The Odeon is probably the one which many people will remember from their childhood – perhaps where they saw their very first movie. They may remember catching a film on Friday or Saturday night as teenagers or where they had their first date.
Housed in the art-deco building, which is still there today, the cinema finally closed its doors at the end of 1998 ahead of the new Odeon Cinema multiplex opening in Rigby Road. There’s no doubt it marked the end of a memorable era for cinema-goers in Blackpool and saddened people across the Fylde who had enjoyed happy times watching its silver screen offerings over the decades.
1. The old Odeon
The caption on the back of this picture from 1978 says 'Nationwide publicity failed to bring out a queue for Blackpool's first day of the film Star Wars, opening for the season at Blackpool's Odeon'. Without a shadow of a doubt, that wouldn't be the case today! Photo: National World
2. The old Odeon
This photo shows the projectors standing idle after a lifetime's work. They were uncovered when the building was being converted into Funny Girls Photo: Mike Foster
3. The old Odeon
People queuing up ready to see the premiere of Funny Bones in 1995 Photo: National World
4. The old Odeon
The cinema inside as it was when it first opened in 1939. There were 3,000 seats Photo: National World
5. The old Odeon
Chief projectionist Graham Robinson loading the final film at the Odeon before it closed in 1998 Photo: Rob Lock
6. The old Odeon
Duty Manager Karen Walden locking the doors for the last time Photo: Rob Lock