Savoy Cinema
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Savoy Cinema Dublin cinema |
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| Address: | 16-19 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 |
| Number of screens: | Originally single screen, subdivided into six |
| Opened: | 29 November 1929 |
| Architect: | C.F. Mitchell and W.E. Greenwood |
| Seats: | 1,984 |
| Owners: | Ward Anderson |
The Savoy Cinema is Dublin's oldest operational cinema, and is the cinema of choice in Ireland for film premieres.
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[edit] History
The Savoy was built in 1929 on the site of the old Granville Hotel, by Associated Cinemas Ltd. The luxurious auditorium, housing 2,789 seats, opened to the public with the film On With The Show. The cinema was altered in 1954 to incorporate a large CinemaScope screen, and screened Ireland's first widescreen feature, The Robe, at the time owned by Odeon Ireland Ltd.
[edit] Screens
The Savoy holds the dubious honour of being the most altered cinema in Dublin's history, and in 1969 the cinema was twinned. In 1975 the Savoy's restaurant was converted to a third screen, holding 200 seats, followed in 1979 by futher sub-divisions, incorporating five screens in all. Under the ownership of the Green Group, in 1988 the cinema was given its sixth screen. In the process, the Savoy had lost a third of its capacity, however Screen 1, with 780 seats, remains Dublin's largest auditorium.
In 2004 renovation work was carried out on the Savoy, moving the Box Office from the two booths located on either side of the entrance to a special area which was formerly an adjoining shop. The confectionary counter has also moved many times, but is presently in its original location, between the doors of Screen 1.
[edit] Premieres
Over the years the cinema has played host to the Irish premières of many films, although most tend to have an Irish connection. Films shown here have included Alexander, Once and The Man in the Iron Mask. The cinema is also used during the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, and is primarily used for the Big Event screenings, such as opening and closing night shows. It also hosts the Surprise Film, which in 2006 was the first Irish screening of 300.
