Odeon Weston-super-Mare

An 'Electric Cinema' opened in 1911. Among the films that it showed were ones created by its own staff, such as one of 'B.C. Hucks at Weston-super-Mare' which showed the first aeroplane crossing of the Bristol Channel. The site was redeveloped in 1934 by Odeon Cinemas and opened in 1935. T Cecil Howitt was chosen as the architect, this being one of four Odeon cinemas that he designed. The others were the Odeon Cinema, Bridgwater (1936) and at Warley (1934) and Clacton (1936). They all had similar 'moderne' features with a square tower with a flat slab supported by columns and a squat main building. It was built in a prominent location on the corner of Walliscote Road (also known at this end…

The original split-level auditorium was split into three smaller units in 1973, with a fourth screen added in 1991. The six ranks of pipes are: Tuba; Tibia Clausa; Vox Humana; Oboe; Flute; Cello. Although the organ does not have the common Compton feature of a Melotone, it does have a rare Solo Cello stop which involves a mechanical bow and pitching fingers, operated directly from the organ console. The organ today is preserved under the care of the West of England Theatre Organ Society.