real time web analytics
Report - - Granada cinema. Dover | Theatres and Cinemas | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Granada cinema. Dover

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

Herbivore

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Walked past this afternoon and managed to get in. No tripod and in a manic rush so sorry about the photos...Orbtastic!
History
Dover’s first large modern cinema, the Granada, opened on 8 January 1930 in Castle Street. The publicity said that it could seat 2,000, although the true figure was around 1,700. The interiors were designed by the Russian born designer Theodore Komisarjevsky, who went on to design many other cinemas in the Granada chain. The foyer was in a French eighteenth century style with a marble staircase, chandelier, and Venetian mirrors, while the auditorium was had a Spanish-Moorish theme.

As well as films the programmes included variety acts and the stage was provided with curtains, footlights, dimmers and a modern stage lighting switchboard. The was also an organ on a lift placed in the centre of the orchestra pit.

The Granada was bought by the ABC cinema chain in 1935 and continued to flourish. In 1960 it was renamed the ABC but many old Dovorians always referred to it as the Granada. Also in 1960 the organ was removed and later sold to a cinema organ enthusiast.

Audiences began to decline steadily as more and more people stayed at home to watch television. In 1971, with the closure of the Odeon, it became Dover’s last remaining cinema (the Gaumont and Essoldo both having closed in 1960). In spite of its now unique position, audiences continued to decline. In the early 1970s the circle was closed leaving just 610 seats in the stalls to cater for the remaining customers. The cinema eventually ceased to be economically viable and closed on 30 October 1982. The building still stands, having been converted into a night club but later abandoned. I remember sitting here and watching Star Wars, The Spy Who Loved Me, Grease, Stir Crazy and many other shit movies. My Mum even watched Cliff Richard and the Shadows here in the 50's.

The photos that look like they're taken outside were taken on the top floor where sections of the roof are missing!

3804290107_51214a69f7.jpg


3805100864_2ccc5e9a0b.jpg


3804276259_f164ab45ee.jpg


3805078550_e741be5285.jpg


3805073882_8d1d1ee71a.jpg


3804252429_d357c0b77a.jpg


3804244657_ab31286e47.jpg


3804238629_05929263c3.jpg


3804231643_73fa0a0dd7.jpg


3805173716_79d3f30c48.jpg


3805167070_1533701b5b.jpg


3804990581_7016bd7dd1.jpg


3805817638_5f74c83a0e.jpg


3804975951_95aefafe4b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Top