Comments from Philip Picturedrome

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Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Alhambra in around 1960. on Jan 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm

I was convinced this was designed by Nagington & Shennan, and am pleased to find that I was correct.

Staffordshire Sentinel – Wednesday 24 December 1913 TENDERS TO BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS. Persons desirous of TENDERING for the ERECTION of a PICTURE PALACE, about to be Built fronting to Upper Normacot-road and Herbert-road, in Normacot, Longton, are requested to send in their names to the Proprietors, c/o MESSRS. NAGINGTON AND SHENNAN, Architects, 36, Dale street. Liverpool.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Tudor Cinema on Jan 12, 2020 at 12:03 pm

In 1985 it was converted into a shopping mall, but that was closed some years ago (before 2010 when it was said it was due for demolition and would be replaced by an Aldi store.

Edit, March 2013.
Still standing, and on the market.

Edit. 2015. The facade survives, as a Barnardo’s shop. The body of the former cinema has been demolished with an Aldi store there with its entrance and car park this side of the retained facade.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Tudor Cinema on Jan 12, 2020 at 11:57 am

“Warwick” is a bit of a mystery, unless it had something to do with the conversion into retail units in 1985.
It wasn’t there before.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Tudor Cinema on Jan 12, 2020 at 11:45 am

“Warwick” is a mystery, unless it had something to do with the conversion into retail units.
It wasn’t there before.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Savoy Picture House on Dec 20, 2019 at 1:03 pm

It opened in 1911.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Scala Cinema on Dec 20, 2019 at 12:57 pm

It was opened as Griffins' Picture Theatre on 25 September 1911, and I’ve got it closing in 1957.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Oxford Picture House on Dec 20, 2019 at 12:53 pm

It was opened on 12 October 1912, and closed in 1956.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Empire Cinema on Dec 20, 2019 at 12:51 pm

According to The BIOSCOPE it was planned to open in September 1912, but I’d already put it down as opening on 7 November 1912, and closing in 1963! I also had it down as being demolished.

Thanks for the photo – another to be added to my “locals”.

The Bioscope – Thursday 29 August 1912 AN APPOINTMENT. Messrs. McKinnon and Glover have appointed Mr. Frank Etheridge as manager of the Empire Picturedrome, Thatto Heath, St. Helens, it is expected to open on or about the 19 prox. With such a popular gentleman as Mr. Etheridge to guide its fortunes, the theatre should prove a great success.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Palladium Cinema on Dec 20, 2019 at 12:40 pm

It was opened on 15 November 1915, and closed in 1960.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Pavilion Cinema on Dec 15, 2019 at 12:15 pm

How can a 14-year-old cinema be called “a new picture theatre”?

And why should a “new hall” be “entirely redecorated”.

The Bioscope – Thursday 08 October 1925

Where Ginger Bread Comes From.

A new picture theatre, the Pavilion, has been opened at Ormskirk to “succeed” the Institute, which, in future, will probably be used for whist drives and dances, etc. Mr. F. W. Locke, a well-known Liverpool exhibitor, has an interest in both halls. The Pavilion has seating capacity for nearly 600 persons and has been entirely redecorated. Mr. Fred Locke is managing the new hall.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Court Cinema on Nov 6, 2019 at 11:47 am

It wasn’t derelict in the 1970s.
It was used as a warehouse for the Palace Amusements.
Some of the “vehicles” from the “rides” could be seen.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about King's Cinema on Oct 27, 2019 at 5:32 pm

By 2007 there was a Veterinary’s on the site. A very odd looking building which possibly could be the part demolished cinema. https://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/818768222/in/photolist-bUBRNs-4iR8Gn-2fmpgu/

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Royal Cinema on Oct 27, 2019 at 5:23 pm

I saw it in 2011, and there seemed to be 2 (empty?) shop units in the foyer, with the rest of the building converted into flats. Presumably those “windows” in the roof indicate two floors? https://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/5839465929/sizes/l/

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Palace Cinema on Mar 7, 2019 at 5:29 am

Lansbury Hall was opened in April 1937 as the local Labour Party’s H/Q and the name can be traced in local papers up to May 1955.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Beggar's Theatre on Mar 4, 2019 at 8:55 am

More information: The Electric Picture Palace was a conversion of the Victorian County Hall and was opened “this week”. (Source: Millom Gazette, Friday, 9 June 1911). The name was simplified to Electric Palace by September 1911, and Palace Cinema by August 1914. (Source: Millom Gazette, various issues).

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Hackney Picture Palace on Feb 14, 2019 at 9:45 am

It opened on Boxing Day, 1910, without being licensed, and was subsequently fined £8. The projector was on a cement floor which collapsed two days later, and they had to close down. Source: The Stage, 2 February 1911. It’s not known when it re-opened – it next appears in on-line newspapers in September 1911.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Futurist Cinema on Jan 21, 2019 at 1:24 pm

I don’t think anybody’s said who it was built for or who the architects were.

The Lime Street Picture House was Liverpool’s third purpose-built cinema, after the Kensington Picturedrome, and the Bedford Hall in Walton. It was built by W. Wade Sykes between 19 March 1912 and September 1912 for New Century Pictures, owners of the New Century Picture Hall, not far away in Mount Pleasant, and was designed by the company’s resident architects, C.C. Chadwick & Wm. Watson, of Albion Street, Leeds.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Mere Lane Picture House on Jan 14, 2019 at 9:20 am

The first cinema licence was issued on 19 January 1917, so it can’t have opened before that.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Coliseum Cinema on Dec 28, 2018 at 1:37 am

Everton Supporters' Club moved out in 1994, to be replaced by Orry’s Social Club, and more recently Croft’s Social Club.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Empire Cinema on Dec 24, 2018 at 8:10 pm

It had already been demolished by 1986 as I took photos of the other Widnes cinema buildings then, but found the site of the Empire empty. I haven’t seen any photos of it, so I was pleased to see this sketch in the foyer of the Woolton Picture House.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Royal Hippodrome Theatre on Dec 12, 2018 at 5:10 pm

It had already been demolished by 1982 Probably in 1980. https://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/26706429809/sizes/l

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Royal Hippodrome Theatre on Dec 12, 2018 at 5:07 pm

The site is just part of a large area where a new development (probably student accommodation) has recently begun.

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Rivoli Cinema on Dec 12, 2018 at 4:56 pm

If the Assembly Rooms was a cinema before 11 January 1910, this would have been made apparent in the licensing records as a music licence, and/or special permission was required before that date. On 25 November 1910 The Assembly Rooms were granted their first cinematograph licence to take effect from 1st December 1910 to 31st December 1910. (it was subsequently renewed on an annual basis).

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Park Palace on Dec 12, 2018 at 4:44 pm

More recently it’s become “Park Palace Ponies”, with real live ponies being available for children to ride. https://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/32223662753/in/photolist-R6uGhi

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome commented about Lyceum Cinema on Dec 12, 2018 at 4:32 pm

It was a conversion of a malthouse which explains the narrowness of the auditorium. All the front was new in 1922.