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Haslemere Cinemas

Haslemere’s first cinema was the Empire Picture and Variety Palace on Shepherds Hill. The Regal started in Weyhill in 1915 and was still operating when its owners, Haslemere Cinema Company, built the Rex Cinema nearby in 1936. It opened in September with the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film, "Follow the Fleet". Seat prices ranged from ninepence in the front stalls to two shillings for the dress circle. In its heyday, the Rex showed the latest films, with frequent changes of programme and twice-weekly matinees. It boasted a large café and a Compton organ, played before evening performances. During the Second World War a British plane got into difficulties over Shottermill. Its engine fell in the auditorium of the Rex, causing damage to the screen and stage. Luckily it happened between film screenings and there were few casualties, though the plane’s crew were all killed. The Rex, like other independent cinemas, struggled to fill seats during the 1970s and 1980s. It closed in 1986 with the film "Pale Rider", starring Clint Eastwood, and was demolished for a housing development.

Track 4 Weyhill And Rex

Credit line: Marjory Bayliss talks about her early memories of Haslemere cinemas.

Transcription:

Interviewee: It was a treat to go to the cinema. I can remember the very first time I went was on Wey Hill. The cinema was on the right hand side down Wey Hill and it must have been a silent film. I can’t remember a lot about it but I think it was Little Lord Fauntleroy – no it wouldn’t have been silent would it? I don’t know but anyway we were taken there. Then of course the Rex was built. Do you know where that is?

Interviewer: Yes, yes.

Interviewee: And then we went but not very often – it was treat.

Interviewer: The Rex was quite glamorous wasn’t it?

Interviewee: Yes, it was. Then there was a lady here, Miss Fearon, and she was an ex-headmistress of a school in Exmouth, Devon, and she used to get up, I suppose it was only at Easter time, plays which we had in the Rex cinema and they were great.

Title

Contributor

Album

Duration

Organ And Various Performances

Joe Nobbs

Cinema

0:46