Regal Cinema
Pinfold Street,
Darlaston,
WS10
Pinfold Street,
Darlaston,
WS10
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Built for and operated by the independent Colmore Entertainments chain, the Regal Cinema was opened on 19th September 1938 with Bobby Breen in "Make A Wish". The brick building had a modern style, with a central feature on the facade clad in reconstructured white stone, with large windows allowing light into the circle foyer. The auditorium had seating provided for 1,046 in the stalls and 372 in the circle. The proscenium was 40 feet wide, the stage 15 feet deep and there were three dressing rooms. The cinema was equipped with a 2Manual Compton Theatrone electronic organ, which was opened by organist Leslie Taff.
The fully equipped stage was well used over the years. Part-time bingo was introduced in 1963, and the final films were screened on 1st February 1964; Steve Reeves & Gordon Scott in "Duel of the Tians" and "The Ringer".
The Regal Cinema was immediately converted into a full time bingo club. In 1965, the Compton Theatron electronic organ was removed, due to difficulties in obtaining spare parts, and a Bird electronic organ was installed to entertain the bingo players at intervals. The bingo club was closed in 1993, and in April 1994, the empty building was badly damaged by fire. The building was demolished in late-1995.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
They carried on for a number of Years Showing Asian Films on Sunday mornings Colmore Entertainments (The Oliver’s) did very little in the way of alterations for Bingo. It was a belt and braces operation but funnily enough It was the Black Country’s busiest Bingo Hall Whilst working for ABC Cinemas I was seconded to their Bingo division and had to go out to other Bingo Halls to see how their Bingo was doing I had to reports the Prize moneys being paid out. I even had to pay Bingo. Hmm During that time I never won any money..
Notice The Roundels in the ceiling These were used in the 1924 designs of The Capitol Alum Rock Birmingham. and a Bigger Version in “The Warley cinema
I have added two photos of the sides and rear which show a fine example of Earnest Robert’s brick box functional cinema architecture. As with all of his cinemas the plainness is in stark contrast to the Art-Deco splendour inside.