Coventry Cinemas

Wasn't Dunhills the tobacconists somewhere there ?

Just checked this out Foxcote, the neon sign says Loveitt & Bones. It's on a postcard Rob has on here

I could be wrong. I know there was a tobacconist near by and Dunhills came to mind, perhaps it was a large advert on the front. If I am wrong I would like to know what shop it was. I do remember an assortment of pipes and lighters in the window. As we used the Empire a lot that shop popped up.

Hello to all. I am now watching with bated breath. Nice to have a new look on things.

These was uploaded to Memories Of Coventry (some of the owners of the photo's unknown) Gaumont Palace cinema, later became the Odeon - Jordan Well Astoria Cinema, Albany Road. Formerly the Broadway, built 1922, closed 1959, later used as a furniture warehouse Opera House Cinema, Hales Street, Coventry, about 1949-50. The Opera House is an amusement arcade now next to the grammar school . ? Copyright & acknowledgment to allhails Steps leading up to The ABC Cinema - now gone The Forum Cinema - Walsgrave Rd 1934-1962, became bowling alley

There were 2 exits in the alley at the side of the Empire, the bottom one led into the auditorium next to the screen (easily visible). The upper doors led up stairs to the Circle. On a Friday/Saturday night circa 1971/2 the Cinema screened the 'Midnight Movie' usually a horror flick of the 'Hammer' type. There used to be about 30 of us all outside the upper doors waiting for the one who paid to let us all in ! I've often thought about the Usherette looking up one moment to an empty Circle and the next a half full Gallery and not showing anyone to their seats ! They 'cottoned' on quite quickly and had an usher on guard from then on as I recall.

Living in Holbrooks our Saturday mornings were spent at the Lyric cinema watching Flash Gordon. Like so many cinemas it became a bingo hall, not sure what it is now or if it is standing

Hello excoventrykid, The Lyric is now a Pound shop.

The last time I was in there about two years ago the balcony and upstairs seats were still intact. I could see the two my girlfriend and I occupied in 1955!

The knowledge and memories of the people on this site is utterly amazing. Loved to see the picture of the Forum. Can you remember standing outside and asking strangers to take you in, because the film had an "A" certificate? In those days, 50's, although we weren't particularly film buffs, we would go on a regular basis. Often Friday nights or Saturday afternoons.

I remember it well. We used to get into James Bond films by asking strangers to take us in. This was so prevalent that one of my local cinemas used to insist that you sat next to the person you had gone in with to discourage it and used to operate a limit of one minor per adult. I can't imagine it happening nowadays.

My first trip to the cinema 'alone' was to the Lyric, the film was 'Jason and The Argonauts'. Must have been about 1961.

A bit later than that I think Disorganised? It wasn't released in the UK until August 1963 and then only to major cinema chains like the Gaumont, the smaller cinemas had to wait a bit longer. Does anyone else remember seeing this on Saturday mornings at the Gaumont? www.youtube.com/v/g0xOhK6kPyM

HI Dutchman, Thank you for the entertainment. No, I was an ABC Minor at the Empire and had to watch Roy Rogers and Trigger. Couldn't help but smile at the video though. I think they must sleep in those helmets and they were well advanced with the taser guns. I think they must have done a roaring trade in trilby hats in those days. As a matter of curiosity, did the other cinemas have children's showings on a Saturday?