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Just off London’s heaving Leicester Square, around the corner from M&M’s World, is the cult film venue the Prince Charles Cinema. Converted into a cinema in 1969, it is much loved for its screenings of hard-to-find films and counts directors Paul Thomas Anderson, John Waters and Quentin Tarantino among its fans.
At the time of writing, more than 150,000 people have signed a petition launched by the cinema, who say its landlord Zedwell LSQ Ltd (owned by property developers Criterion Capital) wants to alter the lease, which would enable it to shut down the business.
Six cinemagoers share their memories of the Prince Charles and tell us what makes it such a valuable institution.
‘We lost it when George Lucas brought his family to see Mars Attacks!’
I worked on the box office at the Prince Charles Cinema between 1995 and 2000. Working there was fun. I remember serving Nick Cave drinks, and not knowing who he was while everyone buzzed around him. I also embarrassed myself during a Priscilla, Queen of the Desert singalong screening. I got talking to this guy who came out for air. I asked him what he liked about the film and he responded with odd details, saying that he made the film. I, amused, did not believe him and made fun of him in my then-22 years young, gobby way. Later, my manager told me it was the director and I apologised. He was great about it.
I learned how many of the greats, including Martin Scorsese, would see their films incognito in Leicester Square. We all lost it when George Lucas brought his family in to see Mars Attacks! He let the manager unashamedly take a photo with him. Natalie Portman came to see the Rocky Horror singalong and we all melted, as Léon was only recently out.
The Prince Charles attracted artists, because it was £1.50 for a film matinee and £3 in the evening. Pete Doherty worked there with me too, on sweets and popcorn. I remember him telling us about his new band, and wanting to call them the Libertines. He was so bright and recommended many great books to me. Carl Barât used to pop in after work. The staffroom was a mini Libertines HQ.
Then there were the punters. They were unique and I loved so many of them. Some were in need. On very cold days, I would give a whole day’s worth of tickets to a person so they could be indoors and stay warm. We were a bit of a care hub for the local homeless and elderly people who were alone. That’s what the Charlie was about, back then. Louise Rodd, East Sussex
‘Every time I return to London, I find time to visit’
I first heard about the Princes Charles Cinema from my good friend, Tom, and we often skipped film studies classes to go to screenings there between 2016 and 2019. PCC was a revelation to me as my home town doesn’t have any repertory cinema. I was introduced to great film directors such as Tati, Kurosawa, Lynch, and Friedkin. PCC also has the kindest staff with a good sense of humour. Every time I return to London, no matter how tight my schedule is, I find time to visit. Recently, it has also screened more east Asian films, which is a rarity in the UK – and very valuable for east Asian film buffs like me. Jessica SY Yeung, 36, Hong Kong
‘The interruption united the audience’
It was about 15 years ago, in the run-up to Christmas, and my sister and I went to see an early evening screening of Home Alone. We were expecting it to be half empty with a few families, but arrived to find them turning people away, and the cinema full of people our age (late 20s to early 30s), with hardly a child to be seen. About halfway through the film, it stopped playing, and an employee awkwardly stepped out in front of the screen. He explained that the reel we were watching was damaged; at this point he started getting heckled and I was getting a bit anxious for his wellbeing.
He gave the audience two options: finishing at this point with a refund, or switching to a DVD, which wouldn’t have the same sound quality. The audience almost unanimously voted for the DVD, and we settled back in to watch the remainder, the employee leaving our screening as fast as he could. The interruption seemed to have united the audience in a strange way, because after that it became more like watching a stage production; there were audible laughs, gasps and claps as the bandits met with Kevin’s pranks, and the film closed to cheers and applause. I’ve never had a cinematic experience like it. Kat Rowles, Surrey
‘We went to all-night Disney marathons every spring’
I lived in London for four years during which I spent a lot of time at the Prince Charles Cinema. It was a tradition for my wife, my friends and myself to go to the all-night Disney marathons every spring, and the Muppet Christmas Carol every December. For anyone even remotely interested in film, this place is like a mecca. The vast range of films they show is astounding – from the classiest arthouse fare to absolute nonsense B-movies. Murray Rodgers, 34, Inverness
‘Hundreds of people jumped out of their seats’
I saw a preview of the Robin Williams film One Hour Photo, which was being shown as part of the 2002 FrightFest. I’d chosen it on impulse and therefore saw it in the ideal way; going in cold with no idea of what to expect. My vivid memory of the screening was the fun of seeing hundreds of people all jump out of their seats simultaneously, when hit with the dream sequence where Williams’ eyes start bleeding profusely. Months later, the film was released, but it took years for it to be recognised for the great film it is. It is now one of my favourites and when I think of it, the Prince Charles Cinema will always be inextricably tied to it. Gerard Lough, 46, Ireland
‘The audience participated with water pistols’
I was a regular for many years. In the 90s the PCC used to show The Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight every Friday. The show featured live actors and the audience was encouraged to participate with water pistols, thrown rice, cards, and costumes. It was always a great place to go after an evening in a Soho pub, especially as late licences were quite rare back then. Cinema needs imaginative programming and events to survive – it’s no longer enough to just screen a movie because I have a big screen at home and my sofa is more comfortable. Mark, São Paulo, Brazil
‘One of the places that makes London worth living in’
The Prince Charles is part of the vibrant, slightly tatty but accessible Soho that seems to get smaller every year. I’ve seen such a ragbag of memorable films here (Ran; Bonnie and Clyde; The Bishop’s Wife; The Neon Demon; The Living Dead At Manchester Morgue; A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin), as well as some real rubbish. It shows things that nowhere else will put on – to packed houses – and it’s a brilliant place to catch films just before they finish their run. My son had his first cinema trip here to see Frozen, and it’s where I introduced him to the Marx Brothers. Leicester Square is an embarrassment, but the Prince Charles single-handedly redeems it. It’s one of the places that makes London worth living in. Anthony Stamp, London
