The Rex Cinema in Elland first opened in 1912 as the Central Picture House. It is one of the oldest structurally - unaltered purpose-built cinemas in Britain. The cinema briefly closed in 1959 and the new owners renamed it ‘The Rex’. It became a Bingo Hall in 1964 and served this purpose for over 20 years before it closed.
The Rex was in a derelict state when Charles Morris and his business partner purchased it in 1988. With the help of family and friends they restored and reopened the cinema later that year. Charles has since run The Rex for the last 37 years providing an old-style cinema experience - single screen, theatre organ and interval tradition.
Charles- ‘I was always fascinated by cinema and was always going to films and worked in cinemas during the holidays when I was student. I was always drawn to the idea of having my own cinema. I bought the Rex with my business partner in 1988. When Peter retired, I took it on myself. In the 1960’s it was converted into a Bingo Hall and then was empty for 4 years prior to us purchasing it. When we took possession, we discovered dry rot in the floors and had to do a number of major renovations.
This cinema has been around for well over 100 years and has survived two world wars and three pandemics. I still love the magic of cinema and we will keep the Rex going as long as we can.’
The photographs were taken, with permission, at The Rex’s annual Laurel and Hardy festival. The cinema organist is Ben Hinchcliffe, a school teacher from Huddersfield.
