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As a hobby, i travel round the country, visiting, and photographing (both externally and where possible, internally) old cinema buildings.
So far i have visited and photographed 1452 of these wonderful buildings (am on facebook as "old cinema buildings (UK & ROI)" i have travelled from lands end to Inverness, and Dover to Holyhead.....
Anyway, the question is 'what was the first 'proper' old school type cinema you saw a film in?
Mine? Palace Cinema, High Wycombe for 'Thunderbirds are go!'
The Slough Granada: sadly demolished (along with most of the pubs) a long time ago. Big old place with a massive foyer and huge screens. First film I can remember seeing there was Invasion USA: a Chuck Norris classic.
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 13:54 - Sep 4 with 1205 views
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 13:52 - Sep 4 by Ned_Kennedys
The Slough Granada: sadly demolished (along with most of the pubs) a long time ago. Big old place with a massive foyer and huge screens. First film I can remember seeing there was Invasion USA: a Chuck Norris classic.
Dave, I'm sure you know this - the Odean in High St Ken was demolished some years ago. I seem to remember reading it was the oldest cinema in the UK, maybe even the world. The developers promised to keep the facade in place but they bloody well didn't.
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 15:15 - Sep 4 by CateLeBonR
The first I remember going to is the Odeon Northfields Avenue.
Odeon northfields avenue for me. I remember Saturday morning pictures and there was black and white feature called old mother Reilley as part of the show.
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 16:44 - Sep 4 with 1012 views
I occasionally went to the Electric Cinema in Portobello Road but at the time it showed very niche, arty etc films. Fine for me to watch now but not when I was 14, was a few years later I started going. Looks like it's still open which is great.
I also occasionally went to the Coronet in Notting Hill Gate (also still going) and in fact watched "Notting Hill" there and was sitting in the same cinema and almost same seats as the scene where Julia Roberts & Hugh Grant were in the same cinema (he was wearing a scuba mask iirc).
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 17:29 - Sep 4 with 936 views
My old man met my mum in The Electric Cinema in portobello road in 1938. I used to go there in the 1960’s when it was called “the bug hole “ with my nan. I used to go to the odeon Westbourne Grove for Saturday Minors late 1960’s. I went there in the late 1970’s to watch Kung Fu movies late at night. The Coronet Notting Hill Gate showed more arty movies in the 1980’s ( Woody Allen type ) Remembering an actual film …. There was a cinema in the “new” Shepherd’s Bush shopping precinct, and my sister took me to see Oliver in 1968
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 17:42 - Sep 4 with 930 views
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 11:44 - Sep 4 by Kensal_Ranger
ABC Palace, Kensal Green (though they called it Kensal Rise). ‘One Hundred & One Dalmatians’. 1961, I think.
[Post edited 4 Sep 11:45]
Same for me. Used to go to Saturday morning pictures there stopping at a sweet shop not far from the cinema on the same side to stock up on flying saucers and gob stoppers to chomp during the film.
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 17:43 - Sep 4 with 930 views
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 14:37 - Sep 4 by Sonic_Hoop
Same. My Nan worked there for a bit.
Just think: you, me and Cyprus Mel might have all been there at the same time, ducking from the flying sweets (or throwing them), blithely ignorant of the fairly bizarre future that has unfolded since then....
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 12:01 - Sep 4 by hubble
My old man was manager of the Kilburn State in the late 50s. Not a lot of people know that!
Buddy Holly was an act on stage at the Kilburn State cinema. My recently deceased mate Frank Torpey (original member of Sweet) told me that gig in 52/53 (not sure which year) had a huge influence on him getting into music.
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 13:52 - Sep 4 by Ned_Kennedys
The Slough Granada: sadly demolished (along with most of the pubs) a long time ago. Big old place with a massive foyer and huge screens. First film I can remember seeing there was Invasion USA: a Chuck Norris classic.
Same cinema for me, Granada Slough, 1975 ish - Towering Inferno, mum took me - fell asleep, was a blimming long old film.
[Post edited 4 Sep 20:51]
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 20:51 - Sep 4 with 712 views
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 13:52 - Sep 4 by Ned_Kennedys
The Slough Granada: sadly demolished (along with most of the pubs) a long time ago. Big old place with a massive foyer and huge screens. First film I can remember seeing there was Invasion USA: a Chuck Norris classic.
Slough Granada for me too,not sure of the film,possibly Battle of Britain Was a beautiful old cinema,such a shame when it was demolished.
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 21:13 - Sep 4 with 699 views
First Cinema you saw a film in? on 10:54 - Sep 4 by MrSheen
Kilburn State and Grange were magnificent buildings as a small boy, especially the former. The Classic, not so much.
They still are magnificent. As was the Essoldo in Maida Vale. The best part about the Grange was leaning back in the seat to count the holes in the roof and that was in the early sixties. Good to see it’s still there though.
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First Cinema you saw a film in? on 21:19 - Sep 4 with 696 views
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