CAISTOR Lincs

CROWN CINEMA High Street. 1922-66. (M. Brader)

PUBLIC HALL CINEMA / PALAIS de LUXE / Public Hall 1922 - Prop., J, Woodhouse. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Moortown, G.C.R. By 1941: (SIS) - Prop., G. E. V. Shacklock, 10, Grimsby Road, Caistor. Booked by Manager, R. H. Shacklock. One show, Thurs., and Fri. evenings; two Sat. (all year); Mon. and Tues., fortnightly, winter months only. 250 seats. Prices 9d. and 1s. 3d. Proscenium width 18ft. Station, Moortown, L.N.E.R.

 

CALDICOT Mon

PICTURE HOUSE 1922 - Prop., Picture House (Caldi­cot), Ltd. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. 9d. Station, Portskewett, G.W.R.

CALLINGTON Cornwall

PUBLIC HALL 1937 prop. J. W. Strutt. 1941: (RCA) - Prop., J. H. Crick & Sons. Once weekly. KYB 1922

- Mon. and Fri. - Travelling show W. J. Hocking

 

CALNE Wilts

REGENT / PALACE Cinema THEATRE / ELECTRIC THEATRE Mill Street Opened c.1913. Prop. William Taylor (ex-Bioscope show prop.) 500 seats. 1922 as El Th. c.1930 (BA) 1931: Prop. The Award Theatres Ltd. To J. & M. Spears. To A. G. Cinemas. 1941: Booked at Hall. One show nightly. Two shows Sat. Prices 7d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Calne 88. Station, Calne, G.W.R., or Trans­port Co. 1950s Regent Cinema (Calne) Ltd. Closed 1960s. Demolished 1970s

Town Hall f., C. F. Cue (1907)

 

CALVERLEY Yorks

Mechanics’ Institute, H. Outhwaite (1907)

 

CAMBERLEY Surrey

ACADEMY CINEMA London Road York Town 1922 - Prop., Doman & Fairs. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Camberley, L.S.W.R. Demolished.

ARCADE CINEMA (WE) - Prop., Regal (Camberley). Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Continuous. Two changes weekly, Prices 9d. to 1s. 10d. Phone 410. Station, Camberley, S.R. Closed 1956. Demolished.

Drill Hall f., T. Coultman (1907)

ELECTRIC THEATRE High Street 1922- Prop., Camberley Electric Theatre, Ltd. Two shows niehtly. Mats., Wed, & Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Camberley, L.S.W.R. Demolished

ROBINS / CANNON / CLASSIC / ODEON / REGAL CINEMA London Road By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Regal (Camberley) Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks., Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Continuous. Daily, Mat. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Café attached. Phone Camberley 909. Station, Camberley, S.R. Tripled. Closed to film May 2003. Snooker. Closed February 2006. Boarded up. Serious fire November 2006.

 

CAMBOIS Northumb

BOCA CHICA CINEMA Church & boys’ club in 1985.

 

CAMBORNE Cornwall

ELECTRIC CINEMA / Public Rooms Trevenson Street f., T. Oliver (1907)

KING’S CINEMA The Square/Chapel Street (BTH) Opened 1936. Operated by Sound & Movement Cinemas, Ltd., 14 Portland Square, Plymouth. Phone Plymouth 4981. 954 seats. Prices 9d. to 1s. 10d. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Phone Cambome 2269. Station, Camborne, G.W.R. Closed to film 1970s. Bingo. Still open 2006.

PALACE / CAMEO INTERNATIONAL FILM CENTRE / PALACE THEATRE / HIPPODROME / VINCENT’S HIPPODROME South Roskear Terrace Opened 1920. Prop., Mr Vincent - built in garden of Vincent’s house. 1922 as Hipp - Prop., Vincent Bros. Res. Man., Cecil C. Vincent. One show nightly. Three Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Camborne, G.W.R. To Rowland Hill 1929. Re-named Palace. Talkies c.1930 - The Jazz Singer. (Morrison) 1937: ?lessee P. R. Slater. 350 seats. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., R. Hill. 300 seats. Booked at H.O. Truro. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Proscenium width 30ft. Phone Camborne 192. Station, Camborne, G.W.R. Re-named Cameo. Re-named Palace. To Vivian and Susan Bartle 1989. Closed to film 1991. ‘Lazers’ play zone. Closed. Sold by Bartles. Demolished July/August 2003. Housing.

SCALA / CINEDROME / St. George’s Hall Old Market House Church Street Built 1867. Upper storey added as S. Georges’ Hall. Opened as cinema 1911. 1922 as Cdrome- Prop., British Riviera Cinedrome, Ltd. Res. Man., W. J. T. Davey. One show nightly, three on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Camborne, G.W.R. 1937: 900 seats. By 1941: (BA) - Operated by Sound & Movement Cinemas, Ltd., 14 Portland Square, Plymouth. Phone Plymouth 4981. 742 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices, 8d. to 1s. 6d. Proscenium width 30ft. Stage, 14ft. deep; four dressing-rooms. Phone 2,269. Station, Camborne, G.W.R. Berkeley Centre. 2006 nightclub.

CAMBRIDGE Cambs

Alexander Hall Alexander Street early films to 1911. Lessee Alfred Pointer. Moved operation to Victoria Ass Rooms.

ARTS CINEMA / COSMOpolitan CINEMA Market Passage Built 1866. Opened 1933 - conversion of existing building in passageway. Mgr. Norman Higgins. 288 seats. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., Cosmopolitan Cinemas, Ltd. 1 Guildhall Street, Cambridge. 230 seats. Open during University Terms only. Four shows daily. Prices. 9d. to 1s. 10d. Booked at Hall. Proscenium width 24ft. Stage, 27ft. deep; two dressing-rooms. Phone Cambridge 3068. Station. Cambridge. L.N.E.R. Films by Film Transport Co., Ltd., Charing Cross Road. W.C. Closed by fire 1943. 1947 to Arts Theatre Trust. Refurbished. Reopened as Arts Cinema. Closed 20^th June 1999. November 2002 - B Bar coffee house.

ARTS PICTUREHOUSE / MGM / VIRGIN / CANNON / ABC 1 & 2 / REGAL 37 St. Andrew’s Street (RCA) Opened 3^rd April 1937. Prop. Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, London W1. Architect: John S. Quilter & Son. 1,869 seats. Organ: Compton 3/6+Melotone with surround on lift. Continuous. Booked at Golden Square. Width of proscenium, 38ft. Café. Station, Cambridge. L.N.E.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. CinemaScope/ stereo 1954. Closed 28^th August 1971. Twinned as ABC 1 & 2 from 13^th January 1972. 736/452 seats. Ex-café to ‘Painted Wagon’ pub. Organ removed 1973 to store. 6^th September 1984 ABC 1 (stalls) damaged by fire. Re-opened 16^th November 1985. To Cannon & re-named. MGM 23^rd April 1993. 1996, ABC. Closed 24^th July 1997. July 1999 - Wetherspoons in stalls & stage. City Screen triple cinema upstairs. 500 seats total.

ARTS THEATRE Peas Hill Opened 1936. Architect: George Kennedy. Film seasons 1936-1940. By 1941: (BTP) - Props., Arts Theatre of Cambridge, Ltd., 6 St. Edward’s Passage. Phone 55246. Booked at Hall. Separate performances. 581 seats. Prices 8d. to 2s. 6d. Phone 2000. Restaurant attached. Films by R.T. SG46: Cap.: Stalls 353 and 26 standing, boxes two, to seat five, circle 221. Once nightly at 8, except Monday and Tuesday 6.30, Matinées Thursday and Saturday 2.30. Plays, Opera and ballet. No barring clause. No agent. Stage: Prosc. 25ft. 6 in. x 16ft., depth 19ft. 6 in., prompt side 27ft. 6 in., O. P. side 16ft., height under flies 19ft., width between fly galleries 39ft., stage to grid 39ft. Counterweight gear, 20 lines. Hemp lines 20. Elec. equip.: Voltage 200 A.C., 50 cycles. Footlights with dimmers four. Battens two, with four circuits each. Spot bar 12 spots, ind. controlled. Cyclorama with 14 floods and eight dimmers, also pit with three circuits. Dips four, and two switch controlled. Spots on stage six, and six floods. Ten front of house spots. Two spots on No. 1 batten and two acting areas on No. 2 batten, all ind. dimmer controlled. Dressing rooms: three, four chorus rooms, acc. 40. One of these usually used for orchestra. Total orchestral acc. 40. No resident orchestra. Two turn-table reproducer, can be switched to front of house speakers or to stage. Microphone. Re-modelled 1996. Architect: Bland, Brown & Cole. 671 seats. Listed Grade II.

CANNON VICTORIA / ABC / VICTORIA CINEMA (2) 9/11 Market Hill (WE) Opened 28^th August 1931 on or near site of Electric. Architect: Hoare & Wheeler, decorator, Alvid Rosencrantz. 1,430 seats. Organ: Christie 3c/7(8) on lift. To Union 14^th October 1935. 1,804 seats. Phone 2677. To ABC 1937. By 1941 - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15 Regent Street, London SW1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Continuous. Booked at H.O. Station, Cambridge, L.N.E.R. 1952 restyled. 1956 OR & 7 organ broken down. 1962: cafe above Victoria converted to Victoria Ballroom. 1967 ‘luxury lounge’ & 70mm installed. 924 seats. 1972 café converted to 2^nd screen. 4^th December 1983 screen 1 damaged by fire. 1984: Feb Screen 1 reopens. To Cannon & re-named. (Planned 6-screener.) 1985 sold. Closed 14^th January 1988. Demolished except façade. M&S on site.

CENTRAL CINEMA (1) Hobson Street. Opened 1921. Conversion of Cambridge Motor Service Co’s premises. ?re-vamped 1928. Town’s 1^st Talkies 1929- Broadway Melody. 1929: fire? Demolished for Central (2) on same site.

CENTRAL CINEMA (2) 21 Hobson Street (WE) Opened 11^th October 1930. Prop. Cambridge Cinemas Ltd. Architect: G. P. Banyard. 1,331 seats. Phone 13. To Union 31^st December 1934. To ABC 1937. Damaged by fire 25^th April 1939. Repaired, re-opened 11^th November 1940. By 1941: (WE) - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., 15, Regent Street, London S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. 1,069 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Proscenium width 25ft. Phone 3813. Station, Cambridge, L.N.E.R. & Film Transport. Cinemascope 1955. Closed to film 15^th January 1972. Gala Bingo.

CINEWORLD Cherry Hinton Road Opened 28^th May 2004 on cattle market site. 9 screens / 1700 seats.

Corn Ex­change E. Pike (1907)

FESTIVAL THEATRE / THEATRE ROYAL Barnwell Opened 1814. Prop., Wilkins (Norwich) Circuit. Architect: William Wilkins I. Closed - various uses. 1878 - 1920 mission hall. 1926 re-opened by Terence Grey as Festival. Architect: Edward Maufe. Rebuilt stage - lighting by Harold Ridge. Closed 1939. To Arts Theatre Trust 1946. Scenery / wardrobe store for Arts Theatre. 1990s sold to Buddhists.

GAIETY / HIPPODROME Auckland Road/Newmarket Road Opened 1913. Closed 1915. Demolished. Furniture store. Now housing.

Guildhall J. W. Jacob (1907) Licensed for Cinematograph 26^th March 1910.

KINEMA / EMPIRE / Sturton Town Hall 85 Mill Road Liberal Club Building. Upper hall Empire mus hall to 1914. Opened as cinema 1910. Prop./lessee Alfred Pointer. Pictures & variety. 1916 re-named Kinema - films only. 1937: (B.A.) Prop., Pointer & Co. Ltd. 498 seats. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Pointer & Coulson. 498 seats. Booked at Victoria Cinema. Continuous from 6.30. Mat., Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 5d. to 1s. 3d. Closed to film 1966 - reopens as cine-bingo. Bingo. Closed 1979. 1986 Cambridge Animation Festival - last used. Empty. Derelict. Demolished - student housing.

NEW THEATRE / THEATRE CINEMA / NEW THEATRE St. Andrew’s Street Opened 1896. Architect: E. Runtz. W. H. Redfern (No 2) (1907) 1,331 seats. Became cinema 11^th September 1933. (WE) Prop., Cambridge Cinemas Ltd. 900 seats. To Union 31^st December 1934. To ABC 1937. Closed 8^th January 1938. Reopened 10^th July 1939. 618 seats. (WE) - Controlled by Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London. S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Continuous. Variety and Films. 900 seats. Booked at H.O. Phone 3948. Station, Cambridge, L.N.E.R., & Film Transport. 1940 requisitioned - furnishings stripped during war. Cleaned, redecorated, reopened as New Theatre 13 October 1947 showing selected films. 29^th March 1948 - variety (shortage of films.) Closed 17^th March 1956. Warehouse. Demolished 1961. Offices on site.

Odeon - Architect: T. Cecil Howitt. Not built.

PICTURE PALACE Fitzroy Street fl. 1913. Mgr. R. Hawkins. 200 seats. Later social club.

PLAYHOUSE Mill Road/ Covent Garden Opened 3^rd May 1913. Prop., Cambridge Picture Playhouse Ltd. Architect: George Baines & Son. 1^st purpose-built cinema. 769 seats. 1922 - Prop., Cambridge Picture Playhouse, Ltd. Head office, Don­nington House, W. Res. Man., G. Haddon. Two shows nightly. Two mats. weekly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 2s. To Cambridge Cinemas Ltd. To Union 31^st December 1934. To ABC 1937. By 1941 (BA) - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London, S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Phone Cambridge 5151. .Station, Cambridge, L.N.E.R. Closed 24^th November 1956. Supermarket. Now Salvation Army shop.

RENDEZVOUS (1) / COUNTY RINK CINEMA / Skating rink Magrath Avenue Opened 1911 in part of rink, rest ball-room. 1915: requisitioned. 1919: cinema reconstructed and reopened as Rendezvous. 1922 - Prop., E. J. Mason. Head office, Livingstone Hotel, Cambridge. Res. Man., F. G. Mason. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 8d. to 2s. 4d. Phone 1169. Station, Cambridge, G.E.R. Destroyed by fire 1931. Rend (2) built on site.

REX CINEMA / RENDEZVOUS (2) Hertford Street/Magrath Avenue (RCA) Opened 21^st October 1932. Prop., Rendezvous (Cambridge) Ltd. 800 seats. Phone 1169. 1935 enlarged. Organ: Compton 2/5 with surround on lift. 1938 renamed. By 1941 - Props. Rex (Cambridge) Ltd., H.O., 93-95 Wardour Street W1. 1,100 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 2s. Proscenium width 32ft. Café and Ballroom attached, Phone Cambridge 3969. Station, Cambridge. 1949 organ removed to Pleasure Gardens, Folkestone. 1952 - repertory cinema. 1953 synchro-screen. 1967 bingo. 1970 re-fitted & reopened. Closed 1972. Closed 1972. To county council (£33,000). Demolished 1979 for car park. Now housing.

TIVOLI PICTURE PALACE 16 Chesterton Road Mitcham’s Corner Opened 19^th March 1925. 2^nd purpose built cinema. Architect: G. P. Banyard. 1930 - British Acoustic sound. To Union 31^st December 1934. 740 seats. To ABC 1937. By 1941: (BA) - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London, S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Managed by Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 7887, 592 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous, Proscenium width 23ft. Phone Cambridge 4637. Station, Cambridge, L.N.E.R., & Film Transport. Closed 24^th November 1956. Electrical warehouse. Later pub - The Fresher and Firkin, now The Graduate.

