Today (for my 33rd birthday) we visited Rex cinema in Elland, Halifax UK.
It's an independent gem of a local cinema that's been operating for over 100 years.
It's one of the oldest purpose built, structurally unaltered cinemas in the country.
It was built in 1912 and opened as the Picture House on 12 December that year.
It's so beautifully dated but in a completely traditional and charming way.###
It is well run and well loved, and plays a variety of mainstream films at an amazing price (£5.50 adult ticket!) That's normal price - not a discount. Beat THAT Odeon.
It's always busy and attracts people for the good selection of films and the heritage of the venue
The cinema still has an half time interval where the red curtain closes, the lights come up and they bring out ice cream (I LOVE that)
When I visited as a kid I remember that organ at the front being played by an organist before the film came on.
It obviously doesn't have any of the modcons of a contemporary multiplex cinema - but if you rock up to the Rex and expect that vibe then you're a numpty.
Today we went to see Small Foot, the new Warner Broa animated movie about Big Foot discovering humans. Both us and the kids loved it.
So next time you want a slice of real cinema history and want to see a good film, drop by the Rex cinema in Elland, Yorkshire, and have your pants charmed off.
http://elland.nm-cinemas.co.uk/elland-history
I read before the screening that you can HIRE the entire cinema if you like.. So if I ever make a film, I'm 100% having the premiere at the Rex!
(I'm conscious that this whole post probably sounds like a big paid plug for the place but I promise this is just me shouting about how ace it is!)