Friends of ABC/Regal/Cannon Cinema Wakefield

Friends of ABC/Regal/Cannon Cinema Wakefield A community page dedicated to saving and restoring the historic, and now derelict ABC/Regal/Cannon Cinema in Wakefield. We need your help.

This is a page dedicated to the ABC/Regal/Cannon Cinema, built by William R. Glenn in 1934 in Wakefield which has been unused since 1997 due to the, at the time, recently opened Cineworld Multiplex. Unfortunately this wonderful building is at risk of demolition and has been for some time. Sadly, over the years it has suffered severe water damage, though I don't believe that it is unrepairable. Bec

ause of the type of building it is, it has endless possibilities ahead of it. On this page, we can identify the possibilities for the future of this cinema. All suggestions are welcome. For a full history, view: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Cinema,_Wakefield

Courtesy of the CTA Archive, ever wondered what the Play House looked like inside?
26/01/2023

Courtesy of the CTA Archive, ever wondered what the Play House looked like inside?

Further along Kirkgate once stood another cinema. The Empire Theatre, opened in December 1909, later known as The Gaumon...
09/12/2022

Further along Kirkgate once stood another cinema. The Empire Theatre, opened in December 1909, later known as The Gaumont had a capacity of 1500 (photo courtesy of Wakefield Museums & Castles, Wakefield Council).

This will be the last thing for a while but I believe it's the best thing to end with. The opening programme for the Reg...
02/12/2022

This will be the last thing for a while but I believe it's the best thing to end with. The opening programme for the Regal.

Press clipping, not sure from where, Helen Shapiro, Tuesday 3rd April 1962, a year later returning with The Beatles. Com...
02/12/2022

Press clipping, not sure from where, Helen Shapiro, Tuesday 3rd April 1962, a year later returning with The Beatles. Comedian Dave Allen was the compère.

The official press release for the tripling of the Regal.
30/11/2022

The official press release for the tripling of the Regal.

Today's first post: Snippings regarding the tripling of the ABC from the Wakefield Express and the Evening Post. Note: T...
30/11/2022

Today's first post: Snippings regarding the tripling of the ABC from the Wakefield Express and the Evening Post. Note: They refer to the ABC as a complex. Who remembers the managers at the time? (Credits: Wakefield Express, Yorkshire Evening Post, Cinema Theatre Association Archive).

An article that from a publication entitled 'Cinema & Theatre Construction' dated January 1936.
29/11/2022

An article that from a publication entitled 'Cinema & Theatre Construction' dated January 1936.

Next up: An article including architectural drawings from Ideal Kinema and Studio, a technical supplement to the Kinemat...
29/11/2022

Next up: An article including architectural drawings from Ideal Kinema and Studio, a technical supplement to the Kinematograph Weekly Monthly Magazine.

Second: 1935 Shots of the Regal (courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association Archive).
28/11/2022

Second: 1935 Shots of the Regal (courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association Archive).

About a month ago I made a post that there may be something interesting coming. I can now share with you what I've acqui...
28/11/2022

About a month ago I made a post that there may be something interesting coming. I can now share with you what I've acquired. The CTA have provided me with various digital photos and documents regarding the ABC, a lot of it that I hadn't seen before elsewhere. Some of it will be watermarked, of course but I can now share it with you all. First thing is this trade paper, an advert for Bison Precast Units, that shows the ABC's balcony under construction. Much more to come over the next few days.

Remasters of the original scans.
28/11/2022

Remasters of the original scans.

17/11/2022

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Former ABC Cinema, 75 Kirkgate
Wakefield
WF11HX

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