ABC Leicester
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1 3GP
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1 3GP
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Cannon Cinemas, MGM Theatres
Architects: William Riddell Glen
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Savoy Cinema, Cannon, MGM
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The Savoy Cinema was built for and operated by the Associated British Cinemas chain(ABC), and opened on 4th June 1937 with John Lodge in “Sensation”. It was designed in an Art Deco style by ABC’s in-house architect William R. Glen with further input from C. Wilford Smith. The cinema was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/6Rank organ which had an illuminated console and a Melotone attached. It was opened by Wilfred Southworth. There was a small stage and dressing rooms which was used in the early days. In 1959 the Savoy Cinema was equipped with Todd A-O and 70mm projection and it had a long run with a Roadshow presentation of “South Pacific”.
It was re-named ABC in 1960 and the cinema was twinned on 31st October 1970 with 606 seats in the former circle and 910 seats in the screen located in the former stalls. It was at this time that the organ was removed and it is now installed in the Regent Theatre, Fleggburgh near Great Yarmouth. On 18th March 1973 the rear of the former stalls was divided into two screens that seated 410 and 232.
ABC were taken over by EMI and then Cannon and it was re-named Cannon Film Centre. In 1991 Cannon were no long in charge and the name changed again to MGM and finally back to ABC. It closed on 16th January 1997 with a screening of “Star Trek-First Contact”. It then remained closed and boarded up. In March 2006 plans were approved to demolish the building and build a ten-storey apartment block, 100 bedroom hotel, casino and shops on the site. This never happened.
In 2007, the bulldozers moved in and by the end of the year, the former Savoy Cinema was no more. In November 2020, the site is an empty plot, used for car-parking.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
I served my appreticeship in Leicester from 1961 to 1966 and this was my absolute favourite cinema. I was fortunate enough to hear the organ played by Clifford Birchall as a prelude to the film “Can-Can” in 1961 – perhaps the last time it was played in public. The instrument was not very loud (at least not in the balcony) and I began to wonder if it was installed out in the car park! To be fair though, it could just have been that Mr Birchall was being restrained, so as not to drive out the non-organ lovers.
Thanks MikeJC for jolting a memory. I worked with Clifford Birchall (He was one of the better ABC organists) for just over 14 days at the Imperial Walsall. We both had got lumbered for the Bingo Opening… He composed a famous march. But cannot for the life remember the name.. Our Zone Manager L.S. Barry was based here.. Lucky I did not have to releive at this Cinema :o)
I was surprised to read that the cinema was used for pop concerts in the 60’s. As Assistant Manager there between November 1963 and October 1969 I have no recollection of any stage presentations there, however I do recall pop concerts at the other ABC Trocadero in Leicester during the 60’s.
Hi Ian. Hope you’re keeping well. I recall Doug Sanders telling me that there had been live shows at the ABC. Also there were a couple of rooms back stage on the actors left (below the organ chamber rooms) that Bill Croft used as store rooms,that I was told used to be changing rooms(there was also a toilet on the same floor. Alan
Hi Alan, Just spotted your posting from last year! Don’t know if you go to the cinema now but if you do I have strong views on presentation. You can always email me : ijdrummond @hotmail.com Ian
A memory from when I lived in the area in the 1960s. When 70mm was installed, the back six rows of the stalls could not be used because you couldn’t see the top of the screen as it was cut off by the front of the circle. I once went to a Saturday kids' matinee of ‘War Games’ in 70mm. The 70mm was great but the kids running around was a nuisance. I saw many other 70mm stuff there.
Opened on June 26th, 1937. Opening ad below:
reopening as ABC 1 & 2 on November 1st, 1970
and
Reopening as ABC 123 on March 16th, 1973
To clear up any misunderstandings, there were no pop concerts at the ABC in the 1960’s, or any other stage presentations. When the cinema was converted for Todd-AO in February 1959 the new 70mm screen was erected in front of the original proscenium and as it was not moveable the stage was rendered unusable from this time on.