The operating area took up the whole top floor and was at the time one of the most modern in the country, containing two streamlined projectors and the "RCA talking apparatus" for projection of "a perfect talking picture" The films of the day were made on highly unstable nitrate film stock and fire was always a possibility, an alarm system could isolate the projection room, flood the theatre with light and warm the staff in the box office of any problems.

Rather unusually, the projection room had an open-air balcony facing West, a little luxury doubtless appreciated by the projectionists on hot nights.

Modern air conditioning was installed and was something of a selling point for The Plaza, promoted on their billboards and press ads, all air entering the building was first "washed" then heated or cooled as required and used air exited from the roof.

War and post-war audiences demanded escapism at the cinema - comedy, thrillers and musicals - in 1945 Anna Neagle's I Live in Grosvenor Square kept The Plaza busy and April 1947 saw Hitchcock's The 39 Steps made a comeback.

June 1947, and with rationing still in force, the Plaza's ads promoted the Jimmy Cagney thriller G Men next to information from the Ministry of Food on 'How to get your new ration book'

Built by Scottish Cinema and Variety Theatres, a subsidiary of ABC The Plaza was opened by Lord Provost John Stewart on Monday 21st December 1936. The first film was Rose Marie starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.

Opening advertisements promised "superlatively good entertainment ... in an atmosphere of dignified and entrancing beauty"

Located in Govan, the heart of Glasgow's shipbuilding district, it's perhaps not too surprising that McNair and Elder's design should have nautical influences. Contemporary accounts of The Plaza suggested that "a ship theme is obvious, created mainly by illuminated pillars"

Entering the main foyer, the pay box was centrally located leading to a further set of five doors into the vestibule. Two stairways led off the vestibule, taking patrons to the back stalls waiting room or to the circle foyer. The circle foyer was a large semi-circular apartment with three high windows overlooking the main entrance.

The Plaza was thickly carpeted in red, orange and black to match the main colour scheme of fawn, orange and other autumnal shades and the proscenium arch was decorated in red and silver and the auditorium was lit by multi coloured lamps concealed in a series of coves.

727 Govan Road, Govan

Opened: December 21st 1936
Closed: April 15th 1972

Designed by: Charles J. McNair and Elder

Screens: 1

Seats: rear stalls 806
front stalls 546
rear balcony 626
front balcony 316
TOTAL 2294