Odeon Whalebone Lane
8-12 Whalebone Lane South,
Chadwell Heath,
RM8 1BJ
8-12 Whalebone Lane South,
Chadwell Heath,
RM8 1BJ
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: D.J. James Circuit, Eastern Cinemas (GCF), Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation
Architects: Leslie H. Kemp, Frederick E. Tasker
Firms: Kemp & Tasker
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Mayfair Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the Mayfair Cinema on 9th December 1933 it was built for and operated initially by the independent D.J. James Circuit.
Seating was provided in stalls and circle and there were five boxes. It had a café, full stage facilities with five dressing rooms and an unusual feature for a British cinema, was the open air swimming pool and terraces at the rear of the building.
In April 1936 it was taken over by another independent circuit Eastern Cinemas who in turn were taken over by Oscar Deutsch’s Odeon Theatres circuit in 1943. It was re-named Odeon Chadwell Heath from 31st December 1945 and continued in later years as the Odeon Whalebone Lane (located on the borders of Dagenham/Chadwell Heath) until it closed on 12th February 1972 screening Richard Roundtree in “Shaft” and Rod Taylor in “The Mercenaries”.
The building was converted into a Top Rank Bingo Hall and remained in this use for many years, but it has since closed and was demolished, a supermarket and offices were built on the site.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
My dear Mum used to work at this cinema when it was called the Mayfair and on 22.3.37 she was given a silver cagarette case in Appreciation of Her Services at the cinema by D. J. James. My Mum’s maiden name was Miss M Staines. Does anyone remember Mum? (her married name was Mrs Marjorie Rainbird)
Does anyone have pictures of the cinema at all please?
Mum used to walk to work and walk back each day from Loweshow Lane, Collier Row, Romford. I would love to hear from anyone who has more information for me please. Thank you, Julie Rainbird