ABC Dunstable

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Uploaded on: February 18, 2023

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A rather hazy photograph due to its enlargement, of the Ritz cinema’s opening. On the roof is a huge iron sign advertising The Union Cinema and Café, to the right can just be seen the old Palace Cinema front that the Ritz replaced. As an after thought a huge fin was placed above the canopy blocking the central Café window and carved stone relief above. When speaking to Leslie Kemp about this decision, he told me “Union wanted their name in lights so we gave it to them, we put this ugly carbuncle dead centre, I tried to tone it down a bit by surrounding it with a coloured neon fountain, but it still looked dreadful”. If you look carefully the outline of the fountain can be seen. (Next photograph shows the fin and roof signs removed) Entrance shows Coltman display boards everywhere.

Ron Knee