Cannon Royal Cinema
35 Charing Cross Road,
London,
WC2H 7AS
35 Charing Cross Road,
London,
WC2H 7AS
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I remember seeing all night Godzilla films there around 1979. This was the only way to see these movies as they were never shown on TV. Yes it was unsavoury with dirty old men pleasuring themselves etc It was awful….
A shot in the Cannons final weeks of operation – “Broadcast News is the film
CANNON ROYAL CINEMA
I was a junior manager when Ray Price was the manager during 1979-1980. It was (in)famous for the all-night screenings which attracted the most amazing collection of knights of the road and bag ladies. The smell was terrible and I fully believe the account of urinating in the seats.
Somebody told me that it was called ‘Royal’ after the visit of a royal personage in earlier days.
While being stationed at the Eros, Piccadilly, Classic Cinemas sometimes made me the night relief manager.
Sometimes the staff sprayed disinfectant into the air – it was needed!
Ken was the daytime attendant and earlier a Mr Timbou was the night manager.
The tea/coffee and biscuits were dispensed from a kiosk at the back.
Boarded up, awaiting demolition:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4931049143/
I worked here briefly in the 80’s…and I agree with what Ian says. It was a dreadful place. During that time it was basically a glorified vagrants hostel.
They used to charge a flat fee of a pound or so, and you could stay all night, and get free coffee. But it just attracted all the vagrants, drunks and other unsavoury characters. It had a really bad reputation, so much so that very few people would ever go there during the day when they showed normal films.
One of the most awful, dirty and dangerous cinemas ive ever had the misfortune to visit-ever! It showed second run movies or worse. It was mainly visited by vagrants and tramps. My friend and i stayed less than 20 mins after seeing sleeping patrons being pickpocketed and one guy just urinating at his seat- im not makeing this up-honest! We left so fast we didnt even think to ask for our money back. Ive spoken to many people who agree and were amazed i didnt know its reputation during its latter years. . I must and should be ashamed to say this but the day i walked past and saw it being bulldozed i didnt feel bad at all.
A photograph of the Cameo Royal that I took in 1964:
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The original architect W. Hancock was William Hancock who also designed the Gate Cinema, Notting Hill Gate in West London.
I WAS SECOND PROJECTIONIST THERE IN 1951…IT WAS THEN THE “CAMEO NEWS THEATRE”
Opened as the Cinema de Paris on 12 February 1910.Architect was W.Hancock and it seated 360.A new entrance was created in Charing Cross Road in 1913 and Architect Robert Atkinson re-designed the cinema in 1926 with 476 seats.It was also known as the Cameo and Classic over the years and only took on the name Cannon Royal in 1985.It was demolished in February 1989.