As the Odeon Cinema moves into the BH2 leisure complex next week it is worth reflecting how the cinema began as the Regent Theatre in Westover Road, Bournemouth nearly 88 years ago and how it had to adapt in an ever changing world of film and entertainment.

Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd opened the Regent Theatre, Bournemouth's first luxury cinema, on May 13 1929 under the manager George Kasoni. The site was previously occupied by Italian style mansions and its construction was watched with great interest in the town that was still comparatively new.

" The interior of the building was treated throughout in the style of the Italian Renaissance and adapted to modern 'ideas' with accommodation for 2,300. Over 15,000 electric lamps, 60 miles of cable and 120,000 feet of steel tubing went into the lighting system, in which great use is made of indirect lighting", reported the Echo.

The large foyer was paved with black and white marble and the ceilings were richly ornamented and coloured. Marble staircases lead to the auditorium and a massive dome with decorations surrounding the walls. There was also a spacious Cafe Restaurant seating over 300 people on the first floor.

The Regent was equipped with a large stage and full theatrical facilities including a mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ which was played by many broadcasting organists in the 1930s and 1940s.

On the opening night in 1929 the film 'Two Lovers' starring Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky was shown. Reginald Foort was at the Wurlitzer organ, the Regent Orchestra directed by T.S. Clarke-Browne played selections, and variety acts included the Regent Girls troupe, 'simultaneous dancers' Graham and Douglas, and the soprano Nan Foster performed on the stage.

When the Royal Canadian Air Force were stationed in the town during World War Two the Regent presented special late night films after the normal evening performances for service personnel only. The theatre was also used for instructional films and other service activities.

The Regent was renamed the Gaumont in 1949. Three years later a huge three-tier cake made by Gerald's Bakery was presented to the theatre for the Gaumont Theatre Group's silver jubilee and the feature film for the week was 'Robin Hood and His Merrie Men' starring Richard Todd.

In 1952 recently engaged couples and over 100 employees of Max Factor's cosmetics factory were invited to the Gaumont Theatre for a preview of a new British comedy film 'Made In Heaven'. Petula Clark, star of the film made a personal appearance on stage and sang the theme song 'Made In Heaven' along with other popular numbers.

During the 1950s the Gaumont was a popular venue for jazz shows and the Best British Press photographs exhibition. It also had an annual Christmas tree where gifts were placed for the Victoria Home for Crippled Children and St Catherine's Home.

The 1960s attracted big popular music stars to the Gaumont such as Billy Fury, Joe Brown, Frankie Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, Russ Conway, Tom Jones as well as the Beatles.

Police and cinema attendants had to use force in 1960 when hundreds of screaming teenagers tried to swarm on to the stage as Billy Fury staged a one-night stand and made a 'gymnastic' appearance towards the end of the show.

"Fireworks were thrown at the police, who stood at the end of the gangways, as wave after wave of screeching girls tried to clamber on to the stage", said the Echo.

On his return to the Gaumont two years later with Joe Brown, Fury's show was reported to be 'one of the noisiest shows ever to hit the Gaumont.

Frankie Vaughan was still on stage signing autographs for several hundred of his fans when he appeared at the Gaumont in 1961.

In the same year piano-playing idol Russ Conway and the first live Saturday show at the Gaumont was also popular with the ladies, as well as the American heart-throb Johnny Mathis who spent time on the beach before his two performances.

But by far the most popular shows were those performed by the Beatles. They appeared at the Gaumont from August 19 - 24 1963 sharing the bill with Billy J Kramer who also celebrated his 20th birthday at the Palace Court Hotel next door. The Beatles returned to the Gaumont the following year on August 2 and October 30.

There was also comedy. In 1965 the celebrated pianist comedian Victor Borge presented his 'Comedy in Music' and brothers Mike and Bernie Winters clowned and wise cracked through their first rate show.

Two years later Tom Jones was at the Gaumont accompanied by the Ted Heath Orchestra and guest singer Kathy Kirby.

In November1968 the Gaumont closed. After eight months it reopened as two new cinemas and later changed its name to the Odeon.