Ian
commented about
Roxy Cinemaon
Apr 8, 2010 at 4:31 am
Whilst looking for something else I came across a batch of misfiled negatives of the interior of the Roxy taken in 1988. The photo’s must have come out too poor to keep, but digital technology to the rescue (at least partially!). Of particular note is the original proscenium, long hidden from view:–
Here is a splendid scan of an advert – advertising the cinemascope screen so I guess from around the mid 1950’s, but before 1958, showing the interior of the theatre including the organ and grills, and the previous proscenium arch.
Further to the above, I had the opportunity to tour the Hippodrome last week, during the rebuilding work. There is now no trace of the stalls projection box, which must have been swept away on conversion to the Talk of the Town in 1958. However there is a large projection box at the rear of the Gallery, not mentioned above. It is difficult to say if this is original or a later addition as much of the plasterwork is missing, however I would GUESS that it is a later, maybe 1920’s or 30’s construction. The portholes are bricked up (again some considerable time ago). Perhaps this was built for the trade and public screenings at the end of the 1920’s?
There is also a charming cartoon mural backstage painted by Rolf Harris after a stint at the venue in 1979!
The Rialto opened on 31st October 1927 and was designed by Robert Cromie. It was independently operated until Union took over the theatre in 1928 and subsequently it became part of the ABC circuit. It had around 1,262 seats and was never sub-divided. Renamed ABC in 1960, it was replaced by offices with two cinema spaces in the basement which were not fitted out and the theatres never opened.
A 1988 shot here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4514168300/
and an internal shot from 2004 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4388777599/
Another photo taken in 1988 before the external cladded was added:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4513528249/
An interior of the circle cinema circa 1988 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4504978602/
Whilst looking for something else I came across a batch of misfiled negatives of the interior of the Roxy taken in 1988. The photo’s must have come out too poor to keep, but digital technology to the rescue (at least partially!). Of particular note is the original proscenium, long hidden from view:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502334270/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502334096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502333902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4501699041/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4501698837/
A few more photo’s (interior and exterior) here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496539744/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496540174/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496539950/
Another view of the Odeon here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4495903181/
Another exterior shot:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4472376363/
and a pre-sub-division interior:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4473153428/
Exterior photo taken in 1991 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4462156090/
Interior shot of one of the screens in 1991:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4462155472/
Photos from March 2010 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687518/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4458907165/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687772/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687672/
Shot of the screen from the rear stalls here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453024501/
Two more shots of the Riviera:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453801784/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453024145/
Here is a splendid scan of an advert – advertising the cinemascope screen so I guess from around the mid 1950’s, but before 1958, showing the interior of the theatre including the organ and grills, and the previous proscenium arch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4438117599/
More photos – all interior – can be seen here (taken March 2010)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4419584848/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818935/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818763/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4419584640/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818331/
Photos taken (mainly interior) during the 2010 building works here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4416648410/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415881941/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882121/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4416648936/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882769/
Further to the above, I had the opportunity to tour the Hippodrome last week, during the rebuilding work. There is now no trace of the stalls projection box, which must have been swept away on conversion to the Talk of the Town in 1958. However there is a large projection box at the rear of the Gallery, not mentioned above. It is difficult to say if this is original or a later addition as much of the plasterwork is missing, however I would GUESS that it is a later, maybe 1920’s or 30’s construction. The portholes are bricked up (again some considerable time ago). Perhaps this was built for the trade and public screenings at the end of the 1920’s?
There is also a charming cartoon mural backstage painted by Rolf Harris after a stint at the venue in 1979!
Two more interior photos of the auditorium taken in February 2010:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4389546342/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4388777717/
One year on from Ken’s comment above, and there seems to be little progress on the Hippodrome saga.
Night photo from February 2010 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4387115668/
Tonkers seems to have closed and only part of the foyer is in use as a bar / cafe. The future of the building must be in some doubt.
Two photos from February 2010 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4387115536/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4387115370/
Foyer photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4386353161/
Two more photos here from February 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4384524396/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4383762851/
Another photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4380930961/
Photo here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4381687924/
Photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4381687712/
The Rialto opened on 31st October 1927 and was designed by Robert Cromie. It was independently operated until Union took over the theatre in 1928 and subsequently it became part of the ABC circuit. It had around 1,262 seats and was never sub-divided. Renamed ABC in 1960, it was replaced by offices with two cinema spaces in the basement which were not fitted out and the theatres never opened.