ABC Putney
25 Putney High Street,
London,
SW15 1SN
25 Putney High Street,
London,
SW15 1SN
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Architects: William Riddell Glen
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Regal Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Located in the southwest London district of Putney. Built and operated by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) it was designed in a typical ABC Art Deco style by their in-house architect William R. Glen.
The Regal Cinema opened on 8th November 1937 with Robert Montgomery in “Night Must Fall” and Don Ameche in “Fifty Roads to Town”. Seating was provided for 1,651 in the stalls and 889 in the balcony. It was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/6Ranks theatre organ, which had a Melotone attachment and an illuminated console. It was opened by organist Charles Smart.
The Regal Cinema was re-named ABC from 3rd September 1961 and it closed on 11th December 1971 with Rock Hudson in “Pretty Maids All in a Row” and Roman Polanski in “Dance of the Vampires”.
A deal had been done with EMI the owners of the ABC and the Rank Organisation who owned the Odeon (former Palace/Gaumont) located next door. The Odeon was purchased by EMI and it closed the same day as the ABC, both were demolished in 1972 and a new three-screen ABC (currently Odeon) cinema was built on the site which opened on 14th September 1975.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
The Regal Cinema was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/6Rank theatre organ with Melotone unit and an illuminated console. It was opened by Charles Smart.
The current building is a soulless concrete monstrosity of absolutely no architectural merit or interest, unlike the two buildings it replaced.
View link
It is hardly worthwhile the effort to click your mouse, but here is an interior shot of one of the replacement cinemas that now exist on the site of the two old movie theatres:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2692441924/
Ian… you’re dead right mate… it’s not worth the effort after looking at the previous UGLY photos!
Here is an updated link to the photo mention by me above (the geocities service closed)
John
http://www.john.byethost6.com/putney.htm
I was told that the ABC (Regal) was built using the same set of drawings as the Regal Plymouth, in the rush to get the theatres open and that only the canopy had to be revised due to adjacent buildings. I don’t know which theatre came first! I agree with all the negative comments regarding the replacement building!
Hmm The 1975 interior shot looks like a Moorebird Ltd., (I am trying t be kind in my comment) Load of **** They did for interiors what “Herod” did for Childcare.. In that period they where EMI flavour of the month. (CHEAP)
the 3 manual 7ranks Compton organ with Meltone and solo cello is installed in a private home in Brey am Rhein Germany
1937 grand opening ad posted.