Although not a local myself, I have a long family history with the town, and have spent a lot of happy times in the area over the last 60 years. To contemplate the replacement of this historic cinema with the anonymity of an underground multiplex doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s a real shame that its operators don’t use its uniqueness as a major selling point. What does their PR department DO with itself all day?
keiths
commented about
Kinemaon
Mar 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm
I drove past what I suspect must have been this place yesterday, but the weather was horrible. I’ll post a picture next time I’m down there on a decent day.
Thankyou abcman. Looking at your pics of the operahouse, you are, of course, quite right – it WAS a long time ago, after all. However, I DID see a summer show at the ABC, but now can’t remember who it was for the life of me!
I can ‘sort of’ understand Tesco wanting to rebuild here. Although it had a lot of seats, the interior of the building was/is quite cramped, and the present store is very small by Tesco standards. However…… there isn’t a lot of room out the back to extend into, there being a sloping municipal car park very close to the back wall of the present building, so I don’t quite see their rationale. Maybe they want to extend upwards?
I was a student in Guildford between 1970 and 1974, during which time I saw several films at the Odeon, including Woodstock and Fantasia on the big screen – pre tripling. Guildford was also the home of Studio 1, which became one of the first cinemas in the country to be twinned into Studios 1 & 2. These were closer to the Uni – as well as round the corner from the best Indian restaurant in town, so were the cinema of choice for students. The present multiplex is just round the corner from where the studios used to stand.
What a find. By the time I was involved with the place in 1970, the whole of the inside was painted black. If my memory serves me well, the picture was taken from a point in front of the steeply raked rear stalls. The cinema was actually quite large inside, the projection throw being around 100 feet. The ‘scope picture was like a postage stamp from the back, due to being the same width as the 1.33:1
Although the film this link connects to concerns the building of the Forum cinema around the corner, the exterior of the Walpole features quite prominently in it.
This is a link to a British Pathe film about the original building of the cinema. It also contains footage of the side view of the Walpole cinema, which was around the corner.
keiths
commented about
Studio 7on
May 31, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Unfortunately it was an AWFUL dump, compared to other screens a short walk away. Also, parking was a great problem too. I don’t think too many tears were shed over this one, I’m afraid!
Although not a local myself, I have a long family history with the town, and have spent a lot of happy times in the area over the last 60 years. To contemplate the replacement of this historic cinema with the anonymity of an underground multiplex doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s a real shame that its operators don’t use its uniqueness as a major selling point. What does their PR department DO with itself all day?
Drove past yesterday. Not much left…..
I drove past what I suspect must have been this place yesterday, but the weather was horrible. I’ll post a picture next time I’m down there on a decent day.
A very nice video describing the history of the Kinema is available from the website. It’s fascinating stuff, and well worth a view.
I believe Star’s first attempt at twinning was Studio 1&2 in Guildford – long demolished to make way for an open air bus garage.
I seem to remember that the MacDonalds usage actually lasted into the 21st century – possibly as late as 2004.
At least the building seems to have had a coat of paint since the photo at the top was taken…
Thankyou abcman. Looking at your pics of the operahouse, you are, of course, quite right – it WAS a long time ago, after all. However, I DID see a summer show at the ABC, but now can’t remember who it was for the life of me!
I must go and take a look at this place – I worked around the corner from 1973-76, but never got the chance to go inside.
I can ‘sort of’ understand Tesco wanting to rebuild here. Although it had a lot of seats, the interior of the building was/is quite cramped, and the present store is very small by Tesco standards. However…… there isn’t a lot of room out the back to extend into, there being a sloping municipal car park very close to the back wall of the present building, so I don’t quite see their rationale. Maybe they want to extend upwards?
I was a student in Guildford between 1970 and 1974, during which time I saw several films at the Odeon, including Woodstock and Fantasia on the big screen – pre tripling. Guildford was also the home of Studio 1, which became one of the first cinemas in the country to be twinned into Studios 1 & 2. These were closer to the Uni – as well as round the corner from the best Indian restaurant in town, so were the cinema of choice for students. The present multiplex is just round the corner from where the studios used to stand.
Thank goodness it’s still there.
People vomited during Star Wars at the Odeon Marble Arch due to motion sickness. The staff had to shut the front few rows.
What a find. By the time I was involved with the place in 1970, the whole of the inside was painted black. If my memory serves me well, the picture was taken from a point in front of the steeply raked rear stalls. The cinema was actually quite large inside, the projection throw being around 100 feet. The ‘scope picture was like a postage stamp from the back, due to being the same width as the 1.33:1
Do you know WHICH retail unit this is?
This is what the site looks like as of December 2010.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksavs/5228711029/
http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/info/eaempire005.htm
For latest news.
View link
This is worth a watch.
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=72614
Although the film this link connects to concerns the building of the Forum cinema around the corner, the exterior of the Walpole features quite prominently in it.
This place is what cinema should be all about. Technologically up to date, but with character by the bucket-load.
This is what it looks like in September 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksavs/5029727038/
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=72614
This is a link to a British Pathe film about the original building of the cinema. It also contains footage of the side view of the Walpole cinema, which was around the corner.
Unfortunately it was an AWFUL dump, compared to other screens a short walk away. Also, parking was a great problem too. I don’t think too many tears were shed over this one, I’m afraid!
I’ve driven past here hundreds of times – I never realised what an absolute gem it is inside!
It was almost obscene how quickly this place was demolished after closure.