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York's stylish Odeon cinema

Cinema success story

By site user Tim Addyman

York's Odeon cinema closed in 2006 after almost 70 years of operation. Thousands protested at its closure and now, three years on, the silver screen is showing films again. Tim Addyman who campaigned to save the cinema describes its history...

Odeon York

The Odeon Cinema closed in August 2006.

The building is now owned by Reel Cinema.

They will re-open 19 June 2009 after extensive refurbishment.

1937 was a peak year for the Oscar Deutsch circuit of cinemas and the 1st of February saw the opening of York's £60,000 new Odeon on Blossom Street.

Built on the site of “The Crescent Café and Danse Salon” negotiations for its building had been lengthy and subject to two conditions laid down by City Officials. The first was that it had to be built on a site outside the city walls and second that the design had to be sympathetic to its historic surroundings.

A similar situation presented itself in Chester, where another Odeon was built in brick. York is, however, now unique as its exterior is relatively unchanged since its opening day and it retains the only original sign of its type in the whole of Britain. (Chester’s similar sign was lost in a recent modern refurbishment, despite protests).

"The Odeon’s decorative schemes were attributed to Oscar Deutsch’s wife Lily, and no two theatres were alike."

So out went the standard features of a cream tiled façade, and in came a more refined design with red brick construction and decorative details.

'The event of 1937 in York'

The grand opening ceremony saw flags and bunting stretching from the cinema to Micklegate Bar and the Odeon itself was lit by neon lights, with a large spotlight on the tower being used to light up the whole of Blossom Street.

A constant stream of cars delivered VIP guests to the cinema, among them the Viscount and Viscountess Milton as well as Mr Deutsch himself.

Gallery: See York's Odeon cinema as it was in 1937! >

Billed in the newspaper as “The event of 1937 in York”, all 1,484 seats had sold out within 90 minutes of the box opening, and the first person in the queue to buy a ticket was also presented with a bottle of champagne by the cinema’s management.

A musical interlude was provided by the Band of The First Battalion: The Royal Scots, and the net proceeds of the event were given to the Poor Children’s Fresh Air Fund and The York County Hospital.

Grand circle foyer and mural

The opening film was “The Man Who Could Work Miracles” starring Roland Young and also “They Met In A Taxi”, starring Fay Wray and Chester Morris. Prices began at 6d for the cheapest stalls seat to 2/- for the dearest circle seat.

Doing it in style

Internal decoration was simple and streamlined, in keeping with the art deco building. In the grand circle foyer there was a mural encircling the wall of sculptured figures depicting amongst others a soldier, an 18th century lady and a Red Indian.

These were the work of Surrey artist Fred White but were sadly lost when the ceiling was lowered during a later modernisation, although they do survive in the void above. The Odeon’s decorative schemes were attributed to Oscar Deutsch’s wife Lily, and no two theatres were alike.

The fall and rise...

When cinema audiences began to decline the move was made to triple the building and in June 1972 an eight week, £30,000 programme began. The Odeon was open throughout the alterations, with seating being in the circle only. This was extended down towards the screen creating the 800 seat Screen 1.

Under the circle, Screens 2 and 3 seated 111 each. The cinema reopened as a 3-screen complex on the 20th of August 1972, with the films “Carry On Matron”, “Cabaret” and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”.

From cinema to bingo hall?

In 1981 the building was, quite rightly, listed as being of important architectural interest, but the following year its owners, Rank, applied to change the use of the building and many feared it would become another bingo hall. However the application was dropped in December 1982.

Competition arrived in 1990 when a 12-screen complex opened on Clifton Moor, but the Odeon remains as the last of the original York picture palaces.

After two years of what the company termed “assessing the cinema for its economic viability” they announced on April 1st 2006, that they were to close the cinema in late August 2006.

Upstairs foyer

Save the York Odeon campaign

The aim of our campaign from the beginning was to show that this is still a popular city centre venue for filmgoers of all ages, and it must continue in its present role for future generations.

The news that Reel Cinemas is is giving the old building a complete refurbishment, whilst retaining many of its Grade 2 listed Art Deco features, and will re-open it in summer 2009 is thrilling.

Old and new can be harmonised and, in the case of such an important and beautiful building, they definitely should be.