VICTORIA (1) / ELECTRIC THEATRE / VICTORIA HALL / Victoria Assembly Room Market Hill Allen & Key (1907) 1911 opened as cinema. Prop. Alfred Pointer. Films - Cinematograph licence refused, non-flam film only. 1915 refurbished & reopened as Victoria. 1922 as Vic Hall - Prop., A. J. Pointer. Res. Man., A. J. Pointer. Two changes weekly. Prices, 9d. to 2s. Later Prop., Cambridge Picture Playhouse Ltd. Closed 1929 for Victoria Cinema (2). Converted to electricity office.

VUE / Warner Village Grafton Centre, East Road Opened 1995. 2004: (??check date) Re-named. 8 screens - seats: 1:163 2:180 3:194 4:205 5:175 6:177 7:335 8:442

 

CANNOCK Staffs

CENTRAL PICTURE HOUSE Blackfords (BTP) - Props., W. S. Robottom, J. H. Hudson, & J. Bate. 360 seats. Booked at Hall. Con­tinuous, Prices 4d. to 1s.

DANILO High Green (RCA) Opened 25^th February 1939. Prop., Danilo (Cannock) Ltd., 3, New Street, Birmingham. Phone Midland 0871. 1,600 seats, Prices 7d. to 1s. 6d. Continuous daily, Booked at H.O. Phone Cannock 2169. Station, Cannock. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. To Southan Morris. To Essoldo 26^th August 1954. Closed 31^st December 1969 OR 10^th January 1970. Demolished March 1970. Supermarket and bingo.

FORUM THEATRE (RCA) (late Hippodrome) - Props., Forum Entertainments (Cannock) Ltd. 900 seats. Continuous. Variety. Booked at Hall, Prices 7d. to 1s. 1d. Stage, 40ft. deep; four dressing-rooms. Phone 3307. Station, Cannock.

New Hall J. F. Haywood (1907)

PICTUREDROME / MGM / CANNON / CLASSIC / ESSOLDO/ CANNOCK PICTURE HOUSE / PICTURE PALACE Walsall Road Opened 6^th April 1914. 600 seats. Closed October 1919 - 242-seat balcony added. Pic Hse March 1920. 1922 - Prop., Paramount Picture Theatres, Ltd. Gen. Man., Frank Williams. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 8d. to 1s. 6d. Station, Cannock, L.N.W.R., 128 miles. To Chas K. Deeming. To MacDonald. By 1941: (WE) - 955 seats. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Cannock 141. Station, Cannock L.M.S. To Mrs. A. E. MacDonald. 1stSeptember 1968 to Essoldo. Modernised. Opened 7^th September 1969. 403 seats. To Classic & re-named 2^nd April 1972. 2^nd screen added at rear 5^th March 1978. 180 seats. Re-named Cannon 1984. To MGM. To Curzon circuit of Loughborough, re-named P‘drome 7^th April 1995. Closed 25^th February 2005. Demolished for development inc. 6-screener.

Public Rooms f., A. Jukes (1907)

 

CANTERBURY Kent

CANTERBURY ELECTRIC THEATRE St. Peter’s Street 1922 - Prop., Canterbury Electric Theatre Co., Ltd.. Res. Man,, W. T. Mainwaring. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Phone, Canterbury 11 Y. Station, Canterbury West, S.E. & C.R.

CINEMA 3 University of Kent Seats: 300. Re-fitted 2007.

Circus G. Pay (1907)

EMPIRE MUSIC HALL / St. Margaret’s Hall St. Margaret’s. Victor Roi (1907) Closed c.1926. Demolished for Central.

Foresters’ Hall J. Barden (1907)

MARLOWE THEATRE (1) / CENTRAL PICTURE THEATRE St. Margaret’s Street Opened 7^th November 1927 on site of Empire. Architect: Dore & Anderson. By 1941: (WE) -Props., Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square. W1. Phone Gerrard 7887. 750 seats. Continuous. Phone Canterbury 2071. Stations, Canterbury (East or West) S.R. Films by Road Transport. Damaged & reopened twice during WWII. Closed 1949. Marlowe Theatre (1) from 1950.

MARLOWE THEATRE (2)/ ODEON / FRIARS THEATRE The Friars (BTH) Opened 1933. Architect: Alfred & Vincent Burr. 1941 - Prop., Odeon Theatres, Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Continuous. from 2 p.m. Prices 9d. to 3s. Stage; three dressing-rooms, Phone Canterbury 2480. Station, Canterbury, S.R.

MGM / CANNON / ABC / REGAL CINEMA St George’s Place (WE) Opened 1933. Architect: Robert Cromie. 1941 - Props., Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 7887. 1,687 seats. Continuous. Proscenium width 43ft. 4 in. Stage, 10ft. deep; three dressing-rooms. Café and Ballroom attached, Phone Canter­bury 2022. Stations, Canterbury (East or West) S.R.

Oddfellows’ Hall A. Develin (1907)

(Odeon Dance Hall - why The Friars had to be used for Oscar Deutsch’s cinema - now Café Uno)

ST. GEORGE’S THEATRE / St. George’s Hall Lower Bridge Street E. B. Goulden (1907) By 1922 - ­Prop., St. George’s (Canterbury) Theatre Co., Ltd. Res. Man.,, J. LI. Wells. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Canterbury, S.E. & C.R.

THEATRE ROYAL (No 2) E. Graham Falcon (1907)

CANVEY ISLAND Essex

Bohemia Park - Travelling show - Pettitt’s Popular Pictures.

CINEPLEX MOVIE STARR Eastern Esplanade: 4 screens / 460 seats

RIO CINEMA 124 Furtherwick Rd (BTP) Opened 1937. 1,000 seats. By 1941 -Prop., Francis Bertram. Once nightly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Booked at Hall. Proscenium width 25ft. Phone Canvey 133. Station, Sth. Benfleet. Closed to film 29^th June 1976. Bingo.

 

CARCROFT nr Doncaster Yorks

PICTURE THEATRE (WE) - Prop., C. F. Ward Phone Adwick-le-Street 20. 867 seats. Booked by G. Brocklesby, F.I.A.A., Certified Account­ant, Conisborough, near Rotherham. Phone Conisborough 29. Continuous. Mon. to Fri. Twice nightly Sat. Prices 4d. to 9d. Stations, Adwick-le-Street & Carcroft, L.N.E.R.

 

CARLIN HOW Yorks

GRAND ELECTRIC THEATRE 1922 - Prop., T. Thomp­son. Res. Man., F. Stephens. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Station, Skinningrove, N.E.R.

CARLISLE Cumberland

CINEMA Gretna 1941: (BTH)

Circus Pitch M. Wilson (1907)

CITY CINEMAS Mary Street: 2 screens

CITY PICTURE HOUSE English Street Built by Sidney Bacon 1912. 1922 - Prop., Sidney Bacon’s Pictures, Ltd. Res. Man., P. C. Mooney. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 8d. to 1s. 6d. Phone 540. Station, Carlisle, L.N.W.R. To Union with circuit. 1937: 1,148 seats. By 1941 (WE) - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London, S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Continuous. Booked at H.O. Phone Carlisle 540. Café attached. Station, Carlisle, L.M.S.

County Hall Botchergate R. Koster (1907)

Drill Hall f., J. Lovett (1907)

HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE (No 3) Owner Milton Bode 1895 - 1903 sold to his partner, Stuart McKim. The Executors of the Late H. Steward McKim (1907) Leased by Sidney Bacon to stop rival use as cinema. SG46: Her Majesty’s Theatre. Prop.: Cranbourn Theatres, Ltd., Lowther St., Carlisle. Bookings: Cranbourn Theatrical Variety Agency, Ltd., 80, Lowther St., Carlisle, Cumberland, Cap.: Front stalls 135, rear stalls 219, P. stalls 142, D. circle 132, U. circle 150, gallery 290. Once nightly 7. Matinées Wednesday end Saturday. Twice nightly 6.15 and 8.20 (Saturday 6 and 8.5). Matinées - occasion­ally. Twice-nightly variety, revues, plays. Reverting to occasional once nightly. Stage: Pros. 31ft. 6in., height 21ft., height under fly galleries 21ft., width between fly galleries, 42ft., height of grid from stage 58ft., no counterweight gear. 36 sets of lines. Elec. equip.: 220 v. A.C. Footlights, four circuits (No. 1 only on dimmers). Battens with four circuits with ind. dimmers (four circuits in three battens). Four f-o-h pre-set spots. Two f-o-h following limes. Dressing rooms: Eight single, two chorus, acc. 8. Orchestra: Acc. 10. Resident 10 (conductor, piano, bass, two violins, ‘cello, two trumpets, trombone, drums). Amplifying equip.: Microphone.

HIPPODROME S. C. Algie (1907)

LONSDALE / ABC / LONSDALE Warwick Road (WE) Opened 21^st September 1931. Architect: Percy L. Browne & Son. Prop., Sidney Bacon circuit. Pros. 48ft. wide, stage 26ft deep, 53ft wide. 6 dressing rooms. Organ: Christie 2/9(10) - console on lift, twin chambers stage right. 2,381 OR 1,880 seats. To Union with circuit 1935. By 1941 - Props., Union Cinemas, Ltd., Union House, 15 Regent Street, London, S.W1. Phone White­hall 8494. Continuous. Booked at H.O. Pictures and Variety. Phone Carlisle 1219. Station, Citadel, L.M.S. manager 1955-1972 Norman Scott-Buccleuch Re-named ABC 15^th January 1962. Split from 25^th May 1972 - 581-seat cinema and stalls bingo. Organ removed. 1978 leased to independent - Alan Towers. Cinema twinned 410/230. 3^rd screen added 1987. Closed Sunday 23^rd April 2006 - It’s a Wonderful Life.

ODEON / GAUMONT/ BOTCHERGATE PICTURE HOUSE & CAFÉ 37, Botchergate ­ 1922 - Prop., Carlisle Picture House Co., Ltd. Res. Man., E. W. Jeffs. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 8d. to 1s. 6d. Phone 411. By 1941: (RCA) - Prop., Carlisle Picture House Co., Ltd., 95 Bath Street, Glasgow. Phone Douglas 2769. 1,006 seats. Booked at H.O. by A. Matthews. Continuous. Café attached. Prices 7d. to 1s. 6d. Phone, 411. Station, Carlisle Citadel, L.M.S., or Motor Transport.

PUBLIC HALL Chapel Street f., J. Plaskett (1907) Sidney Bacon opened as cinema 1907. 1922 - Prop., Sidney Bacon’s Pictures, Ltd. Res. Man., Cecil R. Whiles. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 8d. Phone 428. Station, Carlisle, L.N.W.R. 1937: 948 seats. By 1941 (WE) - Props., Union Cinema, Ltd., Union House, 15 Regent Street, London, S.W1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Mats, daily. Width of proscenium, 21ft. Phone Carlisle 428. Station, Carlisle, (Citadel) L.M.S. & L.N.E.R.

REGAL Caldergate (WE) 1937: Prop., Williams Cinemas Ltd. 705 seats. 1941 - Prop., The Williams Cinemas Ltd., Hippodrome, Workington. Phone Workington 194. 660 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 5d. to 9d. Width of proscenium, 21ft. Phone Carlisle 932. Station, Carlisle (Citadel).

REX CINEMA Denton Holme (WE) - Props., C. & T. Cinemas, Ltd., 52, Stowell Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Phone N/c 25539. 550 seats. Booked at H.O. Prices 4d. to 1s. Phone Carlisle 458. Station, Carlisle (Citadel) L.M.S.

STANLEY CINEMA / STANLEY HALL Botchergate 1922 as SH - Prop. & Res. Man., Leon Gould. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 1937 as SH: (RCA) Prop., Williams Cinemas Ltd. 550 seats. By 1941 as SC: (RCA) - Prop., The Williams Cinemas, Ltd., Hippodrome, Workinglon. Phone Workington 194. 517 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 4d. to 6d. Phone Carlisle 926. Station, Carlisle (Citadel).

STAR HALL Denton Holme 1922 - Prop., Leon Gould. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. 1937: (B.T.H.) Prop., Mrs. A. J. Gould. 550 seats. Phone 458.

STUDIOS 1-4 / NEW PALACE Botchergate - Palace opened 1906. Signor Pepi ran till Easter 1909. Manager: A. E. Nicholls (1907). Then leased to MacNaghten. Julius Simpson mgr. 1919 - MacNaghten bought. By 1941: (BTP) Prop., Mac­naghten Vaudeville Circuit, Ltd., Kings Chambers, Angel Street, Sheffield. Phone 23449. 1,100 seats. Booked at H.O. by W. Bryan. Continuous from 6 p.m.; Mats. daily. Prices 5d. to 1s. 6d. Proscenium width 30ft. Phone 144. Station, Carlisle, L.M.S. Closed 1959. Gutted by fire 2004.

VUE / WARNER VILLAGE 50 Butchergate Opened 2000. 7 screens

 

CARLTON Notts

REGAL / VICTORIA PICTURE HOUSE Station Road Opened Wednesday 30^th April 1913. 1922: Prop. E. Parker. H.O. Station Road Carlton. Two changes weekly. 5d to 1s. Station Carlton, M.R. 124 miles. Closed Saturday 6^th December 1930. Sound installed? Re-opened as Regal Monday 22^nd December 1930. By 1941 - Booked by S. Graham, Oxford House, Oxford Street, Nottingham. Phone Nottingham 2552. Closed Saturday 19^th December 1959.

RITZ CINEMA 112 Burton Road (BTH) Opened Monday 1^st June 1936. Architect: Reginald W. Cooper. Prop., Carlton (Notts.) Cinemas, Ltd., 24, Corridor Chambers, Market Place, Leicester. Booked by S. Graham, Oxford House, Oxford Street. Nottingham. Phone Nottingham 2552. Continuous. Evenings from 5.45. Mats., Thurs., Two changes weekly. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Phone Carlton 58040. Stations, Carlton & Netherfield, L.M.S. Closed Saturday 8^th June 1968. Demolished. BUPA on site.

CARNFORTH Lancs

Co-operative Hall f., J. Smalley (1907)

KINEMA 1922 - Prop., J. Porter. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Station, Carnforth, L. & N.W.R.

ROXY Market Street (BTH) - Prop., James Brennan, 107, Duke Street, Barrow-in- ­Furness. Phone Barrow-in-Furness 990. 465 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous Mon. to Fri. Twice Sat, Prices 6d. and 1s. Width of proscenium, 21ft. Phone Carnforth 37. Station, Carnforth L.M.S. Now supermarket.

VICTORIA PICTURE PALACE 1922 - Prop., & Res. Man., W. Boyle. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 8d. Phone, Carnforth 20. Station, Carnforth, L.N.W.R.

 

CARSHALTON Surrey

GAUMONT PALACE Opened 1936/7. Arcitect: Harry Weston. 2,000 seats. 1941 - Prop., Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Bingo.

Public Hall 1922 - Occasional Shows.

CASTLE BROMWICH Warwicks

CASTLE CINEMA (BTH) - Props., The Atlas Picturehouse Co., Ltd., 322, Broad Street, Birmingham. 1,268 seats. Prices 8d. to 1s. 6d. Continuous. Proscenium width 40ft. Café attached. Phone 2425. Film Transport.

