Movie magic gets a makeover (From Oxford Mail)

Movie magic gets a makeover

6:10pm Friday 24th February 2012 in News By Andrew Ffrench, covering Didcot and Wallingford. Call me on 01865 425425

Odeon manager David Williams in screen one

A £1m refurbishment has been completed at an Oxford cinema, reviving memories of its 1930s heyday.

The Odeon in Magdalen Street dates back to 1924 and the silent movie era and in 1931 was renamed the Oxford Super Cinema.

Now, a £1m revamp has been completed to help restore the two-screen picture house to its former glory.

Last year, new screens, new seating and new projectors were fitted and a £350,000 restoration of the foyer – part of the £1m revamp – has just finished.

This includes restoring all the decorative plasterwork, renovating four antique 8ft mirrors and introducing a Costa Coffee concession with seating for 30 people.

Manager David Williams, 30, from Bicester, said: “We want to bring back the days of the Super Cinema in the 1930s and smartening up the foyer is very much part of that.

“The walls have been painted in a wild mushroom colour while there is blue and gold leafing around the mirrors.

“I’m delighted with the refurbishment, which I think looks fantastic. The building is Grade II-listed so we had to consult English Heritage quite regularly about the work we were doing.”

The main screen has 560 seats, including seats in the balcony, while the second screen has 55 seats.

“We removed about 100 seats to create more legroom and I think that creates a much better viewing experience,” Mr Williams added.

He said the foyer refurbishment was completed this week.

Last year, a similar project took place at the Odeon Cinema in George Street, which has six screens.

New seats and projectors were installed, costing £500,000.

Mr Williams, whose favourite film is The Big Lebowksi, said: “The cinema in Magdalen Street is probably the more historic of the two Odeons in Oxford and we want people to visit a cinema with character, not just a modern multiplex.”

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