Odeon Oxford, Magdalen Street
Magdalen Street,
Oxford,
OX1 3AE
Magdalen Street,
Oxford,
OX1 3AE
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I used visit the cinema often when I was in Oxford - most of this time the Odeon (then the ABC) on George was closed after a fire. I can not say that I ever liked the cinema, but it is unfortunate that time has marched on and it is to close. I hope that the place can be put some good use and not be turned into luxury flats.
For what it is worth, please see my comments in the photos section.
Plans are available for this cinema as part of an application dated 2012 to alter/restep the circle for larger seating. (N.B. The circle had already been restepped over the original concrete in 2001.)
Included within the application is a “FLOOR FINISHES” document, from which:
Carpet – “ODEON Black Carpet” by OW Hospitality (“Quality Supplier of Axminster Carpets,” according to their UK website.)
Vinyl – DLW Armstrong Scala 55 Mountain Pine Dark Brown.
Obviously, these “house style” finishes are the same products used in other Odeons.
Also, the document “GA PLAN & SETTING OUT PLAN,” lists seating as follows:
“Movie magic gets a makeover” — Oxford Mail.
According to this article, published in 2012, £1m was spent on refurbishing the cinema, including £350,000 on the foyer.
Unfortunately, visible in the photo of the main auditorium is a floating screen incongrously jutting out in front of the proscenium…
Details of the work involved in adding this screen are available in a planning application dated 2009, “Listed Building Consent for internal works to insert girders and posts to project a larger screen forward of the proscenium arch in screen 1”.
Visited this cinema plus ABC (now Odeon), George Street many times whilst growing up. Haven’t been inside since the second screen was added but it’s good to see it still running all of these years later.
It has one of the highest seating single auditoria capacities, outside of the Capital, in the Country.
Ticket pricing, looking at Odeon’s website, is the most complicated I have seen anywhere! There are uplift charges for peak times, blockbuster movies, 3D movies and two different rates for upgraded seating. :/ Pricing is almost three times higher than at Vue, Oxford which whilst some distance from the city centre offers free parking!
Hi my name is Mal bickley I was the manager of the cinema when it was dismantled slowly and carefully in the 70s. I saw every piece of this amazing organ removed by a private buyer it was a joy to see this amazing instrument. If any one remembers me then please feel free to contact me on . I was the manager from 1972 -1979. Many happy memories. Cheers Mal
The projection room was accessed up a very narrow, extremely raked stairwell, culminating out onto the roof, then walk over the ventilation system into a very small room, cold.
It doesn’t look like they have restored the paintings each side of the auditorium, they still appear to be curtained over. The CTA had some input into the restoration of the foyer. In answer to a query long ago, the organ is in a private house near Woking, Surery, UK.
Article about refurbishment & restoration of plasterwork
According to the book ‘Early Oxford Picture Palaces’ by Paul J. Marriot (Published 1978):
‘After 1932, when Mr Barraclough was the organist, it seems never to have been played again. However in 1965 the old organ was rediscovered housed in a concrete chamber behind the screen, remarkably intact.’
I wonder what happened to to it?
Three photos of the Odeon Oxford in its ABC days here:–
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About the organ; Spurdon Rutt, who also built church organs, built only three theater organs. One was parted out, one is in the hands of a private owner. and the only 3 manual instrument (3/6 from the from the Regal, Highams Park, London) is located at the St. Alban’s Organ Theater along with the ex Empire(Granada), Edmonton, London 3/10 Wurlitzer. The Rutt has an incredibly mellow and beautiful sound.