THE OPENING of the Regal 'super' cinema back in 1932 was one of the most significant events in Evesham's history.

Evesham already had one highly popular cinema in the High Street, but it was the heyday of film making - picture houses were packed - and queues to see silver screen idols regularly stretched down roads and around corners.

This boom in the film industry sparked the interest of local businessman Victor Morrell, who believed that Evesham could easily support a second cinema. He set about forming a company of traders and businessmen, who got themselves top architect Hurley Robinson to draw up the plans.

Next they commissioned local building firm, Espley and Co and in less than 30 weeks the art deco picture palace was set up and running in Port Street.

A glittering opening ceremony attended by the town's civic leaders, including the mayor, Richard White, took place on October 10, 1932.

After the speeches, in which charity cheques were handed out to mark the occasion, guests sat back to see the very first film, The Silent Voice staring heartthrob George Arliss.

To have been there on that opening day must have been a truly awe inspiring experience.

It was a time when cinema goers drew up in their sleek cars and stepped out in their finery for a night with the stars.

Usherette jobs were highly prized. Iris Jordan, now in her 80s, donned the very smart staff uniform and took up her torch in 1934. Later as assistant manager, she was known as Auntie Iris by the children who attended matinees.

"It was real upstairs downstairs. The gentlemen and ladies went up and the drivers went downstairs to see the films. It was a world where chauffeurs drove them to the doors," she said.

A report in the Journal describes the Regal as "The birth of a new landmark - The building is delightfully decorated and radiating comfort and cleanliness.

"The screen is so placed as to ensure everyone an uninterrupted view and the talking apparatus is noteworthy for the clarity of its reproduction and elimination of mechanical noise."

The Regal seated 1,000 people initially, with a revolutionary type of floor space which sloped downwards from back to centre and then inclined upwards from centre towards the screen.

The interior was apparently not only charming in colour and design, but used interior materials with special acoustic values to counteract reverberations of sound.

A report at the time went on to say: "Old gold, ivory and cream and turquoise blue are the predominating hues in the auditorium - an harmonious combination which is lent added attraction by the artistic concealed lighting effects. The hall staircases and foyers are richly coloured in cream, orange and gold.

Five months before, townsfolk had stood open mouthed after the giant steel girder to support the balcony arrived in town. It had been transported from the Crescent Iron Works in Darlaston and arrived in Port Street at 6.30am on a Sunday.

It came on a 15 ton six wheel lorry. Fourteen tons in weight, it was 68ft 5in long and 4ft 8in wide. The girder was transported by night to avoid causing inconvenience to traffic during the day. However, after leaving Birmingham only one vehicle was encountered on the road.

A report from onlookers when it was being offloaded said: "Buildings situated in the vicinity trembled when the great steel arm was shaken off the lorry onto the heavy railway sleepers - many of which split asunder when it fell."