Everyman Cinemas, until a couple of years ago, were doing very nice restoration jobs on some of the larger cinemas they had acquired including the former Odeon, Muswell Hill and the former ABC Embassy, Esher but more recently they have embarked on ‘bare screen’ depersonalised schemes – very much along similar lines to the recent act of vandalism at the Odeon Leicester Square.
All the impressive technical stats are negated by the dreadful aesthetics of the auditorium. Other contributors have alluded, perhaps rather generously, to “ a huge black hole”.
When I look at the stage/proscenium area it brings to mind images back in the 1970’s of those large Odeons and ABC’s which were not included in the conversion programmes of those circuits and were served with notice of closure.
During the run up to closure (usually 3 months) there would be a total lack of expenditure and matters such as curtain motors malfunctioning and tab cables breaking were not addressed and thus the places would limp on, looking stark and austere, until the final day.
This is NOT the look, however, that one expects after a multi million pound refurbishment taking the best part of a year but it IS how this theatre appears now.
Should there be a new production of ‘Bleak House’ in the not too distant future, OLS will be the perfect venue for its premiere.
The ‘flying ladies’ will be the very last concession; there will be no tabs next month, next year or the year after that. AMC do not bother with tabs and, if ever they were to make an exception, the Odeon Theatre Leicester Square would surely have been it – and they would have been in situ and in operation from day one…….
I have received an e-mail from a friend in London to whom I sent various articles re two cinemas which opened on the same day last December. I refer to the Rex Wilmslow, Cheshire and the Leicester Square Odeon. Without stating my own preference I did ask for his. The reply is within the following e-mail extract:–
“…….I’ve been to the cinema twice this year already – I saw ‘The Favourite’ at the Crystal Palace Everyman. I think that had been a cinema years ago and after bingo and most recently churchiness it has been returned to use as a cinema or rather a 4 screen cinema. I was in the largest chunk of the original cinema so it looks impressive until you look a second time and realise floor levels don’t match door openings or details on the walls. Still, it was a decent size to watch that sort of film. I think two other of the screens were underneath the main one and there’s a fourth screen somewhere up in the roof. The film itself was very good in parts but also indulged in METOO self-congratulation and kick-donkey boorishness. Olivia Colman was a wonderfully stupid Queen Anne. And then I went to see ‘Stan & Ollie’ at the Belsize Park Everyman which we did enjoy. Part of the tour was set in the pre-Cinerama Queens (Hall ?) Cinema in Newcastle. The impresario (I’ve forgotten which one it was now – Bernard Delfont perhaps ?) came out rather badly but you never know how truthful these things are.
Funnily enough, I haven’t been to an Odeon in or around Leicester Square for a long time but I think I prefer the Rex in your article to the new Odeon. I don’t like the idea of sitting in something that looks like a model of the new Heathrow terminal 6. But to see the films I want to see I would end up going to a Curzon or Everyman or Filmhouse or the Ritzy in Brixton (though I haven’t been back there since I was picketed as I went in and given a leaflet saying the staff weren’t paid the minimum wage: I think it is owned by one of the other “independent” chains). I never got to see the new ‘Mary Poppins’ film. I will probably have to wait for it to come on the television ………."
I personally would describe the new look auditorium as looking more like a blacked out aircraft hangar – albeit with much less much character.
Returning, yet again, to the salient topic of screen tabs; these would have redeemed the place, had they been installed – which brings us back to the culprits, AMC……
Kers: What you quite understandably thought may be screen tabs are just ‘legs’ to mask the wings; these, although pleated, will be of the same fabric as the screen masking.
I am sorry to say that the only way OLS will ever again have anything as attractive as house tabs and screen curtains will be if AMC were to relinquish the place as a ‘one off’ deal (most unlikely) or if another organisation were to acquire the Odeon circuit. It would have to be a company prepared to treat this theatre with the appropriate respect and to right the wrongs inflicted during the recent ‘dumbing down’……………..
