© www.dover-kent.co.uk 2024
Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom
The Odeon Cinema
The Buckland Picture House opened on 27 December 1920, in
London Road, close to the junction with Cherry Tree Avenue.
Designed by Worsfold and Hayward of Dover, it was a rather
plain building seating 533. The name was changed to the
Regent Picture House in 1923 and sound equipment was
installed in December 1930.
By the mid 1930s, however, the entertainment scene in Dover
was dominated by the Granada super cinema and the little
Regent was hopelessly outclassed. Plans were drawn up for a
new cinema on the site that could compete with the Granada.
The old Regent closed on 31 May 1936 and was soon
demolished so that work could start on the new cinema.
The new cinema was air conditioned and seated 1850 people
in stalls and balcony. The latest sound system was installed,
Western Electric Microphone Sound, which was new on the
market in 1937. Although there was no organ installed there
were full stage facilities, complete with dressing rooms as it
was intended that variety acts were to be part of the
performances. The interior did not follow an ornate decorative
theme but was finished in the modern, streamlined style of
many 1930s cinemas.
The Regent was opened on 27 March 1937 by the Marquess
of Willingdon, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Will Hay the
popular comedian was guest of honour, which ensured all the
seats were sold. The opening film was ‘The Great Barrier’
starring Richard Arlen and Lilli Palmer, plus a Technicolor
cartoon and a newsreel. The programme also included a
stage presentation with Hal Tauber and his Regent Orchestra.
In July 1943 the Regent became part of the Odeon chain,
although it was a number of years before the name was
changed. The cinema was successful but by the mid 1960s
was facing the problem faced by cinemas across the country,
declining audiences due to competition from television. On 2
October 1971 the cinema finally closed and was eventually
demolished to make was for a modern Territorial Army base.
London Road, close to the junction with Cherry Tree Avenue.
Designed by Worsfold and Hayward of Dover, it was a rather
plain building seating 533. The name was changed to the
Regent Picture House in 1923 and sound equipment was
installed in December 1930.
By the mid 1930s, however, the entertainment scene in Dover
was dominated by the Granada super cinema and the little
Regent was hopelessly outclassed. Plans were drawn up for a
new cinema on the site that could compete with the Granada.
The old Regent closed on 31 May 1936 and was soon
demolished so that work could start on the new cinema.
The new cinema was air conditioned and seated 1850 people
in stalls and balcony. The latest sound system was installed,
Western Electric Microphone Sound, which was new on the
market in 1937. Although there was no organ installed there
were full stage facilities, complete with dressing rooms as it
was intended that variety acts were to be part of the
performances. The interior did not follow an ornate decorative
theme but was finished in the modern, streamlined style of
many 1930s cinemas.
The Regent was opened on 27 March 1937 by the Marquess
of Willingdon, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Will Hay the
popular comedian was guest of honour, which ensured all the
seats were sold. The opening film was ‘The Great Barrier’
starring Richard Arlen and Lilli Palmer, plus a Technicolor
cartoon and a newsreel. The programme also included a
stage presentation with Hal Tauber and his Regent Orchestra.
In July 1943 the Regent became part of the Odeon chain,
although it was a number of years before the name was
changed. The cinema was successful but by the mid 1960s
was facing the problem faced by cinemas across the country,
declining audiences due to competition from television. On 2
October 1971 the cinema finally closed and was eventually
demolished to make was for a modern Territorial Army base.
