Odeon Kemp Town (1934-1960)

Odeon Kemp Town, c1940

40 St George's Road, Kemp Town, Brighton 20
operated 1934-1960
1934 February 1 Opened on a site (across Paston Place from St George's Church) that was formerly the Sassoon family riding school and stables. The screen was positioned on the long wall of the auditorium, which was tiered without a balcony overhang. British Thomson-Houston sound system; 958 seats. Opened by Sir Harry Preston, owned by Odeon Theatres Ltd and designed by Andrew Mather.
1940 September 14 3.30pm Four children and two adults in the cinema are killed and 20 others injured when the balcony collapses during an air-raid that severely damages the building. In the surrounding area 49 more people die. The surviving staff are later taken for a day trip to Denham Studios during filming of Major Barbara, starring Rex Harrison and the film debut of Deborah Kerr.

After the bomb

1948 900 seats; prices 1s-2s 3d, continuous performances, booked in London
1953 Prices 1s 6d-3s 1d
1957 Prices 1s 10d-3s 3d
1960 November 5 Cinema closed. Last film: Light Up the Sky.
Used for bingo from 1962, then from 1983 as a social centre called The City until it was demolished in January 1986. Cavendish Court stands on the site.

Photo courtesy of Brighton & Hove Libraries' Brighton History Centre

A personal account of the bombing of the cinema can be found on the My Brighton & Hove website.

Brighton cinema directory