ABC Sunderland
Holmeside,
Sunderland,
SR1 3HY
Holmeside,
Sunderland,
SR1 3HY
2 people
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2019 article re the ABC Ritz:–
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/retro/look-how-beautiful-new-look-1930s-sunderland-cinema-was-162656
Photos uploaded.
I commented about this back in 2009 and it was a project of Associated British Cinemas from the very outset.
Their in house architect, W R Glen designed the cinema and all the features within had his trademark stamped upon them, in particular the ‘gazelles’ on the splay walls which were to be found in other ‘Glen’ houses including the Regal Wembley.
Had Union Cinemas commissioned a theatre in Sunderland, they would, in all likelihood, have used the architects Verity & Beverley (who designed the Paramount Theatres)and there would most certainly have been provision for stage facilities, a restaurant and an organ to rival the Blacks' Regal in the town.
Many W R Glen theatres did have full stage facilities and restaurants but these were not present at the Ritz Sunderland. It was designed to house a Compton organ , however, but this was never installed.
I do believe that ABC had originally intended to use ‘Savoy’ rather than ‘Ritz’ at Sunderland – until, that is,they learned that this name was already in use in the suburb of Southwick.
Was this originally a Union Cinema? There is a book about Sunderland cinemas, “The Dream Palaces of Sunderland” which states that it was built for Union Cinemas, and yet it is illustrated with a photo obviously taken when it opened, as the film that is being advertised is the first film to be shown, “Swing Time”, and above the canopy can be clearly seen two ABC triangles. The author also expresses surprise that it was originally to be called the Savoy, indeed surprising if it was a Union cinema, as they standardised on the Ritz name, but not at all surprising if it was an ABC cinema.
just also wondering when the ABC was twinned – what happened to the stage area and front stalls area which did not seem to be used?
Here are 3 vintage 1937 views of the interior at the opening of the Ritz Cinema:
Foyer:
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Auditorium & balcony:
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Auditorium & stalls:
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A vintage photograph of the ABC in November 1962:
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An October 2008 photograph of The Point:
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is there any pictures around of the old ABC?
I used to do relief stints at the ABC prior to its conversion and it was 100% ABC design throughout with no ‘Union’ features at all. The plans had the architect’s name logged thereon:William R Glen – ABC’s ‘in house’ architect.
This was the only ABC in the North East designed by him; all other purpose builds were by Percy L Brown of Hartlepool. There were many other acquired theatres in the North East which became part of the vast Associated British Corporation.
The ‘twinning’ was carried out using most of the circle for screen 1( 550 seats with a new screen and tabs positioned forward of the ballustrade; rows A, B & C of the front circle were lost in the process). Screen 2 (212 seats)occupied the actors' left section of the rear stalls and the public house occupied the length of the stalls at actors' right.
I spent a short time as Assistant Manager here after the twinning and, in addition to the loss of the ‘big cinema’ atmosphere, the foyers also lost their style and grandeur by being boxed in and reduced vastly in size – such was ‘progress’ in the 1970’s