End of a Cinematic Era

View across the road

I knew it was going to be demolished but driving past the old Granada (Plaza) Cinema today and seeing a massive hole in the side of the building made me realise it was the end of an era. Back in my childhood and through my late teens watching a film at the Granada was a weekly ritual. I went with my parents for years. This is back in the day when there was an intermission and ices and Kiora (remember those) drinks were sold at the front of the balcony. A lady would walk down to the front and people – including my Dad – would queue all the way back up the steps. Those were the days!  I watched many great films in that place. Not sure why but the BFI had a focus on cinema in Rugby. Here’s part of the Case Study:

View of the balcony

In January 1933, Rugby had its fourth cinema. The Plaza, built in the grounds of Northfields House (which at that time was part of Newbold Road) was a luxurious development.

All of these 4 cinemas continued showing films throughout the Second World War, and in 1946 the Plaza was once again taken over by the Granada Theatre Ltd, and became the Granada.

In March 1946 the Scala Cinema had a fire, which started in the winding room of the cinema, fortunately no one was injured, but the cinema was forced to close its doors.

In the late 40s and early 50s television became a popular form of entertainment and many people preferred to stay at home rather than visit the cinema. Audiences for cinema across the country and in the USA plummeted. Many cinemas had to close their doors and Rugby was no exception. The Regal was the first to close in 1953, followed by the Century in 1961 (the old) Picture House and later the Regent. The Granada continued until 1971, when it became a Bingo Hall.

Another view of the balcony

(Update: Although the above is from the BFI site, the 1971 date must be wrong. It must be later than this and may have been 1981. Maybe there will be something in the local paper.) Years ago according to a friend at the time the Granada had a superb sound system. Apparently the massive bass reflex speakers were constructed out of Concrete in order to achieve a better sound. I’ve no idea if that were true but it all added to the mystique. However, I have come across a DIY Granite Speaker Project so maybe it is true.

I parked the car and took a few pictures on my phone that you see here. They won’t mean much to most of you but seeing these things remind us that time is ever inching forward to that last day when Christ will return in Glory. It reminds us that we live in a fallen world where nothing is permanent and everything decays.

Back in the day

Here’s another picture I came across at another blog with a series of articles reminiscing about about the Granada Cinema. This blogger reckons it closed around 1975. This would be more accurate than 1971 because I’m sure I remember seeing The Exorcist (1973) there.