Rights Managed > Historic England > Architecture > Cinemas > Norman Walley Collection
Northenden Forum NMW01_01_2713
Filename: NWC01_01_2713.jpg
Size: 5551 x 3643 (3.9MB)
Date: 29th April 2022
Source: Historic England
Credit: © Historic England Archive
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
Job Title: Photographer
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Northenden Forum NMW01_01_2713
Assembly Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester. The auditorium in the Assembly Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, viewed from the centre of the circle.
The Forum Cinema opened in 1934 and was renamed The ABC Cinema in 1964. The building was closed as a cinema in 1974 and became a theatre known as the Forum Theatre. It later became an Assembly Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses. The auditorium remains largely unaltered. The date of this photograph is not known, and nor is the date when the building began to be used as an Assembly Hall; a date range of 1990-2015 has been given but it may have been photographed earlier than this
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24857566
© Historic England Archive
1930s Art Deco Auditorium Cinema Films Interior Movies Picture Palace Meeting House
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, located on Palatine Road in Northenden, Manchester. The image captures the grandeur and elegance of the auditorium from a central vantage point within its circular layout. Originally known as the Forum Cinema, this architectural gem was unveiled to the public in 1934 and later rebranded as The ABC Cinema in 1964. However, its cinematic journey came to an end in 1974 when it ceased operations as a movie theater. Subsequently transformed into the Forum Theatre, it eventually found new purpose as an Assembly Hall for Jehovah's Witnesses. Remarkably, despite these transitions over time, much of the auditorium has remained unaltered. This photograph does not provide us with specific dates; however, experts estimate that it falls within a wide range spanning from 1990 to 2015. It is also worth noting that this image may have been captured even earlier than suggested. The picture beautifully encapsulates both the art deco design elements prevalent during its construction and its historical significance as a popular picture palace showcasing films throughout the vibrant era of cinema in the 1930s. Norman Walley skillfully immortalizes this unique space through his lens, allowing viewers to appreciate and reflect upon its rich cultural heritage without mentioning any commercial use associated with it.
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