Margate's Dreamland Cinema

[porterm]

Hello all,

I just had a thought, after watching five's new movie show called Movie Lounge. They have a feature running where they're asking the general public to nominate their favourite cinema in Britain. I visited Margate's cinema a couple of years ago for the first time and thought the building had a certain style of a bygone period (Art Deco?). Whilst I felt the seats were not exactly yhe best in the world I reckon we could nominate the cinema and maybe get some TV exposure for Dreamland's plight at the same time.

Apparently Channel 5 will bring the cameras along for an interview with the nominee too. Any comments? - I don't think it would do any harm in placing a nomination or two, or many more.

Martin

PS Go to www.five.tv/movielounge for info (bottom item of home page)

[Chris H]

I have posted my own thoughts on why I think the dreamland cinema is the perfect choice.
Hopfully it does the trick.

[Sarah]

Certainly is Art Deco, opened in March 1935. Architecturally, it's a very important cinema, as its 'fin' construction was the forerunner of many around the country. But I love it because as a child the sight of it signalled that we had arrived in Margate and the over-excitement could begin. (I seem to have had a childhood blindness to Arlington House - didn't ever notice it!)

Thanks for the link Martin, have posted my comments.

Sarah

[Nick]

That's right, it is one of the most improtant cinemas in the country in terms of its design, being the first cinema with the 'fin', which went on to influence the famous Odeon super cinemas of the late 1930s, including the Odeon Leicester Square. When you combine that with the fact that it is independent, is still the most significant landmark on Margate seafront (I still have a blindness to Arlington House, although mine is knowingly enforced), and that it still has its marvellous organ, it is something of a gem.

Long before I started the Save Dreamland Campaign, or even got involved in the listing of the Scenic, I was planning consultant to ABC Cinemas (that would have been the late 1990s). At public inquiries relating to listed cinemas, I used to regularly make reference to the Dreamland Cinema as being one of the best examples of cinema architecture in this country. Little did I know at the time that my path would cross with Dreamland's again in the future!

I have also made my submission on the website.

Nick

[porterm]

Many thanks for all the response; I never expected quite so much. I'm just a real cinema and movie fan, along with my interest in coasters and amusement/ theme parks of course. I've yet to make my comments on five's website but I must try to do that tonight.

I wonder who'll be asked to do the presentation report if we get lucky with being chosen? - maybe it could be a group thing.

Martin

[Chris H]

Its a shame that the currant owner cannot be bothered to maintain it(the lighting), but there again the currant owner cannot be bothered to maintain much of what he owns around Margate.

[cliffc]

Its a shame that the currant owner cannot be bothered to maintain it(the lighting), but there again the currant owner cannot be bothered to maintain much of what he owns around Margate. :roll:

Hi

As far as I know the cinema is not owned by Godden but by a small independant cinema chain that own a few cinema's in that area.

Cliff C

[Sarah]

Reeltime lease the cinema building. But it's owned by Godden/Waterbridge.

If you look back at Toby Hunter's statement on the News Page he had much to say about improvements to the cinema facilities.

Sarah

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

(I still have a blindness to Arlington House, although mine is knowingly enforced),

Yes, I wonder if anyone slightly more computer-literate than myself could post an image of Margate seafront

1) with, and

2) without Arlington House (by means of using PhotoShop or similar)


If nothing else, it might remind us all that having an appallingly philistinic and short-sighted local Council is not a new phenomenon.

[porf]

OK I was bored, so I thought I'd have a go.

My biggest problem was finding an image with Arlington House in it! I think my camera has an allergy to that building. So it's not great due to the starting material ......

[Sarah]

Thank you, that made me laugh, which is amazing, given I've spent all evening wrestling with a helium canister, ribboning up balloons and attacking my errant printer with whatever came to hand (a hole punch).

Doesn't that reveal just how much the cinema used to dominate the skyline?

I remain of the opinion that Arlington House wouldn't be so bad if it was given a lick of paint, those ugly aerials removed and all tatty curtaining confiscated in a dawn raid. The flats have the most beautiful views... perhaps because it's the only place in Margate you can't see Arlington House from.

Sarah

[RowBot]

lol nice one porf. You know what I can just imagin TDC's Plans by putting more Arlington House's going around the back of the amusement's where Dreamland currently is!

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Thanks Paul!

It simply beggars belief that the Council ever allowed it to be built in the first place.

[Chris H]

Another concern was that i that JG is now refusing to lease out the Compton to any famous Organ players, and that no concerts are to be held their until further notice.

This is simply criminal
I just wonder if Its his mission to wipe Margate off the tourist map altogether

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I remain of the opinion that Arlington House wouldn't be so bad if it was given a lick of paint, those ugly aerials removed and all tatty curtaining confiscated in a dawn raid.

LOL! Personally, I think it wouldn't look too bad if it was picked up and teleported overnight to Bucharest, Bratislava or Moscow where they have a taste for this type of "concrete monumentalist" architecture.