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Cannon Cinema

Cannon Cinema East Street (formerly the ABC)

The Killing of Sister George, 1969

By Linda, lesbian activist

"The Cannon Cinema in East Street used to be called the ABC and I remember going to see 'The Killing of Sister George' there in 1969 when I was eighteen. I went with a girl from school who became my lover in the following year. I got very nervous during the sex scenes of the film and nearly chewed my necklace in two. It was the only depiction of a lesbian relationship that we had ever seen. Although it was quite depressing we made the most of the opportunity to discuss the subject."

Image and text from the 'My Brighton' exhibit

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

Was this not the Savoy cinema? It had another entrance on the seafront.

By Maurice White (11/05/2003)

Wasn't the Savoy Cinema, to the immediate south of the Southdown Bus terminal (i.e. Pool Valley) constructed on the site of the Brills Baths?

By Dudley Seifert (24/06/2003)

When first converted into a multi-screen venue in 1975/6, it had four screens, the largest of which occupied almost all of the original circle seating area. Screen 2 was located in the front stalls, 3 and 4 were located in the rear stalls area side by side, separated by a walkway which connected screen 2 with the upper foyer. Screen 1 had facilities to show 70mm film and its projection box was located in the rear of the auditorium. Screens 2, 3 and 4 utilised the same projection area that was in use prior to conversion to 4 screens with 3 & 4 projecting through periscopes. Soon after, 3 & 4 had boxes built on the lower floor as the periscopes weren't entirely successful! From 1991/2 only screens 2,3 & 4 remained open and were renumbered 1, 2 & 3, meaning that Brighton and Hove had lost one of its biggest cinema screens.

By Matt (17/02/2004)

Yup, Matt is right ( still around then Matt ? ) the conversion was originally to a quad then screen 1 was shut down in the early 90's. Not sure about the ballroom being converted to a manager's flat, it was my understanding that the manager's flat was original. Certainly seemed to have a lot of the original features there when I was up there taking photos just before the building closed. I haven't been back inside there after the conversion to pub/club/casino place. Too painful.

By Ruth (01/01/2005)

I worked just twice at the ABC, as it was latterly called, as a relief projectionist. One of the most delightful cinemas I have worked in. Shame the former screen 1 had been closed - it must have been a good place to see a film. It was still there until the end - complete with masking and tabs eh Matt?

By Paul (28/09/2005)

I really miss the ABC/Cannon. Many a happy memory of being taken there by my nan and later with my schoolfriends. Of course we went there mostly because it was still £2.50, while the Odeon was charging £5. They sometimes got the film names wrong on the ticket, though.

By Kate Miller (30/09/2006)

The flat upstairs was the residence of the district manager in the 1950s, surname Mills. I vaugely knew the daughter when they lived there and my dad was assistant manager. When my mother was in hospital, Dad and I used to have Sunday lunch in the restaurant and I remember the chief projectionist was very kind to me - all the staff were. I am trying to remember some of their names...

By Diane Webb (nee Nixon) (Thirlaway) (06/08/2007)

Tthe very first showing of 'Brighton Rock' was at the Savoy at middnight on a friday in 1948.

By Wayne Wareham (20/09/2007)