t’s been three months of far from a wonderful life for film fanatics, but at last cinemas are getting ready to usher in patrons once again.
The lockdown has seen everything from small independent picture houses to giant multiplexes across the land having to shut down due to the Covid-19 crisis. This has been unprecedented. Not even during the Second World War did cinemas close for this long.
To celebrate cinemas in the UK preparing to open again, we have found some rare photos of some cinemas across south Essex that unfortunately time forgot.
Many featured in our gallery such as the Regal in Rayleigh, the Rio on Canvey, the Astoria in Southend and the Regent in Stanford-le-Hope are no longer in business.
Two of the photos come courtesy of the Canvey Community Archives and show the the Rio Cinema on Canvey.
One former Rio patron had this memory to share of the cinema: “We often went to see films here, mostly Elvis. The local lads had a lovely habit of flicking lighted cigarette ends at any girl they took a liking too. Not a pleasant introduction. It was known as The Flea Pit back in the early sixties.”
Other photos are from the Rayleigh Town Museum and show the Regal Cinema. The building became the Regal in 1937. Before that it was the Cosy Talkie Theatre where talking pictures would thrill audiences. The venue began life as the Rayleigh Cinema in 1914.
Another photo shows the Regent Cinema in Corringham Road, Stanford-le-Hope. Although it was relatively modest in seating proportions (it had a 585 capacity) it was nevertheless a popular attraction. The Regent opened in February 1935 with a showing of “20 Million Sweethearts” starring Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers.
The Rivoli Cinema in Alexandra Street, Southend, opened in 1920 and closed in 1961. The cinema had seating for 1,500 patrons and played host to many of the great films of the day including “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Ben Hur”.
And then there's the most significant cinema in Thurrock’s history – the State Cinema in George Street, Grays. Costing £100,000 to build and equip the Art Deco cinema featured a giant Compton Organ and seated 2,200 people. Sadly the cinema stopped showing films in 1988 and has laid dormant and gathering dust every since.
One of the most popular cinemas to ever grace Southend – the Astoria – was a huge hit when it opened in July 1935. As our photo from the day shows, queues of people lined up around the block to get their hands on a ticket to see one of the first two films showing – Brewster’s Millions and False Witness.
The old Odeon in Elmer Approach in Southend is also remembered by many and the cinema where Halfords stands in London Road, Westcliff.
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