Odeon Coventry

The Scala Cinema was opened in May 1913. Designed by architect T.R.J. Meakin, it had an attractive large arched entrance which was domed inside. The auditorium had seating for 501, all on a single level. It was the first cinema to be operated by Charlie Orr, who went on to build a small local chain. In 1914 a 280 seat circle was added and in 1919 the building was extended to give a total of 1,400 seats.

By 1929 it had been re-named La Scala Cinema. A British Talking Pictures(BTP) sound system was installed and it screened its first ‘talkie’ (silent with music track and sound effects) “Moulin Rouge” starring Olga Tschechowa on 8th April 1929.

In the mid-1930’s the building was modernised. It was given an Art Deco style façade covered with white ceramic tiles and containing a large central window, and a new circle was built, which now gave a total seating capacity for 1,500. It re-opened on 2nd October 1935 with Raymond Massey in “Things to Come” with film star/actress Gracie Fields attending in person.

In 1939 the La Scala Cinema was taken over by the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. and was renamed Scala Cinema again. It suffered some bomb damage during World War II, but this was repaired. It was re-named Odeon on 3rd March 1950, presenting Larry Parks in “Jolson Sings Again”. The Odeon was closed by the Rank Organisation on 2nd February 1963 with Patrick MaGoohan in “The Quare Fellow”. The ‘Odeon’ name was transferred to the city’s Gaumont Theatre.

It was converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club. It was damaged by a fire in January 1970 which closed the bingo club. The empty building received further fire damage in December 1972 and it was deemed unsafe, and was demolished in early-1973.

An office block named Scala House now stands on the site.

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