Odeon Southampton
75 Above Bar,
Southampton,
SO14 7FF
75 Above Bar,
Southampton,
SO14 7FF
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I remember my parents taking me to Southampton Odeon in the late 1950’s and during the interval my shock at this loud noise coming from underground……….To my surprise and for the first time ever I saw a huge illuminated Compton Organ rising from the front of the stage. I will never forget it. Later after joining Rank Theatres I remember having a free Dinner in the restaurant several months before it closed in 1972. Attaching an original advert which was used to advertise the Southampton Odeon Restaurant.
Another view of the Odeon here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4495903181/
Notes from “100 Years of Cinema in Southampton” by Patrick Hayward;
The Odeon’s (former Regal) much popular cafe, situated at balcony level, was sorely missed when it closed in the 1970’s.
Interestingly, it was the last cinema cafe to close in England!
Back in 1951, I had just returned to Southampton from a five month holiday with relatives in Long Island, New York.
Before my July departure, I saw “Ma & Pa Kettle Back on the Farm” at the (now gone) Corona Theatre in Elmhurst.
And guess what was playing on board the Queen Mary while crossing the Atlantic? Yes, “Ma & Pa”… And what opened at the Odeon just after I got home? How did you guess?
The funniest of scenes must have been while Ma & Pa were being chased by a train while operating a hand pumped trolly.
That DVD is now in my collection. Such happy memories!
Hey, Ken and Ian… thanks for the above photos; I’m quite homesick, but the “old lady” is gone for good. Shame!
Another view of the Odeon in 1988 here:–
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