The Ritz Theatre is listed in the 1940 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook, but with no seating capacity given. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 400.
The Castle Cinema was the first purpose built cinema to open in Swansea. It opened on 14th December 1913 and was designed by the architectural firm of Thomas, Meager & Jones of London. The exterior facade scupture was carried out by George Houton of Worcester.
In 1967 it was modernised internally when the auditorium was draped in curtain material and the seating capacity was reduced to 800. It closed in 1983, but quickly re-opened later that year having been re-named the Film Centre. It finally closed as a cinema on 31st October 1991 and was converted into use as a Lazer Zone – War Game Centre.
The Albert Hall opened on 19th May 1864 and was built as a concert hall and reading rooms. In 1914 it was screening C.W. Poole’s great ‘Myriorama’ show. The frontage was re-furbished in 1920 and in 1922 it underwent an internal rebuilding to the design of architect Charles Tamlin Ruthin. From August 1922 it had re-opened as a full time cinema and was operated by South Wales Cinemas Ltd.
It was leased to Union Cinema from March 1937 and fully taken over by them in October 1937 (managed by Associated British Cinemas-ABC). From 1st October 1939 it was taken back by South Wales Cinemas Ltd. The Cardiff based firm of Jackson Withers took control from 1955 and they operated it until 1st November 1976 when they were taken over by the Rank Organisation.
The Albert Hall was closed on 3rd December 1977 and converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club which remains open today as a Mecca Bingo Club.
The Crest Theatre opened on 7th August 1941 with Abbott & Costello in “Buck Privates”. It closed on 4th May 1957 and is now in use as offices for the Cerro Gordo Building and Loan.
The Eighty-One Theatre first opened as a vaudeville theatre in around 1908. It was re-modelled in 1928 and was listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s from at least 1930 until at least 1955.
Three photographs:-
As the Regal Cinema in October 1949 playing the Odeon circuit release. View link
Still known as the Regal Cinema in this April 1956 view, playing the Odeon circuit release. View link
As the Odeon in December 1970 playing the Rank circuit release. View link
Thanks to frankie for this image….. a photograph of the Globe Theatre taken on the last day of business (possibly 1955 or 1956) with a 1941 Jane Wyman attraction and a 1955 feature movie: http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/270203534/
Opened as the Midlothian Theatre in 1936, it was re-named Ewing Theatre in 1943. In 1949 it was re-named Towne Theatre and continued as a movie theatre until closing in 1957.
In 1962 was converted by the Ewing family into a restaurant called King Arthur’s Round Table. The building has now been demolished.
Opened in 1914 as the La Grange Theatre, it was re-named Park Theatre in 1937 when it was given an Art Deco re-model by the then owners;Balaban & Katz. It closed in 1950 and was demolished in 1972.
Originally opened as the 1,000 seat Melrose Park Theatre in 1917. The name was shortened to Melrose Theatre in 1936. The recent book ‘Historic Movie Theatre in Illinois – 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke gives a closing date of 1964. It was demolished in 1972.
This opened as the Lawndale Theatre in 1914. From 1930 to 1936 it was re-named Grandale Theatre. In 1939 it re-opened as the Gene Theatre and from 1941 until closing in 1951 it became the New Rex Theatre.
This opened in 1917 as the Leida Theatre. In 1923 it had a name change to Rainbow Theatre and was re-named the Ridge Theatre in 1936. The Ridge closed in 1951.
Opened as the Americas Theatre in 1910 with a seating capacity of 664. It was re-named the Lawndale Theatre in 1929, but this was a short lived name as it was re-named Lindy Theatre in 1930, a name it retained until closing in 1950.
The theatre has since been demolished and apartment housing has been errected.
Already listed on Cinema Treasures as the Lindy Theatre
The Ritz Theatre is listed in the 1940 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook, but with no seating capacity given. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 400.
The Castle Cinema was the first purpose built cinema to open in Swansea. It opened on 14th December 1913 and was designed by the architectural firm of Thomas, Meager & Jones of London. The exterior facade scupture was carried out by George Houton of Worcester.
In 1967 it was modernised internally when the auditorium was draped in curtain material and the seating capacity was reduced to 800. It closed in 1983, but quickly re-opened later that year having been re-named the Film Centre. It finally closed as a cinema on 31st October 1991 and was converted into use as a Lazer Zone – War Game Centre.
