What a fabulous cinema the Odeon Kingsway Swansea was, particularly in its original one screen design.
I have such fond memories of it. The first film I ever saw in a cinema was there having been taken by my mother, bless her, at a tender age of 8 years. I seem to recollect it was 1969.
The film being shown then was the 1968 musical ‘Oliver’ arguably the greatest film adaptation of a musical.
Anyway I remember being in awe of the sheer size and stunning ambiance of that cinema and that giant screen, with the mood changing lighting of the auditorium before the film commenced.
It was such an event from that moment on to go there and see so many films over the years, such films as, ‘Rollerball’, ‘Carrie’,yes I was under age but managed to get in ;), ‘Close Encounters of the third Kind’, and ‘Alien’, come to mind for the sheer effect from viewing them on that monster 50 foot screen and the great sound generated through such a vast auditorium. The opening sequence of ‘Close Encounters’ was mind blowing. Together with what I remember to be such comfort with lovely seating and plenty of legroom too.
From the time you entered the building at street level next to Tesco, which should have been an ice rink, shame on you Swansea Council!, and climbed those stairs which doubled back on themselves leading up to the big open foyer and then more stairs up to the auditorium after purchasing your ticket, the build up to the film being shown seemed to be such an event in itself.
Wow such nostalgia he says with almost a tear in his eye. Such days could never be recaptured, but will never be forgotten!
What a fabulous cinema the Odeon Kingsway Swansea was, particularly in its original one screen design. I have such fond memories of it. The first film I ever saw in a cinema was there having been taken by my mother, bless her, at a tender age of 8 years. I seem to recollect it was 1969. The film being shown then was the 1968 musical ‘Oliver’ arguably the greatest film adaptation of a musical. Anyway I remember being in awe of the sheer size and stunning ambiance of that cinema and that giant screen, with the mood changing lighting of the auditorium before the film commenced. It was such an event from that moment on to go there and see so many films over the years, such films as, ‘Rollerball’, ‘Carrie’,yes I was under age but managed to get in ;), ‘Close Encounters of the third Kind’, and ‘Alien’, come to mind for the sheer effect from viewing them on that monster 50 foot screen and the great sound generated through such a vast auditorium. The opening sequence of ‘Close Encounters’ was mind blowing. Together with what I remember to be such comfort with lovely seating and plenty of legroom too. From the time you entered the building at street level next to Tesco, which should have been an ice rink, shame on you Swansea Council!, and climbed those stairs which doubled back on themselves leading up to the big open foyer and then more stairs up to the auditorium after purchasing your ticket, the build up to the film being shown seemed to be such an event in itself. Wow such nostalgia he says with almost a tear in his eye. Such days could never be recaptured, but will never be forgotten!