From the BBC news report 10/Sept/05 :- “Now the hope is that the French Quarter’s lure of history, food and music can become a catalyst for regeneration. Plans are being drawn up to retain historic areas of the city while rebuilding residential areas on higher ground and regenerating old wetlands to reduce the risk of future flooding. High quality transport links and projects to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty in New Orleans are high on most agendas. Bringing business and tourism back to the region is equally important.”
Clearly the BBC and the Authorities in NO are having “jollies” too!!!
“I would sign a demolition permit for this building if it meant all those people could get their homes and lives back”
What a load of pretentious nonsense! Yes, of course the human suffering is a tragedy. But the demolition of the Saenger would help no-one. The exact opposite in fact. Without the Casinos, restaurants, theatres, and old-French quarter the city would not attract the tourists who provide employment for the citizens of the city. In order to help restore their lives what remains of the history and culture of the place must be brought back – at the same time as the homes. NOW is exactly the time to start talking about restoration and that IS showing respect.
This was built in 1991 as a alternative to sub-dividing the next-door Regent Theatre (an ex Gaumont/PCT property which had been renamed Odeon). This glorious building continues on live usage. There was also a purpose built Odeon opened in 1936 in Lloyds Avenue which survives on Bingo.
Odeon (Lloyds Ave) Opened 1936. Tripled 1975. Closed 1982. Bingo.
Odeon (St Helens St) Opened as Regent 1929. Gaumont 1950. Odeon 1987. Closed 1991. Live theatre (back as Regent).
Odeon (St Margarets St) Opened 1991. Closed 2005. Derelict.
The seating capacity was increased in 1935 when the theatre was remodelled (it would have seated around 1,200 by present day standards before alteration) because much of the stage area was included in the the redesigned cinema. The figure of 1,509 for the Dorchester is taken from the 1943 Kinematograph Year Book. This also gives the proscenium width as 35 feet.
A 1989 photo of the buildings exterior with the cine-bingo signage here
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Interior photo after closure as a cinema here
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Exterior photo from 1980’s (as bingo hall) here
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Photo of exterior from 1989 here
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Exterior photo here:
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Exterior photo of Haggars here:
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Photo (as bingo hall) here:
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Photo of extreior dating from late 1980’s here:
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More photo’s of the Plaza can be found
here for an exterior shot in around 1988
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and here for an interior shot in
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Also a longer delay before the movie is issued on DVD would help encourage attendances in cinemas.
Recent pictures of the Hammersmith Apollo can found
Exterior
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Foyer
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Auditorium
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and auditorium again
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A recent interior photograph of the auditorium can be seen here
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Photographs of the demolition can be found here
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and in happier days an interior shot here
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The Roxy closed in September as planned and is currently boarded up awaiting demolition.
Recent exterior shot here
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and an interior on the same day
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Another exterior shot here
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and an interior shot here
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Interior – pre-subdivision – shot including the organ here
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Interior shot of the Maindee as a bingo hall here
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Exterior photo here
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Exterior photo as a bingo hall here
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Pictures at HERE
and
HERE
From the BBC news report 10/Sept/05 :-
“Now the hope is that the French Quarter’s lure of history, food and music can become a catalyst for regeneration. Plans are being drawn up to retain historic areas of the city while rebuilding residential areas on higher ground and regenerating old wetlands to reduce the risk of future flooding. High quality transport links and projects to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty in New Orleans are high on most agendas. Bringing business and tourism back to the region is equally important.”
Clearly the BBC and the Authorities in NO are having “jollies” too!!!
“I would sign a demolition permit for this building if it meant all those people could get their homes and lives back”
What a load of pretentious nonsense! Yes, of course the human suffering is a tragedy. But the demolition of the Saenger would help no-one. The exact opposite in fact. Without the Casinos, restaurants, theatres, and old-French quarter the city would not attract the tourists who provide employment for the citizens of the city. In order to help restore their lives what remains of the history and culture of the place must be brought back – at the same time as the homes. NOW is exactly the time to start talking about restoration and that IS showing respect.
This was built in 1991 as a alternative to sub-dividing the next-door Regent Theatre (an ex Gaumont/PCT property which had been renamed Odeon). This glorious building continues on live usage. There was also a purpose built Odeon opened in 1936 in Lloyds Avenue which survives on Bingo.
Odeon (Lloyds Ave) Opened 1936. Tripled 1975. Closed 1982. Bingo.
Odeon (St Helens St) Opened as Regent 1929. Gaumont 1950. Odeon 1987. Closed 1991. Live theatre (back as Regent).
Odeon (St Margarets St) Opened 1991. Closed 2005. Derelict.
The seating capacity was increased in 1935 when the theatre was remodelled (it would have seated around 1,200 by present day standards before alteration) because much of the stage area was included in the the redesigned cinema. The figure of 1,509 for the Dorchester is taken from the 1943 Kinematograph Year Book. This also gives the proscenium width as 35 feet.
Ian (of Interludes !)