South Shields

Theatres & Cinemas

There has been much to say on the subject as to which was the first cinema in South Shields.  It was said that the first moving picture shows were to be found among markets in tents or in hired halls, so probably those who favoured St. Thomas’s Hall or the Royal Assembly Hall would be the nearest to the truth.

The cosy Picture House in Ocean Road and the Paragon (Plaza) in Denmark Street were the forerunners of cinema buildings.

By the late 1930’s when cinema  going was becoming very popular the ‘Local Directory’ lists the following:

Alexandra Theatre /Kings Picture House
Chichester Picture House
Crown Electric Theatre
Empire Palace Theatre (Regal)(Odeon)
Grand Electric Theatre (burnt down 1932)
Imperial Picture House
Palace Theatre
Palladium Cinema
Paragon Picture Hall (Plaza)
Pavillion Picture Hall
Picture House (Cosy)
Queens Theatre (bombed 1941)
Regent Cinema
Savoy Cinema (ABC)
Scala Cinema (Focus)
Theatre Royal

Wallis Street
Chichester Road
Hudson Street
King Street
Ocean Road
Farnham Road
Frederick street
Nook
Denmark Street
Adelaide Street
Ocean Road
Mile End Road
Dean Road
Ocean Road
Ocean Road
King Street

The Alexandra Theatre / Kings Picture House - Wallis Street

Gone is Wallis Street where stood The Alexandra Theatre, which was one of the town’s smallest but most unusual theatres and cinemas.  When it was built in 1824, the premises had actually been the first purpose built Congregational Church which it was for 60 years until it’s worshippers outgrew it.  It then became a Gospel Temperance Hall before turning to theatre and early films around the turn of the century. 

Also known as the Kings Picture House, it was showing moving pictures from as early as Edwardian times.  One of the early names with which it was associated was Herbert Cullum, one of the country’s film pioneers with his touring show, Dyson’s Diorama and Gypsy Choir.  Frank E. Franks, Albert Burdon, and Robert Monteigle were among  top-of–the-bill performers who graced it’s stage; also Will Glaze, who first visited the theatre with a touring company in 1921 and stayed there as manager until it’s closure in 1940.

The building was then used as a warehouse, latterly by Gilroy’s the potato merchants, and was eventually demolished in 1960.

Alexandra Theatre

The Chi - Chichester Road

Also known as the Chi, opened in February 1911 and was the first cinema in South Shields to introduce reduced prices for pensioners.  It closed its doors in April 1959.

Coronation Picture Hall - Hudson Street, Boldon Lane

With only a short life span of 2 years this cinema was originally the United Methodist Free Church Hall which was built in 1887. It opened in May 1911 (the same month as 'The Crown' also in Hudson Street) and closed in late 1912 or early 1913.

The Crown - Hudson Street

The Crown in Hudson Street opened as a venue for films and live act sin 1911, but didn’t really settle down to steadily weekly programmes until the late 1920’s. From then on it enjoyed and almost unbroken 30-year run until it finally closed in 1959. The last film being James Garner in "The Young Invaders."

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Grand Electric Theatre - Ocean Road

Opened in June 1910 this was the first purpose-built cinema in South Shields.  It was also known as 'The Grand' which it was shortened to in 1931.  Unfortunately the theatre came to an abrupt end when in March 1932 it was the victim of fire and totally gutted.  It was never rebuilt.

It's such a shame that there is nothing left of the Palace as it was such a magnificent building.

Grand Electric

Grand Electric 1912

2008

2008

Imperial Picture House - Farnham Road

Also known as The Electric Theatre, Lyric Picture House, Imperial Picture Hall & Tyne Dock Picture Palace

Palace - Frederick Street

The Palace opened in November 1911 and was known to have an orchestra, as was shown on an advert of 7th July  1913.  An added attraction for 16th May 1938 was the Western electric Microphone sound system and the free car park, bicycles were also stored for free.  The curtain came down for the last time just before New Year’s eve 1961 after a showing of Cole Porter’s `Can-Can’.

Palladium - Nook

The Palladium at the Nook, just off Sunderland Road, was always a cinema.  It opened in August 1930 and on Sundays was used as a church, before the Harton Methodist Church was built.  They were also privileged with a free car park.  Unfortunately in July 1960 it closed, the last film being Curt Jurgens in ‘Blue Angel’ .  It was then converted into a supermarket, which it still is today.

Palladium 1952

This page is still under construction - many more theatres to add.

And even more images to insert.