Regent Cinema

In Freshwater, in the West Wight district of the Isle of Wight, the Regent Cinema was opened sometime in 1935 by Isle of Wight Theatres.

Performances were twice nightly, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. There was a café attached.

On V-E Day (8th May 1945) a free matinee screening of “Show Business”, starring Eddie Cantor and Joan Davis, was arranged for the troops stationed in the local forts.

Unfortunately, trade declined sharply after the war, especially once Golden Hill Fort had closed. The café closed in 1946, but there was a bright spot in August 1952 when, for reasons that are not clear, the Regent Cinema hosted the British premiere of “Scaramouche”, starring Stewart Granger.

But the Regent Cinema closed in 1962. The precise closing date is not known, but the final film, “A Pair of Briefs”, starring Michael Craig, was released in March 1962.

The building was up for sale in December 1967 for £7,000, which was thought to be excessive, considering its dilapidated state. It was demolished apart from the former café which became the West Wight Pharmacy. A Somerfield supermarket was built on the site of the cinema, which has become a Sainsbury’s Local store.

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