Tim Addyman

last updated: 18/06/2009 at 17:19
created: 25/08/2006

Have Your Say

Share your memories of the Odeon cinema and your thoughts about its closure and imminent re-opening.

vicky calvert
I spent great childhood yrs at the Odeon Cinema. It was such a treat, with mum & dad & little brothers & my favourite box of Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles, we walked up the huge stairs to the BIG screen. There was a short cartoon first then the ice cream lady would arrive followed by the main feature. A proper family night out & value for money. I've always missed it & now look forward to taking my sons there to rekindle some very special memories. x

Tony Dawson
I am so pleased to see the old girl re open, not before time. I have fond memories, i am ashamed to say, that one of us would pay to go in, when the film had started you would go to the gents which was down in the corner to the left of the screen i think. near to the gents was a fire exit which leads to the crescent, all we did was open the fire door and let in the rest of the gang....once in the cinema we would all (then make our way to the seats...not all at once i may add, this would have looked rather suspect, oh happy days.

Paddy
Very good news. However there is a credit for the mural artist along with mention of Lily Deutsch's involvement of the interior decoration but no mention of the architect whose practice designed, built and opened 2 Odeons a week at the chain's peak. Harry Weedon (Weedon Partnership) of Birmingham - the practice is still going and use images of Odeons, including York, on their website.

kim bromley
I was so sad when I heard the Odeon was to close, it was a big part of my childhood. On Saturday mornings I would take my younger brother to the Saturday Club, from 10am to 12 noon. We would watch things like Tarzan, Flash Gordon & many cartoons. If it was your birthday they would call you onto the stage & give you gifts.I for one am very happy it is reopening. Good luck.

petet maughan, perth australia
I can remember going there in 1957 with my girl friend and sitting in the back row snogging after 2 years we got married, now 50years on we are still going to cinema but in australia

raymondbass
glad,to,see,it,opening.again

James, London
Neil Robinson has hit the nail right on the head! Whilst re-branding could not have guaranteed the York Odeon's future indefinitely, it would have given the cinema a fighting chance of competing with the newer cinemas in the area. Let's not forget, Odeon's re-branding wasn't just about the signage or the exterior - total refurbishment was also proposed (on the same lines as all other Odeons including Harrogate). Ironically, the very signage Odeons now sport is closer to the original circuit style than was ever allowed at York and Chester in the first place. Over two years since the Odeon's closure, following the failure of the third attempt to appease York's planning committee failed and Odeon understandably gave up on York, the cinema remains ominously dark. Has Mr Suri of Reel Cinemas come up against exactly the same crass intransigence and ignorance on the part of the planning committee? Have they told him the sign mustn't be removed and that his own group's blue signs would be inappropriate? Do they honestly think anyone on earth would be allowed to run it as the Odeon? It seems that if the City of York Council wouldn't let Odeon put up a new ODEON sign there's not much chance of any party being allowed to give the cinema their name. Not for the first time, "baby" and "bathwater" spring to mind. The more time passes, the more Odeon Cinemas are vindicated and the real villains of the piece are to be found within or near the Guildhall.I too remember the dummy soldier suspended by his parachute from the Northern, rounded corner of the Odeon's main frontage in 1964 - the year Mr George Shepheard took over as manager and the year Rank Theatres Ltd. spent £20,000 redecorating and modernising the cinema. Mr Shepheard went on to become one of the Odeon's longest serving, enterprising and welcoming managers. His stewardship kept the Odeon at the forefront of entertainment in York and he remained there for some considerable time following the 1970's tripling.

Martin (South Wales)
It was extremely sad to discover that the odeon at york and Chester are now closed .i visited them both in 2003 Chester seemed to be doing quite well then and the screen were I watched a film was full to capacity.York was another story , sadly due to major under investment the cinema was dirty and shabby although through it all you could see some of its original splendor.As a cinema enthusiast I am all for keeping these old buildings standing in some fom or other. If this means turning them into bingo halls or night clubs well so be it. At least future generations might get the chance to see them in some form.Thanks to bingo there are loads of "Cinema " biuldings still standing and in some cases the interior is preserved as well.

