Doolally; That is correct. The plot of land was small and was restricted by other adjacent buildings who’s owners were not willing to sell, and be demolished to build a new cinema.
The projection booth was located on the rear stalls level, as this allowed for a maximum seating capacity. The circle seating went to the rear internal wall, which externally is the front wall of the cinema where the large Odeon sign is located on the vintage photographs I posted above.
Three vintage exterior views of the Odeon:
In October 1949, playing the Odeon release: View link
In April 1952, playing the Odeon release: View link
In 1969, playing a ‘popular’ release: View link
dave-bronx; you assume correctly. You will find most cinema buildings here in the UK refer to the main floor as the Stalls and upstairs as the Circle or occasionally Balcony
However in ‘live’ theatres you get the terms Orchestra Stalls for the main floor, Royal Circle or Dress Circle for upstairs. If a live theatre has additional upstairs seating areas, then the next one up would be the Balcony and a third circle up would be the Gallery. Mezzanine’s are rarely found in UK cinemas and theatres.
Contact the CTA Archivist; Clive Polden and I am sure he will be able to advise what material we hold. Mention my name (Ken Roe), Cinema Treasures and your purpose etc.
Good Luck with your research.
Nothing in the immediate ‘pipeline’ planed for the CTA to visit the former Majestic.
A close-up view of the entrance, possibly in the late 1940’s: View link
A vintage view of the Odeon, playing the Odeon release in July 1951: View link
A rather grimy look in this 1960’s view: View link
Hello Charlie. Sorry, but no, I don’t know of Arthur Lawrence. The Chaplin stunt was in the early 1920’s when he must have been one of the owners of the owning company; Majestic (Clapham) Ltd. Nice to hear that the story is still famous in your family.
Only the facade and foyer (designated a Grade II Listed building) were able to survive. Seen here with the new flats pojects on the now demolished auditorium space, almost completed in October 2006: http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/293051127/
This is a view not normally taken of the Gaumont State Theatre. Seen from the cinema car park, it shows the massive back of the stage house and dressing room block. In the distance to the right can be seen the huge tower which is over the main entrance. Photographed in November 2007: http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/2184878219/
A recent view of the auditorium, taken after a performance organised by the community group running the Abbeydale Picture House. There is obviously a long way to go on any possible restoration, but at least the building has re-opened after being shuttered for 15 years: http://flickr.com/photos/evissa/187245864/
According to the book ‘Early Oxford Picture Palaces’ by Paul J. Marriot (Published 1978):
‘After 1932, when Mr Barraclough was the organist, it seems never to have been played again. However in 1965 the old organ was rediscovered housed in a concrete chamber behind the screen, remarkably intact.’
Doolally; That is correct. The plot of land was small and was restricted by other adjacent buildings who’s owners were not willing to sell, and be demolished to build a new cinema.
The projection booth was located on the rear stalls level, as this allowed for a maximum seating capacity. The circle seating went to the rear internal wall, which externally is the front wall of the cinema where the large Odeon sign is located on the vintage photographs I posted above.
Here is a current photograph of the former Odeon, Guide Bridge:
View link
Three vintage exterior views of the Odeon:
In October 1949, playing the Odeon release:
View link
In April 1952, playing the Odeon release:
View link
In 1969, playing a ‘popular’ release:
View link
Some photographs from December 2007, courtesy of Howard B. Haas:
Exterior
View link
Ticket booth
View link
Front auditorium
View link
dave-bronx; you assume correctly. You will find most cinema buildings here in the UK refer to the main floor as the Stalls and upstairs as the Circle or occasionally Balcony
However in ‘live’ theatres you get the terms Orchestra Stalls for the main floor, Royal Circle or Dress Circle for upstairs. If a live theatre has additional upstairs seating areas, then the next one up would be the Balcony and a third circle up would be the Gallery. Mezzanine’s are rarely found in UK cinemas and theatres.
An exterior photograph from 2005 of the closed Riviera Cinema, just prior to the re-development:
http://flickr.com/photos/unpopular/2896771/
A sunny day in 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/28383892@N00/33361452/
By August 2007 the new luxury flats had been built on top:
http://flickr.com/photos/halmond/1081546377/
Or the building is just a ‘Mall’ and the banner is advertising movies available to buy on video/dvd?
Thanks Lost Memory. That being the case, the style will be Art Deco.
Contact the CTA Archivist; Clive Polden and I am sure he will be able to advise what material we hold. Mention my name (Ken Roe), Cinema Treasures and your purpose etc.
Good Luck with your research.
Nothing in the immediate ‘pipeline’ planed for the CTA to visit the former Majestic.
You are welcome Charlie. I am a founder member of the Cinema Theatre Association http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/
Enjoy!
Mecca Bingo signage above the main facade foyer window in February 2007, just prior to closing:
http://flickr.com/photos/pikaluk/393160251/
A close-up view of the entrance, possibly in the late 1940’s:
View link
A vintage view of the Odeon, playing the Odeon release in July 1951:
View link
A rather grimy look in this 1960’s view:
View link
Hello Charlie. Sorry, but no, I don’t know of Arthur Lawrence. The Chaplin stunt was in the early 1920’s when he must have been one of the owners of the owning company; Majestic (Clapham) Ltd. Nice to hear that the story is still famous in your family.
A long view of the former Odeon in January 2008:
View link
A close-up view of the entrance in December 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/leyhillimages/2092758517/
Here are a set of 21 vintage photographs (click on each number):
View link
Thanks Lost Memory. That photograph is just a small section of the current New Imperia Cinema (the second building).
Here are two photographs from August 2006, showing the current ‘real’ condition of the building:
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/203996493/
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/203996492/
Only the facade and foyer (designated a Grade II Listed building) were able to survive. Seen here with the new flats pojects on the now demolished auditorium space, almost completed in October 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/293051127/
This is a view not normally taken of the Gaumont State Theatre. Seen from the cinema car park, it shows the massive back of the stage house and dressing room block. In the distance to the right can be seen the huge tower which is over the main entrance. Photographed in November 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/2184878219/
A November 2007 photograph of what is now named the Venue, in the former New Cross Super Kinema:
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/2184876893/
Two photographs of the Ormonde Cinema from October 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/43944923@N00/262804070/
http://flickr.com/photos/43944923@N00/262804069/
An exterior photograph of the Picture House pub in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kromanfromcrs/137369216/
The auditorium as the Picture House pub in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kromanfromcrs/137613301/
A full frontal view for its days as a nightclub:
http://flickr.com/photos/evissa/324936198/
A side on view from March 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/sheffdave/273704686/
A close-up view of the facade from June 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/harryhalibut/374974446/
A recent view of the auditorium, taken after a performance organised by the community group running the Abbeydale Picture House. There is obviously a long way to go on any possible restoration, but at least the building has re-opened after being shuttered for 15 years:
http://flickr.com/photos/evissa/187245864/
According to the book ‘Early Oxford Picture Palaces’ by Paul J. Marriot (Published 1978):
‘After 1932, when Mr Barraclough was the organist, it seems never to have been played again. However in 1965 the old organ was rediscovered housed in a concrete chamber behind the screen, remarkably intact.’
I wonder what happened to to it?