The Ritz Cinema, an 800-seat cinema built by local firm Brazier and Son, opened in Bitterne Road in October 1936. It was initially popular, particularly the Saturday morning children’s show which regularly attracted an audience of 700 plus. Its popularity did not last long and in spite of being refurbished and re-equipped in 1957, when it was taken over Harry Mears Theatres Ltd, it closed in 1961.

Ritz Cinema

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The Ritz Cinema. Photograph, c.1940


Newspaper clippings:

Ritz is latest in a list of closures


Further reading:
Dream Palaces: Going to the Pictures in Southampton, by Bill White, p65-66. (HS/r)
Southampton Cinemas, by John C. Shepherd. (HS/r)


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