Here’s hoping – and if ever it does happen I shall be the first to say “GOOD RIDDANCE TO AMC!!!”
The mighty Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square. I cannot begin to articulate my disgust with AMC and what they have done there. It has been proven by Independent operators that modern technology and comfort can be combined with a ‘traditional’ ambience thereby providing ‘ the best of both worlds’ but, of course, AMC could not do this, could they? Charlatans!
1977 auditorium shot of the ABC Ritz uploaded. This was taken from the circle crossover just before the conversion team moved in.
The reopened building was, as in the case of Plymouth, Chester and Aldershot, a poor affair with two cinemas in the circle and a third screen in the former restaurant. This method of subdivision enabled Bingo to reign supreme in the stalls area.
EMI, like Rank, often did ‘drop wall’ conversions some of which, like Halifax and Northampton, were neat affairs retaining all the theatre’s impressive features with the ‘minis’ occupying only the circle under-hang. Sometimes,as in the case of Northampton, the front stalls seating was retained and the stage continued to be used.
It was a great pity, therefore, that the so called ‘Social Club’ division were not told ‘where to go'in the case of Wigan etc as their occupancy of the stalls and stage areas ensured that the results, at least as far as cinema was concerned, were very sorry states of affairs indeed.
At least Wigan had no Rank opposition but in the case of Plymouth and Chester where Rank had very fine theatres , ABC, having had equally impressive venues with full stage facilities, were then left well and truly in the shade.
Entertainments pages with all Darlington cinemas for the years 1952 and 1961 uploaded (together with my comments and observations)to the photos section…..
As the film ‘Stan and Ollie’ is on general release, The Northern Echo has published the following interesting article (with a photo gallery) about Stan Laurel and his Bishop Auckland ties.
Yours truly attended his school, King James I and I well remember the nearby Eden Theatre which had been managed (twice) by Stan’s father:–
A photo of the forlorn looking building prior to demolition in 1974 has been added to the relevant section.
terry
commented about
Curtainson
Jan 14, 2019 at 1:37 pm
‘Progress’ implies ‘improvement’ but, sadly, this is not always so as in the case of the Odeon Leicester Square which, as it appears in the above photo, looks a hundred times better than its latest incarnation.
This was in response to articles I forwarded to a friend in Germany (whose family operate cinemas over there) re the reopening of two UK cinemas on the same day, namely the Rex Wilmslow – and the Odeon Leicester Square:–
“What a warmhearted, lovely article you sent me about the recent opening of the glamorous “REX” Cinema in Wilmslow. I could truly sense that this family are doing their business with “heart and soul” and as we say over here in Germany with “Herzblut” = Heartblood. What a lovely auditorium — with S C R E E N – C U R T A I N S in function for giving the audiences not only the ultimate warm welcome but supplying them with the ultimate “Movie -Feeling” too.
Yet, the ‘OLS’ London, recently opened after more than one years costly refurbishing, transforming this once cinematic “flagship” into a Dolby Luxe Cinema looks somehow “poorly” and “cold” in comparison with the lovely ‘Rex’ Wilmslow – if I may say so.
N o S c r e e n – C u r t a i n s…….this really is an absolute “no go” for a Cinema with that history and background."
I carried out Managerial relief duties there on a number of occasions whilst it was an ABC. At the time I was based at the almost as large ABC Wigan which still seated 2,280 (original capacity 2,560).
Wigan Ritz is just a distant memory now but I am delighted that the Apollo continues to thrive as a live venue.
I have just remembered something my Dad told me about the Rex when he was based at RAF Wilmslow during WW2. At that time, of course, the Rex was still in its original form with the circle, stalls and stage.
The splay walls of the auditorium were decorated in a most unusual and original manner with the ‘Bass Clef’ at one side and the ‘Treble Clef’ at the other. I wonder if these motifs still exist behind the subdivision treatment of the 1980’s?
