Regent Cinema

Upton is a village in West Yorkshire, England, situated between South Elmsall and Ackworth Moor Top.

It is not known when the Regent Cinema first opened. Its first appearance in the Kinematograph Year Books was in 1938 (where it was listed under Pontefract, despite that town being some 15 miles away). All further information has been derived from the Kinematograph Year Books.

In 1938 the Regent Cinema was owned by Star Cinemas (London) Ltd., of Golden Lane, London, EC1. There was a Western Electric(WE) sound system. Shows were once nightly, with two on Saturday. There were 700 seats, indicating this was a good size cinema for a small village.

By 1944 it was being operated by Regent Cinema (Upton) Ltd., based in nearby Castleford. The seating had by then reduced to 627. This had apparently reduced further, and quite drastically, to 527 by 1947. By then, shows were once nightly on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and twice nightly on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

By 1951 the declared seating capacity had apparently increased, to 617, but then soon reduced to 602. Sunday shows were presented from 1952. A year later, Star Cinemas (London) Ltd. regained control - or perhaps Regent Cinema (Upton) Ltd. was associated with Star all along.

The final year for which there is a full entry in the Kinematograph Year Books is 1957. By this time, shows were continuous from 5.30pm from Sunday to Friday, and on Saturday at 5.15pm and 8pm. There were three changes of programme each week.

In 1958 and 1959, at least, there were very abbreviated entries. I do not have access to a 1960 edition, but the Regent Cinema was not listed at all in 1961. It is therefore assumed it closed around 1957-1958.

I have not been able to find an address for the Regent Cinema. So, although it is very likely it has been demolished, I have been unable to confirm this.

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