The Odeon on New Canal Street reopened its doors to cinemagoers in 1964 after The Rank Organisation took control, with the cinema having previously been operated by The Gaumont Group as the Gaumont Palace Theatre since 1931. MORE: Odeon: Inside Salisbury's Grade I listed medieval cinema The building was originally constructed in 1470 by John Halle, just as the Medieval Period was drawing to a close and Henry VI began his second spell as King of England. Halle was renowned as a colourful local character.
(Image: Spencer Mulholland) A wealthy local wool merchant, Halle served as both Member of Parliament for the ancient cathedral City and as its Mayor for four terms, including one term bestowed on him by the City whilst he was jailed in the Tower of London on the personal orders of the King following an ill-tempered land dispute with the Bishop of Salisbury, Richard de Beauchamp. Cllr Sven Hocking, the current Mayor of Salisbury, fondly remembers the first film he saw at the iconic venue; 1979’s Mad Max . “The Odeon, like any other business, has faced challenges before, and while other venues have closed, Salisbury Odeon has adapted and survived, so they must be doing something right.
” He added, “There are some movies that just have to be seen on the big screen! Watching Top Gun: Maverick is not the same at home.” The landmark reopened in the swinging sixties during a golden era for cinema in the UK, with that year seeing millions drawn to iconic productions such as M.