ABC Coliseum
97 Eglinton Street,
Glasgow,
G5 9NT
97 Eglinton Street,
Glasgow,
G5 9NT
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 14 comments
It showed DOCTOR ZHIVAGO for a long period of time in late 1966, probably into 1967.
Very impressive on its nig screen.
The opening of the ABC Coliseum Cinerama in 1963:–
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/welcome-to-cinerama
At 90' this was the widest Cinerama screen in the UK
Now pretty much almost gone, gallery charting the demolition work can be found here:
View link
I can see no reason why the tower and facade couldn’t have been retained other than people taking the lazy, easy option of complete demolition.
The coliseum was 80% destroyed by an dawn blaze a few weeks ago and it is now expected to be demolished within months.
The owners of these historic buildings need to be taken to task.This is the second building recently to be allowed to rot and fall prey to serious damage – following Derby Hippodrome.
A vintage photograph of the ABC Coliseum Cinerama Theatre, taken in October 1963, a month after conversion to Cinerama:
View link
And a photo of the ABC with the Cinerama title on the front here:–
View link
Another photo of the tower here:–
View link
I should also add that the spell of dereliction in the 1980s before becoming bingo meant that even the 1960s Cinerama interior had to be replaced, with new splay walls and a simpler false ceiling.
Like Lilli, we recently surveyed the interior, and were dismayed to find that most of the Matcham plasterwork had not survived above the later alterations, as had previously been thought, although the shadow of some decoration is still visible on parts of the ceiling.
We were also unable to get access to the balcony staircase, where some original painted glass survives, as photographed by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments for Scotland website, here:
View link
The link to our webpage on this cinema, as posted by Lost Memory above, has changed, and you can now find our latest material here:
View link
As well as the recent survey images, you will also find a 1911 programme, a photograph of the Cinerama interior and a link to a newsreel of the Cinerama opening on the British Pathe website. Keep checking back, as we have also recently been gifted a series of archive images showing the fairly heavy alterations in progress when County Bingo took over in the 80s, including the new walls, floors and ceilings in the auditorium, and the removal of the 1930s projection booth, and these will be added shortly.
Some slight clarification to the history of the building – it originally only had two balconies, not three. The alterations in 1931 also involved the building of an entirely new proscenium and projection box at the rear of the top balcony, and were carried out by W.R. Glen.
The 1963 Cinerama conversion involved the removal of the front half of the top balcony, the remains of which were hidden aboved a false ceiling. For Cinerama, therefore, only the stalls and first circle were used, with an entirely remodelled interior, mostly using curtained walls and a false ceiling.
lilimouse….Many thanks for keeping us up-dated on this historic building.
Had the privilage of paying a visit to The Coliseum a week or so ago. The interior is a bit non descript but the exterior :D
Here are a few current pics if anyone is interested?
View link
lilli :)
Various books list The Colly’s first sound presentation as The Jazz Singer, but the cinema’s ads and editorial mentions in the newspapers of the time confirm that it was The Singing Fool.
Does anyone know the name of the first talkie shown in Glasgow. I always thought that it was “The Singing Fool”, starring Al Jolson, shown at The Coliseum in January, 1929. However, I have been told that ain’t so.
Any comments?