Standard Cinema

One of Southampton’s earliest cinemas "come in when you like and stop as long as you like" was the welcoming sign in 1909. It was originally Baker Brothers furniture store which had opened in 1900.

A children’s matinee was on Wednesdays and Saturdays along with continuous performances from 3pm-11pm on other days, except Sundays.

Purchase price in 1924 was 5,000 (pounds).

A small orchestra accompanied silent films but but the Standard could not get out of being fondly known as the "bug hutch!"

"Lost World" played to sell-out crowds with a 12 foot home made dinosaur over the main entrance -an advertising gimmick long before the publicity stunts of today.

Bombed in the blitz of 1940, the Standard, located in the poorer section of town was sold. Today it is open as a sporting goods shop with displays in the former balcony. The address today also houses Pink Broadway; Southampton’s only gay sauna.

Interestingly, the old projection box is visible on the roof and the space for the projected movie can be seen on the back wall!

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