Curzon Cinema
601 Prescot Road,
Liverpool,
L13 5XA
601 Prescot Road,
Liverpool,
L13 5XA
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Bedford Cinemas (1928) Ltd.
Architects: Arthur Ernest Shennan
Styles: Art Deco
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Located in the east Liverpool district of Old Swan. The Curzon Cinema was opened on 10th October 1936 with Loretta Young in “The Unguarded Hour”. Designed in an Art Deco style by Liverpool based architect Arthur Ernest Shennan, seating in the auditorium was on a stadium plan, with a raised stepped section at the rear rather than an overhanging balcony. It was equipped with a Compton 3Manual, 6Ranks organ with a Melotone attachment, which was opened by organist Lewis Oddy. The organ chambers were located in a unique position behind the screen. In 1953 & 1954 3D films were screened like Fernando Lamas in “Sangaree”, Vincent Price in “House of Wax” and John Wayne in “Hondo”. CinemaScope was installed on 20th December 1954 with Maralyn Monroe in “How to Marry a Millionaire” being the first film to be screened at the Curzon Cinema in that process. In September to December 1959 and on Thursdays from February to April 1960 live performances such a Wrestling were programmed.
The Curzon Cinema was closed on 20th August 1960 with Brigitte Bardot in “A Woman Like Satan” and Mamie Van Doren in “Vice Raid”. It was converted into a supermarket and other smaller retail units. It was demolished in March 2015 and a Home Bargains supermarket has been built on the site.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
It would seem the writing’s on the wall for the Curzon. Permission has been granted to flatten in to make way for supermarket space.
http://www.liverpoolconfidential.co.uk/News-and-Comment/Old-Swans-art-deco-picture-palace-faces-demolition#.U2IsTgrdVss.facebook
http://www.liverpoolconfidential.com/News-and-Comment/Coming-Soon-to-the-Curzon-Raging-Bulldozer
Isn’t it about time that cinemas (and other buildings) were Listed by English Heritage for their contribution to their neighbourhoods, rather than EH using the easy “get-out” that the interior’s been altered? The Curzon (in my humble opinion) is Liverpool’s best art-deco exterior in Liverpool (and I’m including the Philharmonic and the Forum cinema).
Demolition might have started in March 2015, but it continues in May 2015.
Grand opening ad posted.