Lovely old cinemas

[mim731]

4 hours ago, Hannibal Scorch said:

My first trip to the cinema was to see Snow White during a re-release in the 80's. Google suggests 1987 which means I was about 4. It was the first film I rememeber watching. The venue was the Granada Walthamstow. It wasn't the nearest cinema to where I lived (Ilford had Odeon's in Barking and Gants Hill), but it was where my grandparents lived so must have gone to see them after. 

I remember being wowed by the venue. Not that I had any idea what a cinema looked like, but it felt both grand and old at the same time, very fancy looking. I enjoyed the film, even if I was scared by the old hag transformation. But I remember when I went to other more modern cinemas in future visits how they seemed more normal and less extravigant. I remember going there a few more times to see Jumanji and Babe, and the cinema closed down for good in 2003. It is scheduled to re-open as a Soho Thetre venue in the next few years. It also has some claims to fame. It was Alfred Hitchcocks go to as he lived in near by Leytonstone. It also had a concert by the Beatles in 1963 when it was used as a music venue as well.

 

The Foyer in later years

 

Lots of articles about it as well like this one https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9397

I can't speak for what it will be like once the council/Soho reopen it, but I spent many hours there when it opened as Mirth, Marvel and Maud in 2015, as I lived in the area at the time. Never felt like they made the most of it as a performing arts space (not sure if they had restored everything or just the foyer/bar), but it certainly had a beautiful interior with the restoration so I can absolutely imagine it was a grand beauty of a cinema back in the day. 

[Jazzy G]

6 hours ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Just look at the Savoy in Heaton Moor.

I always regret going there when I lived in Heaton Mersey. I remember at one point there were plans to close it and turn it into a Barracuda. I'm so glad it was saved. 

The Grand in Clitheroe used to be a cinema, and it was a proper old school one. I saw Titanic there in my teens, and Congo as well. Even in the late 90s they had a lady that went round selling popcorn, cans of pop, those little tubs of ice cream etc, and an interval. It was such a great experience.

It's just a general venue now, but a good one. I went to see Brian Blessed there years ago, and the whole way through rather than sitting on the stage he was stood in the aisle next to where I was sat, kept putting his hand on my shoulder and talking directly to me. It was such an experience. He even acknowledged me afterwards when I asked him to sign my ticket. It's a shame he's a Tory. 

[Frankie Crisp]

Cinema? It’s the Picture House.

We’ve got some great ones up here; the local Picture House in town is wonderful with its big sofas and sofa-service. They bring me popcorn so I can keep my steps down.

But the best proper Picture Houses are ones that make me feel like I’m in my Nan’s.

The Woolton Picture House - now defunct - was a regular haunt, especially when they’d host old films. They’d show recent films but I’d usually give them a wide berth; when they announced Hitchcock showings, I’d be all over it. I watched North By Northwest in there years and years ago and to this day, it’s still my favourite film experience.

It was ace. It had that smell that wasn’t great, but it was still acceptable as it was part it the visit. The carpet always felt ropey and it was likely someone had bled out on it.

Bottom right. Just look at it.

One of my favourite memories was that it had the snack lady, just like when I was a kid. The big mad box strapped over her shoulders, selling choc-ices whilst using a torch to make sure she didn’t fall over. Cash only. It was just an incredible way to travel back to my childhood and I’m gutted it’s gone.

The other one - still active - is the Plaza up in Crosby.

I’d never been until I met my missus, but I now love the place. One of the most redeeming qualities is that it shows local independent films, often hosting premieres and brings the actors and directors in for a Q&A.

It’s just a gorgeous little place but my favourite feature is that it has an upper deck! It’s the only Picture House I’ve ever been to that has a theatre setup. It’s just brilliant.

Edited January 20, 2024 by Frankie Crisp

[Panhead]

On 1/17/2024 at 1:15 PM, JLM said:

I used to live walking distance (and now about 20 mins driving distance) from The Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds. It’s a grade 2 listed building, a refurbished single screen cinema with most of its original features intact. it It originally opened in 1914. Last surviving gaslit cinema in the UK. The street lamp outside is also gas lit and is also protected. 
 

It closed for some much needed maintenance and repair during the pandemic but has thankfully reopened. Any time it closes for a bit people panic and think it’s shutting down,  but it receives Heritage Lottery funding along with other support and donations and thankfully remains wetherspoons-proof.
 

