Cape Cinema

In St. Just, on the southern coast of Cornwall, films were shown at the Working Men’s Club since the 1920’s. There was seating for 156, and no re-winding of films was allowed during the performances. The earliest known operator was W. H. Curnow, followed by C. Oates.

It is not known when the Working Men’s Club, as such, ceased trading. But improvements to the cinema operation were made either at the end of the 1920’s or, perhaps more likely, a year or so later, when a British Thomson Houston (BTH) sound system was installed. At the same time the seating capacity was increased to 330 and the Cinema was renamed the Cape Cinema.

In the early years of World War II, Duchy Cinemas Ltd. became the operator. From the late-1940’s, until closure, by B. Proctor. On taking over, he replaced the sound system with GB Magnus equipment and the seating capacity was reduced, back to 150. (It is not known how this doubling in size had been achieved; perhaps the additional seats were ‘squeezed in’ and/or a balcony was brought into use. But presumably 150 was a much more amenable capacity.)

The Cape Cinema’s final appearance in the Kinematograph Year Books was in 1968, so it is assumed it closed around that time.

The building has continued to provide a home for various entertainments, most recently the Bolitho Club, which is home to snooker and short mat bowls.

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