Odeon Kingstanding
History One of the most iconic of the 1930s Odeons, and arguably one of the most influential cinema designs full stop. A young architect at the Harry Weedon practice, J Cecil Clavering took inspiration from Germany, the USA and Dreamland in Margate when drawing up the towering fins for the Odeon Kingstanding. Its life as […]
Odeon New Street
Also known as… Paramount History A landmark venue when it opened as part of the Paramount chain – on the site of the original King Edwards School on New Street – with the biggest capacity of any Birmingham cinema at the time and a famous Compton organ which emerged from beneath the stage. In 1942 […]
Odeon Perry Barr
History The first cinema to bear the Odeon name, but in the style of a Moorish palace rather than the streamlined modernism which the circuit became famous for. Oscar Deutsch, the locally-born founder of the Odeon chain, had a flat out the back where he stayed when he was working late. After he died in […]
Odeon Queensway
Also known as… The Scala Superama, Cinecenta, Odeon Ringway, Star Cinemas (the Cinecenta) History The Scala Superama opened in November 1964 with James Aubrey in Lord of the Flies & Kenneth More in The Comedy Man. The following year the Compton group also opened the Cinecenta next door which would show X-rated screenings. The Superama […]
Odeon Sutton Coldfield
Also known as… Empire, Sutton Coldfield History One of three Odeons opened in the April of 1936, the Sutton Coldfield is a prime example of the Odeon style. Designed by John Cecil Clavering, it features the characteristic faience panels and a vertical tower. Its distinctive curved corner entrance was copied by the same architect in […]