Wembley’s Majestic Cinema – Part 2

Part 2 of Local History Post by Tony Royden and Philip Grant:

1.The Exterior of the Majestic Cinema, just before its opening, in original black & white and colourised.
(“Kinematograph Weekly”, 17 January 1929 – original image courtesy of the British Library)

 

Welcome back to the second part of the Majestic Cinema’s story. If you missed Part 1, you can find it HERE. In this article, some of the original black and white photographs have been colourised, using AI, to help show the splendour of this ‘super cinema’.

 

By December 1928, the builder’s hoardings had been removed and Wembley’s new super cinema was in full resplendent view. Passers-by would stop in awe at the new “majestic” building: The architects, Field and Stewart, had erected a handsome frontage constructed of Luton grey facing bricks and Atlas white stone dressings. At the heart of the structure, rising elegantly to the top of the building, was a gleaming copper dome, held aloft by a drum of Atlas stone columns, inset with stylish bay windows. Extended over the main entrance was a striking bronze canopy, shining warmly under carefully crafted lighting. At sunset, the entire façade could be seen bathed in floodlights. The intricate frieze, the sweeping cornice and decorative pillars were highlighted by a subtle, yet dazzling light effect – it was a sight to behold.

 

On 14 December the “Wembley News” carried a half-page advertisement, announcing: ‘In a few weeks’ time the Wembley Majestic will be opened, and the public will be able to visit this veritable Wonder Cinema, where they will be provided with absolutely the most up-to-date and best that can be offered in the world of entertainment.’

 

2.From a full-page advertisement in the “Wembley News”, 11 January 1929.
(Brent Archives – local newspaper microfilms)

 

Four weeks later, on the morning of the Majestic’s grand opening, a full-page advertisement appeared in the Wembley News, which carried the headline ‘A Real Cinema for Wembley at last’. We can only speculate what the owners of the existing Wembley Hall Cinema, and the Elite Cinema (located in the former British Empire Exhibition Conference Hall in Raglan Gardens - now Empire Way – which had only opened in March 1928), thought about that headline! But they would soon have a chance to find out how popular their new competitor was.

 

What happened regarding the cinema chain which had plans to open own their ‘super cinema’ directly across the road from the Majestic? We know planning permission was granted and bricks were delivered onsite to start construction ... but they were simply too slow. The Majestic’s lightning pace from conception to completion, in just 12 months, won the race and it’s safe to assume that the cinema chain must have got cold feet and abandoned their plans. The derelict land where they had intended to build (at the corner of the High Road and Park Lane) went on to become high street shops, with a bank on the corner itself.

 

The Majestic’s opening night, on Friday 11 January 1929, was by invitation only, but enough invitations had been sent out to fill its 2,000 seats. The guest of honour was Isodore Salmon, the Conservative M.P. for the Harrow Division of Middlesex (which included Wembley), who was also Managing Director of his family’s catering business, J. Lyons & Co. He and his wife sat alongside another leading local figure, Titus Barham, accompanied by his wife, Florence. Other invitees included all the members of Wembley Urban District Council and many of the local clergy.

 

3.Photo of Mrs R.H. Powis from the 18 January 1929 “Wembley News” supplement. (Brent Archives)

 

After the playing of the National Anthem, the lights lowered and the evening’s programme commenced with a showing of a pre-recorded film. Appearing on screen was Mrs R.H. Powis (wife of the Chairman) arriving by car outside the Majestic, where she was presented with a key to unlock the ornamental bronze doors. On entering, the film cut to inside the auditorium and to Mrs Powis on stage, declaring the Majestic Cinema open. At that moment, the screen went up, the stage lights came on and there was Mrs Powis in person to finish her opening address (wearing the same attire that she had worn in the film). This was met by rapturous applause from the audience who marvelled at this piece of technical showmanship – and it may have been enjoyed even more than anticipated as the film had, perhaps by accident, been shown at double speed, so that it resembled a slapstick comedy!

