Some Liverpool Cinemas

[Sirob]

The Plaza, Allerton Road, was built in !928 and was yet another A. E. Shennan design. A typical large suburban house, as built it had a capacity of 1,432. Unusually for this period, it had a large car park. There was also a large fishpool containing a fountain and statuette(is this unique?).
Name changes were Gaumont (1950), Odeon (1962) and Classic (1967)
Closure came on 18 th April 1971, with the final films being "A Shot in the Dark" and "The Hills Ran Red"
My interest was to record the main features of the building, and became a patron for the last performance. Explaining to the manager what I wanted to do, he allowed me access all areas - I didn't see much of the films, but preserved a little bit of history from oblivion!

Now for the pics!
exterior front, projection room, auditorium, fishpond(blurred but included for its rarity value)
Note; The projectionist kindly demonstrated the stage lighting, during the interval, hence the atmospheric shot. Can you spot the heads in the balcony?

[PhilipG]

It's so good to see these.
Hardly anybody was taking photos of cinemas in the 1970s, let alone going inside and taking interior shots.

[Sirob]

Here are two more pics of the Majestic, during demolition in June 1971;
Balcony looking towards screen and front stalls similar view. The top masking curtain has fallen diagonally across the screen. On stage is a demolition worker, but who is th woman in pink???????

Also; The Hippodrome, taken in August 1970 and the remains of the Rialto(Swainbanks s/h furniture store) after the riots!

[Ged]

Great pics again Sirob, especially of the Hippodrome. Well done.

[PhilipG]

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[Sirob]

Here is the Liverpool Echo cinema index for May 11 1955

[shytalk]

The poo would hit the fan if they played the film on the Tunnel Rd.Pictureddrome today.

[Sirob]

I have followed with great interest, the attempts to save the Bedford. As a child, I went there regularly, until it's closure.
I am surprised that no attempt to form a trust, attract funding, or otherwise take steps towards purchase of the building. If the developer cannot get planning, then selling is an option. A
s regards listing, has nobody learned from the Firestone building in London which had the art deco front ripped of it, the day before it was due to be listed. There is also spot listing for buildings in immediate danger.
So much of our heritage has already been destroyed, will being Capital of Culture mean scenes like these below in Bedford Road?????

(Commodore, Hammersmith, London, 1981)

[Sirob]

More obscure pics now;
What was left of the Lyric Theatre, Everton Valley, in August 1971. Located behind the pub, the partially demolished walls were used for years by Reardons Demolition contractors as a yard. Opened in 1897 as a theatre, converted to a cinema in 1922 , re-converted to a theatre again in 1925 and closed for good in 1932.
Frontage of the Queens cinema, Walton Road, in March 1973. Opened in 1913 and closed in 1959. Never part of a circuit, could only show second district runs and with the Astoria, Victory and Princess nearby, became an early casualty. Demolished 1980, after retail use.

[DaisyChains]

More obscure pics now;
What was left of the Lyric Theatre, Everton Valley, in August 1971. Located behind the pub, the partially demolished walls were used for years by Reardons Demolition contractors as a yard. Opened in 1897 as a theatre, converted to a cinema in 1922 , re-converted to a theatre again in 1925 and closed for good in 1932.
Frontage of the Queens cinema, Walton Road, in March 1973. Opened in 1913 and closed in 1959. Never part of a circuit, could only show second district runs and with the Astoria, Victory and Princess nearby, became an early casualty. Demolished 1980, after retail use.

Fantastic Pics!
More more!

[PhilipG]

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[quincyg]

some long gone cinemas

the Corona - College Rd, Crosby (demolished 1957)


Electric Picture Palace - Bridge Rd, Litherland (destroyed by fire 1913)


Gainsborough, Knowsley Rd, Bootle. demolished couple of years ago.


Regal, Church Rd, Litherland


Stella Picture House - Seaforth Rd, seaforth (demolished 1960's)



gathered from various sites, no sources listed.

[Ged]

Well done quincyg.

[quincyg]

Well done quincyg.

I'm hoping to get out tomoz and get some photos of some of the local cinemas still standing, that haven't had photos put on this thread yet.
There's 1 in Litherland, 1 in Seaforth, 1 (maybe 2) in Crosby/Waterloo.

I must rummage through my hard photos as I took one in the Museum of Liverpool life of the Abbey Cinema. it was part of a display they had up. I took it as the Abbey was my local as a nipper.

[quincyg]

just found this fab piece on the Abbey http://www.wooltoncinema.co.uk/html/cinematributes.html

brought back some memories, including summat I'd forgotton...the first supermarket to go in the old building was LENNONS. now there's a blast from the past. we used to walk the roughly 2 miles up there to do our shopping then get the 79 home.

can't believe it's 25 years since it closed , I loved that cinema *sniff*