Additional information to the above Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London posting; The actual opening date at the Empire was 16th December 1959.
The reason for such a dramatic loss of seating capacity was that as the new projection box was built in the centre of the orchestra stalls, under the front of the balcony, only the front stalls seating was used, with many side seats not sold due to a restricted view. I saw “Ben Hur” here, sitting in the second row of the stalls and was amazed by the size of the screen. Of course seating in the huge balcony gave the best view.
Excellent research Michael :)
The first International booking at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London, UK was the longest run of any of the locations, running for 127 weeks.
A new projection box was built in the centre of the orchestra stalls, resulting in a reduction of the seating capacity from 2,778 seats to 1,723 seats. A new screen was installed that was slightly larger than the proscenium arch and had a picture width of 52 feet. The throw from the box to the screen was only 78 feet. It closed at the Empire on 28th May 1961, was transferred the following day to the Royalty Theatre on Kingsway, where it ran exclusively for a few more months. The reason for the transfer was that the Empire was slated to be closed for re-development, into a smaller cinema and dance hall.
A history of the former Daly’s Theatre which stood on the site, including vintage photographs and memorabilia, plus some more recent photographs of the Village West End/Vue: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/DalysTheatre.htm
Some photographs of the Odeon and vintage photographs, memorabilia and history of the Alhambra Theatre which stood on the site: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Alhambra.htm
A vintage postcard view of the Rutland Park Cinema:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4131079500/
Photographed in 1985, prior to its eventual demolition:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4130317245/
The HMV building photographed in February 2008:
View link
The cover of a 1930 programme for the Gaiety Theatre:
View link
Photographs, memorabilia and more history here:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/DruryLane.htm
The Mayfair Cinema, photographed in 1959:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4122697038/
Vintage photographs of the Regent Theatre in 1932:
Exterior
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4120960128/
Auditorium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4120187481/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4120188185/
Two photographs of the Mid City Cinemas:
In Febraury 2006 (note the Village City Centre 4 Cinemas on the left (which closed on that evening):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4119943709/
A close-up photograph I took in March 2004:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4120729214/
Additional information to the above Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London posting; The actual opening date at the Empire was 16th December 1959.
The reason for such a dramatic loss of seating capacity was that as the new projection box was built in the centre of the orchestra stalls, under the front of the balcony, only the front stalls seating was used, with many side seats not sold due to a restricted view. I saw “Ben Hur” here, sitting in the second row of the stalls and was amazed by the size of the screen. Of course seating in the huge balcony gave the best view.
Excellent research Michael :)
The first International booking at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London, UK was the longest run of any of the locations, running for 127 weeks.
A new projection box was built in the centre of the orchestra stalls, resulting in a reduction of the seating capacity from 2,778 seats to 1,723 seats. A new screen was installed that was slightly larger than the proscenium arch and had a picture width of 52 feet. The throw from the box to the screen was only 78 feet. It closed at the Empire on 28th May 1961, was transferred the following day to the Royalty Theatre on Kingsway, where it ran exclusively for a few more months. The reason for the transfer was that the Empire was slated to be closed for re-development, into a smaller cinema and dance hall.
More history, historic vintage & current photographs and memorabilia here:
View link
History, photographs and memorabilia here:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/PhoenixTheatre.htm
The auditorium photographed prior to renovation:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/architec/211977156/
More history and details about the restoration, with a current photograph:
View link
The former Trafalgar Cinema/Odeon photographed in use as a supermarket in July 1983:
View link
The Jai Nepal Cinema, photographed in August 2005:
View link
Photographs, memorabilia and more history here:
View link
Photographs, vintage memorabilia and more history here:
View link
The Bijou Dream theatre mentioned in comments above, was located at 145 W. 23rd Street in in American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915.
A vintage view of the Grand Theatre in 1911:
View link
A set of vintage photographs of the Classic Hayes:
View link
John; I have added the G & M Theatre /theaters/30517/
Photographs, vintage memorabilia and more history here:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LondonPalladium.htm
Some vintage and current photographs, plus memorabilia and more history here:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/CambridgeTheatre.htm
Vintage photographs, memorabilia and more history, as well as recent photographs here:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LondonHippodrome.htm
A history of the former Daly’s Theatre which stood on the site, including vintage photographs and memorabilia, plus some more recent photographs of the Village West End/Vue:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/DalysTheatre.htm
Some photographs of the Odeon and vintage photographs, memorabilia and history of the Alhambra Theatre which stood on the site:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Alhambra.htm