 

 

4.Mr and Mrs Powis and the stage party at the opening of the Majestic Cinema, 11 January 1929.
(From the “Wembley News” supplement, 18 January 1929, at Brent Archives)

 

With the audience in the palm of her hand, Mrs Powis spoke enthusiastically about the immense local support there had been for the Majestic Cinema project and what an honour it had been for her personally to have opened it. She invited the audience to absorb the splendour of the surroundings, expressing that it was a building they could be proud of. She hoped the residents of Wembley would appreciate all that had been done for them, and trusted that they too would come and patronise the theatre when the doors opened to the public.

 

Mrs Powis then introduced her husband (Chairman of the Majestic Cinema) who delivered a much longer speech. He started by praising the enterprise of his ten fellow directors (also present on stage) who had been willing to risk their money in this local cinema venture. The building, of which they were immensely proud, had cost around £100,000 (approximately £5.5million in today’s money), and no expense had been spared in its making (although, by way of contradiction, he said that he ‘had to be the drag to prevent them from spending too much money’). Also appearing on stage were the two local architects, Messrs Field and Stewart, happy to take a bow when introduced, for they had designed a building which truly did live up to the ‘Majestic’ name. Mr Powis then praised the builders, W.E. Greenwood and Son, who had worked tirelessly, and had engaged seventy-five percent of the labour locally. The beautiful scheme of decoration throughout the auditorium, which engulfed the audience, was Mr Greenwood’s concept, with the work carried out to his designs.

 

5.Two views of the Majestic Cinema’s interior designs, one of which has been colourised.
(From the “Wembley News” supplement, 18 January 1929)

 

6.Another colourised view of the cinema’s interior designs.
(“Kinematograph Weekly supplement”, 2 May1929 – original image courtesy of the British Library)

 

In an article published in the “Kinematograph Weekly” on 17 January 1929, there was lavish praise for Mr Greenwood’s ‘unique’ and ‘beautiful decorative scheme’. The décor was described as being ‘upon atmospheric lines’ and ‘in the Italian renaissance style’. It continued by saying: ‘The patron looks out onto a beautiful Italian garden. The rich colour-scheme employed is at once restful and pleasing to the eye. The views of mountains, trees and temples on the side walls are in relief, and their application is remarkable for the sense of real depth conveyed to the patron. The various effects achieved by Mr. Greenwood called for much ingenuity and imagination. The whole of the ceiling is made to represent an Italian sky, and is unbroken by ventilating grids or lighting fixtures.’ The Majestic was hailed as being 'the most satisfactory form of the "atmospheric" type of picture theatre yet erected in England. '

 

7.Colourised view of the Majestic’s auditorium, as viewed from the stage.
(“Kinematograph Weekly”, 17 January 1929 – original image courtesy of the British Library)

 

Most of the auditorium’s lighting was provided from the front of the balcony, as described in “The Bioscope”, 12th June 1929: ‘The floodlights employed were concealed under the auditorium balcony. The front of the balcony was divided into 16 different sections, each section being glazed with specially diffusing glass panels.’ A remarkable feature of the lighting was that there were no notable shadows.

  

Another innovative design was used for ventilation: ‘Air is introduced into the building by a series of louvres, which are practically invisible behind decorative features which harmonise with the surroundings, and is extracted through thousands of minute holes in the barrel roof, which are also invisible.’ The painted plasterwork bushes of the Italian garden theme also hid the grilles through which music from the cinema’s John Compton Kinestra organ was played.

 

8.A 1929 advertisement for the John Compton Kinestra organ. (Image from the internet)

 

As part of the opening night’s entertainment, the audience were treated to an organ recital, “In a Monastery Garden”, played by Mr Davies on a Kinestra organ like the one pictured above. There were also performances by a number of variety acts including; The Six Ninette Girls, The Plaza Boys, Jade Winton and The Famous Australs – all backed by the wonderful music of the Majestic orchestra, conducted by J. Samehtini. After a showing of a current newsreel, the evening concluded with a screening of the 1928 British-made detective film, “Mademoiselle Parley Voo”.  The opening ceremony was declared a huge success by all who attended.

