Regent Cinema – St Albans

Regent Cinema History:

(Photo: The Alpha Cinema 1910 – Source)

St Albans has a rich and history of cinemas, from remarkable theatres to excellent cinemas that served the locals as entertainment hubs. The history of Regent Cinema, St Albans started on 27th July 1908 when it opened doors for public entertainment by the name of ‘The Alpha Cinema, St Albans’. St Albans Regent Cinema was situated in the north of London, Hertfordshire. Being quite adjacent to St Albans City Centre, Regent Cinema received instant popularity and attracted every visitor to the St Albans Town centre.

Facts About Regent Cinema St Albans:

Did you know?

The Alpha Cinema (Regent Cinema) was the first cinema to be opened officially for movies in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

From Alpha to Polly– Regent Cinema in St Albans:

After its successful inauguration, St Albans’ Regent Cinema underwent archaeological changes in 1910, the chosen architects put forth the interest of adding Percival Blow to meet the Cinematograph Acts’ requirement. After the constructional implementation, the attraction rate of Alpha cinema was doubled and hundreds of people from Hertfordshire wished to visit the Alpha Cinema to boost their cinematic enthusiasm.

For running 6 years straight after the changes, The Alpha Cinema, St Albans was replaced and re-named by Poly Cinema, St Albans on April 20th, 1916. After seven years (1923), the Poly Cinema St Albans was again revamped but this time, it could accommodate 573 people in the stalls, 314 seats for circle-sitting, and 16 seats in adjacent boxes.

Foremost Cinema of St Albans – The Regent Cinema:

(Photo: The Capitol Cinema, 1932 – Source)

Every entertainment company, artists, and owners were inspired by how rapid the cinema received recognition. Therefore, many put forth their interest to either acquire the ownership of the St Albans Regent Cinema or affiliate with it somehow.

In 1926, the Poly Cinema St Albans was re-named to Regent Cinema, St Albans. By that time, it was a half cinema and half orchestra to accommodate grand organ (installed in the same year) and silent movies which were local’s favourite.

A Disaster That Took Everything:

(Photo: Firefighters extinguishing fire from Regent Cinema, 1927 – Source)

On December 19th, 1927, a fire erupted and destroyed most of the Regent Cinema. A later investigation showed that a piece of aflame cigarette was thrown which caused the fire and burned the Regent Cinema to the Ground.

Sadly, the Regent Cinema was re-opened in 1931 under the name of ‘The Capitol Cinema’. The cinematic site was also a house for Odeon Cinema St Albans, and today flourishes by the name of ‘Odyssey St Albans Cinema’.