53 Crow Road, Partick

Opened: April 29th 1929
Closed: February 26th 1972

Designed by: Denny and Blain

Number of screens: 1
Number of seats: 1918

Located at the bottom of Crow Road, The Tivoli opened in 1929 and was designed by William J Blain of Dumbarton firm Denny and Blain.

The Tivoli's first film was Wings set during the First World War and starring Clara Bow and Charles "Buddy" Rogers which had the distinction of winning the first Academy Award for Best Picture in 1928

With 1918 seats The Tivoli was, at the time the biggest cinema in Partick and one of the best-appointed with its neo-classical exterior, black and white terrazzo floor and huge auditorium, complete with Roman style decoration.

A Christie organ was fitted to entertain patrons, no doubt to the chagrin of The nearby Rosevale, where music was one of their most popular features.

The Tivoli became part of Gaumont British Theatres in 1932 when it immediately benefitted from the latest Gaumont releases. Gaumont's presence in the West end of the city was later strengthened in 1943 when it acquired The Ascot, Anniesland.

After the Second World War Gaumont became part of the Rank organisation and continued as a popular cinema, although by 1967 it had become less profitable and was sold to the Classic chain who already had The Classic, Renfield Street and the old Vitagraph in Sauchiehall Street and were rapidly expanding throughout the country.

The cinema was renamed Classic and continued until 1972 when it was closed and sold in an attempt to recoup loses sustained by Classic's new parent company the Laurie Marsh Group and reopened as County Bingo until 1999 when the site was converted into shops and flats.