The Albert Hall opened on 19th May 1864 and was built as a concert hall and reading rooms. In 1914 it was screening C.W. Poole’s great ‘Myriorama’ show. The frontage was re-furbished in 1920 and in 1922 it underwent an internal rebuilding to the design of architect Charles Tamlin Ruthin. From August 1922 it had re-opened as a full time cinema and was operated by South Wales Cinemas Ltd.
It was leased to Union Cinema from March 1937 and fully taken over by them in October 1937 (managed by Associated British Cinemas-ABC). From 1st October 1939 it was taken back by South Wales Cinemas Ltd. The Cardiff based firm of Jackson Withers took control from 1955 and they operated it until 1st November 1976 when they were taken over by the Rank Organisation.
The Albert Hall was closed on 3rd December 1977 and converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club which remains open today as a Mecca Bingo Club.
The Crest Theatre opened on 7th August 1941 with Abbott & Costello in “Buck Privates”. It closed on 4th May 1957 and is now in use as offices for the Cerro Gordo Building and Loan.
The Eighty-One Theatre first opened as a vaudeville theatre in around 1908. It was re-modelled in 1928 and was listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s from at least 1930 until at least 1955.
Currently known as ASK Pizza Restaurant (using the former foyer space).
A photograph of the Capitol Cinema (as seen in the 1950s?):
View link
Three photographs:-
As the Regal Cinema in October 1949 playing the Odeon circuit release.
View link
Still known as the Regal Cinema in this April 1956 view, playing the Odeon circuit release.
View link
As the Odeon in December 1970 playing the Rank circuit release.
View link
The R Theatre opened on 11th October 1947 with Betty Hutton in “Cross My Heart. It closed in 1977.
Listed as the Mid-State Theatre in editions of Film Daily Yearbook from at least 1941 through to 1950.
Listed as open in editions of Film Daily Yearbook from at least 1941 until 1957 and beyond?
Thanks to frankie for this image….. a photograph of the Globe Theatre taken on the last day of business (possibly 1955 or 1956) with a 1941 Jane Wyman attraction and a 1955 feature movie:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/270203534/
The Family Theater opened in 1910. In 1933 it became part of the West Frankfort property and closed in 1937.
Opened as the Midlothian Theatre in 1936, it was re-named Ewing Theatre in 1943. In 1949 it was re-named Towne Theatre and continued as a movie theatre until closing in 1957.
In 1962 was converted by the Ewing family into a restaurant called King Arthur’s Round Table. The building has now been demolished.
Opened in 1914 as the La Grange Theatre, it was re-named Park Theatre in 1937 when it was given an Art Deco re-model by the then owners;Balaban & Katz. It closed in 1950 and was demolished in 1972.
Originally opened as the 1,000 seat Melrose Park Theatre in 1917. The name was shortened to Melrose Theatre in 1936. The recent book ‘Historic Movie Theatre in Illinois – 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke gives a closing date of 1964. It was demolished in 1972.
This opened as the Lawndale Theatre in 1914. From 1930 to 1936 it was re-named Grandale Theatre. In 1939 it re-opened as the Gene Theatre and from 1941 until closing in 1951 it became the New Rex Theatre.
It is currently in use as a church.
This opened in 1917 as the Leida Theatre. In 1923 it had a name change to Rainbow Theatre and was re-named the Ridge Theatre in 1936. The Ridge closed in 1951.
The Montecello Theatre opened in 1913 and closed in 1927.
Opened as the Americas Theatre in 1910 with a seating capacity of 664. It was re-named the Lawndale Theatre in 1929, but this was a short lived name as it was re-named Lindy Theatre in 1930, a name it retained until closing in 1950.
The theatre has since been demolished and apartment housing has been errected.
Already listed on Cinema Treasures as the Lindy Theatre
Opened in 1913 as the Douglas Theatre, it closed in 1931.
The Bonita Theatre opened in 1913 with a seating capacity of 299.
Opened in 1912, the Angelus Theatre closed in 1916. It had a seating capacity of 300. The site of the theatre is today occupied by a store.
Listed in the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 700.
Opened in 1911, it had a seating capacity of 300 and was closed in 1923. Now demolished.