York, YO24 1AJ
Owners: Odeon Theatres (York) Ltd, Oscar Deutsch.
Architects: Robert Bullivant, associate of the Harry Weedon practice.
Building cost: £40,500.
Seating Capacity: 1,484 seats: 934 in the stalls and 550 on the balcony.
Date opened: Monday 1st February 1938.
Opened by: Roger Lumley. M.P., supported by the Viscount and Viscountess Peter Milton.
First film shown: ‘The Man Who Could Work Miracles’, starring Roland Young & Ralph Richardson.
Grade II listing granted by English Heritage on 23rd April 1981.
Date closed as an Odeon: Thursday 31st August 2006.
Last film shown as an Odeon: ‘You, Me And Dupree’, starring Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon.
Building extant. Operated by Everyman Media Group.
The Crescent Café & Danse Salon, Blossom Street, York, which was replaced by the Odeon.
Oscar Deutsch, the founder of Odeon Theatres, was determined to open a new cinema in the centre of York, however, the council had other ideas. They were adamant that a large modern cinema was not to be built within the famous Roman walls that encircled the city and that Oscar would have to look outside this boundary. Fortunately, a site west of the city centre was secured on Blossom Street that was home to The Crescent Café and Danse Salon.
A dapper Oscar Deutsch at an opening night.
Robert Bullivant, an associate with the Harry Weedon architectural practice, was in protracted negotiations regarding conditions laid down by City Officials who demanded that the Odeon house style be toned down, as despite being on the outside perimeter of the city walls, Blossom Street was close to the historic city centre.
Fortunately, Robert Bullivant had experienced similar problems with extreme interference from local authorities when he managed to successfully negotiate planning permission for a new large Odeon at Chester. There the building was within the famous Roman walls that circled that ancient city. He was able to tone down the cinema’s exterior appearance by using similar designs and building materials that were applied at Chester.
Odeon cinema, Blossom Street, York: the entrance canopy
The construction costs amounted to £40,500. The design had to be sympathetic to the nearby historic surroundings. The successful plans were in an Art Deco style. A deep projecting canopy extended for most of the front elevation that gave protection to the five sets of double entrance doors below, with a three-storey range above.
York Odeon prior to opening
A stumpy block tower was situated to the left, and two-storey wings on either side. Part of the finger brick frontage would eventually be occupied by shops. Odeon signage, copied from Chester, was in the “more refined” Trajan style lettering, which met with local planner’s approval. The brickwork varied in colour with intricate banding with the round-ended two-storey extension. The ground-floor shop areas would be integral with the created Art Deco style. Surprisingly the York authorities allowed the use of a large spotlight and neon to highlight the building at night, which certainly would not have been permitted in Chester.
Main entrance foyer of York’s Odeon.
An island paybox was positioned in the modestly sized entrance foyer. The circle foyer had a high-level mural that depicted costumed figures such as an Indian brave, a soldier and a costumed 18th century noble lady, intermingled with movie cameramen and film studio equipment, the work of Surrey artist Fred White.
Odeon York. Circle foyer.
The stalls seated 934, the balcony held a further 550, giving a total capacity of 1484 seats
Internal decoration was simple and streamlined. The colour scheme of the auditorium, consisted of black, gold, and red design set against a cream base. The Odeon’s decorative schemes were attributed to Oscar Deutsch’s wife Lily, who stated that “no two theatres were alike”. It was likely that she had selected the screen curtains (tabs), that had a curious abstract design, depicting two mythical beasts with spiked heads and fearsome claws, created by appliqué red, black and gold satin, sewn on a silver satin background. The house curtains were of plain maroon velvet with satin borders at footlight level.
The auditorium viewed from the rear of the circle.
Modernistically patterned panels of grill work provided a striking feature on either side of the cinema adjacent to the splay walls, together with bold and deep Art Deco style bands also featured on the side walls. Above, a descending ceiling towards the proscenium made up of a wave of three illuminated coves that ran the width of the auditorium, complemented by a recessed feature that provided light over the rear circle. The wide proscenium was plain. An open fretwork balustrade rail surrounded the orchestra pit.
