THE Grand Theatre, Hyson Green, one of Nottingham's cinema landmarks singled out for recognition, was the site of the first public screening in the city on July 13, 1896.
So was the site of the Victoria Electric Picture Palace, Nottingham's first purpose-built cinema, which opened in Milton Street in 1910.
Its innovations included a sloping floor, illuminated gangways and signage, a marble entrance vestibule and lobby, numerous ornate fittings and chandeliers, comfortable upholstered seats in blue velvet with matching curtains, drapes and carpets, plus a number of Aromovas vases, which emitted an Eau de Cologne perfume.
The proprietors provided opulent surrounds, warmth and comfort, a uniformed staff, a trio of talented musicians and a high class presentation.
The Victoria opened its doors on Thursday, March 24, 1910, having been granted a licence to show films by the council and a licence to play mechanical and live music.
One contemporary account claims it had a 'pianolistz' as well as a 'panotrope' and its 'victorian orchestra', all which helped to render accompaniment to the silent pictures on view, some that included bathing belles in full colour.
It set new standards in luxury and safety.
When departing from an evening's entertainment, the commissionaire would summon a Hansom cab from the ranks over the road for the more affluent.
Slight alterations were made in 1912, the most attractive of which was the creation of an Oriental tea-bar. And a corner balcony was installed in 1915, seating 60 people. An innovative 12ft sliding roof panel was ideal on a hot August night.
But after several severe winters, the mechanism became noisy and started seizing up, and it was removed in 1925. A dome with six cherubs, scrolls and leaves fashioned in rococo style was installed, with a crystal chandelier.
The words 'electric' and 'palace' were discontinued and a full refurbishment was undertaken in 1930-31 culminating in Talkies, which meant the loss of the seven-piece orchestra, mourned by many after 20 years' service.
By 1947 the management were finding it difficult to book films for mainstream audiences, which had not already been exhausted by much bigger rivals. It attempted to emulate the News House, by showing newsreels, topical shorts and documentaries. It was not successful, so the main attraction became a foreign picture with 'newsy' items filling in. It still didn't work so double-feature programming was resumed.
As the New Victoria, the house re-opened as a flagship for Western Electric, whose 4-track magnetic stereo system was the first in the East Midlands.
A 26ft-wide screen graced the stage, and new presentation equipment was installed in May 1954 to present Flight of the White Heron – the film of the Royal tour of Australia.
After another refurbishment, the house re-opened as the Cine Moulin Rouge on December 5, 1960, after a launch party the previous evening with the 1953 film Moulin Rouge.
The commissionaire was dressed as a French gendarme, while all female staff wore short black skirts and white mini aprons (a la 'Allo 'Allo) with white frill-fronted blouses.
Billed as the home of the continental film, its new owners overlooked the fact that it made every effort to show the very best of continental classics and film festival winners amongst the more prosaic dime-a-dozen adult dramas and American classics.
Business on Sunday nights was so poor that strippers were brought in. Blonde Australian-born Ingrid Anthofer kicked off proceedings by stripping before a screening of Take Off Your Clothes And Live in March 1963.
In March 1968, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor came to help promote their film Dr Faustus, but the writing was already on the wall. Flanked by closing down notices, the cinema played what many regarded as its last show on September 30, 1969. It was later given a stay of execution and reopened on October 5 as a private adult club. It finally closed on February 21, 1970.
The centenary cinema plaques also recognised Alma Lucy Reville, screenwriter, editor and Alfred Hitchcock's wife, who was born at 69 Caroline Street, St Ann's on August 14, 1899.
The fourth plaque commemorated author Graham Greene, who began his career in the old Evening News offices in Express Buildings, Parliament Street. Ten films have been based on his novels.
