Our Navy's Regent Street 'Home'

Alfred West regarded the cinema theatre at the Regent Street Polytechnic (now the University of Westminster) as its London 'home' for many years.

The name of 'The Regent Street Polytechnic' or 'Polytechnic, London' appeared frequently and prominently on reviews, promotional articles, and the advertising materials and flyers for the company, not just in the many towns across the UK where they were exhibited, but it was relied on heavily as an indicator of quality in all the countries in which the 'Our Navy' material was exhibited.

A few examples are shown below including one from a tour made to Hobart in 1901.

Sponsored seat for Alfred West

Following the redevelopment and re-opening of the cinema in 2015, a seat has been paid for by the family and named in his honour (Row K, Seat 7).

References to'The Polytechnic'

'Our Navy revived'
At the Regent Street Polytechnic Cinema

On Wednesday 3 October 2012, a talk was given at the original cinema (now in the University of Westminster at 309 Regent Street) about the work of Alfred J West and the 'Our Navy' shows.

The presentation was sponsored by the:

• British Cinema and Television Veterans Association.

Part 1

Part 2

Regent Street Polytechnic - home of AJ West's 'Our Navy' from David Clover on Vimeo.

Poster for talk on 3 October 2012 to be given in the exact location where Alfred West showed 'Our Navy' in London's Regent Street (click for full size poster)

Polytechnic Shows

Handbill advertising cinematograph exhibitions at the Polytechnic Regent Street c: 1910

The Regent Street Polytechnic showing Theatre entrance and 'Our Navy' advertisement
(Picture Courtesy of the University of Westminster)

"The Secretary of the Navy League told me that such an entertainment should remain permanently in London, but the only question was to find a hall. He suggested the Polytechnic in Regent Street, and after an interview with the Directors they agreed to let their hall to me, and at this address under the title of “Our Navy” the show came to anchor and remained there for 14 years. Each year new pictures were added or substituted on the programme, the Admiralty affording me special facilities to obtain them. It was recognised that besides acting as an incentive to the right class of recruit such an entertainment would prove of great value in popularizing the service. The films were only shown at the Polytechnic in the afternoons from 3 till 5, so that the evenings were free for booking elsewhere." (Sea Salts and Celluloid p36)

Sound effects at Regent Street
(Picture Courtesy of the University of Westminster. NB - this picture depicts the earlier design of the cinema before the 1893 rebuilding and before the arrival of 'Our Navy'.)

"I decided to act as compère myself and to introduce sound effects, as I considered that it would not do for the audience to see, for instance, a gun fired and hear no report, and so I arranged with someone behind the screen to hit a big drum at the right moment. With such effect was this done that it quite startled the audience, particularly the ladies, and caused roars of laughter. Sheets of coarse sandpaper rubbed together gave a realistic enough impression of the splashing of waves, and words of command delivered at the right juncture unknowingly anticipated the ‘talkies” of today and added to the appreciation of the films." (Sea Salts and Celluloid p16)

"Realism was further enhanced by the effects behind the screen. Three men were kept hard at work beating drums to represent gun fire, knocking chains and other metal objects about, and generally making a terrible din." (Sea Salts and Celluloid p40)

The Regent Street Polytechnic Theatre - Circa 1900
(Picture Courtesy of the University of Westminster)

Advertising

Sandwich board men were dispatched across London to advertise the shows, but Our Navy also created a large wooden ship model 13' 6" in length, christened 'King Edward VIII' which was towed around London and other cities carrying bill boards and advertisements for the Polytechnic and local shows. Unfortunately this fell foul of London byelaws, and West was told that he would be prosecuted if he continued to use it for advertising as the great crowds it attracted caused serious disruption to traffic. The model eventually featured in several film sequences and it was eventually blown up and destroyed for dramatic effect.

Finances

Clips and Reviews - University of Westminster Archive