Cinema buildings

Barry

"Multiplexes are just functional really, aren't they? They don't have much style, much character, I think, but I'm not sure youngsters today are really interested in that aspect of it anyway. They were all different in our time. There were some real gems and some real pits. But at least they had a bit of character."

Bernard

"The place was just fantastic… The huge round light fittings high up in the ceiling especially the centre one, glowing with orange like a big sun… Then at the stage end the splendid proscenium arch with a reclining figure of a lady at the top and little cherubs running up the sloped sides playing harps and dancing…. Two big pillars, supporting the arch, big curtains with gold edging on them complete the stage decorations. I think at this time the house curtains were black with gold trim, later they were changed to a more standard silver pair."

Barry

"In my time, what was originally the café was basically used as an enlarged circle foyer. Part of it had been turned into a new manager's office because the original manager's office had been used for a refrigerator and ice cream storage room!"

Jean

"I can't remember the name of the cinema. Grove Park way – but there was mice."

Betty

"A lot of cinemas had mice in those days. People used to throw rubbish on the floor."

Lil

"We called it 'The Bug Hutch'. It was a real fleapit. I'm sure everywhere was threadbare – hardly any plush on the seats."

Ken

"There was a big choice in Bexleyheath. There were three cinemas within a hundred yards of each other. The Regal which was the top one, second class one was The Broadway and the one at the clock tower was The Palace – which was the fleapit – double seats in the back row – you know – for the courting couples."

Ken

"In certain cinema events an organist would come up in the middle of a show and out of the pit came this massive Hammond Organ, with someone playing the most fantastic music. They had one at The Regal, Bexleyheath. The organ was quite something to see. The actual organ was huge - different keyboard levels, lots of knobs and buttons and he played it with his feet as well. They also played songs of the day – sort of Top of the Pops."

Vic

"The Filmworks at Greenwich looks like a petrol tank, but inside – fantastic. They've got fourteen screens I think. That's the difference between the layout of the cinema today, compared to the thirties."

Bobbie

"When they built the Lewisham Gaumont it was so exotic inside – Art Deco. Orange seats, silk curtains, statues at the corner of the stage, big organ."