Victoria Hall W. Brewin (1907)

 

CASTLE DONINGTON Leics

COUNTY CINEMA / THE CINEMA Apriary Street/Clapgun Street Opened 1922 as Cinema - converted Methodist chapel. Prop., Cinema Co. (H. J. Garnham) Res. Man., R. Jeffrey. One show nightly, two on Sat. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 9d. By 1925 to Edwin Pemberton. AWH sound. By 1932: Jn. Minton, propr. By 1941 as County: (Marshall) - Prop., J. F. S. Minton, County Cinema Enterprises. 400 seats. Booked at Market Street. Two shows Mon, and Sat, Once daily rest of week. Prices 4d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Castle Donington L.M.S. By 1950 to Mrs F. R. Hunt. 354 seats. Mgr. Jack Hibbert. Projectionist, Ivor Cook. Closed c.1960. Demolished c.1962. Lock-up garages on site, later re-developed.

 

CASTLEFORD Yorks

ALBION PICTURE PALACE Albion Street Opened pre-1914. 780 seats. (KYB14) 1919: Prop., Castleford Electric Theatre Co. Res. mgr. H. Craven. Two shows nightly. Prices 3d to 9d. Licensed for music and dancing. Voltage 440. Tel: 32. 1922 - Prop., Albion Picture Palace Co., Ltd. Res. Man., H. Craven. Two shows nightly. Stat., Mon., Wed. & Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. Phone, Castleford 32. Station, Castleford, N.E.R. By 1941: (WE) Lessees, Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, W1., Phone Gerrard 7887. 985 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous evenings, Separate shows on Saturday. Two changes weekly, Proscenium width 26ft. Phone Castleford 2032. Station, Castlelord, L.N.E.R.

CINEWORLD Xscape Centre, Colorado Way: 14 screens / 2,900 seats

Circus Pitch H. Masterman (1907)

Co-operative Hall J. Platt Jackson (1907)

CROWN PICTURE PALACE Lister Street Opened 1913. 800 seats. (KYB14) 1919: Prop., Messrs. Atkinson, Roddy & Wilson. Res. man. A. Roddy. Two shows daily. Two changes weekly. 3d to 9d. 600 seats. Licensed for music. Voltage 230. 1922 - Prop., Atkinson, Roddy & Wilson. Res. Man., A. Ruddy. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. Station, Castleford, G.N.R. Burned down 1923.

EMPIRE Airedale 1946: Props. Star Cinemas (London) Ltd. Star House, Bank Street, Castleford. Phone Castleford 2618-9. 548 seats. Prices 6d. to 1s. Continuous Mon. to Fri. Two shows on Sat. and Sun. Phone 2154. Booked at H.O. Station, Castleford. Still there in KYB55. Still stands 2006.

EMPRESS Picture PALACE Church Street Opened 1912. Props., Empress Palace Ltd. 800 seats. (KYB14) 1919: Prop., R.T.A. Pictures. Res. man. T. W. Dalby. Two shows daily. Two changes weekly. 3d to 9d. 600 seats. Licensed for music and dancing. Voltage 230. 1922 - Prop., R. T. A. Pictures, Ltd. Res. Man., T. W. Dolby. Two shows nightly. Two

changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. Phone, Castleford 119. Station, Castleford, N.E.R.

Mechanics’ Hall H. H. Broadbent (1907)

NEW STAR / MAJESTIC / STAR PICTURE PALACE Aire Street Opened 1912. 1919: Prop., R.T.A. Pictures, Ltd. Res. man. E. Aspinall. Two shows daily. Two changes weekly. 3d to 9d. 610 seats. Licensed for music and dancing. Voltage 230. 1922 - Prop., R.T.A. Pictures. Res. Man., E. Aspinall. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. KYB28 Prop. Majestic (Castleford) Ltd. Res. & Booking Man. W. Clowes. Two shows nightly. Prices 4d to 1s. 3d. Phone Castleford 231. 1931 - Mihaly sound & booked by Mihaly Theatre Circuit. By 1941: (WE) Props., Star Cinemas, (London) Ltd., New Star Cinema, Aire Street, Castleford. 850 seats. Three shows daily. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone 2531. Station, Castleford L.N.E.R. Closed 1974.

PALACE THEATRE Smawthorne Lane (KYB14)

PICTURE HOUSE Station Road (next to Queen’s). Opened 1912. By 1941 (WE) - Prop., R.TA. Pictures Ltd., Castleford. 1,200 seats. Prices 6d. to 1s. 2d. Continuous. Booked at Hall. Proscenium width 24ft. Café and Dance Hall attached. Phone 2351. Station, Castleford, L.N.E.R. Closed 1964. Now pub.

PICTURE HOUSE Airedale (Eastern Electric) 500 seats. KYB1937 & 1948

QUEENS THEATRE / HIPPODROME / Queen’s Hall Wilson Street Opened 1899. Architect R. McDowell. f., Dottridge & Longden (1907) 1904 Hipp. C. Moore (1907) 6^th December 1909: re-opened/rebuilt as Queen’s Theatre. Albert Winstanley. 1,200 seats. Showed films by 1914. (KYB14) Became cinema in 1921 under Will Emerson. 1931: Cinderella on stage. Back to films - Eastern Electric sound. Tidswell circuit. By 1941: (WE) - Props., Castleford Queen’s Theatre Co., Ltd. Continuous, Booked at Hall. Prices 4d. to 10d. Proscenium width 24ft. Stage, 26ft. deep. Eight dressing rooms, Phone 2268, Station, Castleford, L.N.E.R. 1958: Bingo. 1964: supermarket. Empty. Demolished c.1990.

R.T.A. (Messrs. Rowley, Townsend & Aspinall)

The Rink Jungletown Opened as cinema 1911. Demolished.

THEATRE ROYAL Albion Street Opened 1873. C. Gadsby (1907) 23^rd October 1911: altered by Frank Matcham. Prosc. 30′, depth 33′. width 60′. SG46: Bookings: A. F. Whiteman, 561, Scott Hall Road, Leeds, Cap.: Stalls 228, pit stalls 95, D. circle 172, boxes 9, gallery 500. Twice nightly 6 and 8. Matinées only circus and pantos. Revue, variety, circus, panto. Large stage, plenty of lines and light battens. Elec. equip.: 110 v., 230 v. points for irons and stage fittings. Dressing room: Seven. Orchestra: Six (resident). Amplifying equip.: Hired by arrangement. Closed 1958: demolished 1964.

 

CASTLETON Derbys

VILLAGE HALL CINEMA - converted Wesleyan chapel. (Ashley Franklin)

 

CASTLETON Lancs

IDEAL Opened 1920s - building conversion. (WE) - Prop., E. Woodall, Nordene, Bury Road, Rochdale. Phone Castleton 3452. 576 seats. Booked at Hall and Manchester. Once nightly, Mon. till Fri.; three shows Sat. Two changes weekly, Prices 6d. to 1s. 2d. Proscenium width 22ft. Phone Castleford 5906. Station, Castleton, L.M.S. CinemaScope. Closed to film 1960s. Later - workshop.

PRINCES’S CINEMA / PRINCE’S PICTURE PALACE Prince’s Street Opened c.1914 - building conversion. Prop., A. E. Milward. 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., Albert E. Milward. Two shows nightly. Mat., Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. Station, Castle­ton. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., E. Woodall, Ideal Cinema, Castleton. 574 seats. Booked at Hall or at Manchester. Twice nightly; Mat., Mon. and Thurs. Three changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 2d. Proscenium width 22ft. Phone Castleton 590. Station, Castleton, L.M.S. Closed to film 1960s. Converted to St. Gabriel’s Roman Catholic church.

 

CASTLETOWN I. o. Man

COSY (BTH) -Props., Ramsey Amusements., Ltd., ‘Plaza Cinema,’ Ramsey, I.o.M. Phone Ramsey 3224. 400 seats. Continuous from 6.30p.m. Prices., 6d. to 1s. Booked by E. E. Ratcliff, ‘ Raheny,’ Roby, Liverpool. Phone Huyton 382. Station, Castletown. Phone 32.

 

CAVENDISH Suffolk

CINEMA The Green Prop. Garth Cox. Later factory.

 

CATERHAM Surrey

ELECTRIC Opened 1909. Prop., Mr Freeman. Adapted from coachbuilder’s premises next to Blacksmith’s Arms. Accompaniment provided by horn gramophone.

FLORIDA / CAPITOL CINEMA Opened October 6th 1928 Victory + stage show. Cost £16,000. 950 seats, 700 stalls, 250 circle. Simplex projectors installed in projection box large enough for sound equipment later. Sound April 26^th 1930. By 1941: (WE) - F. W. Allwood, Wallace House, Wardour Street, London W1, 850 seats, Booked at H.O. Prices 7d. to 1s. 10d. Continuous. Phone Caterham 462. Station, Caterham, S.R. 30^th May 1955 Re-named Florida. CinemaScope & new sound system, improved heating. Closed 13^th August 1960 - Tammy.

GUARDS CAMP CINEMA Guards Depot Opened 1915 - large corrugated iron building surmounted by clock now in Queen’s Park. Initially private enterprise, purchased by War Office 1922. 1922 - Res. Man., R.Q.M.S. Wharton, M.C. One show nightly. Pianist Charles Tugwell (Guard’s Chapel organist). Two changes weekly. Prices, lid. to 5d. Phone, Caterham 53. Station, Upper Warlingham, L.B.S.C.R. Demolished.

ODEON Church Hill/Harestone Valley Road 1936 unrealised scheme.

Public Hall J. D. Rolls (1907)

CATERHAM VALLEY CINEMA / VALLEY CINEMA and VARIETIES / COMMONWEALTH CINEMA / Commonwealth Assembly Room Opened 7^th July 1913 - The Coquette (drama in Pathécolour) The Bricklayer’s Little Joke (comedy), & The Nimble Flea (educational). Prop., Licensee of Public House. 220 seats. 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., Geo. Gammon. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. Phone, Caterham 131. Station, Caterham, S.E. & C.R. 10^th September 1923 renovated and reopened as Valley - Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime + acts. Closed 1928. Demolished.

Extra info from the Bourne Society Local History Records Vol. 28 by Jean Took via www.cinephoto.co.uk

 

CATTERICK Yorks

CAMP CINEMA 1922 - Prop., Catterick Cinema Co. Res. Man., J. Willets. Continuous. Three changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Catterick Bridge, N.E.R. By 1941 - Prop., Catterick Cinema Co. Approx.; 800 seats. Continuous. Three changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Catterick Bridge, L.N.E.R. Was this also Cambrai Cinema?

CLASSIC / ESSOLDO / RITZ Shute Road (WE) Opened December 1940. Architects: Joshua Clayton & Deas. Props., Ritz (Catterick Camp) Ltd., Shute Road. 1,036 seats. Prices., 6d. to 2s. Continuous. Booked by G. P. Fenton, Central Buildings, Darlington. Stage; three dressing-rooms. Café attached. Phone Catterick Camp 344. Station, Richmond, Yorks. To Essoldo October 1948 & re-named c.1951. To Classic 2^nd April 1972. Twinned. Closed 2^nd July 1977. Demolished.

GARRISON CINEMA (BA) - 800 seats. Pictures and Variety. Booked by G. P. Fenton, 16 Central Buildings, Darlington. Continuous. Prices 4d. to 1s. 3d.; four dressing-rooms. Station, Richmond, Yorks.

 

CAVERSHAM nr Reading Berks

GLENDALE / CAVERSHAM ELECTRIC THEATRE Church Street Opened 25^th May 1911. Prop. Caversham Electric Theatre Co. Mgr. J. W. Wright. 1920s props., Stanley & Brookes. Continuous. Prices, 4d. to 1/2d. ‘Private ‘ sound system. By 1937 prop. C. J. Stanley. 500 seats. Phone 71729. By 1941: (film) - Prop. & Res. Man., C. J. Stanley. 500 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 6d. to 1s. 3d. Phone Reading 71729. Station, Reading, G.W.R., or by Road Transport. New façade & re-named 1946. Prop. Glendale Cinema (Caversham) Ltd. 400 seats. Pros. width 17ft. Booked by Harold Baim Cinemas, London. CinemaScope c.1956. False pros.26ft. wide. Screen 24ft. Closed 4^th June 1977 - Cross of Iron. Religious use.

REGAL CINEMA Church Street (RCA) Opened 3^rd October 1938. Architect: E. Norman Bailey. By 1941 - Props., Regal Cinema (Caversham) Ltd., 141 Bushy Mill Lane, Watford. 857 seats. Prices 7d. to 1s. 6d. Continuous. Booked at Head Office. Pros­cenium width approx. 35ft. Station, Reading. To Mayfair circuit c.1941. To ABC 1943. Closed 7^th June 1958. Warehouse & offices. Demolished. Waitrose on site.

 

CHADDERTON nr Oldham Lancs

CASINO PICTURE PALACE (WE) Neville Street - Prop., Marks Circuit Cinemas, 6, St. Mary’s Gate, Manchester, Phone Blackfriars 4078. 982 seats. Booked at Manchester, Continuous. Mats., Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Sat. Two changes weekly, Prices 4d. to 9d. Phone Main 1026. Two dressing rooms, Station, Oldham (Werneth) L.M.S.

FREE TRADE HALL Milne Street 1922 - Prop., Nuttall & Co. Res. Man., John Nuttall. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 2d. to 5d. Station, Werneth, L. & Y. R. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Alfred Wright. 550 seats. Booked at Hall. Prices 2d. to 9d. Station Werneth

LYRIC CINEMA (WE) Milne Street-Prop., Alfred Wright. 475 seats. Continuous. Prices 5d. to 9d. Booked at Hall, Proscenium width 22ft. Phone Milne 4957. Station, Werneth, L.M.S.

 

CHADDESDEN Derby

ESSOLDO / GLORIA Nottingham Road (BTP) Opened 21^st November 1938 Architect A. J. Thraves. Prop. Chaddesden Gloria Ltd. By 1941 - Prop., Regal (Chaddesden) Ltd., Commerce Chambers, Elite Buildings, Parliament Street, Nottingham. Phone 2273/4. 1,176 seats. Continuous evenings. Booked at H.O. Proscenium width 36ft. Phone Derby 55161. Station Derby L.M.S. To Essoldo May 1949 & re-named November 1951. Closed 14^th September 1968. Ladbroke’s (Lucky Seven) bingo. Opened circle cinemas 6^th December 1973 - 1: 128; 2: 138. Closed 31^st December 1982. Bingo. Demolished March 2001. Supermarket.

REGAL -In preparation (Probably the original name for the Majestic)

MAJESTIC Wiltshire Road Opened 1938. Closed 1962. Demolished.

 

CHADWELL HEATH Essex

ODEON / GAUMONT (PALACE) / EMBASSY High Road (WE) Opened 17^th May 1934. Architect: Harry Weston. Tea lounge / ballroom. Organ: Compton 3/9 with surround on lift. Pictures & variety. To Gaumont October 1934 - renamed GP, shortened c.1937. By 1941 - Prop., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, Ltd., New Gallery House, Regent Street, W1. Booked at H.O. Pictures and Variety, 1,806 seats. Prices 9d. to 1s. 10d. Proscenium width 40ft, stage, 24ft. Four dressing-rooms. Phone Seven Kings 3292. Station, Chadwell Heath. Re-named Odeon 1964. Closed 28^th July 1966. Bingo.

