Curves and Streamlines - the cinemas of Frank E Bromige

Presented by the Cinema Theatre Association.

The recent unveiling (after 60 years) of the spectacular frontage of the former Dominion cinema in Harrow provides an opportunity to re-assess the career of one of the more lively of 1930s cinema architects in Britain – Frank E Bromige, who in the latter 1930s attracted attention for the curving, expressionistic façade designs he produced, usually also involving the use of large expanses of Crittall glazing and original fonts for the name signs.

Many of Bromige’s distinctive works were associated with a group of London cinemas bearing the title ‘Dominion’ (and he was also active with cinema designs in some of Kent’s seaside towns). Also, who can forget the Rio in Dalston, London as one of his impressive conversion schemes?

This presentation will consider the design origins and inspirations behind Bromige’s designs and how they addressed popular ideas of modernity, as also found in the details of filmsets themselves. It will consider the re-use of his more important buildings, several of which survive and with their important design features intact. Finally, it will briefly address Bromige’s subsequent career as a designer for Stead & Simpson and WH Smith.

The presenter, Professor Bruce Peter is Professor of Design History at The Glasgow School of Art. He became interested in Bromige’s work when a postgraduate student in London in the mid-1990s.

CURVES AND STREAMLINES is the first in a season celebrating NOTABLE CINEMA ARCHITECTS of the last 100 years, presented by the Cinema Theatre Association.