Former cinemas in Harringay
From the very beginning of the 20th century, William Day, "pioneer of moving pictures", showed films in the Olympian Gardens pleasure grounds next to the Queen's Head pub.
Reporting its opening the local newspaper, the Hornsey Journal, described it in glowing terms and drew attention to its"particularly handsome" entrance.
The Most Unique Picture Theatre in London Handsomely decorated and upholstered throughout No expense has been spared to ensure the comfort of patrons
The very latest productions in the world of animated pictures to be seen here[7] The auditorium was designed in the style typical of the period with a curved and banded ceiling and proscenium arch.
The series comprise (sic) pictures of the natives in their rude craft skimming the currents and an exquisite sunset – truly a glorious spectacle.
Brown junior seizes a black girl, confines her in a packing case and despatches her to London.
Three years later as part of the development around the new station, competition arrived with the opening of the sleek new Ritz cinema.
The old building remained intact behind the new streamlined façade and most of the interior was left untouched apart from new seating and electrical work.
[6] In 1977 the nearby Ritz (now operating as the ABC) was refurbished as a three screen cinema, competing directly with the Curzon's market.
The premises were also equipped with a new sound system and huge new screen, brought forward of the original proscenium.
On 16 April 2000 the New Curzon Cinema celebrated the building's 90th birthday with a special screening of the Peter Sellers film The Smallest Show on Earth.
The Electric Coliseum Cinema was built in 1910 on the corner of Green Lanes and St Ann's Road.
[10] The Salon du Bal dance hall was attached to the cinema, with its own separate entrance in Salisbury Parade.
It closed on 3 June 1961 with a final show including Tony Curtis in Who Was That Lady and Randolph Scott in Buchanan Rides Alone.
The former dance hall with its domed ceiling became a popular gay nightclub known as Bolts, hosting acts such as The Weather Girls.
Although planning permission had been sought to protect the exterior, the cinema was demolished and a block of flats erected on the site.
The fourth cinema in Harringay was the Grand Picture Palace at 139 Turnpike Lane on the corner of Wightman Road.
It opened on 30 December 1935 with Clark Gable in China Seas and Ricardo Cortez in Sing Me a Love Song.
The cinema's red brick exterior was designed to harmonise with the adjoining Turnpike Lane tube station.
The cinema was also equipped with a stage, which was only occasionally used, and a cafe that was located over the entrance foyer in operation until the 1950s.
The Coronet cinema was closed on 25 March 1999 with Patch Adams, This Year's Love and Urban Legend the last films screened, and was demolished in August 1999.
