Odeon Cinema, Wakemans Hill Parade, Colindale, London
The Odeon on Edgware Road opened in 1935 and closed in 1960. It reopened as the Curzon Cinema in 1967, then as the Classic Cinema in 1972, before closing in 1981. From 1986, it became the Colindale Snooker Club and now (2025) houses shops and the Hurricane Room snooker bar. Here the staff pose for a team photograph, probably on opening day. The four men in white coats are projectionists, indicating the technical nature of their work. The Odeon cinema company was founded in 1930 by Oscar Deutsch. During the 1930s, it grew to become one of the country’s major chains of cinemas. The first five Odeon cinemas opened in 1933, and by 1936 there were 142 across the country. Although each Odeon was unique, the use of a set range of architectural features meant that most of the cinemas were instantly recognisable as an 'Odeon', with their distinctive Modernist style. The slogan, ‘Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation’ (ODEON) was also synonymous with the brand.
