Odeon Wealdstone
159 High Street,
Wealdstone,
HA3 5DX
159 High Street,
Wealdstone,
HA3 5DX
1 person
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I was most interested to view these photos.It looked a fine cinema. I never saw it as a working cinema because I went to school nearby and by the time I saw it, it had closed. I do remember seeing a tramp asleep in what had been one of its emergency exits when it was disused and abandoned. But what beautiful lines it had. And a grand piano to entertain diners! By the time I was in my final class at middle school it was derelict and in a dangerous state and indeed we were warned by police not to use its interior as an adventure playground. And unfortunately I was severely punished because the teacher believed I had been inside it. The site is now an empty office block but I was thrilled when I saw what it looked like in its heyday. I suppose in those days a visit to the cinema was a treat and an occasion . Whoever supplied these photographs I would like to thank you.
As a teenager in the 1950’s I used to play the organ in the Odeon Wealdstone,regularly. I think it was a 2 manual 4 rank Compton : Tibia, Tuba, Flute and Diapason. However whis was over 50 years ago – I was a school boy at Harrow and I earned my first “professional” fees – 10 shillings a show there, and at the Odeon Swiss Cottage (a 3 maual Compton with Melotone) and the Gaumont, Camden Town (a 4 maual Compton – the top manual was a coupler manual with the Tuba available.) This was an unnusual installation with the console at the left side of the proscenium, coming out from behind a curtain at the press of a button.There were 2 chambers under the stage. The auditorium had fine, rich acoustics, which enhanced the magnificent organ sound. I recently (2004) gave some concerts in Australia including Melbourne, where the magnificent organ in Malvern Town Hall – which resembles town hallls in the UK, such as Southampton in the 20’s, has been built with parts from several British organs, including the Odeon Swiss Cottage. If I’m wrong I’m sure someone will correct me!
John Foss, GRSM, ARCM, one time director of Grant, Degens and Bradbeer, arguably successors to the John Compton organ co
A vintage photograph of the auditorium of the Odeon, photographed soon after its opening in 1934:
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