Odeon Dover

255 London Road,
Dover, CT17 0SZ

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation

Architects: Robert Cromie, Percy A. Kelly, Kenneth M. Winch

Firms: Elgood & Hastie

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Regent Cinema

Nearby Theaters

Regent Cinema Dover

Built on the site of the old Regent Picture House (1920-1936), the Regent Theatre was opened on 27th March 1937 with Richard Arlen in "The Great Barrier" & Stanley Lupino in “Sporting Love”. Hal Tauber and His Regent Orchestra performed on the stage. Guest of Honour at the opening was film star Will Hay.

The magnificent building was set back from London Road, and had a white stone central facade, which had five sets of windows. Inside the auditorium seating was arranged in stalls and circle levels. The proscenium was 43 feet wide. There was no organ, but a fully equipped stage and dressing rooms were included in the plans, as was a cafe, and a large car park at the rear. Noted cinema architect Robert Cromie acted as consultant architect on the project.

The Regent Cinema was taken over by Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. in 1943, and it was re-named Odeon on 18th January 1946.

The Odeon was closed by the Rank Organisation on 2nd October 1971, with Albert Finney in “Tom Jones” being the final film. The building was sold to the Territorial Army in January 1974, and was demolished and a Territorial Army training building was built on the site.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on April 17, 2011 at 9:41 am

Two vintage photographs of the Odeon:
In October 1949, playing the Odeon release:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/dover2.jpg
In May 1971, playing the Rank release:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/dover.jpg

rivest266
rivest266 on July 1, 2021 at 11:12 am

Grand opening ads posted.

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