Coventry Cinemas

Hi all The Old Alex

Philip, I've read the article on the link and it states that it became a cinema in 1970. I'm certain it was many years before that. By then it had become one of the less salubrious venues in Coventry. I can recall spending games afternoons in there rather than going cross country running around Canley Ford, which was certainly in the 60s. Sad to see the old place go. I have a few happy memories of my courting days that involve the Alex/Theatre One.

Dutchman specifically addressed this matter in a February 2014 post. "The front half was a coffee house (built by the owner of the General Wolfe in Foleshill). The rear section wasn't added until 1917, for the specific purpose of showing newsreel reports from the Great War. Up until then films had been shown at the Sydenham Palace diagonally opposite." I offer as much in the spirit of allowing Dutchman to focus his intellectual wherewithal on the research tasks he currently has before him.

Thank you LongfordLad, it saves me from repeating myself So Coventry has lost not only a Victorian coffee house, but also an Edwardian picture house. Odd isn't it that the more the council talks about 'conservation' the more historic buildings are being pulled down?

That comment should be on every billboard in town. Well said.

Sorry to say/see but Theatre One is indeed no more....

Half way through demolition. Note the Smirnoff poster & old wallpaper

Can you tell me what will go up in it's place? Don't tell me another 'High rise" or something not quite good enough and will be pulled down again in about ten years time. However, the more modern 'blot's on the landscapes' are easier to demolish than the old ones.

Re: Theatre One demolition Here's an artists impression from the planning application which dates from 2012.

An early view of the old Alex' cinema. Previous to becoming a cinema it was the first meeting place for the Labour Party in Coventry.

Hi & thank you Norman. Brill picture! A good study in period traffic-lights too!

They were showing the Baer / Carnera fight which was in 1934...

Hi Norm, thanks for that. Would that fight have been live or a news reel?