A Brief History of Cinema in Chester
by David A. Ellis and Steve Howe
Introduction | Music Hall | Tatler/Classic | ABC Regal | Odeon | Park, Saltney | Majestic | Others | Advertisments
The Gaumont Palace
![]() The hall, designed by William T. Benslyn and run by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, a part of Gaumont British (which later merged with Rank), housed 1,997 seats- but rounded up to 2,000 in their advertising. The Mayor, John Morris performed the opening ceremony. Among the many in attendance were the architect and the Sheriff of Chester, Robert Matthewson. He would later open Chester's last super cinema, the ABC Regal. The opening attraction was On Approval, a comedy by Frederick Lonsdale. ![]() The frontage of the building was 'Mock Tudor', in keeping with the character of the city. Our photograph (right) shows how it looked in 1937. The entrance hall was likened to an Italian Palace- the ceiling coloured blue and gold, relieved in red. The fan-shaped auditorium's ceiling was coloured orange, relieved by green, mauve and red. Illumination was by a double tier lighting feature. The upper line of light was circular and the lower hexagonal. In the centre was a diamond shaped decorative grille pierced for air extraction. Coves housed most of the auditorium lighting. It was stated at the time of opening that the balcony- seating 800- was probably the largest in Northern England. The Gaumont was the the only Chester cinema to house a restaurant- and a grand one at that- the sumptuous Tudor-style Oak Restaurant which remained open all day for patrons and non-patrons to dine. The staff (illustrated bottom of page) was lined up each day for inspection. The projection room was equipped with three projectors, manned by a team of seven projectionists. There was also a slide projector and a spotlight. At the side of the stage, a bank of switches controlled lighting. The stage itself was 30ft deep. At the back there were nine dressing rooms. ![]() The cinema finally closed on 9th December 1961 with the film The Marriage Go Round. It is alleged that Rank had actually intended to close the Odeon, not the Gaumont. The builders had moved in, destroying ornate plasterwork. It is said that Rank realised their mistake and ordered the builders to stop- but it was too late, extensive damage had already been done... "I think my favourite was the Gaumont Cinema which stood in Brook Street and is now a bingo hall. It housed a wonderful Wurlitzer Organ and had silk drapes across the screen. We were entertained during the interval with the organ. The lights were dazzling rainbow colours. Go on to learn a little of a cinema that once stood in Foregate Street, the Tatler- later known as the Classic... |
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