Comments from Ian - Cinema Treasures

Ian commented about Odeon Wardour Street on Jul 1, 2006 at 12:09 pm

Another couple of photos after closure here:–

Ian commented about Lumiere Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 12:05 pm

Work is still continuing to turn the former cinema into a gym for the St Martins Hotel. Pictures from June 2006 here (external):–

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and here (foyer):–

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Ian commented about New Gallery Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 5:16 am

This cinema has been all but wrecked in the conversion to retail space. Although – in theory – the new works are removable, in practice it is well nigh impossible to return a valuable retail space to arts use, and removing the extensive new build inside the auditorium – on a levelled floor – would be prohibitively expensive.

Two recent pictures here. The first shows about as much as you can see of the proscenium arch (now blocked in):–

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and the second is a view from the former balcony area:–

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Ian commented about Henry Miller's Theatre on Jun 26, 2006 at 9:49 pm

I thought the intention WAS to recreate the auditorium of Henry Millers – with expanded foyers and modern facilities. The original publicity from the developers certainly stressed the re-creation of the original theatre.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 20, 2006 at 1:53 am

Found a few more details of the cinema.

From manchestercivic.org.uk:-
A less certain future faces the Empress Electric Theatre on Oldham Road, Miles Platting, which opened in 1912 in the very early days of purpose-built cinemas. Its now somewhat forlorn facade of red Accrington brick harks back to the 19th century, giving it an industrial appearance but with almost castle-like cornice adornments.
Inside the walls are adorned with luxurious French Rococo-style plaster panels. The proscenium and flanking twin organ cases are in a more serious classical vein with paired columns, niches and medallions symbolising music and the performing arts. The organ case embraces dummy organ pipes, as in a church, and vestiges of early cinema organs of this type are now extremely rare. Some years ago the Empress, too, became a bingo hall, and it is now a paint store.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 8:17 am

Agree in principal Woody – but Manchester and Salford are two different authorities. But Manchester undoubtedly does not care about heritage. Nor does Salford!

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 5:58 am

Photo -pre fire here:–

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and here :–

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Ian commented about Texas Theatre sold to Cinema Treasures user on Jun 5, 2006 at 8:02 am

Congratulations – and please post pictures of the renovations!

Ian commented about Grosvenor Cinema on May 19, 2006 at 8:23 am

Some exterior & interior pictures here – from when it was still a cinema!:–

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