Odeon Blackburn
Penny Street,
Blackburn,
BB1 6HL
Penny Street,
Blackburn,
BB1 6HL
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Jacksons' Amusements, Ltd., Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation
Architects: Edward Simpson Butterworth, William Henderson Duncan, William Tees Duncan
Firms: Butterworth & Duncan
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Rialto Super Cinema, Rialto Luxury Cinema and Café
Nearby Theaters
The Rialto Super Cinema opened on 21st December 1931. It was built for independent operator Associated British Properties and was designed by Rochdale based architectural firm Butterworth & Duncan. The cinema had a fully equipped stage, a proscenium 35 feet wide and a Compton 3Manual/7Rank theatre organ with the console on a lift, which was opened by Harold Tetherington. It was equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system.
The auditorium was illuminated by Holophane lighting, with seating provided in stalls and circle levels. There was also a cafe for the convenience of patrons.
It was taken over by Odeon Theatres division of the Rank Organisation from 28th July 1957 and was re-named Odeon from 16th March 1959. It was at this time that the building underwent some renovation and the Compton organ was removed to become spare parts. The stage was being used for amateur dramatic productions at least twice a year. Sadly, the Odeon closed on 23rd March 1974 with Donald Sutherland in "Don’t Look Now". It was demolished later that year and an office block and car park operated by NCP was built on the site.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
Two vintage photographs of the Rialto Super Cinema:
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Photographed as the Odeon in December 1970:
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According to the Evening Telegraph newspaper the change of name to Odeon appears to have happened on Sunday March 16th 1959 rather than May.