The Gaumont is currently being fitted out with three screens and is expected to open later this year. It was named after Leon Gaumont, a French engineer who was one of the originators of cinematography.
Another was William Friese-Greene (1851-1921) whose basement workshop and studio was at 196 Kings Road (where the Gaumont now stands) and whose life is celebrated in the 1951 film “The Magic Box.” Starring Robert Donat. Perhaps they will show the film on opening day!
Friese-Greene was a society photographer, with studios in London, Bath, and Bristol. In 1889 he patented a “chromophotographic camera” – the first to use a roll of celluloid film to capture a sequence of images, but it captured only 5 frames per second and was not a commercial success. He also patented x-rays, 3D film, and two-colour cinematography. He died almost bankrupt in 1921.
