Academy 1-2-3

161-167 Oxford Street,
London, W1D 2JN

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Francesco
Francesco on July 9, 2010 at 9:17 am

Did the Academy show trailers? Is there any information available online as to old programmes of films and brochures etc?

Is there anyone who worked at the Academy still around to talk to?

Many thanks

doojeen
doojeen on June 4, 2008 at 3:15 am

On my first visit to London in 1975 I saw several films in a Buster Keaton season at the Academy – a really unique experience, as they were the only silent films I’ve ever seen in a cinema, complete with live piano accompaniment. Another interesting fact about the Academy is that the basement was once a dancehall, which became the first location of the Marquee Club from 1958 to 1964.

View link

exciterlamp
exciterlamp on May 15, 2006 at 5:17 am

For me the highlight of the year was the annual programme of the Olivier Shakespeare trilogy – “Henry V”, “Hamlet” and “Richard III”. “Henry V” on a big screen in sumptuous colour-saturated IB Technicolor never ceased to impress. It was an absolute disgrace that permission was granted to demolish this wonderful theatre.

kevinp
kevinp on August 7, 2005 at 2:27 am

I went to the last day’s screening’s there, prior to the demolition.
The supermarket chain Marks And Spencers swallowed up the space, albeit, the offices to the side is called “ Academy” Buildings.

An early picture can be found on this wonderful link.

View link

best

kev p

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on July 14, 2005 at 1:13 am

On April 22, 1973 I saw two films at the Academy. At Academy 1, Claude Chabrol’s Just Before Nightfall; at Academy 3, Miklós Jancsó’s Red Psalm.

DAVIDFREEMAN
DAVIDFREEMAN on November 2, 2003 at 6:30 pm

I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS CINEMA TAKEN IN 1977…..
FOYER…AUDITORIUM…PROJECTORS…

graememcbain
graememcbain on November 5, 2002 at 1:50 am

This cinema was located in Oxford Street and opened as The Picture House on 25 January 1913.It was designed by Gilbert and Constanduros and was a two-level auditorium with 668 seats.The building suffered bomb damage in 1940 and didn’t re-open until March 1944.Academy One opened in May 1964,Academy Two in March 1965 and Academy Three in April 1967.The theatres closed permanently on 2 April 1986 and were demolished in 1989.

davidpring
davidpring on January 16, 2002 at 6:47 pm

A popular art house venue the Academy was originally a single screen venue.An additional screen was built in the basement in the early 1970s and a third smaller screen was built in disused office space.The cinema was demolished many years ago to make way for an extension to a department store.It is sadly missed