Astor Cinema

The Astor Cinema at 196 Seacliff Road opened its doors on Monday 4th August 1947 at 8pm. There had been a history of entertainment on the site, previously it was the Flamingo Ballroom and before that the Music Box and Nardinis Marble Hall.

The ‘Grand Charity’ opening ceremony was performed by Bangor’s mayor and the first film shown was Cary Grant in ‘Night and Day’ (1946), for 3 days. The County Down Spectator (8th August) reported that the premises had been converted without any structural alterations (post-war restrictions would have prevented a new- build cinema being erected). According to the permanent cinema exhibition at Bangor Museum, the Astor Cinema seated 400.

The company behind this new venture was the Cinemas and General Finance Corporation Ltd (not to be confused with a Rank subsidiary of a rather similar name).

The last advert for the Astor Cinema appeared in the Spectator for 8th January 1955. Under the film title ‘The Glen Miller Story’, which starred James Stewart, were the following words, ‘Closing for the Winter after this programme.’ No further advertisements were seen and there is little doubt that after the curtain came down on 15th January 1955, the days of films at the Astor Cinema had come to an end.

In the immediate aftermath of the closure, the building became temporary premises for the Special Care Service; later it was Milano’s Ballroom, then a roller disco skating rink. For many years now it has been home to the congregation of the Kings Church. If there are any remnants of the cinema fabric remaining, these would probably be at the sides or rear of the building’s exterior.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.