Coventry Cinemas

Thanks argon, that certainly makes sense!

jonboy, I am pretty sure the Opera House started out as a live Opera. I seem to remember a photo of my parents, when courting, going to a live show there - written on the back was the show title I believe. I have just Googled Coventry Opera House and yes, it was built for theatre live shows.

I remember going to the Opera House. Always seemed to have a seat in the 'gods'. Just about see the screen like an old 12" television. Guess the 'gods' balcony was a throw back to the old Opera as a theatre.

Here a better view of the old Empire Cinema for your delectation, Dreamtime!

Prof - good clear photo, late fifties / early sixties.

I went to see the Sundowners (and the Last Train) at that cinema on 22nd February 1961 which dates the picture almost precisely.

I was born at 24 Bedlam Lane, Foleshill, Coventry in 1934 and still remember all of those cinemas.

What a good photo of the Empire which I had seen several films there in the 50's and 60's, but never noticed the date of 1858 in the brickwork until your photo Prof. Do any of our forum members know what the building was built for in the 1858?

Corn Exchange/Empire/Cannon/ABC, Hertford Street The original building was built in 1856 as the hub of the agricultural industry in the area. In 1907 it became the Empire Theatre and prospered as a cinema during the 1920s. It was damaged by fire in 1931 and was again badly damaged during the war. It was demolished in 1971 and re-opened in 1973 as the ABC before being renamed Cannon in 1987, but closed in 1988. [Source: Coventry Telegraph]

I remember the Empire well, and the midnight movies (usually horror) on a Friday & Saturday nights, late 1960's. Prior to that, late 50's, early 60's and presumably beyond, was the 'Tanner Rush', same as the Gaumont. One thing I don't remember or have possibly forgotten, is that in Prof's photo the Norman arch to the left doesn't seem to have anything behind it. Is this fire or bomb damage perhaps?

I've been meaning to share this for a while - I met Roger Philpot the son of one of the Philpot Brothers who built the Rex Cinema. He was kind enough to give me a knife and fork which were actually in the Rex Restaurant. He used to own a teapot with Rex stamped on it but couldn't find it. Another thing he said, his aunt had a footrest made from the curtains for the Rex. In answer to the question - the Empire Theatre was an important building in Coventry. It was the old Corn Exchange before it came a cinema. Charles Dickens read some of his works from the stage and in about 1920 you could phone in and listen to the performance - for a price.

Wearethemods. When I was 6 or 7 I was allowed with a family member who knew the manager of the Empire to watch an annual Coventry pageant from up there. It must have been made safe, although badly damaged we were able to stand there safely. We had a fantastic view and threw pennies down onto the passing floats as they went by. Cinemas were never far from one another in the city, if there was a queue at one it was easy to walk to another, but the Gaumont was the first time I ever went to see a full length film and one I will never forget as it made me cry. My father took me that night and bought me the Bambi film music score with pictures which was on sale down in the foyer. Some memories are so vivid to us and also for me was the beautiful plush carpet up on the circle floor.

Dreamtime, here is the Gaumont, you may also remember, which had its later appearance as The Odeon.

Yes, I saw Bambi at our local Forum cinema and also Snow White which gave me nightmares as a five year old.

Hi Prof, hi all I watched The Lost World there. A bit silly, as the book written in 1912, in the film helicopters lifted the team off the plateau.