The rather fabulous Phoenix Cinema is our Spot-it Competition partner this month. They may not be 250 years old like we are but they are a pretty special all the same – 105 this year.
It looked a little different back then – well, you would, wouldn’t you – love the fancy domes. Its story begins with the 1909 Cinematograph Act which was designed to regulate public screenings of films and to ensure that cinemas were in a suitable physical state to screen films safely. It was prompted by the high risk of fire from the highly unstable nitrate film stock. As a result, more purpose-built cinemas began to appear, including this one. (Interestingly talk of the dangers of highly flammable material led to censorship being introduced for the first time in the same Act. It wasn’t only the film itself but the story it told which could be dangerous for the public!).
The new local cinema was built by Premier Electric Theatres in 1910 on what was considered an excellent site, with electric trams running past and the station nearby. However, the company went bankrupt before the cinema could open. In 1912, the building was purchased by businessmen and it finally opened as The East Finchley Picturedrome in May 1912 with a film about the tragic Titanic ocean liner which had recently sunk.
Dramatic stuff – and if you are up for a bit of drama why not enter our competition to win a really excellent prize at the Phoenix – Coliseum Membership for two people. It’s easy – just tell us where this photo was taken
and send your answer to: https://www.prickettandellis.com/spot-it-2/
Good luck!
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