SACRED HOUSES: SCALA CINEMA, LONDON

The Scala was initially constructed as a cinema following the designs of H Courtney Constantine. However, the construction was halted due to the onset of the First World War. During the War, the building was repurposed to manufacture aircraft components as part of the War efforts. Later on, it served as a labor exchange for demobilized troops.
The King’s Cross Cinema first opened its doors to the public in 1920. Throughout its 70-year existence, the cinema changed owners and names multiple times, and its focus varied from mainstream to art-house to adult films. It even had a brief stint as a Primatarium.
There is an interesting article here about when it was a Primatarium.

In the summer of 1972, the King’s Cross Cinema hosted the only UK concert by Iggy & The Stooges, who were in London recording the album Raw Power. The famous cover shot was taken that night during the show. In addition, the cover shot of the Lou Reeds LP Transformer was also taken during a performance at the Kings Cross Cinema. Legendary photographer Mick Rock took both Images.

Intended to be an alternative National Film Theatre, the Scala Film Club (which took its name from Scala House, it’s original home on Tottenham Street in the Fitzrovia area of London) moved to this venue in 1981 under the management of film producer Stephen Woolley.

Here it thrived as a member-only Cinema club for the next twelve years, famous for its all-nighters with its highly curated program, including everything from one night showing Roman Polanski’s Cul-De-Sac to the next night being an all-nighter Russ Meyer bill. It was also the birthplace of Shock Around The Clock horror all-nighters, which would program films such as The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue, Night of the Living Dead, and Martin. 

The Scala faced legal action from Warner Brothers when they screened the film A Clockwork Orange, which had been removed from distribution in the UK. Kubrick had insisted on the lawsuit, resulting in Scala facing financial difficulties and closing in 1993.

This was my actual membership card from 1993, the year it closed.