Plaza Cinema

Rank continued to operate the Plaza under that name until renaming it Odeon from Friday April 17th 1987. This was part of Managing Director Jim Whittell’s determination to focus on the Odeon brand which led to the renaming of the last Gaumonts and the change in the company’s name from Rank Theatres Ltd. to Odeon Cinemas Ltd. It was, thus, an Odeon for just its last few years.

My parents used to say that it was nicknamed ‘The Ranchuss’ by locals because of the number of Westerns that used to be shown there… Not surprised to hear about the Hippodrome – Dudley Council isn’t exactly renowned for any appreciation of the built environment or the creative arts….

1995 shot showing the closed Odeon with the Plaza letter scars and the Hippodrome beyond here:–

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/339681347/