Let's hear it for the Scala.
After all the publicity given to the Futurist, it's worth mentioning that the interior of the Scala is probably more-or-less intact.
www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/2169762948/in/photolis...
Both cinemas suffered blast damage in the War,
www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/28841513815/in/photost...
which resulted in the facade of the Scala being "shaved" clean.
The Scala was a purpose-built cinema designed by Essex & Goodman of Birmingham (the house-architects for Sol Levy, the owner), and W Aubrey Thomas of Liverpool (the architect of the Royal Liver Building). It was built by B Cromwell Ltd. The "date of notice" to build was 6 April 1915. It was recorded that "work started" on 29 November 1915 (but it must have been earlier), and was "signed-off" on 2 February 1916. The estimated cost of the building was £14,000. There were 628 seats, which included the balcony.
The Scala opened on 31 January 1916. The first films were "John Glayde's Honour" starring Aubrey Smith, plus "A Chip Off the Old Block". The latter film starred the 10 year old son of Maurice Costello, hence the brother of Dolores & Helene Costello who both found fame in Hollywood.
The Scala (Liverpool) Ltd was formed to operate the cinema. Two of the directors were Sol Levy and E Haigh. Vivian Van Damm was the Licensee and general manager of the cinema from its opening. (Mr Van Damm became the manager of the famous Windmill Theatre in London's Soho when it opened in June 1931 until his death in December 1960).
In 1920 there were plans to build a much larger cinema on the site of the Scala and the property next door. The new cinema would extend up to the Vines public house. The plans were drawn up by Essex & Goodman of Birmingham, and Fraser & Dalton of Liverpool. The new cinema was to have a total of 1562 seats, 807 in the Pit, 362 in the Dress Circle and 330 in the Upper Circle. A new company was formed, the Greater Scala (Liverpool) Ltd. The new cinema was never built, but the controlling company of the Scala ever after was called the Greater Scala (Liverpool) Ltd, despite the fact that the cinema was the same size it had always been.
The Lime Street Picture House was taken over by the Levy Circuit in 1920, and was renamed the Futurist.
The Scala was the first cinema in Liverpool to show Talking Pictures. These were De Forrest Phonofilms (short films), and were first seen on 26 August 1927.
RCA Photophone sound equipment was installed.
There was an official count of the seating capacity in 1931 which revealed that there was a total of 664 seats, 462 in the stalls, and 202 in the circle. The Licensee at that date was Leonard Norman Rowley. He became the manager (by the mid 1930s. By 1931?), and was to stay at the Scala for at least 20 years. He was the manager of the King's Hall in Anfield from 1914. It was the first cinema he managed. Later he was the manager at the Plaza, Allerton when it opened in 1928.
Councillor Alfred Levy acquired sole control of the Scala on 20 February 1936. He had previously been a co-director of the cinema, along with Alderman E Haigh, Mr A Williams, Mr H M Romain, & Mr T Griffiths.
Damaged by enemy action. Reopened 1941.
A new canopy was put up in 1950, and in 1950/51 the front elevation was modernised.
8 June 1962 redecorated throughout.
The Levy circuit was taken over by ABC.
Renamed ABC Scala on 5 January 1968. There were then 550 seats.
Following the tripling of the ABC (ex Forum) over the road, in 1982, the Scala and the Futurist (next door) were closed. The Scala closed on 24 August 1982 with Clint Eastwood in "Firefox". The seating capacity was then 550, but only 49 people turned up to see the last film (at £2 per head).
In February 1987 the first floor and the roof were wrecked by fire in a suspected arson attack. At the time the building was undergoing conversion and was due to reopen as a fun pub called "Cheers".
In March 1987 a new "Sold" sign was on the building, and a note pinned to the door said that a Music, Singing & Dancing licence had been applied for for "The Hippodrome".
The front of the building was painted in July 1987 in connection with the work going on to convert it into the Hippodrome night club (opened August 1987). At the same time steel shutters were put up on the front entrance of the Futurist.
The Hippodrome reopened as Baraka (Bar a/k/a).
Later it was called “X in the City”, described as a “Gentleman’s Club” (in reality a Lap-Dancing establishment). This was closed in October 2015 (and moved to Wood Street) following the proposal to demolish most of that side of Lime Street.
Original research by Philip G Mayer.
Update:
The Scala was demolished towards the end of January 2017.