ODEON / MAYFAIR CINEMA Whalebone Lane South, Dagenham (WE) - Opened 9^th December 1933. Architect: Leslie Kemp (Kemp & Tasker). (Open-air swimming pool & terraces @ rear.) D. J. James’ circuit. Sold 1936. By 1941: Props., Eastern Cinemas (G.C.F.) Ltd., Film House, 142, Wardour Street, W1. Phone Gerrard 5252. 1,764 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 1s. 10d, Stage; five dressing-rooms. Café attached. Phone Seven Rings 3000. Stations, Chadwell Heath, L.N.E.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Stage Amplification. To Odeon 1943. Re-named Odeon Chadwell Heath 1945., later Odeon Whalebone Lane, Dagenham. Closed 12^th February 1972. Bingo. Demolished. Supermarket & offices.

 

CHAGFORD Devon

REX CINEMA (Picturetone) New Street-Props., A. G. Curtis. 200 seats. One show nightly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Width of proscenium, 12ft. Booked at Cardiff & London. Station, Mortonhampstead, G.W.R. E.

 

CHALFONT ST. PETER Bucks

BROADWAY CINEMA / Memorial Hall Cinema 1937: (Picturetone) Broadway (Chalfont) Ltd. 400 seats. Phone Gerrards Cross 904. 1941 - Prop., Weller & Stevenson’s Theatres, Broadway Cinema, Chalfont St. Peter. 400 seats. Continuous, Prices 10d. to 1s, 10d. Phone Gerrard Cross 2904. Station, Gerrards Cross, G.W.R.

 

CHAPEL-en-le-FRITH Derbyshire

EMPRESS CINEMA Market Street 1937: (Private) Prop. E. Fletcher. 350 seats. Phone 116. 1941: Twice nightly, Prices 4d. to 1s.

REGENT / Constitutional Hall Eccles Road 1937: (BA) - Prop., Chapel-en-le-Frith Constitutional Hall Co., Ltd. Lessee, New Mills Cinema (Sheffield) Ltd. 450 seats. Booked at Manchester. Twice nightly. Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. and Sat. Prices 3d. to 1s. Two dressing-rooms. Proscenium width 10ft. Phone Chapel-en-le-Frith 32. Station, Central, L.M.S.

Town Hall G. W. Hobson (1907)

 

CHAPELTOWN nr Sheffield Yorks

CHAPELTOWN PICTURE PALACE Station Road 1922 - Prop., Chapel­town Picture Palace, Ltd. Res. Man., A. E. Hodgson. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 9d. Station, Chapeltown, M.R. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., Chapeltown Picture Palace Co., Ltd. 450 seats. Continuous. Three shows Sat. Two changes weekly. Booked at H.O. Prices 8d to 1/2d. Phone Sheffield 38445. Station, Chapeltown L.M.S. & F.T.S.

Workmen’s Hall Job Woodward (1907)

CHARD Somerset

CERDIC Fore Street Opened 14^th June 1937 - Dimples. Architect: E. de Wilde Holding. Prop., Wessex Kinema Co., Ltd. Contractor: A. S. Prince, Bournemouth. (Honitin Devonia, Chard Cerdic, & Wellington Wellesley - same design, minor adjustments to individual plans, and different façades to suit client Wessex Kinema Co. Ltd.) 410 seats. Closed 1960s. Retail outlet. Now Wetherspoon’s.

CORN EXCHANGE / Corn Exchange f., William Pilton (1907) 1922 - Prop., Walford Family. One show nightly Mon., Fri. & Sat. Three changes weekly. Prices, 9d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Chard, L.S.W.R.

REGENT PICTURE HOUSE High Street (BTH) - Prop., Rowland Reeves. 320 seats. Booked at Hall. Once nightly; two Wed., and three on Sat. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Chard 74. Station, Chard, S.R. & G.W.R. Demolished 2002.

 

CHASETERRACE Staffs

CHASE CINEMA (BTP) - Prop., Miles Jervis, Bridge Cross, Chaseterrace. 750 seats. Continuous Mon. and Thurs. Three shows Sat.; one show Tues., Wed. Fri. Prices 5d. to 1s. Phone Burntwood 32. Station, Brownhills,

 

CHATHAM Kent

ABC / MGM / CANNON / ABC / REGENT (2) (RCA) - Opened 11^th July 1938 - Housemaster and Thrill of a Lifetime. Architect: W. R. Glen. (Organ: Compton 3/6 (A413) ordered but cancelled.) 1,906 seats. Simplex projectors. By 1941: Prop., Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31., Golden Square. London W.1, Phone Gerrard 7887. 1,894 seats, Booked at H.O. Continuous, Width of proscenium, 45ft. Stage, 10½ft. Three dress­ing-rooms, Phone Chatham 2522, Station, Chatham, S.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. 3-D 23^rd August 1953 - The House of Wax. Equipment replaced for CinemaScope - Ross GC3s, Perspecta sound. Re-named ABC 30^th October 1961. Early 1960s Phillips FP20 machines. Closed 1972 as single screen - The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins. Tripled. To EMI with circuit 1979. George Williams, mgr., then Arthur Allen. To Cannon 1986. Dolby Stereo 1998. Closed 3^rd January 2002.

BARNARD’S PALACE of VARIETIES 107-111 High Street Originally opened as fit-up 1850. Rebuilt as variety hall. L. B. Barnard (1907) Pictures & variety by 1910. Closed by fire 1934.

CENTRAL HALL High Street

CORNER HOUSE CINEMA / SILVER CINEMA / CINEMA de LUXE High Street/Manor Road Opened 22^nd January 1910 - probably shop conversion. Mgr. Maurcie Williams. Continuous 3-6pm. 1922 as silver - Prop., Stevenson & Gazelly. Res. Man., J. A. Stevenson, Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 6d. Station, Chatham, S.E. & C.R. Re-named Corner Hse c.1921/2. Café added. Closed 1922. Retail use.

Corn Exchange f., Wm. Oldroyd (1907)

EMPIRE CINEMA / PICTURE HOUSE High Street (next to Empire Theatre). Opened 19^th February 1917. Architect: H. H. Dunstall. Props., Oswald Stoll / H. E. Davis. Organ: Nicholson & Lord (straight) 2m/15stop. Fixed console. 1,100 seats. George Tallents mgr 1918-1929. Continuous. Two changes weekly. By 1941: (BTP) — Props., Stoll Circuit, Coliseum Buildings, W.C.2, Phone Temple Bar 1500. 1,100 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous weekdays from 2 p.m. Sun. 6p.m. to 9 p.m. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Chatham 2757. Station Chatham, S.R. Re-named 1^st February 1953. Closed 10^th June 1961 - Doctor in Love and Congo Crossing.

EMPIRE THEATRE High Street Opened 18^th March 1912 - rebuild of Gaiety. Architect: Frank Matcham. Cap., 2,500. Sliding roof. 1929 closed for redecoration, new seats, projection box in balcony. Vitaphone sound-on-disc and Fox Movietone sound-on-film equipment. Re-opened - The Singing Fool 15^th July 1929 - five times daily for month run. Cinema mgr. George Tallents - died in theatre 5^th January 1933. Then Herbert E. Webster. Film use ceased 17^th February 1940. By 1941: (WE) - Props., Empire Theatre of Varieties, Ltd. Stoll Offices Coliseum Build­ings, St. Martin’s Lane, W.C. 1,893 seats. Booked at H.O. Variety. Phone Chatham 2757. Station, Chatham, S.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. To Prince Littler Easter Monday 16^th April 1942: new stage, equipment, orchestra pit. To People’s Entertainment Society (co-op amalgamation) 1945. Chatham Empire (1955) Ltd. Closed 31^st March 1960 - tweo nights before plan owing electricity bill. Theatre and cinema demolished January 1963. Car park. 1972 office block built, now housing Customs & Excise and Medway County Court.

GAIETY Opened 1^st September 1890. Architect: George Friend. Capt. H. E. Davis (1907) Edisonograph in operation by January 1910. Closed 17^th June 1911. Demolished for Empire.

GAUMONT / PALACE SUPER CINEMA Watling Street (WE) Opened 30^th November 1936 - East Meets West and The Old School Tie. Architect: A. OR W. Kenyon. Organ: Compton 3/7. Console on lift - special design of etched-glass illuminated surround. By 1941 -Props., Gaumont-British Picture Corpn., Ltd. 1,864 Seats. Continuous. Prices 9d, to 2s. 6d. Booked at H.O. Proscenium width 42ft. Stage, 20ft. Seven dressing rooms, Café with dance floor. Phone Gillingham 5281. Station, Gillingham, S.R. or Chatham. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Re-named December 1950. 50s mg. Mr Pleasance, under-manager Mr Alan. Closed to film 2^nd February 1961 - The Captain’s Table. Organ removed and scrapped. Bowling alley to 31^st October 1970. Retail use - interior gutted.

HMS PEMBROKE CINEMA Brick-built. c.500 raked floor. Proscenium arch, stage. Also live shows and lectures. Mgr Mr Simmonds, Welfare Secretary. CinemaScope. Closure not known.

INVICTA CINEMA / INVICTA PICTURE PALACE Fullager’s Yard, High Street Opened 7^th February 1916. Prop., H. G. & W. Croneen. Res. Man., Edward H. Tremain. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Chathant 472. To J. H. Canvin April 1929. 1939: (WE) - Prop., J. H. Canvin, 930 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices. 3d. to 1s. Proscenium width 30ft. Phone Chatham 2472. Station, Chatham, S.R. Films by Kent Film Transport Co., Ltd. (Closed) Closed 1939. Church Army use during war. Post-war warehouse and indoor market. 1962: Gerry Cameron - ballroom dancing, wrestling, bingo. By 17^th May 1964 full-time bingo. To Mrs Cameron, to Coral, to Bass Charrington September 1983. Closed. Empty, derelict, demolished 1987.

NATIONAL ELECTRIC THEATRE 205 High Street Opened 15^th April 1911. Architect: Melville Ward. Prop., National Electric Theatres Ltd. Cost £3,500. 639 seats. 3d & 6d. With circuit to G-B 1928. 1922: Res. Man., A. Hope. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d.. to 1s. 5d. Phone 224. By 1941: (BA) - Prop., Denman Picture Houses, Ltd., 123 RegentStreet, London W1. 852 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous, Prices 6d. to 1s. 4d. Phone Chatham 2314. Station, Chatham, S.R. Films by Motor Transport. Closed 24^th February 1951 - Magnificent Brute and On the Carpet. Still stands - retail outlet.

ODEON To open 20^th October 2006. 9 screens / 1,975 seats.

REGENT (1) / IMPERIAL PICTURE PALACE 385 High Street Opened 28^th January 1914. Architect: George E. Bond. Prop., Chatham & District Cinema Ltd. Mgr. Alfonso Eley (ex-Popular Pic Pal Maidstone). 1,674 seats. 1922: Continuous, Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 2s. Phone, Chatham 618. To W. W. Thompson 29^th August 1927, renamed New Regent. Mgr J. R. Endcott (ex-Roxy, Blackheath). 1929 Organ: Christie 2/8. Fixed console. Pictures & variety. To ABC 18^th March 1929. Talkies -RCA His Captive Woman 5^th July 1929. Closed 9^th January 1937. Organ removed. Demolished for Regent (2) on enlarged site.

RITZ (WE Mirrophonic) High Street Opened 22^nd March 1937 - My Man Godfrey + stage show & organ - GPO landline to Ritz Barnsley opening. Architect: Robert Cromie, assisted by Ernest Tulley. 2,322 seats. Organ: WurliTzer 3/8. Grand piano attached. Console on lift with illuminated surround. Mgr. J. Gow Scobie, replaced by Arthur Colston (ex-Central, Folkestone). Chief projectionist Francis Young. To ABC with circuit 1937. By 1941 - Props., Union Cinemas., Ltd., Union House, 15, Regent Street, London, SW1. Phone Whitehall 8484. Continuous. Booked at H.O. Café attached. Phone 3681. Station, Chatham, S.R. Chief projectionist Francis Young (again) 1962 - 1972. New sound system and drapes 1964, ‘pop package’ one-night stands. Phillips DP70 projection equipment and six-track stereo. Closed to film 20^th May 1972 - Naked Countess and I Do It My Way. Organ removed to Shrewsbury Buttermarket. Leased to Star Associated Holdings of Leeds for bingo. 1975 sold bingo operation to EMI 1975-83. To Thorn Industries 1982. September 1983 to Bass Charrington Coral Leisure. Fire 30^th September 1998. Demolished and new bingo hall built on the site September 1999.

THEATRE ROYAL / ROYAL HIPPODROME / THEATRE ROYAL / ROYAL HIPPODROME / THEATRE ROYAL 102 High Street (No 2) Opened 1899. Architect: George E. Bond. Fire 1900 - rebuilt by same architect. Charles and Lionel Barnard (1907) Closed 13^th June 1931, reopened a cinema on 28^th June, Western Electric c.£2,000. Lesses William Robinson of Brighton. Bankrupt in December 1932. December 1937 - stage and dressing rooms badly damaged by fire, Architect Andrew Mather modernisation. Cost £20,000. New stage was built & most modern technical equipment available. New seating - slightly reduced capacity. Reopened 28^th February 1938 as R. Hipp. To People’s Entertainment Society 16^th February 1947 (same ownership as Empire) -The Amazing Doctor Clitterhouse. Lessee Mrs Doris West. To F. J. Butterworth as Th Royal repertory, reopened by Dame Sybil Thorndyke. Four months by Bernard Delfont variety for three months, as R. Hipp. By 18^th October 1948 Theatre Royal. Repertory. Closed 20^th May 1955 in financial difficulties. February 1956 sold - foyer shop, auditoriuml evelled floor as furniture repository, neighbouring furniture shop extended into stage, scene dock and dressing rooms. Badly damaged by fire 23^rd September 1968. Proscenium arch bricked up, boxes removed. Dress Circle damaged by fire 26^th April 1966, unchecked deterioration. A Trust formed for restoration but disbanded 2003.

Town Hall f. (1907)

CHATTERIS Cambs

PICTURE PALACE / Corn Exchange f., C. J. Moulton (1907) Later, pictures, concerts, shows. 400 seats. 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., M. Williams. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 6d. Station, Chatteris, G.E.R. Re-constructed 1936/7. Prop. E. Owen Cooper. 400 seats. 1941: Prop. & Res. Man., M. Williams. Head Office. Closed to film. Now dance hall/function room.

EMPRESS Picture Palace Park Street (WE) Opened 24^th December 1934. Architect: Ward & Woolnough. Prop., Chatteris Amusements Ltd. - Bancroft circuit. 450 seats. Phone 110. By 1941: (WE) - H. Bancroft Circuit, 7 South Brink, Wisbech. Phone Wisbech 53. 555 seats. Continuous. Prices 8d. to 1s. 10d. Booked at Empire, Wisbech. Proscenium width 38ft. Phone 119. Station, Chatteris, L.N.E.R. Closed to film 31^st December 1961 - V.I.P. Now swimming pool & garage!

CHEADLE Cheshire

ELECTRA PICTURE HOUSE 1922 - Prop., E. H. Burns. Res. Man., J. Burns. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Phone, Gatley 39. Station, Gatley, L.N.W.R. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Asso­ciated British Cinemas, Ltd. 30-31 Golden Square, W.1, 868 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous evenings. Twice nightly Sat. Mats., Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Sat. Two changes weekly. Phone Gatley 2839. Station, Gatley, L.M.S.

