Odeon Cinema, North Town, Taunton, Somerset
Originally the Lyceum Theatre (1913), it became a cinema in 1932 and was taken over by Odeon in 1935, renaming it the Odeon Cinema in 1937. It later became the Classic Cinema (1967), then the Canon Cinema in 1986. Renamed the Plaza Cinema in 1992, it closed after two years and was demolished in 1998. 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.