Let's hear it for the Scala.
After all the publicity given to the Futurist, it's worth mentioning that the interior of the Scala is probably more-or-less intact.
www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/2169762948/in/photolis...
Both cinemas suffered blast damage in the War,
www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/28841513815/in/photost...
which resulted in the facade of the Scala being "shaved" clean.
The Scala was a purpose-built cinema designed by Essex & Goodman of Birmingham (the house-architects for Sol Levy, the owner), and W Aubrey Thomas of Liverpool (the architect of the Royal Liver Building). It was built by B Cromwell Ltd. The "date of notice" to build was 6 April 1915. It was recorded that "work started" on 29 November 1915 (but it must have been earlier), and was "signed-off" on 2 February 1916. The estimated cost of the building was £14,000. There were 628 seats, which included the balcony.
The Scala opened on 31 January 1916. The first films were "John Glayde's Honour" starring Aubrey Smith, plus "A Chip Off the Old Block". The latter film starred the 10 year old son of Maurice Costello, hence the brother of Dolores & Helene Costello who both found fame in Hollywood.
The Scala (Liverpool) Ltd was formed to operate the cinema. Two of the directors were Sol Levy and E Haigh. Vivian Van Damm was the Licensee and general manager of the cinema from its opening. (Mr Van Damm became the manager of the famous Windmill Theatre in London's Soho when it opened in June 1931 until his death in December 1960).
In 1920 there were plans to build a much larger cinema on the site of the Scala and the property next door. The new cinema would extend up to the Vines public house. The plans were drawn up by Essex & Goodman of Birmingham, and Fraser & Dalton of Liverpool. The new cinema was to have a total of 1562 seats, 807 in the Pit, 362 in the Dress Circle and 330 in the Upper Circle. A new company was formed, the Greater Scala (Liverpool) Ltd. The new cinema was never built, but the controlling company of the Scala ever after was called the Greater Scala (Liverpool) Ltd, despite the fact that the cinema was the same size it had always been.
The Lime Street Picture House was taken over by the Levy Circuit in 1920, and was renamed the Futurist.
The Scala was the first cinema in Liverpool to show Talking Pictures. These were De Forrest Phonofilms (short films), and were first seen on 26 August 1927.
RCA Photophone sound equipment was installed.
There was an official count of the seating capacity in 1931 which revealed that there was a total of 664 seats, 462 in the stalls, and 202 in the circle. The Licensee at that date was Leonard Norman Rowley. He became the manager (by the mid 1930s. By 1931?), and was to stay at the Scala for at least 20 years. He was the manager of the King's Hall in Anfield from 1914. It was the first cinema he managed. Later he was the manager at the Plaza, Allerton when it opened in 1928.
Councillor Alfred Levy acquired sole control of the Scala on 20 February 1936. He had previously been a co-director of the cinema, along with Alderman E Haigh, Mr A Williams, Mr H M Romain, & Mr T Griffiths.
Damaged by enemy action. Reopened 1941.
A new canopy was put up in 1950, and in 1950/51 the front elevation was modernised.
8 June 1962 redecorated throughout.
The Levy circuit was taken over by ABC.
Renamed ABC Scala on 5 January 1968. There were then 550 seats.
Following the tripling of the ABC (ex Forum) over the road, in 1982, the Scala and the Futurist (next door) were closed. The Scala closed on 24 August 1982 with Clint Eastwood in "Firefox". The seating capacity was then 550, but only 49 people turned up to see the last film (at £2 per head).
In February 1987 the first floor and the roof were wrecked by fire in a suspected arson attack. At the time the building was undergoing conversion and was due to reopen as a fun pub called "Cheers".
In March 1987 a new "Sold" sign was on the building, and a note pinned to the door said that a Music, Singing & Dancing licence had been applied for for "The Hippodrome".
The front of the building was painted in July 1987 in connection with the work going on to convert it into the Hippodrome night club (opened August 1987). At the same time steel shutters were put up on the front entrance of the Futurist.
The Hippodrome reopened as Baraka (Bar a/k/a).
Later it was called “X in the City”, described as a “Gentleman’s Club” (in reality a Lap-Dancing establishment). This was closed in October 2015 (and moved to Wood Street) following the proposal to demolish most of that side of Lime Street.
Original research by Philip G Mayer.
Update:
The Scala was demolished towards the end of January 2017.