ABC Enfield
Savoy Parade, Southbury Road,
Enfield,
EN1 1RT
Savoy Parade, Southbury Road,
Enfield,
EN1 1RT
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Cannon Cinemas
Architects: George Coles
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Savoy Cinema, Cannon
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The Savoy Cinema was a luxury super cinema designed for a mixed use of cine-variety and was built for Independent operator Goide & Glassman. It opened on 28th October 1935 with Pual Lucas in “Age of Indiscretion” and Miriam Hopkins in “Becky Sharp”.
Designed in what could be descibed as a ‘classical’ Art Deco style by prolific cinema architect George Coles, seating was provided for just below 1,400 in stalls and just below 900 in the balcony. The Savoy Cinema was equipped with a working stage and orchestra pit, five dressing rooms and a Wurlitzer 2Maunual/7Rank theatre organ which was opened by Reginald New. There was also a large cafe/resaurant located on the balcony foyer level with windows overlooking the street and a free car park at the rear.
The Savoy Cinema was soon taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) from 24th February 1936. In 1962 it was re-named ABC and in 1966 the Wurlitzer organ was removed to the West Hallam Social Club in Derbyshire.
In April 1978 it was closed for conversion into a 4 screen cinema. Screen 1 was in the former balcony and had 620 seats, screen 2 was in the former front stalls area with 356 seats and screen 3 and 4 were two mini cinemas located under the balcony in the former rear stalls area and had seating for 217 and 140.
In April 1986 it became part of the Cannon Cinemas chain and was re-named Cannon. It was re-named ABC again in December 1996. It closed on 11th December 1997. The building was demolished in March 1998, to provide access to a new Tesco supermarket which was built on the former cinema car park.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
A scan of a photograph I took in the summer 1994 when the building was operating as a 4-screen Cannon Cinema:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/148770236/
Kenroe – lovely to see your photo.
This was my local cinema for many years and I have so many great memories. I was there on the last night (LA Confidential) and I said on that night I would never go to that store when it was built (I never did although have long since moved). This building sparked my interest in cinema and it’s history. I remember the days when there would be queues outside – the multiplex in Lea Valley definitly had an impact on attendance, but there was always a loyal attendance.
A vintage photograph of the Savoy Cinema in 1937
View link
I saw my first ‘X’ film , “The Pit & the Pendulum”, at the Savoy. The minimum age in those days for an ‘X’ was 16 but, being tall for my age, I got in at 13. To make myself look more adult I went in smoking a cigarette! I can remember almost every detail of that visit, such was the experience. From then on I was hooked on horror films and still am, but there is nothing to compare with the thrill of getting in underage. I was never once challenged over my age, although on numerous occasions people, who I could see were older than me, were refused admission.
Vintage photographs of the Savoy Cinema, and its Wurlitzer organ:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/1319.html
Thanks Ken for the pictures and Kevin for the Story.Bet you caught a lot of HAMMER FILMS.Second best film export in England with 007 being first.I sure hope they keep making 007 movies.