Queens Cinema, Westbourne Park London.

Today I walked a part of London I rarely do – Westbourne Park – and stumbled across this old Art Deco cinema. I had brought my camera for just such an occasion. Five years ago it was a TGI Friday and before that an ABC Cinema (the cinema closed in 1988 and the last film it showed was Coming to America). The ABC cinema put an enormous blue grill on the front and although this was a less than attractive look it means this beautiful facade is better preserved.

More information on this building can be found at Cinema Treasures.

Queens cinema lettering.

Pleated Art Deco Column.

Stained glass windows.

Art Deco lettering close up.

Yesterday when I was out in East London for the day I took the time to photograph one of the area’s forgotten treasures: The Carlton Cinema, Essex Road. The cinema has long since fallen into disuse which, given how beautiful it is, is something of a travesty. As planning permission wars continue and the building gradually degrades further I thought I’d better take some photos whilst the old girl is still standing. I’m not a professional photographer by any stretch but hopefully these give an idea of how intricate the design is.

Last year I asked illustrator Alfie Gallagher to create an image reflecting what The Carlton would have looked like on its opening in 1930 to accompany an article on the cinema’s history. It’s a sharp contrast to how the cinema looks now but once, this old picturehouse was given the love it deserves.

Limited copies of New Empress Magazine issue 2 are still available for anyone wanting to know more about The Carlton Cinema.