Odeon Cinema, Sidwell Street, Exeter, Devon
A view of the exterior of the cinema which opened to the public on 20 August 1937, it is advertising Errol Flynn in 'Charge of the Light Brigade'. It was one of the original Odeon. The building was damaged during the Second World War, but this was repaired and the building remains in use as an Odeon cinema (2025). cinemas 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.
