Drake Odeon
15 Derry's Cross,
Plymouth,
PL1 2SW
15 Derry's Cross,
Plymouth,
PL1 2SW
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In 70mm details of the Drake when first opened in 1958 as “best cinema in Western Europe”
https://www.in70mm.com/news/2011/drake/index.htm
When the Drake was tripled, they added screen 2 and 3 to the Circle but left “The Luxury Lounge” between the walls of the new screens.
When they converted it to 5 screens around half to two thirds of the back of the stalls was taken over by screens 4 and 5.
Screen 1’s screen width was reduced from it’s former glory.
Who remembers the awesome movie themed wallpaper with Bruce Lee on it.
Bit of a pedantry here… I don’t think the symbol on the map shows where the Drake was. The picture in the article was taken from the north side of Union Street at the west end of Derry’s roundabout, looking up the one-way street coming down the hill.
(I believe the symbol is actually showing the location of the ABC – fond memories of seeing Supertramp play there in 1975, I think it was).
One of the last truly magnificent cinemas to have been constructed in the UK!
According to this webpage, the theatre eventually had five screens before it closed: View link
Yes Simon, the Gaumont still stands.
Two recently found photos of the interior of the Drake here, both date from 1991.
DRAKE SCREEN CURTAINS
DRAKE AUDITORIUM TO REAR
When I lived in Plymouth, in the mid 1970’s, the former Gaumont Cinema (across the road) was operating as a night club. Is that structure still there?
The Galleon on the original Drake Cinema was retained, and returned to the facade of the Casino. I managed to go to this cinema, and the ABC several times when I was able to… if you looked up the exit stairs to where the projection room was, you could still see the original Fox Theatres carpet on the treads.
I don’t remember Rank ever owning the building outright. They leased it off of The Prudential, who had bought the freehold off of Fox. They (Fox) had stipulated that the ‘Drake’ name should not be removed, hence it was known as the ‘Drake Odeon’.
June 1958. I was there, as a lowly rewind boy on holiday from the Olympia Cardiff, I was able to get a ticket for the Birth of Todd AO at this theatre. I was allowed to vist the “Box” prior to the show and fell in love with those wonderful DP70s I went into the auditorium with the intro to “South Pacific” treating my ears to a sound system never heard before, and then——-those wide curtains swept open treating me to a new genre of film projection. On my return to Cardiff I raved about Todd AO and Foxes wonderful new cinema, then it was suddenly announced that my home cinema (Olympia Cardiff)m was to be fitted with DP70s. Thus started rhe most memorable period of my life. Even now over fifty years later I still get a thrill out of the original Todd Films
Exterior photo taken in 1991 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4462156090/
I wonder if the DP70’s were still there when it closed?
The original proscenium was used with a smaller screen installed in it. Not very satisfactory!
A comment says the model ship in front was retrieved for use in the replacement building. Was it reused? on the exterior? photo anybody?
Was the main original screen still used after the theater was divided up?
What a beautiful theater and memorable Compton organ… all gone!
As a boy living in Southampton, I fondly remember listening to the BBC radio morning broadcasts of “As Prescribed” featuring none other than the memorable Dudley Savage.
How he managed to create all of the console’s different sound settings, play the tunes, announce listeners requests and keep a cool head was truly remarkable AND fit everything into a professionally timed and presented programme!
And now the cinema is all but a memory. I recall seeing “Network” there in the mid 70’s. Excellent film but the volume?…I think the audience at the ABC Cinema could have heard it too.
For Pete’s sake, why didn’t they save the structure and build over it, there by saving a piece of Plymouth’s history which survived WW2? Every hotel needs a ballroom and the Drake’s auditorium was perfect for needs such as this. D.U.M.B.!!!
Another exterio picture from 1991 here :
View link
The Drake Cinema opened on 5th June 1958 with “South Pacific” presented in 70mm/Todd-AO. It had a seating capacity of 1,639.
It was tripled in March 1975 and further sub-divided into five screens in April 1991.
After closing in October 1999, the building remained empty until it was demolished in 2002. The Grosvenor Casino was built on the site and it opened in 2003.
Here is a photograph from April 1971 when still a single screen:
View link
Here’s a very good link by a dedicated and upset local !
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/stephen.johnson/drake/
best
kev p
this cinema has now been demolished but the model ship from the frontage has been saved to be incorporated into the replacement building
The drake opened in 1958,the first movie shown there was “SOUTH PACIFIC”. The cinema closed on october 31st 1999, the last movie shown there was “BIG DADDY”
Drake photos coming soon!