 

So what did the Majestic have to offer? From the early days of its conception, the Chairman and his fellow directors wanted to be able to bring live West End performances to Wembley (along with the latest film releases) and they were now set to accommodate the grandest of stage productions. The Majestic was built with a 50-foot-wide fully equipped stage, twelve dressing rooms for the artistes (six on either side of the stage – female on one side, male on the other), a musical director's room, a boardroom and an orchestra pit in front of the stage.

 

9.The original Ground Floor plan for the Majestic Cinema. (Brent Archives – Wembley plans microfilm 3474)

 

In the original planning application, the floor plans show the main auditorium was to have 1192 seats, with a further 432 seats located in the “Grand Tier” (or balcony) making a total of 1624 – but with subsequent applications, this was increased to near 2000, making it substantially larger than many West End theatres. The whole of the seating and furnishing had been carried out by Maples & Co, a long-established and successful company, expert in cinema work. The seats were comfortable and every seat gave a perfect view of the stage and screen.

 

The High Road entrance to the Majestic led to an octagonal lobby that was known as a “Crush Hall”. This had an imposing dome above it (not to be confused with the roof dome visible from the outside), which was expertly painted with light, airy clouds and cleverly illuminated by concealed lights. The hall included a pay-box, chocolate kiosk and a side-entrance to a 120-seat café (with the café’s main entrance from the High Road). The hall extended into a large foyer where two ‘handsome staircases leading to the balcony’ could be found, along with the entrance into the auditorium.

 

10.The Majestic Cinema’s café.
(“Kinematograph Weekly”, 17 January 1929 – image courtesy of the British Library)

 

 

On the first floor, above the café and shops, was the Majestic Ballroom: Measuring 107 ft. long and 30 ft. wide, it could comfortably accommodate 500 dancers. In an article published in the “Kinematograph Weekly” on 17 January 1929, the ballroom was praised for being ‘one of the finest apartments of its kind in the provinces’. Its decorative treatment was carried out on classical lines and its comfortable ‘"Pollodium" cane furniture was manufactured by Edward Light & Company Ltd. The ballroom was self-contained, with its own lounge, retiring room and dressing rooms.

 

11.A colourised view of the Majestic Cinema’s ballroom.
(“Kinematograph Weekly”, 17 January 1929 – original image courtesy of the British Library)

 

As well as having all the amenities of a classic movie theatre, the Majestic also had a second floor, known as the “Mezzanine Floor”, where a luxurious lounge could be found – directly under the roof's dome. Natural light would have permeated from the circle of bay windows beneath the dome and we can only imagine how spectacular the views must have been (especially as Wembley was not as built-up an area at that time, and there would still be some open fields and countryside to observe).

 

At the end of the opening night’s extravaganza, around one thousand of the cinema’s guests, who had remained until the entertainment programme finished at 11pm, were invited to a reception in the ballroom. They were treated to a banquet of food and drink, and there was dancing to the music of Mr Samehtini’s cinema orchestra. An exhibition was also given of “Modern Ballroom Dancing” (as described in his 1927 book of that name by Victor Silvester, whose father, the Vicar of St John the Evangelist Church at the other end of the High Road, had been a guest that evening). The celebration of the Majestic’s first night went on until 1am on the Saturday morning.

 

Wembley’s Majestic Cinema had opened, but would it be a success, and why can’t we see it now in the High Road? To find out the answers, join us next weekend for the final part of our story!

 

Tony Royden and Philip Grant.

Dua Lipa Concerts tomorrow and Saturday - road closures from 3pm. Parking restrictions 8am to midnight on main roads and 10am to midnight on residential roads

 From Brent Council 

Wembley Stadium will be hosting Dua Lipa concerts on Friday 20 June and Saturday 21 June.

Please read below to see how this might affect you.

Timings

 

- Dua Lipa Concerts on 20 June and 21 June start at 7pm and road closures will be in place from 3.00pm.

We expect the area around Wembley Stadium to be very busy before and after this event so please avoid the area if you can, unless you have a ticket for the event.

Event day parking

Event day parking restrictions will be in place from 8am to midnight on main roads and from 10am to midnight on residential roads on Friday 20 June and Saturday 21 June.

