The lush cinemas of the 1920's/30's

[Redstar]

This is a description of on the opening of a cinema in the "London suburb of Brixton" in 1929 by the English critic James Agate "of almost Babylonish magnificence", "with a running fountain with its goldfish, the marble stairs, the thick carpets, cushioned seats, the noble organ, and the fact that a full orchestra was to be used". from (Film and the Working Class, James Stead)
I wonder what the name of the cinema was?

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Redstar This is a description of on the opening of a cinema in the "London suburb of Brixton" in 1929 by the English critic James Agate "of almost Babylonish magnificence", "with a running fountain with its goldfish, the marble stairs, the thick carpets, cushioned seats, the noble organ, and the fact that a full orchestra was to be used". from (Film and the Working Class, James Stead) I wonder what the name of the cinema was?

Possibly The Ritzy which was known as the Electric Pavillion when it opened in 1911. The 1929 date could be after one of its many refurbishments.

If it wasn't for the description of it as being in Brixton I would have thought it was the Granada, Tooting. That's not too far from Brixton and is one of the most sumptuous cinemas in the country.

Steve

[orpheum]

I(t was the Astoria Brixton which thankfully is still with us,albeit a nightclub,under the name the Academy.It was a sister cinema to the Astoria Finsbury Park,now a church and beautifully restored.These cinemas were atmospheric cinemas.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by orpheum I(t was the Astoria Brixton which thankfully is still with us,albeit a nightclub,under the name the Academy.It was a sister cinema to the Astoria Finsbury Park,now a church and beautifully restored.These cinemas were atmospheric cinemas.

That looks even more like the description
I only ever knew that as a concert venue, not as a cinema

There's a page about it with a photo of the exterior on that page and some photos of the interior if you follow the links

Steve

[Redstar]

Thanks for that! If only it could have been restored to its former grandeur!

[orpheum]

Well if you ever get the chance go to the Astoria Finsbury Park.As i said this is now a church and so that may make admission a bit more difficult.However they have done a really great job on the building returning it to its former glory.At least it is not languishing like many of the Listed cinemas "at risk" such as the beautiful Granada Walthamstow or butchered beyond belief such as the Granada Harrow ,now a gym.