It is the most delightful cinema experience, also has very cheap tickets. Often shows very odd indie and art house movies. Was my go-to spot for the Leeds International Film Festival too. It’s a magical place. 

I saw Donnie Darko there back in 2002 when I was 17. Genuinely changed my life and that cinema definitely added to the atmosphere of it. I saw it there at least another 5 times, including a midnight showing. I haven't been there for years now, but it'll always be special to me. 

[Onyx2]

I had a lovely time at the Majestic in King's Lynn some years back. As with many of these, an old converted theatre, quite small inside, with a bar on each of its 3 levels. 

I contemplated cropping out the guy smashing a pasty into his face but it was too UKFF to remove. 

Edited January 21, 2024 by Onyx2

[Loki]

On 1/18/2024 at 12:18 PM, Chris B said:

I'm very fond of this place too.

 

What are the acoustics like in this place?  Those swooping ceilings and shiny white walls look like reverb central.  I felt similarly looking at that one in a Barn earlier!

As you might expect, for me it's a lot about the sound, and as awful as multiplexes are they generally have dampened walls and half decent sound.  I've been to watch movies at the Dorking Halls a few times which is quaint but you're basically watching a film in a sports hall, it's painful on the ears,

[Rossman]

On 1/21/2024 at 10:22 AM, Onyx2 said:

I had a lovely time at the Majestic in King's Lynn some years back. As with many of these, an old converted theatre, quite small inside, with a bar on each of its 3 levels. 

I contemplated cropping out the guy smashing a pasty into his face but it was too UKFF to remove. 

Fairly local to me and went many times in my youth. Still only £5 a ticket. They recently refurbed the seating. 

Yep. Day beds in the front row.

Edited January 22, 2024 by Rossman

[Chris B]

So, the rather amazing Prince Charles Cinema is under threat by arsehole landlords. They're jacking the rent up and inserting a break clause if they get planning permission. 

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-prince-charles-cinema

[Merzbow]

That's shit and not uncommon right now, The Electric cinema in Brum was closed down last year and attempts to save it (along with The Crown on the same road) have been fruitless.

Never been a fan of the Art Deco style myself but it's a bit of Birmingham history.

[Chest Rockwell]

1 hour ago, Chris B said:

So, the rather amazing Prince Charles Cinema is under threat by arsehole landlords. They're jacking the rent up and inserting a break clause if they get planning permission. 

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-prince-charles-cinema

Ah that sucks. Cheers for sharing. 

[Carbomb]

2 hours ago, Chris B said:

So, the rather amazing Prince Charles Cinema is under threat by arsehole landlords. They're jacking the rent up and inserting a break clause if they get planning permission. 

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-prince-charles-cinema

Signed it about half an hour ago, was just under 15k.

It just broke 30k.

[WyattSheepMask]

I’ve only ever been to the PCC once but I absolutely loved it and always keep an eye on what they’re showing should it ever coincide with a trip to London.

Fucking landlords man

[Carbomb]

Can't help feeling we need to start using a different term other than "developer" for this sort of firm - for whom are they developing it? What benefits does their so-called "development" confer, and for whom?

In the West End, there are usually only two possibilities: retail space, or luxury flats. Retail space only benefits big retail, as no small businesses can afford Westminster rents, and it doesn't add anything for the average person, as most of the West End is now a glorified shopping precinct anyway. Luxury flats only benefit rentiers who can charge extortionate rents or ridiculous prices, or hedge fund oligarch cunts who'll buy and leave them empty as "investments".

This country's biggest problems are Mammon and gammon.

[mim731]

4 minutes ago, Carbomb said:

Can't help feeling we need to start using a different term other than "developer" for this sort of firm - for whom are they developing it? What benefits does their so-called "development" confer, and for whom?

 

I'd normally delineate between them as "actual developers" with an intent to build social or at least affordable housing, which are few and far between, and "predatory developers" who are just heartless landlord bastards. 

Edited January 28, 2025 by mim731
spelling (not witchcraft)

[Carbomb]

8 minutes ago, mim731 said:

I'd normally delineate between them as "actual developers" with an intent to build social or at least affordable housing, which are few and far between, and "predatory developers" who are just heartless landlord bastards. 

I've decided to use the term "landsharks"