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Cinematograph Cinema BL22928
Cinematograph Theatre, 269 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, Haringey, Greater London, later known as the Finsbury Park Cinema. Exterior view showing posters advertising the latest films and a newspaper vendor standing outside a tobacconist shop next door. Photographed in March 1915.
The cinema was opened in 1909 by cinema entrepreneur Montagu Pyke. The building is one of eight cinemas photographed for United Electric Theatres Ltd. although the Kelly directory of 1915 lists Amalgamated Cinematograph Theatres Ltd. at this address. The vendor in the image is carrying a poster announcing the shelling of the Dardanelles forts.
The original cinema building at 269 Seven Sisters Road opened as Pykes Cinematograph in 1909. The much larger Rink Cinema stood directly behind this building at 10 Stroud Green Road. In 1920 the two were combined under the name of the Finsbury Park Cinema (later reverting back to the Rink Cinema), with Pykes cinema becoming a grand foyer and the auditorium located in the original Rink building. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England Archive
Media ID 25316541
Filename: bl22928.jpg
Size: 4807 x 3920 (2.2MB)
Date: 27th June 2022
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
Job Title: Photographer
1910s Cinema First World War People
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This print captures the essence of early 20th century cinema in London. Taken in March 1915, it showcases the Cinematograph Cinema BL22928, later known as the Finsbury Park Cinema, located at 269 Seven Sisters Road in Haringey. The image reveals a bustling exterior scene with posters proudly displaying the latest films adorning the walls of the theater. A newspaper vendor stands outside a neighboring tobacconist shop, adding to the lively atmosphere of this cinematic hub. Notably, one poster announces news of the shelling of Dardanelles forts, reflecting contemporary events during World War I. Originally opened by renowned cinema entrepreneur Montagu Pyke in 1909 as Pykes Cinematograph, this building was part of United Electric Theatres Ltd. 's collection of eight cinemas. However, according to Kelly directory records from 1915, Amalgamated Cinematograph Theatres Ltd. is listed as being associated with this address. Behind this smaller cinema building stood its grand counterpart - Rink Cinema at 10 Stroud Green Road. In an amalgamation that took place in 1920 under various names including Finsbury Park Cinema and later reverting back to Rink Cinema - these two structures combined their spaces creatively. Bedford Lemere and Co. , renowned architectural photographers captured this momentous transformation for posterity. This historic photograph offers us a glimpse into London's vibrant cinematic past while showcasing how theaters evolved over time to meet growing demands for entertainment experiences within communities like Finsbury Park.
