In the course of research into the life of my maternal grandfather, who died during my second year of life, it become apparent that he spent some years in his early career as a “chief film projectionist” on the Shipman & King cinema circuit.
Shipman & King (S&K) owned and/or built cinemas across the South-East of England after being founded by Alf Shipman & Sam King in c.1921 (opening one of their first cinemas in Hailsham, East Sussex). At its peak the circuit contained some 65 cinemas ranging from the Exchange Theatre, Leighton Buzzard in the North; to Cannon, Havant, in the South-West; and Bijou Theatre, Rye, in the East. S&K operated the circuit up until the early 1970s when they were taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC).
My grandfather was employed on the circuit from 1945 to 1951, and certainly worked at Embassy Cinema, Dorking; Pavilion Cinema, Dorking; Embassy Cinema, Tenterden; Embassy Cinema, Waltham Cross and Embassy Cinema, Crawley.
Embassy Cinema, Dorking was originally built/owned by Gaumont Theatre, first opening in February 1938, then a short time later being acquired by S&K in September 1938; at that time being renamed “Embassy”. The Embassy closed in April 1973, and was eventually demolished in August 1983. The site now operates as the local council offices’ car park.
Located in South Street, Dorking, the Pavilion Cinema, (known locally as “The Flea Pit”), opened in 1925 and was managed by S&K until it’s closer in 1973. Flats now occupy the site.
The Embassy Cinema, Tenterden, was built and opened in 1937 by S&K, who continued to operate it until its closure in 1969. The original building still stands bearing the “Embassy” sign, but now houses a retail store.
Embassy Cinema, Waltham Cross, opened in 1937 and closed in 1972. It continued to operate as a cinema until 1993, being transformed into a bingo hall, which itself closed in early 2017.
S&K operated two cinemas in Crawley, the Imperial Cinema (the shorter lived of the two, not being an original S&K build), and the Embassy Cinema, opening 1938 and closing for refurbishment in 1979. After passing through several ownership changes, the site closed as a cinema in 1999, eventually being demolished in 2013. Retail stores now occupy the site.
Embassy Cinema, Dorking. c.1946/7 
Projection Room. c.1949 
Projector. c.1949 
Doug Williams. Behind the scenes at an S&K cinema. c.1949 
Embassy Cinema, Waltham Cross. 1 June 1950 
Embassy Cinema, Dorking. Christmas 1951
For a fuller history of the Shipman & King circuit, see the following links:
A series of 5 short films on the Shipman & King Circuit:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld8HSms7chA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=741WqXFH0pQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Paou9wVNWA4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6qp0JjAec
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdahVujT_yo
List of Shipman & King Cinemas, with brief histories of each site http://cinematreasures.org/chains/560/previous?status=all
Williams Genealogy 
Hi My Father worked for Shipman and King from 1933. when the County Cinema Hertford opened he started ads a Trainee Projectionist and after the war, was for over 25 years as the Manager of the Embassy, Welwyn Garden City (Welwyn Theatre until 1963). When my dad died my Mum took over as manager at WGC until her retirement, not long before the Cinema was closed and demolished enjoyed travelling around with him when he covered at Hoddesdon and Waltham Cross. Many happy memories in those Deco buildings.
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I am fascinated to read these accounts. My grandfather was Sam King of Shipman and King. I am trying to piece together as much of the history of the Shipman and King Cinemas as possible. Can anyone else out there provide any memories of that period? Id be so grateful to hear.
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Jennifer – Please revert back to me ASAP. I have been engaged in research in a parallel area. My great uncle, Harry Lewis, was general manager of Shipman & King in 1940/50s and my father told me Harry would often take him on site visits to different cinemas!
Harry was a very good friend of your grandfather and Alf Shipman. They all met originally pre WW1 when Sam and Harry were training to be teachers. Harry became a journalist thereafter until they persuaded him to join as they expanded their operations.
On a more personal note, Harry married Jennie who was a sister of Sam. I believe another of his sisters, Sadie, married Alf and I have a business connection with one of Alf’s grandsons. Do let me know when it would be convenient to take this conversation further. Stay well.
With all good wishes – Howard Lewis
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My father worked as a Cinema Manager until about 1961/62 for the ABC chain – Shipman and King were, of course, the “opposition” although I believe that at one time the S and K and ABC circuits were merged. One of the theatres that Dad managed was the ABC Regal, Purley, and almost directly opposit it was the Astoria, a Shipman and King cinema. I also remember that there two S and K cinemasvery close to each other in Ruislip, where my Great Aunt lived. Dad was a Relief Manager with ABC, travelling all over South London to cover for Managers on leave or ill and in many of the theatres he worked at there was often an S and K theatre very close by. Seems a whole world away now.
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Hello Colin. I worked for Shipman & King Cinemas from 1964 at The Embassy Tenterden until it’s closure in December 1969. Our last film was The Virgin Soldiers. After it’s closure I was transferred to The Astoria Purley. I was second operator. Roy Roberts (also from Embassy Tenterden) was chief. Richard Rapley another second operator and Mr Hunter the Manager. Both the ABC Regal which was about half a mile down the road and The Astoria were under the same company EMI. We shared the Pathe News. I used to run either way and pocket the bus fare. David.
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