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The Capitol/Florida Caterham, Surrey
The Capitol was Caterham's fourth cinema
The other three cinemas were, the Electric Theatre opened 1909 by Mr Freeman
It was adapted from a coachbuilders premises next to the Blacksmith's Arms
Sound for the accompaniment of silent films was provided by a horn gramophone
The Guards Depot cinema opened during the First World War
It was a large corrugated iron building surmounted by the clock that is now in Queen's Park
Initially a private enterprise it was purchased by the War Office in 1922
Silent films were accompanied on the piano by Charles Tugwell the Guard's Chapel organist
Any troublemakers were quickly evicted by burley Guardsmen
The Commonwealth, (see photo) opened on 7th July 1913, by the Licensee of the Commonwealth Public House
in the detached Assembly Rooms next to the Commonwealth
It featured 220 tip up seats, and the projection room was outside the hall
It was constructed of fire proof materials, a novelty for the time, with an electric lantern (I assume that this was a low intensity carbon arc) to eliminate flickering images on the new silver screen
The opening programme supplied by Pathe Freres Cinema Ltd was 'The Coquette' a drama in Pathe colour
and 'The Bricklayers Little Joke' a comedy, and an educational film 'The Nimble Flea'
In 1923 it was renovated and on the 10th September reopened as the Valley Cinema and Varieties
Seats were reupholstered, and a new projector and screen were installed
It also now had a small orchestra of a piano, violin, and cello
The opening film was Oscar Wilde's 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime'
There was also a stage appearance by Elsie cross who gave a performance with concertina, guinea pigs, and bones
Violin solos were given by Master John Elliff
It closed five years later in 1928
The Capitol, in Croydon Road, opened October 6th 1928 and cost £16,000 to build and equip
It had a gold, mauve, and grey colour scheme, and a large stage with luxurious curtains
It had 950 plush upholstered seats, 700 in the stalls, and 250 in the circle
Two Simplex projectors were installed in the projection box
This was designed large enough to enable sound equipment to be installed at a later date
Very forward thinking
It was formally opened by Hugh Mitchell, the Council Chairman
The opening film was 'Victory' starring Moore Marriott, and Julie Suedo, and directed by M. A. Wetherell
Before the film a stage show was presented by The Regent Juveniles in Caberet
featuring the wonder boy dancer Wee Bennie Malcolm
After the film a stage appearance was made by the film producer Maurice Elvey, and assorted film stars
of the time
Sound arrived on April 26th 1930
In 1936 it was thought that the Capitol would have competition from the Odeon circuit,
but the Odeon never got built
(I believe that the proposed site for the Odeon was on the corner of Church Hill and
Harestone Valley Road. Webmaster)
On May 30th 1955 the Capitol changed it's name to the Florida, and CinemaScope was installed, with a new sound system , to replace the 1930s set, and improved theatre heating
It closed 13th August 1960 with the film 'Tammy' starring Debbie Reynolds
Closure was probably helped by more people owning cars
This made it easier for them to travel to the Astoria, and Regal cinemas in Purley, who had placed a Bar on the Florida
A Bar meant that the Florida could not show a film until after it had been shown in Purley
This was because both Purley cinemas belonged to circuit houses, Astoria, Shipman & King with 75 theatres, and Regal, Associated British
Cinemas with over 500 theatres, who because of their circuit size had a great deal of film booking power
(Some of the above information obtained from the Bourne Society Local History Records Vol 28 by Jean Took)
Photographs of the Capitol/Florida are as scarce as hen's teeth
The pictures below are the only ones that I have been able to source
Click on photo to enlarge
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 Capitol Oct 6th 1928
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 Capitol 1929
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 Oct 6th 1928
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 Capitol/Florida Cinema 1950s
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 Florida Aug1960
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 Sound on film arrives
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 Cover of Programme Booklet for August 1934
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 Programme Booklet for August 1934
Seat Prices
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 Programme Booklet for August 1934
Films Showing and Times Pic 1
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 Programme Booklet for August 1934
Films Showing and Times Pic 2
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 Programme Booklet for August 1934
Coming Attractions
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