MOVIE PALACES #125 - Four Cinemas in HIGH WYCOMBE, Buckinghamshire.
The ELECTROSCOPE/REX in Oxford Street (opposite Frogmore) -
The Electroscope opened 28th February 1912 with 750 seats.
It was closed in 1930 and abandoned.
Later in 1930 it was re-modelled into a small de-luxe super cinema with 688 seats.
It re-opened again as the REX in Art-Deco style in December 1937 -
architects Kenneth Friese-Green & A.C. Yates.
At this time a Hammond LaFleur theatre organ was installed and played by Edward O'Henry.
Closed 30th January 1965. Demolished 1969 and replaced by shops.
The GRAND located at 280 Desborough Road, architect T. Thurlow, was opened 28th April 1913
with 590 seats. I visited this cinema many times during school holidays, early 1950's with my mum. It was absolutely hilarious with breakdowns, wonky picture, in and out of focus etc.
The audience had a great time. The Grand closed in 1962, the frontage was replaced
but you can still see the main building from Desborough Road.
The PALACE was situated on Frogmore. Opened 2nd December 1922.
Enlarged in 1932, architect Gilbert W. Booth.
The theatre had 1650 seats, excellent acoustics and Western Electric Sound.
The Palace closed 21st September 1983, and was the longest functioning cinema in High Wycombe.
The MAJESTIC/ODEON opened 27th January 1930.
The architect was S.B. Pritlove with atmospheric interior by W.E. Greenwood and seating for 1480.
A Compton model J 2/5 theatre organ was installed,
and played to great acclaim by the youthful Ron Rogers, a protege of Reginald Foort,
who helped Ron in his career at London & Southern and County Cinemas.
This was the first cinema pipe organ I played!
The Majestic was taken over by County Cinemas in 1932 and by Odeon Theatres in 1939.
It finally closed on 25th January 1969 to make way for Woolworths new store.
Video Produced by ComptonLodgeStudios. Commentary by Paul Kirner.
The very strange music is by Extreme Music.

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