Cornwall Cinema Gazetteer

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SALTASH

Gone but not forgotten:        Imperial Picture House

The Imperial Picture House was operated by Imperial Animated Pictures at the old Guildhall in Fore Street.  The name was just a fancy title for the local family firm of John Henry Quick & Son.  The plans indicate the operating box would be placed in the old gallery and says the following: "Operating Box to be wood framed structure inside lined with No.24 SWG mild steel sheeting fastened to same with round headed screws.  The whole to be fixed in centre of gallery and smoke proof from the main hall - 2.3.1916" The proscenium width was only 15ft.  BTH - British Thomson Houston sound was installed.  The cinema met its end along with many of Plymouth's cinemas, just over the Tamar, in April 1941.  The air raid totally destroying the building

Gone but not forgotten:        Regal

A major town like Saltash did not wish to wait long for a replacement cinema.  Plans were submitted on 1st December 1943 for a long narrow hall with seating for 282 in stalls and balcony.  A stage was to be included.  Not surprisingly nothing came of this plan. However a more successful attempt was made after hostilities ceased when plans for a "Temporary Cinema" were drawn up by 8th December 1947.  The site of the Regal cinema was 69-74 Fore Street.  The site faced south with a car park set behind a row of 4 shops, of simple single storey construction.  These plans placed the cinema and entrance to the left of the shops. Revised plans prepared on 6th August 1948 revises the layout to place the entrance block to the right of the shops with the addition of a nice mini tower.  The site was set slightly back from the existing buildings in Fore Street and the shops can still be seen today, but modified.  To overcome the shortage of supplies the proposals came up with a cheap method of construction for the auditorium.  They would use a Standard Romney Hut (like a large nissen hut).  This gave the building a curved appearance both inside and out.  The proscenium also had to be curved due to the huts shape allowing a screen 14' by 10'. Opening in 1950 with BTH, British Thomson Houston sound and 458 seats on a single floor, the cinema was operated by Regal Cinema (Saltash) Ltd.  The temporary cinema was never replaced and eventually closed 05.07.75.  An office block now stands on the site.

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