Odeon Cinema, Stephensons Way, Corby, Northamptonshire
Built in 1936 for Odeon, the first screening, which can be seen advertised in this photograph, was of 'First A Girl', with Jesse Matthews. It became the Rutland Cinema in 1969, then a bingo hall. It closed in 1991 and was later used as a furniture store. The Odeon cinema company was founded in 1930 by Oscar Deutsch. During the 1930s, it grew to become one of the country’s major chains of cinemas. The first five Odeon cinemas opened in 1933, and by 1936 there were 142 across the country. Although each Odeon was unique, the use of a set range of architectural features meant that most of the cinemas were instantly recognisable as an 'Odeon', with their distinctive Modernist style. The slogan, ‘Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation’ (ODEON) was also synonymous with the brand.
