The original facade is still there, hidden away. A couple of years ago I was speaking to the current operators, who were hoping to restore the theatre back to its original appearance. Sadly, that hasn’t happened yet……
Regarding the Dec 22, 2008 comment above by JeremyJW. The projection box was not located in the rear stalls. It was at the rear of the circle. The reason there are no projection port-holes on the rear circle wall in the January 1984 auditorium photographs, is that they were bricked in by Mecca. The original projection box is still in the rear of the circle, now an empty room, refurbished for future office use.
The Embassy Cinema, photographed in around 1947: View link
Colour photograph from the early 1970’s: View link
Closed for conversion to a triple screen in 1979: View link
The Embassy Cinema as a triple screen in 1979: View link
No 1 screen in the former stalls: View link
A vintage photograph of the Regal Cinema, soon after its 1938 opening:
View link
A vintage photograph of the Classic Cinema in 1982:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/projection/leighc.jpg
A vintage photograph of the Classic Cinema in 1982:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/projection/allertonc.jpg
A vintage photograph from the 1970’s as the Classic:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/projection/twellsc.jpg
The original facade is still there, hidden away. A couple of years ago I was speaking to the current operators, who were hoping to restore the theatre back to its original appearance. Sadly, that hasn’t happened yet……
An artists impression of the Savoy Cinema, from the architect George E. Tonge in 1935:
View link
A photograph of the former Granada Cinema, taken in April 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/4532382878/
Two photographs I took of the 1812 Theatre in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804175469/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804805934/
Six photographs of the Cameo Cinemas that I took in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804011143/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804013211/
Original auditorium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804646460/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804648140/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804019671/
Outdoor Cinema
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4804652212/
A photograph I took of the former Adelphi Theatre in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4801266329/
Two photographs I took of the former Rivoli Theatre in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4801116223/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4801750768/
A photograph I took of the former Ascot Vale Cinema in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4799845406/
Two photographs I took of the former Paramount Theatre in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4799751508/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4799759672/
Two photographs I took in February 2010, while the building was being converted into apartments:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4799626784/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4798995479/
A photograph I took in February 2010, as the finishing touches were being made to the apartment conversion:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4798717333/
ABC was one of the major theatre chains in the UK, operating just over 600 cinemas. The company’s official name was Associated British Cinemas.
Vintage photographs
As the Variety Theatre:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742266689/
Variety Theatre in 1926:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742903362/
Foyer of the Regal Cinema:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742906194/
Auditorium of the Regal Cinema, viewed from the circle:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742268777/
The proscenium and Christie organ:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742267245/
Exterior of the Regal Cinema at its closing in 1980:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742905952/
A vintage photograph of the Picture Palace:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742158103/
Two vintage photographs of the Picture House:
Exterior
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742656274/
Auditorium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinesaint/4742018707/
A vintage photograph from the early 1960’s, as a Granada Bingo Club:
View link
A vintage postacard view of the Cinema, in the late-1920’s:
View link
The Cinema Arcades photographed in May 2005:
View link
Close-up view:
View link
The Regal Theatre photographed in 2005:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dct66/3709727266/
Night-time view in 2007:
View link
A nice summertime photograph, taken in December 2007:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aang14/2125857721/
Regarding the Dec 22, 2008 comment above by JeremyJW. The projection box was not located in the rear stalls. It was at the rear of the circle. The reason there are no projection port-holes on the rear circle wall in the January 1984 auditorium photographs, is that they were bricked in by Mecca. The original projection box is still in the rear of the circle, now an empty room, refurbished for future office use.
The Embassy Cinema, photographed in around 1947:
View link
Colour photograph from the early 1970’s:
View link
Closed for conversion to a triple screen in 1979:
View link
The Embassy Cinema as a triple screen in 1979:
View link
No 1 screen in the former stalls:
View link
In July 2010, matches from the 2010 World Cup Football Championship in South Africa were being screened live in 3D in screen 11