User:Zippo9310/Ritz Cinema, Nuneaton
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The Ritz Cinema (better known as The Ritz) is a Grade-II listed art-deco former cinema located on Abbey Street, Nuneaton. It was opened on 23 July 1937, originally for the Union Cinemas circuit, however, in October of the same year, ABC Cinemas would take over the building.[1][2] The Ritz would stop showing films in 1984. After being used as a cinema, the building would be converted to a bingo hall, and trade as such until its closure.[3]
History[edit]
Since closure[edit]
Since its closure, various community projects have been launched and discussed to get the building back in to use. In July 2013, fly posters were replaced with cinema-related art when local Nuneaton-based group, Art Alert, visited the venue as part of their 'Friends of the Ritz' project.[4][5] In 2013, film director Ken Loach who was born in Nuneaton, backed a £5m plan for the venue to be used again, though nothing came of the plans.[6][7] On 27 February 2019, the building was sold for £339,500.[8]
Compton organ[edit]
The Ritz had a 'Compton organ' that was in an orchestra pit, which was played by organist Ken Stroud.[9][10] The organ remains in use at a church in Essex.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ritz Cinema". Cinema Treasures. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
it was built for, and was initially operated by the Union Cinemas circuit, but they were taken over in October 1937 by Associated British Cinemas (ABC).
- ^ Harrison, Claire (26 January 2021). "Revealed: CGI images of the future plans for The Ritz in Nuneaton". Coventry Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
The Ritz Cinema in Nuneaton was designed for the Union Cinema Circuit and was opened on July 23, 1937, with James Melton in 'Melody for Two' and James Dunn in 'Mysterious Crossing' plus a live show on-stage.
- ^ "The Fate of the Former Nuneaton Bingo Hall Now Known". Two Little Fleas. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
Fast forward a decade or three and the cinema became the Ritz until its closure in 1984 when the cinema rolls stopped spinning to make way for bingo.
- ^ "Ritz gets Art Attacked! – better than fly posters and rude words!". Nuneaton Memories. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Art Alert Nuneaton - Past Events". Art Alert Nuneaton. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Ken Loach backs Nuneaton Ritz cinema restoration plan". BBC News. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
Mr Loach called for The Ritz to be brought "back to life". He said: "The Ritz showed some great films. Let's bring the cinema back to the town centre."
- ^ Goulden, Barbara (28 July 2021). "Director Ken tells of his fears and hopes for the future". elementarywhatson. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
But his pressing concern now is the hollowing-out of our towns and cities, especially places like Nuneaton where, years ago, he tried to save the art-deco Ritz cinema.
- ^ Harrison, Claire (19 April 2019). "New owners of iconic Nuneaton building revealed". Coventry Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
It was bought for £339,500 on February 27 this year, after more than a decades' uncertainty surrounding what will happen to the former cinema and bingo hall.
- ^ "Newsletter of the nuneaton local history group". essaydocs.org. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
At the front of the stage was an orchestra pit decorated with banks of flowers, and in the centre of the pit a wonderful Compton organ was installed.
- ^ "Ken Stroud, July 1993". The Gordon Craig Archive. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
After war service Ken resumed his musical career as resident at the Ritz, Nuneaton and since that time he has appeared at numerous other venues.
- ^ "The Ritz Compton Organ". The Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Local and Family History Web Site. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
The former Compton Organ at the Ritz Cinema, Nuneaton is in everyday use at a church in Essex. Here it again [sic] to bring back memories of big shows at the Ritz.
External links[edit]