Court Kinema
8 Skinnergate,
Darlington,
DL3 7NJ
8 Skinnergate,
Darlington,
DL3 7NJ
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Gaumont-British Picture Corp., Ltd., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd.
Styles: Neo-Classical
Nearby Theaters
Built by the Gale & Company Ltd. chain, the Court Kinema was opened on 11th February 1913 with 1,119 seats. Alterations were soon made, and it re-opened in December 1913. It was taken over by the Provincial Cinematograph Theatres(PCT) chain in 1921. They were taken over by the Gaumont British Theatres chain in February 1929.
It was modernised and re-opened on 26th December 1932. Seating was reduced to 1,002.
The Court Kinema was destroyed by a fire on 15th August 1947, with only the front section and foyer remaining intact. A lady living in an adjacent cottage was a victim of the fire when she tried to retrieve her property. In the 1950’s the Court Arcade was built on the site and the front section of the the original cinema building was also converted into shops.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Another view of the former cinema: View link
I often wondered what this place looked like whilst still a cinema and I have to say that its Front Of House was very pleasant according to this photo. Thank you to the person who has uploaded it!
Old timers in Darlington told me that the film showing on the night of the fateful fire was ‘The Brothers’ (Maxwell Reed, Patricia Roc). Apparently , at the time, that particular film had a rather controversial reputation and the locals jested that “there was ‘hot stuff’ on at the Court when it went up in smoke"….
Photo of the Court Arcade uploaded.
Article re the Court’s destruction by fire:–
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/memories/14694067.The_day_Darlington_s_first_purpose_built_cinema_came_to_a_fiery_end/