Classic Baker Street
96-100 Baker Street,
London,
W1U 6TJ
96-100 Baker Street,
London,
W1U 6TJ
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Classic Cinemas (UK)
Architects: John Stanley Beard, William Robin Bennett
Styles: Art Deco
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The Classic Cinema was the only cinema that Classic Repertory Cinemas built, all others in this small chain were take-overs. It was specifically designed as a luxury cinema in which to see repertory (old ‘classic’) films.
The Classic opened on 23rd October 1937 with a revival of Gary Cooper in “Mr. Deeds Goes To Town”. The cinema was designed in a streamlined Art Deco style by noted cinema architect John Stanley Beard and William R. Bennett. Seating was provided for 309 in the stalls and 180 in the balcony.
The head office of Classic Repertory Cinemas chain was located in the building, so presentation and standards were always excellent.
The Classic Cinema closed on 24th March 1973 with Dustin Hoffman in “Straw Dogs”. The building was demolished and the new building which was erected contained retail use on the ground floor, offices above and two basement cinemas which opened on 2nd March 1978 as the Sherlock Holmes Centa 1 & 2 (later known as the Screen on Baker Street) and today known as the Everyman Baker Street (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures)
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
This Classic really was.I have very fond memories of this cinema having been Manager from 1970. At this time I was the youngest cinema manager in London and probably in the UK. We took great pride in the presentation of our movies and on the auditorium- the brass ash trays were polished on a daily basis! Music was specially selected to time exactly with the tabs opening (no fading of the discs) and the kiosk presentation involved a considerable fine detail. Not least because the company offices were upstairs and the MD, Eric Rhodes, always entered and left the building through the foyer. If a bar of chocolate was upside-down it was duly noted- he also used to run his hand over the picture frames to check for dust. The Commisionaire was briefed to open the door for every patron. I considered it an honour to run the cinema and was very sad when it was redeveloped by which time I was at the Curzon Mayfair.
Grand opening ad