My Brighton and Hove | Places | Cinemas | Regent Cinema

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Regent Cinema

The heyday of cinema

By Trevor Chepstow and Debbie Taylor

Photo:Main entrance to the Regent Cinema (Originally intended to be called the "Regent" Kinema Theatre) 133 Queen's Road/133 North Street, Brighton

Photo:Architectural designs by Robert Atkinson F.R.I.B.A. for the main entrance to the cinema

Photo:Interior view of the cinema shows Auditorium, Foyer and walls to the back Foyer.

Photo:1926 original film flyer for "The Son of Sheik" starring the heart throb of the time Rudolph Valentino

Photos scanned from "The Architectural Review" of 1921, in the private collection of Geoffrey Mead

Sent to the website via the contribution form on 05-11-03

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

My mum and dad met at the Regent Dance Hall in the early 50s. I gather this was the meeting place for many couples during this period. It is a great shame this fantastic building was demolished.

By John Ward (30/03/2004)

These are the oldest pictures I have seen of the Regent Cinema. I first went to the Regent Cinema in 1960 and do not remember it looking anything like the pictures you have used. Many of the features in these pictures must have been covered up by then. I went to work at the Regent Cinema in 1965 as a relief projectionist. That was after the 1962 refit when two 35/70mm projectors with full optical and magnetic sound system and Todd.AO screen was installed.

By R H Scott-Spencer (28/01/2005)

Go to www.paulcorinmusic.co.uk and you will find the Regent Brighton WurliTzer Organ.

By Paul Corin (14/01/2006)

My friend can remember when she was 3 watching Rudolph Valentino films at one of her Grandfather's cinemas. He was a Mr. Henderson who was a millionaire who moved to Brighton from Coventry. My friend can remember every detail of the films. Does anybody know anything about Mr. Henderson?

By Heather Wilson (30/07/2008)

My late Mother's friend is still alive. She was the first lady to play the organ at the Regent and her name was Joan Mumford. I wonder if anybody remembers her?

By Heather Wilson (30/07/2008)

I am still trying to find out more about Mr. William John Henderson, who died in Brighton in 1931. He was a millionaire who owned at least 2 cinemas in Brighton and came to live in Brighton after living in Coventry for many years. He moved down to live closer to his Daughter and sadly died a year later. There is supposed to be a famous picture of him feeding pigeons, but I have never seen it. I still wonder if anybody knows anything about him. It would now be rather a long shot to find somebody who had actually met him. One of his Grand-Daughters is my friend and she is now 86. I would love to be able to find out more about him for her. Could anybody help, please?

By Mrs. Heather Wilson (20/11/2009)

Re the lady who was asking about Joan Mumford, that is my mother who is 95 and still with us.

By Stuart Attrill (08/09/2010)