The Colleen Cinema opened on 4th September 1926 with Matheson Lang in "Secret Kingdom" and Isobel Elsom in “Last Witness”. The opening ceremony was carried out by Ivor Novello, who appeared in person, and was mobbed by the awaiting crowds. Inside the auditorium, the proscenium was 30 feet wide and as well as screening films, variety acts appeared on the small stage. Within a few months of opening it had been taken over by the D. Abrahams group of cinemas.
It was renamed Rialto Cinema in 1929, and it was taken over by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) from October 1930. They did not operate it for long, as in 1931 it was taken over by Eric Rhodes, becoming the first cinema to be operated by the founder of what was to later become Classic Cinemas. A new modern facade was added in around 1933. By 1935, new owners had taken over.
The Rialto Cinema was closed in 1940, due to German bomb damage. Repairs were carried out and the Rialto Cinema re-opened by 1944. CinemaScope was fitted in the mid-1950’s and the Rialto Cinema closed on 11th February 1961 with Peter Finch in "The Trials of Oscar Wilde" and Bob Hope in "My Favorite Spy".
The building was converted into an independent bingo club, and remained in this use until around May 2001. The building was demolished in 2003 and a block of flats has been built on the site.
St James Road
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Re: Rialto St James Road
OMG I forgot all about this little cinema , it went when I was a very young lad. Replaced back end of woolies then a dentist.
St James Road
St James Road - picture courtesy of freddie
George Holman with Pantechnicon Removal van outside their offfice in St James Road. Note that Holman was a General Haulage Contractor as well as a Coal & Coke Merchant.
The pub on the corner of Blue Anchor Lane is The Railway Tavern. I am unaware what the shop in between was.
From today's picture we see how the whole area has changed all that remains is the railway viaduct
George Holman with Pantechnicon Removal van outside their offfice in St James Road. Note that Holman was a General Haulage Contractor as well as a Coal & Coke Merchant.
The pub on the corner of Blue Anchor Lane is The Railway Tavern. I am unaware what the shop in between was.
From today's picture we see how the whole area has changed all that remains is the railway viaduct
Re: St James Road
Posted by freddie
Further to above, here's a photo of the Railway Tavern taken, I estimate, around 1920. Seem to recall sitting outside with an orange and a packet of Smiths Crisps (salt in a little twist of blue paper). Also recall taking empty lemonade bottles back to the shop next door for the 1d (one penny = lest than a half pence) deposit.
PS: I wasn't sitting outside in 1920, that would have been more like 1960!
Further to above, here's a photo of the Railway Tavern taken, I estimate, around 1920. Seem to recall sitting outside with an orange and a packet of Smiths Crisps (salt in a little twist of blue paper). Also recall taking empty lemonade bottles back to the shop next door for the 1d (one penny = lest than a half pence) deposit.
PS: I wasn't sitting outside in 1920, that would have been more like 1960!
Re: Rialto St James Road
As a family we used to go there every week, walking in half way through the film and stayed until it came around again. But on Saturday mornings with my friend John Bacon from 123 St. James Rd, we used to go to the Saturday morning kids matinee at the Rialto. In 1952/3 we walked home after Saturday morning pictures along the Blue into Rock Grove (now Rock Grove Way) where I lived, whistling to the tune from SINGING IN THE RAIN. Can you imagine today any parents allowing their 8 year old children to walk alone to the cinemas pay their 6 pence entrance fee, watch the film and walk home alone? Then it was safe to.
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Re: St James Road
Don't recognise second picture.Where in St James' Rd is it?
Re: St James Road
The today picture is at the corner of Blue Anchor Lane looking towards the railway arch, the walkway goes over St james Road at this point. In the old picture the pub used to be on the corner of St James and Blue Anchor Lane
Last edited by fosney on Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: St James Road
St James Road
Picture from the forum of Rialto Cinema St James Road now long gone but replaced by another building with Southwark Works on the door does anyone know what this is all about?. The old auditorium of the cinema has gone and this has been replaced by another building can anyone tell us what this building is?
In the old picture we can see Harpers Barbers shop next to the Rialto does anyone remember John Harper who took over the shop from his father and lived in either Roul Road or Lindsey Street?
Picture from the forum of Rialto Cinema St James Road now long gone but replaced by another building with Southwark Works on the door does anyone know what this is all about?. The old auditorium of the cinema has gone and this has been replaced by another building can anyone tell us what this building is?
In the old picture we can see Harpers Barbers shop next to the Rialto does anyone remember John Harper who took over the shop from his father and lived in either Roul Road or Lindsey Street?
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Re: St James Road
Pretty sure Harpers was a cafe.
Hassets was the Barbers.
Hassets was the Barbers.
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