“Practically perfect in every way?”, to borrow a line from cinema’s best-loved nanny. It’s not far off at all, although an inherent problem is that, from the back of the auditorium, the screen looks modestly sized at best……"
Of course, this was always the case in large theatres where the length of the auditorium far exceeded the width thereof and this was precisely why the Front Circle seats were always the most expensive.
Notwithstanding, I always found,once the lights had dimmed,that even in the upper reaches of the Rear Circle one’s eyes automatically adjusted to the sheet size and thus there was not really a problem.
Now, however, AMC , in their ultimate wisdom, have seen to it that the screen is permanently on view thereby providing Big Screen aficionados with the perfect opportunity to make unfavourable comparisons with cinema screens elsewhere….
If the new owners of the Rex ever visit this site they may be interested to read the following extract from an e-mail I received from a friend in Germany whose family happen to operate cinemas over there.
This was in response to articles I had forwarded re the reopening of two cinemas on the same day, namely the Rex – and the Odeon Leicester Square:–
“What a warmhearted, lovely article you sent me about the recent opening of the glamorous “REX” Cinema in Wilmslow. I could truly sense that this family are doing their business with “heart and soul” and as we say over here in Germany with “Herzblut” = Heartblood. What a lovely auditorium ——-..with S C R E E N – C U R T A I N S in function for giving the audiences not only the ultimate warm welcome but supplying them with the ultimate “Movie -Feeling” too.
Yet, the ‘OLS’ London, recently opened after more than one years costly refurbishing, transforming this once cinematic “flagship” into a Dolby Luxe Cinema looks somehow “poorly” and “cold” in comparison with the lovely ‘Rex’ Wilmslow – if I may say so.
N o S c r e e n – C u r t a i n s…….this really is an absolute “no go” for a Cinema with that history and background."
So the Mundin family may like to know that their dedication (and attention to detail) is well and truly noted and appreciated!
Re the mighty Odeon Leicester Square. As you look at the auditorium from the stage and see the new generously spaced and luxurious seating, the word ‘LUXURY’ shouts at us. However, looking at the proscenium from the circle another word bellows: ‘AUSTERITY’…..
I have to laugh at the latest branding gimmick, ‘Odeon Luxe’ which suggests luxury throughout. This is what people expect anyway these days so the term ‘luxe’ is quite superfluous.
In the article the MD of Odeon UK & Ireland says “It’s not just about the content, it’s about how you feel, the build-up of excitement …….“ etc etc
In that case, instead of having a digital image on screen saying ‘Odeon Luxe Leicester Square’ (or an image of the safety curtain), it would be infinitely preferable to have good quality house curtains ready to part – now THAT would provide the big build up!
One of the contributors here suggested that tabs may be installed during the forthcoming week’s closure. Well, the article made no reference to this (only the non original ‘flying ladies’ being reinstated) so I, for one, shall not be holding my breath!
If I turn out to be wrong I shall apologise here to AMC for ever doubting their integrity…………
It was refurbished as a ‘circle only’ operation initially (as opposed to ABC Birkenhead which was done at around the same time but with stalls only) and the downstairs seats were removed. There were then considerable problems with the sound as a result and the stalls seats were replaced and the two seating areas were both again open to the public.
I used to carry out Managerial relief duties at the long lost huge nearby ABC Stockport and amongst the numerous theatre names I would type on ‘Opposition Report Form Number 6’ was the Rex. How marvellous to see its return!
Everyman Cinemas, until a couple of years ago, were doing very nice restoration jobs on some of the larger cinemas they had acquired including the former Odeon, Muswell Hill and the former ABC Embassy, Esher but more recently they have embarked on ‘bare screen’ depersonalised schemes – very much along similar lines to the recent act of vandalism at the Odeon Leicester Square.
