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[Steve Russell]

London’s Supreme Talkie Theatre – The Commodore, 395 King Street, Hammersmith

Located at 395 King Street, Hammersmith, the Commodore opened its doors in
September 1929.

The Cinema’s monthly publication announced that for June 1934, their ‘Big Picture Parade’
would commence on the fourth with the ‘Scotland Yard Mystery’. Starring Sir Gerald du Maurier
(cert. “A”), it was to run for seven days

The film was described as: ‘Presenting an unceasing supply of tense, dramatic situations, it tells
of a tremendous Life Insurance swindle unearthed by the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard’ and
went on to advise that it was ‘only for definitely unsqueamish patrons.’

Coupled with that was Jimmy Durante in ‘Meet the Baron’ (cert. “U”). ‘A hilarious mixture of
comedy, lilting musical numbers and spectacular scenes….’

Headlining a week later was ‘The Lady Killer’, (cert. “A”). Described as a ‘film within a film’,
Jimmy Cagney appeared as a motion picture star.

Also on the bill were, ‘Convention City’ (cert. “A”), starring Joan Blondell, plus a short animated
Walt Disney film, ‘Giantland’, which was an adaptation of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and featured
Mickey Mouse in the title role.

Next up on 18th June for seven days, was a film written by Noel Coward. Titled ‘Design for Living’,
(cert. “A”), it starred Fredric March, Gary Cooper and Miriam Hopkins.

The other film that week was, ‘Shadow of Sing-Sing’ (cert. “A”) and on stage for six of those days
were the ‘Commodore Broadcast Orchestra.’

Completing the month was ‘Son of Kong’, (cert. “A”), which was the follow-up to the hugely successful
‘King Kong’. ‘Goodbye Love’ (cert. “A”), was also on the bill and it featured Charlie Ruggles, Verree Teasdale
and Sidney Blackmer. It told the story of a butler posing as a wealthy English nobleman who ‘runs wild in
Atlantic City.’

Performing daily were Harry Davidson (‘something new at the organ’) and Joseph Muscant & his ‘world famous
Broadcast Orchestra.’

Admission prices from Monday to Friday, up to 5pm (holidays excepted), were 6d, 1/- and 1/6 up in the Circle,
whereas on Saturday and Sunday they ranged from 9d to 3/6.

The cinema closed in 1963 and the building was demolished in January 1982.

[Steve Russell]

Some comments from the 'You're Probably from W12 If...' that
I'm involved with...

Sandra Davies
I used to watch the wrestling there in the 60s.

Robert Hooke
Saturday Morning Pictures and on stage in a yo-yo competition.

Gordon Stephen
Remember the Commodore very well, mainly on my 7th birthday. Myself and street mate rushing across
the road to catch the trolleybus that was approaching in the distance when we were going to Saturday
Morning Pictures.

They gave you a present if it was your birthday, wouldn't allow a 7 year old nowadays ... sadly never
made it as a car hit me.. taken to Ducane Road Hospital but ok and discharged later that day.

The last time I was there was in 1965 for the Rolling Stones .. 'yep' the Commodore, a brilliant theatre.

Steve Davies
ABC minors Saturday

Karen Wenborn
My gran used to go there to play bingo..

Edna Jenkins
Used to go to Saturday Morning pictures there..

Marianne Sybil Cooper
I queued for ages with friend Christine to see the Wizard of Oz. Later her mum came & hoiked us out as
it got late. It was years before I saw it entirely.

Saw many other films there, also Roger Moore judging a beauty contest by chance.

[steveqpr881]

Was it later known as the ABC?
If so, I used to go to the Saturday morning pictures there, cause a bit of a commotion with some mates,
get chucked out then down to the Cosy Corner for a bag of chips.

[Steve Russell]

That one was located further up the road Steve.
Just found this....

'Designed by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) in-house architect William R. Glen, the Regal Cinema
replaced two earlier cinemas on the site (Blue Hall 1 and 2-Annexe).

It is a handsome theatre inside with seating for 1,283 in the stalls and 974 in the circle. It was equipped
with a Compton 2Manual/5Rank theatre organ that was opened by Gilbert Handley.

There was a stage and four large dressing rooms. The décor was simple, the main feature being a large
galleon on the splay wall either side of the screen and, typically for Glen, concealed trough lighting.

The Regal Cinema opened on 14th September 1936 with Clark Gable in “Wife vs Secretary” and Irene Dunne
in “Magnificent Obsession” plus a stage show.

The Regal Cinema was renamed ABC in 1964 and closed for tripling in March 1975. Reopening took place 25th May
with 662 seats in ABC 1 in the former circle, 414 seats and 213 seats in ABC’s 2 & 3 in the former stalls.

Later ABC 1 was twinned to become Screens 1 & 2, while ABC’s 2 & 3 became Screens 3 & 4.

Running the usual gamut of names of former ABC house’s lately, the cinema eventually became the UGC and is
now known as the Cineworld.

It appears to be prosperous with usually five screenings of each film per day starting from around mid-day.

In February 2016 it was announced that the Cineworld would close mid-April 2016 as the landlord had served
notice to vacate the building due to the King Street regeneration project, and it will be demolished.

It closed 14th April 2016 and was demolished in March 2017.'