| The Electric Cinema in Birmingham, the oldest | | | | The 1980s saw a resurgence in the fortunes of the |
| functioning cinema in the United Kingdom, has | | | | cinema, being integrated into the 'Classic' chain owned |
| experienced a turbulent history since its inception in | | | | by Lord Grade and being revamped into a |
| 1909. Initially it was known as the Electric Theatre, | | | | two-screen format. This phase too was short-lived |
| but the establishment has experienced a number of | | | | and in the mid-80s it was renamed the Tivoli before |
| name changes over the years. | | | | reverting to the Moniker Electric in 1993. The cinema |
| During the 1920s the cinema was renamed the Select | | | | closed down temporarily in 2003. |
| and showed a selection of silent movies. Adapting to | | | | Subsequently the cinema was put up to be sold and |
| changing tastes in the 1930s the venue was | | | | was acquired by an entrepreneur of the locality, Tom |
| converted into an amusement centre. Purchased by a | | | | Lawes. A comprehensive renovation was carried out |
| local entrepreneur in 1936 it was renovated and | | | | in which the building was refashioned to its 1930s Art |
| reopened as the Tatler News Theatre, only the | | | | Deco appearance using photographs taken in that |
| second such establishment in the city. | | | | era. The cinema now features mainly art house |
| In the years following World War II with the | | | | material, showing innovative movies without blindly |
| increasing popularity of television, the demand for | | | | following Hollywood box office hits. The Electric only |
| news theatre decreased dramatically. During the | | | | features 100 seats, including some luxury sofa seats. |
| 1950s the focus of the establishment was altered | | | | Additionally the cinema features a complete licensed |
| yet again and it was renamed the Jacey Cartoon | | | | bar as well as a comprehensive food menu and |
| Theatre. This period proved to be brief, with the | | | | waiter service may be ordered by the occupants of |
| venue being assigned yet another moniker as the | | | | some seats. For travellers visiting the area an ideal |
| Jacey Film Theatre in the 1960s; at this time the | | | | hotel Birmingham offers would be the Copthorne |
| cinema displayed continental and art house films. The | | | | Hotel Birmingham. This well furnished Birmingham UK |
| 1970s proved to be the establishment's darkest days, | | | | hotel offers all the necessary ingredients for a |
| with the once proud cinema surviving by showing | | | | pleasurable stay. |
| mainly pornographic films. | | | | |