This picture would better placed under the Lounge Cinema, as, indeed, the Forum complex is further to right, all but on the other corner just out of shot.
The facade is definitely a new build, as to whether anything of the former Lounge Cinema survives is debatable, as there are 3 screens, plus bowling alley, casino and various eateries.
Going way back to the building’s beginnings it was known as the Central Hall, and was used as a garage for a while too before becoming a cinema! I’ve uploaded a lovely early photo showing it as the Central Hall being used as a garage.
As the Hippodrome, or when opened, I’m not certain, there was Hill ‘straight’ organ installed with 3 manuals, 34 stops and 6 couplers. As to whether this was installed as accompaniment to the silent films, or was already there will need further research. Information from organ-biography.info
At least it got rebranded back to an ABC prior to closure. Professional until the end, the showmanship was great, as were all the friendly staff. I travelled down from Daventry to go here, as all there were in Northampton or Rugby nearby are soul-less multiplexes. A sad loss for Luton this closure.
Demolished in 1976 according to North Wales Nostalgia on Facebook. Location was 18, Bridge Street, LL77 7PN, the site now occupied by a gym. Please remember that putting words in capitals is the equivalent of shouting when using social media/websites such as this one.
Yes, it’s the BBFC (British Board of Film Censors) in the UK. The ratings system has evolved over time, though local councils can override the BBFC rating if they so wish (can be either way, more, or less restrictive than the BBFC rating).
An example of this might be a film being shown in a town used as an extensive location whilst the film was being shot, perhaps with many locals as extras. A local council might downgrade the BBFC rating from say 15 (nobody under that age allowed in) to a 12A (children permitted accompanied by an adult/guardian only), if many extras were children in the film being shown.
Also, different countries have differing ideas about what we can, or cannot see, based on that countries’ culture. So, a religious film in Britain may well be ok to show, but it might not be shown at all, or heavily edited to be shown in Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland will decide for their audiences too.
Bizarrely, Carlton Cinema (Guisborough) Ltd is still trading! Property developers now though. Business began way back in 1956. Information available on Companies House website.
Next building along, with the mock Tudor facade…
This picture would better placed under the Lounge Cinema, as, indeed, the Forum complex is further to right, all but on the other corner just out of shot.
The facade is definitely a new build, as to whether anything of the former Lounge Cinema survives is debatable, as there are 3 screens, plus bowling alley, casino and various eateries.
Did you know that Dudley Moore worked here as an electrician etc before he became famous?
Going way back to the building’s beginnings it was known as the Central Hall, and was used as a garage for a while too before becoming a cinema! I’ve uploaded a lovely early photo showing it as the Central Hall being used as a garage.
Address is 77a, Park Street, TF7 5JY.
The venue also hosts films once again.
As the Hippodrome, or when opened, I’m not certain, there was Hill ‘straight’ organ installed with 3 manuals, 34 stops and 6 couplers. As to whether this was installed as accompaniment to the silent films, or was already there will need further research. Information from organ-biography.info
Opening date was 19/03/1936.
Home Bargains now stand on the site of the Cinema House, postcode is S63 0JR.
At least it got rebranded back to an ABC prior to closure. Professional until the end, the showmanship was great, as were all the friendly staff. I travelled down from Daventry to go here, as all there were in Northampton or Rugby nearby are soul-less multiplexes. A sad loss for Luton this closure.
Address is 13-15, Raglan Road, Hengoed, CF82 7LY.
Listed in the 1948 KYB as being in Tonypandy.
Photo uploaded of the street scene more recently using instantsreetview.com
Demolished in 1976 according to North Wales Nostalgia on Facebook. Location was 18, Bridge Street, LL77 7PN, the site now occupied by a gym. Please remember that putting words in capitals is the equivalent of shouting when using social media/websites such as this one.
It’s listed as the Welfare Hall in the 1948 Kine Year Book.
Yes, it’s the BBFC (British Board of Film Censors) in the UK. The ratings system has evolved over time, though local councils can override the BBFC rating if they so wish (can be either way, more, or less restrictive than the BBFC rating). An example of this might be a film being shown in a town used as an extensive location whilst the film was being shot, perhaps with many locals as extras. A local council might downgrade the BBFC rating from say 15 (nobody under that age allowed in) to a 12A (children permitted accompanied by an adult/guardian only), if many extras were children in the film being shown. Also, different countries have differing ideas about what we can, or cannot see, based on that countries’ culture. So, a religious film in Britain may well be ok to show, but it might not be shown at all, or heavily edited to be shown in Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland will decide for their audiences too.
Hideous!
You would think that these dormant screens would make a profit now if they re-opened again..
Very smart! Looked a good auditorium to see a film in.
Only the one bank holiday back in 1913, not the two that we enjoy these days! So opening date was 25/08/1913.
Streetview now shows the building as being an Arts Hub.
Bizarrely, Carlton Cinema (Guisborough) Ltd is still trading! Property developers now though. Business began way back in 1956. Information available on Companies House website.
Opened 18/01/1913, had converted to bingo by May 1961.
Opened as the Alpha Bingo Club in April 1973, later operated by Coral Bingo.