Ritz Cinema
Rowcroft Retreat,
Stroud,
GL5 3DE
Rowcroft Retreat,
Stroud,
GL5 3DE
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: V.S. Barnes
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Ritz Super Cinema
Nearby Theaters
In Stroud, Gloucestershire, the Ritz Super Cinema was located on a narrow street just off King Street. Always always independent, was operated by Archie Waters, who also ran the Ritz Cinema, Cheltenham. It opened on 26th August 1939 with Dick Powell in “Romance in Rhythm” & Elizabeth Allen in “Dangerous Medium”. 1938. It was designed by local Stroud based architect V.S. Barnes. It had a 34ft wide proscenium and a cafe. It burned down after the cinema had closed on the evening of June 30, 1961. An overheated extract fan in the roof void was the cause of the fire. The final film programme screened was Frank Sinatra in “None But the Brave” & Vincent Price in “Fall of the House of Usher”. A multi-storey car park was built on the site.
Contributed by
David Simpson
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Sorry,but the this was not the site of the Ritz cinema, it was always Woolworths as long as I can remember.The Ritz was down the side where the multistory is now.Isaw many films there before it burned down. The best cinema in town.Ironically the film showing that night was
The Fall of the House of UsherI think you will find that the Ritz, Stroud was operated by Mr Waters (my cousin, Sheila, was married to his son).
Archie Waters (no L please ) my grandfather, built and owned the Ritz Cinema which was situated down a short access road between Woolworths and Burtons…now access to the shopping precinct. It was beautiful building, reminiscent of Art Deco, with a parking area in front. My grandfather was a skilled woodworker and did much of the crafting himself. My uncle, Harry helped to manage the cinema and I believe my aunt, Teresa Waters, an accomplished singer and stage performer gave war-time concerts there. The cimema was sadly demolished after a catastrophic fire…I can remember seeing the sky turning red over Stroud. Archie’s son Jack Waters owned and ran Smith’s Chemist at 54 High St.