Majestic Cinema
17 Cradley Road,
Cradley Heath,
B64 6AG
17 Cradley Road,
Cradley Heath,
B64 6AG
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Star Cinemas
Firms: Webb & Gray
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Majestic Super Cinema
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Located in Cradley Heath, Staffordshire in the West Midlands. The Majestic Super Cinema was opened on 27th March 1933 with Anna Neagle in “The Flag Lieutenant”. Designed by Dudley based architectural firm Webb & Gray, an unusual feature for this Art Deco style building is a leaded glass window on the circle stairs, which depicts Heraldic images. Seating was provided in stalls and circle levels. Sound equipment was provided by Western Electric(WE). The proscenium was 36 feet wide, and it was equipped with a Christie 3Manual 10Ranks organ that was opened by organist William Sykes, who soon also became the cinema manager as well as resident organist, and held those positions until he retired in 1958. The Majestic Cinema was always independently operated.
The Majestic Cinema was closed on 2nd November 1963 with Doris Day in “Jumbo” and Terry-Thomas in “Kill or Cure”.
It was taken over by the Leeds based Star Cinemas group, who re-opened it as a bingo club named the Majestic Casino on November 7, 1963. They operated the Saturday morning children’s cinema club from January 1964 until the Cinematograph License expired. The Christie organ was restored in 1973, and was played on the Friday evening bingo sessions for many years. In 1984, organ concerts were held with noted organists Phil Kelsall and Doreen Chadwick featured players. By then the bingo club was operated by a local bingo club Birmingham based bingo club operator Jarglen Ltd. In 1999, it became part of the Gala Bingo Club chain, and they closed the building on 31st March 2000.
Since then the building has been used as a warehouse for the locally manufactured Hawk Cycles, but by 2013 they had vacated the building without removing their stock. It stands unused, with only one of the shop units operating as an adult bookstore. The original Christie organ is still in the building but in a deteriorating condition.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
It seem really odd that this cinema is totally overlooked with no photos or information and is one of the few still retaining its organ.Goodness knows what state its Christie 3/10 is in.I believe that the owner of the building wanted an exorbitant amount for the organ which was of course declined.Has no one else tried to gain access to this building?
Here are some pictures taken by urban explorers in Oct 2018, showing the organ still to be there.
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/the-majestic-cinema-cradley-heath-oct-2018.114938/
Local organ guy Cameron Lloyd tells me that he has offered to buy and remove the organ on many occasions, but the owners shown no interest.
Jeremy