ABC Hendon
260 Hendon Way,
London,
NW4 3NL
260 Hendon Way,
London,
NW4 3NL
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 9 comments
3 screens on May 13th, 1973. Ad posted.
This used to be my local cinema when my parents lived in Hendon. I was amazed at the sound of the ‘traps’ (Timpani) coming from an organ, as I was used to the ‘straight’ organ in the local church. The main house tabs were a deep plum red with a gold design of rectangles appliqued on. Latterly the screen curtains were not used and I could never decide whether this was ‘modernity’ or if the tab motor had burnt-out. I was aware of the partial fly tower over the stage and was saddened that only one play ‘The Amorous Prawn’ ever played there live. I went to see “Oklahoma!” on screen there. It was always a dark auditorium and when the house lights came up, I was the only person sitting in the circle…
Many happy memories of this cinema – we moved nearby in 1995 and this became our local until closure. There was a little newsagent by it where everyone would buy food and drinks for much cheaper than in the auditorium!
Even at this time there was a ‘Saturday Kids Club’ where a magician or other entertainer would perform on the stage before the feature – something I’ve never seen since and must have seemed like from a bygone age even then! But to my seven year old eyes it was great, and I was disappointed when it closed.
Nice.
When Classic took over this cinema,they made it their flagship.there were many stage shows.i remember syd Lawrence and his orchestra and the comedian Libby Morris.I again was present at the last performance.
The stage house, associated dressing room accommodation and back stage facilities have been demolished and replaced by apartments.
Photographed in April 2009:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3454180698/
I was assistant manager here briefly between 1973-4 to the colourful Douglas Baker. Despite taking new releases a week after the Odeon, we regularly did better business. Once a junior projectionist opened the matinee very much the worse for wear following a lunchtime session causing me to shut down the show temporarily. No-one actually complained other than to point out the house lights were going up and down and the screen tabs opening and closing, all with the picture on the screen. In the box, the film was spilling all over the floor so the Chief had to be called in on his time off to put it right – and he was not best pleased.
As seen in October 2006 as Holmes Place, Health Club:
http://flickr.com/photos/satguru/279131119/
Photographed as the Cannon Cinema in 1986:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/138485813