Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 176 - 200 of 562 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Avenue Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 9:07 am

In 1931, Francis Thomas Verity (to give him his full name) drew up plans, or acted as consultant for “Designs (or consultant for) ‘super cinema’ (probably a refurbishment of the Belfast Picture House, for which see Marcus Patton, |Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer|” taken from the notes on Ireland’s Architects.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Curzon Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 8:59 am

The cinema was drawn up by the architect for John Gaston, “Cinema and block of 5 shops on site of Ballynafeigh National School and other properties, for John Gaston. Opened 12 Dec 1936. To seat 1,424.”

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Apollo Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 8:55 am

Architect for this cinema was John McBride Neill. Alterations were made in 1939 to designs of Thomas McLean.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Park Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 8:52 am

Architect of the Park Cinemas was Thomas Robert Eager.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Astoria Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 8:27 am

Architect Thomas McLean also made some alterations in 1935.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Picturedrome (II) on Jul 2, 2023 at 7:25 am

Prior to demolition for the new Picturedrome on the site, additions were made to the cinema in 1928, alterations in 1930, and finally, reconstruction after a fire, with a shelter for waiting patrons, all done by the architect Robert Sharpe Hill. The reconstruction that followed in 1934 were to the plans of John McBride Neill in a superb art-deco style.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Majestic Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 7:16 am

The plans by the architect John McBride Neill were for John Gaston, who sold the cinema to Union Cinemas circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Strand Arts Centre on Jul 2, 2023 at 7:10 am

The same year that the plans were submitted by John McBride Neill (1935) coincides with another plan submitted by architect Thomas H. Guthrie, at the same location - Holywood Road and Pim’s Avenue, however, Guthrie’s plans weren’t built. Was the site originally an independent’s site sold to Union Cinemas? Or were the plans of Guthrie amended by Neill and built?

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Lyric Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:37 am

Architect for the conversion from retail premises to a cinema was William Moore, these plans were submitted in 1911. Extensive premises of C. Millar & Co., house furnishers, being converted into cinema by Mr Alex Murdoch, Cullingree Rd. Further alterations were carried out to the plans of John MacGeagh in 1930, by then called the Lyric Cinema. John MacGeagh also made further changes in 1932, the removal of side balcony in High Street.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gaumont Belfast on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:29 am

A second architect is noted for this change of use to cinema use. I’m guessing that he was the ‘on site’ architect perhaps, with Bertie Crewe remaining in London mainly? Architect of this cinema was Samuel Stevenson. New cinema. Tenders invited, Aug 1922; ‘nearing completion’, Aug 1923. Contractor: Robert Gilchrist. A ‘colonnaded four-story building with semi-circular corner entrance, whose manager and thirty-piece orchestra changed into evening dress after 5 o'clock each day’ (Patton)

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Tivoli Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:23 am

Architect was John McBride Neill. In answer to JohnGn’s question, the last Gaumont to be re-branded to Odeon was the former Gaumont Palace in Doncaster, Yorkshire. This didn’t happen until as late as 1987.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Broadway Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:18 am

The contractor noted as having built the cinema is John Curran.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Duncairn Picture Theatre on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:15 am

Architect was Frederick Turner Waddington. The canopy was added in 1938 to the plans of Tulloch & Fitzsimmons.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Windsor Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 3:11 am

Architect was Thomas McLean for this venue. Plans were drawn up starting in 1934, being adjusted slightly and approved in 1935.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Forum Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 2:58 am

To add to my above comments, also in 1937, a further cinema to the designs of architect Thomas Robert Eager are also listed in the above mentioned directory, however, only the road name is mentioned, no cinema name, so this could be a further plan for this site, or another along the Crumlin Road. Further work is needed to sort these out I fear!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Crumlin Picture House on Jul 2, 2023 at 2:52 am

Architect was William Moore.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Forum Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 1:40 am

Plans for the Forum were submitted to the planners in 1936 by architect Robert Sharpe Hill, but were these the ones actually built? A further set of plans for the Forum Cinema were submitted by architect John McBride Neill early in 1937 for a cinema and a shop. Neill’s work has been noted as being built in the ‘Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940’ online, whereas the line noting Hill’s work is left blank, indicating that it was not built at all….

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Savoy Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 1:14 am

Built for Savoy Picture House Ltd.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Classic Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 12:39 am

Alterations to the plans of James Corden Stevenson were carried out in 1925.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Castle Cinema on Jul 2, 2023 at 12:24 am

Architect for this cinema was Thomas H. Guthrie. Alterations, to the plans of John McBride Neill were carried out in 1937.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gaumont Belfast on Jul 2, 2023 at 12:15 am

To help Joe, and Ken, the Theatre Royal wasn’t completely demolished, but instead, remodelled into the Royal Cinema. The architect for this work was Bertie Crewe, he submitted plans for the remodelling of the TR in 1915. The design was similar to that used in London a few years earlier.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Midland Picture House on Jul 1, 2023 at 2:54 pm

Architect was William Moore.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Royal Cinema on Jul 1, 2023 at 2:53 pm

Plans deposited in 1915 show this as being a conversion of the Theatre Royal, rather than demolition and a new build, also, the architect is given as being Bertie Crewe, so little wonder it looks similar to his theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, London!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Capitol Cinema on Jul 1, 2023 at 2:48 pm

Architect was Thomas McLean.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Tonic Cinema on Jul 1, 2023 at 2:46 pm

Architect was John McBride Neill.