Commodore Theatre
395 King Street,
London,
W6 9NJ
395 King Street,
London,
W6 9NJ
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Architects: George Coles
Styles: Neo-Classical
Nearby Theaters
Located in the west London district of Hammersmith, the Commodore Theatre lay some distance away from the main shopping centre on King Street at Young’s Corner, Stamford Brook. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 1st January 1929 by actress Tallulah Bankhead. The magnificent Commodore Theatre opened 16th September 1929 with Laura La Plante & Joseph Schildkraut in “Show Boat”. It was built for and operated by an independent operator Commodore National Theatres Ltd. which was controlled by millionaire Ralph Specterman.
This vast cinema was designed for cine-variety and for the first few years that was the programming. Seating was provided in stalls and circle and there was provision for 252 standing spaces within the auditorium, giving a total licenced capacity of 3,136. It was equipped with a Dutch manufactured 3Manual/10Rank Standaart cinema organ, which was opened by organist Harry Davidson. There was also a large 40 piece orchestra employed and the stage was 28 feet deep, the proscenium was 50 feet wide and there were eight dressing rooms. Other facilities in the building were a café and a dancehall.
Associated British Cinemas(ABC) took over from 24th July 1933 and within months the huge stage shows had been dropped and the orchestra disbanded. It continued as a films only cinema with, in the late-1950’s & early-1960’s, occasional live show pop concerts. It was closed on 8th June 1963 with Juliet Mills in “Nurse on Wheels” and Yoko Tani in “First Spaceship on Venus”(Der Schweigende Stern). From 14th June 1963, it was converted into an Alpha Bingo Club and this later continued as a Mecca Bingo Club until 1981.
The building was immediately demolished in January 1982 and an office block known as Quantas House was built on the site. The original foundation stone of the Commodore Theatre was re-sited at the entrance to the new building.
Contributed by
David Clarke, Ken Roe
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Despite the fact it was then operating as a Mecca Bingo Club, the Commodore Cinema hosted two concerts by the Rolling Stones pop group on Sunday 10th January 1965.
What a gorgeous cinema. I dream of seeing movies in palaces like this.
At Last I have found a picture of the Commodore.. It is not good.. But there might not be any other around…
The Original General Manager was “Jack Hart” Who previous was general manager of “The Holborn Empire” He Trained the Manager (Frank W. Attoe) Who later trained me in management at the ABC Walsall…
The Organist Harry Davidson later Played the Organ at Our Regal Cinema Henley on Thames..
Initially converted into an Alpha Bingo Club before Mecca took over. Mike Blakemore’s image shows BINGO on the canopy, still with the neon ABC triangle on the building.
3 photos uploaded. ABC presented many live shows here at one time; the capacity (including standing room) was over 3,000. Their smaller Regal (2,200 seats) was pressed into more extensive live use following the closure of the Commodore.
Colorized photo and grand opening ad posted.
Another ad