Lights go down on old Portsmouth cinemas and 11 years of pure nostalgia | Bob Hind

The Odeon on the corner of Albert Road and Festing Road, Southsea, 1974. Picture: Richard Boryer collectionThe Odeon on the corner of Albert Road and Festing Road, Southsea, 1974. Picture: Richard Boryer collection
The Odeon on the corner of Albert Road and Festing Road, Southsea, 1974. Picture: Richard Boryer collection
Seen in 1974 is the Odeon, Southsea, on the corner of Albert Road and Festing Road.We know it was that year because the film Lenny, about the American comedian Lenny Bruce, was released that year and is being advertised in the picture.

The cinema opened in 1937 and could accommodate 1,700 picture-goers.

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It had a name-change in 1977 to the Salon and in 1981 was converted to a two-screen theatre.

The cinema closed in 1985, yes, 35 years ago.

Victoria Hall where the first moving pictures in Portsmouth were seen in July 1896.Victoria Hall where the first moving pictures in Portsmouth were seen in July 1896.
Victoria Hall where the first moving pictures in Portsmouth were seen in July 1896.

I wonder if there are many who remember attending midnight film shows here after a night out.

The end of the film was usually missed as many, like me and my mates, fell asleep only to be woken up by an irate usherette.

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Even at that time, at the back of the cinema you could still make out the old route of the Southsea railway line.

And while we’re on the subject of cinemas, the picture below is of Victoria Hall in Commercial Road, Portsmouth’s first cinema. The first moving pictures were seen there in July 1896.

The miniature railway run by Portsmouth Model Engineering Society. Picture: Richard Boryer collectionThe miniature railway run by Portsmouth Model Engineering Society. Picture: Richard Boryer collection
The miniature railway run by Portsmouth Model Engineering Society. Picture: Richard Boryer collection

• The miniature railway in Bransbury Park, Eastney, runs on a large oval and is open to visitors from this Sunday at 2pm. There’s more information on facebook@bransburytrains.

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Here we see children enjoying a ride on the train in the 1970s. Were you among them?

• Apart from my page in the Weekend supplement tomorrow, this is my last column as I am retiring. I say ‘retiring’, but it might turn out to be a sabbatical for five months or so.

These past four months have proved difficult, trying to fill six pages a week. With The News archive, the Central Library and Portsmouth Records Office all closed and not being able to get out to interview anyone, there have been times when I have struggled to fill those pages. Perhaps, if things ease before or just after Christmas, I might return. We’ll see.

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You can keep in touch through my email address and I am on Angel Radio (89.3FM and DAB) twice a week, Tuesdays from midday to 2pm and Wednesdays 7.35pm to 10pm.

I must thank all of you have have contributed towards the columns in letter, email and photographic form in the past 11 years. I have met some marvellous people and I must thank you all for allowing me into your homes and making me so welcome.

Barry Cox and Robert James deserve a special mention and I must also thank Chris Owen, Elise Brewerton and Deborah Croker at The News for their infinite patience with me.

My sincere best wishes to you all. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you.

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