If you have a paper permit, please make sure you clearly display it in your vehicle. If you have an electronic permit, you do not need to display this.

Nearly 100 years ago plans were put forward for a 'Super Cinema' in Wembley: The Wembley's Majestic Cinema Story - Part 1

Local History Post by Tony Royden and Philip Grant.

1.The Majestic’s front elevation drawing, from the 1928 planning application.

 

Today there are multiple ways we can view films; at the cinema, on free-to-air television, blu-ray, DVD or the many streaming platforms which we can even watch on our smartphones. But 100 years ago it was a very different story. The cinema was the only place for the public to go, which they did in their thousands to see the latest releases. Back then, the cinema (or ‘Picture House’, which popularised the colloquial expression “going to the pictures”), would have shown black-and-white silent movies, accompanied by incidental music being played live on a piano, or sometimes by a small orchestra.

 

Wembley got its first cinema in 1915, when a former roller-skating rink at the corner of the High Road and Cecil Avenue was roofed over and converted to the Wembley Hall Cinematograph Theatre. It had around 500 seats and offered continuous showing of “animated pictures” in the evenings, with matinees on Wednesday (the early closing day for Wembley’s shops) and Saturday afternoons.

 

2.Wembley Hall Cinema advert and postcard, both from c.1920.

 

By the 1920s, Wembley was a fast-growing suburb of London, thanks to the British Empire Exhibition (which brought in millions of visitors) and an attractive “Metroland” marketing campaign encouraging people to make it their home – a far cry from the crowded and dirty centre of the capital. Residents were looking forward to having a cinema with more than the very basic facilities of the Wembley Hall, and when a large cinema chain put up a signboard in 1926, on a piece of land at the corner of the High Road and Park Lane, promising that a ‘super cinema’ would be built there, it seemed that they would soon have one.

 

3.Looking west along Wembley High Road in the 1920s. (Brent Archives – Wembley History Society Colln.)

 

Two years passed, and despite the signboard still being displayed, no building work had begun. Thankfully, two Wembley men were chatting on the pavement, and one declared: ‘If they are not going to build a cinema, it’s about time we had one.’ That man was R.H. Powis, a County Councillor and public works contractor with offices at 12 Neeld Parade (Wembley Triangle). Powis’ vision of a Super Cinema was one that incorporated shops, café and ballroom and he wasted no time in gathering a group of local businessmen together, to form a company that would actually undertake the work to build it.

 

4.Photo of R.H. Powis from the 18 January 1929 “Wembley News” supplement. (Brent Archives)

 

Powis was no stranger to championing large entertainment projects, as he had been a leading figure in organising Wembley’s staging of an Elizabethan scene, involving over 2,000 local residents, for the Pageant of Empire at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924 (taking a starring role himself, as Sir Francis Drake!). He became the Chairman, and other investor/directors included Charles Aldridge, who had a confectionery shop at 5 Neeld Parade, and E.C. Mitchell, whose bakery business was at 112-114 High Road. With a formidable local team assembled they named the company The Wembley Majestic Theatre Ltd (because their vision was for a super theatre of grandeur that would be nothing short of majestic), and the ball was rolling.

 

First, they needed a site on which to build the cinema, and again local contacts were useful. Another leading supporter of Wembley’s part in the Pageant of Empire was the district’s Medical Officer, Dr Charles Goddard. He was currently raising money for the new Wembley Hospital, and was a trustee of the charity which owned the original Cottage Hospital, built with money donated by Anne Copland in 1871. This Victorian building, which had become a private house called “Elmwood”, was located on the High Road, next door to the then recently-built Post Office (currently “The Robin” gastropub). It had been rented to a local builder, James Comben, of Comben & Wakeling Ltd, but now it was vacant and available to buy!

 

5.“Elmwood” in the 1920s. (Both images from the “Wembley News” supplement)

 

By coincidence, “Elmwood” was directly across the road from where the original ‘super cinema’ signboard was placed on derelict land two years previously and where the cinema chain had promised to build their cinema – the location of which was to play a significant role for what was about to happen.

