Photos favorited by Doolally

  • <p>Auditorium photographed in 1994, courtesy Grand Theatre.</p>
  • <p>This original photo of the restaurant was taken at the opening of the Gaumont Palace unusually the Gaumont Insignia carpet has not been used here, although the Gaumont chairs have. The styalised circular design of the cane back was an early problem, the central wooden disc used to tighten the woven cane pressed into the back of any customer. A padded back to match the seat eventually replaced all Gaumont restaurant chairs.</p> <p>Ron Knee</p>
  • <p>A fantastic photo of my Mum, Anne Noble wearing her Rank Organisation uniform taken in the 1960s.</p>
  • <p>Nice brightly lit entrance foyer leading to the impressive flight of steps leading to the circle. On the right side of the first three steps there is the Odeon Page Boy directing patrons.</p> <p>Ron Knee</p>
  • <p>A 1934 aerial shot shows the plucky little Cinema House almost across the street from the huge presence of the (then) Regent.</p>
  • <p>Under ABC ownership (early 1960’s shot)</p>
  • <p>Shot of the auditorium taken from the circle towards the stage with Wurlitzer in situ.This is the auditorium as I remember it including the original art deco lights which were removed in the mid 1960’s and replaced with modern starburst style ceiling lights common throughout ABC houses. The splay wall grills were not organ grilles as the Wurlitzer pipe chambers were below the stage apron and the sound shutters were at floor level either side of the console. The auditorium was decorated in pastel shades of apricot,peach,pink and grey. The art deco chandeliers in front of the splay wall grilles were made of opaque apricot coloured glass. Sadly the auditorium was butchered in the tripling totally destroying all of the art deco styling. The only remnants were 2 decorative ventilation grilles in the ceiling of the rear circle which became the new projection room for the 3 screen operation.</p>
  • <p>Colour photo of the neon display 1937</p>
  • <p>The original ceiling that is hidden behind the box structure created in the old auditorium space to form the 3 cinemas in the old circle. This is the ceiling above the splay wall grille on the left of the old auditorium - still in the original decorative scheme colour of peach & terracotta. The circles in the photo are where the old light fittings once hung. In the centre of each grille was originally a large pendant art deco Amber glass chandelier - replaced in the mid 1960’s with the corporate ABC star burst chandeliers.</p>