Odeon Cinema (Classic/Film Centre), Chandos Place to be torn down
ST. AUSTELL, CORNWALL, ENGLAND — The opening date was Saturday 11th July 1936, the first film shown at the Odeon Cinema was a charity screening of “Jack of All Trades”. As a matter of interest, the last film shown on its closing night Thursday 23rd August 2007, was again a charity screening, of “The Smallest Show on Earth”.
This magnificent building, in my opinion the finest example of it’s type is currently being stripped out in preparation for destruction, which should occur in the next few weeks (Mid Oct 07). A victim of a short sighted council and town centre ‘regeneration’.
Whilst the building would have benefited from refurbishment and investment, the money has gone instead to build a new, no doubt glass and chrome anytown cinema in the town. The “replacement” cinema is not to be completed until 2008/09.