Comments from Ian Grundy - Cinema Treasures

Ian Grundy commented about Palace Cinema on Apr 23, 2010 at 3:59 am

In recent years the exterior, at least, has had some serious maintenance work and the stone and brickwork, together with the roof, seem in excellent condition. The demolition contractors appear to be moving equipment onto the site in April 2010. Some pictures here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4545392838/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4545392712/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4544759437/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4545392368/

Ian Grundy commented about Picture House on Apr 22, 2010 at 3:48 am

A few pictures, including interiors of both screens, taken in April 2010 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4542271785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4542904948/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4542271301/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4542904764/

Ian Grundy commented about Plaza Cinema on Apr 21, 2010 at 4:18 am

A set of photos, mainly interior here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4539656167/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4539655975/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4540290158/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4539655649/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4540289828/

Ian Grundy commented about Spa Theatre on Apr 19, 2010 at 6:11 am

Films return to the Spa Theatre. Starting in May 2010 there are to be weekly screenings of classics in the restored Spa Theatre, which retains stalls and circle seating. A Saturday morning kids cinema will also begin trials.

Live shows still predominate.

Ian Grundy commented about Roxy Cinema on Apr 18, 2010 at 4:39 am

An older photo of the exterior of the Roxy here – the road layout was later substantially altered.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4530009659/

Ian Grundy commented about Plaza Theatre on Apr 18, 2010 at 4:36 am

To contrast with the above pictures, here are two photos of the Plaza as a Mecca Bingo Hall, taken in 1988:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4530010271/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4530643246/

Ian Grundy commented about Curzon Cinema on Apr 18, 2010 at 4:33 am

Two further interior shots here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4530642590/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4530010047/

Ian Grundy commented about Cannon Watford on Apr 14, 2010 at 4:12 am

Front and rear shots of the Empire in it’s Cannon days here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4520329444/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4519692921/

Ian Grundy commented about Theatre Royal on Apr 12, 2010 at 4:33 am

Two 1988 shots here when the building was in a poor state as the Buckingham Bingo Club:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4513528783/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4513528501/

Ian Grundy commented about Palace Theatre on Apr 12, 2010 at 4:31 am

A 1988 shot here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4514168300/

and an internal shot from 2004 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4388777599/

Ian Grundy commented about Cornerhouse Cinemas on Apr 12, 2010 at 4:26 am

Another photo taken in 1988 before the external cladded was added:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4513528249/

Ian Grundy commented about Tower Cinema on Apr 9, 2010 at 4:48 am

An interior of the circle cinema circa 1988 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4504978602/

Ian Grundy commented about Roxy Cinema on Apr 8, 2010 at 4:31 am

Whilst looking for something else I came across a batch of misfiled negatives of the interior of the Roxy taken in 1988. The photo’s must have come out too poor to keep, but digital technology to the rescue (at least partially!). Of particular note is the original proscenium, long hidden from view:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502334270/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502334096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4502333902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4501699041/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4501698837/

Ian Grundy commented about Stage Door Theatre on Apr 6, 2010 at 4:54 am

A few more photo’s (interior and exterior) here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496539744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496540174/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4496539950/

Ian Grundy commented about Odeon Southampton on Apr 6, 2010 at 4:51 am

Another view of the Odeon here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4495903181/

Ian Grundy commented about Scott Cinemas-Newton Abbot on Mar 29, 2010 at 7:47 am

Another exterior shot:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4472376363/

and a pre-sub-division interior:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4473153428/

Ian Grundy commented about Drake Odeon on Mar 25, 2010 at 5:12 am

Exterior photo taken in 1991 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4462156090/

Ian Grundy commented about Reel Cinema on Mar 25, 2010 at 5:10 am

Interior shot of one of the screens in 1991:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4462155472/

Ian Grundy commented about Greenwich Theatre on Mar 24, 2010 at 5:53 am

Photos from March 2010 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687518/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4458907165/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687772/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4459687672/

Ian Grundy commented about Paignton Picture House on Mar 22, 2010 at 4:51 am

Shot of the screen from the rear stalls here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453024501/

Ian Grundy commented about Riviera Cinema on Mar 22, 2010 at 4:50 am

Two more shots of the Riviera:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453801784/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4453024145/

Ian Grundy commented about Futurist Theatre on Mar 17, 2010 at 3:59 am

Here is a splendid scan of an advert – advertising the cinemascope screen so I guess from around the mid 1950’s, but before 1958, showing the interior of the theatre including the organ and grills, and the previous proscenium arch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4438117599/

Ian Grundy commented about Her Majesty's Theatre on Mar 9, 2010 at 4:50 am

More photos – all interior – can be seen here (taken March 2010)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4419584848/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818935/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818763/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4419584640/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4418818331/

Ian Grundy commented about London Hippodrome Theatre on Mar 8, 2010 at 4:05 am

Photos taken (mainly interior) during the 2010 building works here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4416648410/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415881941/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882121/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4416648936/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4415882769/

Ian Grundy commented about London Hippodrome Theatre on Mar 7, 2010 at 4:32 am

Further to the above, I had the opportunity to tour the Hippodrome last week, during the rebuilding work. There is now no trace of the stalls projection box, which must have been swept away on conversion to the Talk of the Town in 1958. However there is a large projection box at the rear of the Gallery, not mentioned above. It is difficult to say if this is original or a later addition as much of the plasterwork is missing, however I would GUESS that it is a later, maybe 1920’s or 30’s construction. The portholes are bricked up (again some considerable time ago). Perhaps this was built for the trade and public screenings at the end of the 1920’s?

There is also a charming cartoon mural backstage painted by Rolf Harris after a stint at the venue in 1979!