State Cinema
George Street,
Grays,
RM17
George Street,
Grays,
RM17
7 people
favorited this theater
Opened in September 1938, the magnificent State Cinema remains a large and unaltered building which has been closed since 1991. The Compton organ, projectors and all equipment remain in the building.
In recent years, Morrisons Supermarket chain purchased the entire building and adjacent car park to use the car park as an extension to their own adjacent car park. Since then a new owner purchased the building and proposed plans for re-use, which have been turned down.
The building is Grade II* Listed and is one of the most endangered buildings on the English Heritage ‘Buildings at Risk’ list.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
A fairly recent photograph of the shuttered(15years now) State Cinema:
http://www.moviebunker.com/state_cinema_grays.htm
Two vintage photographs of the former State Cinema, courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association archives:
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A few more photographs of the State, from circa 1988, before it closed. Interiors and exterior and organ.
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I have sent an e-mail to Thurrock Council asking for info and/or help with an idea I had.
There is a cinema museum currently based in London that has to move home and could well cease to be if it can not find suitable new premises. The State Cinema building would be an ideal location. I have e-mailed the museum to confirm that they are still looking for a new home but so far that is it. This would be an ideal opportunity for both parties ( OK, Grays isn’t London but it has a good rail link to and from London).
This would fit in nicely with the planned (if Thurrock Council keep their promise) Thurrock Film Network.
If anyone is interested in helping me with trying to get these and other local projects started, please e-mail me on .uk Thanks.
Anyone interested in helping save this lovely old building please visit my website. www.statecinema.co.uk
There is now an online petition at www.statecinema.co.uk
Please sign if you would like to see one of Englands last fully original picture palaces saved from being turned into a health club or some sort or residential property.
Here is another photo of the State Cinema.
Up to date photos
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Pretty sad slide show posted by speed.
Just in from Peter Hammond via Facebook:
Peter Hammond
is rather gutted at the destruction of another cinema organ in its original venue
Quentin Bellamy Which one is that?
Peter Hammond State Grays
Simon Gledhill How has it been destroyed?
Peter Hammond Metal thieves broke in in July and have stolen most of the pipework. They even bent some of the tubas in half and left them on the stage presumably waiting their return to collect them. They also took other metal items in the building I believe. Console and other parts still in situ and OK I believe. We have been lobbying the local authority for ages to make sure the place was secure, especially after the caretaker died earlier this year. A few days ago new security measures were put into place – somewhat late!!! Simon please can the COS join forces with us to demand some action regarding the State?
Simon Gledhill Peter, let’s discuss privately. I will e-mail you.
Peter Hammond OK
Gary Davies This is a disgrace.
Stephen Dutfield It’s terrible news. Do we know what the state of play is with insurance? It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that the stolen pipework could be replaced from Compton material available from other sources, although of course it would never be the State organ as it was. I just hope nobody has the idea to dump what’s left of it because the pipes are missing.
Quentin Bellamy What a calamity!