You were sitting in the largest screen, an extension of the original balcony from the 1960s conversion.3 smaller screens have been carved out of the rear circle with the fifth screen in the former projectionists training area.
I visited the Swiss Cottage Odeon today to see their IMAX presentation of Skyfall. I am normally very critical of Odeon sites but this one exceeds all expectations. There is little remaining of the Art Deco interior but at least the circle foyer has been reinstated and is now the stylish Amber Bar. The Imax auditorium, the former circle is massive and the deco ceiling troughs are still in situ and the screen presentation was impressive.
I used to visit this cinema as a child.If a film was in cinemascope the masking had to be manually adjusted by a pully mechanism at the side of the proscenium curtains.Featuring mostly family friendly films at cheap prices this was a lovely small town cinema.
Although the exterior is in good shape the interior is a typically botched Odeon conversion with sound bleeds from the circle minis into the cinemas below…avoid !!
The Regal has indeed reopened, restored to its former glory with a similar auditorium layout to the Rex in Berkhamsted.Two further intimate screens are due to open on the fourth level of the building in the summer of 2012
I am not a great fan of multiplexes but this one is brilliant ..visited recently very clean comfortable foyers and screens esp Directors Hall…Odeon take note!!
With respect the Duke of York cinema in Brighton is marginally older than the Phoenix and has retained the same name throughout its nearly 100 years of existence
Full titles read: “EIGHT PIANO RHAPSODY – Produced by Phil Finch. Filmed at Carlton Cinema, Islington, London.”
L/S’s of the pianists playing their pianos (it’s quite a spectacle). There are several good C/U’s and M/S’s of the pianists (Unfortunately this cataloguer cannot identify them). L/S’s and M/S’s of the audience watching solemnly from their seats.
Issue Date: 23/10/1933 Sound: Yes
Time in: 01:18:11:00 Time out: 01:21:49:00
Canister: PT 187 Film ID: 1090.12
Sort number: PT 187 Tape: PM1090
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on the pathe news website there is a short film of a stage show at the Carlton in the early 1930s…the film shows 7 grand pianos being played on stage and the camera pans around the auditorium.In the closing moments you see the original screen tabs and organ,marvelous stuff!
A fabulous cinema with an eclectic programming mix of mainstream and arthouse movies.The balcony has comfy sofas and there is a small but well stocked cafe bar with terrace at first floore level.Plans for the future include expansion into a former fire station next door to add more screens and cafe/bar
Mr Suri is certainly the saviour of many former city centre Odeons and he is to be congratulated on saving York a true art dec jewel.
Now if only he could havr rescued Chester….city centre traditional cinemas if well maintained and updated offer a far superior experience to the shed like characterless multiplexes
It is great to see Empire Cinemas maximising the potential of this truly wonderful cinema and also regaining its Premier status.Screen one has to be the best movie experience in not only London but the whole of the U.K.It well deserves to be Movie Showplace of the Nation once again.
A dreadful little multiplex originally known as the Scene Swiss Centre….little or no money has been spent on its upkeep over the years and although capacity in the West End will be reduced(a long with the impending closure of the Odeon West End)its loss is not to be mourned!
The Empire is not going to become another Odeon…because of Odeon dominance in the west end the OFT insisted that Odeon divest itself of certain properties.Irish Cinema Chain Ward Anderson has bought the Empire.
I endorse the comments above.Muvico have the right idea and here in the U.K a luxury environment is taking off.Two examples being The Rex in Berkhamsted and The Electric in Notting Hill.Of the chains only Picturehouse cinemas offer a great cinema experience.I hope the multiplex chains here follow Muvicos example.
You were sitting in the largest screen, an extension of the original balcony from the 1960s conversion.3 smaller screens have been carved out of the rear circle with the fifth screen in the former projectionists training area.
I visited the Swiss Cottage Odeon today to see their IMAX presentation of Skyfall. I am normally very critical of Odeon sites but this one exceeds all expectations. There is little remaining of the Art Deco interior but at least the circle foyer has been reinstated and is now the stylish Amber Bar. The Imax auditorium, the former circle is massive and the deco ceiling troughs are still in situ and the screen presentation was impressive.
