Metropole Cinema

160 Victoria Street,
London, SW1E 5LB

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Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell on June 22, 2024 at 12:51 am

sadly your coonnection doesnt work is watch?v right?or could you cut and paste this? thanks

SJT
SJT on June 21, 2024 at 6:37 pm

It’s not of usable quality visually for still extraction; but this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHFgxJ08bLk&ab_channel=ComptonLodgeStudios does at least show you what the Todd-AO adapted interior looked like in the 1960s.

Ian
Ian on August 23, 2018 at 12:46 am

Back then film & developing costs were high. Now I wish I had done more, a lot more, but I had no concept of the scale of the losses that would materialise – particularly in the West End and major cities.

Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell on August 22, 2018 at 7:58 am

I agree There seems to be no one anywhere who has any photos of the interior of this huge cinema from its heyday in the 60s! loved to have seen a picture of its 70mm screen etc

PROJIE
PROJIE on August 22, 2018 at 7:46 am

Would be nice to see shots of the box. Philips DP 70 dual gauge projectors were installed to screen the road shows. I wonder what was there before? Possibly Kalee 21 projectors. If only I had gone around photographing some of the many long lost London cinemas when I was there in the 70s and 80s.

Shapersofthe80s
Shapersofthe80s on April 23, 2018 at 5:49 pm

I suggest The Venue opening date was not December, as in your text, but Weds 1 Nov 1978 from my own personal diary note, having attended the opening gig by Graham Parker and the Rumour.

Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell on April 19, 2016 at 12:09 am

I saw it there but cant remember how big the screen was in comparison to the Odeon Leicester Sq. Has anyone a phot of it or the interior with 70mm screen. How did it compare with The Astoria or Dominion for example?

Alan Baker
Alan Baker on April 18, 2016 at 5:06 pm

By far the longest run at the Metropole during the roadshow era was Lawrence of Arabia, which transferred in from the Odeon Leicester Square after an eight week run there and played at the Metropole for a further 98 weeks (Feb 1963-Dec 1964). During this time it was the only place to see this film, which did not go on general release until April 1965.

colinph2001
colinph2001 on October 8, 2015 at 10:42 am

Does anyone remember if the film Buckskin Lady starring Patricia Madina was shown at the Metropole, Victoria Street, London in 1957?

Woody_London
Woody_London on August 16, 2015 at 9:20 am

the leaded glass ceiling from the lobby/restaurant was rescued from the demolition and is now installed in the Bonneville Pub, Lower Clapton Rd, Hackney

Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell on February 17, 2015 at 4:42 am

Has anyone a photo of the 70mm screen from its use as a roadshow cinema?

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 27, 2010 at 7:32 am

Details and photographs of the Wultitzer organ:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2013.html

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on October 12, 2010 at 4:28 pm

Thanks Guys for al the info.

Ian
Ian on September 27, 2010 at 1:47 am

Façade during conversion to a restaurant, auditorium had gone by this point:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5028623247/

JakeHolman
JakeHolman on September 7, 2007 at 8:16 am

The epic film “The Sand Pebbles” enjoyed a ‘Royal Premiere’ at the Metropole on April 5, 1967.

For more details on the premiere go to:

View link

whilest
whilest on October 29, 2006 at 4:19 am

Many thanks Ken.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 29, 2006 at 3:48 am

Currently known as ASK Pizza Restaurant (using the former foyer space).

whilest
whilest on October 29, 2006 at 1:12 am

Does anyone know the name of the restaurant on the remains of the site of the Metropole?

Dave2
Dave2 on February 8, 2006 at 3:40 pm

I remember seeing Lawrence Of Arabia here on a giant 70mm projection screen in the ‘60s. I am sure the management turned up the heating to enhance the effect of the movie because there was a big rush for ice cream during the intermission. The cinema though seemed rather old and uncared for, which may have suited the period setting of the movie, bit did not auger well for its future. Comfortable as many old movie old palaces were in a decaying sort of way. Part of a lost era I suppose.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on March 11, 2005 at 10:29 am

Noel Coward’s “Brief Encounter” starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. Directed by David Lean (GB) 1945

A short sequence in this movie was filmed in the auditorium of the Metropole Cinema in May 1945. The couple are sitting in the front circle and are watching a trailer to a movie “Flames of Passion” (not a real movie). The organist (played by Irene Handle) is seen on the Wurlitzer organ at the intermission and there is glimpse of the lower part of the proscenium arch. No exterior shots of the Metropole are in the film, although some may have been filmed that went to the cutting room floor.

Although the auditorium has now been demolished there is still some of the original splendour of the 2 story high lobby to be seen in the restaurant that uses this space.

edgey2001
edgey2001 on November 22, 2004 at 8:24 am

According to some info from this website. http://home.clara.net/gw0hqd/brief/
The interior was used to film a sequence from the classic british film ‘ Brief Encounter’ .

brighton84
brighton84 on January 31, 2004 at 9:57 am

The facade as pictured and ‘dressing rooms’ area at the rear of the cinema remain standing and can be clearly seen from the street. It would be interesting to discover if any other part of the cinema has been left intact.