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Built in 1954/55 the Phoenix Cinema in Junction Road, Kirkwall replaced the previous Albert Kinema which burnt down. The Phoenix opened on Tues, 14th June 1955 and served Orkney for 43 years until Friday 27th November 1998.
To the right was the box office. Between it and the shop double doors lead directly to the rear stalls and balcony.
The Phoenix Shop was located facing the doors to the left as you enter.
On the ticket machine the prices remain unchanged from 1955. Left is an old ticket found during our visit to the cinema.
The stage without the screen. The back wall had never seen paint and the front of the stage was removed to allow an extension.
The doors leading to the auditoria. To the right showing the light fitting above the doors.
Left and right sides of the stage area. The decor of the cinema is pretty much art decco with a 1950s slant. It remained unchanged and was only re painted once.
Side panelling detail. Whilst the cinema was repainted once, the colors remained unchanged.
The centre-rear stalls upholstered in red velvet. Their condition was poor but had done well for 43 years use.
The balcony of the "arena" style auditoria. The cinema had a very American look to it. Also seen here are the projection ports.
One side of the balcony showing the radiator panel. The white conduit contains the wiring for the surround sound which was installed in the 1990s.
The centre rear stalls with the old screen lying across the seats. It measure 10ft by 30ft which was surprisingly small for the size of the cinema.
The side wall lighting. The lower panels were used to mount the speakers for the surround sound.
A view from the stage.
The right side of the stage with detail of panels. The design seemed to leave a lot of wasted space.
I'm sure by now you can figure these two pictures out for yourselves.
The bright bit to the left is part of the concealed feature lighting system for the curtains and stage. It is operated from the projection room.
Likewise!
Showing where the clock used to be. The clock was retained and can now be seen at the New Phoenix Cinema at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall.
Another view of the feature lighting system.
The view from the back rows (aha!). Above right looking to the left of the balcony showing the rake.
Right: full side detail, left: Ceialing lights (4 in all, 1 not working) and the audience view of the concealed feature lighting system.
The two cabinets side by side are the stereo amplifiers for the projectors. These became obsolete when the surround sound was installed.
Into the projection room and a view of the projector ports.
One of the two British Thomson Houston machines bought in 1951, originally served in the Temperance Hall Cinema, Kirkwall. (now Orkney Arts Theatre)
Projectionist's view of the auditoria.
Left: Close up of the top sprocket into the gate of projector 2. Right: The top spool showing the bell system which would ring as a que to switch projectors on the end of each reel.
A close up of the inside of the arc lamp housing. Inside is a 14.5 inch refraction mirror and high intensity carbon rod set-up to enable bright clear CinemaScope pictures over a long through.
Both images above giving a close view of the sound head for the old stereo sound. It is surprising to see these exposed optics for sound when earlier Kalee machines from 1940 have fully enclosed sound heads by Simplex or RCA Photophone. The lenses are made by Taylor Hobson.
Emphasising the point about exposed sound optics!
The main picture gate. The main projection lens has been removed but the black thing in front is a Variamorph prizm anamorphic lens for CinemaScope.
Whilst starting a projector is easy you can never check it enough and the start-up is the moment most likely to reap disaster. Left most is the start switch. In the right photo, the sound controls.
An empty can (pity) for some rushes of Gaumont News.
Whilst the projectionist can monitor the sound on this BTH speaker it doesn't automatically follow that the audience can hear anything in the cinema! It's a long walk from here to the auditoria.
The power board for the stage. (How did we get back here?)
On the floor of the stage the shape of the screen can be seen with the area painted black just in front of where the screen had been.
Gone but not forgotten as the Phoenix was demolished to make way for a womans refuge.
For more information on the Phoenix read the book "The Last Picture Show" by Kenneth Thomson or visit
