I'd been after this old gal for ages, she'd been tightly sealed up since the cinema closed in Summer 2006, forlornly waiting for her future to be decided. After several fails, and one partial success I finally persuaded the new owners, after much persistence, to let me have a poke about
Built in 1937 as part of Oscar Deutsch's Odeon Theatres Ltd (his motto, "Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation") the cinema has the deliciously art deco stylings the Odeons are famed for. It was designed by Robert Bullivant, of Harry Weedon's firm of architects and completed at a cost of £60,000.
Originally the cinema had seating for 1484 people, 934 in the stalls and 550 in the balcony. As cinema audiences dwindled The Odeon was divided into a triple screen affair in 1972, with 2 smaller screens, each seating 111, built into the rear stalls area of the main cinema. Screen 1, as it became, lost its balcony effect and this layout remains today.
The Odeon group closed the cinema in 2006, despite good audiences and lots of local protest. Fortunately the Reel Cinema group, having bought the building after it closed, have refurbished the cinema and it is now up and running again.
The building was given Grade II listing in 1981 and as part of this the original signage has to be retained. Good call!
The main auditorium
The smaller screens were in the process of having the chairs removed for cleaning
And finally in a dingy backroom...
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9 replies to this topic
#1
Trousercowboy
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- UKx Admin
- 2,974 posts
Morley Consolidation Crew
Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:27 PM
I was bangin' 7 gram rocks, that's how I roll
#2
Pixie
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- UKx Member
- 491 posts
- LocationPreston
Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:31 PM
THAT is frikken ace, what a lovely find !!!
“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.”... Cecil Beaton
#3
Sinnerman
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- UKx Member
- 290 posts
- LocationSouth Wales
Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:31 PM
very nice is it still about
Forlorn Britain
www.forlornbritain.co.uk
www.forlornbritain.co.uk
#4
ceejam
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- UKx Member
- 1,411 posts
- Locationruncorn
Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:36 PM
That looks fantastic, 
I can see why you were so determined to see it,
It must have been huge before it was split into smaller auditoriums.
I can see why you were so determined to see it,
It must have been huge before it was split into smaller auditoriums.
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
I've got the brain of a four year old. I'll bet he was glad to be rid of it.
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
I've got the brain of a four year old. I'll bet he was glad to be rid of it.
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
#5
evilnoodle
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- UKx Member
- 1,726 posts
Posted 07 February 2011 - 09:47 PM
Very nice report, Mr Cowboy
Life is like photography........you develop from the negatives.
The more I know about people, the better I like my dog - Mark Twain.
The more I know about people, the better I like my dog - Mark Twain.
#6
TripleD
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- UKx Newbie
- 7 posts
Posted 23 February 2011 - 06:39 PM
My first post! I know this cinema well and have chewed popcorn many times within. I was really sad when it closed. Good to see it has been looked after and had investment. I always find closed down cinema's particularly tragic.
#7
Mex
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- UKx Admin
- 3,282 posts
Feriens tego
- LocationCaspian Border
Posted 23 February 2011 - 06:56 PM
Love it mate, not seen it before either have you posted it before? Shame someone nicked the best half of the Emanuel poster lol
If you don't believe in something then you'll fall for anything
#9
MattDonut
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- UKx Member
- 775 posts
FuckTard
- LocationBangladesh
Posted 23 February 2011 - 07:07 PM
stunning report !!
love the film shot
love the film shot
#10
Trousercowboy
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- UKx Admin
- 2,974 posts
Morley Consolidation Crew
Posted 23 February 2011 - 07:31 PM
Cheers peeps
Yep it was in NP mate
Love it mate, not seen it before either have you posted it before? Shame someone nicked the best half of the Emanuel poster lol
Yep it was in NP mate
I was bangin' 7 gram rocks, that's how I roll
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: cinema, odeon, York, projectors
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