Opened Friday 6th October, 1933.
Planning application no. 1768 for a cinema and cafe, was submitted by Majestic Theatre (Mitcham) Ltd., 151 Great Portland Street, W.1., as shown in the minutes of the Mitcham Urban District Council, page 731, volume XV, 1929-1930.
From the Kinematograph Weekly – Thursday 26 December 1929
Mitcham’s Super
Majestic Theatres Corporation Project
FOLLOWING the successful opening of the Majestic, Staines, preparations are being made by the Majestic Theatres Corporation, Ltd., of 151, Great Portland Street, W.1, to proceed with the erection of the new kinema at Mitcham, the architect of which is S. B. Pritlove, 6, Sherwood Street, W.l, who also planned the Staines hall.
The chairman of the proprietary company is W. E. Greenwood, the eminent decorative artist, who, as in the company’s other theatres, will be responsible for the decorative effects. The new hall will be on a corner site at the Fair Green, Mitcham, and will accommodate about 2,000 persons.
Newspaper articles from the Mitcham News and Mercury:
17th Feb 1933
MITCHAM’S NEW CINEMAPlans for Majestic Complete
The Majestic Cinema, at the Fair Green. Mitcham, is proceeding apace. The architect, Mr. S. B. Pritlove, L.R.I.B.A., of Denham-street. Piccadilly, has already got the plans and specifications completed, and next week the whole of the tenders for the work will have been let. A condition is that the contractors must begin operations within a week of accepting the tender.
The steel work contract has been let to Messrs. Dorman Long, the well-known Middlesbrough firm, who built the Sydney Bridge in Australia, one of the biggest undertakings of its kind in the world. The cinema is certain to be one of the smartest in the Metropolis when it is finished.
2nd March 1933
ORDERS PLACED
Messrs Dorman Long and Co. Ltd., have been awarded contracts for the supply and erection of the steel framework for two kinemas – the Ritz, Nottingham, and the Majestic, Mitcham.The steelwork for the Ritz amounts to 600 tons, and work is expected to start at the end of April.
The Majestic will contain 350 tons of steel.
17th March 1933
CINEMAS ON SUNDAY
APPLICATION FOR MAJESTIC, MITCHAM The Majestic (Theatre) Mitcham, Ltd., who are building the new super cinema, the Majestic, at the Fair Green, have applied to the Home Secretary for a draft order for Sunday opening.The matter will come before the Mitcham Urban District Council at their next meeting.
This raises the question locally of Sunday opening of cinemas, which, is nowadays agitating other districts.
12th May 1933
23rd June 1933
SUNDAY CINEMAS.
The application of Mitcham Council for an order under the Entertainments Act, based upon the decision of the recent public meeting, has been granted by the Home Secretary. This enables the Sunday opening of cinemas. The construction of the Majestic Cinema at the Fair Green is being pushed forward with all speed, and the roofing is nearing completion. It is confidently expected that the Cinema will the ready for opening by the end of September
7th July 1933
IT IS THE MAJESTIC.The Majestic Cinema is rapidly rising on the site opposite Mitcham Fair Green. The name “Majestic” seems very appropriate, for the building looms high and lofty in an important and busy area, and as far as one can judge it will be as imposing and handsome as any of the new buildings recently opened in the vicinity. When completed, the cinema, baths and library will each be calling for support at a distance of less than 150 yards apart. So we shall have the library for the mind, the baths for the body, and the cinema for the relaxation of both.
6th October 1933
13th October, 1933
13th October 1933
There were remarkable scenes in Mitcham last Friday evening, when Mitcham’s own cinema, the Majestic, was opened, a huge crowd assembling. Inset are (left to right) Ald. J. Chuter Ede, Mrs. Ede, Mr. Silverton Miles (manager), Lady Meller and Sir R.J. Meller, M.P., at the opening ceremony.
13th October, 1933
Newspaper Headlines
Date Headline Newspaper Page 12/05/1933 Sunday opening agreed to Mitcham News and Mercury 1 13/05/1933 Sunday cinemas at Mitcham Mitcham and Morden Guardian 10 20/05/1933 Mitcham Sunday Cinemas Mitcham and Morden Guardian 4 16/06/1933 Mitcham Vicar and Sunday Cinemas Mitcham and Morden Guardian 9 09/09/1933 Mitcham’s new Cinema Mitcham and Morden Guardian 5 15/09/1933 Official opening set Mitcham News and Mercury 1 30/09/1933 Mitcham’s new Cinema Mitcham and Morden Guardian 2 13/10/1933 Opening Mitcham News and Mercury 1 14/10/1933 The Majestic Theatre Mitcham and Morden Guardian 3 30/12/1933 1,500 Council School children entertained Mitcham and Morden Guardian 5 04/10/1951 Origin (letter) Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 4 11/10/1951 Origin (letter) Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 6 07/02/1958 Farewell day for the Majestic’s Mr Kaye Mitcham News and Mercury 8 04/04/1958 Meet the new cinema manager (Mr Cave) Mitcham News and Mercury 8 11/04/1958 Duke competition Mitcham News and Mercury 8 24/04/1958 They are shy of their Teddy Boy Suits Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 09/05/1958 Friendly manager Mitcham News and Mercury 8 06/06/1958 Gala show Mitcham News and Mercury 8 04/07/1958 Calling Marjorie Mitcham News and Mercury 8 10/10/1958 New manager Mitcham News and Mercury 8 30/10/1959 Rumour quashed Mitcham News and Mercury 1 30/06/1960 Majestic Cinema in £170,000 take over bid Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 03/08/1961 Future of Majestic Cinema in the balance Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 04/08/1961 No bingo at the Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 1 17/11/1961 Majestic cinema – no more films Mitcham News and Mercury 1 23/11/1961 Cinema turned over to big-time bingo Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 01/12/1961 Bingo comes to the Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 11 01/12/1961 Why Mrs Wood was last to leave Majestic Cinema Mitcham News and Mercury 11 15/12/1961 Majestic to be flats, shops? Mitcham News and Mercury 10 21/12/1961 Reopen Majestic, say Young Socialists Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 22/12/1961 Let town take over Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 1 29/12/1961 Majestic – talks are planned Mitcham News and Mercury 1 05/01/1962 Shops on Mitcham Majestic site Mitcham and Morden Guardian 1 15/03/1962 Majestic is going over to quizzes and wrestling Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 16/03/1962 Variety for Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 1 23/03/1962 Granada Theatres – a denial Mitcham News and Mercury 1 23/03/1962 Dancing school not affected and last game of bingo Mitcham News and Mercury 11 05/04/1962 Clickety click the V.S.A. Way Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser 1 06/04/1962 It’s American bingo now at the Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 1 18/05/1962 Pop singer Jerry pulls in crowds Mitcham News and Mercury 1 30/07/1971 Development plan rejected Mitcham News and Mercury 1 03/01/1975 It’s bye bye Bingo Mitcham News and Mercury 1 15/02/1975 Family cinema planned Mitcham News and Mercury 1 28/02/1975 Bingo’s days are numbered Mitcham News and Mercury 5 04/04/1975 Last minute Let Off for Majestic Mitcham News and Mercury 1 17/10/1975 Majestic’s bingo fans hear last call Mitcham News and Mercury 11 30/01/1976 Old cinema wrecked by vandals Mitcham News and Mercury 1 02/09/1977 Superstore plan for cinema Mitcham News and Mercury 15 04/11/1977 Firm plan for cinema site Mitcham News and Mercury 68 03/03/1978 Supermarket plan for Majestic site Mitcham News and Mercury 68
Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Urban District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.
Mitcham History Notes 