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Electric Palace

Introduction
Harwich’s 1911 cinema still has its old silent screen, projection room and the ornamental front. Cheap seats had wooden benches and a separate side entry: “the tuppenny rush”! Closing in 1956, it re-opened in 1981. Now a community cinema and jazz venue, in 2006 actor Clive Owen became patron. Famous poet Sir John Betjeman was once a patron.

 From showman Charles Thurston and architect Harold Hooper, this Grade II* listed survivor of early cinema design has received grants.

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Hazle Ceramics
Electric Palace
Limited Mould of 30
on Northampton
Flags mould, no knobs
With added gold

20th Anniversary 2010
Painted by Hazle & Michele

 In 2004 on a tour of Harwich, The Queen saw many aspects of the cinema’s restoration.

UK/Europe £89.50
Rest of World £76.17

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 Original restored interior, 2003.

The Jazz Singer
This first feature-length film with songs and some dialogue synchronized will have shown at the Electric Palace. Based on his own life, Russian born “blackface” singer Al Jolson plays young Jakie Rabinowitz who performs popular tunes and runs away from his strict Jewish family. As adult Jack Robin he appears on Broadway and ultimately resolves the conflict of home and heritage.

 Premiere, October 6 1927 at Warner Bros main theatre in New York City. Yom Kippur, the plot’s pivot, was next day.
 Original poster has Jakie back with his now old mother.

 A “blackface” could give a US immigrant a new identity within the minstrel tradition.