nouvelle vague; From at least 1944 through to the sale to Granada Theatres in November 1952, the Cinema was operated by and owned by H.P. Selwyn and he booked the films at the hall. I have not heard of a Selwyn Circuit, so this was probably the only cinema he owned, but there ‘may’ have been one or two more, judging by the wording you saw on the side of the building. Or the wording could just have been a self promotion on his own behalf.
Thanks Joe; All the details I posted come from the 1955-1956 edition of Theatre Catalog. Usually very reliable as it is a ‘trade’ publication. However, they could have got it wrong and it should have been R.A. Polley.
techman; The former Demille Theatre is listed on this site as the Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre. To search correctly, you need to search under ‘name’, then if that name doesn’t come up, untick that box and tick ‘previous names’ box and click the search button again.
Theatres are normally listed on Cinema Treasures under their last operating name, with aka’s available to search under previous name (if known). The aka’s are also above the theatre name on each page (in rather feint typeface).
A vintage photograph from 1950, of the auditorium of the Premier/Greenhill Cinema: View link
Another 1950 auditorium view: View link
The Greenhill Cinema building, photographed in January 2008: View link
Photographed in August 2009: View link
A vintage 1975 photograph of the Eldorado Cinema and the nearby Rex Cinema:
View link
The original operator at opening was H.H. Roth of the Sky-Vue Theatre Corp. Hoping someone local will know which ‘main highway’ it was located on.
Almost hidden by trees, the Liberty Building photographed in November 2007:
View link
Part of the facade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariamd/997782983/
Entrance & marquee:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariamd/997782989/
The Gala Cinema is the white building set back to the right of this 1991 photograph:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/intervene/4881456143/
Box office:
View link
A February 2008 photograph of the former Gaumont Palace, in use as Time nightclub:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/23310286/
The former Danilo Cinema, photographed in February 2008 as the Chicago Rock Cafe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/23310285/
Two photographs I took of the Plaza Cinema in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4938275122/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4938283486/
Photographs of the Theatre Royal, that I took in February 2010:
Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937305771/
Foyer:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937307543/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937897508/
Auditorium:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937904980/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937318919/
Vintage photgraphs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937321607/
Open-Air Theatre:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937323981/
Two photographs of the Shire Hall, that I took in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937840280/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/4937842090/
A set of vintage photographs of the Granada Theatre:
View link
More history, details, historic memorabilia and photohraphs here:
View link
A February 2007 photograph of the rear (former auditorium) of the Scala Cinema:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/400744797/
A vintage photograph of the New Victoria Cinema in 1931, soon after its opening:
View link
A vintage photograph of the Ritz Cinema auditorium, soon after opening in 1939:
View link
A vintage photograph of the Kingsway Picture House, around the time of its opening in 1929:
View link
The closed Cine Latino, photographed in July 2008:
View link
Close-up view of entrance in October 2008:
View link
Demolition in November 2009:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laapmx/4123554679/
nouvelle vague; From at least 1944 through to the sale to Granada Theatres in November 1952, the Cinema was operated by and owned by H.P. Selwyn and he booked the films at the hall. I have not heard of a Selwyn Circuit, so this was probably the only cinema he owned, but there ‘may’ have been one or two more, judging by the wording you saw on the side of the building. Or the wording could just have been a self promotion on his own behalf.
Chuck; I really do not know. We need a local to comment
A photograph of one of the Art Deco style panels on the side wall of the Cine City Hall is the first photo here:
http://calitreview.com/298
Thanks Joe; All the details I posted come from the 1955-1956 edition of Theatre Catalog. Usually very reliable as it is a ‘trade’ publication. However, they could have got it wrong and it should have been R.A. Polley.
The Times Theatre, photographed in January 2004:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martindemo/223612584/
The Uptown Cinema, photographed in 2008:
View link
techman; The former Demille Theatre is listed on this site as the Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre. To search correctly, you need to search under ‘name’, then if that name doesn’t come up, untick that box and tick ‘previous names’ box and click the search button again.
Theatres are normally listed on Cinema Treasures under their last operating name, with aka’s available to search under previous name (if known). The aka’s are also above the theatre name on each page (in rather feint typeface).
A vintage photograph from 1950, of the auditorium of the Premier/Greenhill Cinema:
View link
Another 1950 auditorium view:
View link
The Greenhill Cinema building, photographed in January 2008:
View link
Photographed in August 2009:
View link
A photograph of the adjacent building (not a cinema, possibly built as a snooker hall):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boo664343183471/
A vintage photograph of the ABC in 1965:
View link