Latest rumour from a Brownhills blog site is that the AVIONs facade area (all thats left) has now reopened as a Wetherspoons and the auditorium site has become the aforementioned car park. I`m going there with my camera soon and will post the results. I used to be ODEON_NUT by the way but forgot me details lol
I know I sound like my needle`s stuck but this really is a tragic loss. The ODEON here was a thing of great beauty to me and hardly to be found on just any street corner.
From what Ive read on urbex sites this cinema has been totally trashed inside and thats all on the side of the “big hammer merchants” with the smell of banknotes in their nostrils. Shame.
Follow this to get the first of 7 photos taken recently, then just scroll through them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/78860621@N02/9049196448/
I walked all round the building and captured just about everything from the outside.
I often pass this in my coach and though I recognise it for what it was it still seems rather “un-cinema-ish” to me, but then I do have pretty fixed ideas. At least it`s still with us.
This is a lovely ex cinema and its so nice to see that so much of the decor has been retained. If ever I get to take my coach that way Ive just got to visit this.
If I`ve got the right one this is where part of the film “Brief Encounter” was made and you see Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson sitting in the circle and Irene Handl “playing” the Wurlitzer organ.
Ha, I heard of the demolition of this cinema whilst on a visit elsewhere with the CTA. Several of us rushed around there and started rooting around for souvenirs. I was glad I was not alone as there were doors banging at the top of the “built-on” side stairs passage and this was spooking me out a bit. I remember one chap taking a large squarish clock off the back circle wall but the demo men had had the best bits. One of the more unusual aspects was a staircase on the top floor that led nowhere! That part of the building never materialised. Happy days….
The interior is a pleasant surprise when one considers how unexciting the exterior is, I like it.
Ahh, Ritz cinema, C & A shop, both things of the past now, not just here but anywhere.
I live in Tipton and there is nothing like any of this photo around now and what is here is dying on its feet.
I was about to say how refreshing this report was when I clapped eyes on the last comment – back in the balance again….
Back on its feet again, that makes a nice change to read on here.
Follow this link to see what stands on the site today http://www.flickr.com/photos/78860621@N02/9354950307/
Oh gawd! Back to brick box.
Latest rumour from a Brownhills blog site is that the AVION
s facade area (all thats left) has now reopened as a Wetherspoons and the auditorium site has become the aforementioned car park. I`m going there with my camera soon and will post the results. I used to be ODEON_NUT by the way but forgot me details lolIndeed Chris, and meantime all that ugly plastic is hiding a rather nice brick frontage, crazy.
It resembles the Danilo at Longbridge which is still with us albeit as a fitness centre.
Two minds with a single thought you could say…
Not quite a George Coles but superb anyway and now lost.
I know I sound like my needle`s stuck but this really is a tragic loss. The ODEON here was a thing of great beauty to me and hardly to be found on just any street corner.
From what I
ve read on urbex sites this cinema has been totally trashed inside and thats all on the side of the “big hammer merchants” with the smell of banknotes in their nostrils. Shame.I visited here with the CTA, must dig my pix out and post them.
OMG I drive a coach up and down here some days but I`d never know it!
Follow this to get the first of 7 photos taken recently, then just scroll through them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/78860621@N02/9049196448/ I walked all round the building and captured just about everything from the outside.
Seems to have lost its “pizzaz” somewhat.
As per usual listing status means nothing when money talks.
Is the organ still there?
I often pass this in my coach and though I recognise it for what it was it still seems rather “un-cinema-ish” to me, but then I do have pretty fixed ideas. At least it`s still with us.
Well done to you Ken Roe, nice to see what the interior was like.
This is a lovely ex cinema and it
s so nice to see that so much of the decor has been retained. If ever I get to take my coach that way Ive just got to visit this.If I`ve got the right one this is where part of the film “Brief Encounter” was made and you see Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson sitting in the circle and Irene Handl “playing” the Wurlitzer organ.
Ha, I heard of the demolition of this cinema whilst on a visit elsewhere with the CTA. Several of us rushed around there and started rooting around for souvenirs. I was glad I was not alone as there were doors banging at the top of the “built-on” side stairs passage and this was spooking me out a bit. I remember one chap taking a large squarish clock off the back circle wall but the demo men had had the best bits. One of the more unusual aspects was a staircase on the top floor that led nowhere! That part of the building never materialised. Happy days….