National Cinema Day

The annual National Cinema Day aims to celebrate Cinematic art, and this year it is taking place on Saturday 3rd September. In honor of National Cinema Day, we are bringing you some of the forgotten cinematic history of Putney!

Photo by Mike Blakemore.
Available at: http://cinematreasures.org/

Putney Electric Cinema – Located on Upper Richmond Road, the Putney Electric Cinema opened in 1910 until 1929! In 1929, the cinema operated as an independently owned establishment and was re-named, ‘Globe Kinema.’ On September 21st 1968, the ‘Globe Kinema’ aired their last ever screening with the Japanese film, “Seven Samurai” directed by Akira Kurosawa. But this was not the end for a the cinema location, as the site was bought by the Compton Cinema Groups, where a new cinema, called, ‘Cine Club 24’ was opened in 1969. This cinema often screen uncensored films, which required a membership for admission; one of the first uncensored to be screened was Swedish Film, “As the Naked Wind From the Sea,” & though this film was not banned. The cinema closed it’s doors for a final time in 1976 and the cinema was demolished, however the site remained vacant for several years.

Photo by Mike Blakemore.
Available at: http://cinematreasures.org/

Before the Odeon… – The Odeon, located on Putney High Steert, is a well-known and loved Cinema, however the site holds some rich cinematic history, which is often overlooked. Before being home to the Odeon, the site opened it’s first cinema in 1907, known as the “Electric Pavillon,” operated by the pioneer of high-class cinema entertainment, Israel Davis. The site was taken over and rebuilt as the Putney Palace Theatre on 11th October 1926, where it was visited by film star Betty Balfour, during it’s opening show, “What Happened to Jones.” Due to the war, the site was shut and re-open several times, until it finally rebuilt and opened as the, ‘Odeon’ in 1975.

Photo by Ark Putney Academy
Available at: https://mobile.twitter.com/arkputney

Putney on screen – As well as being home to two cinemas with a historic background, Putney has also made its appearance on screen in film! Classic romantic-comedy, Love Actually, directed by Richard Curtis, used ‘Elliot School,’ (now known as the Ark Putney Academy) as one of their filming locations!

If you’re feeling inspired by National Cinema Day and would like to take part in appreciating great cinema, you can do it right here in Putney! The Odeon Luxe are screening movies for £3.00! And family tickets are available for £5.00, exclusively for National Cinema Day on Saturday 3rd September 2022!

Related news

Your Ultimate Putney Brunch Guide

Weekends in Putney are made for brunching—and luckily, our riverside neighbourhood has something for every taste, from classic full English...

May 01, 2025

Food & Drink
Discover the Green Heart of Putney: A Guide to Our Local Green Spaces 

We’re incredibly proud to call Putney home—a place where leafy streets, the charm of the riverside, and a true sense...

Apr 30, 2025

Local News
Local Photography Exhibition

To celebrate Wandsworth being the London Borough of Culture, an exhibition of fine art by eighteen local photographers, from the...

Apr 29, 2025

Local News