More Lost Cinemas
The Ritz
Opened 1937 Closed 21/10/1981 The Ritz Cinema, designed in an Art Deco style by Leslie C Norton for the Segelman family’s Central Pictures (Lincoln) Ltd. It opened on 22nd February 1937 with the film "San Francisco" starring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy. It was capable of seating a total of 1,750 (1,240 in the stalls and 510 in the circle). |
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There was minor damage to the cinema due to German bombing in 1941
CinemaScope was installed in the cinema in 1954, the first cinema in Lincoln to have it and the first Cinemascope film was “The Robe” starring Richard Burton.
The Rank Organisation acquired the Ritz on 2nd January 1956: it was renamed Odeon on 20th August 1956.
The Odeon closed on 17th October 1981 and remained closed for three years. In 1984,Barry Stead, independent exhibitor, took over the cinema.
CinemaScope was installed in the cinema in 1954, the first cinema in Lincoln to have it and the first Cinemascope film was “The Robe” starring Richard Burton.
The Rank Organisation acquired the Ritz on 2nd January 1956: it was renamed Odeon on 20th August 1956.
The Odeon closed on 17th October 1981 and remained closed for three years. In 1984,Barry Stead, independent exhibitor, took over the cinema.
The cinema reverted to its original name and opened as the Ritz Cinema on 15th February 1985 showing Walt Disney’s "101 Dalmations". In 1995 it was converted to a triple screen cinema, closing 16th March 1996, it re-opened as a J D Wetherspoon pub called “Ritz” using only the ground , the former circle and projection areas were closed off.
The Ritz Cinema re-opened at the end of 2013 as a 450 seat cinema in the former circle area.
The Ritz Cinema re-opened at the end of 2013 as a 450 seat cinema in the former circle area.
The Savoy
Opened 1936
Closed 20/10/1988
The Savoy Cinema, operated by Associated British Cinemas, was officially opened on 14th December 1936 by the Mayor of Lincoln, Coun J E Fordham. It was designed by Scottish architect, William Riddell Glen. 1,936 seats were provided in stalls and circle levels, there was a large stage and twelve dressing rooms.
The first film shown at the cinema was “A Tale of Two Cities” starring Ronald Colman.
'Henry Hall and His World Famous Band' performied at the Savoy Cinema in Lincoln on 19th March 1939; in aid of the Echo Cot Fund at the County Hospital;
From the early 1950s to 1971 many live shows were presented on stage, including many of the top acts of the time.
Opened 1936
Closed 20/10/1988
The Savoy Cinema, operated by Associated British Cinemas, was officially opened on 14th December 1936 by the Mayor of Lincoln, Coun J E Fordham. It was designed by Scottish architect, William Riddell Glen. 1,936 seats were provided in stalls and circle levels, there was a large stage and twelve dressing rooms.
The first film shown at the cinema was “A Tale of Two Cities” starring Ronald Colman.
'Henry Hall and His World Famous Band' performied at the Savoy Cinema in Lincoln on 19th March 1939; in aid of the Echo Cot Fund at the County Hospital;
From the early 1950s to 1971 many live shows were presented on stage, including many of the top acts of the time.
The Savoy was renamed the ABC in 1961
A Compton organ was installed as the cinema was built, it was removed in 1965 and installed in a private cinema in North Muskham near Newark.
In 1972 the stalls were converted to a Star Bingo Club and the circle became the cinema.
On 15th November 1986, the ABC chain was taken over by the Cannon Group, and the cinema was re-named The Cannon. The cinema finally closed on 20th October 1988 and was demolished in 1990. The Waterside Shopping Centre was built on the site in 1991.
A Compton organ was installed as the cinema was built, it was removed in 1965 and installed in a private cinema in North Muskham near Newark.
In 1972 the stalls were converted to a Star Bingo Club and the circle became the cinema.
On 15th November 1986, the ABC chain was taken over by the Cannon Group, and the cinema was re-named The Cannon. The cinema finally closed on 20th October 1988 and was demolished in 1990. The Waterside Shopping Centre was built on the site in 1991.
The Radion
Opened July1939, closed September 1939 due to WWII, re-opened 1947, closed 16 July 1960
Opened July1939, closed September 1939 due to WWII, re-opened 1947, closed 16 July 1960
The Radion was Lincoln's last single screen cinema to open, the only one built outside the city centre and had the shortest life. Designed by cinema architect and entrepreneur Major W J King in a modernist style. Opening on 27 March 1939 it closed shortly after the out-break of World War II and was requisitioned by the military. Re-opened in 1945 it even-tually closed 16 July 1960. The reason for the closure was not due to lack of patrons but because of the vandalism the building suffered.
The building became a supermarket and the studio for Radio Lincolnshire in 1980. |
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The Central, Plaza and Ritz were all owned by Gerald Segelman (1899-1992), a reclusive English millionaire who had one of the largest collections of violins in the world. Read an interesting story about Segelman's violins.
The Savoy and The Regal were owned by Associated British Cinemas (ABC).
The Savoy and The Regal were owned by Associated British Cinemas (ABC).