The Scottish cinema with the longest period of continuous operation is the Cameo in Edinburgh. Opened in 1914, the historic picture house survived a conversion attempt in the early part of the 21st century. Thankfully, the Cameo's listed-building status was upgraded to ensure the vultures were deterred from regrouping. Over in Bo'ness, West Lothian, the Hippodrome was reopened as a community cinema in 2009. Dating from 1912, the fully restored arena is the oldest purpose-built movie theatre in the country and is now owned by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. Falkirk Council took over the lease and committed to installing modern sound and vision equipment in addition to funding a refurbishment project to mirror the classic interior from the 1926 upgrade - when the spectacular domed ceiling was constructed.
Nicole and I had visited the Hippodrome once before. We had gone to see a live recording of a play from the National Theatre in London. These broadcasting events generate vital income for cinemas across the land and give the general population a glimpse into a cultural scene that would be expensive (and possibly logistically difficult) to attend in person. My mother and sister regularly watch opera and West End productions at the Kino project in Fife that has set up community cinemas in Glenrothes and Leven. A major selling point for the Bo'ness Hippodrome is the chance to view the historic interior architecture, which I admired just as much as the happenings on screen. The trip back in time begins as soon as you arrive at the on-street entrance. Modern film-going entails strolling into a large foyer with café, bar and other leisure facilities often available outwith the auditoria. In the old days, crowds queued on the pavement outside and paid the admission money at the tiny vestibule by the front door. You then passed a refreshment kiosk as you proceeded towards the seats. The Hippodrome maintains this vintage set-up and we paid a very reasonable £7.20 per head to step inside, with a small student discount for Nicole. Unlike the rip-off rates levied by chain cinemas for drinks and snacks, we managed to procure a pile of goodies for little more than a fiver, which meant we were about to enjoy a movie in comfortable surroundings for £20, all in. Can't argue with that! The film in question was Emily - telling the imagined life of one of the world’s most famous authors, Emily Bronte. Nicole is a long-time fan of the 19th-century literary sisters and we once visited their home town of Haworth in Yorkshire. I never made it to the Bronte Museum as I discovered a steam train gala was taking place at the heritage station on the same afternoon. I climbed aboard and headed up the line to Keighley.
The Hippodrome had closed as a cinema back in 1975 and was converted to a bingo hall - a fate that befell many provincial picture houses around this time. The cinema in my home town of Lochgelly clung on until 1983 and I just caught the tail end of the local moviegoing era. The affordability of home video hammered the final nail into the coffin. Bingo at the Hippodrome lasted just five years and the building was left to decay. After the turn of the century, feasibility studies were launched with the hope of finding a use for the historic place. An initial proposal involved conversion to a gym, but gradually the public mood swung towards bringing movies back to the town. Following grants from various organisations amounting to £1.8 million, the cinema underwent renovation from the middle of 2006. The restoration work saved original features such as cast iron radiators, oak panelling and art deco toilet signs. The final old-style High Street picture houses were closing around the country at this time, being usurped by the extra legroom, increased film choice and ample free parking offered by the modern multiplex facilities on the edge of town, usually in conjunction with other options such as bowling alleys, health clubs and restaurants (also purpose-built bingo halls!) This development had re-ignited cinema as a leisure pursuit but the industry now faces tough challenges in the post-pandemic age where streaming services proliferate. A commercial operation in Bo'ness would most likely have been a non-starter but I imagine the Hippodrome operates as a trust. The admission prices are hiked for the on-stage broadcasts but that will reflect reflect the cost of sourcing the material. You have to accept the film programme often lags behind the multiplex scene but a night at the Hippodrome is a wonderful experience and a chance to appreciate our cultural heritage.
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