Tag Archives: 1929

Majestic Cinema

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Cinema that was at Mitcham Fair Green, on the corner of Upper Green East and the original St Marks Road. It opened Friday 6th October, 1933.

Photo from mid-1970s by Eric Montague. Reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society.

1951 OS map, reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY

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.

It became the 4th of 5 Majestic cinemas.

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 CINEMA

Plans 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

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.

8th October 1933

6th October 1933

13th 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

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

See also Cinema Treasures

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.

Century Road

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So named as it was built at the turn of the 19th to 20th century.
From Council minutes, on 12th October 1899 building approved by Geo. Pitt for a new road called Century Road with 22 cottages.

This road no longer exists and the site now has flats on the Belgrave Walk estate.

Contents
Photos
Occupants
Maps
Stories
War Connections

Photos

These photos were taken by Eric Montague in 1973, and are reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society.

Maps

These Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY.

1953 OS map

1953 OS map

1910 OS Map

1910 OS Map

Occupants from street directories

1911

1, James Thomas PEPPER shopkeeper
2, Mrs CRESSWELL
3, Walter COOMBER
5, Mrs BROADBRIDGE
6, James PAYN
7, George PALMER
8, Anthony CROSSLEY
9, Mrs M. F. CHOULER
10, William WILKS
11, John PROCTOR
12, Mrs REEVES
13, Henry BRYANT
14, George W. CLARE

1925

1, James KIDDELL, grocer
2, Edward KENNETT
3, John Samuel HORNEGOLD
4, George KNIGHT
5, Richard ABREHART
6, John Edward HILLIARD
7, George C. PALMER
8, Fred WOLTON
9, Francis PENDERGAST
10, Cornelius PARKER
11, James B. WOODS
12, Charles WELLER
13, James BRYANT
14, Edward FIELD

Stories

Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 08 April 1926

MITCHAM DOG OWNERS FINED
Sarah KNIGHT, Century-road, Mitcham, and Doris SANDS, Whyteleafe Hill-road, Mitcham, were fined 5s. each at Croydon on Wednesday for keeping dogs without licenses,

Dog licences were 7s 6d., and were for all dogs except for dogs under six months old, dogs kept solely for tending sheep or cattle on a farm or kept by shepherds, or for those kept for guiding blind persons. Certificates of exemption may be obtained from a petty sessional court for dogs kept solely for these purposes.

Daily Herald – Thursday 28 November 1929

TWO INJURED IN EXPLOSION

Two men were hurt when explosion occurred at experimental kiln on piece of waste ground facing Century-road, Mitcham, yesterday. Fire broke out following the explosion, and firemen were engaged all the afternoon and part the evening in putting out the blaze. The kiln was established a few month ago by the Coal Pulverising Company for experimenting in producing a new smokeless fuel.

From the Mitcham News & mercury, 14th April 1950

Mitcham Will Have Two May Queens Again

THERE will again be two Mitcham May Queens.

Sixteen-years-old Betty CURTIS, Century-road, hopes to-morrow (Saturday) will bring a cloudless, windless, bright and shining morn. Deidre Claydon wants the good weather on May 6.

Betty has been chosen by the Mitcham Merrie England Society as their queen. She was elected in July last year in Beddington Park, by the London organiser of Merrie England, Mrs. L. Atkins. Deidre is candidate-elect of the Mitcham May Festival Society. She was chosen by ballot at the A.G.M. of the Society. Both girls were the Prince Charmings of 1949.

A procession round the Cricket-green begins at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Coronation (Betty’s) takes place at 3 p.m. on the Green. Daphne Duke, sixteen-years-old London May Queen does the crowning and fifty Mitcham children will take part. Band of the 4th East Surrey (Mitcham Methodist) Company, the Boys’ Brigade will supply the music.

While rival Deidre is being crowned by the Mayor of Mitcham on the same Green on May 6, Betty will represent Mitcham under the “Merrie England Festival” scheme in a procession of London May Queens on Hayes Common.

Helen Murphy (aged 15), Hatfield-gardens (Merrie England), and Lorna Tilley (May Festival Society), will be the respective Prince Charmings.

Earlier this week Mrs. Kathleen Williams and last year’s Merrie England Queen, Dorothy Smith, put finishing touches to eighteen new lavender dresses and hats for the children. Some children will wear last year’s dresses.

After Betty’s crowning, Mitcham children taking part will entertain seventy children from the London groups of Merrie England to tea at the British Legion Hall.

A letter to the Evening News (London) – Tuesday 06 May 1952

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

I HAVE completed more than thirty years’ service as a night worker. Between 1907 and 1920 I spent six-and-a-half years on night duty as a police constable, then I did sixteen years in a factory (with a break of two years), working ten hours a night, seven nights a week. I have spent the last eight years as a night watchman — twelve hours a night — and am still at the job.

F. WOLTON,
Century-road, Mitcham.

From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 6th July 1962
‘NEW’ ROAD HAS BROKEN FLAGSTONES

FOR three years tenants of Century Road, Mitcham, the road known for being “unwanted,” have been campaigning for better conditions. Now they are wondering if they have benefited from the new road recently laid by Mitcham Council.

At the beginning of last year tenants were complaining of “giant slugs and prehistoric beetles” climbing up the walls. The road was full of puddles like swamps and a breeding ground for germs, claimed one tenant at the time.

A spokesman for Leonard Davey and Hart, Fair Green, agents for the landlord of Century Road, said then that there were no plans for making up the road or for the Council to take it over.

The feeling amongst tenants was that neither the landlord nor Mitcham Council wanted the road.

But a fortnight ago Mitcham Council completed laying a proper road with a pavement. The fourteen houses in the road, which were built in 1900, were also given a coat of paint.

Now one of the tenants, Mr. Henry HORNEGOLD, says that already 18 flagstones have been broken. He suspects heavy vehicles are responsible and has complained to the Council about it.

War Connections

Lance Sergeant Frederick PARKER

Unit: 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Death: Killed in action on 26 January 1915, aged 25.
He is recorded in the 1911 Census as living at 9 Century Road with his mother, Ellen, and his stepfather, Police Sergeant Herbert Bowles. Although he was already serving in the army and stationed at the Isle of Wight Barracks at times, this was his family’s home address during that period.
Memorial Status: His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial. He is also commemorated on a specific brass plaque within Mitcham Parish Church.

World War II casualty:

Thomas Gordon Palmer (Civilian)
Death: Died on 3 August 1944, aged 45.
He was a resident of 7 Century Road
Details: He was a Fire Guard and died at 123 Pendle Road during the war. As a civilian casualty of WWII, his name is recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission registers.

Minutes of meetings held by the Croydon Rural District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.