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Catalogue Details Charles Archer, architect fl.1930s The Tatler News Cinema, Liverpool, c.1935 Pencil, waterclours and gouahce Inscribed au verso: Original Tatler News Cinema Liverpool Church Street 43 x 58 cms A thoroughly modern design for the news cinema in Church Street Liverpool. Archer has designed a smart simple interior with painted walls around the proscenium arch depicting landmark buildings such as the Eiffel Tower. Lighting details, gallery supporting columns, roof and clerestory surfaces are treated with restraint - this is a functional public space where people drop in to catch the news and film reels from across Europe and the World. The design is coloured in reds, pinks, greens and blue. In 1930 Morton Shand published his definitive tome 'Modern Theatres and Cinemas' where he devotes a chapter to the 'Social Function of the Cinema'. "The cinema is primarily a sort of public lounge. It is a blend of an English club and a continental cafe; at one the most public and the most secluded of places. It has affinities with both church and alcove. One can go alone, a deux, en famille, or in bands... Punctuality and decorum are of little or no consequence. One can drop in and out at will. In England ... one can smoke there. One can chew sweets, or peel oranges or manicure one's nails. One can proverbially filch ideas for a new dress, or "get off" with one's neighbour. One can enjoy a little nap as easily as the luxury of a good laugh or a good cry. In wet weather it is an escape from the rain; in winter a means of keeping warm ... The cinema is a pastime and a distraction..." . A copy of Morton Shand's book on Modern Cinemas is available for sale. Please ask for more details. A rare opportunity to buy an original design for an Art Deco cinema interior. |