achieve it. A year later in 1936 Mollo and
Egan were responsible for thirty eight cinema interiors. As his partner
Michael Egan told me many years later he worked at a furious pace, not entrusting anyone to assist him. You can understand why by this time he was a recognised authority on Cinema Designing. Mollo must have hated the Regal’s exterior design by Cromie.
The auditorium had a segmental barrel-vault ceiling of nine bays
with relief decoration to the panels.The plaster moulded proscenium was 38ft wide. The Auditorium was 95ft by 60ft. There was no balcony or projection box. In 1936 the balloon factory closed and the building was converted into offices until it became vacant in 1991. Demolished in 1994 at which time it was still largely intact and still had the remains of the grand staircase.
This photo taken in the late 1950’s represents the social history of
cinema at its best, so many had this format shops either side, it could be a Finlay’s, Maynards, Lavell’s etc,. My fear is that the Forum will go the same way. The Grade II listing can be removed, whether for the interior or exterior. Only Grade II* will protect it in perpetuity
The Tain Picture house closed in 1970. My photo here of a poster for February 1969 that films during the year were now only shown on Saturday evenings.
A printed monthly programme from October 1924 when still named Palladium cinema, this booklet contained information of films being shown Mon-Wed and Thur-Sat together with a picture of the main movie star of each film. Also other interesting information for patrons, such as the additional page shown.
There were several sets of original House Tabs for this Gaumont
Palace. My photograph shows the other set with the three panels
showing left, a town harbour, centre, white cliffs of Dover with battle ships in foreground,right troops with pikes & horses. It
also features the Gaumont staff in front.
Ron Knee
This is the cover of a 70 page Souvenir opening programme of the former Warner which opened June 1989. Only the ariel view now shows where it once stood.
I remember my parents taking me to Southampton Odeon in the late 1950’s and during the interval my shock at this loud noise coming from underground……….To my surprise and for the first time ever I saw a huge illuminated Compton Organ rising from the front of the stage. I will never forget it. Later after joining Rank Theatres I remember having a free Dinner in the restaurant several months before it closed in 1972. Attaching an original advert which was used to advertise the
Southampton Odeon Restaurant.
Attaching a picture of the Opening Brochure,which also had a
separate programme of the film, private life of Henry VIII.
The cover of the programme shows an intended auditorium design which was to be used on the splay walls, between these black columns the recesses were to have hand painted scenes,however, gold decorative grills were used instead. Mollo & Egan who did the interior decoration used this idea many times especially for the Shipman & King circuit. Eugene Mollo also hand painted the Fire Safety Curtain.
The Embassy was opened on Monday October 14th 1928 by
Betty Balfour. The main feature film was ‘Movietone Follies of 1929'The resident Embassy Symphony Orchestra
conductor was Norbert Hornik. The Embassy café was open from 10 am – 10pm and served luncheons, teas and suppers. A large car park held over 200 cars for Cinema and Café patrons.
I was a Manager here for 3 years from 1969 – 1971. It was very hard work to run this large building which had a capacity of 3500 and with two shows a night giving a total of 7000 through the doors took a great deal of organising. I still have great memories from those days.
I was very pleased to write the report that saw this magnificent building up listed to Grade II* on the
27th July 2004.
This area as described by Marc-Henri as the Ladies' Rest-room, with a triple-coved cornice and glass lighting at frieze level, the settee is specially designed with flood lights in the back to fit under a coloured relief mural decoration of an Egyptian female figure bathing amidst lotus flowers, the lower part of the panel being covered with grooved glass, to represent water, fixed into a chromium plated metal frame. This Mural was hand painted by Eugene Mollo.
Ron Knee
When I spoke to Michael Egan many years ago, who also worked at the time for Marc-Henry & Laverdet and where he first met Eugene Mollo. He confirmed that the murals here and those within the ladies powder room were painted by Eugene Mollo and possibly other areas. This was to be Mollo’s first cinema interior work in 1929 since leaving the Royal College of Art. Had these panels survived there is no doubt this cinema would now be listed Grade II*. Sadly so much of Mollo’s work is lost. There is a full listing of the Streatham Astoria Opening Brochure on the Arthur Lloyd Theatre web site.
