With Cineworld in the news as its popular Basildon venue could be saved, many of us will remember our lost cinemas that have gone with the wind.
We have found some rare photos of cinemas across south Essex that time unfortunately forgot.
Many cinemas featured in this story - such as the Rio on Canvey, the Astoria in Southend and the Regent in Stanford-le-Hope - are no longer in business.
The Rio, Canvey
This photo comes courtesy of the Canvey Community Archives and shows the Rio Cinema on Canvey.
A Rio patron previously told the Echo it was known as The Flea Pit back in the early sixties, and lads had a habit of flicking lighted cigarette ends at the girls they liked.
Regent, Stanford-le-Hope
Another photo shows the popular Corringham Road cinema, the Regent.
Despite it being relatively modest in seating proportions, with a 585 capacity, it was quite a popular attraction.
The Regent opened in February 1935 with a showing of “20 Million Sweethearts” starring Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers.
The Rivoli, Odeon and the Astoria, Southend
This cinema in Alexandra Street opened in 1920 and closed in 1961.
The cinema had seating for 1,500 patrons and played host to many of the great films of the day including “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Ben Hur”.
One of the most popular cinemas to ever grace Southend – the Astoria – was a huge hit when it opened in July 1935.
Queues of people lined up around the block to get their hands on a ticket to see one of the first two films showing – Brewster’s Millions and False Witness.
The old Odeon in Elmer Approach in Southend is also remembered by many.
State Cinema, Grays
And then there's the most significant cinema in Thurrock’s history – the State Cinema in George Street, Grays.
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Costing £100,000 to build and equip the Art Deco cinema featured a giant Compton Organ and seated 2,200 people.
Sadly the cinema stopped showing films in 1988 and has laid dormant and gathering dust every since.
In October, Wetherspoon bosses scrapped £5 million plans to turn the listed cinema, which was one of the largest in Essex, into a new pub.
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