Odeon 1-3 Richmond

The auditorium of the Odeon Richmond can be seen in the British film “The Smallest Show on Earth” (1957) starring Virgina McKenna, Bill Travers, Margaret Rutherford & Peter Sellers.

In the film, the young couple who have inherited a closed down ‘flea-pit’ cinema go to the local movie palace to see how things should be run. The exterior of the ‘Grand’ is actually the exterior of the Gaumont Palace, Hammersmith in West London (later known as the Odeon) and today in live theatre use as the Apollo, Hammersmith. On the display boards outside, the movies playing that week were Danny Kaye “Knock on Wood” and Stephen Murray “Guilty?”.

When inside the ‘Grand’ (filmed in the Odeon Richmond, which is located just outside London on the Western side), the couple are seated in the circle and there are good views of the stage area, plus you see the Compton organ rising from the orchestra pit.

The exterior of the ‘flea-pit’ Bijou cinema in the film is actually a mock facade that was set up between two railway bridges in Kilburn, North London (the site still remains today. The interior of the Bijou was studio set

….please, nobody mention the appauling building around the corner!!! (the Odeon Multiplex) Dreadful!

Sorry! I forgot, you can see already on the map link above.

I just returned from a visit to England. During a trip to Richmond, I happily stumbled upon this wonderful facade. Walking up from the historic Richmond Bridge that traverses the Thames, the theater really dominates the streetscape and provides a terrific, and very well preserved, landmark on its own. I just wish I could have caught a film here – but time was not on my side. (And the Fanatical About Films sign was also terrific to see.)

I worked at the Odeon Richmond in the early 1960’s. For those interested the cinema had in those days Kalee 21 projectors with President carbon arc lamps. Duophonic sound equipment including stereo magnetic sound. There was a slide projector which doubled as a follow spot. 4 dressing room s 2 each side of the stage. One used for usherettes to change in. The Holophane lighting system had been removed by the 1960’s although atmospheric decorative lighting was still used in the auditorium. The organ had been removed although the lift was still in the orchestra pit. A Brenell tape recorder supplied background music to the circle foyer. We could show CinemaScope, Academy ratio and also had a special aperture plate and lens for VistaVision (which I saw used once!). The week before the film “The Great Escape” we had an escapology act on the stage before the trailers. Only time I saw the stage used. 5 projection staff. Manager in Evening Dress (Tuxedo jacket), Doorman, Chief of staff, ushers, boiler man, and even a uniformed car park attendant. All good fun back then.