Grand Cinema, Turnpike Lane

by Hugh

Jun 25, 2012

The cinema on the corner of Wightman Road at 139 Turnpike Lane was Harringay's fifth cinema, Although it seems to have been listed under various names in local directories, advertisements and references in the local press always called it the Grand Cinema till at least 1928. Directory listings show that it started life in 1912 as the Bioscope Picture Palace. By 1920, it had been renamed as the Grand Picture House. By 1928 it was the Grand Cinema and by 1931 it was the New Clarence cinema.

Below is an advert from the Hornsey Journal in 1915:

By 1934 the cinema had closed down for good. The building was then empty for five years until CSM Motor Bodies took on the premises in 1939. C.S.M. remained in the building until 1965 and soon after the building was demolished as part of the Wightman/Turnpike/Hornsey Park crossroads alignment in 1973/74.

You can see the cinema in context in 1930s aerial photo.

Thanks to Jeremy Buck for finding Kevin Wheelan's photo and publishing it in his book 'Cinemas of Haringey'.

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  • Reginald summers

    Also Hugh I was only there for less than a week it was at a time when you could literally walk from one job to another witn no problems. I had many jobs in the area I worked after school and for a short while full-time at a briar pipe making firm called Holdens at Crouch End. I cannot find anything about it, mind you don't have the experience at researching.

    Sep 20

  • Hugh

    Thanks, Reginald. I guess this scene would have been very familiar to you then. I guess Bramber must have been in Denmark Place, or Denmark Road?

    Sep 20

  • John Shulver

    That Hornsey Journal advert ignited "For The Benefit of Mr Kite" (Sgt Pepper) in me :                                     'The Mitchells will all be there,                                                                                                                      Arriving at eight so don't be late...........'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Sorry, just twittering on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           But good reminiscences Reginald Summers, enjoyed them. 

    Oct 14