THREE weeks ago there was a feature on the County Cinema in Station Road, later renamed the Odeon and then the Regal.

It seems sensible to follow this up with a page devoted to Marlow’s first cinema at the end of Spittal Street.

The distinctive beamed fronted building appeared just before the First World War, named the Picture Palace.

Only silent black and white films initially, and most seating was on wooden benches, admission three pence to one shilling, although the programme at the top advertises boxes at a hefty four shillings!

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Obviously children’s shows were very popular as the two top photographs show.

Improved seating and a change of name to King George’s Cinema came in the next decade and the second programme also advertises an orchestra under the direction of Mr W.G.Stammers.

This programme lists two films, “The Road To Mandalay” and “The Canyon Of Light” as well as including some nostalgic Marlow advertisements.

King George’s Cinema closed in 1938 when the newly built County opened.

I wonder if there is anyone still around who saw a film there.

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The centre lower picture shows the building after closure, next door to R.E.Davis’ provision store.

Regarding “Odeon” on the sign: it had never screened films under the Odeon name, but it had become a small sub-office and storage depot for the main Odeon Head Offices which were at Cookham.

The photograph lower right, that needs some tender loving care, shows all the Odeon staff from both places and was taken behind the Spittal Street building.

Included is a young Tony Berry, rear, far right, who still lives in Marlow – in Claremont Road.

The building became a factory for Chelton Electrostatics, and, as mentioned in the previous column, ended up making Poppetts plastic jewellery.

It was finally demolished in the early 1970s. The Arlo & Jacob showroom is on this site now.

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Finally, if you will allow me a short commercial: I have been presenting Marlow FM’s Jazz Show “Swing That Music” for ten years, amongst a few other things, but a relatively new programme is “Sunday Serenade” at 10am every Sunday – some light and tuneful classical favourites.

I hope you might check it out on 97.5 FM or on line at www.marlowfm.co.uk which has a “Listen Again” facility for past shows.

Contact Michael at michael@jazzfans.co or 01628 486571.