Comments from Ian Grundy

Showing 76 - 100 of 1,784 comments

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Stoll Cinema on Oct 19, 2021 at 6:36 am

… or maybe not. There was a report of demolition, but google street view of 2016 shows both front and rear to be intact.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Luxe London West End on Oct 17, 2021 at 4:49 am

CF100: I cannot be entirely sure, but I think moveable masking is in place, although like the Odeon Luxe LS tabs whether it is used or not is an unknown fact.

I was very generously allowed in between screenings whilst cleaning was in progress, but looking at the walls in the photos I cannot discern any lighting strips which may add a colour in screen 2 - there are blue strips in the aisles. The shape of the auditorium may be a factor - the lighting strips may be more effective in a longer, more oblong theatre?

Moviebuff82: I, too, would recommend the Bond movie. As you would expect, the cinematography is superb, right from the start as the opening credits merge into a forest. It is witty, the chases exciting, and to say much more would give away too much! Do find a big screen to see it though.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Spa Pavilion on Oct 14, 2021 at 8:48 am

A couple of photos from 2006 (obviously of the 1950 building):-

SPA PAVILION - Exterior

SPA PAVILION - Auditorium

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Savoy Cinema on Oct 14, 2021 at 12:50 am

Nadeem - that is correct. The initial set of plans gave the original two screens (which opened as the Paragon, later renamed Reel) a new facade and incorporated them within a larger 6 screen complex. However, this scheme was later revised and the Savoy’s five screens were built on a separate footprint, with the original screens demolished - sadly a year before the Savoy opened, leaving the town without a cinema.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Luxe London West End on Oct 8, 2021 at 12:50 pm

I only saw the cinema, not the film on this occasion - but will be seeing it at my ‘local’ on Tuesday.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Luxe London West End on Oct 7, 2021 at 1:20 am

I had the chance to look at these this week, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the development. The auditoria (whilst black and plain) are comfortable and spacious with no oppressive basement feel. The entrance is dramatic and the foyer (designed with a much higher number of patrons in mind) is elegant and generous. A few photos (October 2021):-

Odeon Luxe West End - EXTERIOR

Odeon Luxe West End - ESCALATOR TO FOYER

Odeon Luxe West End - SCREEN 1 - DOLBY THEATRE

Odeon Luxe West End - SCREEN 2

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Marble Arch on Sep 8, 2021 at 12:40 am

The replacement building, nearing completion in August 2021:- MARBLE ARCH PLACE

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Lonsdale Alhambra Cinemas on Aug 14, 2021 at 4:45 am

A third screen, seating 36, was added by incorporating an adjoining shop. All three screens open in 2021 - when these photos were taken

Exterior

Screen 1 Auditorium

Screen 2 Auditorium

Screen 3 Auditorium

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Rex Cinema on Jul 26, 2021 at 12:01 pm

Google street view show the Rex is still there and functioning as Opera Bingo - post code is CA2 5EN

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Europa-Palast on Jun 17, 2021 at 11:55 am

Sorry, it seems that it is no longer possible to post a link to the street view, so the above link will not work.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Europa-Palast on Jun 17, 2021 at 11:52 am

The streetview seems to support that - the cinema is to the right of the Traf iQ booth under the red ‘E’ and the galeria to the left. Sadly it is many years since I was last in Frankfurt so cannot confirm current status of the Europa.

street scene

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Cine Verano on Jun 9, 2021 at 2:21 am

Photos from 2003 here:-

Cine Verano CALPE - Facade

Cine Verano CALPE - Screen

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Cine Alhambra on Jun 9, 2021 at 2:18 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cine Alhambra CALPE

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Cine Nereida on Jun 9, 2021 at 2:15 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cine Nereida BENIDORM

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Cines Colci Benidorm on Jun 9, 2021 at 2:12 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cines Colci BENIDORM

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Cine Astoria on May 2, 2021 at 12:00 pm

The Astoria was demolished in 2019

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Empire Cinema on Apr 2, 2021 at 12:49 am

A photo of the Empire, taken in 1992, can be seen here:-

Empire Kirkham - exterior

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Pioneer Theatre on Apr 1, 2021 at 8:44 am

Found the answer. The listing text is quite recent and contains a description of the interior.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101300442-former-co-operative-society-building-pioneer-house-dewsbury-east-ward

“The second floor consists of a single massive space originally used as a concert/public hall and later converted for theatre and cinema use. A later stage, proscenium arch and balcony have all now been removed, and a large steel sub-structure with a mezzanine level has been inserted.”

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Pioneer Theatre on Apr 1, 2021 at 8:33 am

Interesting interior photo. This appears to be the top of the proscenium arch, but the decorated ceiling extends behind to the rear wall indicating that the room was converted to a theatre, and not part of the original design - perhaps starting as a multi-purpose or concert hall?

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Blue Hall Cinema & Blue Hall Annexe Cinema on Dec 26, 2020 at 2:06 am

The Regal / Cineworld closed in 2016 and was demolished a year later. Replacement cinemas promised on the site have yet to materialise (by end of 2020).

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Rendezvous Cinema on Oct 9, 2020 at 11:16 am

Debatable – since the facade and foyer were incorporated from a pre-existing building, whilst the extension that formed the cinema has been completely removed, I would say this is “Demolished”. Still it is nice to learn that the dome has survived.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about London Hippodrome Theatre on Oct 4, 2020 at 2:46 am

Yes it is the venue for the 1969 London performances, the last time she appeared on stage in London.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square on Oct 4, 2020 at 12:50 am

The changes to life (and losses) caused by this virus are dreadful and depressing. I have, having read the above reports, just checked seat availability for the two showings today for Tenet at the OLS. The circle is closed, and in the stalls there are 3 seats booked for this afternoon and none for this evening. On my two visits to my local cinema the audiences have been extremely sparce. Cinemas simply cannot exist on this level of business, and the studios witholding releases is adding to the problem. There seems no way out, it is a vicious downward spiral.

Best wishes for your recovery, and keep safe everyone.

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Majestic Cinema on Aug 28, 2020 at 1:19 am

On selected evening horror films are screened, using the balcony as the seating area.

Photographs from August 2020 FACADE

SIDE PASSAGE

SIDE VIEW

Ian Grundy
Ian Grundy commented about Soho Theatre Walthamstow on Aug 26, 2020 at 7:44 am

By the end of August 2020, all tenents in the buiding had vacated and restoration began in earnest. For the first time in half a century the Pit console of the Christie organ was raised – and was in a very sorry state, having been left to rot, and submerged in the 2011 flood. The stage console is in only slightly better condition after nearly two decades of cold, damp and pigeons!

GRANADA AUDITORIUM

GRANADA PIT ORGAN CONSOLE