The New Curzon Cinema is not listed in the Kine' Yearbook 1940 edition (published 1939), but is listed in the 1944 edition. It could be the cinema was built in 1939 and allowed to open in 1940 after the outbreak of war.
It is listed as being in Flixton, Lancashire, the area today has been expanded to be part of the district of Urmston, Greater Manchester.
The Ritz Cinema opened on 7th March 1938 and was part of a building project already begun by Union Cinemas, taken over by ABC Cinemas.
It was re-named ABC Wigan in March 1962 and closed on 28th May 1977 for tripling in the circle with bingo in the former stalls area. The 3 cinemas ABC 1,2 and 3 opened on 27th October 1977 with seating capacities of 485, 321 and 106. They were closed by ABC on 5th March 1983.
They re-opened as the Ritz Cinema (by an independent) on 4th January 1985 and were successful until a new Virgin multiplex opened in the town and despite cutting prices to attract more patrons, the Ritz closed on 10th April 1997.
Sadly, the building was not deemed worthy of being granted a Listed status and was demolished in 2002.
Here is a 1934 image of the original Criterion Theatre, showing the Premier screening the Gaumont British release “Man of Aran” (a documentary directed by Rober Flaherty): View link
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook 1943 as having a seating capacity of 800. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 904 and the address is 1410 Main Street. Has there been a major re-numbering here?
The entrance is shown in the photo above as being on the corner of the building, and the cinema was two levels down in the basement. The remainder of the building is offices.
Listed in Flim Daily yeabook editions 1941 and 1943 as having a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. a seating capacity is given as 372.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941 and 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 300. It is listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1949-1955 as operating as a Negro theatre. The 1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 339.
In both the 1940 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook the seating capacity for the Aztec Theater is 815. In the 1950 edition the seating capacity is given as 1,147.
Listed various editions of Film Daily Yearbook, the seating capacities vary from edition to edition; 1940 and 1943=560. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 400.
An exterior photo and some history on the Astoria Brixton here:
http://www.tnunn.f2s.com/brixasto.htm
The Kine Yearbook 1937 edition gives a seating capacity of 500 for the Elite Cinema.
The New Curzon Cinema is not listed in the Kine' Yearbook 1940 edition (published 1939), but is listed in the 1944 edition. It could be the cinema was built in 1939 and allowed to open in 1940 after the outbreak of war.
It is listed as being in Flixton, Lancashire, the area today has been expanded to be part of the district of Urmston, Greater Manchester.
The Ritz Cinema opened on 7th March 1938 and was part of a building project already begun by Union Cinemas, taken over by ABC Cinemas.
It was re-named ABC Wigan in March 1962 and closed on 28th May 1977 for tripling in the circle with bingo in the former stalls area. The 3 cinemas ABC 1,2 and 3 opened on 27th October 1977 with seating capacities of 485, 321 and 106. They were closed by ABC on 5th March 1983.
They re-opened as the Ritz Cinema (by an independent) on 4th January 1985 and were successful until a new Virgin multiplex opened in the town and despite cutting prices to attract more patrons, the Ritz closed on 10th April 1997.
Sadly, the building was not deemed worthy of being granted a Listed status and was demolished in 2002.
Here is a 1934 image of the original Criterion Theatre, showing the Premier screening the Gaumont British release “Man of Aran” (a documentary directed by Rober Flaherty):
View link
Listed in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 800.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook 1943 as having a seating capacity of 800. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 904 and the address is 1410 Main Street. Has there been a major re-numbering here?
Listed in Film Daily Yearbooks with varying seating capacities; 1941 and 1943 editions=1,050 and in the 1950 edition=1,121.
Listed in Film Daily Yearbooks with varying seating capacities; 1941=600, 1943=500 and 1950=700.
Listed in Film Daily Yeabooks with varying seating capacities; 1941=1,492, 1943=1,480 and 1950=600.
The entrance is shown in the photo above as being on the corner of the building, and the cinema was two levels down in the basement. The remainder of the building is offices.
The New Olympia Cinema was showing movies in 1966, operated by Star Cinemas. By 1968 it had become a Star Bingo club.
Listed in the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 425.
Listed in Flim Daily yeabook editions 1941 and 1943 as having a seating capacity of 400. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. a seating capacity is given as 372.
Listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbooks 1941-1950 editions that I have. The seating capacity was 400.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941 and 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 300. It is listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1949-1955 as operating as a Negro theatre. The 1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 339.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook, 1941 edition as having a seating capacity of 300. Same details in the 1943 edition but it is listed as ‘Closed’.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941 and 1943 editions, it has a seating capacity of 500.
From 1949-1955 it is listed as being a Negro theatre, seating given in 1950 is 534.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook 1941 as having 900 seats. In the 1943 edition it is listed with the same seating capacity, but ‘Closed’.
The Film Daily Yearbook’s give varying seating capacity in different editions; 1941=400, 1943=600 and in 1950=726.
Seating is given as 1,000 in both the 1940 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 994.
In both the 1940 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook the seating capacity for the Aztec Theater is 815. In the 1950 edition the seating capacity is given as 1,147.
The Film Daily Yearbook, 1940 edition gives the Arcadia Theatre a seating capacity of 441, same in the 1943 edition but it is listed as ‘Closed’.
The seating capacity of the Ritz Theater varies in different editions of Film Daily Yearbook; 1940=800, 1943 and 1950=1,000.
Listed various editions of Film Daily Yearbook, the seating capacities vary from edition to edition; 1940 and 1943=560. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 400.