Odeon Aldershot
High Street,
Aldershot,
GU11 1DJ
High Street,
Aldershot,
GU11 1DJ
1 person
favorited this theater
A classic Art Deco style cinema which opened as the Ritz Cinema on 15th May 1937. It was built by Union Theatres who were taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in October 1937. It originally had a Wurlitzer 3Maual/7Ranks organ installed which was opened by Harold Ramsay.
The Ritz Theatre was built to compete with the Empire Cinema next door. Like the Empire Cinema, it staged variety shows as well as movies and in the mid-1960’s staged pop shows starring Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, etc.
It was split into three screens in the 1970’s. It was listed to close in July 2003. This is a fine example of an Art Deco style provincial ‘super cinema’ worthy of preservation.
Contributed by
Mike Luck
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
When the Ritz/ABC was split into 3 screens in 1977 they were located in the former balcony and seated 313, 187 and 150. The former orchestra stalls level was converted into a bingo hall.
These 3 screens were re-branded Odeon in 2002 and closed on 10th July 2003. The space has been gutted, but the Gala Bingo Club is currently still open in the former stalls level.
The old Ritz/Odeon needs your help to survive as it is under immediate threat of demolition.
Please see our campaign page for details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/G181
Exterior photos of the cinema under Cannon here :–
View link
View link
Vintage photographs of the Ritz Cinema, and its Wurlitzer organ console:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2206.html
Another photo of the building here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5296329682/