Regal Cinema

The Regal Cinema opened on 31st August 1936 with Charlie Chase in "Manhattan Monkey Business" and Laurel & Hardy in "The Bohemian Girl". Scottish cinema owner A.B. King was one of the sponsors of the Regal Cinema.

The entrance was a conversion of a former two-storey office building. Inside the auditorium, seating was provided in stalls and circle levels. The auditorium has a barrel ceiling, a 30 feet wide proscenium and decorative horizontal alcoves on the side walls which contain concealed lighting. There were a café provided for the convenience of patrons, which was located over the entrance foyer.

The Regal Cinema closed as a full time cinema in the 1970’s and introduced bingo, with occasional film shows. The last film was Kevin Costner in "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves" in 1987.

Known as the Vogue Bingo Club, this use continued until the ‘No Smoking’ ban in public buildings was introduced in Scotland in March 2006. The building reverted back to cinema use, using the original projection equipment, which was still retained in the projection box. Sadly, this venture was not too successful and full time films ceased in April 2007. The building became available to hire for private screenings and special events. In July 2017 there were hopes that proposals being made to re-open as a cinema again.

On 27th May 2008, Historic Scotland designated the Regal Cinema a Grade C(s) Listed building.

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

Ken Roe on June 7, 2008 at 1:21 pm

An exterior photograph of the closed-down Vogue Bingo Club in July 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/dickyhart/199837469/
Close-up of the upper part of the facade, as seen in April 2004:
http://flickr.com/photos/nicohogg/289806399/

garypainter on June 8, 2008 at 12:17 am

Although one of the previous Flickr photos describes the cinema as closed, this was never the case – the bingo operation has been open constantly since the building ceased to function as a cinema, albeit with changes of management.

The attempt to re-introduce cinema screenings in light of the 2006 smoking ban was not full-time, but took place on quieter evenings of the week, with bingo continuing at all other times. This actually used DVD projection, although the original sound system was still used, with only the main speaker horn requiring replacement. The digital projector was situated in the original projection box, with the old 35mm projectors pushed to one side.

Cinema screenings took place

The occasional first-run film was shown using 35mm film projection on
hired equipment installed temporarily in the stalls – cinema seating was in the balcony only, the stalls having housed bingo tables fonow.

Although regular film screenings have now ceased, the building still screens the odd film, usually as part of a programme of events sponsored by Strathclyde Police, designed to occupy children during school holidays.

Bingo use continues more-or-less full-time again, as of 2008.

A photo survey and history can be found here:

http://www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/scotland/lanark/