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Duke of York's cinema

Photo:Duke of York's cinema

Duke of York's cinema

A non mega complex
by Paul Scotcher

"If you don't mind missing out on the latest 'American Block-Buster Sensation There's Ever Been' then this cinema is for you. Non-mega-complex, dressed up in the finest Edwardian Baroque, the Duke of York's is one of the earliest purpose-built cinemas still operating; fortunately it retains many original features. The bar upstairs is alcohol friendly and very attractive. More likely to screen Errol Flynn's Robin Hood than Kevin Costner's, this charming little cinema continues to present the very best of European, American, Hindi and Independent film-making."

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

My uncle took me to the Duke of York's on many occasions. We used to go in the side entrance and pay 7 old pence in 1943. It was the only cinema he would go to out of all the cinemas in Brighton - and there were plenty! I think that this is the only one still standing. Happy days!
By Ray Barontini (16/08/2004)
In the late 1940s the price of admission for children on a Saturday morning was 3d,or nothing if one of your pals could get to the emergency exit and let you in that way. A great place for children, cheap ice creams also, which were quite a treat then.
By Glenys Roberts (17/02/2006)

I remember a late night showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Dukes, sometime in 1985 or 1986. The place was absolutely heaving (my memory is of the aisles being full of people sitting on the floor) and much of the audience was in costume, and also in full voice. The film did not start until about midnight and I suspect that one or two members of the audience might have had a small sweet sherry before turning up. Rice was hurled, water pistols sprayed, and at the end all the fire extinguishers were let off. The whole crowd spilled out onto Preston Circus and stopped the traffic with a mass "Time Warp".

The Argus picked up on the story and the next scheduled showing was quietly cancelled.

By Adam Penwarden (09/01/2007)

I went to the Duke of York's in the middle to late 1940s. I used to sit right up the front near the red fire buckets. 2d I think was the charge, but all the kids tried to sneak in for nothing. I have very fond memories of the Duke of York's. It was a little more classy than the Lewes Road flea pit where I was taken for my first date. It was a bit of a dump as I remember.

By Jennifer Goddard nee Norrell (05/02/2007)

At the Duke of York's it was usually an hour long cartoon/short films etc event - which kept repeating every hour - so you could go in at anytime and not miss out. I often went in during a shopping trip into town to sit down for a bit - came out refreshed and laughing!

By Christine Martin (25/05/2007)

I remember this great old gem for two different reasons.
Back in November 1963 (when I was thirteen), Ronald Feidler and I went there and saw James Bond in DR NO. which back in those days was cool and high tech. The second reason that I rememeber it so well, is that when I returned home that night my mother informed that J.F.K had just been assassinated.

By Paul Wheatley (26/06/2007)

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