The Commodore Cinema, Cippenham (nr Slough) opened in November 1938 was built by Commodore Super Cinema (Slough) Ltd. In 1944 it is listed as being operated by a company known as General Cinema Theatres, 8 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London W1. It had a seating capacity of 1,500, the proscenium was 45ft wide, the stage was 17ft deep and there were 4 dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Lafleur (Hammond) 2Manual organ which was opened by Stanley Miller. There was a Cafe and Dance Hall within the building.
In 1947 seating was given as 1,480, ownership was the same as in 1944.
By 1953 it had been taken over by the Essoldo Circuit of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and re-named Essoldo Cinema. Closed as a cinema by 1965 it went over to bingo hall use. I’m sorry, I don’t know any other details on this building.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 & 1943 editions with a seating capacity given as 800. The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. lists the Volunteer Theatre, but with no seating capacity given, usually indicating it could have possibly closed.
The Liberty Theatre is listed in Film Daily Yearbook; 1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the full address (1104 Wyoming Avenue) is given and the seating capacity has risen to 852.
In the newly published book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke the address is given as 100 N. 2nd Street, Dupo, IL. 300 seats It opened in the 1920’s and closed in 1950. The theatre burned down in 1951.
The Trans-Lux Newsreel Theatre opened in 1934. It had a seating capacity of 487.
Warren;… I believe you are correct in stating it was formed out of retail space.
It became the Fulton Playhouse (possibly around 1936?) and closed in 1938. It reverted back to retail use, which continues today with a Rite-Aid store operating from the building.
The RKO Dyker is a pretty good example or re-use and retention of original detail. Unfortunately here in the former orchestra section all has been lost. I checked out the two most recent Modell’s conversions of former theatre’s at the RKO Kenmore in Flatbush, Brooklyn and the UA Crossbay in Ozone park, Queens and sadly nothing has been saved inside these buildings.
The front of the building has been totally re-modeled, but looking around the rear, the original brickwork of the auditorium block still survives. Nothing remains to be seen inside and any features have either been removed or covered with a drop ceilings and panels.
Quote from the new book ‘Historic Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke:
Okaw Theater, East South 2nd Street, Findlay, IL
Opened in the 1920’s, closed 1958. Seats 300
The theatre re-opened in the 1970’s as a live country & western theatre. It was torn down in the 1980’s when the roof collapsed.
Listed in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity given as 400. In the 1943 edition of F.D.Y. is is listed as (Closed). However, it is open again in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. with a seating capacity given as 300.
The Film Daily Yearbook;1941, 1943 & 1950 editions give a seating capacity of 1,300.
The Commodore Cinema, Cippenham (nr Slough) opened in November 1938 was built by Commodore Super Cinema (Slough) Ltd. In 1944 it is listed as being operated by a company known as General Cinema Theatres, 8 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London W1. It had a seating capacity of 1,500, the proscenium was 45ft wide, the stage was 17ft deep and there were 4 dressing rooms. It was equipped with a Lafleur (Hammond) 2Manual organ which was opened by Stanley Miller. There was a Cafe and Dance Hall within the building.
In 1947 seating was given as 1,480, ownership was the same as in 1944.
By 1953 it had been taken over by the Essoldo Circuit of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and re-named Essoldo Cinema. Closed as a cinema by 1965 it went over to bingo hall use. I’m sorry, I don’t know any other details on this building.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 & 1943 editions with a seating capacity given as 800. The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. lists the Volunteer Theatre, but with no seating capacity given, usually indicating it could have possibly closed.
The Liberty Theatre is listed in Film Daily Yearbook; 1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the full address (1104 Wyoming Avenue) is given and the seating capacity has risen to 852.
In the newly published book ‘Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke the address is given as 100 N. 2nd Street, Dupo, IL. 300 seats It opened in the 1920’s and closed in 1950. The theatre burned down in 1951.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook: 1941 & 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 900. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 712.
The Trans-Lux Newsreel Theatre opened in 1934. It had a seating capacity of 487.
Warren;… I believe you are correct in stating it was formed out of retail space.
It became the Fulton Playhouse (possibly around 1936?) and closed in 1938. It reverted back to retail use, which continues today with a Rite-Aid store operating from the building.
Here is a photograph I took in June 2006 of the Trans-Lux Theatre building:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211219790/
A photograph I took of the RKO Shore Road Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211174721/
Four photographs I took in June 2006 of the New Venus Theater. Unfortunately, due to the time of year, the building (which is currently unused and for lease or sale) is partially obscured by untrimmed trees and bushes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211143349/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211143951/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211144986/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211145549/
The RKO Dyker is a pretty good example or re-use and retention of original detail. Unfortunately here in the former orchestra section all has been lost. I checked out the two most recent Modell’s conversions of former theatre’s at the RKO Kenmore in Flatbush, Brooklyn and the UA Crossbay in Ozone park, Queens and sadly nothing has been saved inside these buildings.
Thanks Mike, I do my best…(blushes)
Three photographs I took of the Harbor Theater in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211072499/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211072944/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211073442/
One More Try…..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211035349/
OOpps, sorry, here is that last photo link again:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/21103549/
Four photographs I took in June 2006 of the RKO Dyker Theater:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211033531/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211034337/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211034756/
http;//www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/211035349/
Two photographs of the Alpine Cinema I took in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210959751/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210960082/
Listed in the 1926 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 1,234.
Here is a photograph of the Coliseum Theatre I took in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210937346/
The front of the building has been totally re-modeled, but looking around the rear, the original brickwork of the auditorium block still survives. Nothing remains to be seen inside and any features have either been removed or covered with a drop ceilings and panels.
Here is a photograph I took in June 2006 of the Sunset Theatre frontage:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210921306/
Three photographs I took of the Park Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210885986/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210886336/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210889194/
Three photographs I took of the Alben Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210862676/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210863556/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210863801/
Two photographs I took of the Globe Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210853103/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210853352/
A photograph of the United Artist’s Court Street Stadium 12 which I took in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/210188898/
Two vintage views of the Odeon, West Harlepool:
Photographed in September 1949:
View link
A photograph from the 1950’s:
View link
Quote from the new book ‘Historic Theatres in Illinois 1883-1960’ by Konrad Schiecke:
Okaw Theater, East South 2nd Street, Findlay, IL
Opened in the 1920’s, closed 1958. Seats 300
The theatre re-opened in the 1970’s as a live country & western theatre. It was torn down in the 1980’s when the roof collapsed.
Listed in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity given as 400. In the 1943 edition of F.D.Y. is is listed as (Closed). However, it is open again in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. with a seating capacity given as 300.