 CinePhoto2
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Odeon Lewisham, London 1932
Photographs © copyright
Opened in December 1932 as the Gaumont Palace
The opening programme was the World premiere of the Jessie Matthews film ‘The Midshipmaid’as the feature
Second feature was Ann Harding in ‘Westward Passage’
Fredric Bayco was at the organ, and the Bobby Howell’s band also played
During the week the programme ran continuously from 1pm to 11pm, and on Sundays from 6pm to 11pm
Seat prices were:-
Matinees before 3.30pm 7d, 1/0d, and 1/6d (Approx. 3 new pence, 5 new pence, and 7.5 new pence)
Evenings after 3.30pm 9d, 1/4d, 2/0d, and 2/6d (Approx. 4 new pence, 6 new pence, 10 new pence, and 12.5 new pence)
The cheapest seats were in the stalls, getting dearer the further away from the screen you were seated, and the most expensive seats were in the circle. Probably had better seating than in the stalls
This was for a programme that probably ran for three and a half hours as was the norm at that time
The cinema seated 3300 people, and cost £150,000 to build.
It was designed by W. E. Trent
A 200 seater restaurant was on the first floor
Stage 85ft wide, 36ft deep, and a grid floor at 75ft for flying scenery
Renamed Odeon in July 1962, with a seating reduced to 2896
Truly this was a Picture Palace
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Click on photo for larger view
 Foyer
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 Auditorium
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 Auditorium
side wall
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