The later cinema (The Globe) was located near to the church in a different location to the earlier cinema. Sadly, neither cinema has survived major reconstruction work on Bulford Camp in latter years.
The Christie was ordered on 02/07/1935 (order number 2959), and opened by Reginald New on 14/10/1935, so a slightly earlier opening date than that shown above!
The straight organ was installed in 1928, manufactured new by Bedwell & Son. It had a 2 manual keyboard with 7 stops. It was removed after just 6 months due to vermin damage and later installed into the Masonic Hall, Poole in 1930.
It’s still crass that such a beautiful building was demolished for a typical glass/steel/concrete carbuncle… no doubt the business rates in a 5* boutique hotel is far higher than a mere cinema… money talks…
Built by a syndicate led by Joseph R. Collins, the architect was J. J. Hill. Original plans had a billiards hall in the basement with 8 tables, but these were later dropped from the final plans. The manager was fined in 1912 and 1913 for overcrowding. The Globe was taken over by Sidney Bamford in February 1915. General Theatres Corporation, who were to shortly be taken over by Gaumont, owned the cinema from December 1928, who introduced talkies from April 1930. Sold to the E. J. Hinge circuit in 1935 who already co-owned the Gosforth Cinema on the High Street, the cinema was redecorated in 1958. After closure as a cinema, the bingo operation lasted here until 1990.
Some extra information from the Tyne & Wear Heritage website:
Opened by Armstrong Electric Theatres Ltd on 10 March 1913. The architect was Percy L. Browne. The Scala had a spacious tiled entrance with marble staircases to the dress circle. There were 1200 seats which were upholstered in red plush. Reseating later reduced the capacity to 986. The organ was a 2-manual Vincent. Throughout the 1920s music was provided by the Scala Orchestra. In 1928 the General Theatres Corporation (later Gaumont-British) took over. Talkies arrived in 1930. In April 1936 Sol Sheckman (Essoldo circuit) took over the Scala. The cinema closed on 1 July 1961. It was demolished and replaced by a supermarket.
The Queens Hall Kinema was opened in December 1912. It was a luxurious cinema but quite small. It closed due to the competition from the Havelock cinema in 1917. The exterior architecture of the cinema, without the entrance, remains although it is now a commercial premise. Nothing remains of the interior.
The Roker Cinema opened on the 15th October 1915. The Roker was the first cinema in Sunderland to use ordinary electricity in the 1920’s. The Roker also had an organ which was built in Sunderland. The Roker closed on the 8th April 1961.
The Victory Cinema was formerly the Smyrna Chapel at the junction of Borough Road and Smyrna Place. It opened in 1920 and was an alternative cinema to the Gaiety for the people of the East End. It was damaged by bombs on 15th April 1941 and never re-opened.
Map of cinema location added, it was mid-way along Wood Street.
The later cinema (The Globe) was located near to the church in a different location to the earlier cinema. Sadly, neither cinema has survived major reconstruction work on Bulford Camp in latter years.
Postcode is PO1 4BT
A 2 Manual Christie was ordered on 27/09/1927, job number 2690 but later cancelled. Presumably the Compton was installed instead!
The Christie was removed c1972.
The Christie was ordered on 02/07/1935 (order number 2959), and opened by Reginald New on 14/10/1935, so a slightly earlier opening date than that shown above!
Postcode is SW10 9QZ.
Wurlitzer removed January 1958.
The Wurlitzer Opus list has a model 108 as being despatched from the factory for this theatre on 20/06/1925, Opus number 1087.
The straight organ was installed in 1928, manufactured new by Bedwell & Son. It had a 2 manual keyboard with 7 stops. It was removed after just 6 months due to vermin damage and later installed into the Masonic Hall, Poole in 1930.
It’s still crass that such a beautiful building was demolished for a typical glass/steel/concrete carbuncle… no doubt the business rates in a 5* boutique hotel is far higher than a mere cinema… money talks…
Camp Road saw a large development of housing being built in the mid 80’s, and sadly, this cinema was swept away back then.
It became a confectionery warehouse in 1965, demolition came in 1968.
Bingo ceased in April 1977.
Built by a syndicate led by Joseph R. Collins, the architect was J. J. Hill. Original plans had a billiards hall in the basement with 8 tables, but these were later dropped from the final plans. The manager was fined in 1912 and 1913 for overcrowding. The Globe was taken over by Sidney Bamford in February 1915. General Theatres Corporation, who were to shortly be taken over by Gaumont, owned the cinema from December 1928, who introduced talkies from April 1930. Sold to the E. J. Hinge circuit in 1935 who already co-owned the Gosforth Cinema on the High Street, the cinema was redecorated in 1958. After closure as a cinema, the bingo operation lasted here until 1990.
Built for Albert Burglass, who already operated the Bensham Picture House.
This is the 1937 interior when converted into a News Theatre. The refurbishment was by Marshall & Tweedy.
Full address is 1, Brownlow Hill, L3 5SX
Streetview confirms that this cinema has been demolished for flats.
Kine Year Book of 1944 has a Western Electric sound system and a proscenium width of 36 feet.
Same details for this cinema as 1942 in the 1944 KYB…
Some extra information from the Tyne & Wear Heritage website:
Opened by Armstrong Electric Theatres Ltd on 10 March 1913. The architect was Percy L. Browne. The Scala had a spacious tiled entrance with marble staircases to the dress circle. There were 1200 seats which were upholstered in red plush. Reseating later reduced the capacity to 986. The organ was a 2-manual Vincent. Throughout the 1920s music was provided by the Scala Orchestra. In 1928 the General Theatres Corporation (later Gaumont-British) took over. Talkies arrived in 1930. In April 1936 Sol Sheckman (Essoldo circuit) took over the Scala. The cinema closed on 1 July 1961. It was demolished and replaced by a supermarket.
From Tyne & Wear Heritage website:
The Queens Hall Kinema was opened in December 1912. It was a luxurious cinema but quite small. It closed due to the competition from the Havelock cinema in 1917. The exterior architecture of the cinema, without the entrance, remains although it is now a commercial premise. Nothing remains of the interior.
From the Tyne & Wear Heritage website:
The Roker Cinema opened on the 15th October 1915. The Roker was the first cinema in Sunderland to use ordinary electricity in the 1920’s. The Roker also had an organ which was built in Sunderland. The Roker closed on the 8th April 1961.
From the Tyne & Wear Heritage website:
The Victory Cinema was formerly the Smyrna Chapel at the junction of Borough Road and Smyrna Place. It opened in 1920 and was an alternative cinema to the Gaiety for the people of the East End. It was damaged by bombs on 15th April 1941 and never re-opened.