Odeon York. front stalls.
“The event of 1937 in York”, was reported in the local press, heralding the Grand Gala Opening on Monday 1st February 1937, which was hosted by Oscar Deutsch. Blossom Street was decorated with flags and bunting. A constant stream of cars delivered VIP guests to the cinema.
Opening Press Advert for the Odeon York
The building was opened by Roger Lumley M.P., supported by the Viscount and Viscountess Peter Milton. All seats were sold out within 90 minutes of the box office opening, and the first person in the queue to buy a ticket was presented with a bottle of champagne by the General Manager. Admission prices ranged from sixpence for the cheapest stalls seat and went up to two shillings for the most expensive front circle seat.
The auditorium, viewed from the stage.
Music in the intermission was provided by the Band of The First Battalion: The Royal Scots. Oscar Deutsch generously donated the net proceeds of the event to the Poor Children’s Fresh Air Fund and The York County Hospital.
The programme included the screening of the British fantasy comedy film ‘The Man Who Could Work Miracles’, starring Roland Young and Ralph Richardson.
There would be, shortly, several large cinemas competing for business in York. During the heyday of cinema there was plenty of support for all of these cinemas and in particular the Odeon. As audiences began to dwindle in the 1950s, the Odeon was quick to install Cinemascope to tempt customers back.
Partial attempts were made to update the decoration during the 1960s. However, the building was converted into a three screen Film Centre, with major interior construction taking place in June 1972. Without closing, the balcony was extended towards the screen, giving a new Screen 1 that seated 820 patrons. Screens 2 & 3 were formed in the stalls area, each with 111 seats.
After eight weeks of disruptive construction, the Odeon Film Centre opened on 20th August 1972. The films shown at the re-opening were ‘Carry on Matron’, ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’.
The Odeon was designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage on 23rd April 1981. An application was submitted by Rank Theatres the following year to change the use of the building, possibly into a bingo club operation. Fortunately, the application was withdrawn in December 1982.
Multiplex competition arrived at Clifton Moor Leisure Park during 1990, with a twelve screen Warner Bros complex opening on 9th March 1990 with a total seating capacity of 3,066. A loyal customer base supported the Odeon during this decade. However, the building required investment.
Odeon Cinemas, now under new ownership, devised an ambitious £75 million re-branding programme that included modernisation and refurbishment of all their cinemas across the UK. At Chester and York, the local authorities were obstructive to any changes, particularly in the removing of the original Trajan style signage. In both situations, Richard Segal, the then Chief Executive of Odeon, reportedly warned that unless the rebranding took place, both cinemas would be closed. Chester gave way to the ultimatum and the new signage was installed. York council stood their ground, which halted the refurbishment plans.
After two years of what the company termed “assessing the cinema for its economic viability” they announced on 1st April 2006, that they were to close the cinema. The final performance took place on 31st August 2006.
Reel Cinemas purchased the building in 2008. The cinema then re-opened as the Reel Cinema on 19th June 2009. ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ showing on Screen One. During their tenure, the company added two small screens, seating 40 & 35 customers.
Into a bright cinematic future as Odeon gives way to the Everyman up market branding.
The cinema closed again on 31st August 2017. After alterations and refurbishment, it re-opened on 30th December 2017, as a stunning 4-screen venue, managed by new owners, the Everyman Media Group.
Everyman, York. The foyer bar.
The new owners transformed the cinema with a luxurious fit out, taking care to incorporate the original Art Deco designs into a modern cinema environment that would appeal to a discerning audience.
Screen One. Superbly appointed.
With a reduced capacity of 144- 53- 53- 20. Total= 270 seats.
Screen 3.
The original Odeon sign remains as part of the listing and council’s insistence. The only letter illuminate is the central letter ‘E’, cleverly symbolising the connection between the past and the present owners.
©chestercinemas.co.uk
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