Literary Insti­tute f., Isaac Worthington (1907)

 

CHEADLE Staffs

OSBORNE CINEMA High Street 1922 - Prop., Boyce Wood. Res. Man., Sydney Pearce. One show nightly. Mat. Sat. Two changes weekly. Price 2½d. to 9d. Station, Cheadle (Staffs.), N.S.R. By 1941: (BTH) -Prop., Boyce Wood. 850 seats, Booked at Hall. One show nightly. Mat., Sat, Two changes weekly. Prices 2½d. to 9d. Now Osborne House, apartments.

PALACE 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., J. Bibby. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 9d. Station, Cheadle (Staffs.), N.S.R. By 1941: (BTH) -Prop, & Res, Man., J. Bibbys. 400 seats. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 5d. to 9 .

CHEADLE HULME Cheshire

ELECTRA PICTURE HOUSE High Street 1937: (WE) A.B.C. Ltd. 868 seats. Phone Galley 2839.

ELYSIAN CINEMA Station Road 1937: (W.E) Prop., W. W. Stansby. 900 seats. Phone 346. 1941: (WE) - Prop., Raymond Hirst, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme. 900 seats. Booked at Manchester. Continuous, Mon. to Fri. Two shows. Sat, Prices 7d. to 1s. 4d. Phone Cheadle Hemline 346. Café attached, Station, Cheadle Hulme, L.M.S. Closed 1974, now shopping mall.

 

CHEAM Surrey

CENTURY Opened 1936/7. Jas. Morrison, A.R.I.B.A. 1,001 seats. 1941 - Props., The Granada Theatres, Ltd., 36, Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 3554. Continuous. Phone Vigilant 590.

GRANADA - North Cheam (RCA) Opened 1936/7. Architects: David E. Nye, F.I.A.A. & J. Morrison, A.R.I.B.A.

2,000 seats. Phone Fair­lands 8818 -Props., The Granada Theatres, Ltd. 36, Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 3554. Station, Cheam, S.R. Demolished, Wetherspoons on site.

 

CHEDDAR Somerset

Parish Hall Rowland Hill (1907)

REGAL -Prop., A. Austin, Pilkington Theatres, 20, London Road, Salisbury,

 

CHELMSFORD Essex

Circus Pitches L. Poole, N. W. Oliver (1907)

Corn Ex­change f., W. W. Duffield (1907)

CIVIC THEATRE

CRAMPHORN THEATRE Opened April 1981. 182 seats.

EMPIRE PICTURE HOUSE Springfield Road Opened c.1912. Prop., C. Reid. 542 seats. 1922 - Prop., Chelmsford Empire & Hippo­drome Co., Ltd. Res. Man., Miss D. Thorn. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Chelmsford 266. Station, Chelmsford, G.E.R. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Eastern Counties Cinemas, Ltd., Regent Theatre, Chelmsford. 506 seats. Continuous. Phone Chelmsford 2094. Station, Chelmsford, L.N.E.R. Closed by fire 1940. Used as food store for rest of war. Derelict. Demolished 1961.

ODEON (1) / RITZ Baddow Road The Meadows (WE) Opened 8^th November 1935 - The 39 Steps. Architect; Robert Cromie. 1,748 seats. Prop. County Cinemas. By 1941 - Prop., Ritz (Chelmsford) Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks., Phone Marlow 695-9. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 2s.4d. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Occasional variety. Café restaurant / ballroom attached. Phone 3677. Station, Chelmsford, L.N.E.R. Re-named 147. Closed October 1981. Derelict. Demolished 1989.

ODEON (2) The Meadows, Baddow Road Now 8 screens. Opened 1^st four 22^nd October 1993.

PAVILION SUPER CINEMA Rainsford Road Opened 1920. 1922 - Prop., W. Dawson., Res., Man., We Dawson (Junr.). Continuous. Two changes weekly. Station, Chelmsford, G.E.R. By 1941: (Duosonic) Prop., Pavilion, Chelmsford, Ltd. 504 seats. Continuous. Proscenium width 25ft. Prices 7d. to 1s.10d. Phone 3046. Closed June 1988. Empty. Laser games. Empty. Nightclub.

REGENT THEATRE Moulsham Street Opened Monday 7^th August 1916. Architect: Francis Burdett Ward. Prop. F. H. Cooper circuit. 1,086 seats. Op mgr George Starkey. Stage, four dressing rooms. Cinema 1916. 1922 - Prop., F. H. Cooper and Co.’s Cinemas, Ltd. Res. Man,, C. L. Norley. Continuous. Two changes weekly.. - Prices, 4½d. to 1s. 6d. Station, Chelmsford, G.E.R. To Eastern Counties 1928. By 1941 (WE) - Prop., Eastern Counties Cinemas, Ltd., Regent Theatre, Chelmsford. 1,000 seats. Continuous. Phone Chelmsford 2094. Sta­tion, Chelmsford. L.N.E.R. To S&K 1954. To EMI 1967. Closed 6^th September 1975. Bingo. Listed. Now a bar.

SELECT SUPER / SELECT / SELECT KINEMA / PICTURE HOUSE New Writtle St off Moulsham Street Opened c.1912 - conversion of foundry. Prop., A. R. P. Hickley. 600 seats - one tier. To S. Slinger. PICTURE HOUSE 1921 - Prop., S. Slinger. Res., Man,, Mrs. Slinger. Continu­ous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. Station, Chelmsford, G.E.R. By 1922 as Select, prop. R. H. Etchells. 1940: (BTH) - Prop., Sidney S. Harris. 650 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 8d. to 1s.10d. Phone 2724. Station, Chelmsford, L.N.E.R. Scope 1953 - prop. F. J. Partner. Bingo from c.June 1963. Re-opened as Select Super June1988. Closed March 1992. Laser games 1993. Closed.

 

CHELTENHAM Glos

ABC / REGAL The Promenade Opened 1939. Architect: W. R. Glen (with L. Norton). Props., Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30/31 Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 7887. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Demolished.

CINEWORLD Flower’s Brewery Opened 24^th March 2006: 11 screens. Power cut on opening day.

Circus Pitch J. Roche (1907)

CIVIC PLAYHOUSE SG46: Cap.: 300. Stalls 60, P. stalls 230. Once nightly 7.30. Matinées Saturday 2.30. Amateur shows, repertory considered. Stage: Pros. 22ft., height 12ft., depth 12ft. Elec. equip.: 220 v. A.C., 50 cycles. Footlights three. Battens two, each with six circuits. Spots six. Top lighting: One batten to three dimmers. Pit lighting with three circuits. Two f.o.h. pre-set spots. Dressing rooms: Three, each acc. four persons. Acc. for 10 in orchestra.

COLISEUM Albion Street Opened 1931. (BTH) -Prop., H. G. Beard. 1,000 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 1s. 9d. Proscenium width 30ft. Stage, 40ft. deep; 8 dressing-rooms. Phone Cheltenham 3715. Station, Cheltenham (St. James.) G.W.R. Closed to film 1974. Snooker Club.

DAFFODIL PICTURE HOUSE Suffolk Parade Opened 1922. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Daffodil Picture House, Ltd. 780 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Cheltenham 3360. Station, Cheltenham (St. James) G.W.R. Closed Bingo 1977. Restaurant.

ESSOLDO/ RITZ Lower High Street (RCA) Opened 18 September 1937. Architect/proprietor A. S. Walters, 879 seats. By 1941 - Prop., Cheltenham Entertain­ments, Ltd., 58a, Church Street, S.E.5. Phone Rodney 2421. 1,000 seats. Prices 9d. to 1s. 2d. Continuous. Booked in London & Cardiff. Proscenium width 30ft. Phone Cheltenham 3800. Station, St. James Cheltenham G.W.R. To Twentieth Century Cinemas. To Essoldo c.June 1947. Modernised and re-opened as Essoldo 31^st May 1954. Closed to film 25^th April 1964. Bingo - Ace Bingo & Social Club in 2006.

EVERYMAN THEATRE / OPERA HOUSE - (No 2) Architect: Frank Matcham. Props., The Cheltenham Theatre & Opera House Co., Ltd. O. Redford (1907) 1941: (WE) Phone Cheltenham 5144/5145. 990 seats. Pictures and Variety. Proscenium width 24½ft. Café. Phone 5144. Station, G.W.R. St. James, L.M.S. Lansdown. SG46: Cap.: 800, Stalls 242, Pp stalls 125, boxes two, D. circle 190, U. circle 85, gallery 147. Once nightly 7. Matinées 2.30 Thursday and Saturday. Twice nightly 6 and 8. Plays, musical Comedy, ballet, revue, variety, circus. Stage: Pros. 24ft. 6 in., height 24ft., min. depth from setting line 30ft., height under fly galleries 24ft., width between fly galleries 36ft., height of grid from stage 50ft., 39 sets lines. Elec. equip.: 210 v. A.C. Footlights three. Battens four, each with three circuits. Spot bar with six spots. Six dips with ind. dimmers. Six dips switch controlled. Two spots on stands. Four floods on stands. Two front of house following limes. Dressing rooms: 11. Orchestra: Eight, acc. 14. Resident. M.D. -violin, violin, ‘cello, bass, trumpet, drums, piano, trombone.

Imperial Rooms W. Herbert (1907)

Montpellier Gardens Town Clerk (1907)

Montpellier Rotunda P. Jones (1907)

Oddfellows’ Hall Mr. Newman (1907)

ODEON / GAUMONT PALACE Winchcombe Street (BA) Opened March 1933 - Rome Express. 1774 seats. By 1941 - Prop., Albany Ward Theatres., Ltd., 123 Regent Street, W1. Phone Regent 8080. 1,774 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Proscenium width 44ft. Stage 20ft. deep; five dres­sing rooms. Restaurant. Phone 4081-11. Stations, Cheltenham, L.M.S. & G.W.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. re-named 1964. Tripled 1970s. 1997 to 7 screens. 2006 sold on lease-back. Closed Sunday 5^th November 2006. Nick Eggington mgr. for 22 years to close. Equipment stripped out day after close. Empty.

PALACE PICTURE THEATRE High Street 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., Shakespere Shenton. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 5d. Phone, Cheltenham 1053. Station, Cheltenham G.W.R. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Chelten Cine. Co., Ltd., 10, Windsor Place, Cardiff. Phone Cardiff 225. 752 seats. Booked at Cardiff. Continuous. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Cheltenham 2553. Station, Cheltenham G.W.R. Films by Road Transport. (Closed)

PICTURE HOUSE North Street 1922 - Prop., H. G. Beard. Res. Man., R. Seabert. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 2s. 3d. Station, Cheltenham G.W.R.

Town Hall SG46: (three large halls). Main Hall seats 1,250, has open stage, acc. orchestra of 100. Licensed for music, dancing and stage plays. Terms of letting: £26 per night according to accom. required. Apply Entertainments Manager, Town Hall.

Victoria Rooms f., E. B. Shenton (1907)

Winter Gardens Promenade Borough Sur­veyor (1907) 1922 - Prop. & Man., Mrs. N. S. Field. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 6d. Station, Chelten­ham, G.W.R.

 

CHEPSTOW Mon

Church Boys’ Hall J. Lawrence (1907)

ELECTRIC PICTURE HALL Beaufort Square Opened 1914. 1922 - Prop., J. D. Jones &Co. Res. Man., J. D. Jones. One show nightly, two on Sat., Two changes weekly. Station, Chepstow, G.W.R.

REGAL / GAUMONT Beaufort Sq (BA) - opened 16^th May 1938. Architect: Enoch Williams + W. E. Trent. Prop., Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd., New Gallery House, 123 RegentStreet. London W1. 825 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous nightly, Mats., Wed, and Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 9d, to 1s. 10d. Phone Chepstow 49411. Station, Chepstow, G.W.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Sold and re-named January 1958. Closed 1971, other uses; demolished c.1989. TSB on site.

PALACE THEATRE Bridge Street Opened 1913. Albany Ward circuit. Sold to PCT. 424 seats. 1922 - Prop., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres. Ltd. Res. Man. H. Samson. One show nightly. Two Sat., & Mon. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1S. Phone 41. Station, Chepstow. Closed May 1938 on opening of Gaumont.

PAVILION 1922 - Prop., , National Playhouses. Ltd. Res. Man., W. Grant. One show nightly, Tues., to Fri. Continuous, Mon., & Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. Station, Chepstow, G.W.R.

 

CHERITON Kent

PALACE THEATRE 1922 - Prop., Miss Emily Barnes. Res. Man., S. G. Rowe Pearse. Continuous. Three changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Shorncliffe, S.E. & C.R.

CHERTSEY Surrey

ELECTRIC PALACE / Constitutional Hall Guildford Street f., T. J. Rawlings (1907) 1941: Prices 3d. to 1s. 3d. Open, Saturday only. Full-time Elec Pal by 1922.

PLAYHOUSE Guildford Street (WE) - Prop., Southern Cinemas, Ltd., 36, Kingsway, W.C.2. Phone Holborn 3281. 323 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Mat. daily. Two changes weekly. Prices 7d. to 1s. 10d. Proscenium width approximately 30ft. Phone Chertsey 3267. Station, Chertsey, S.R.

Guildford Street.

ROYAL CINEMA KYB 1922

 

CHESHAM Bucks

ASTORIA Broadway (WE) - Props., Shipman & King, Shell Mex House, Strand, W.C.2. Booked at H.O. 505 seats. Continuous. Stage, 14ft. deep. Two dressing-rooms. Proscenium width 18ft. Phone Chesham 103. Station, Chesham

EMBASSY (WE) Opened 1936/7. Props., Shipman & King, M84 Shell Mex House, Strand, W.C.2. Architect: David E. Nye. 1,300 seats. Phone Temple Bar 5077. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Café. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Phone 141.

TOWN HALL CINEMA / Town Hall f., John Harding (1907) Cinema by KYB22

CHESHUNT Herts

CENTRAL CINEMA / KOZY / CINEMA / S. Mary’s Hall College Road Opened 1862. Robert Archer (1907) Opened as Cinema 1913. Prop., Cluff. Cap. c.300 on wooden forms. To Hoddesdon Cinema Co February 1913. 1922 - Prop., P. R. Amiot & H. J. Whitehouse. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 3d Re-named Kozy c.1928. Closed September 1931. Moderised, balcony added, sound. Re-opened as Central Thursday 29^th October 1931 - Plunder. To E. J. ‘Chips’ Carpenter 1933. By 1941: (AWH) - Prop., E. J. Carpenter. 400 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous Evenings. Mats., Mon., Thurs. and Sat. Prices 9d. to 1s.6d. Proscenium width 20ft. Phone Waltham Cross 2250. Station, Cheshunt, L.N.E.R. Closed Saturday 28^th February 1959 - 6.5 Special and Shake, Rattle and Rock. Demolished post 1965. Lloyds Bank.

