London Pavilion

The Beatles 'Hard Day's Night' had its premiere here

The original architects in 1885 were Saunders & Worley, their facade survives today.

In 1900 theatre architects Wylson & Long reconstructed the interior and the auditorium floor was raked.

In 1934 the Firm; Matcham & Co. gutted the interior and their architect Frederick G.M. Chancellor with Cecil Masey drew up the plans to convert into a cinema.

To Keith: All four of the Beatles' feature pictures had their world premieres at the London Pavilion, with the Beatles in attendance at all of them, except "Let It Be", despite the crowds that thronged there awaiting their arrival.

I only wish they would put back the "hoardings" (as billboards are called in England) on the London Pavillion. The big Wrigley sign on the Pavillion was as much a Piccadilly Circus landmark as the giant Coca-Cola sign was across the street. Picture postcards from London still show the old Piccadilly Circus in all her night time neon glory! (The Pavillion is forever playing "Tom Jones" on them!)

Here are two vintage postcard views 1909 and 1912 and some historical details:
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/london_pav_1909__1912.htm

'Swinging London' in the 1960's. A photograph I took of the London Pavilion in 1964 screening the World Premier run of "A Hard Days Night":
http://photobucket.com/albums/y191/KenR-UK/?action=view¤t=LondonPavilionPiccadillyCircus.jpg

It is now a complete waste, empty shops that nobody wants in the middle of a great City like London, That is devolpment!!!???/

Our family visiting from Boston were lucky to come here in the summer of 1968 to see The Beatles in their cartoon, "Yellow Submarine," only a few days after its world premiere. The cinema had a nice big screen and a good sound system. I agree that it was preferable when the building had bright neon lights on it, like Times Square in New York. There is a time and place for everything, and restoring this building to its original look is not worth the effort since Piccadilly Circus is known for its neon lights around the world and as the original center of entertainment in London. That area has now moved to Leicester Square.

recent nightime shot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/429778260/in/photostream/

I saw a 'Horror' double bill here - Burnt Offerings & Rollerball.
On a school trip!

Two shots from 1988 of the Pavilion:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/1082390691/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/1082390021/

Atmospheric photo from 1960-you also get the British weather!

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10438892&wwwflag=28&imagepos=1

The date given for this photo is July 30, 1956.

Worked here for a fortnight in the mid 70's. Feature was one of the latest Pink Panther films doubled with "A Shot In The Dark". I was assigned to the top balcony, which had no foyer, so was forced to sit through this double-feature for 8 hours a day! We had 2 x 20 minute breaks per shift which involved going down 2 storeys to the stalls foyer,walking the length of the stalls to a side entrance of the stage, walking behind the screen and then climbing an old metal spiral staircase for another 4 storeys to reach the tea room. Of course, after completing this marathon, it was time to turn back and return to your assigned work position!

I also recall an alarming keystone affect of the screen, due to the steep throw from the bio-box which was situated at the back of the top circle.

"Rock Around the Clock" at the London Pavilion, photographed in July 1956:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhails/2813393913/
A night-time photograph of "Baby Doll" in January 1957:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhails/2821646850/