Opened in 1919 by Kemp's in a wooden building formerly used by them as dance hall
Demolished c1930 for Regal, built on the same site.
Regal
Opened 1931, closed in 1985, now a nightclub.
Arch. John Fairweather. Original seating for 1,200.
Modern image above courtesy of Graham Kelly.
Photos below of the cinema taken in June 1985, courtesy of Paul Francis:
Michael J. Timmons remembers:
"The Regal was one of the first cinemas
in Scotland to be equipped with Cinemascope in the mid 1950s and then
with 70mm equipment in 1970. The first 70mm film shown was "Ice Station
Zebra" and this made a spectacular impression, especially the scenes on
the arctic ice.
I used to carry an Lyons Maid ice cream tray around the
Regal and LaScala from the age of about 11 until my mid-20s. We were
paid only commission of two shillings in the pound. In those days, when
ice cream tubs, orange maids or choc ices were only 6d each (2 1/2 new
pence) the ice cream boys ( there was one full time and several of us
part time) could make up to £15/week when busy popular films were
showing ( not bad for the…
Opened in 1919 by Kemp's in a wooden building formerly used by them as dance hall
Demolished c1930 for Regal, built on the same site.
Regal
Opened 1931, closed in 1985, now a nightclub.
Arch. John Fairweather. Original seating for 1,200.
Modern image above courtesy of Graham Kelly.
Photos below of the cinema taken in June 1985, courtesy of Paul Francis:
Michael J. Timmons remembers:
"The Regal was one of the first cinemas
in Scotland to be equipped with Cinemascope in the mid 1950s and then
with 70mm equipment in 1970. The first 70mm film shown was "Ice Station
Zebra" and this made a spectacular impression, especially the scenes on
the arctic ice.
I used to carry an Lyons Maid ice cream tray around the
Regal and LaScala from the age of about 11 until my mid-20s. We were
paid only commission of two shillings in the pound. In those days, when
ice cream tubs, orange maids or choc ices were only 6d each (2 1/2 new
pence) the ice cream boys ( there was one full time and several of us
part time) could make up to £15/week when busy popular films were
showing ( not bad for the early to mid 1960s). On other occasions
however it might only be £1 to £2 for the weeks work. Most of my
brothers and sisters sold ice cream or manned the sweet kiosk in the
foyer or the booking office at some time.
Some of the family would go
down most nights around 10pm when the last showing finished in order to
help dad close up. This included walking up and down each row in orded
to make sure that all the cigarette ends on the floor were extinguished
and to pick up all the non returned empty lemodade bottles. Cinema
fires were not uncommon due to cigarette ends, the Regal wad one small
fire in the balcony in the 1960s which put it out of action for a
couple of months, I dont think the LaScala ever had one. Up until the
mid 1960s the cinemas had matinees as well as evening performanced and
were open even on Christmas Day. I well remember dad having to run out
immediately after an early christmas dinner in order to open up."
Regal in 1936
Regal in 1970
Regal advert c.1960s
35mm Projectors in 1970,
prior to introduction of 70mm.