CHESLYN HAY Warks

PICTURE PALACE 1922 KYB

CHESTER Cheshire

Assembly Rooms (1907)

CANNON / ABC / REGAL Foregate Street/Love Street Opened Saturday 30^th October 1937 - Slaveship. Prop., ABC Ltd. Architect: W. R. Glen. Mgr. R. Barrie. Prosc. 46′ 5″, stage depth 14′ 4″. 1,973 seats. Compton 3/6 + Melotone. Lift, illuminated surround. Ross machines / Western Electric ‘Mirrophonic’ sound. Phone 2931. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. 3-D Monday 10^th August 1953 - House of Wax. CinemaScope. 1950s Chief Hughie Jones. Westar and finally Philips projectors. Renamed ABC June 1959. To EMI with circuit 1969. 1980 Bingo, stalls, two mini-cinemas in balcony. 1987: Cannon circuit took over. Closed 16^th December 1990 - Ghost and Exorcist 3. Empty to October 1995, then Brannigan’s night-club/bar.

CINEMA Christleton Road, Boughton Opening in September 1939 cancelled by war. Leased ‘for the duration’ (of the war) as a store and it never became a cinema. Occupied by a variety of businesses over the years, including Philips Auctioneers and Block Busters Video. Now Bonham’s Auctioneers.

CLASSIC / TATLER 56 Foregate Street (RCA) Opened Wednesday 2^nd December 1936. Prop., Chester (Times) Theatre Ltd. Architect: J. W. Barrow (William Segar Owen, Warrington). Cost c.£20,000. 523 seats. Simplex projectors / RCA sound. By 1941 - Props., Chester (Times) Theatres, Ltd., 3 Stanley Street, Liverpool. 500 seats. Continuous. Booked at Century House, St. Peter’s Square, Manchester. Prices 7d. to 1s. 9d. Proscenium width 22ft. Phone Chester 2711. Station, Chester General, L.M.S. & G.W.R. To Classic 1957. Closed 18^th December 1970 - M.A.S.H. Final late night feature - Accident in Blue Jeans. Demolished 1971 for C&A - now Woolworth.

ENTERPRISE CINEMA Station Road 1937: (Morrison) Prop., Deeside Enterprise Cinemas Ltd. 350 seats. Phone Connah’s Quay 49.

GATEWAY THEATRE Hamilton Place Opened 1968. Prop., Corporation. Architect: Michael Lyall Associates. 500 seats, one tier.

GAUMONT PALACE Brook Street (BA) Opened 2^nd March 1931 - On Approval. Architect: William T. Benslyn. Compton 3c/8 organ with lift. Op. mgr., F. D. Rowley. Prop., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, Ltd., New Gallery House, Regent Street, London W1. 1,997 seats. Booked at H.O. Con­tinuous. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d, Stage, 30ft. deep; nine dressing-rooms. Proscenium width 41ft. Café. Phone Chester 2100. Station, Chester, L.M.S. & G.W.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids Closed 9^th December 1961 - The Marriage-Go-Round. Organ removed by Ronald Curtis in 1962. Interior ripped out for bowling alley, then re-adapted for bingo. Now Mecca Bingo.

GLYNN PICTURE HALL Foregate Street Opened 19^th June 1911 - Sixtus the Fifth. Prop., Glynn Animated Picture Co. (Glynn Hill & G.E. Bulford. Mgr Charles (Chas) Powell - later, Fred Rowley. 750 seats. Corrugated iron roof. 1922 - Prop., Glynn Hill & Co. Phone 652. Station, Chester, G.W.R. To General Theatre Corporation Ltd., then Gaumont British. Closed 5^th September 1931 - Lure of the South Seas. To retail. Then bar. Façade remains - ex-auditorium damaged by fire. Now bar.

HIPPODROME Connah’s Quay (BA) - Deeside Enterprise Cinemas, Ltd., 1 Bridge House, Queensferry. Phone Connah’s Quay 49. 700 later 650 seats. Continuous, Prices 7d. to 1s., 4d, Booked at Bridge House, Queensferry. Width of proscenium, 19ft. 6 in. Phone 161. Station, Connah’s Quay, LM.S.

MAJESTIC PICTURE HOUSE / CINEMA de LUXE 95 Brook Street Opened Monday 18^th April 1921 - Carnival. Prop., Pat Collins. Architect: W. Matthew Jones. Mgr. J. Locker, M.D. J. J. ‘Joe’ Proverbs. 1922 - Prop., Pat Collins. Head office, Brook Street, Chester. Res. Man., J. Locker. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Chester, L.N.W.R. 179 miles. Closed June 1926 - Lady Robin Hood. Sold or leased, refurbished & renamed 12^th July 1926 - The Sporting Chance. Sold to General Theatres Corpn. March 1928. B.A. sound. 903 seats. G. Haydock, mgr. 1939. By 1941 - (BA) Prop., General Theatre Corpn., Ltd., 123 Regent Street, London W1. Phone Regent 6641. Booked at H.O. Continuous from 6 p.m. Mats. Sat. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Phone Chester 599. Station, Chester, L.M.S. & G.W.R. Closed 29^th September 1956 - Woman’s World. Mgr Alfred Newton (to Music Hall). Chief Projectionist Doug Jones. 1957 converted to dance hall. 1965 bingo. Auditorium demolished for road. Frontage remains as shop.

MUSIC HALL / THEATRE ROYAL Northgate Street/St. Werburgh Street 1280 chapel. f., Phillipson & Golder (1907) Pictures from c1915. Internally re-constructed as cinema in 1921. 1922 - Prop., Phillipson & Golder. Res. Man., J. White. Two shows nightly. Pour changes weekly. Prices 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Chester, L.N.W.R., G.W.R. & C.L.C.R. Chester’s first ‘Talkie’ September 23th 1929 - The Singing Fool. 1937: (RCA) Prop. GTC. 870 seats. By 1941: (RCA) Prop., General Theatre Corpn., Ltd., 123 Regent Street, London W1. Phone Regent 8080. Continuous nightly Mon. to Fri. Three shows Sat. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Phone 380 Station, Chester, L.M.S. & G.W.R. Closed by Rank Organisation April 1961 - Never on Sunday. Converted to supermarket, now ‘Superdrug’.

ODEON Northgate Street/Hunter Street (BTH) Opened 3^rd October 1936 - Two’s Company. Architect: Robert Bullivant (Harry Weedon). Builders P. Hamer Ltd., Swinton. Seating 1,628. Projection: British Thomson-Houston type A with type C arcs. 1947 - B.T-H. SUPAs installed. Op. mgr: Harry Yorke (from Odeon Brighton). Props., Odeon Theatres, Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695 9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Continuous from 2 p.m. Prices 9d. to 1s.10d. Stage, one dressing-room. Phone 1573. 50s mgr. Jack Ellis. Tripled 11^th April 1976. Quinned 1991. Still open. Cinemeccanica machines. Stereo - Dolby Digital in Screen 1. New signs in blue 2002. Sold to Brook Leisure on lease-back June 2006.

PARK CINEMA Coronation Street/St. Mark’s Road Saltney Opened 21^st May 1923 - Moriarty. Props., Sydney Harold Booth & Wilfrid Francis Grierson. 489 seats inc. benches - single tier. September 1923 to Park Cinema Saltney Ltd. (same owners). To Deeside Enterprise Cinemas. 30s mgr. Waring. 1933 A. B. Close as proj. - mgr. 1938 to close. By 1941 (BTP) - Prop., Deeside Enterprise Cinemas, Ltd., Bridge House, Queensferry. Phone Connah’s Quay 49. 468 seats. Booked at H.O. Twice nightly. Prices 7d. to 1s. 1d. Proscenium width 26ft. Phone Chester 1430. Station, Saltney G.W.R. Bob Dixon and John Lightfoot, projectionists. Closed 1959, now offices.

PICTUREDROME / CORN EXCHANGE CINEMA / Corn Exchange Eastgate Street Secretary (1907) Opened as cinema 8^th November 1909. Mgr. Will Hunter. 1^st-floor hall. 1922 - Prop. and Man., Will. Hunter. Two shows nightly. One mat, weekly. Two changes weekly. Phone 903. Station, Chester, L.N.W.R. Closed 29^th March 1924. Demolished for Woolworth.

PLAZA CINEMA (Imperial) Props., Deeside Enterprise Cinemas, Ltd., Bridge House, Queensferry (BA) Phone Chester 530. 700 seats. Prices 6d, to 1s. 6d. Continuous Mon. to Fri. evenings, two shows on Sat. Mats., Mon., Thurs. and Sat. Booked at Bridge House, Queensferry. Proscenium width 25ft. Phone Connah’s Quay 49. Station, Queensferry. L.M.S.

PRINCE of WALES’ THEATRE City Road Wooden building. Demolished for Royalty.

Public Hall C. Williams (1907)

ROYALTY THEATRE City Road (No 3) Opened Boxing Day 1882 - Aladdin. Props. Walker, Charlton & Carter. Stage Mgr John Bannister. To Jas W. Carter as sole owner. Milton Bode 1904 to 1932. 1922 - Prop., Milton Bode & Edward Compton. Res. Man., H. Norcott. Phone 271. Station, Chester, G.W.R. 1932 to Edmund Keyes. Royalty Theatre (Chester) Ltd. 1,300 seats. Phone 271. SG46: Royalty, Cap.: Stalls 300, pit 128, D. circle 93, circle 85, gallery 350, boxes four (16 seats). Once nightly 7. Matinées Wednesday and Saturday oc­casionally. Twice nightly 6.15 and 8.20. Plays, musical comedy, variety, revue, Stage: Pros. 28ft., depth 25ft., height under fly galleries 20ft., width between flies 32ft., height of grid 45ft., 30 sets lines. Elec. equip: 230 v. A.C., 50 cycles. Footlights three. Battens four, each with three circuits. Dips five (no dimmers). One spot on stand. Two floods on stands. Two f.o.h. following limes, New electric equipment being installed. Dressing rooms: Nine. Band room, Orchestra: Eight, acc. 10. Resident, Piano, two violins, ‘cello, bass, drums, trumpet, M.D. Amplifying equipment installed. Harry Hanson’s Court Players in 50s. 1957 - auditorium altered. Re-opened 8^th July 1957 - Meet Mr Callaghan. Dennis Critchley director & mgr. 1961 to Ursula Keyes. Closed 1966. Club. Demolished 2001.

Temperance Hall George Street Films season 1897. G. Bailey (1907)

UGC / VIRGIN / MGM / CANNON Greyhound Park, Sealand Road Opened December 1990. 6 screens Opened 18^th December 1990. Mgr. Julie Caden. 6 screens/1,600 seats.

Extra info.: History of Chester Cinema: David A. Ellis and Steve Howe - web-site

 

CHESTERFIELD Derbys

Assembly Rooms G. Preskey (1907)

BRAMPTON COLISEUM Chatsworth Road Opened - converted chapel with porch and box built onto front. 1922 - Prop., Entertainments (Chesterfield), Ltd. Res. Man., R. G. Bates. One show nightly. Continuous on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., Entertainments (Chesterfield) Ltd. Coliseum, Chatsworth Road. Pros width 20′. 450 seats. (1946: 609 seats) Once nightly. Booked by J. Black & T. A. Saxby, Lloyds Bank Chambers, Chesterfield (by appointment). Prices 4d. to 9d. Station, Chesterfield, L.M.S. & L.N.E.R. Still stands as car showroom.

CINEMA HOUSE High Street 1922 - Prop., Cinema (Chesterfield), Ltd. Res. Man., G. H P Craw­shaw. Three shows daily. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. 5d. Phone, Chesterfield 150. Station, Chesterfield, M.R.

CINEWORLD Alma Leisure Park, Derby Road: 10 screens

EMPIRE Whittington Moor Opened by 1914. (Ashley Franklin)

HASLAND CINEMA Mansfield Road (BTH) - Props., The Lyceum (Whittington Moor) Picture and Variety Palace, Ltd., 71 Saltergate, Chesterfield. Phone 2955. 586 seats. Once nightly, two shows. Sat, Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Booked at H.O. Station, Chesterfield, L.M.S.

HIPPODROME / THEATRE ROYAL Opened 1896 - on site of Boswell’s Circus. Architect: Rollinson & Sons. F. Macnaghten (1907) 1937 as Hipp. : (B.T.H.) Terence Byron Theatres Ltd. (Variety) 900 seats. Phone 2335. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., Hippodrome (Chesterfield) Ltd. Lessees, Terence Byron, Ltd, 33, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. 1,000 seats. Pictures and Variety. Booked at Hall. Twice nightly. Prices 8d. to 2s. 3d. Proscenium width 30ft. Stage 28ft. deep; eight dressing-rooms. Phone Chesterfield 2335. Station, Chesterfield . L.M.S. SG46: No matinées. Variety, revue and panto­mime. Closed 1955. Demolished.

LYCEUM Whittington Moor 1922 - Prop., Lyceum Co., Ltd. Res. Man., F. Davis. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Closed 1932. Re-built internally + sound. Re-opened - The Big House. 1937: (B.T.H.) Prop., Lyceum (Whittington Moor) Ltd. Phone Old Whittington 93. By 1941: (BTH) - Prop., Lyceum Co., Ltd. 650 seats. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 4d. to 1s. Station, Whittington Moor, L.M.S. Ballroom at rear. Closed. Bingo. Closed. Stage demolished. Interior rebuilt as offices. Ballroom demolished - car showroom on site.

OXFORD PICTURE PALACE New Whittington 1922 - Prop., Oxford Palace (New Whittington), Ltd. Res. Man., Percy Merrick. One show nightly, three on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. 1937: 650 seats. By 1941: (BTH) Prop., Oxford Palace (New Whitting­ton) Ltd., Chesterfield. 500 seats. Booked at Hall. Once nightly. Phone Old Whittington 61. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Stage, 12ft. deep. Two dressing-rooms. Billiards Hall attached. Station, New Whittington, L.M.S.

PALACE Opened 1910. To cinema post-WWI? By 1941 (BA) - Prop., Holmwood Picture Palace Co., Ltd. 600 seats. Demolished.

POMEGRANATE / CIVIC THEATRE / CORPORATION THEATRE / STEVENSON MEMORIAL HALL Corporation Street Opened 1879. Architects: Smith & Woodhouse, Manchester. 1898 stage & dressing room block added. Re-named Corp. Th c.1904. 1910 stalls floor raked & orch. pit dug. 1922 as Corp Th - Prop., Hippodrome (Chesterfield), Ltd. Res. Man., F. 3. Welchman. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Chesterfield 201. 1937: (B.T.H.) Lessee, Hippodrome Theatres Ltd. 800 seats. Phone 2901. By 1941: (BTH) - Lessees, Hippodrome (Chesterfield) Ltd. 772 seats. Booked at Hall. Continu­ous Mon. to Fri. from 5.50. Two shows on Sat. Mats., Mon., Wed, and Sat. Prices., 6d. to 1s. 3d. Proscenium width 30ft. Six dressing-rooms. Phone Chesterfield 2901. Station, Chesterfield, L.M.S. & L.N.E.R. 1949 Corp. improved & re-named Civic. Architect: E. Bonsall. Still used as theatre. 546 seats.

Public Hall f., G. Preskey (1907)

REGAL / CANNON / ABC / REGAL Cavendish Street (WE) Opened 12^th October 1936 - Follow the Fleet. Architect: J. Owen Bond/ modified W. R. Glen. Organ: Compton 3c/7 with ABC-style illuminated console on lift. 1937 1,996 seats. By 1941 - Prop., Asso­ciated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 7887. 2,048 seats. Continuous. Mats daily. Booked at H.O. Pros width 46ft. Stage, 16ft. Four dressing-rooms. Phone 3333. Station, Chesterfield, L.M.S. Re-named c. 1961. 1965 organ removed. 1971 Closed & re-opened as 484 seats circle. Painted Wagon in stalls. To Cannon 1986 & re-named. To independent & re-named. Closed 19^th April 1993.

