"More on Cinemas":

Plaque to celebrate 100 years of cinema in Heanor. To be seen in the old Heanor Town Hall, which was originally 'Buxton's Picture Palace'. It reads: 'The first moving picture show in Heanor took place at BUXTON'S PICTURE PALACE' in this building 1901' ‘For Your Interest’: Plans to Protect Picture Palaces: Some of Britain's most historic cinemas could be given listed building status under proposals put forward by English Heritage, and backed by Oscar-winning film producer David Puttnam The society wants to preserve the facades and interiors of more than 30 cinemas, which may not have been included on earlier lists for preservation. English Heritage also asked that a further eight picture houses, already listed, be upgraded, and that new legislation be introduced to help keep working, historic cinemas in use. Lord Puttnam described the architectural design of some early cinemas as "pure flights of fantasy", and "palaces" of escapism. He said: "Too many wonderful cinemas have been demolished or altered out of all recognition. We now have to make sure that those few amazing cinemas that do survive continue to exist for another 50 years." The final decision over listing lies with Culture Secretary Chris Smith, and will be announced after the period of consultation ends on 1 March. Many historic cinemas have been closed, or destroyed, to build offices or leisure facilities. Those still surviving, and on the English Heritage list, cover the length and breadth of the country. They boast a number of intriguing building styles, and reflect the development of the film industry. The Gate Cinema in Notting Hill, west London, for example, has Edwardian plasterwork from the very early days of the silver screen. While the auditorium of the ABC Halifax, West Yorkshire, dates from the 1930s, and is said to be one of the best, remaining examples of its kind. The cinema in Southgate, North London, which sparked Lord Putnam's own love of the movies as a child was, he said, a beautiful example of an art deco interior which had been demolished in 1982. The report went on to say the following about the places worthy of preserving: 119 Public support He said the time had come to stop the further destruction of similarly worthy movie houses, despite the current trend for multi-screen cinemas. "The audience is continually expanding - more people go to the movies now than go to football matches. ”Many people are beginning to realise that their love of films is only enhanced by seeing them in buildings which add to the experience. Nearly 300 movie screens were opened in the UK last year, in a wave of new multiplex cinemas launches”. However, English Heritage chairman Jocelyn Stevens is confident that the public will support the plans to save the traditional screens. "People love their local cinemas. We are frequently asked to save them. This consultation will give everyone a chance to let us know which cinemas they love most and want to save." Members of the public are being urged to contact English Heritage with their thoughts on the proposals and make suggestions for cinemas that may have been missed from the list. For Your Further Interest: Cinemas recommended for listing: The Dominion - Acton, west London. Odeon - Dudley, West Midlands. Empress Electric Theatre ( now a warehouse) - Miles Platting, Manchester Gaumont Palace (now a Mecca bingo hall) - Exeter, Devon Forum (now Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall) - Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester Electric Palace - Harwich, Essex Gaumont (now the Odeon) - Holloway, north London Regent (now a theatre) - Ipswich, Suffolk Regent - Lyme Regis, Dorset Cinema de Luxe/Plaza (now a New Life Christian Fellowship centre) - Margate, Kent News Theatre (now the Tyneside cinema) - Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear Plaza (now a bingo hall) - Northwich, Cheshire Paramount (now the Odeon) - Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear Picturedome (now the Phoenix) - East Finchley, north London Queens (now a bingo hall) -Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Regal (now ABC cinema) - Halifax, West Yorkshire 120 Regal Twins (now the Dancehouse Theatre) - Manchester Rink ( now a Mecca bingo hall) - Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands Ritz (now a Mecca bingo hall) -Grays, Essex Ritz (now a bingo hall) - Ilkeston, Derbyshire Gaumont (now a Mecca bingo hall) - St Helier, Surrey Savoy ( now a Mecca bingo hall) - Edgware, west London Grand ( now a Gala bingo hall) - Southport, Lancashire Palace (now the Uropa nightclub) - Portsmouth, Hampshire Grand -Bournemouth, Dorset The Picture House - Chesterfield, Derbyshire Clifton - Great Barr, Birmingham Picture House - Halifax, West Yorkshire Capitol - Scarborough, North Yorkshire Odeon (now a Mecca Bingo hall) - Wolverhampton, West Midlands. February 2003. The architects and designers in the first half of the century, built cinemas which were pure fights of fantasy. They were places to escape from a real and fairly drab world. From this list which was published in local newspapers, it is interesting to note that the ‘Scala Cinema’ in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has not been included! I think it should be because: The front of the Scala is a far more impressive site than the rear of the building. It dates from 1913 when it was constructed as Ilkeston's first purpose built cinema with a seating capacity of 1000. The 1930s saw the installation of an electrical sound system which was updated in the 1940s. "Gone With The Wind" was screened here in 1948 and this week the final episode in the "Lord of the Rings" saga is being advertised. Other claims to fame include appearances in the TV series "Boon" starring Michael Elphick and being used in another series both in the plots and the opening credits of "Shine On Harvey Moon". The car park in Pimlico to the left of the Scala , was once occupied by a row of cottages but these were demolished in 1974. 121