Ron Knee
Leslie Kemp told me he designed the neon lighting with the firm Ionlite. “It took long hours of designing and redesigning, it was a wonderful display, there were not many technical problems with the installation, the only difficulty was getting it approved by the London County Council”. He said.
Ron Knee
This modern futuristic auditoria design was by Eugene Mollo, who worked with a series of stencils to achieve it. A year later in 1936 Mollo and Egan were responsible for thirty eight cinema interiors. As his partner Michael Egan told me many years later he worked at a furious pace, not entrusting anyone to assist him. You can understand why by this time he was a recognised authority on Cinema Designing. Mollo must have hated the Regal’s exterior design by Cromie.
Ron
The auditorium had a segmental barrel-vault ceiling of nine bays with relief decoration to the panels.The plaster moulded proscenium was 38ft wide. The Auditorium was 95ft by 60ft. There was no balcony or projection box. In 1936 the balloon factory closed and the building was converted into offices until it became vacant in 1991. Demolished in 1994 at which time it was still largely intact and still had the remains of the grand staircase.
Ron Knee
This photo taken in the late 1950’s represents the social history of cinema at its best, so many had this format shops either side, it could be a Finlay’s, Maynards, Lavell’s etc,. My fear is that the Forum will go the same way. The Grade II listing can be removed, whether for the interior or exterior. Only Grade II* will protect it in perpetuity
Cinema opened 11th December 1920 Cinemascope fitted in 1955 closed on 30th November 1968 then came Mecca Bingo until 2004. Sold becoming a gymnasium.
Ron Knee
Opened on 30th April 1921 film ‘Wit Wins’ starring Florence Billings. Closed 28th March 1964. Then Bingo until 2012. Now Fitness club.
Ron Knee
This rare poster of the Cosy Cinema is from 1954. RK Cinema Archive
The Tain Picture house closed in 1970. My photo here of a poster for February 1969 that films during the year were now only shown on Saturday evenings.
A printed monthly programme from October 1924 when still named Palladium cinema, this booklet contained information of films being shown Mon-Wed and Thur-Sat together with a picture of the main movie star of each film. Also other interesting information for patrons, such as the additional page shown.
RK Cinema Archive.
There were several sets of original House Tabs for this Gaumont Palace. My photograph shows the other set with the three panels showing left, a town harbour, centre, white cliffs of Dover with battle ships in foreground,right troops with pikes & horses. It also features the Gaumont staff in front. Ron Knee
This is the cover of a 70 page Souvenir opening programme of the former Warner which opened June 1989. Only the ariel view now shows where it once stood.
I remember my parents taking me to Southampton Odeon in the late 1950’s and during the interval my shock at this loud noise coming from underground……….To my surprise and for the first time ever I saw a huge illuminated Compton Organ rising from the front of the stage. I will never forget it. Later after joining Rank Theatres I remember having a free Dinner in the restaurant several months before it closed in 1972. Attaching an original advert which was used to advertise the Southampton Odeon Restaurant.
The new Trafalgar cinema opened on 16th September,1935. The main film was ‘Devil Dogs of the Air 'featuring James Cagney and Pat O'Brien.
Attaching a picture of the Opening Brochure,which also had a separate programme of the film, private life of Henry VIII. The cover of the programme shows an intended auditorium design which was to be used on the splay walls, between these black columns the recesses were to have hand painted scenes,however, gold decorative grills were used instead. Mollo & Egan who did the interior decoration used this idea many times especially for the Shipman & King circuit. Eugene Mollo also hand painted the Fire Safety Curtain.
The Embassy was opened on Monday October 14th 1928 by Betty Balfour. The main feature film was ‘Movietone Follies of 1929'The resident Embassy Symphony Orchestra
conductor was Norbert Hornik. The Embassy café was open from 10 am – 10pm and served luncheons, teas and suppers. A large car park held over 200 cars for Cinema and Café patrons.
I was a Manager here for 3 years from 1969 – 1971. It was very hard work to run this large building which had a capacity of 3500 and with two shows a night giving a total of 7000 through the doors took a great deal of organising. I still have great memories from those days. I was very pleased to write the report that saw this magnificent building up listed to Grade II* on the 27th July 2004.