A model of Sidmouth's first cinema, which opened in 1913, has been put on display at the town's Toy Museum.
'Ellis's Little Cinema' was created by local photographer Arthur W Ellis, who was well known for his slide shows in the early 1900s. It was in the premises in Fore Street now occupied by Fat Face. With the help of the architect R W Sampson he converted the lower part of the building into the entrance and foyer, and built the auditorium on land at the rear.
The cinema opened on 17th January 1913 with a screening of a film called 'Under Two Flags' and remained in use until 2 February 1929. Elements of the cinema can still be seen today in the Fat Face shop, including plasterwork on the side walls and proscenium.
Local modelmaker John Griffiths visited Fat Face to view these surviving features as part of his extensive research into Ellis's Little Cinema. He has now completed an exact representation of the cinema as it would have looked in 1913, and has lent it to the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum, which already has two of his models on display: a Victorian theatre and The Radway Cinema. Chairman of Trustees Ian Gregory said he is 'delighted' to have the Ellis's Little Cinema model as well.
The Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum will open for the new season from Friday, March 29. For more details visit www.sidmouthtoymuseum.com or read more about its exhibits here.
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