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Description
Mechanical and electrical services were one revolution or the twentieth century which were to effect buildings of all types and styles. Technical innovations in this field often had more bearing on... the shape of buildings than purely stylistic considerations. In this progranne Stephen Eayley takes an English cinema as an example of mechanical services playing an important part in the design of a building. The Astoria Cinema was far from modern stylistically, but the services were very up to date. Yet in the competative and commercial world of cinema design, ornament however historical in style, had as vital a function as heating, lighting and other mechanical services.
Mechanical and electrical services were one revolution or the twentieth century which were to effect buildings of all types and styles. Technical innovations in this field often had more bearing on... the shape of buildings than purely stylistic considerations. In this progranne Stephen Eayley takes an English cinema as an example of mechanical services playing an important part in the design of a building. The Astoria Cinema was far from modern stylistically, but the services were very up to date. Yet in the competative and commercial world of cinema design, ornament however historical in style, had as vital a function as heating, lighting and other mechanical services.
| Module code and title: | A305, History of architecture and design 1890-1939 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A305; 22 |
| First transmission date: | 27-09-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:25:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nick Levinson |
| Contributor: | Stephen Bayley |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Astoria, Finsbury Park; Cinema architecture; Cinema interior design; Odeon, Muswell Hill |
| Subject terms: | Architectural design; Interior decoration; Motion picture theatres |
| Footage description: | Shots of cinema organ being played. Clips and stills from old films with quote from Western Electric advert on the fantasy world of the cinema. Bayley looks at the function of ornament in interior cinema design within the fantasy world. Stills of the Granada, Tooting. Clip from film. Bayley outlines the growth of the cinema, beginning with stills of fairground, travelling cinemas. The design of one of the earliest cinemas, the Electric in Portobello Road, is examined. Stills thereof. The main bulk of the programme looks at the 1930s cinema, using the Astoria, Finsbury Park, as an example. Using plans and numerous stills, Bayley describes its design in detail. Occasional organ music. Bayley stresses the ornamental aspects, in this case of a Moorish flavour. Bayley points out the influence of the American atmospheric cinema and its design. He moves on to look at the mechanical service behind the interior designs, beginning with the problems of cinema heating. The Plenum system, as used at the Astoria is described. Various stills and plans. Bayley continues with the heating of the auditorium, with plans and stills of the equipment used. He also describes other electrical installations, lighting, special effects and stage machinery. The decorative style is replaced by more machine like styles, as Bayley describes the Odeon chain using the Odeon, Muswell Hill as his example. He concludes however that the earlier ornamentation did have a functional purpose. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71726 |
| Production number: | 00525_3152 |
| Videofinder number: | 1766 |
| Available to public: | no |