This cinema closed on 07 February 2019 :–
https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/hollywood-cinema-chain-falls-into-administration-1-5883556
This cinema complex closed (as the Royalty) on 07 February 2019 :–
https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/hollywood-cinema-chain-falls-into-administration-1-5883556
All the impressive technical stats are negated by the dreadful aesthetics of the auditorium. Other contributors have alluded, perhaps rather generously, to “ a huge black hole”.
When I look at the stage/proscenium area it brings to mind images back in the 1970’s of those large Odeons and ABC’s which were not included in the conversion programmes of those circuits and were served with notice of closure.
During the run up to closure (usually 3 months) there would be a total lack of expenditure and matters such as curtain motors malfunctioning and tab cables breaking were not addressed and thus the places would limp on, looking stark and austere, until the final day.
This is NOT the look, however, that one expects after a multi million pound refurbishment taking the best part of a year but it IS how this theatre appears now.
Should there be a new production of ‘Bleak House’ in the not too distant future, OLS will be the perfect venue for its premiere.
The ‘flying ladies’ will be the very last concession; there will be no tabs next month, next year or the year after that. AMC do not bother with tabs and, if ever they were to make an exception, the Odeon Theatre Leicester Square would surely have been it – and they would have been in situ and in operation from day one…….
I have received an e-mail from a friend in London to whom I sent various articles re two cinemas which opened on the same day last December. I refer to the Rex Wilmslow, Cheshire and the Leicester Square Odeon. Without stating my own preference I did ask for his. The reply is within the following e-mail extract:–
“…….I’ve been to the cinema twice this year already – I saw ‘The Favourite’ at the Crystal Palace Everyman. I think that had been a cinema years ago and after bingo and most recently churchiness it has been returned to use as a cinema or rather a 4 screen cinema. I was in the largest chunk of the original cinema so it looks impressive until you look a second time and realise floor levels don’t match door openings or details on the walls. Still, it was a decent size to watch that sort of film. I think two other of the screens were underneath the main one and there’s a fourth screen somewhere up in the roof. The film itself was very good in parts but also indulged in METOO self-congratulation and kick-donkey boorishness. Olivia Colman was a wonderfully stupid Queen Anne. And then I went to see ‘Stan & Ollie’ at the Belsize Park Everyman which we did enjoy. Part of the tour was set in the pre-Cinerama Queens (Hall ?) Cinema in Newcastle. The impresario (I’ve forgotten which one it was now – Bernard Delfont perhaps ?) came out rather badly but you never know how truthful these things are.
Funnily enough, I haven’t been to an Odeon in or around Leicester Square for a long time but I think I prefer the Rex in your article to the new Odeon. I don’t like the idea of sitting in something that looks like a model of the new Heathrow terminal 6. But to see the films I want to see I would end up going to a Curzon or Everyman or Filmhouse or the Ritzy in Brixton (though I haven’t been back there since I was picketed as I went in and given a leaflet saying the staff weren’t paid the minimum wage: I think it is owned by one of the other “independent” chains). I never got to see the new ‘Mary Poppins’ film. I will probably have to wait for it to come on the television ………."
I personally would describe the new look auditorium as looking more like a blacked out aircraft hangar – albeit with much less much character.
Returning, yet again, to the salient topic of screen tabs; these would have redeemed the place, had they been installed – which brings us back to the culprits, AMC……
2 1975 auditorium photos added to photos section.
Kers: What you quite understandably thought may be screen tabs are just ‘legs’ to mask the wings; these, although pleated, will be of the same fabric as the screen masking.
I am sorry to say that the only way OLS will ever again have anything as attractive as house tabs and screen curtains will be if AMC were to relinquish the place as a ‘one off’ deal (most unlikely) or if another organisation were to acquire the Odeon circuit. It would have to be a company prepared to treat this theatre with the appropriate respect and to right the wrongs inflicted during the recent ‘dumbing down’……………..
Here’s hoping – and if ever it does happen I shall be the first to say “GOOD RIDDANCE TO AMC!!!”
