The Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9PJ
This year the Phoenix , one of the old cinemas in Britain, is celebrating its 100th birthday. Its architectural features alone are outstanding. Come and join us while we celebrate with an appreciation.
The invention of the cinema is one of the signposts of the modern era. Previously culture meant either trips to the theatre [ the cost !] or to the rowdy music halls, which have their virtues but even applied art is not one of them. The cinema opened up a whole new world to which even people born and brought up like Charlie Chaplin, from the London workhouse, were able to contribute and make their own distinctive mark.
America of course was the home of this startling new medium but it was not long before the long arms of capitalist enterprise engulfed it . Over time various artists have attempts to establish a degree of professional autonomy . Many were sympathetic to, or actually joined, the communists, more as a sign of resistance than to signify ideological commitment. McCarthy did his best to eradicate that.
