Odeon: Gants Hill.

If you have visited this cinema and would like to say a few words about it to be posted here, please e-mail me. 

This from Ron: 'I spent every Sat morning there throughout the war years having a great time for 6d, to you 2½ pence. P.S: Also had our one and only school trip to see Henry V, only to find out we had to write about it when back in the classroom.' 

This from John: 'My mother remembered this being built before the Second World War. I went there with a girlfriend and saw David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia and sat in the upper circle in a packed cinema sometime one Saturday in 1971. Later after moving out from London came with a Church group from Southend and saw Cliff Richard perform on stage in a Christian music concert circa 1976/77. Again, it was virtually a full house – at least if there were any empty seats they were not self evident. I understand the capacity of the cinema was 2500- 3000.'

I will never forget the queue at this cinema for Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (original release!).

Saw a few films here including The Italian Job (not original release!) with the school.

'Was' located 'on' the A12, at Gants Hill, Ilford.

No, didn't get in that day for Close Encounters!

This cinema has been flattened, raised to the ground, it is no more! A block of flats - or apartments - now occupies the land.