I used to visit this cinema as a child.If a film was in cinemascope the masking had to be manually adjusted by a pully mechanism at the side of the proscenium curtains.Featuring mostly family friendly films at cheap prices this was a lovely small town cinema.
Although the exterior is in good shape the interior is a typically botched Odeon conversion with sound bleeds from the circle minis into the cinemas below…avoid !!
The corner block was the Royal Clarence Hotel originally and in a similar style to the victorian theatre
The Regal has indeed reopened, restored to its former glory with a similar auditorium layout to the Rex in Berkhamsted.Two further intimate screens are due to open on the fourth level of the building in the summer of 2012
Empire 2 has now been refurbished and has stadium seating and capacity is now 304.
Cinema to be refurbished in the summer with new seating and decoration and an additional 3 screens to open at Komedia Brighton in Dec 2012
A great cinema with Sony 4k digital projection
So many of Ranks former cinemas are now derelict eyesores
I am not a great fan of multiplexes but this one is brilliant ..visited recently very clean comfortable foyers and screens esp Directors Hall…Odeon take note!!
Exactly why are Landmark closing this gem of a theatre..is the lease up or has a lucrative offer been made for the site??
Screen 5 has a capacity of 35. 3D equipment has now been installed in screen 1 and is due to be installed in screen 2
With respect the Duke of York cinema in Brighton is marginally older than the Phoenix and has retained the same name throughout its nearly 100 years of existence
Just checked the site Simon and it does work :)
Thats a great photo from the 40s…the Castro is my favourite theatre on the West Coast…but its a long way from Brighton U.K :)
One of a few cherished cinemas in Pontypridd and like the County, Palladium, Park and Town Hall long gone.
www.britishpathe.com..type in carlton islington in the search bar..details below:
EIGHT PIANO RHAPSODY 1933
Full titles read: “EIGHT PIANO RHAPSODY – Produced by Phil Finch. Filmed at Carlton Cinema, Islington, London.”
L/S’s of the pianists playing their pianos (it’s quite a spectacle). There are several good C/U’s and M/S’s of the pianists (Unfortunately this cataloguer cannot identify them). L/S’s and M/S’s of the audience watching solemnly from their seats.
Issue Date: 23/10/1933 Sound: Yes
Time in: 01:18:11:00 Time out: 01:21:49:00
Canister: PT 187 Film ID: 1090.12
Sort number: PT 187 Tape: PM1090
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on the pathe news website there is a short film of a stage show at the Carlton in the early 1930s…the film shows 7 grand pianos being played on stage and the camera pans around the auditorium.In the closing moments you see the original screen tabs and organ,marvelous stuff!
A fabulous cinema with an eclectic programming mix of mainstream and arthouse movies.The balcony has comfy sofas and there is a small but well stocked cafe bar with terrace at first floore level.Plans for the future include expansion into a former fire station next door to add more screens and cafe/bar
Mr Suri is certainly the saviour of many former city centre Odeons and he is to be congratulated on saving York a true art dec jewel.
Now if only he could havr rescued Chester….city centre traditional cinemas if well maintained and updated offer a far superior experience to the shed like characterless multiplexes
It is great to see Empire Cinemas maximising the potential of this truly wonderful cinema and also regaining its Premier status.Screen one has to be the best movie experience in not only London but the whole of the U.K.It well deserves to be Movie Showplace of the Nation once again.
A dreadful little multiplex originally known as the Scene Swiss Centre….little or no money has been spent on its upkeep over the years and although capacity in the West End will be reduced(a long with the impending closure of the Odeon West End)its loss is not to be mourned!
The Empire is not going to become another Odeon…because of Odeon dominance in the west end the OFT insisted that Odeon divest itself of certain properties.Irish Cinema Chain Ward Anderson has bought the Empire.
I endorse the comments above.Muvico have the right idea and here in the U.K a luxury environment is taking off.Two examples being The Rex in Berkhamsted and The Electric in Notting Hill.Of the chains only Picturehouse cinemas offer a great cinema experience.I hope the multiplex chains here follow Muvicos example.