Granada, Tooting

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The Granada Cinema in Tooting, an area in the borough of Wandsworth, London was one of the great luxurious cinemas built in the 1930s.

[edit] History

It opened on 7 September 1931, as one of the Granada chain, with the film "Monte Carlo" and screened movies sometimes with Stage shows or organ recitals until it closed as a cinema on 10 November 1973 (showing "The Good, The Bad and The Ugy"). The organ was a Wurlitzer theatre organ that had originally been used in Sacramento, California. It had a full size stage on which a number of theatrical productions were performed. The normal progam consisted of either two feature films, or one with a variety show.

[edit] The Building

The building, which became the first cinema to be preserved and given a Grade I listing, was .designed by Cecil Masey in the Art Deco style with four Corinthian style pillars over the entrance, it was the interior, however that was (and is still) spectacular. This was designed by Theodore Komisarjevsky, a set designer. It has marble foyers both at the main and balcony entrances. Also a hall of mirrors and carved ceilings more suitable for a palace than a cinema. The seating capacity was over 3000, and was often completely sold-out went such stars as Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, The Andrew Sisters and Carmen Miranda gave concerts there. After closing as a cinema the building has taken over as a bingo hall.

[edit] External links