I went there as a child with my Dad, who had been at the opening night. I have such fond memories of his knowledge of it all. Apparently the tower was also a a radio transmitting station. Wonderful
Well you never know Flimdog. The screen was massive I remember. I was lucky enough to feature the Wurlitzer before the first film Sunday afternoons and occasionally evening spots. A terrific theatre which I hope survives for many more years - PAUL.
WOW!! This is an amazing piece of history. I used to love when mum would take us to the cinema there. And I remember seeing a blk & white photo on the walls (when it became the Bingo Hall and my twin cousins worked there) of the Premier for the Blk & Wht version, of The Jungle Book. Weirdly enough though, I can't find any info about that special Premier.
Hi BellahBea, "Thank You" so much for sharing your memories of the magnificent Gaumont State Kilburn. I so much enjoyed playing the Wurlitzer for both Concerts and Cinema Intermissions in the 1960's. Good Wishes, PAUL, ComptonLodgeStudios.
Thanks for putting this on TH-cam it's so lovely to see this. I use to go to all the London ATOS organ concerts there and I was taken in and around the organ chambers by Les Rawle it's a truly amazing building! I wish I had a time machine to go back and see it like this in its heyday! Mind I also wish they still had organ concerts there I think its now a church? Thanks again Kev.
Hello Kev and Very Many Thanks for your kind comments. I was lucky to be asked to play the Wurlitzer many times for film intros and intermissions thank to John Stewart and later for six performances for ATOS, one with Alec Leader and the rest solo. Happy Days! Pleased you enjoyed the video - Regards PAUL.
Yes indeed, this is when a cinema building was more than the modern day cowshed, and a visit to the cinema was a special night out, from the local flea pit to the super cinema The DAVIS theatre in Croydon was also a"SUPER", that should have been kept instead of being demolished only to be replaced by the FAIRFIELD HALLS Kilburn is still available to see on the September open days, even though its now used as a church Also built by the Hyams brothers is the nearby GAUMONT Holloway..now Odeon,which had many of the same features and design,although hit by a flying bomb in WW2,ther are many original areas hidden behind the scenes. The foyer and circle foyer were not damaged by the bomb,only the auditorium Indeed there are photos to be found on line of before and after There is a newsreel of the opening night here too, but never been able to find it As Chief Projectionist at Hollloway, for 12 years, I spent many hours exploring the building and discovered a few hidden gms
Hi Barrie - Thank You so much for your interesting background to the State and also Holloway. I was quite "chuffed" to be invited by John Stewart to feature the Wurlitzer during film performances and at a later date/s play concerts for ATOS London Chapter, first one shared and I think another five solo. A fabulous building that takes your breath away. At least the church are keeping it in good order. Thanks again for your thoughts, Regards PAUL.
Has anyone ever been in the tower, or seen the broadcasting room (believe that was in the tower)? No pictures online, so perhaps it's no longer accessible, but I'd love to hear/see what it looked like.
Yes, Nothing wrong with that. I preferred it as a Cine-Variety Theatre but there was probably no future in that. The age of cinemas is, I fear, over! Much better use than demolition or another supermarket! Thanks for your interest, PAUL CLS.
I went there as a child with my Dad, who had been at the opening night. I have such fond memories of his knowledge of it all. Apparently the tower was also a a radio transmitting station. Wonderful
Extremely interesting. Super excellent
Thanks Main Account, PAUL.
I hope one day it gets re opened as a cinema
Well you never know Flimdog. The screen was massive I remember. I was lucky enough to feature the Wurlitzer before the first film Sunday afternoons and occasionally evening spots. A terrific theatre which I hope survives for many more years - PAUL.
It's a church
Great footage
Thanks Mick, PAUL.
A remarkable cinema at that time, so sad it all faded away, so many theatres just memories
You are quite correct Dave - a remarkable theatre indeed - Thank You for sharing your thoughts - PAUL.
Thanks Paul for your reply
No problem Dave - Always nice to hear your thoughts - Best Wishes PAUL.
WOW!!
This is an amazing piece of history. I used to love when mum would take us to the cinema there.
And I remember seeing a blk & white photo on the walls (when it became the Bingo Hall and my twin cousins worked there) of the Premier for the Blk & Wht version, of The Jungle Book.
Weirdly enough though, I can't find any info about that special Premier.
Hi BellahBea, "Thank You" so much for sharing your memories of the magnificent Gaumont State Kilburn. I so much enjoyed playing the Wurlitzer
for both Concerts and Cinema Intermissions in the 1960's. Good Wishes, PAUL, ComptonLodgeStudios.
Incredible.
Not Arf! - Thanks regent260 - PAUL.
I went there in the 70s and 80s. My mum was a child living in Kilburn and went there as a child in the 30s and 40s.
Thanks for putting this on TH-cam it's so lovely to see this. I use to go to all the London ATOS organ concerts there and I was taken in and around the organ chambers by Les Rawle it's a truly amazing building! I wish I had a time machine to go back and see it like this in its heyday! Mind I also wish they still had organ concerts there I think its now a church? Thanks again Kev.
Hello Kev and Very Many Thanks for your kind comments. I was lucky to be asked to play the Wurlitzer many times for film intros and intermissions thank to John Stewart and later for six performances for ATOS, one with Alec Leader and the rest solo. Happy Days! Pleased you enjoyed the video - Regards PAUL.
Yes indeed, this is when a cinema building was more than the modern day cowshed,
and a visit to the cinema was a special night out, from the local flea pit to the super cinema
The DAVIS theatre in Croydon was also a"SUPER", that should have been kept instead of being demolished
only to be replaced by the FAIRFIELD HALLS
Kilburn is still available to see on the September open days, even though its now used as a church
Also built by the Hyams brothers is the nearby GAUMONT Holloway..now Odeon,which
had many of the same features and design,although hit by a flying bomb in WW2,ther are many
original areas hidden behind the scenes.
The foyer and circle foyer were not damaged by the bomb,only the auditorium
Indeed there are photos to be found on line of before and after
There is a newsreel of the opening night here too, but never been able to find it
As Chief Projectionist at Hollloway, for 12 years, I spent many hours exploring the building
and discovered a few hidden gms
Hi Barrie - Thank You so much for your interesting background to the State and also Holloway. I was quite "chuffed" to be invited by John Stewart to feature the Wurlitzer during film performances and at a later date/s play concerts for ATOS London Chapter, first one shared and I think another five solo. A fabulous building that takes your breath away. At least the church are keeping it in good order. Thanks again for your thoughts, Regards PAUL.
Has anyone ever been in the tower, or seen the broadcasting room (believe that was in the tower)? No pictures online, so perhaps it's no longer accessible, but I'd love to hear/see what it looked like.
Did you know it's now ruach city church
Yes, Nothing wrong with that. I preferred it as a Cine-Variety Theatre but there was probably no future in that. The age of cinemas is, I fear, over!
Much better use than demolition or another supermarket! Thanks for your interest, PAUL CLS.
Very sad .