This film is part of Free
Opening of Chingford Odeon
Short newsreel item on the construction of the art deco Chingford Odeon, produced for showing in the cinema on its opening day.
Overview
Short item on the construction of the Odeon cinema in Chingford, east London, made for showing in the cinema itself on its opening day, 9 September 1935, within the newsreel Universal Talking News. The cinema's striking art deco design, and its huge tower that dominated the district, offered an image of exoticism and luxury intended to entice regular patronage, a fact reiterated in the commentary.
The Odeon cinema (renamed the Classic in 1967) was located in Cherrydown Avenue in Chingford. Demolished shortly after being closed in 1972, the site is currently occupied by a discount shop.
Related
School Sports at Walthamstow Stadium School Sports at Walthamstow Stadium
Amateur film 1964 3 mins Silent Location: Chingford
At now-demolished Walthamstow Stadium, an amateur filmmaker captures the thrills of a sports day as well as the arena's famed Art Deco facade
Chingford Carnival Procession 1964 Chingford Carnival Procession 1964
Amateur film 1964 2 mins Silent Location: Chingford
Children and adults alike soak up the festive atmosphere as they wave ribbon wands, horse around and make merry at a north-east London carnival
Tests from Aeroplanes Tests from Aeroplanes
Non-Fiction 1916 13 mins Silent Location: Chingford
Developing the lifebelt of the air - or "how the stranglehold demon was exorcised"
Story of a Letter Story of a Letter
Amateur film 1949 9 mins Silent Location: Chingford
A teacher's homemade documentary, peeking behind the scenes at Woodford Green post office.
Wheel in Britain Wheel in Britain
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.