Court Kinema

8 Skinnergate,
Darlington, DL3 7NJ

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Gaumont-British-Picture Corp., Ltd., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd.

Styles: Neo-Classical

Nearby Theaters

Court Arcade

Built by the Gale & Company Ltd. chain, the Court Kinema was opened on 11th February 1913 with 1,119 seats. Alterations were soon made, and it re-opened in December 1913. It was taken over by the Provincial Cinematograph Theatres(PCT) chain in 1921. They were taken over by the Gaumont British Theatres chain in February 1929.

It was modernised and re-opened on 26th December 1932. Seating was reduced to 1,002.

The Court Kinema was destroyed by a fire on 15th August 1947, with only the front section and foyer remaining intact. A lady living in an adjacent cottage was a victim of the fire when she tried to retrieve her property. In the 1950’s the Court Arcade was built on the site and the front section of the the original cinema building was also converted into shops.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on September 13, 2012 at 6:23 pm

Another view of the former cinema: View link

terry
terry on July 3, 2015 at 4:24 pm

I often wondered what this place looked like whilst still a cinema and I have to say that its Front Of House was very pleasant according to this photo. Thank you to the person who has uploaded it!

terry
terry on May 13, 2016 at 4:34 pm

Old timers in Darlington told me that the film showing on the night of the fateful fire was ‘The Brothers’ (Maxwell Reed, Patricia Roc). Apparently , at the time, that particular film had a rather controversial reputation and the locals jested that “there was ‘hot stuff’ on at the Court when it went up in smoke"….

terry
terry on May 13, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Photo of the Court Arcade uploaded.

terry
terry on September 17, 2016 at 10:07 am

Article re the Court’s destruction by fire:–

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/memories/14694067.The_day_Darlington_s_first_purpose_built_cinema_came_to_a_fiery_end/

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