  

6.The Majestic Cinema site location plan, from an original planning application drawing.
(Brent Archives – Wembley plans microfilm 3474)

 

Next, Powis and his fellow directors needed architects for the new building, and as the cinema was being built with local money, they chose two local men for this assignment. J. Field and H.J. Stewart were a firm practicing from a private house at 2 Christchurch Avenue, near Ealing Road. They submitted their plans to Wembley Urban District Council on 6 February 1928, and these were approved by the Council’s Surveyor two days later!

 

7.J. Field and H.J. Stewart, the Majestic Cinema’s architects. (From the “Wembley News” supplement)

 

8.Field and Stewart’s main drawing for the cinema. (Brent Archives – Wembley plans microfilm 3474)

 

The contract for building the cinema was put out to tender, and the directors received thirty bids. They gave the work to W.E. Greenwood & Son Ltd, who had offered the second lowest price, on condition that they began work the following morning (which they did). This company was quite local (based at Mordaunt Road in Harlesden), and had the advantage that W.E. Greenwood himself was a specialist in interior design, which was to be a feature of the cinema.

9.Work in progress on the Majestic Cinema, around June 1928. (From the “Wembley News” supplement)

 

Work went ahead at pace, and by the middle of 1928 the people of Wembley could see their new “super cinema” rising from behind the hoardings, opposite the southern end of Park Lane. Meanwhile, across the road, bricks had arrived on the derelict land for the original two-year promised ‘super cinema’ to commence their construction. Worrying times for Mr Powis and the company’s directors, but they were not deterred. They stepped up construction, working day and night, determined to win the race for Wembley’s first super cinema. But an unforeseen delay was just around the corner.

 

10.Looking out from inside the future auditorium towards the back of the cinema site, around August 1928.
(From the “Wembley News” supplement)

 

Beyond the elegant frontage, the Majestic’s auditorium had a lightweight steel structured roof, covered with roofing felt fixed to wooden sheets. On a hot Monday afternoon, 20 August 1928, while this was being installed, the roof suddenly caught fire. Luckily Wembley’s volunteer fire brigade, with its fire station located nearby on St John’s Road, just behind the Town Hall, was quickly on the scene, just two minutes after the alarm was raised, to extinguish the flames before the fire had caused any damage to the steelwork.

 

11.The fire on the roof of the Majestic Cinema, August 1928, with the Post Office building on the right.
(Brent Archives)

 

The fire was a minor setback and although there was £200 worth of damage (which is approximately £11,000 in today’s money) it did not delay the work on the cinema. By the autumn people passing the site could see the front of the building taking shape.  At street level there were three shops available for letting and stretching across the whole width of the first floor were the windows of an imposing ballroom. But what they couldn’t see was the spectacular interior of the cinema itself, which was being skilfully crafted by decorative artist, John Bull, to W.E. Greenwood’s designs … they would have to wait until the Majestic Cinema opened to the public in January 1929 for the big reveal.

 

12.The front of the Majestic Cinema nearing completion. (From the “Wembley News” supplement)

 

You will only have to wait until next weekend, for Part 2, to see pictures of the Majestic’s interior, so join us then! We can assure you that it is worth waiting for.

Tony Royden and Philip Grant.

 

 

 

Brent Council to lease out King Edward VII Park bowling green for 10 years. Representations to be made by June 5th.

 

The red star marks the bowling green

 Brent Council announced in the Brent and Kilburn Times that it is to grant a 10 year lease on a Brent public open space, the former bowling green in King Edward VII Park, Park Lane, Wembley. The green has not been used for more than a decade and the bowling green club pavilion has been occupied by property guardians.

Residents can make objections or representations no later than 12pm on June 5th.

I understand that the lease is for the use of a local community group that responded to a request for expressions of interest late last year. It includes the bowling green and the pavilion on the site - centre left in the image above (not the pavilion in the centre of the park ear-marked for development by Stonebridge Boxing Club - they are still seeking funding).

The name of the community group cannot be disclosed until the lease is signed.

