ABC Harrogate

FanaticalAboutOdeon on May 11, 2013 at 5:18 pm

To my mind, one of Glen’s best interiors. The wide proscenium arch and restrained splay wall treatment with its concealed lighting and slender statuettes made for a handsome auditorium. The largely coffered ceiling had three large roses above the front stalls from which were suspended “ABC” spray chandeliers. A gold, satin festoon curtain was lit in the primary colours and secondary blending by footlights and, behind it, a festooned border was lit either red or green by a batten which was typically operated when trailer leads or theatre sales adverts were being screened. CinemaScope was particularly effective within such a relatively wide opening (compared with York ABC’s more restricted arch). I was in a capacity audience at the opening performance of a pre-release run of “Doctor Zhivago” at Harrogate ABC in 1967 and the presentation was “top notch” throughout. I believe that, when the cinema was demolished, the “Oscar” style statuettes were rescued and installed at the Halifax ABC where that cinema’s own, similar figures had been lost.

Ian on February 1, 2008 at 10:59 am

Exterior picture here:–

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