JP, York
To reply to Tim's comment, the Odeon in Chester has been bought by a 'Leisure' operator, and there is no plan to demolish the building, but rather refurbish and convert it into usable space. When operators such as Odeon cannot maintain the viability of a site, then better it be bought and converted into a vaible commercial use rather than being abandoned and allowed to slowly rot, becoming a danger and an eyesore!! The same applies to the building in York!!

Chris Leyland
Sure, we can all go on about what a great place it was. Bottom line is that it's a prime spot in York which has to pay for itself. I admit that the interior is (at best) shabby, but amazingly enough, the seats are more comfy than the Multiplex up on Clifton Moor! The picture and sound in the main theatre wasn't bad considering, and the staff were always friendly. I hope that Norwich Union have the nouse to take some responsibility with regard to at least the external attributes, if not the re-use as a cinema. Perhaps a little money spent on market research would be well spent. When I go to the cinema I want top quality picture and sound, and clean toilets. That it happens to be in a distinctive building is neither here no there to me, but it would be a shame for the city to lose this building in favour of a bland office block which could have been built elsewhere. Once it's gone, it's gone. How many of york's Norwich Union customers (and staff) have enjoyed (and would still like to enjoy) going to the Odeon.? Good Luck.

Matt
ive been to the odeon many a time and it never ceases to amaze me just how dirty the place was. i now only go to city screen or Vue.

Tim
In reply to Neil Robinsons comment about Chester, this cinema has now been sold to a nightclub operator and could now be demolished, so its long term future was not secured by allowing Odeon to rebrand. Since Odeon are now part of a private equity company they seem to be rapidly ditching the traditional hight street cinemas in favour of their bland multiscreens. Its about time that the UK had some atmosphere to go with their popcorn.

Dave Arcari (Glasgow)
just browsing before I come and play some shows round Yorkshire next week! I saw Logan's Run at York Odeon round about October 1977 on a school trip to the city! Cheers! Dave

Rob
The Last Movie I watched there was Titanic, and as the Ship was sinking I found myself wrapping up in a scarf and I caught a bought of Flu which knocked me out of action for almost a week.

Laura
I think it's really sad to see the odeon all boarded up. I've only lived in York for 3 years but my boyfriend has worked there for a long time and I can see through it's rough interior that if it had a bit of time and money spent on it.. it could be easily restored to it's former glory.

Neil Robinson
The Odeon Cinema Chester which is a very similar design to York has been completly refurbished by Odeon Cinemas which involved the removal of the original signs, if Odeon had been allowed to complete a similar refurbishment at York the cinema would still be open today, what all these people that have objected to the rebrand have obviously failed to understand is now the cinema has closed the Odeon sign on the front of the building will be removed anyway and if another cinema operator takes over the site they will want their own name on the building, please see link to the Chester Odeon http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/68395548/ (The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites)

Sarah
The Odeon was a special place to go as a youngster, it always felt really grown up to go and get your tickets and popcorn and then be shown to your seat by a torch wielding steward.

Steve Lee
Mary Poppins,Bambi,Jason and the Argonauts,The Guns of Navarone and of course the Saturday Morning Kids Pictures,that's what the Odeon reminds me of. Still,life goes on and tastes change,lets hope the building is saved for it's architecture if nothing else.

Michelle Green
This cinema is iconic, as a work of art-itecture and as having the most comfortable seats you could ever find to watch a film from...! It shouldn't close, more should be done to use it as an arts venue, show arthouse films, host events, host exhibitions - York City Council trashes enough of York's heritage, don't let them destroy this one peice of art deco that York has to offer! And start creating a haven for more culture as opposed to more crap bars.

Robin Rawson
Tim.......I think I was standing next to you - but I was nine! We'd never had to queue outside for a film at the Odean before. We knew it was something special - and it was!

Darren
Such a pity the York Odeon is to close, ive visited the cinema 6 times in the last 4 weeks because it is due to be lost to us, lets hope someone else will re-open this grand building and show films once again. When its gone its gone and people will wish it was still here

Tim
I remember queuing along Blossom Street when I was Five, waiting to see a little sci-fi film called "Star Wars". Life was never the same after that!

Alan
I remember when the the film "The Longest day" was being screened and a parachute with a life size model soldier was suspended from the main tower. As a young lad this was a real thrill.

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