The cinema got its (2nd) name from Ben Hur (this has nothing to do with the Back & White silent film of that name). Henry Ben Solomon was a market trader, there was a bully in the market who was a British boxing champion. The market traders decided between them in a meeting, that the next person to be bullied by this boxer would have to stand up and fight the guy. The next person after that meeting who was bullied was my Great Grandfather. He was too old to fight this guy, so my Grandfather (Henry Ben Solomon) said he would fight him instead.
A bare-fisted fight was organised (this was illegal in those days, so it was held underground in the drains). In those days a knock down was considered one round. After 77 rounds, Henry emerged as the winner, having beaten this guy to a pulp, however Henry sustained some injuries in the fight and had to go to hospital. While in hospital, he was visited by a theatrical agent who convinced him, that with this story he could make Henry famous and that they should go on stage with an act.
Henry decided to do this and chose the stage name Ben Hur (he had an stage act named Pompey). Before long he was billed as ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ and even managed to last 9 rounds with a Sumo wrestler. As the act became popular Henry started buying some businesses (one of which was the Palacedium Cinema, Stepney). As Henry was known throughout the East End as Ben, the cinema was naturally re-named Ben Hur Cinema.
Soon the family name Solomon, was changed by Deed Poll to Hur. Ben Hur was a very generous man, donating much money to charity, and the London Hospital, Whitechapel. Ben died in January 1960, three weeks before my birth (hence I was given his name).
Ben had lived the remainder of years in Preston Drive, Wanstead. E11, where he bought the first two houses built in that road. Ben’s sons were named; Jack, Richard, Louis, Alfred and John, his daughter was named Sadie.
Ben was a great man and is sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Thanks guys. This theatre listing will be deleted in the next couple of days>>>>>>>>
A vintage photograph from c.1930:
http://flickr.com/photos/pyroll/1349610427/
Photographed in April 2007:
View link
The Schaubuhne photographed in March 2008:
http://flickr.com/photos/patrickpalej/2329959634/
The exterior of the Babylon Kino in April 2007;
http://flickr.com/photos/gheedon/534999121/
In March 2008:
http://flickr.com/photos/angelaolga/2315979383/
Some details (in German) and photographs of the Babylon Kino here:
http://www.kinokompendium.de/babylon.htm
Some details (in German) and photographs of the Rollberg Kino here:
http://www.kinokompendium.de/rollberg.htm
The former Gaumont/Odeon Taunton, photographed as a Mecca Bingo Club in June 2008;
http://flickr.com/photos/22743973@N08/2557185948/
The Regal Theatre, photographed in June 2008;
http://flickr.com/photos//22743973@N08/2567706498/
The Odeon Halifax opened on 27th June 1938 with Errol Flynn, Joan Blondell in “The Perfect Specimen”. Directed by Michael Curtiz for Warner Brothers.
The exterior of the Palace Theatre, Newark-on-Trent, taken in October 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/historyanorak/1571479699/
A closer view in December 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/xerones/339838187/
Street view in September 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/84178472@N00/352654030/
Auditorium view in February 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/103077471/
Yes, that 2001 photograph is the former Princess Theater, White Hall, IL.
A few more of hjuk’s interior photographs from June 2008:
Details above a stalls exit:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559159140/
A view across the circle:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335597/
An arch to the front stalls exit:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335745/
Sidewall details under the circle, showing the former standing area:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335947/
Right sidewall, as seen from the stalls:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558336121/
A wonderful set of interior photographs taken in June 2008. Thanks to HJUK for allowing us to see them:
Main inner foyer:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558332905/
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558333075/
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558333317/
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558333517/
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559157572/
Part of the former restaurant area in the circle foyer:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558333927/
Entrance doors to the circle:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559157902/
Circle vestibule foyer ceiling:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558334191/
View of the rear circle, showing projection portholes:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559158166/
Views of the auditorium from the rear of the circle:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559158360/
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558334789/
Sidewall details, left of the proscenium:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559158784/
Sidewall details right of the proscenium:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335149/
A vintage photograph of the Odeon Lewes, taken not long before it closed in 1971:
View link
The Commodore Cinema/Bingo club in 1974 when it was under the control of Star Cinemas:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/2235157968/
Two exterior views of the former Riddrie Cinema, taken in August 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/14936165@N00/1012519164/
http://flickr.com/photos/14936165@N00/1012519120/
Auditorium
http://flickr.com/photos/14936165@N00/1012519186/
An exterior photograph of the closed-down Vogue Bingo Club in July 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/dickyhart/199837469/
Close-up of the upper part of the facade, as seen in April 2004:
http://flickr.com/photos/nicohogg/289806399/
A few photographs I took in May 2008;
Exterior:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/2557168638/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/2556344837/
Auditorium
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/2557171678/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/2557173220/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/2556350329/
The cinema got its (2nd) name from Ben Hur (this has nothing to do with the Back & White silent film of that name). Henry Ben Solomon was a market trader, there was a bully in the market who was a British boxing champion. The market traders decided between them in a meeting, that the next person to be bullied by this boxer would have to stand up and fight the guy. The next person after that meeting who was bullied was my Great Grandfather. He was too old to fight this guy, so my Grandfather (Henry Ben Solomon) said he would fight him instead.
A bare-fisted fight was organised (this was illegal in those days, so it was held underground in the drains). In those days a knock down was considered one round. After 77 rounds, Henry emerged as the winner, having beaten this guy to a pulp, however Henry sustained some injuries in the fight and had to go to hospital. While in hospital, he was visited by a theatrical agent who convinced him, that with this story he could make Henry famous and that they should go on stage with an act.
Henry decided to do this and chose the stage name Ben Hur (he had an stage act named Pompey). Before long he was billed as ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ and even managed to last 9 rounds with a Sumo wrestler. As the act became popular Henry started buying some businesses (one of which was the Palacedium Cinema, Stepney). As Henry was known throughout the East End as Ben, the cinema was naturally re-named Ben Hur Cinema.
Soon the family name Solomon, was changed by Deed Poll to Hur. Ben Hur was a very generous man, donating much money to charity, and the London Hospital, Whitechapel. Ben died in January 1960, three weeks before my birth (hence I was given his name).
Ben had lived the remainder of years in Preston Drive, Wanstead. E11, where he bought the first two houses built in that road. Ben’s sons were named; Jack, Richard, Louis, Alfred and John, his daughter was named Sadie.
Ben was a great man and is sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Ian Ben Hur (Grandson)
(submitted via e-mail)
The New Picture House, photographed in August 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/airth_man/1107069685/
The Vue Cambridge, photographed in March 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/kirknorthrop/96828852/
Inside one of the screens:
http://flickr.com/photos/reeseporter/361703847/
Entrance in April 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/norfolkodyssey/466266233/
Photographed as the ABC Cinema in 1998:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/348004656/
Photographed as the Odeon in March 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/kirknorthrop/96825874/
Photographed as the Hollywood Cinema in May 2007;
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/503322311/
A November 2006 photograph of the Cineworld, Bury St. Edmunds:
http://flickr.com/photos/kirknorthrop/289772176/
The Showcase Cinemas photographed in August 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/caroslines/1214934053/
Night view in May 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/davehayward/496178745/