The Electric Picture Palace opened on Thursday 11th May 1911 in what had previously been the Terminus Hall Theatre and Skating Rink (and in which occasional film shows had already been presented). The site was opposite the railway station. 

In 1929 the cinema was sold and renamed the Regent Cinema in 1931. By 1937 it was part of the H. Filer’s South Downs Cinemas circuit.

The Regent Cinema closed on Wednesday 25th May 1960 after a three day run of “The Shakedown”, starring Donald Pleasence, and “Girl in the Woods”, with Forrest Tucker and Margaret Hayes. 

Closure was rather abrupt: patrons arriving for the next advertised double bill, “The Flying Fontaines”, with Michael Callan, and Fred MacMurray in “Face of a Fugitive”, found a notice saying that the cinema was ‘Closed until further notice’. South Downs Cinemas hoped this would only be a temporary measure, but admitted to a shortage of films and poor business.

In the event, films did not return.

Text extracts and photo are from website Cinema Treasures, see the full page for more detailed information about the cinema.

See the Littlehampton Memories page for amusing and touching recollections of visiting Littlehampton's old cinemas.

Back to Littlehampton Cinema History page.