Bromley Picturehouse will screen its final film at 7.30pm on August 1 just before it’s closure.
The last movie to be shown is the iconic musical comedy “The Blues Brothers,” a fitting choice given its exuberant energy and lasting impact on popular culture.
Featuring ex-con brothers Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) on a self-proclaimed “Mission from God,” the film follows their efforts to save their childhood orphanage by reuniting their old rhythm and blues band.
Along the way, the brothers must navigate a series of increasingly outlandish obstacles, including law enforcement officers, neo-Nazis, a vengeful country band, and a heavily armed mystery woman portrayed with gusto by Carrie Fisher.
The film’s array of musical star cameos, including Ray Charles, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, alongside one of the most elaborate car chases ever filmed, promises an exhilarating cinematic experience.
Bromley Picturehouse will not only bid farewell with “The Blues Brothers” but also offer a rich and varied lineup of films throughout its final day.
· The Smeds and the Smoos (U, 28 min) – 11:15 AM (Toddler Time)
· Despicable Me 4 (U, 94 min) – 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM (Silver Screen)
· Twisters (12A, 122 min) – 12:50 PM, 3:45 PM, 6:45 PM (Silver Screen)
· Inside Out 2 (U, 96 min) – 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15 PM (Silver Screen)
· Deadpool & Wolverine (15, 128 min) – 12:45 PM, 4:00 PM (Subtitled), 7:00 PM (Silver Screen)
· Kinds of Kindness (18, 164 min) – 12:15 PM (Silver Screen)
· Crossing (15, 107 min) – 3:15 PM (Subtitled, Silver Screen)
· Thelma (12A, 98 min) – 12:45 PM (Silver Screen)
· Fly Me to the Moon (12A, 132 min) – 4:00 PM (Silver Screen)
· Longlegs (15, 101 min) – 7:00 PM
· NT Live: Present Laughter (2024 Encore) (PG, 180 min) – 6:00 PM (Screen Arts)
· Singin’ in the Rain (U, 108 min) – 7:15 PM
The decision to close Bromley Picturehouse, which has been attributed to increasing operational costs and declining admissions, has been met with widespread disappointment and sadness from the local community.
The cinema, housed in a striking Art Deco building designed by famed architect George Coles and dating back to 1936, has been a cornerstone of Bromley’s cultural life for generations.
Its closure marks the end of a venue that has played a significant role in the town’s history, echoing the golden years of cinema from the 1920s and 30s.
Despite the closure, Picturehouse Cinemas has announced three new cinemas in the past six months.
A spokesperson for Bromley Picturehouse expressed gratitude to the staff and patrons, stating, “We’d like to thank our hard-working team and everyone who has visited us over the years. We will contact Picturehouse Members about their membership in the coming days.”
Lock’s petition highlights the personal and cultural significance of the cinema, describing it as a “haven” and an essential part of Bromley’s local identity.
The petition underscores the community’s desire to preserve this cultural hub, emphasizing that its potential loss would mean more than just the closure of a cinema—it would mean losing a piece of Bromley’s history.
The community continues to battle to try and keep the Picturehouse open as well as looking for alternative options for the venue after August 1.
