A marvellous piece of cinematic history from Largs of over half a century ago has been preserved and is ready to go on display for the first time since 1973.
It is 50 years ago this year since the iconic Viking Cinema in Largs closed its doors for the final time.
The beautiful art-deco cinema in Gogoside Road was a real treat to visit in the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and utilised the best film technology available to show popular movies on the big screen.
Among the final films shown at the Viking Cinema in 1973 were the Disney classic Dumbo and Clint Eastwood, now 93, starring in Dirty Harry.
And an amazing piece of history from the much missed building has been saved and will be going on display in the Largs Musuem this summer.
Richard Topping, of the Largs and District Historical Society, said: "Some of our members will recognise this two foot high wall lamp which used to be in the Viking cinema.
"It was rescued by Mr J Wham and donated to the museum, where it will be on display soon."
At the end of the War, the cinema was bought by Mr George Palmer, whose firm Associated GP Cinemas, eventually owned a chain of some 30 picture houses. He had already bought Largs Picture Pavilion in Stanlane Place, and Largs Picture House in Waterside Street.
Mr Palmer had the greatest affection for the Viking Cinema which he described as "the jewel in the crown" and when any new cinematic improvements came along, such as the widescreen or a new sound system, the Viking would get it installed first amongst his cinemas.
It is well remembered for its showpiece prow of Hacon's galley, which formed a delightful atmospheric feature of the entrance of the cinema. It stood about 12 feet high with a beam of 10 feet, and was even erected in a pool of water.
Mr James Houston, the Glasgow and Kilbirnie architect, introduced all novel touches in the designing of the Viking - including the lamps.
Beatlemania struck Largs in 1964 with three daily showings of the movie “A Hard Day’s Night”.
Former News photographer Grahame Ross, 79, believes the cinema was one of the architectural gems of the town - and it was a great shame that it couldn't be saved.
Grahame added: "It was such a beautiful building.
"I came to Largs in 1968 and I can remember going to see lots of films there. It was a very popular place.
"It was very nicely laid out inside, with tiered sets and you just went in there and assumed that you were going to see a great movie.
"It was a fantastic facility to have in Largs - and it is hard to believe that is 50 years since it closed it doors.
"It was a great pity that the building could not be saved as it had a really beautiful art-deco look. Sometimes things change and not always for the better."
The current Earl of Glasgow Patrick Boyle led a brave effort to try and save The Viking and have it re-opened as a luxury cinema in the early 1980s but there was not enough financial support to get the project off the ground.
It was Patrick's grandfather who opened the Gogoside Street venue in 1939.
After the cinema closed, the building became a bonded warehouse owned by Jimmy Wham - and became well known for the Wham's Dram which was sold over Scotland and beyond, before it was demolished in 1984.
Despite closing half a century ago, the cinema building continues to inspire with the Viking prow design used again at the Largs Station community garden when it opened in 2017.
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