Photos favorited by tonylaing1

  • <p>Looking into the auditorium from one of the proscenium ledges.</p>
  • <p>The stage of the Queens Cinema, showing the entrance to the circle at the front right side.</p>
  • <p>The exterior changed very little over the years, but this shows the newer canopy which ran the length of the frontage, the entrance being under the higher part at the far end. The nearer doors are emergency exits leading directly into the back of the auditorium.</p>
  • <p>The Palace’s projection box was the second highest in the Rank organization’s cinemas, necessitating the screen being titled back at an unusually severe angle.</p>
  • <p>The rear circle, showing the projection ports. The throw to the screen was one of the steepest in the UK.</p>
  • <p>Soon after this was taken, the white marble and side windows of the entrance were covered by what was then fashionable varnished wood strips. The commissionaire is at the left, in his blue and silver livery.</p>
  • <p>The view from the stage end of the circle. The Gaumont was the only cinema in Aberdeen to have double seats, in the circle, placed in front of the side pillars - and concealed from prying eyes in the audience.</p>
  • <p>Taken from the rear of the circle. In addition to the featureless beige of the new décor, the original pale satin tabs framed with swagged red velvet also disappeared.</p>
  • <p>The blue neon sign and welcoming, brightly-lit canopy were a feature of Union Street, and often a refuge from the elements.</p>
  • <p>In the 1960s, soon after redecoration, when all-over beige and taupe replaced the blue and gold splendour of the classically-styled auditorium.</p>
  • <p>A Majestic film display board by the left hand stairway to the café and circle</p>
  • <p>Exterior of the Royal (Lyceum)</p>
  • <p>The auditorium shortly before the cinema opened</p>
  • <p>The auditorium at the time the cinema opened to the public.</p>
  • <p>Harold Titherington at the Astoria Compton Organ, showing illuminated console - and the reason that style was known as “jelly-mould”!</p>
  • <p>Astoria stage showing main green damask tabs.</p>
  • <p>Proscenium and stage, showing screen tabs.</p>
  • <p>The Astoria cinema nearing completion in 1934.</p>
  • <p>The Cosmo’s frontage and building were shared with the Palais de Danse, which is on the left of the photo.</p>