VICTORIA PICTURE HOUSE Knifesmith Gate 1922 - Prop., Victoria Enterprises, Ltd. Res. Man., E. P. Heseltine. Three shows daily. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. 5d. Enlarged 1924. 1,500 seats. Talkies 29^th June 1929 - The Singing Fool. 1937: (WE) Prop., J. Covell. 1,190 seats. Phone 2677. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Victoria Enterprises, Ltd. 1,298 seats. Three shows daily. Two changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Booked at Chesterfield. Café and Dance Hall attached. Phone Chesterfield 2677. Station, Chester­field, L.M.S. & L.N.E.R.

WINDING WHEEL / ODEON THEATRE / PICTURE HOUSE Holywell Street Opened 10^th September 1923. 1,559 seats. Café and ballroom attached. Sold to Odeon 1936, 1,639 seats, and re-named 1938. By 1941 - (WE) Prop., Odeon Theatres, Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695-9. Continuous. Mats., Mon., Wed. and Sat. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Café, Restaurant and Dance Hall attached. Prices 9d. to 1s. 6d. Stage. Phone Chesterfield 2791. Station, Chesterfield, L.M.S. Closed to film 17^th October 1981. Taken by Corporation as function centre. Listed Grade II.

 

CHESTER-le-STREET Co. Durham

ESSOLDO / EMPIRE THEATRE and CINEMA Front Street & King’s Head Yard Opened 12^th January 1911. Prop., Chester-le- Street Theatre Co., 1050 seats. Variety-type fly tower. 1922 - Prop., Chester- le-Street Theatre, Ltd. Res. Man., John Oliver. Two shows nightly. Three changes weekly. Prices, 3d. to 9d. Station, Chester-le-Street, N.E.R. Remodelled & re-opened 20 September 1928. Architect: A. H. Fennell. 1929: Chester-le­-Street Picture House Co. Ltd. To Smelt circuit September 1934. By 1941: (BA) -Prop., Smelt’s Theatres, Ltd., 125, Westgate Road, Newcastle, Phone 27987. 950 Seats. Pic­tures and Variety. Films booked at New­castle-on-Tyne. Continuous. Stage, 40ft. deep. Ten dressing rooms. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Proscenium width 32ft. Dance Hall attached. Phone Chester-le-Street 3202. Station, Chester-le-Street, L.N.E.R. Double seats in circle. To Essoldo & re-named December 1946. Closed 16^th January 1971. Foyer & crush hall demolished c.1971.To Classic 2^nd April 1972 - not re-opened. Demolished 1979.

HIPPODROME Market Place Opened 8^th Feb 1911. Prop., John Stoker, jnr. Responsible mgr J. Harris. ?Closed 1917.

Mechanics’ Institute F. J. Gray (1907)

New Co-operative Hall J. Pringle (1907)

PALACE CINEMA THEATRE / PICTURE PALACE Low Chare Opened 22^nd December 1919. 700 seats. 1922 as Pal Pics - Prop., Adam Dixon. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Station, Chester-le-Street, N.E.R. 1932 to Edwards Entertainments. By 1941: (RCA) - Prop, & Man., T. H. Worley, Sea View House, Tantobie, Newcastle, 1,300 seats. Booked at Hall. Two shows nightly and Mats. Prices 8d. to 1s. 2d. Phone Chester-le-Street 80. Station, Chester-­le-Street, L.N.E.R. To Essoldo 26^th February 1947. Closed c.June 1960 OR 66. Demolished.

QUEEN’S / QUEEN’S HALL South Burns (WE) Opened 13 May 1931, Architect A. H. Fennell. Owner J. Lovett (Cestrian). 1^st mgr: Tommy Turnbull. By 1941 - Prop., Cestrian Entertainments, Ltd. 1,313 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 6d. to 1s. Proscenium width 39ft. Phone Chester-le-Street 2209. Station, Chester-le­-Street, L.N.E.R. To Essoldo 1958. Closed to film September 1967. Bingo. Gutted by fire 28^th February1994. Demolished.

SAVOY CINEMA / CHESTER 52-54 Front Street Opened 14^th March 1921. Prop., Chester-le-Street Picture House Co., 700 seats. To Smelt circuit September 1934. By 1941: (BA) -Props., Smelt’s Theatres, Ltd., 125 Westgate Road, Newcastle. Phone Newcastle 27887. 612 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 8d. to 10d. Proscenium width 22ft. Phone Chester-le-Street 3202. To Essoldo December 1946. 612 seats in 1956. Closed 1960. Demolished.

STAR 1910 - 1912.

THEATRE ROYAL Mrs. A. Denville (1907)

CHESTERTON Cambs

GEM CINEMA 1922 - Prop., E. J. Mason. Head office, Livingstone Hotel, Cambridge Res. man., F. G. Mason. Two changes weekly. Prices, 9d. to 1s. 6d.

RENDEZVOUS 1922 - Prop. E. J. Mason Head Office, Livingstone Hotel. Res. man., F. G. Mason. Twice weekly. Prices, 8d. to 2s. 4d. ‘Phone, Cambridge 1169.

CHESTERTON Staffs

ALEXANDRA / PICTURE HOUSE High Lane/Heathcote Street Built as Miners’ Hall 1858. Salvation Army. 1919 converted to cinema. Prop., Geo., Berrisford, Tunstall. Mgr. Samuel White. 1925 bankruptcy closure. To Shemilt Bros & re-named. Talkies 16^th April 1930 - The Singing Fool. By 1941: (Morrison Special) Prop., Shemilt Bros. 500 seats. Booked at Granville, Woodland Ave., High Lane, Burslem. Continuous. Prices 4d. to 1s. Proscenium width 45ft. Station, Longport, L.M.S. & by Potteries Transport. CinemaScope. Closed 1971. Later demolished with area.

VICTORIA PALACE Victoria Street Licensed 31^st July 1912. Prop., Chesterton Cnematograph Co. 1922 - Prop., Chesterton Cinema Co., Ltd. Res. Man., Albert Stockton. Continuous. Mat. Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Longport, N.S.R., 250 miles. By 1930 prop. R. G. Grant. Pictures & variety. Prices, 3d. to 8d. Stage 8ft. deep; 3 dressing rooms. Closed c.1931. By 1937 - billiard hall & storage. Late 1960s, bingo to 1989 at least.

CHICHESTER Sussex

Assembly Rooms f., W. A. Beatson (1907)

CHICHESTER CINEMA New Park Road: Seats: 126

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE and Minerva Studio Theatre Oaklands Park: Seats: 214

CINEWORLD Chichester Gate: 10 screens/ 1,900 seats;

GAUMONT Eastgate Square Opened 1937. Architect: Harry Weston. 1,300 seats. Prop., Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids . Closed 1950s, became pool.

GRANADA / EXCHANGE THEATRE / POOLE’S PICTURES / Corn Exchange East Street f., J. W. Jacobs (1907) Opened May 1910 as full-time cinema. 1922 as PP - Prop. & Res. Man., Felix Somers. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Phone, Chichester 184. Station, Chichester, L.B. & S.C.R. Rebuilt internally 1927. Architects: G. S. Hall & G. de Wild. By 1941: (RCA) - Props., London & District Cinemas, Ltd., Capitol Cinema, Church Street, Epsom, Surrey. Phone Epsom 9876. 800 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Phone Chichester 407. Station, Chichester, S.R. Bought by Granada 1946 and re-vamped by Robert Cromie. Re-opened as Granada 1948. 900 seats. Closed as cinema 9th August 1980. Stands as fast-food outlet.

Institute f., H. G. Slates (1907)

ODEON / PLAZA (WE) South Street - Opened 1936 as total reconstruction on Picturedrome site. Architect: Andrew Mather. 1,063 seats. Prop., County Cinemas. By 1941 - Prop., County Cinemas, Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Bucks. Continuous. Two changes weekly, Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Café attached, Phone Chichester 2808. Station, Chichester, S.R. Renamed Odeon 1945. Closed 1960. To Fine Fare, now Iceland.

OLYMPIA ELECTRIC THEATRE Northgate Opened May 1911. 1921 - Prop., Chichester Olympia, Ltd. Res. Man., H. E. Terry. Two shows nightly, mat. Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Chichester 159. Station, Chichester, L.B. & S.C.R. Closed by fire Monday 6^th February 1922. ‘Bus garage. Later: To Let.

PICTUREDROME South Street 1922 - Prop., Picture­drome, Chichester, Ltd. Res. Man., N. Ahatt. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 4d. Phone, Chichester 208. Station, Chichester. Closed for rebuild as Plaza.

THEATRE

CHINGFORD Essex

NEW DORIC / DORIC / CHINGFORD CINEMA / CHINGFORD PAVILION Station Road Opened 14^th October 1920. 545 seats. Leased to Sydney C. Berrill. Sound 1929. To Miss L. Purcell. To Cinema Houses Ltd. By 1940: Norbert Theatres Ltd. Doric from 30^th May 1941. Closed July 1957. Re-opened as New Doric 23^rd January 1959. Closed early 60s. Demolished. Offices.

HIGHAMS PARK ELECTRIC THEATRE Hale End Road Highams Park Opened 1^st April 1911. Architect W. A. Lewis. Prop./builder O. H. Watling. 550 seats. 20s: Props. Lironi & Cundy. By 1928: Regal Cinemas Ltd. & re-named. Improved by A. W. & R. B. Green by 1933. Closed for re-building 1935.

REGAL Opened 1935. Rebuild & enlargement of Electric. Architects: Howes & Jackman. Organ: Rutt 3c/6 with surround on lift. 900 seats. Café. 1945: Norbert Theatres Ltd. 1963: To Astoria Films (London) Ltd & closed 11^th September. Bingo. February-April 1964 - films & bingo. Now bingo & snooker club.

CLASSIC / ODEON 6-8 Cherrydown Avenue Opened Monday 9^th September 1935 - Bright Eyes. Architect: Andrew Mather. 1,208 stadium seats. To Classic December 1967. Closed 3^rd June 1972 - The Love Bug and Sammy, the Way Out Seal. Demolished. Supermarket on site.

CHIPPENHAM Wilts

REEL / ASTORIA / CANNON / STUDIO / ASTORIA Marshfield Road (WE) Opened Monday 22^nd May 1939. Architect: W. H. Watkins. Prop. Astoria Cinema Co. - E. Harris. 1,108 seats. Pros. 42 ft. wide. CinemaScope. To Star circuit & re-named. Split - stalls bingo, twins upstairs 215 seats each. To Cannon & re-named. To Picturedrome Cinemas - Peter Walker & re-named 14^th January 1994. To Reel Cinemas January 2006. Still open 2 screens & bingo. Re-named February 2007.

CLASSIC / ODEON / GAUMONT PALACE Timber Hill (BA) Opened 14^th November 1937 - It’s Love Again. Architect: W. E. Trent, with W. S. Trent. Props., Gaumont-British Corpn., Ltd. (Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd.) London. 1,086 seats. Prices 9d. to 1s. 6d. Booked at H.O. Continuous from 2.15 daily (closed on Sun.). Two changes weekly. Phone Wilts 203911. Proscenium width 30ft. Four dressing rooms. Station, Chippenham, G.W.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. Re-named Gaumont. Re-named Odeon. To Classic & re-named 1967. 976 seats. Closed to film 27^th April 1974 - Fist of Fury and Hero Bunker. Storage. Nightclub. Demolished except for façade 2005.

NEELD HALL Cap. 600. Prop., Neeld family. Leased to council. 1941: Prop., Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd., 123 Regent Street., London. W1.

New Hall f., A. Lawrence; (1907)

PALACE THEATRE Station Hill Built as skating rink c.1909. Cinema c.1912. Pictures & variety. Stage 20′ deep. 1922 - Prop., Pro­vincial Cinematograph Theatres, Ltd. Res. Man., A. J. Lewis. One show nightly, two on Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 7d. to 1s. 6d. Phone 35. Station, Chippenham, G.W.R. 1931: Props. Provincial Cinema Theatres Ltd. Closed when Gaumont Palace opened. Demolished.

Temperance Hall Thos. Mills. (1907)

VICTORIA CINEMA

 

CHIPPING NORTON Oxon

Co-operative Hall J. Carrington, (1907)

REGENT / RITZ / NEW CINEMA New Street (BTP) - Prop., New Cinema (Chipping Norton) Ltd. 506 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices., 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Chipping Norton 141. Closed 1973, now demolished.

PICTURE HOUSE / Norton Hall London Road Opened as cinema 1912. By 1941: (BA) Prop., T. W. Grant, 6a, London Road, Chipping Norton. 300 seats. Booked at Hall, Continuous. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Chipping Norton 9. Station, Chip­ping Norton. G.W.R. Motor Transport. Closed 1951.

Town Hall f., T. Mace; (1907)

The Theatre Spring Street: Seats: 213 cinema & theatre

 

CHIPPING SODBURY Glos

PICTURE HOUSE 1922 - Prop. &Res Man,, John Penglaze., One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 5d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Chipping Sodhury 30. Station, Chipping Sodbury, G.W.R.

CHISLEHURST Kent

The CINEMA Albany Road (Imperial) Opened c.1931. Architect J. B. Farringro. Prop., C. Cripps. 262 seats. 1940s price, 1s. to 2/6. Closed December 1960, now church.

St. Mary’s Hall (1907)

Village Hall (1907)

 

CHOPPINGTON Northumb

MEMORIAL CINEMA (Electrocord) Stakeford - 200 seats.

PICTURE HOUSE Stakeford.

STAR PICTURE HALL Scotland Gate 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., J. Craggs. One show nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 9d. Station, Choppington, N.E.R.

CHOPWELL Co. Durham

KING GEORGE HALL Opened April 1911. Burned down post WWI. Re-built on same site as King’s.

KING’S CINEMA / KING’S THEATRE Opened 1921. 1922 - Prop., King’s Picture Hall Co. Res. Man., J. Cheeseman. Two shows nightly Mon. & Sat., one rest of week. Two changes weekly. Phone, Chopwell 4. Station, High Westwood, N.E.R. 1929 as K’s T: John Cheeseman, mgr. 900 seats. To Chopwell Cinema Co., 1 Lesbury Terrace. Booked by George Stoddart. By 1941: (BTP) Props., G.E. & W. F. F. Craven, Albert Hall, Stanley. 704 seats. Prices 5d. to 10d. Booked at Newcastle. Continuous. Stage, 2 dressing-rooms. Phone Chopwell 227. Station, Ebchester, L.N.E.R. Licensed to T. R. Murray 5^th January 1961 - 5^th January 1967. Closed January OR May 1967.

VICTORIA CINEMA / Victoria Hall Opened late 1912. Cap. 500. Licensed to Robert Trotter 1934 to close. By 1941: (AWH) - Props., Trotter & Murray. 450 seats. Twice nightly, Mon. and Sat. Once nightly rest of week. Prices 2d. to 1s. Proscenium width 36ft. Station, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Closed & converted to dance hall 1948.

CHORLEY Lancs

GRAND THEATRE Wooden building. George Testo Santé (real name Mulhall) (1907) Burned down 1914.

HIPPODROME Gillibrand Street 1922 KYB. By1941: (WE) Prop. Snape & Ward, 14 John Dalton Street, Manchester, Phone Blackfriars 3831. 900 seats. Booked at Empire. Twice nightly. Mat., Sat, Prices 4d. to 1s. Proscenium width 26ft. Phone 247. Station, Chorley L.M.S.

