Comments from Ken Roe

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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Joy Cinema & Pub on Jan 14, 2006 at 7:42 am

The Joy Theatre is listed in the 1941 edition of Film Daily Yearbook, but no seating capacity is given. In the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook is is listed with a seating capacity of 485.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about CineMagic Theater on Jan 14, 2006 at 7:21 am

Operating since the late 1940’s when it first opened as the 420 seat Plaza Theatre.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Odeon Putney on Jan 12, 2006 at 10:24 pm

The Palace Cinema was equipped with a Compton 2Manual/5Rank theatre organ which was opened by George F. Somes in 1926.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about ABC Putney on Jan 12, 2006 at 10:20 pm

The Regal Cinema was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/6Rank theatre organ with Melotone unit and an illuminated console. It was opened by Charles Smart.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Putney Hippodrome Theatre on Jan 12, 2006 at 10:10 pm

Here is an exterior photograph, auditorium illustration and old theatre programme details for the Putney Hippodrome Theatre:
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Putney.htm

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Odeon Putney on Jan 12, 2006 at 10:01 pm

Photographed as the Palace Cinema playing the Gaumont release in October 1949:
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A photograph of the rear of the Palace Cinema in October 1949:
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Photographed as the Gaumont playing the Gaumont release in May 1956:
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The facade modernised as the Odeon, photographed in April 1971 (the roofline of the adjacent ABC (ex Regal) can be seen to the left of shot):
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain' on Jan 12, 2006 at 8:45 pm

Here in the UK, in the London suburb of Notting Hill we have a very famous old cinema named the Coronet /theaters/1463/

It still operates screening new releases, but here is the difference, it is now owned, operated and programmed by the Kensington Temple Church…..and guess what…..the current attraction is “Broke Back Mountain”.

Yes, we really do have a free thinking open society here in the UK. Now WAKE UP AMERICA!

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Odeon Dudley on Jan 11, 2006 at 2:05 pm

Two exterior photographs of the Odeon Dudley taken in October 1949:
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A close up view taken in 1969:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about "No More Joy" Documentary Available on DVD on Jan 10, 2006 at 10:01 pm

I purchased a copy of “No More Joy” and congratulate the makers on producing such a worthy and entertaining film on New Orleans cinemas and theatres.

Every true cinema/theatre aficionado should have a copy in his collection.

Glad to be a supporter of the Katrina hurricane relief charities too, from here in the UK! Well done.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain' on Jan 10, 2006 at 9:23 pm

“Now, Hollywood wants us to accept Homosexual behavour as normal”

May I point out that Homosexual behavour has been a ‘normal’ trait of human behavour for many thousands of years. It IS normal, no question about it.

Am I to presume the figures of 66% and 57% are for the U.S.A. or parts of it? Where in some States, to Love in a certain kind of way is illegal and will mean imprisonment or worse. What kind of ‘normal’, ‘loving’ so called Christian' behavour is that all about? Those precentage figures quoted are certainly not in that proportion in more tolerant countries like the U.K. where we now have legalised same sex civil partnerships. I am so proud to feel ‘normal’, along with other accepted normal human beings in my free thinking and loving country.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Bellevue Cinerama on Jan 10, 2006 at 8:18 pm

Apparently the Bellevue Cinerama went out in style. Closing with special screenings of 70mm prints of blockbusters such as “55 Days at Peking” and other great movies. Apparently the prints had some fading to pink, but despite this there were standing ovations at the end, plus a few eyes awash with tears. Closing date was 30th December 2005.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Prince Charles Cinema on Jan 9, 2006 at 9:01 pm

This close-up view of the fin sign on the Prince Charles Cinema shows that us ‘Brit’s’ have a sense of humour and hopefuly H.R.H Prince Charles does too!
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Vue West End on Jan 9, 2006 at 8:53 pm

OOOoops, here is the link I omitted to add above:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Vue West End on Jan 9, 2006 at 8:51 pm

A close-up view taken in January 2006 of the recently installed Vue signage.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Port Tobacco Theatre on Jan 9, 2006 at 7:16 pm

The Film Daily Yearbook;1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 446 for the Charles Theatre.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Carlton Cinema on Jan 3, 2006 at 9:42 pm

An exterior photograph as the single screen Classic Cinema in 1981:
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The top of the ABC sign in the 1990’s:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Cannon Derby on Jan 3, 2006 at 8:39 pm

Still a 2,175 seat single screen cinema in this December 1970 photograph when it had been re-named the Odeon:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Reading Queenstown on Jan 3, 2006 at 8:12 pm

Thanks for correcting the confusion here Brad. I will arrange to have the seating capacity changed to unknown until we know what the capacity is on this now triple screen, newer Embassy Cinema.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Curzon Chelsea Cinema on Jan 2, 2006 at 11:47 pm

Here is a 1968 photograph of the by then named Odeon, still a single screen with 2,502 seats, showing the Russian version of “War and Peace”:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Reading Queenstown on Jan 2, 2006 at 9:31 pm

The Embassy Cinema is listed as operating in the Film Weekly Motion Picture Directory 1951/52 edition, with a seating capacity of 304.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Majestic Theatre on Dec 31, 2005 at 3:05 pm

Jeff;Many thanks for posting these archive news reports. Now we know that the architect was Alfred F. Rosenheim, who in 1910 designed the still existing Clune’s Broadway/Cameo Theatre. We also have a good aproximation of the seating capacity of the Majestic Theatre as between 1,600 and under 1,700.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Vue Piccadilly on Dec 31, 2005 at 1:45 pm

A 2001 exterior photograph of the Plaza 1-4 just prior to its closing and re-development into the Apollo West End:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Soho Theatre Walthamstow on Dec 31, 2005 at 1:31 pm

Regardless what the name on the building states from its last operator, this will always be the ‘Granada Theatre’ to lovers of great theatres. Let us hope that 2006 will bring a new life to the building and it re-opens. In the meantime, here is a recent exterior photo of the shuttered building (the centre bay, above the main windows was originally more elaborate and was removed during the war):
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Cannon Liverpool on Dec 31, 2005 at 1:17 pm

Here is a recent exterior photograph of the former ABC Forum, Liverpool, in its current closed status:
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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about O2 Academy Brixton on Dec 31, 2005 at 1:11 pm

A recent photograph of the Academy Theatre, Brixton, south London:
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