The mighty Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square. I cannot begin to articulate my disgust with AMC and what they have done there. It has been proven by Independent operators that modern technology and comfort can be combined with a ‘traditional’ ambience thereby providing ‘ the best of both worlds’ but, of course, AMC could not do this, could they? Charlatans!
1977 auditorium shot of the ABC Ritz uploaded. This was taken from the circle crossover just before the conversion team moved in.
The reopened building was, as in the case of Plymouth, Chester and Aldershot, a poor affair with two cinemas in the circle and a third screen in the former restaurant. This method of subdivision enabled Bingo to reign supreme in the stalls area.
EMI, like Rank, often did ‘drop wall’ conversions some of which, like Halifax and Northampton, were neat affairs retaining all the theatre’s impressive features with the ‘minis’ occupying only the circle under-hang. Sometimes,as in the case of Northampton, the front stalls seating was retained and the stage continued to be used.
It was a great pity, therefore, that the so called ‘Social Club’ division were not told ‘where to go'in the case of Wigan etc as their occupancy of the stalls and stage areas ensured that the results, at least as far as cinema was concerned, were very sorry states of affairs indeed.
At least Wigan had no Rank opposition but in the case of Plymouth and Chester where Rank had very fine theatres , ABC, having had equally impressive venues with full stage facilities, were then left well and truly in the shade.
Entertainments pages with all Darlington cinemas for the years 1952 and 1961 uploaded (together with my comments and observations)to the photos section…..
Photo added.
Photo added.
As the film ‘Stan and Ollie’ is on general release, The Northern Echo has published the following interesting article (with a photo gallery) about Stan Laurel and his Bishop Auckland ties.
Yours truly attended his school, King James I and I well remember the nearby Eden Theatre which had been managed (twice) by Stan’s father:–
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/17365016.on-the-trail-of-the-youngsome-stan/
A photo of the forlorn looking building prior to demolition in 1974 has been added to the relevant section.
‘Progress’ implies ‘improvement’ but, sadly, this is not always so as in the case of the Odeon Leicester Square which, as it appears in the above photo, looks a hundred times better than its latest incarnation.
This was in response to articles I forwarded to a friend in Germany (whose family operate cinemas over there) re the reopening of two UK cinemas on the same day, namely the Rex Wilmslow – and the Odeon Leicester Square:–
“What a warmhearted, lovely article you sent me about the recent opening of the glamorous “REX” Cinema in Wilmslow. I could truly sense that this family are doing their business with “heart and soul” and as we say over here in Germany with “Herzblut” = Heartblood. What a lovely auditorium — with S C R E E N – C U R T A I N S in function for giving the audiences not only the ultimate warm welcome but supplying them with the ultimate “Movie -Feeling” too.
Yet, the ‘OLS’ London, recently opened after more than one years costly refurbishing, transforming this once cinematic “flagship” into a Dolby Luxe Cinema looks somehow “poorly” and “cold” in comparison with the lovely ‘Rex’ Wilmslow – if I may say so.
N o S c r e e n – C u r t a i n s…….this really is an absolute “no go” for a Cinema with that history and background."
I carried out Managerial relief duties there on a number of occasions whilst it was an ABC. At the time I was based at the almost as large ABC Wigan which still seated 2,280 (original capacity 2,560).
Wigan Ritz is just a distant memory now but I am delighted that the Apollo continues to thrive as a live venue.
I have just remembered something my Dad told me about the Rex when he was based at RAF Wilmslow during WW2. At that time, of course, the Rex was still in its original form with the circle, stalls and stage.
The splay walls of the auditorium were decorated in a most unusual and original manner with the ‘Bass Clef’ at one side and the ‘Treble Clef’ at the other. I wonder if these motifs still exist behind the subdivision treatment of the 1980’s?
