Savoy Cinema

The Savoy Cinema opened on 7th November 1935 with Dick Powell in “Flirtation Walk” plus Full Supporting Programme. It was designed in an Art Deco Style by architect Reginald William Gaze Cooper (his first design project) and had a seating capacity of 1,242 in stalls and circle levels. The facade was originally clad in a new material called ‘Vitrolite’ which was in green with black vertical bands. A car park and garage were provided for the use of cinema patrons.

At some period of time, the frontage of the cinema was ’re-done' when the Vitrolite cladding was removed and in 1972 the cinema was tripled. There were 392 seats in the former circle and two screens under the circle which seated 108 and 163. They re-opened on 23rd July 1972 screening “Gone With The Wind”, “Love Story”, and “Kelly’s Heroes”.

Today the seating is for 386, 128 and 168 with an additional screen added on the former stage that seats 60 persons.

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Ken Roe on October 9, 2007 at 6:45 am

The Savoy Cinema can be seen in the background of this 2005 photograph:
http://flickr.com/photos/53808520@N00/521485887/

Ian on August 1, 2018 at 3:30 am

Three photos of the Savoy taken in July 2018

SAVOY FACADE

SAVOY FACADE

SAVOY REAR

dave on August 12, 2019 at 4:57 am

According to Harry Wilding, writing in https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2014/january/savoy-cinema-6349/ “Its single auditorium was rebuilt in 1972, when the original Vitrolite cladding was removed, and it upgraded to three screens. It has since had a fourth added.”

Ian on August 12, 2019 at 5:47 am

I think that “rebuilt” is an unfortunate choice of word, the original cinema was adapted with two screens below the balcony, which was extended forwards to create a three screen venue. The fourth screen was added later on the original stage.

SEATING

dave on February 22, 2021 at 5:13 am

The death of Alan Silvers has been recorded on 12 Feb 2021. He worked at the Savoy from 1947 as a rewind-boy, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming Managing Director. It is no exaggeration to say that the survival of the cinema is down to his commitment.

rivest266 on November 7, 2022 at 2:28 pm

Grand opening ads posted.