LITTLE THEATRE / EMPIRE Dole Lane Opened c.1900. Converted to cine-variety 1912. 1922 - Res. Man. A. Hooley. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Station, Chorley, L. & Y.R. By 1941: (WE) - Prop., Snape & Ward, 14 John Dalton Street, Manchester, Phone Blackfriars 3731. 800 seats. Booked at Hall. Two shows nightly. Mat. Mon., Wed., and Sat. Prices 4d. to 1s. Proscenium width 26ft. Phone 2747. Station, Chorley L.M.S. Sold to local amateurs 1959. £2,000. Now amateur theatre, with occasional film society presentation. New rolling screen January 2007.

ODEON THEATRE Market Street (BTH) Opened 21^st February 1938 - The Sky’s The Limit. Architect: P. J. Price (Harry Weedon). 1,526 seats. Props., Odeon (Chorley) Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks. Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Prices 8d. to 1s. 6d. Continuous from 6.15 p.m., separate shows Sat. evening. Mats., Mon., Wed, Sat. Stage, 42ft. by 22ft. Phone 2660. Closed 6^th February 1971 - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Sold to Tudor. Bingo from 1973.

PAVILION CINEMA Salisbury Street 1922 - Prop. & Res. Man., W. Howarth. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 4d. to 1s. Phone, Chorley 262. Station, Chorley, L. & Y.R. By 1941: (BTP) - Props., Hooley’s Cinemas (Chorley) Ltd. 900 seats. Booked at Hall. Twice nightly. Mats., Mon., Wed. and Sat. Prices 4d. to 1s. Phone Chorley 2762. Stage, 16½ft. deep; 2 dressing rooms. Width of proscenium, 30ft. Station, Chorley L.M.S. or Auto Road Service. Closed. Other use.

PLAZA (WE) Opened 1936/7. Architects: W. & S. Bradley, LL.R.I.B.A. 1,300 seats. By 1941 - Prop., David Forrester Theatres Ltd., 46 Old Bond Street, London W1. 1,320 seats. Pictures, continuous; Variety twice nightly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 9d. Booked at Manchester. Proscenium width 40ft. Stage 29ft.; five dressing rooms. Café and Dance lounge. Phone 2037. Station, Chorley L.M.S. Closed. In other uses. Gym. Lease expired 2005. Empty. 2006 for sale or to let.

THEATRE ROYAL Market Street Opened 1911. 1922 - Prop., Chorley Theatre Co., Ltd. Res. Man., J. Grime. Two shows nightly. Mat., Mon.. Wed. & Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 4d. to 1s. Station, Chorley, L. & Y.R. To ABC c.1932. ?converted to cinema. 896 seats. To Hooley’s c.1938. By 1941: (WE) Props., Hooley’s Cinemas (Chorley) Ltd., Pavilion Cinema. 850 seats. Continuous from 6.15 p.m. Mat., Mon., Wed. and Sat. Booked at Hall. Prices 5d. to 1s. Width of proscenium 30ft. Stage depth 30ft., 4 dressing-rooms. Phone 2484. Station, Chorley, L.M.S & Auto Road Service. Also staged pro. pantos. Closed c.1957. Demolished 1960.

Town Hall f., W. Leigh (1907)

 

CHORLTON-cum-HARDY Lancs

GAUMONT / SAVOY / PICTURE HOUSE / MAJESTIC Manchester Road/Nicholas Road Opened c.August 1919. Mgr. Tom Newell. 1,200 seats. To PCT 1919 & re-named Pic Hse. Opened 8^th November 1920. Prop., PCT. Leased & renamed Savoy by ABC. 1,500 seats. 1941: (RCA) -Prop., Associated British Cinemas, Ltd., 30-31 Golden Square, London W1. Phone Gerrard 7887. 1,500 seats. Continuous. Mat., Mon., Wed. and Sat. Phone 3708. Station, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, C.L.C. To Gaumont, re-named & re-opened 1946. 1,250 seats. Closed 6^th January 1962. Now Co-op undertakers.

PALACE / PALAIS de LUXE Barlow Moor Road Opened May 1914. 1940: (WE) Props., Palais De Luxe (Chorlton) Ltd. Gen. & Bkg. Man., Sam Parkinson. 1,200 seats. Continuous. Three shows Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices 6d. to 1s. 3d. Phone Chorlton 635. 1941: Props., Cinemas (Chorlton) Ltd., Imperial Buildings, 7 Oxford Road, Manchester. 744 seats. Booked at H.O. Phone 3635. Station, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, L.M.S. Closed 14^th December 1957. Co-op supermarket.

PAVILION THEATRE Wilbraham Road Opened 1904. Cinema from 1912. Closed & demolished 1916

SHALIMAR / CLASSIC / ESSOLDO / RIVOLI Barlow Moor Road (RCA) Opened 20 November 1936. Architect: Benjamin Waterhouse. Prop., Ben Kanter, 38 Deansgate, Manchester. Phone Bla 9084. 1,530 seats. Prices 6d. to 1s. 3d. Continuous Mon. to Fri. Twice nightly Sat. Booked at H.O. Proscenium width 48ft. Stage 12ft. deep; six dressing-rooms. Phone 2542. Station, Chorlton, C.L.C. 1940 - bomb damage. Requisitioned by Ministry of Food. Re-opened 17^th November 1954. To Essoldo 20^th March 1955. To Classic with circuit 2^nd April 1972. Tripled 23^rd November 1973 - 1: 400; 2:196; 3: 193. Classic 3 closed 15^th April 1978. Skateboard centre. Classic 2 closed 15^th December 1978. Classsic 1 re-named Shalimar 1^st March 1979. Closed c.1982. Demolished. Shops on site.

Skating rink Oswald Road Cinema c.1912

THEATRE ROYAL Opened 1911. Closed or converted to cinema 1925. Demolished 1960.

CHRISTCHURCH Hants

REGENT High Street (WE) Opened Boxing Day 1931. 1941 - Props., Portsmouth Town Cinemas, Ltd., Shaftesbury Cinema Portsmouth. Phone Portsmouth 4976. 676 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Mats., Wed. and Sat. One show Sunday. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Phone 153. Station, Christchurch, S.R. Regent Centre film/ bingo split. Re-furbished 2007.

ROYAL / PAVILION THEATRE / New GAIETY PICTURE HOUSE Bargates 1922 - Prop., G. Elliott. Res. man., Miss H. Young. Two shows nightly. Two changes weekly. Prices, 9d. to 1s. 3d. Station, Christchurch, L.S.W.R. Now British Legion Club

Town Hall f., The Mayor (1907)

 

CHUDLEIGH Devon -

Town Hal1 L. Symis (1907)

 

CHURCH nr. Accrington Lancs

QUEEN’S HALL (BTP) - Prop., Queen’s Hall (Church) Ltd. 710 seats. Booked at Hall by John Wilson. Twice nightly. Three shows Sat. Prices 5d. to 8d. Prosc. width 27ft. Phone Accrington 2291. Station Church L.M.S.

 

CHURCH STRETTON Shropshire

REGAL Sandford Ave (BTP) Opened 1934. Props., Craven Cinemas, Ltd., Craven Arms, Shropshire. Tel. 78. 296 seats. Once nightly. Prices 9d. to 1s. 10d. Proscenium width 21ft. Booked at Craven Arms. Phone 132. Station, Church Stretton G.W.R. & L.M.S. Closed 1963.

 

CINDERFORD Glos.

CINEMA 1922 - Prop., M. E. Jacobs. Res. Man., G. Rogers. One show nightly, two on Sat., Two changes weekly. Station, Cinderford, G.W.R.

New Public Hall f., A. N. Dykins (1907)

NEW THEATRE Opened 1913. To Albany Ward circuit. Burned down 1919. Rebuilt as Palace.

PALACE Belle Vue Road (BA) - Prop., Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd. 123 RegentStreet, London W1. Phone Regent 8080. 450 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous from 5 p.m. Mat., Sat. Prices 8d. to 1s. 6d. Phone Cinderford 3177. Station, Cinderford, G.W.R.

Town Hall f., Secretary (1907)

 

CIPPENHAM

ESSOLDO / COMMODORE Bath Road (BTH) Opened 30^th November 1938. Prop. Commodore Super Cinema (Slough) Ltd. By 1941: Prop., General Cinema Theatres (Slough) Ltd. Organ: Hammond LaFleur 2m electronic. 1,480 seats. Pros. 45ft. wide, stage 17ft. deep; 4 dressing rooms. Café and dance hall attached. To Essoldo October 1949 & renamed April 1950. Closed to film 12^th OR 20^th March 1965 - South Pacific. Bingo. Demolished.

 

CIRENCESTER Glos

ABC / REGAL Lewis Lane (RCA) Opened 29^th November 1937 - Start Cheering and Mad About Music. Architect: Harold S. Scott. Props., Regal (Cirencester) Ltd., 89, Cornwall Street, Birmingham. Phone Central 7145/6. op mgr. G. F. West. 1,008 seats. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Continuous evenings. Mats., Mon., Thurs. and Sat. Two shows nan, Strum. Booked by V. J. Oliver, The Savoy, 687 Stratford Road, Birmingham. Proscenium width 34ft. Phone 421. Station, Cirencester Town. G.W.R. and Cirencester (Watermoor) G.W.R. Fitted ‘Ardente’ Deaf Aids. 2 screens. Closed 1977 for Bingo. Closed 27^th November 2003.

Apsley Hall f., Harry Roads

Corn Hall f., F. H. Sealy; [2 screens; by mid 2003 funding still in doubt]

PICTURE HOUSE and THEATRE Market Place 1922 as PH - Prop., Albany Ward, Res. Man., George Kasoni. Two shows Mon., Thurs., Sat. One show Tues., Wed., Fri., Mat. Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 7d. to 2s. Phone 70. By 1941: (BA) - Props., Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd. Booked at New Gallery House, 123 Regent Street, London W1. Continuous. Stage 20ft. deep. Prices 9d. to 2s. 6d. Phone Cirencester 70. Station, Cirencester, G.W.R.

 

CLACTON-on-SEA Essex

Butlin’s GAIETY THEATRE Opened with camp 1938. 1,500 seats. Closed with camp September 1983. Empty. Demolished.

Butlin’s PLAYHOUSE THEATRE Opened c.1958. Rep., film, and children’s theatre. Demolished c1986.

Children’s Theatre (seasonal)

FLICKS / CENTURY / CORONET-CENTURY / MECCA / CLASSIC / ESSOLDO / 20^th CENTURY THEATRE Pier Avenue (WE) Opened July 1936. Architect: G. H. B. Gould. Props., Twentieth Century Cinemas, Ltd. (Lou Morris) 80/82 Wardour Street, London W1. Booked at H.O. Con­tinuous. 1,078 seats. Organ, Christie 3/7 with surround on lift. Prices 6d. to 2s. 6d. Occasional Variety. Proscenium width 40ft. Stage and six dressing rooms. Café attached. Phone Clacton 1188. Station, Clacton L.N.E.R. To Essoldo 1948. Organ to Ipswich chapel 1967. To Classic 2^nd April 1972. To Mecca 1974: split for bingo in stalls and twin cinemas in circle & circle foyer - 1: 625; 2: 125. To Coronet 1986. Cinemas operated as Flicks One and Two by Jasmine, later Gala. Still open: Seats: 1: 600 2: 187

JOLLY ROGER THEATRE (seasonal)

KINEMA / KINEMA GRAND / KINEMA / KINEMA HALL West Avenue - Opened July 1913 - Quo Vadis? Prop., Letchworth Cinema Co Ltd. 675 seats. 1922 as Kinema Grand, Prop., Letchworth Cinema Co. Ltd. Res., Man., A. Collins. Continuous. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 3d. Phone, Clacton 81. Station, Clacton, G.E.R. By 1941: (AWH) Prop., Capt. E. R. F. Pennell, D.F.C. 700 seats. Booked at Hall. Continuous. Prices 6d to 2s. Phone Clacton 81. Station, Clacton-on­-Sea, L.N.E.R. To Twentieth Century Cinemas (Lou Morris). To Essoldo 1948. Closed & demolished 1962. Shop.

OCEAN THEATRE (seasonal)

Osborne Assembly Hall f. (1907)

PALACE THEATRE Marine Parade West Opened 1906 as part of Palace of Light complex. 950 seats. Cinema 1933 - summer season. Prop., Capt. E. R. F. Pennell. Closed at WWII. Post-war: Roller skating. Waxworks. Demolished 1974. Hospital extension.

Pier Pavilion (1907)

PLAZA / ELECTRIC / WRIGHT’S ELECTRIC THEATRE / ELECTRIC THEATRE Old Road Great Clacton Opened August 1922. Prop., S. E. Crees. Stage, dressing rooms. 1926: To Charles Wright. Early 30s: props. Rainsbury & Williams (Eldorado Cinemas Ltd.) Taken over by 20^th Century 1936. By 1941: (Mihaly) - ­Prop., 20^th Century Cinemas, Ltd., 80 Wardour Street, London W1. 450 seats. Booked at H.O. Continuous. Mat., Wed. and Sat. Prices 6d. to 1s. Phone Clacton 228. Station, Clacton-on-Sea, L.N.E.R. Re-named Plaza. Closed c.1941. 1947: Suswin clothing factory to at least 1995.

SALON / ODEON THEATRE West Avenue/Jackson Road (BTH) Opened Saturday 30^th May 1936 - Jack of all Trades. Architect: T. Cecil Howitt. 1,214 semi-stadium seats. Props., Odeon Theatres, Ltd., Old County Cinema, Marlow, Bucks, Phone Marlow 695-9. Booked at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berks. Continuous from 2p.m. Prices 9d. to 2s.6d. Stage. Phone Clacton 1103. Closed 8^th November 1975 - Bite The Bullet. Taken by Noel Farrell & renamed 3^rd June 1977 - A Star Is Born. Closed 30^th November 1980 - Hanger 18. Empty. Demolished 1984. Shops.

SAVOY / TIVOLI/ OPERETTA HOUSE C. Macdona (1907) Opened 1894 - originally part of the old Town Hall building. Early picture 1905. Modernised as cinema April 1911. Lessee William Jury. Later prop. Frederick’s Electric Theatres. 1920 - full-time cinema. 1922 - Prop., Frederick’s Electric Theatres, Ltd.. Res. Man,, Will Browning. Continuous. Mat. Wed, and Sat. Two changes weekly. Prices, 6d. to 1s. 6d. Phone, Clacton 38. Station, Clacton-on-Sea, G.E.R. September 1924 re-named Tivoli. Eldorado Theatres, then 20^th Century Theatres. 783 seats. Closed during WWII. Re-opened as Savoy Theatre 1951. Closed. Bingo. Now Savoy nightclub.

TOWN HALL THEATRE (PRINCE’S) SG46: Prop.: Clacton Urban District Council, Town Hall, Clacton. Bookings: The Entertainments Manager, Chas. H. C. Doré. Cap.: Stalls 400, pit stalls 400, D. circle 250. Once nightly. Matinées Wednesday and Saturday. Repertory, variety, pantomime. Stage: Prosc. 40ft., height 24ft., min. depth from setting line 18ft. Counter­weight gear installed. 24 lines. Elec. equip.: 200-240 v. A.C. Footlights three circuits with ind.