From the article: –
“Practically perfect in every way?”, to borrow a line from cinema’s best-loved nanny. It’s not far off at all, although an inherent problem is that, from the back of the auditorium, the screen looks modestly sized at best……"
Of course, this was always the case in large theatres where the length of the auditorium far exceeded the width thereof and this was precisely why the Front Circle seats were always the most expensive.
Notwithstanding, I always found,once the lights had dimmed,that even in the upper reaches of the Rear Circle one’s eyes automatically adjusted to the sheet size and thus there was not really a problem.
Now, however, AMC , in their ultimate wisdom, have seen to it that the screen is permanently on view thereby providing Big Screen aficionados with the perfect opportunity to make unfavourable comparisons with cinema screens elsewhere….
If the new owners of the Rex ever visit this site they may be interested to read the following extract from an e-mail I received from a friend in Germany whose family happen to operate cinemas over there.
This was in response to articles I had forwarded re the reopening of two cinemas on the same day, namely the Rex – and the Odeon Leicester Square:–
“What a warmhearted, lovely article you sent me about the recent opening of the glamorous “REX” Cinema in Wilmslow. I could truly sense that this family are doing their business with “heart and soul” and as we say over here in Germany with “Herzblut” = Heartblood. What a lovely auditorium ——-..with S C R E E N – C U R T A I N S in function for giving the audiences not only the ultimate warm welcome but supplying them with the ultimate “Movie -Feeling” too.
Yet, the ‘OLS’ London, recently opened after more than one years costly refurbishing, transforming this once cinematic “flagship” into a Dolby Luxe Cinema looks somehow “poorly” and “cold” in comparison with the lovely ‘Rex’ Wilmslow – if I may say so.
N o S c r e e n – C u r t a i n s…….this really is an absolute “no go” for a Cinema with that history and background."
So the Mundin family may like to know that their dedication (and attention to detail) is well and truly noted and appreciated!
Another article herewith forwarded to me by a friend who spent decades in the business:–
https://www.whathifi.com/features/inside-the-uks-first-dolby-cinema-400-speakers-dolby-atmos-and-a-compton-organ
He asked my opinion and my response was :–
Re the mighty Odeon Leicester Square. As you look at the auditorium from the stage and see the new generously spaced and luxurious seating, the word ‘LUXURY’ shouts at us. However, looking at the proscenium from the circle another word bellows: ‘AUSTERITY’…..
I have to laugh at the latest branding gimmick, ‘Odeon Luxe’ which suggests luxury throughout. This is what people expect anyway these days so the term ‘luxe’ is quite superfluous.
In the article the MD of Odeon UK & Ireland says “It’s not just about the content, it’s about how you feel, the build-up of excitement …….“ etc etc
In that case, instead of having a digital image on screen saying ‘Odeon Luxe Leicester Square’ (or an image of the safety curtain), it would be infinitely preferable to have good quality house curtains ready to part – now THAT would provide the big build up!
One of the contributors here suggested that tabs may be installed during the forthcoming week’s closure. Well, the article made no reference to this (only the non original ‘flying ladies’ being reinstated) so I, for one, shall not be holding my breath!
If I turn out to be wrong I shall apologise here to AMC for ever doubting their integrity…………
I also wish CF100, Lionel and all fellow contributors the ‘Compliments of the Season’ and hope that you have a good 2019!
It was refurbished as a ‘circle only’ operation initially (as opposed to ABC Birkenhead which was done at around the same time but with stalls only) and the downstairs seats were removed. There were then considerable problems with the sound as a result and the stalls seats were replaced and the two seating areas were both again open to the public.
Article re the reopening in The Knutsford Guardian:–
https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/17306127.wilmslow-film-fans-wait-is-over-with-rex-reopening-tomorrow/
I used to carry out Managerial relief duties at the long lost huge nearby ABC Stockport and amongst the numerous theatre names I would type on ‘Opposition Report Form Number 6’ was the Rex. How marvellous to see its return!