With news that York's Odeon Cinema could be about to close, MATTHEW WOODCOCK looks back at its 66-year history.

SCOTT of the Antarctic was the most successful film ever shown at the York Odeon.

Its popularity in 1948 with both schoolchildren and adults saw the Blossom Street picture house bursting at the seams during matinees and evening performances for weeks on end.

As film fashions changed from John Mills's heroic Captain Scott to Schwarzenegger's ultra-violent Terminator, the Odeon has continued to survive despite retaining its traditional feel and the emergence of the Warner Village multiplex in Clifton Moor.

But following yesterday's news that its owners were assessing its "economic viability", and that staff had been called for a crisis meeting where redundancies were discussed, forthcoming Christmas blockbusters like Lord Of The Rings and Peter Pan could be the last chance to sit in front of Odeon One's giant screen.

The doors first opened at the Odeon in 1937, when cinema-building was at its zenith in Britain.

Negotiations with the city council were arduous as planners were not prepared to countenance a new cinema within the city walls. Permission was only granted for the venue once bold architectural plans were toned down. Designed by famous architect Harry Weedon, it is still a striking building nonetheless and Grade II listed.

Its classic art deco architecture is a rare site in York and one which the council is keen to protect.

George Shepheard, 82, who was manager at the Odeon for 26 years from 1967, says he is "saddened" by the closure threat.

When he started, the cinema had one giant auditorium which seated 1,650 people. In the 1970s its back stalls were used to create two, small 112-seater screens - Odeon 2 and 3. They were often used in the early days to screen soft-porn films which George says were "well-attended by a certain clientele".

"I won't believe the Odeon will close until they start pulling the bricks down," he said.

"I was under the impression it was reasonably successful today, particularly as cinema-going has increased significantly.

"A lot of old people still like to walk up an old flight of stairs and be suddenly confronted by a large screen image. The Odeon still has its old magic."

George says he is still astonished that the most popular film during his time as manager was Carry On Camping. "It was packed night after night," he said.

Odeon is an acronym immortalising the name of its founder: Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation.

Updated: 14:46 Friday, November 28, 2003