Wednesday 4 January 2012

Unexpected Alphabet No 19

After aquaplaning down the Great North Road to London yesterday morning, through the worst rain I've experienced whilst driving, the clouds later scudded away rapidly to reveal this in Hornchurch. Opened as the Towers cinema in August 1935, the first double bill was The Phantom Light and Vagabond Lady. The faience-clad front elevation was designed by Kemp & Tasker, the interiors by Clark & Fenn that included a cafe and ballroom. It still seats 1,800, and was taken over by the Odeon chain in 1943 who stuck their neon sign over these architectural letters for a re-opening in 1950. The last film to be shown here was the James Bond movie Live and Let Die in 1973. And so I suppose we have to thank Mecca Bingo for revealing the sign once again. Clickety-Click.

21 comments:

Philip Wilkinson said...

An amazing lump of a place, but it works - in this dramatic light anyway. Kemp and Tasker seem to have done quite a few cinemas around Essex and the edges of London. It would obviously worth watching out for more.

Sue Imgrund said...

The light is quite extraordinary. Makes it look like a model, or 20th-Century-Fox-esque!

Peter Ashley said...

Phil: The stage lighting certainly helped, making it a beacon of interest in an otherwise very drab road.

Sue: It does bring to mind
20th Century Fox's gargantuan letters. That epic logo was once much copied- the films Ben Hur and Witchfinder General (particularly irrelevant)come to mind, and Peter Blake's cover for the 1967 Design & Art Direction Annual.

Anonymous said...

Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort
to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot
and don't manage to get nearly anything done.
Feel free to surf my site - http://immobilienalanya.net/

Anonymous said...

We are a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your site offered us with helpful information to work on.
You have done a formidable process and our entire group will likely be grateful to you.
Also visit my web-site : Wohnungen Antalya

Anonymous said...

It's very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this site.
My web blog ... asuntoturkista.net

Anonymous said...

My brother suggested I may like this blog. He used to be entirely right.
This submit truly made my day. You cann't consider simply how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Here is my web page ... Hus i Antalya

Anonymous said...

I've been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i'm happy to convey that I've an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most indubitably will make certain to do not disregard this site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Visit my site ... direct download movies

Anonymous said...

Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?

There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Feel free to surf my weblog : diablo 3 gold farming

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's what I was looking for, what a stuff! present here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.
My homepage ... borkum riff black cavendish

Anonymous said...

Hello to all, it's truly a pleasant for me to visit this website, it contains precious Information.
Feel free to surf my web page ; drum tobacco

Anonymous said...

Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your website
and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your blog posts.
Anyway I'll be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get admission to persistently rapidly.
Look at my web page ; van nelle

Anonymous said...

This paragraph is genuinely a pleasant one it assists new the web people, who are wishing for blogging.
My web-site www.yourtobaccosstore.com

Anonymous said...

I am genuinely thankful to the owner of this site who has shared this impressive article at here.
Feel free to surf my site ; samson tobacco

Anonymous said...

A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more on this subject matter, it
might not be a taboo matter but typically people don't talk about such subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!
Feel free to visit my blog old holborn tobacco

Anonymous said...

Hello there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs
up for your excellent information you have got here on this post.
I will be returning to your web site for more soon.
Also visit my weblog - amber leaf tobacco

Anonymous said...

Keep on writing, great job!
Here is my website - whitening cream

Anonymous said...

Hi there, all is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that's truly excellent, keep up writing.
my site - laser tattoo removal cost sacramento

Anonymous said...

It's hard to come by well-informed people in this particular topic, but you seem like you know what you're talking
about! Thanks
Also see my site: skin lightening

Anonymous said...


May I simply say what a comfort to uncover a person that really knows what they are talking about on the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you're not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.

Anonymous said...

This paragraph will assist the internet users for creating new website or even a
blog from start to end.
Visit my website - Bendavid.Info