Duke of York's continuous rebirth over the last century

THE Duke of York’s beautiful front is instantly recognisable as from a bygone era.

But it has not always enjoyed such a treasured status in Brighton.

Duke of York’s member Anna Hayward has painstakingly written and recorded key memories and events in the cinema’s history.

She said: “I’m intrigued by the cinema’s past, its place in Brighton life and how it has reflected people and society over the past 100 years.

“I’ve been fascinated by how the Duke of York’s has weathered changes over the hundred years – from state of the art opening in 1910, falling on hard times during the second world war, escaping becoming a bingo hall during the 60s and 70s and its rebirth as an arthouse cinema.

“But it’s also the small details that are touching – I’ve learnt with fondness how French pastries were served in the early days as the height of sophistication and how the first manager encouraged the audience into a rendition of ‘God Bless the Prince of Wales’ from the orchestra pit.”

Built in 1910 for £3,000 by former actress Violet Melnotte-Wyatt, the cinema was named after the London theatre of the same and coincided with the accession of George V, Duke of York to the throne.

It was erected on the site of Longhurst’s Brewery, with mod-con facilities such as an electrically operated projector, tip-up seating for 800 and fan air-conditioning.

The original advertising summed up the experience: “Bring Her to the Duke’s – it is fit for a Duchess.”

The cinema was bought by Jack Channon, of Sussex Picturedromes, at the end of the First World War.

Sound was installed in 1930 and in 1937 it underwent extensive alterations, re-seating and redecorations.

During the Second World War it suffered vandalism and understaffing but in 1956 wide-screen CinemaScope was introduced, boosting audiences.

In 1963 it was bought by former projectionist and manager Peter Drew-Bear, who introduced bingo for the elderly population – a trend for cinemas in the area.

After selling the cinema in 1976 he said: “You can’t obtain the basic commodity, which is film.

“The big monopolies take the best films and throw the remains to the dogs.

“I could take any amount of rubbish but I can’t get good quality products that will take good money for fifty-two weeks a year.

“It’s a very competitive industry and Brighton is a shocking town for competition.”

In 1977 the Duke of York’s was set to introduce more bingo amid declining film attendances.

But when The Astoria in Gloucester Place announced its conversion to full-time bingo, the Duke of York’s remained a cinema.

In the early 1980s, the owner of Brixton’s Little Bit Ritzy, Pat Foster, took over and re-launched it as an arthouse club – a programming policy maintained to this day.

It began to make a modest profit and gained a cult following among university and Sussex and Brighton polytechnic students.

Damage to the screen from a punk concert contributed to its endearingly shabby appearance with little investment in the ‘80s.

When the Not the Moulin Rouge Cinema in Oxford closed in 1991, its 20ft can-can dancer’s legs were transferred to the outside balcony of the Duke of York’s.

In August 1994 leaseholder Penultimate Picture Company collapsed with debts of £150,000, and arthouse chain City Screen took over.

The ownership crisis led to the Grade II listing and extensive refurbishment, with the can-can legs hoisted by crane on to the roof.

In 2012 owner Picturehouse was bought by Cineworld with mainstream, alternative and foreign films mixed with music, comedy, festivals and live screened events, such as opera.

- This article was based on research by Duke of York’s member Anna Hayward.

- The black and white photograph of the outside of the Duke of York’s is from the Royal Pavilion and Museums’ collection. Discover more old photos and prints of Brighton and Hove at www.brightonmuseums-collections .org.uk/