About the Phoenix > History

Projecting the independent spirit since 1910

An historic cinema

The Phoenix Cinema is an independent cinema owned and run by a charitable trust on behalf of the people of North London. Its historic building with Edwardian and art deco features is listed Grade II.

Open Since 1910

The Phoenix first opened in 1910 as "The East Finchley Picturedrome", offering 'the world's finest picture plays'. It has been open as a cinema since and is believed to be the oldest purpose-built continuously serving cinema in the UK - it has never been a bingo hall, snooker hall or dark even during two World Wars.It was one of the first cinemas in London to introduce sound films in 1929 when it was known as the "Coliseum".

The Rex from 1938 - 1975

The cinema has changed owners quite a few times in its history, together with changes to its name and building. A major change took place in 1937/1938, which transformed the overall building to what it is today: the elaborate decorative front was replaced by a slick façade with neon strip lighting and the auditorium fitted with its now unique art deco wall panels. The whole interior was turned around, moving the screen from the High Street end to the other side. Today's entrance and foyer are on the level of the former stage and orchestra pit. The cinema re-opened in 1938 as the "Rex" amidst much publicity about its modern look.

The Phoenix has always been independently owned except for a brief spell in the early 1970s when the Granada Leisure group bought it. Their attempt at introducing the Granada look and mainstream film programme failed miserably in the face of stiff local opposition.

The Cinema during the Second World War

In 1942 the cinema was selected as a reception centre for evacuees from coastal towns as part of the German invasion precautions. Extra gas points were installed so that if the contingency plans went into action, a number of tea urns would have been delivered and installed. Staffing during the war was problematic, with County Council inspectors concerned that minimum levels of public safety were not being maintained, and discovering 70 children in the front rows for a horror film screening on one occasion.

The Phoenix

In 1975, Charles Cooper's Contemporary Films bought the Rex from Granada as a showcase cinema for their catalogue; Contemporary were a ground-breaking distribution company who pioneered the exhibition of independent, foreign and specialist films in the UK. They re-opened "The Phoenix" with Werner Herzog's Kaspar Hauser.

When Charles Cooper retired in 1985, he decided to sell the cinema. The local community responded to property developers' interest in acquiring the site for redevelopment with a massive petition - spearheaded by Maureen Lipman - for the council to safeguard the cinema. In its dying days (it was the last cheque signed and delivered!), the Greater London Council initiated the founding of a non-profit making Trust and gave it a grant to buy the cinema and continue the Phoenix tradition of showing independent's films.

The Trust

Today, the cinema continues to be renowned for its varied film and rep programme with many special and community events. It is a truly independent cinema - it does not receive any public grants or subsidy at all and relies completely on its own income. A recently completed refurbishment has restored the original expanse of the foyer space and made it fit for its second century.

Interested in the Phoenix History? - Read our History of the Phoenix, a 28-page fully coloured and illustrated booklet available from the cinema for only £5.