Regal Cinema

In Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, the Corn Exchange was built in 1861. It was a substantial building of brick, with Bath stone, and had a clock tower surmounted by a cupola. Its large hall could seat 700.

Used initially for theatrical shows and other events, the hall became the Electric Theatre from 28th November 1910, albeit with variety acts interspersed with the film shows.

In Spring 1931 the Electric Theatre closed for a full refurbishment and the installation of a Western Electric(WE) sound system and Kalee 8 projectors. It re-opened, as the Regal Cinema, on 18th May 1931 with “Whoopee”, starring Eddie Cantor and Eleanor Hunt. The screen measured 15ft by 13ft, in a 22ft wide proscenium. Slightly surprisingly, the seating capacity was still being quoted as 700.

CinemaScope arrived on Monday 7th February 1955 with “The Robe”, starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. The new screen was 21ft by 10ft.

The Regal Cinema closed on Saturday 25th July 1959 with “No Name on the Bullet”, starring Audie Murphy.

The building was demolished, and a Fine Fare supermarket was operating on the site by 1962.

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