Devon Cinema Gazetteer

Go to... Appledore Ashburton Axminster Bampton Barnstaple Bere_Alston Bideford Bovey_Tracey Bradninch Braunton Brayford Brixham Buckfastleigh Budleigh_Salterton Chagford Colyton Coombe_Martin Crediton Croyde Cullompton Dartmouth Dawlish Devonport Exeter Exmouth Georgeham Harrowbeer Hartland Hemyock Holsworthy Honiton Hope_Cove Ilfracombe Instow Ivybridge Kingsbridge Lynton Milltown Morchard_Bishop Moretonhampstead Newton_Abbot Okehampton Ottery_St_Mary Paignton Parracombe Plymouth Plympton Princetown Salcombe Seaton Sidmouth South_Molton Tavistock Teignmouth Tiverton Topsham Torquay Torrington Totness Uffcombe Woolacombe Woolfordisworthy(Woolsery)

BRAUNTON

Cinema

The Parish Hall Chaloners Road became a cinema in the mid-1920s under Mr J L Penny.  The operation was taken over by Mr S E Reynolds of the Empire Ilfracombe and in 1931 by Mr George Drake who would build its replacement, the Plaza in 1935.  It is possible that the elegant extended frontage may date from the time of the cinema operation, as behind the facade is basically a village hall, as it is today.

Plaza

This lovely facade is about all that remains of the Plaza cinema.  The block that stands held the foyer and projection box.  The auditorium has been demolished. Built by Mr George A Drake to replace the Parish Hall, it seated 492 in a simple rectangular hall that used a natural slop as rake.  Opened around 1935, the projection box was over the foyer.  The architects were Friend & Kelly LRIBA of Barnstaple.  The auditorium was at 45 degree angle to Exeter Road on a single level.  The proscenium was 25' wide and originally had Brown sound, replaced with BTH after the war, when it was taken over by R & RJ Long, who continued to run the cinema until closure on   12.09.1964 with Crimson Pirate.  Films may however have been shown from time to time after this date.   The stage was 15' 6" wide.

Gone but not forgotten:        Cinema No.1

Mr Tiller is said to have operated a cinema on the back of a lorry on a site known as Perryman's Field from around 1920 to 1926  The site is now occupied by Caenfield Shopping Precinct, Caen Street.

Gone but not forgotten:        Cinema No.2

Mr Tiller built a tin building on Chaloners Road which operated as a cinema from around 1926 until it was replaced by a garage.  The site is now Cross Tree Centre.  Seating was on benches.

Gone but not forgotten:        Cinema No.3

Mr Tiller's final operation was in the ex-servicemens hall in the Agricultural Inn.

com