 

 

St. Raphael's Estate Mourns: A Community Shattered by Unimaginable Loss

 The St Raphael's community in happier times celebrating the Queen's Jubilee

 

Guest post by Asif Zamir, St Raphs Legacy Project, St Raphael's Voice

The air on St. Raphael's Estate today hangs heavy with an unbearable sorrow. News travels fast in a close-knit community, but some news hits harder than others. Yesterday's devastating fire in St Raphs Estate which sits on the edge of the Stonebridge Ward close to Wembley, claimed the lives of a mother and her three beloved children, and has sent deep shockwaves of grief directly through the heart of St. Raphs.

"There are no words to ease such profound pain, but please know the community mourns with you", echoed the sentiments felt by countless residents. This isn't just a distant tragedy; it's a loss that strikes at the very core of who we are. Today, the St. Raphael's community lost a sister and three innocent children. The raw emotion, the disbelief, the sheer agony of it all is palpable on every street corner and every doorstep.

Residents are struggling to come to terms with the unthinkable. Conversations are hushed, faces are drawn, and tears flow freely. Many recall the happy memories of seeing the family around the estate, at the mosque and community centre their presence a familiar and cherished part of daily life. Now, that presence is gone, leaving an unfillable void. The laughter of children, the everyday greetings, the shared moments – all tragically cut short.

And the devastation doesn't end there. Our hearts also go out to the next-door neighbours, a family who also lost their home in this horrific blaze. Beyond the profound grief for those who perished, there is the added burden of displacement, of seeing one's sanctuary reduced to ashes. The emotional toll of such a loss, coupled with the immediate uncertainty of where to go and how to rebuild, is immense. The St. Raphael's community extends its deepest sympathy and unwavering support to all those now facing the daunting task of finding new shelter and piecing their lives back together.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family, whose world has been irrevocably shattered.

As a community, we stand together in this moment of profound sorrow. While we can't mend broken hearts, we can offer unwavering support, a listening ear, and a collective embrace. The devastation is immense, but the strength of the St. Raphael's community, in its shared grief and unwavering compassion, will undoubtedly shine through as we navigate these dark days together.

Have you seen muntjac deer in Kingsbury or Wembley? Passion Pictures would like to hear from you re London wildlife documentary

 

Muntjac deer in Chalkhill Open Space (Photo:  Jay Patel)

There have been confirmed sightings of muntjac deer in the ground of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove allotments and Chalkhill Open Space LINK. There have also been unconfirmed reports in Monks Park beside the River Brent.

The latter would require deer to use the tunnel beneath the railway line between North End Road and Brent River Trail.

You may not have seen then but heard them 'barking' LINK.

Passion Films have been in contact with Wembley Matters:  

We are Passion Pictures - an award-winning documentary film making company based here in London. We're making a film for BBC1 focusing on all the amazing wildlife and biodiversity that we can still see in the London area. 

I am aware you have seen muntjac deer in your area of Wembly - I would love to find out more about this!

How frequently you are seeing them and in what sorts of numbers.

Ideally we're looking for somewhere they are spotted regularly to film and ideally with some kind of urban back drop.

If you have seen muntjac in your area please give details in comments below or email:

nancyl@passion-pictures.com

 

Carey Group face £2.4m claim for alleged over-charging

 

The old Carey Group Office in Wembley

Anyone driving or taking the bus around the back of Wembley Stadium will be familiar with  acres of Carey Group plant, now much of it moved to Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire.

The company was started in 1969 by three Irish brothers and is now a huge multi-faceted company but still privately owned:

 

In 2023 Carey Group  owned T.E. Scudder Ltd was fined for colluding in illegal rigged bids for demolition and asbestos removal contracts. Ten firms were fined a total of nearly £60m. 

Now Circadian Limited, a Hong King based developer, has started a legal action against the Group alleging that it was over-charged £2.4m for demolition work at Lots Road Power Station in London.

The claim states, 'the Cartel Arrangements caused the price of construction services to be higher that they would have otherwise have been.'

The Carey Group have undertaken building work for Quintain Group and also own the Seneca waste processing plant in Wembley Park. They operate a charitable arm, the Carey Foundation and at one stage expressed interest in running the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre.

In September 2023  the Group made a profit of just £9m  after a loss of £38m the previous year.