Odeon Watford

Watford, Hertfordshire, England

65 The Parade High Street

, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom WD17 1LJ

(map)

Status:	Closed/Demolished
Screens:	Triplex
Style:	Art Moderne

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	2000
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	J.Owen Bond
Firm:	Unknown

Despite a very plain facade on the principal shopping street in Watford, the Gaumont was a very fine cinema when it opened on 3rd May 1937.

It was designed by J Owen Bond and seated 1398 in the stalls and 602 in the circle. Above the long entrance foyer was a restaurant.

The wide spacious auditorium had three steppings in the side walls and ceiling, containing concealled lighting, and culminating in a large honeycombe plaster effect either side of the screen. There was a three manual Wurlitzer organ which was later destroyed by a small fire at the screen end of the cinema in 1956. It was not replaced and the remains of the instrument were removed and reused in a church organ a few years later.

A small stage often had concerts by major pop stars and orchestras.

In 1963 the Odeon cinema further along The Parade closed and in 1964 the Gaumont took the Odeon name. It was tripled in 1974 by the usual Odeon style of a drop wall under the balcony and two small cinemas (here seating 120 each) in the former rear stalls. These were fitted out to a higher standard than usual, the reason supposed to be that several directors of Rank lived in the vicinity. The circle continued, apparently unaltered, using the original screen and containing 612 seats.

However, after a huge offer was made for the site (it was not actually up for sale at the time) the Odeon was closed on 15 October 1983 and was swiftly demolished to provide the area with yet another large supermarket. It had been kept in very good condition throughout its life and as a still profitable cinema was an utter waste to close and demolish such a fine building.

Contributed by Ian Grundy

YOUR COMMENTS

Exterior photo of the Watford Gaumont / Odeon after closure here :-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/137513840/

posted by Ian on Apr 30, 2006 at 10:18pm

Another photo, taken whilst the Odeon was still operating, here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/2299266636/

posted by Ian on Feb 28, 2008 at 4:06pm

Thanks Ian, great collection you have.

some more pix here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/sets/72157604301516673/

posted by kev phelan on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:43pm

Hi, i used to work at this theater as a projetionist and was gutted when the news came that it was closing. Wished that i took some more pix now,but have added some pix of the projectors/box's & closing down party here if anybody is interested.
Regards

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swampy3666/sets/72157613438391741/

posted by M Bearcroft on Sep 14, 2009 at 1:50am

I remember that the entrance block standing for months after the auditorium had been demolished, with the Odeon name still up - usually they try and strip off the names.

posted by Ian on Sep 14, 2009 at 3:43am

Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!

Search

Theater Guide

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Newest Theaters

Recent Comments

Updated Theaters

Odeon Watford

YOUR COMMENTS

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?