The Savoy screened all the big hits of the time, such as Wizard of Oz and Grease, but it was in 1948 that The Savoy Cinema had her finest moment: Brighton Rock, the film based on Graham Greene’s novel set in Brighton, had its world première in the cinema on 8 January at midnight. In May 1964, the cinema’s windows were smashed by the Mods and the Rockers during the legendary Whitsuntide riots; the two-day fight was later immortalised in The Who’s film Quadrophenia – with the cinema playing a cameo role.

“I worked at the ABC as it was known then in the early 1990s. It was a lovely old building, it had gone to rot though, the main ballroom upstairs was still there, but the ceiling had partially collapsed and it was inhabited by pigeons. The huge number one screen had been closed for years, but the beautiful old silk curtains, enormous amounts of fabric, slightly tattered, were still hanging there. I remember thinking what a terrible waste it was. I also remember the characters who worked there. Mr Ruby was the manager, John the projectionist and especially a lady called Sylvia. She had worked there for donkey’s years. When they were filming the riot scene in Quadrophenia in East Street, she panicked because she didn’t realise it wasn’t a real riot.”

 

On your way to The Marlborough, as you cross the Old Steine,  you will see Brighton Palace Pier to your right. Brighton Palace Pier and The West Pier were performance venues, hosting an array of live entertainment and variety acts, and both housing vibrant theatres.